Life gets in the way sometimes

I have finally made my way back to sewing (partially).  DH and I have had some health issues, nothing really serious but still annoying. 

Past few days, I have worked on spring cleaning my sewing room and still have more to do.  I have decided on a pattern to make---McCall's7904.

I thought I would try the shirt as seen on the model, but with shorter sleeves. Then I thought I would try View A.  The fabric I was going to use however will probably not drape as shown for that view.  I have pulled out a couple of other fabrics from stash and need to decide.

I have at least cut around the pattern pieces and have pinned them for fitting purposes.  I have not gotten to that part yet.  Sewing has always been my stress reliever, but not happening now.

I admit I am feeling some anxiousness and having been retired for one year now, I find I miss the interaction with people as I had at work.  I miss not having a sewing guild to interact with members. I reached out to a chapter near Wilmington and wanted to talk about starting something here. No response, so maybe I will try to be a squeaky wheel and try again.  Fabric stores that are close by are for quilting and I have no real desire to quilt.  The only source for fabrics and patterns is Hobby Lobby.  They do have some fabrics that appeal to me and the staff is nice but not necessarily garment sewists or even sew.

Sorry to sound like Debbie Downer, but it was rather cathartic to spell it out here.   I am currently waiting for the Geek Squad to assist with a smart TV that I am not yet smart enough to fix the app issue using apps to view on the TV screen.  And the front burner on our stove though set on heat level 4 or medium with sometimes raise the heat level to high all by itself.  Potential for a safety issue here.

Thanks for stopping by and I will lose the Debbie Downer attitude before I post again.

Finding my lost sewjo

I lost my mojo again or it is at least 1/2 gone.  In my last post, I talked about a jacket from Nordstroms that I want to make. I ordered Brussels Washer Linen from fabric.com that is green but not quite as bright.  This will be my first time trying this type of fabric.

I have been on a fabric and pattern diet since retiring.  There were a couple of patterns recently that I purchased through Club BMV.

I also purchased a top pattern from Burda.

I was inspired to try this one as I fell in love with Linda G's top as shown on her blog.
Dressmaking Debacles blogger helped me with finding a pattern to sew that was very similar to the inspirational jacket on Nordstrom.  I downloaded it from the Burda Style website.  I think this will be easily adaptable to what I want to do.

These two patterns are from Simplicity.  8512 will get made soon as the other one will be on hold for a while as I think our warm weather is here to stay!

Buying the patterns and fabric is helping me to get the sewing bug again.  I did buy one other fabric in a blue/white stripe that arrived two days ago from Sly Fox Fabrics.  This was my first purchase from them and there are some other fabrics I am interested in to buy in the future. Will showcase that fabric in a future post.

Fabric Marker Pens and Field Jackets

I have used the FriXion pens for a couple of years and all that I had have run out of ink.  My Walmart never has them.  There are several Walmarts in my general area, but the one I normally go to is about 5 minutes away from my neighborhood.  Their products are somewhat lacking compared to two other stores that I go to when in the area.

I even went to Staples and even they did not have them in stock.  I do like the pens so decided to look on Amazon. Of course, they had several in stock.  While looking I came across some other
brands.

They are Blulu Heat Erasable pens.  They come in four colors white, fuschia, blue and black.  There are two refills for each color.  I liked the price and I like to try something new so I ordered them, arriving a couple of days ago.  I have tried the fuschia and the mark I made as a guide for hemming my recent project worked beautifully.  The only negative is that there is not an eraser at the other end of the pen.  I can survive that. The price was $7.99, a little less than the FriXion.  (Amazon Affiliate)

I am always amazed at what one can find on Amazon.  I know that many people have issues with Amazon and chose not to buy from them.  I always try to buy local but when local retailers do not have what I need I go to Smile Amazon.  My purchases create a contribution to some organization.  I recently change my support to the Alzheimers' Association.  With both of my parents dying from the horrible disease, I want to try to help as much as possible.

My sewing mojo slipped a little after completing my last project.  Recently I went online window shopping at Nordstrom and came across this jacket. There are several "field jackets" with similar styles.

From Nordstrom's website.

I have searched through the usual pattern sources and have yet to find a similar pattern.  I have Pattern Master Boutique and have not used it in several years, though I do keep downloading the updates.  I was not very successful in finding this style; I did create a couple of jackets that I could hack together.  I basically used a jeans jacket pattern, lengthened it, adding pockets and front zipper.  I still need to rework measurements.

I do have a Simplicity pattern, that looks like several of the other jackets.  This has the potential for working. I have fabric for this pattern but I want green.  So this has become my inspiration to sew.

If you are aware of a pattern that is similar to this, please leave a comment with the pattern information!    

Enough for now!

The Discoverer Tee-Ellie and Mac

I finally finished this top!  It should not have taken this long to complete as it is an easy pattern to sew.  I ran into issues with the neckline, operator error not the pattern.

