Wine Pants and Navy T-shirt

I finally finished the wine pants and the navy print t-shirt.  Neither were difficult to sew  I just have not been home long enough to do any serious amount of sewing.   A picture of these two items is shown below. 

Before writing this, I took a look at my previous posts to see if I am making timely progress on the 12-piece wardrobe.  I am not!  I have completed only four items:  3 bottom pieces and 1 top.  The weather has finally changed in Michigan.  We have had two days in a row of good weather.  It looks like summer may truly be on the way this time and I still have 8 pieces of the wardrobe to make. 

In the midst of this need to sew more, I am also trying to learn to use my new sewing machine.  I signed up for five weeks of classes at Country Stitches on Thursday nights.  I much prefer daytime classes, but those classes are scheduled for Wednesdays and that conflicts with one of my sewing groups.  So, I had no choice but to go on Thursday nights.  I went to the first scheduled class and everything went well.  However, the instructor made an announcement that if anyone missed a class, they would not be able to continue the next week.  The only option would be to enroll in the next series of classes.  

Of course, I thought that would not be a problem for me because I would make these classes top priority and would not miss any.  Last Thursday morning I checked my calendar and told my husband I would be attending the class at 6:00 p.m.  Little did I know my brain would get screwed up before then!  .

We made a trip to Joann Fabrics to purchase some Vogue patterns that were on sale.  They were $4.99 each instead of the usual $15 - $25.  I did not want to miss that bargain!

After purchasing the patterns, we went to Sears and purchased a stove and microwave.  After that, we ate lunch and finally returned home.  I then had to hurry to start preparations for our dinner.  I had beans soaking and I rinsed them and got them boiling so I could make baked beans.  I peeled potatoes and got a dish of scalloped potatoes and ham ready for the oven.  My last task was to make coleslaw.  Finally, dinner was ready and we sat down to eat about 6:30 p.m.  My husband and I enjoyed our dinner and after cleaning the kitchen, we went to the living room and watched some television.  

I thought my day had been very productive and I was satisfied with my accomplishments.  Then a light bulb in my head suddenly went on and I realized I missed my sewing machine class!  Nothing I accomplished was worth missing that class.  Now I have to wait until May 24^th to start the class over.  

My husband felt nearly as bad as I did.  The next day he looked at the calendar and made a list of things I needed to do.  I appreciate his effort, but I am not sure that is going to work.  After all, I checked the calendar last Thursday morning and still got distracted and forgot to go to class.  I am not sure if this forgetfulness is an age-related thing or is it a sign I love to eat more than I love to sew.  I really think I got distracted by the food!  I know I don’t enjoy cooking more than sewing, but I am not sure about eating.

My next project for the 12-piece wardrobe is a white jacket.  I am using Vogue pattern V9176.  I will tell you more about that in my next post.

Judy

Roadtrips

I have been on the road a lot lately.  It seems I am hardly at home long enough to sew anything.  I am not complaining because my road trips have been fun, but it does mean I haven’t sewn much.  Four of the road trips were grandchildren-related, so I especially enjoyed those memory-making trips.  We were fortunate enough to get to travel to Indianapolis, Indiana to watch the Oak Hill High School Boys’ Basketball Team from Sweetser, Indiana participate in the state finals and, yes, they won the game!  Our grandson, Dale Rush, is one of the managers for that team.  Congratulations, Dale, and the Oak Hill Basketball Team!  The next day we traveled to Purdue University to watch our granddaughter, McClane Rush, be inducted into two honor societies.  Congratulations, McClane! 

After the ceremony we returned home to Michigan and brought our grandson, Dale, home with us for a few days.  He has his learner’s driving permit, so he drove us to Michigan and three days later he drove us back to Indiana.  We then returned home to Michigan and three days later we drove back to Indiana to spend Easter with the family. 

Prior to the basketball game in Indianapolis, we spent four days in the Shipshewana/Topeka, Indiana area for a horse sale.  I should say my husband attended the horse sale.  I spent most of the time checking out shops in the area, although I did spend about a half day watching horses sold.  Even though we visit this area frequently, I almost always discover something different each time we are there.  This time my discovery was Gohn Brothers.

