WizardGir1-Still Going Strong
Sewing
Good Evening. I sewed today! To begin with, I finished the needle case that I started yesterday. After I finished that, I pushed my brain to come up with the next sewing project. I didn't have to push too hard, as I have a million ideas and projects started to choose from. More on that later.
Red and White Polkadot Needle Case
I needed to finish sewing the opening (to turn the item right-side-out) on the needle case shut. If you remember, I wanted to handsew that to get some practice in. It worked nice enough, I should have taken photos up close, but I was moving swiftly right along.
After that, I traced the needle inserts onto two layers of fabric and then machine stitched using the pencil line as my guide. I clipped off the seam allowance as close to the seam as I could without snipping stitches, and then turned the insert right-side-out. I machine stitched the opening closed. At this point, I'm ready to sew the needle inserts into the case.
Here's the finished case. I used a sew-on snap. I forgot I purchsed them instead of pearl snaps. No biggy, it really looks wonderful, at any rate.
Here's a photo of a couple of the needle cases I have already sewn along with the red and white polkadot case.
It looks a little different without the snap. It's an empty canvas waiting to be embroidered or speckled with sequins! I haven't put too much thought into the idea yet, but perhaps one day. I can see that I'm getting better at sewing curves. (There's a little "wizardry" using traditional sewing techniques!) The purple needle case in the photo was my first one. The flap has a minor point on it from unsteady stitching. I was just getting back into sewing then.
Okay, next project!
I checked out a book on sequins and embroidery not too long ago and it's motivated me to use sequins on one of my garments. I have the perfect one.
This dress needs some changes BAD!
To begin with, I don't wear this dress. It was a test dress of what was supposed to be my wedding dress. It was almost floor length and I've already cut off some fabric and put a lace trim on the hem. I won't wear it at this length either. It's too much satin. I don't want to trash the dress, so I concluded that I needed to remove more of the length. I adore the color. I'm going to bring it up to my hips so I can wear it for kick-around with jeans. It's perfect for practicing my beading and sequin application.
Here's a photo of the rosettes sequins that I love.
Here's a photo of my sequin and bead color choices.
I like them all so it's going to be somewhat difficult to choose when I get down to doing the work. I like the last three on the right of the photo most.
Out of those three, I think I like the translucent sequins.
I want to avoid taking a trip to the bead shop because I have tons of supplies, I just need to choose something and apply it. I am tired of seeing this dress. I either put it on my closet door, or on my dress form, or on my bedroom door. Just once I want to see it in my hamper!
...just a little sprucing up will do the trick.
The sequin project comes before I begin any lingerie projects. I can complete the sequin project at the same time as the boxers. I allow myself permission to work on two projects at the same time.
Okay, moving on to...
Book Review
Singer: Sewing Lingerie
I love the pretty satins and lace in this book. There is a section that teaches the difference in styles of lace. I never knew! I love it. I'm sure it's a book to add to my library. (I have another Singer book on sewing for special occasion. I picked that up for .75 cents on Half.com when I was making the test-wedding-dress in the photograph above) Oh, and the photos are incredible. Lots of looks and ideas.
Sewing Lingerie that Fits
So far this book is for the every day Jane. Not that the EVERY DAY JANE is a bad thing. It's actually GREAT! I'm Jane—totally. Give me functional, workable, brilliant and nothing too intimidating. This book is definitely going on my shelf. Half.com here I come! The author has paragraphs of tips and tricks she wants to share with us on the art of making lingerie. She makes me feel welcome and confident. I like when people help me to feel that way!
Lingerie Secrets
This book also has some excellent photos and great ideas. I wouldn't be sorry to get this book either. Now I haven't read each one thoroughly at this point. However, I did notice that this book discusses pattern-making, more obviously than the others, as I flipped through the pages. Being that I consider myself at a "beginner" level, I am a little intimidated. I know, I know... it's all in getting the correct measurements. Maybe it's more work than I want to do right now. I'll stick to my sequins project. Heh.
All right. That's a wrap for tonight. I plan on reading through the books a little more each day, since I have them for 3 weeks. Then I can renew them! HAH!
WizardGir1, Signing Off.
Good Evening. I sewed today! To begin with, I finished the needle case that I started yesterday. After I finished that, I pushed my brain to come up with the next sewing project. I didn't have to push too hard, as I have a million ideas and projects started to choose from. More on that later.
Red and White Polkadot Needle Case
After that, I traced the needle inserts onto two layers of fabric and then machine stitched using the pencil line as my guide. I clipped off the seam allowance as close to the seam as I could without snipping stitches, and then turned the insert right-side-out. I machine stitched the opening closed. At this point, I'm ready to sew the needle inserts into the case.
Here's the finished case. I used a sew-on snap. I forgot I purchsed them instead of pearl snaps. No biggy, it really looks wonderful, at any rate.
Here's a photo of a couple of the needle cases I have already sewn along with the red and white polkadot case.
It looks a little different without the snap. It's an empty canvas waiting to be embroidered or speckled with sequins! I haven't put too much thought into the idea yet, but perhaps one day. I can see that I'm getting better at sewing curves. (There's a little "wizardry" using traditional sewing techniques!) The purple needle case in the photo was my first one. The flap has a minor point on it from unsteady stitching. I was just getting back into sewing then.
Okay, next project!
I checked out a book on sequins and embroidery not too long ago and it's motivated me to use sequins on one of my garments. I have the perfect one.
This dress needs some changes BAD!
To begin with, I don't wear this dress. It was a test dress of what was supposed to be my wedding dress. It was almost floor length and I've already cut off some fabric and put a lace trim on the hem. I won't wear it at this length either. It's too much satin. I don't want to trash the dress, so I concluded that I needed to remove more of the length. I adore the color. I'm going to bring it up to my hips so I can wear it for kick-around with jeans. It's perfect for practicing my beading and sequin application.
Here's a photo of the rosettes sequins that I love.
Here's a photo of my sequin and bead color choices.
Out of those three, I think I like the translucent sequins.
I want to avoid taking a trip to the bead shop because I have tons of supplies, I just need to choose something and apply it. I am tired of seeing this dress. I either put it on my closet door, or on my dress form, or on my bedroom door. Just once I want to see it in my hamper!
...just a little sprucing up will do the trick. The sequin project comes before I begin any lingerie projects. I can complete the sequin project at the same time as the boxers. I allow myself permission to work on two projects at the same time.
Okay, moving on to...
Book Review
Sewing Lingerie that Fits
So far this book is for the every day Jane. Not that the EVERY DAY JANE is a bad thing. It's actually GREAT! I'm Jane—totally. Give me functional, workable, brilliant and nothing too intimidating. This book is definitely going on my shelf. Half.com here I come! The author has paragraphs of tips and tricks she wants to share with us on the art of making lingerie. She makes me feel welcome and confident. I like when people help me to feel that way!
Lingerie Secrets
This book also has some excellent photos and great ideas. I wouldn't be sorry to get this book either. Now I haven't read each one thoroughly at this point. However, I did notice that this book discusses pattern-making, more obviously than the others, as I flipped through the pages. Being that I consider myself at a "beginner" level, I am a little intimidated. I know, I know... it's all in getting the correct measurements. Maybe it's more work than I want to do right now. I'll stick to my sequins project. Heh.
All right. That's a wrap for tonight. I plan on reading through the books a little more each day, since I have them for 3 weeks. Then I can renew them! HAH!
WizardGir1, Signing Off.
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