When I attached the neckband to the neckline, I had a puckered place at the front area.  I just could not leave it alone; it was noticeable. I dreaded having to undo the stitching.  I normally do not use the stretch stitch on my machine.  I had read several posts about sewing knits and noted that several people use this stitch.  Soooooo! I decided to give it a try; I have tried it before and had to remove stitches and found it was not as easy to remove as a straight stitch or zigzag.  After seeing the pucker, I was hating that I used that stitch.

The solid green fabric is a rather lightweight knit and does not sew that well; it is easy to tear. So I began slowing to remove stitches and of course, I created a small hole and then another one and another one.  I think you get the picture. I decided that I would have to trim the neckline and cut a new neckband.  However, the new neckband was too small as I did not allow for the lower neckline in the front.  At this point, I did not have enough of the green fabric to create another neckband. I thought about using fold over elastic and had the perfect green elastic. I find using the FOE can be somewhat challenging to align the fabric neckline into the fold of the elastic. Knowing the fiddly fabric I am working with and my concern after aligning elastic and fabric and not have puckers or misalignment I decided to go another route.

So I attached bias tape.  I have used bias tape for knit necklines in the past with great success.    It worked with this top.  Meanwhile, my sewing time was limited due to several appointments for DH and me. I finally finished the top a few days ago.

I was able to take photos of me wearing the top yesterday and used my sewing room for the photo shoot. Without further comments-------

It looks like I am whistling, not sure why I puckered my lips.  I liked the photo of the top so kept it. I tried using my beachwaver tool on my hair as I had not used it since we moved. Going for a different look instead of straight and flat.  I need more practice.

Here is a semi-side view. at the last minute, I moved my hand right before the timer made the shot. Below is a view of the back and side seams where I did a great job (if I say so myself) of matching the design stripes.

One more shot of the front

I love green and it is one color that looks good on me.  I was glad to use up the solid fabric and the print is french terry.  All came from EOS.

As you know from a previous post, I am an Ellie and Mac affiliate and receive a commission if you use my link to purchase any pattern from their line up.  My opinions are my own.

I now know my sizes to use for this pattern line- large for upper chest and x-large from bust to bottom. This pattern includes upper bodice pieces for front and back. The bottom bodice is one piece and you cut fabric twice for front and back.  Because I normally need to make a sway back adjustment, I cut two lower bodice pattern pieces and used one for the back with swayback adjustment; the front bodice did not require any changes.  I cut the print fabric in a single layer for both bottom pieces and was able to cut so that the side seams would match the design stripes. I also made a 1/2 inch FSA. The pattern calls for 1/4 inch seam allowances.  I sewed most of the top using my serger, except for neckline band and then bias tape.  I hemmed the sleeves and bodice using my coverstitch machine which I have not used in forever!

It has been like spring for over a week now so this was my first spring top!  Last night it dropped to freezing temps and should go up to the 70's by afternoon.  I am so ready for permanent spring weather.  My focus for the next projects is to make a woven top and I want to make a jacket/cardi as well.

Thanks for stopping by!

Found some sewing mojo!

I started feeling better after going to the doctor and getting some medication for this crud.  Unfortunately, my husband has it now so we are coughing and coughing together.

I printed and taped my next Ellie and Mac pattern, the Discoverer Tee. Now that I am more familiar with this pattern line my pin fitting adjustments were a lot easier to make. (For full disclosure, I am an affiliate and should you purchase this pattern from my site, I could earn a commission.)

Still working with fabric from my stash I pulled three fabrics.  The green and print fabric were purchases made from EOS a few years ago.  The green is left over from a tee shirt I made.  The other fabric was purchased and I got the remaining fabric that was left on the bolt from EOS.  The cream color one is from Fabric Mart and it too is left over from two projects.

So fitting adjustments to pattern have been made, except for making a small FBA which will be done later.  I then plan to cut out the fabric.  I plan to use the printed fabric which has only 25% stretch and the green which has a little more stretch, hopefully, they will play well together.  I am hoping not to use the cream colored solid as I really just want the other two.  My concern is if there is enough fabric for the upper bodice and short sleeves from the green.  We shall see!

Where oh where, did my sewing mojo go?

Have not been sewing.  I printed out another Ellie and Mac pattern.  Have not had the desire to tape and cut around pattern pieces.  Have not had the desire to pull out a TNT pattern either.

The weather has turned cold again.  Last week we had highs in the upper 60's and the low 70's.  With spring type weather I have been spending more time outside and even doing some spring cleaning.

I know we all have had these times and hopefully, this will past soon.

More later.

Black and cream hoodie (photo heavy)

The weather today was much cooler and perfect for me to wear my new hoodie from Ellie and Mac.  The weather has been very strange for the past couple of weeks; thankfully we are not getting the snow and ice.  One day it is 70 degrees and then we drop to 40-50 with lows some nights in the 30's.