I first heard of Gohn Brothers at the back of David Coffin’s book, Shirtmaking - Developing Skills for Fine Sewing.  The store is listed in the book’s “Sources of Supply, Mail/Order Fabric Sources”.  Only a post office box was given in the book for the address.  The last time we were in that area, I did a search on Google for Gohn Brothers in Middlebury and found an address for Gohn Brothers Manufacturing.  I wasn’t sure it was the same Gohn Brothers that was listed in David Coffin’s book, but I decided to check it out.  They are located at 105 S. Main Street in Middlebury and, sure enough, it is the same store mentioned in David Coffin’s book.  This is a store that has been in business more than 100 years and still has the original old wood flooring and tin ceiling.  They sell quilting cottons, family shoes and work boots, and manufacture men’s pants and coats for the Amish.  They carry a supply of many sewing notions, some sewing books, and some games.  The store takes you back to a by-gone era.  Very Interesting!  If you are in the area, it is worth your time to stop and visit the store.  You may be surprised by what you find.

During another road trip to Clare, Michigan, we also visited a couple of interesting stores, but I will write about that trip in another post. 

I mentioned in my last post I was having problems with my sewing machine.  Well, I never brought the machine home from the sewing machine hospital.  After three trips there in a couple of weeks, I decided to just let it go.  It was a difficult and expensive decision, but I wanted a machine that would sew and embroider when I wanted to use it and one that would not require a trip to the hospital every time I wanted it to embroider something for me.  I don’t mean to sound callous, but I needed a machine that would work consistently and not need to be pampered each time I asked it to embroider!  I felt it was time to produce or I could no longer provide a loving home for it!  So, out with old and in with the new.  I now have a new Pfaff Creative Icon living with me and I hope we will have many happy years together.  However, I need to learn how to operate it first.  I have had one lesson on it and have four more scheduled.  Hopefully, we will be a team at the end of the fifth lesson!

I hope to stay home long enough to finish my wine pants and post a picture of them soon.  How are you doing with your projects?  I hope all of you are sewing something fun and learning lots of new techniques.

Judy

A Little Progress on the 12-Piece Wardrobe   -  March 12, 2018

In my last post I stated I would take a short break from making the 12-piece wardrobe to embroider two jackets for my daughter, Loretta.  Well, the break has been longer than expected.  First, I caught the “crude” and was sick for two weeks.  I was too sick to even think about sewing or embroidering.  After the crude was over, I began the embroidery project only to have my machine quit working.  It has been in for repair three times in the last few weeks and it is still there.  I did manage to complete the back of one jacket in between the 2^nd and 3^rd trip to the sewing machine hospital.  I planned to put a small design on the front of the jacket, but instead I am considering calling the project complete as is for now.  I think I will mail the jacket to my daughter so she can wear it because I am not sure when I will get my machine back.  A picture of the jacket back is below.  I will post the second jacket after I get my machine back in working order. 

 I recently tested a pattern for a knit top to see if I could fit it to me.  The pattern is Very Easy Vogue V9128.  I used a red two-way knit fabric from my stash.  Red is not a color that will work for my 12-piece wardrobe, but I did not expect it to fit anyway.  I thought it would probably be a throw-away that I could use to determine where I needed to make changes to the pattern.  Much to my surprise, the top did fit.  The only adjustment I will make is to the length.  It was a good length before hemming, so I think I will add 5/8 inch – 1 inch to the bottom before I cut the pattern for a top for my wardrobe.  A picture of the red test top is below.

The next piece I will sew for the wardrobe will be a top from the Very Easy Vogue V9128 pattern.  I plan to make it from a navy and wine print fabric from my stash.  I was surprised when I made the red top at how little time it took to complete.  I made the red one at a sewing group that meets from 10:00 a.m. – 1:00 p.m.   I finished the top during one session except for hemming it and attaching the neckband.  We do a lot of talking and sharing of ideas, so I doubt if I actually started sewing before 11:00 a.m.  So my guess is the top could be completed in two hours if it is cut out first.  I will post a picture of the top with the wine pants as soon as they are completed.

