Sewer's Block?

ETA -- here is an excellent tutorial on making hem vents!  http://buzzybeesworld.blogspot.com/



Have you even gotten stuck on the most simple element of a garment?  I could NOT figure out how to make the hem vent on a Style Arc Willow pant pattern--directions just say to "make the vee" and hem.  So, pants sat on the cutting table finished save the hem for a week or more.  Today I was looking through old Burda magazines searching for pants with a hem vent and hoping for some directions.  Eureka!  Not rocket science, but I needed the visual image and the construction marks on the Burda pattern.  I made two pairs of the Willow pants and love the fit.  I was unsure of what size to order since my measurements were not exactly one size and the SA patterns are single size.  I ordered a size 10 and added 3/4 inch to the side seams for added security.  I stitched up 3/4 inch seams rather than the 3/8 inch called for in the pattern.  Great fit!  The grey pair were my muslin--wearable bit no hem vent as I had to trim off an extra inch from the bottom.  Too long! The second pair in stretch twill from Michael Levines have the hem vents and they also fit well!  My camera is still missing so my phone photos are horrible, but they do document that sewing has been done here!

Other sewing projects have been sewn as well, but nothing that has not been seen before.  These are my TNT Loes Hinse Perfect Tee tops and Euro and Bilbao pants.  Love the ease and fit of these garments. 

Another Birthday!

I can't figure out how to edit and add this info t the end, so this is a picture of Cassidy at her 16th birthday party!Cassidy and her dad--our son



Today I'm wishing my granddaugher, Cassidy, a very happy 16 th birthday!  She is about the best!  Smart, beautiful, kind, and fierce.  She passed her driving test today too.  Whooppee!  Congrats to her awesome Mom and Dad too!

I'll be back to document the sewing... ETA Cassidy is sixteen today!

Happy Birthday!

Today is my younger son's birthday--as his brother told him, "milk the last year of your 30's for all you've got!"  Happy Birthday!

The sewing studio at the condo is all put away, at least the pieces I can put away.  Tomorrow morning said son and his 3 kidlets will arrive for a week or so and they will take over our "spare" room for dorm space.  We will be busy and I won't miss my sewing space.  Disney, zoo, beach, pool, etc are in our future.  See you in July!

Loes Hinse Tank Dress Maxi

This was a very quick project--kind of a trial that I really like!  I added two inches at the lower L/S line of the longer version--did not use the side slit and it fits well!  My version is rayon challis from the stash.  Easy way to create a simple summer dress!  This took about an hour to make ;-)

Vogue 7579 Finished!

Here is the jacket I've finally finished!  Now off to other projects--first some Loes Hinse crop pants!  This jacket is lined in silk organza--no facings or interfacing.  Nothing but the pattern made twice--one in fashion fabric and one in silk and then joined at all edges.  I sewed the neckline and hem by machine and then hand sewed the front edges and the sleeve hems.  I will make a more complicated construction version of this in the future, now that I know it fits me!

Vogue 7975 wearable muslin

Here is a work in progress--iphone photo--with one sleeve set in. For once I took someone's advice and pinned the sleeve without any ease stitching.  What a joy!  It would have been even better if I hadn't put the sleeve in the wrong armhole.  I patiently unpicked it and resewed it in its proper place.  Whew.   I am going to use the silk organza lining a la Nancy Erickson's directions.  Basically two identical jackets sewn together at the neck and front edges.  There will not be a facing in this one, though I guess that is an option.  I was snoop shopping at Zara the other day and looked at some of their spring/summer jackets.  Even DH commented on the quality (?) of the construction, but they were cute!  Theirs are not really sewn together...rather the lining is placed inside the jacket and both pieces of the garment are zigzagged at the edges, leaving a small raw edge hanging off.  One jacket had grosgrain ribbon on the underside of the front edges for stability.  I may try this technique.

I had not made this pattern before and was leary of using the good fabric I have saved for doing a more labor intensive version of the jacket--I want to use Claire Schaeffer's instructions for finishing a Chanel like jacket.  First I needed a pattern that fit.  I am not a fan of Vogue patterns because I find the fit to be so hit or miss for me.  Using my measurements, I recently made a V 8819 cardigan.  Huge.  So, this is a size 12 and could be taken in a bit.  I will make notes for when I cut the "real" fabric.  I hope to finish this tomorrow, but my DGKs are coming to swim, have dinner, and spend the night.  They have not slept in this house and it may be a long night with them waking up in unfamiliar surroundings.  Let's hope not!

I am proud to say that ALL boxes are unpacked after our move.  That is a first!  We have moved many times during our almost 44 years of marriage and I usually just wear out with the final boxes.  I have been on the hunt for my camera.  No luck.  DH has a jillion cameras, but I want a simple one that does not require a PhD in photography (or the equivalent) to operate.  Hopefully I will be able to find one soon so I can get back to documenting my little projects.

Next project is cleaning up the mess I have made in this room.  I'm trying to keep up with the scraps in the new studio ;-)

Missing camera...

Well, I have unpacked (or at least inspected) all of the sewing room boxes and my camera is not among the remains.  Hmmmm.  I am not the family photographer, but I like having a simple point and shoot camera to document my sewing.  Looks like I may have to find a special or sale to replace the missing item.  That's the sure way to have it show up...

I have been doing some sewing.  Here's my list:

1.  Textile Studio Soho Pants--yellow twill for summer.  LOVE this pattern and have already done a little morphing to make it a TNT.  I used the LH Euro pant front to modify the upper front of this pattern to accommodate a front fly zip.  I am planning to make a new pair tomorrow.  I've worn the yellow ones to several casual events and have been comfortable and sort of on trend with a bright color slimmer leg pant.

2.  LH tank top--white.  Just a staple to wear under sheer summer tops.

3.  2 Perfect tees--one in brown knit and one in teal lace knit.  The brown knit was a remnant purchased at the LH seminar.  It is a different knit--really two layers lightly fused.  I did not hem any of the raw edges--just top stitched about 1/4 inch from edge to allow the two layers to separate and roll.  I like the look!  The teal lace top is also raw edges for sleeve and hem--I did turn and stitch the neck edge.

ETA  Item #4--crop pants in tangerine linen from a modified LH pattern.  Love the fit and how easy they were to sew!!  Bought a coordinating top at H and M and have a cute outfit for hot weather!

I need to keep this list to verify that I am still spending a little time at my hobby!

I am going to meet a fellow sewist for coffee next week--haven't met IRL before, so I'm looking forward to chatting with a new friend.

Happy Mothers Day to everyone!  Another good opportunity to remember my dear Mom and thank her for all she did for us.  Never a day without thinking of you and missing you...