August 23, 2017    -      The Williamstown Skirt

I recently finished a skirt made with the Williamstown Skirt pattern by Gail Patrice Design.  I saw the skirt pattern at a Gail Patrice event sponsored by the Lansing Chapter of the American Sewing Guild (ASG) in June this year.   The event was a hands-on embellishment class.  It was an excellent class because Gail is a great teacher.  She made sure each of us finished a technique before she proceeded to the next one.  I left there with several techniques I want to try on some of my garments.  So far, I haven’t had to time to attempt any of them. 

Gail showed us many samples of her garments including the Williamstown Skirt.  I was intrigued with the skirt because I liked the different shaped gores that comprised the skirt.  I purchased the pattern and decided I would make the skirt before I tried some of the embellishment techniques I learned.  The very next month I found the perfect fabric for the skirt at the ASG meeting.  It was a beautiful piece of lime green linen-look fabric that would drape well for a gored skirt.  And it was on the FREE table!  What a find!  Thank you Colleen Bofysil for contributing that fabric to the free table!

I couldn’t wait to start cutting the pieces of the pattern.  The pattern consisted of 10 pieces and each piece had to be cut individually on a single layer of fabric.  I don’t know why, but I cut out the size extra-large pieces.  I thought I took my measurements before cutting.  If I did, I did not read the numbers correctly.  After I sewed the 10 gores together, I found the skirt was huge on me.  It was also too long.  I was able to get the skirt to fit me in the hips by taking much larger side seams.

Next I worked on making the skirt shorter.  The Guide Sheet included a section on how to do this.  It suggested sewing together a piece of one inch elastic that fits your waist.  Then you can pull up the skirt to the desire length through the elastic circle to make sure the bottom of the skirt is even all around, and mark where the top of the elastic is with chalk.  If you can’t mark the back by yourself, you may need to enlist the help of a friend or family member.   Quite frankly, I wasn’t sure this would work for me because the skirt was so much longer than the length I wear.  In fact, it almost touched the floor.  But I liked this skirt and I was determined to get it to fit me, so I gave the method a try.  I started by cutting off 4 ½ inches off the top of the skirt.  Then I put on the skirt with the fitting elastic and pulled the skirt up to the length desired.  I was not able to mark the top of the elastic by myself.  So, I called my neighbor, Linda McCoy, and she marked the skirt for me.   After the skirt was marked, I cut off another 2 inches from the top. 

It is always a good idea to read through a pattern before using if the first time.  I did this, but I did not read it thoroughly.  The pattern does not list the two lining pieces in the “Pattern Pieces” section of the guide sheet.  So, I wrongly assumed there were no lining pieces until I got to Step 10 which read: “Stitch the CF, CB and side seams of lining.”  The light bulb went on for me.  If I had read the pattern thoroughly, I would have cut the lining first and Step 10 would have been Step 1 for me.  So my advice to anyone who tries this pattern is to cut the lining first.  After you fit the lining, you will know which size skirt to cut.  I know it would have been easier for me to fit this skirt if I had done just that. 

I love the pattern and it is easy to sew the pieces together.  The instructions are clear and easy to understand.  I wish the lining pieces were listed in the “Pattern Pieces” section of the guide sheet,  but I accept blame for not reading through the pattern instructions thoroughly.  Gail does include her email address at the end of the guide sheet for questions or comments.  All things considered, I love the skirt and I plan to use the pattern again.

A picture of the skirt is shown below.  

Unfortunately, the seams don't show up in this photo or in the photo of the pattern envelope.  This would be a good pattern to do some decorative stitching on the seams.  Maybe next time!

Good luck with your sewing projects.

Judy

Me Two and Me Three Aprons -    July 24, 2017

I finally finished the Me Two and Me Three aprons to go with the Mimi and Me aprons I posted on June 23^rd.  This summer has been really busy with traveling, camping, and everyday life events!   I try to sew several times a week, but sometimes that is just not possible. 

I was unable to use the same pattern as the one I used for the Mimi and Me aprons because it did not include the sizes I needed for Me Two and Me Three.  Instead, I used Simplicity 1240 and modified it to be suitable for boys.  I got rid of the ruffles, the angled cut of the side seams, crisscrossed straps on the back of the apron, and the gathered, decorated pocket.  I made substitutions to make the aprons look as much like the Mimi and Me aprons as possible.