How is your sewing going?  Have you started any sewing projects to add to your summer wardrobe?  It is time to get started!  Spring will be here in less than two weeks and summer will quickly follow. 

Judy

Update on Progress of 12-Piece Summer Wardrobe

I completed two of the twelve pieces of the coordinated wardrobe.   The blue pants and the tan carpri  pants  are done.  I struggle each time I try to write the “p” word for trousers.  If I am referring to one, is it a pant or pants?  My Webster’s New World dictionary lists “pant” as a noun and an adjective.  It refers readers to “pants”.  It lists “pants” as a plural noun.  It also states an outfit consisting of a matched jacket and pants may be called a pant suit or pants suit.  Alright, already!  I made my mind up.  I will refer to the garment that covers a person from the waist to the knees or ankles that is divided into two parts that cover each leg as pants!  I assume it is a plural noun because it has two parts (plural), one for each leg.  If anyone knows why this line of reasoning is not correct, please do not tell me.  I don’t want be even more confused than I am now.  Anyway, pictures of the pants are below.

I have two pieces completed and ten to go.  I cut out the wine pants today.  The first thing I sew on the pants is the fly front.  I am going to try to take a picture of each step of installing the fly front zipper.  This might be helpful to some of you who have not yet done this.  It is not difficult and there are lots of information and videos on the internet about how to sew the zipper. 

My daughter, Loretta, asked me to embroider some designs on two jackets for her.  I will take a short break from making the wardrobe pieces and do the embroidering for her.  I’m not sure which designs I will use yet.  I think I will stitch out a few samples and send pictures to her so she can make her choices.  I will post pictures of the finished jackets.

By the way, the Lansing Chapter of the American Sewing Guild lost a true friend, a great sewer, and an all-around special person last week.  Betty Koxx passed away Feb. 2, 2018.  She loved to sew, knit, watch birds, and tell funny stories!   She loved her family.  When she realized her time on earth was short, she asked all her children to come home.  They live in different states.  She had five children, eleven grandchildren, and eight great grandchildren.  I believe all of them had the opportunity to be with Betty before she departed for eternal life.  Betty will be missed by all us.  And, she only had one unfinished sewing project (UFO) when she left!

Judy

Developing Plans for 12-Piece Coordinated Wardrobe

I had a difficult time getting started sewing this year.   I posted my plans on January 1st, but after doing that I found all kinds of reasons to procrastinate.  I did cut out two pants, one black and one navy.  The black one is finally completed and the navy one is almost finished.  I still need to sew the waist band and hem the navy one.    

As I indicated in my last post, I intend to make a 12-piece coordinated spring/summer wardrobe.  I thought I would have two or three pieces of that completed by now.  Instead, I am still working on the first piece (navy pant).    I did, however, spend some time sorting through some of my stash to find fabric I can use for the wardrobe.  Today I went shopping to add some fabric to that from my stash.  Below is a picture of the fabrics for the coordinated wardrobe.

I plan to make three pants from the tan, navy and wine fabrics and I will make a skirt also from navy fabric.  The white fabric will be used to make a short sleeve jacket.   A second jacket will probably be sewn from a light blue fabric which I have not yet purchased.  

I plan to use the same pant pattern I have used since I started this blog, Fit for Art pattern, “Eureka! Pants that Fit”.  I purchased this pattern from www.Fitforartpatterns.com.  I like this pattern because it has detailed instructions on fitting.  It takes time to get a pant pattern to fit, but it is worth the time if you continue to use the same pattern to make more pants.  I recently transferred my pattern to tag board and I am so glad I did.  Now I don’t need to fold up my pattern and place it in the original envelope or plastic bag and I don’t need to try to iron out the wrinkles the next time I want to use it.  The pattern now hangs on a hook in a closet until I need it again.