I set up the tripod to take some photos before I ventured out into overcast and misty weather.  I am so happy with the outcome of this project and as I write this I have returned from shopping and the top meant the wearability test. So without further ado:


Here are photos of the front:

No photo shot should go without the hands in a pocket view:

Here is the back both wearing and hanging

and here are some views from the side

Here are a few close-ups of the drawstring and the cuffs.  I chose sections of the fabric for the cuffs to match up with each side of the overlay fabric.

I have purchased several Ellie and Mac patterns as I like the numerous styles offered and the prices are very reasonable.  I truly appreciate that because I am printing the pattern using my paper and ink, so it seems a fair bargain.  This is my first make and will not be my last.  And yes I am an affiliate and this is my first review in that role; my opinions are my own.  Should you have an interest in viewing the patterns and you click on my affiliate link on the left sidebar, then I could receive a commission.

The fabrics used in the making of this hoodie were from my stash and coincidently they were purchased from Fabric Mart at different times.  The cream-colored fabrics were used in a Vogue sweatshirt pattern a few years ago. The black and cream fabric was a border print that I purchased to make a dress which never happened.  It worked perfectly for this pattern.

I don't think I need another hoodie at this time and when I do I plan to use this one again.

Drawstrings

From reading my recent posts, you are aware that I have been sewing the Undercover Hoodie.  I decided to not add the waistband but instead use a drawstring.  I searched online and Amazon popped up with sources.  There were several options but I chose this one. They are 47 inches long which worked well for where the hoodie bottom falls on my body.

I truly like how they were packaged in a reusable pouch with zip slide at the top.

It also included tools to make insertion easier.

Not only was this useful for my current sewing project and also for replacing some drawstrings in a couple of my pj's.

For full disclosure, I am an Amazon Affiliate and could receive a commission if you used the link on under Amazon Associate.  

For Sale "She Wears the Pants" book

I have just relisted the above book on Ebay.  If interested, here is the link. In great condition and the patterns included are still in factory fold.

Ellie and Mac Undercover hoodie update

I finally took the time to take some photo shots of the hoodie in its current progress;  it is actually close to being finished. I fell in love with the look of this pattern months ago and my sewing plan was to complete it in January.  With the deadline looming for the Basically Jalie Blog Tour, the Jalie Mimosa pattern took a lot of my time.

This is a new to me pattern line and thus some trial and error with the fit for me. My measurements put me into the Large range.  With my experience with some other independent patterns, I decided to print the medium and large sizes.  I am glad I did as I basically ended up stitching more of a medium size than large.  This happens pretty much with other indies.

I made some adjustments to the pattern

1. shortened bodice by 1 1/2 inches
2. swayback adjustment of 1/2 inch
3. forward shoulder adjustment of 5/8 inch
4. FBA of 3/4 inch

During the basting and fitting stages, I had to make numerous adjustments some I should have made originally. I should have taken a horizontal tuck in the upper chest and back to raise the underarms.  By not doing this I ended up using 5/8 inch seam allowance for the shoulders instead of the 1/4 inch the pattern instructions call for.  I really did not need the FBA removing 1 inch from the bust down for front and front overlay.  I also reduced the back side seams by 1/2 inch which did put me into the medium size.  I had to reduce the sleeve shoulders by 3/8 inch due to the deeper shoulder seams I took. I also reduced the shoulder width again putting me into the medium/small size.  I have to do this with most patterns whether indie or big 4.

I attached the lined hoodie and sleeves a little earlier and before sewing up side seams, I decided that the length was still too long on my 5'3" frame so I cut off another inch.  I have only to decide whether to use the waistband option or insert drawstring and then sew side seams and complete the bottom portion.

Here is how it is looking now:

Pocket created with a front overlay

Hand fits nicely in the pocket

Lined hoodie

Front and front overlay with piping along the edge

Sleeve attached.

Back view of the attached hoodie

Even with fitting adjustments, I find this pattern to be well drafted and instructions along with illustrations were well written.  The hoodie can be made to be loose or more fitted depending on your preference and fabric.  I wanted mine to be more fitted thus the medium size works well for that.

I have signed up to be an affiliate for Ellie and Mac as I am impressed with her designs and admittedly their prices are very reasonable.  Their no trim pattern printing was so easy to put together. Being an affiliate, should you click on the Ellie and Mac logo under affiliates on my blog, it is possible I could receive a commission.  Just want to be upfront about that.

Hope to show and wear the complete garment soon.  Thanks for stopping by.

Serger Secrets

 I have two of this book called "Serger Secrets."   Here is a link to where I am selling on eBay at a reduced price.  If you are new to using sergers, this is a good source book to use.

More information to follow on Undercover Hoodie, still a WIP.