I did not think the flower print fabrics I used for the Mimi and Me aprons were appropriate for aprons for young boys.  I kept the same colors, but substituted a solid color (orange) fabric and a print of gnomes, pinwheels, and orange flamingos.  I used the same style pocket and I cut the side seams straight to get rid of the excess fabric at the bottom of the aprons.  I included a strap around the neck like the one used in the larger aprons. 

I hope Mimi’s grandchildren will enjoy cooking with Mimi while wearing coordinated aprons!

Judy

Mimi and Me Aprons  -  June 23, 2017

I finally finished the two aprons I mentioned in my May 31^st posting.  May and June were busy months for me, so I did not accomplish all the sewing projects I planned.  Most of them will still get done, just not as soon as intended.  

For the aprons I used Simplicity Pattern No. 2691.  I made two changes to the pattern.   The pattern called for a pocket and a pocket band.  I did not use the pocket band.  I simply cut the pocket the size of the original pocket with the band.  Then I had only one piece instead of two and the pocket was still the same size as if I had used both pieces.  I also added the lettering on the aprons with my Pfaff Creative Vision Pro sewing machine.

The aprons are reversible and are made from 100 per cent cotton.  After I made the aprons, I realized I should make two more aprons.  There are two more “me’s” in the family and I don’t want to leave them out.  They enjoy cooking with Mimi, too.  So, I will add that to my list of future projects.  I will try to refrain from mailing the aprons to my daughter, Loretta, until I finished the other two.  Then she can give the aprons to all three of her grandchildren at the same time.

Hopefully, I can work on some of my unfinished projects today.  I hope you are making progress with yours!

Judy

Laundry Bag                  June 14, 2017

I finished the laundry bag just in time for the graduation party.  I used light-weight denim printed with purple flowers.  The bag was made almost the same way I made the gift bags described in my post of April 10, 2017.  The differences are the size and the two pockets.  Actually, I got a little carried away with the size and had to cut the bag down after I sewed the sides together. The fabric I used was 54 inches wide, so when I sewed the sides together, the circumference of the bag was about 53 inches.  I took off about 10 inches and then sewed it back together. 

When I squared the bottom, I intentionally used a much larger measurement than I used on the gift bags to sew across the triangle created by aligning the side seam with the bottom seam.  I used five or six inches instead of the 1 ½ inches used on the gift bags.   This causes the bottom of the bag to be wider which I wanted for the laundry bag. 

I added a pocket with a zipper on the outside of the laundry bag to be used for coins or other items.  A picture of the coin pocket is shown below.  I wanted this pocket to be hidden, so I placed a larger pocket over it.  The larger pocket can be used to carry a bottle of laundry detergent.  I placed the pocket very close to the bottom of the bag so the weight of the detergent bottle won’t tip over the bag.  I embroidered a monogram on the pocket before I attached it to the bag.

I left only one opening for the cording in the casement at the top of the bag instead of the two openings I left for the gift bags.  I used a 3/8 inch cording and it pulls one way to close the bag.  This is a quick and easy gift to make for a student who will be leaving for college soon.

I hope you are making progress on all of your sewing projects.

Judy

So Many Sewing Projects                     May 31, 2017

There are four of us in one of my sewing groups who have Baby Lock Ovation and Evolution sergers.   We decided to do a project specifically to learn techniques and stitches on our sergers.  We chose a pattern that Stoney found on line and started making tote bags.  I think we surprised ourselves with how much we actually accomplished.  The pattern is Creative Tote by Deb Canham                     (http://www.debcanhamstudio.com/ ).  This is not a bag that can be serged together in a few hours.  At least not by someone who is not proficient at making all the stitches available on a serger.   I will let you know when this project is completed and will post a picture.