I may use CNT Pattern Company’s “Start after Breakfast Finish before Lunch” pattern for the jacket.  This pattern is sold online and also in most quilt shops.  I purchased mine from Yards of Fabric in Mason, Michigan with the gift certificate I won at the October meeting of the Lansing Chapter American Sewing Guild.    I have not tried to fit the pattern yet.  Whether or not I use the pattern depends on how successful I am at fitting it. 

One of the pants I make will be capri length.  I plan to use Burda pattern 8341 to overlay on my “Eureka! Pants that Fit” pattern to get the shape and length for the legs.  By doing this, I will not have to start from scratch and fit the Burda pattern to me for the waist, hips and crotch depth.  That will save an incredible amount of time.  I already had the Burda pattern, so I did not need to purchase one.  If I did not already have the Burda pattern, I would use a capri pant that I have that fits me and shape the legs of my pant pattern from that.

A picture of these three patterns are shown below.

The print fabrics will be used for the six tops.  All are knit with the exception of the plaid.  That is 100% Cotton.  I may substitute one of the knits for another 100% cotton.  I have a fabric in mind that is a light wine color and is in my stash somewhere.  However, I have not found the right box for that fabric yet.  I will continue to search for it.

I plan to use McCall’s pattern M6964 for some of the short sleeved tops.  I used this pattern when I made my first coordinated wardrobe in 2016, so I know it fits.  I am hoping to use Very Easy Vogue pattern V9128 also.  The use of this pattern depends on whether or not I can get it fitted.  We will see!

One or two of the tops will be made using Kwik Sew pattern K3555.  I have used this pattern before but it still has one fitting issue that I hope to correct.  If I get that done,  the 100% cotton tops will be made from this pattern.

A picture of these three patterns follow.

Well, I believe most of my planning is complete for the 12-piece coordinated wardrobe.  Now I really need to get busy fitting patterns and sewing. 

How is your planning going?  Are you ready to turn on your sewing machine and sew a great spring/summer wardrobe?   Get organized  so you can sew easier and sew more.   Have fun!

Judy

New Year’s Sewing Resolutions    -  

The first day of the year is a good time to make my sewing plans for 2018.  I have been giving some thought to creating another 12-piece coordinated wardrobe similar to the fall and winter one I created in 2016.  This one will be for spring and summer.  I plan to blog about it a little differently than I did with the first wardrobe.  I am not giving myself a deadline for completion because there are other items I want to sew at the same time, so I won’t put the pressure of a deadline on myself.  I will proceed at whatever pace life circumstances allow and post my progress along the way.  At the same time I will also post about other items I sew as well as any sewing events I attend.

The basic pieces for the summer wardrobe will be similar to the first wardrobe.  There will be four bottom pieces which will consist of 3 pants and a skirt.  The top pieces will consist of two jackets and six tops.  That gives me a total of 12 pieces.  I should be able to get at least 64 outfits from these 12 pieces and maybe more if I find the right colors to use.

 Another project I would like to accomplish in 2018 is to review and organize my entire fabric stash.  That will be quite the task!  I have some fabric stored in my sewing room, some in two bedrooms, and some in the basement.  I want to review it to decide what to keep and what to toss or give away.  I would like to organize it so that I can keep current projects and fabric I plan to use in the near future in my sewing room.  The rest will be relegated to plastic bins with labels for the basement.  I hope I can consider fabric in my stash for every project before buying more!

Right now I am working on black pants because I have a need for them.  They are not part of the new 12-piece wardrobe.  When I looked at my pants pattern, I discovered the pieces were getting tattered.  It was time to make another copy of the  ”Eureka! Pants that Fit” pattern that I altered to my size in 2016 when I made my first 12-piece coordinated wardrobe.   This was the first opportunity I have had to use my newly purchased tag board to make a permanent copy of a pattern.  I ordered the tag board from Amazon.com and I will probably never need to reorder.    It is a large roll and is very heavy.  My husband helped me lift it onto my cutting table.   I traced the pants pattern onto the tag board and transferred the markings.  Then I made a hole in the top of the pieces and inserted the pattern hanger.  I can now store the pattern by hanging it in a closet.  This will be much easier than folding thin pattern paper to place in an envelope and then unfolding and trying to iron the wrinkles out when I want to use the pattern again.