Stoney and I also took a three-day serger class at Country Stitches in East Lansing last week.  The class was taught by Denise Schober ( https://www.deniseschober.com/ ), who is a “trained professional” as she likes to call herself!  She is a really great teacher and knows all kinds of helpful hints to make using a serger easier!  She taught us to use approximately twenty (20) different feet for our sergers.  I hope I can retain the information I was given.  It helps that we were given a workbook with descriptions of the feet and the settings for our machines.     Most of the feet can be used for more than one purpose.   We made a purse on the last day in class using some of the feet and techniques we learned.   It will be important for us to use these techniques in other projects at home in order to retain what we learned in class.  I think the information from this class will be helpful with making the Creative Tote.  I also want to find time to thread my serger for the cover stitch and then unthread it and rethread it again at least ten times so I can get proficient with that.  I have a little trouble remembering how to thread the needles for the cover stitch.  I know if I keep repeating it, it will become as easy as threading a sewing machine.

This past weekend I took my Baby Lock serger and my Pfaff Creative Sensation Pro to Sweetser, Indiana for my granddaughter, McClane, to use to make her 4-H project.  She is making a wool coat and is almost done.  This is a good thing because the fair is in June.  This is her last 4H project because she graduates from high school in June.

I also have three gifts I want to make.   I have started a laundry bag for a graduation gift and I also want to make two aprons for another gift.  Maybe I will be able to finish and post a picture of at least one of these gifts this week.

I still need to make some summer pants and blouses for myself, but I have so many projects and so little time.  If I could sew at night, it would help.  I don’t enjoy sewing after dark because my eyesight is not what it used to be.   So, I try to limit my sewing to daylight hours.

I hope your sewing projects are going well.  This is a busy time of year with graduation parties, gardening, and just regular daily activities, but don’t forget to save some time to sew!

Judy

"It’s Sew Spring" with Angela Wolf    

Last Thursday I attended a one day session titled “It’s Sew Spring” sponsored by the Michigan Bishop Sewing Council.  It was held in Grandville, Michigan and the featured speaker was fashion and pattern designer, Angela Wolf.  I got so much more out of that session than I ever imagined was possible! 

I have seen Angela at the American Sewing Expo in Novi, Michigan, but I assumed her patterns would not fit me because my figure type has nothing in common with hers!  But I found her patterns include the size that should fit me.  I will find out soon because I purchased a couple of her patterns.   I spoke with Angela during one of the breaks and she advised me which size she thought would work for me.  I just looked at one of the patterns, The Evelyn Dress and Jacket #AW5314, and was amazed by the detailed  instructions and handy hints she included in the pattern.  Unlike most patterns, it did not come with a sheet of sewing instructions.  Instead, it came with a spiral-bound booklet!  The booklet included detailed sewing instructions, drawings of the process, a place to make notes about your project, and many hints including fitting with a muslin and finishing seams.  She also included a section titled “Sewing 101” which has information about needles, twill tape, pressing, and pressing tools.  In other words, she has everything covered in this pattern!

I also purchased a video titled One Pattern, Many Ways, Volume Two.  I haven’t had an opportunity to view it yet, but I am sure it will not disappoint!  In this video, Angela shows how to change the Evelyn Dress and Jacket Pattern.  I was told she shows how to change the jacket into a “Chanel” version.  That may be the first thing I make from this pattern.  She showed many examples of the Chanel jacket in her presentation.  They were lined with silk charmeuse.  The jackets looked and felt luxurious!

For the last several years, Angela Wolf had a booth at the American Sewing Expo (ASE) and also taught classes there.  As I said in a previous post (The Demise of the American Sewing Expo), the ASE offered sewists in this area a great opportunity to take classes from well-known and talented teachers as well as an opportunity to buy their products on-site. 

Angela Wolf gave an informative and attention-holding presentation.  She showed us many garments and talked about the techniques she used to make them.  Not only did she hold up each garment for the audience to see, she also passed each one around for us to hold, examine up close and even take pictures if we chose to do so.  She was very accommodating. 

Angela’s patterns can be purchased at http://www.angelawolfpatterns.com/ and you can follow her blog at http://fashionsewingwithangelawolf.com/blog/.

Have you been to a good sewing class or presentation lately?  I hope you will take the opportunity to attend one to increase your knowledge of sewing!

Judy

Fitting Agony     -    May 1, 2017

I had trouble getting a blouse pattern to fit me.  The blouse I made on my Sew Coordinated Blog last year from Simplicity 8053 now seems to be a little tight under the arms.  Okay, I admit it.  I may have gained a few pounds!  I have some extra fabric, so I ripped out the sleeves and tried to alter the armscye.  That was a losing battle.  So, I decided to try a different pattern.

Several years ago, I had a body scan done by Unique Patterns while I was at the American Sewing Expo in Novi, Michigan.  That was a great investment.  After the body scan, I could order patterns from Unique that were generated from the computer using my personal measurements.  The patterns were fairly accurate.  Once in a while something was not quite right, but Unique would make corrections if the customer reported the problems.  I purchased a blouse pattern that I liked, but it had a small problem.  The pattern for the collar stand was just a little smaller than what it should have been, so I always had problems with a small amount of puckers when I attached the collar stand to the blouse neckline.  I was able to get most of the puckers out, but it took several attempts each time I made a blouse.  I don’t know why I didn’t just make the adjustment myself or call Unique and have them do it, but I never did.  And sure enough, Unique Patterns went out of business!  If I had seen that coming, I would have asked for the change to be made in the blouse pattern and I would have purchased other patterns as well.  

Anyway, I decided to use the Unique pattern again.  I tried on a blouse made from the pattern and made some adjustments.  I liked the collar from the blouse I made last year using Simplicity 8053.  That pattern incorporated the collar with the stand so the two pieces are just one piece.  So, I did the same with the Unique pattern.  I made the blouse from cotton fabric purchased from Country Stitches.   Good quality cotton wrinkles less than the cheaper varieties and is much easier to iron.  I really like this fabric because it has so many colors in it.  It will coordinate well with almost any color pants or skirt.  A picture of the finished blouse is shown below.  

I tried several colors of buttons including red, green, blue, and white, but none looked good.  Then I found a tri-colored button in my stash.  I purchased them from Fabric Gallery in Williamston just before the store closed permanently.  I think these buttons are perfect for this blouse.  The red, blue, and pink stripes on the buttons work well with the stripes in the blouse.

I am not happy with the finished blouse, but it is wearable.  However, it is not “4H ready”.  Any of you with 4H experience understand what I am saying.  In other words, it would not pass close up  scrutiny on both the outside and inside!  So, I plan to make another change to the pattern and try again.  On the blouse I made this time, I changed the neckline by making it smaller at the shoulders.  Since I don’t think that worked the way I desired, I will put the neckline back to the original and the next time I will increase the size of the collar.  Hopefully, this change will work better. 

For me, fitting is an ongoing process.  I never get the “fit perfection” I am always seeking!  I can’t tell you how many classes on fitting I have taken or how many different fitting techniques I have tried from books and videos.  Maybe the problem is my body keeps changing.  At any rate, I will not give up!  I will keep trying to get the fit I want.  I don’t think I am alone with this fit problem.  I think a lot of people have the same issue.  In fact, I believe the reason so many people gave up on making clothes for themselves and took up quilting instead is that fitting a bed is so much easier than fitting a body!

A year or so ago, I read about a business in Washington, D.C. that would scan your body and make a personalized dress form for you.  I thought that might be the answer to my fitting problem.  I called the owner of the business to get more information.  She told me her clients were required to travel to her store in Washington for the scanning.  The cost of the dress form was almost $900.00.  I would be willing to pay that if I could be sure it would resolve my fitting issues.  The sticking point was the trip to Washington. D.C.  I knew I would not be able to drive in that city.  I also knew I am too chicken to fly to Washington by myself.  And so far, I have not been able to convince my husband to make the trip.  I tried to convince the business owner she should travel the county and take her scanner to several regions where American Sewing Guild members might be interested in having scans made to purchase dress forms.  She said she was in the process of testing the scanner to see if it could withstand traveling from point to point and still remain accurate.  I have not heard if those tests were accurate.  And I have not seen any ads about the dress forms lately.  Maybe I will try to contact her and get an update.

I miss Unique Patterns and wish some other company would offer patterns made with our personal measurements.  I recently saw ads from a company called Sew Fitography that offers a similar service.  You buy and download software and then follow directions to take your own photo and upload that along with certain measurements.  I don’t know anyone who has tried this, but I am curious about it.  The software is only $30.00 and the patterns are about $15.00.  If you are interested in checking out this process, the website is https://sewfitography.com/.  I am thinking about buying the software and trying it.  If you have used this product, I would appreciate hearing about your experience with it. 

Good luck with getting your patterns to fit your body!

Judy