My motto for 2018 is “Sew more and sew easier”!  Organizing my fabric stash and putting my frequently used patterns on tag board will make sewing easier and perhaps give me more time for sewing. 

Are you making some sewing resolutions for the New Year?   Do you plan to learn a new sewing technique or perhaps create a coordinated wardrobe?  Are you planning to take a class or attend a sewing event in 2018?  Today is a good day to formulate a sewing plan for 2018!  If you have sewing plans you would like to share, please do so by clicking on the "Comments" section at the bottom of this post.  

Good luck with your sewing plans.

Judy

My Oldest UFO

I just completed my oldest UFO!  For those of you who don’t sew, UFO is the term we use for our unfinished objects (sewing projects).  Most sewists have at least one if not more.  My projects become UFOs if I get bored with them or run into a problem that appears to be unsolvable or the project requires a lot of careful ripping of stitches.

The UFO I just finished is a coat I started many years ago after a fabric shopping trip in Canada.  I purchased a beautiful piece of light pink wool fabric and I let it “age” in my sewing stash for many years while I decided what to make with it.  Finally, I decided it was time to actually cut the fabric and make a coat.  I took all the pieces and other supplies with me to a sewing retreat at Pleasant Lake, Michigan.   I also took my serger so I could finish the seams as I sewed them.  I had some problems with my serger, so I rethreaded it and grabbed a scrap of leftover fabric to test the stitches.  After I got the serger back on track with a decent stitch, I reached for the front facing to attach to the coat only to find it was missing.  After moving everything on my table and looking on the floor, I realized the fabric scrap I used to test the serger was not a scrap at all.  It was the front facing for my coat!  There was no way to obtain more fabric.  I salvaged the bottom 2/3 of each front facing and found a small scrap to attach to each to complete them.  The rest of the coat went together without a problem.  I decided to wait until I got home to make the buttonholes.

After I got home I realized I there could be a problem trying to make machine buttonholes on the coat because of the thickness of the fabric. So I avoided the problem by letting the coat hang in my closet and become my oldest UFO.  Occasionally, I would take the coat out and look at it.  I even bought some beautiful buttons for it, but for many years it remained a UFO.    

In October of this year, I decided I was going to finish that coat regardless of what it took!  I looked for my buttons, but I could find only two.  I went to Fabrications in Richland and purchased four buttons that would work for the coat.  Now I was ready for the next step.  I had to make those buttonholes if I was ever going to finish the coat.  It was late November when I tried the first buttonhole.  I started with the one at the top and opted for a lengthwise buttonhole to try to avoid the problem of the buttonhole foot getting hung up on the front edge of the coat.  Unfortunately, it got hung up on the neckline of the coat, so I had some ripping to do.  It was not easy to rip the stitches in this fabric, but I got all of the stitches out.  I gave some thought to making loops for the buttons instead of buttonholes.  I quickly realized I would need to rip out the top stitching down the front of the coat as well as the stitching that held the facing to the front of the coat.  I knew I was not going there!

My options were to make bound buttonholes or let the coat beat me and simply throw it away.  I chose the first option because I do not like to waste money or energy.  I knew what it takes to make bound buttonholes after a coat is already sewn together because I just did that with my “boo boo” coat.   I know history repeats itself but I did not expect it this soon.  I did not have any fabric to make the lips of the bound buttonholes, so I purchased a bright pink to contrast with the light pink coat fabric.  After I got past the top buttonhole, the rest were a little easier to make. 

You may be wondering just how long ago I started this coat.  I asked Joan Harris, who was the historian for our sewing guild chapter for many years, if she knew when we took that trip to Canada.   She searched her records and found we went to Canada in August of 2000.  So, I purchased the fabric 17 years ago, but I did not start the coat for a few years after that.  My best guess is I started this coat about 10 -12 years ago.

My advice to you is not to wait that long to cut any fabric you buy.  I have discovered the longer you keep your fabric in your stash, the uglier it gets and the more difficult it is to handle!  Have fun sewing.

Judy