My Sewing Story
I first watched my mother sew on her olive green Kenmore sewing machine as a young girl. After watching my mom sew, I was interested in learning more, so took a class in 7th grade. I made a pair of shorts that were 100% cotton, khaki green, with a paisley design printed all over them.
More about my sewing history
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Sewing Wizardess
Project: Vinyl Book Cover
I've just impressed myself. As I was washing my dishes this morning, I thought of a sewing project I could begin and finish today. Well, I just received a Martha Stewart cookbook in the mail and I want to keep the cover nice so I came up with the idea to make a vinyl book cover!
1. I ran to the local shop to get some vinyl.
2. I laid out the book cover on the piece of vinyl so I could trace a line with red permanent marker. The red line is my "no-sewing-beyond-here" boundary. I would not be able to slip the Martha Stewart cover in the finished vinyl slip if it was measured incorrectly. I needed a visual that was loud and clear.
3. After I traced and cut out the vinyl pattern, I taped down the flaps so it was easier for me to sew them. I don't have a vinyl/leather foot or needle plate so I knew it would be sticky; I didn't want to bother with trying to keep the vinyl folded also.
4.To make sewing a tad easier for myself, I placed some fabric under the vinyl to prevent the sticking. It worked well enough, but I plan on getting a polytetrafluoroethylene foot (A.K.A. Teflon) and needle plate for future projects.
5. I finished the seam as I normally do with all projects, with a back-tack.
6. Before I put the cover onto the book, I sprayed some isopropyl alcohol on a cotton ball and removed the red permanent marker.
...and voila, my new book cover!
That's it for this quick project.
I also plan on making a mini-cover for my credit cards and license. It should work nicely.
Until the sun rises again, Happy Sewing!
1. I ran to the local shop to get some vinyl.
2. I laid out the book cover on the piece of vinyl so I could trace a line with red permanent marker. The red line is my "no-sewing-beyond-here" boundary. I would not be able to slip the Martha Stewart cover in the finished vinyl slip if it was measured incorrectly. I needed a visual that was loud and clear.
3. After I traced and cut out the vinyl pattern, I taped down the flaps so it was easier for me to sew them. I don't have a vinyl/leather foot or needle plate so I knew it would be sticky; I didn't want to bother with trying to keep the vinyl folded also.
4.To make sewing a tad easier for myself, I placed some fabric under the vinyl to prevent the sticking. It worked well enough, but I plan on getting a polytetrafluoroethylene foot (A.K.A. Teflon) and needle plate for future projects.
5. I finished the seam as I normally do with all projects, with a back-tack.
6. Before I put the cover onto the book, I sprayed some isopropyl alcohol on a cotton ball and removed the red permanent marker.
...and voila, my new book cover!That's it for this quick project.
I also plan on making a mini-cover for my credit cards and license. It should work nicely.
Until the sun rises again, Happy Sewing!"Fast Fit" Order Placed
I just want to make a note that I ordered "Fast Fit" from Half.com this afternoon. I'd like to get going on another sewing project, but I haven't decided what it would be yet. I have to go through my fabric and patterns. That's all the time I have for this blog today. More tomorrow. Until the sun rises again, Happy Sewing!
That's all the time I have for this blog today. More tomorrow. Until the sun rises again, Happy Sewing! Satin Top Finished
Good afternoon! I'm going to try to get all my blogging in before I need to leave for work.
I finished beading and adding the sequins to my satin top. That's a picture of my new thimble. I spent a little time trying on metal thimbles and thought I would put in on the blog. Hah!
So to get started, one sequins and one bead at a time... The photo is pretty self-explanatory.
Now it's starting to produce that sparkle I wanted!
This is a photo of the completed shirt. I didn't fix the hem puckers. I just decided that I'm wearing it with jeans anyway, so there's no point. Well, I suppose I could have finished it off for learning experience. I can always do it later. I'm so happy with how it all turned out. I washed it a tub with warm water and mild detergent and hung it to dry. I plan on wearing it tomorrow!
I did learn a lesson concerning stringing bead fringes. If you look closely, you'll see that I have two fringes too close together. Even though I was placing 20 white beads between each fringe, I finished off one of the strings short of 20. That was going to be under my arm, so it wouldn't have been noticeable. I changed my mind on the placement and I can't do that. I have to think everything through, thoroughly! (I'm still going to wear it as is though.) And the color of my bead is somewhat off-white. The lace is bright white. ...I went with silver sequins so nothing matches! ...That's one unmatched wizardry technique! 
Next project: Purple Tunic. I began this top about a year or two ago. It's far too large and as you can see my markings in the photo, I'm going to take in the sides and a good portion of the arms. I'm also going to bring up the hem to right below my derrière. I'll probably just post the final photo on that one. Don't expect too much there. It's a boring project for me. It was screwed up from the beginning and I'm just trying to make it all wearable.
All right, that's a wrap.
Until the sun rises again, happy sewing!
I finished beading and adding the sequins to my satin top. That's a picture of my new thimble. I spent a little time trying on metal thimbles and thought I would put in on the blog. Hah!
So to get started, one sequins and one bead at a time... The photo is pretty self-explanatory.
Now it's starting to produce that sparkle I wanted!
This is a photo of the completed shirt. I didn't fix the hem puckers. I just decided that I'm wearing it with jeans anyway, so there's no point. Well, I suppose I could have finished it off for learning experience. I can always do it later. I'm so happy with how it all turned out. I washed it a tub with warm water and mild detergent and hung it to dry. I plan on wearing it tomorrow!
I did learn a lesson concerning stringing bead fringes. If you look closely, you'll see that I have two fringes too close together. Even though I was placing 20 white beads between each fringe, I finished off one of the strings short of 20. That was going to be under my arm, so it wouldn't have been noticeable. I changed my mind on the placement and I can't do that. I have to think everything through, thoroughly! (I'm still going to wear it as is though.
) And the color of my bead is somewhat off-white. The lace is bright white. ...I went with silver sequins so nothing matches! ...That's one unmatched wizardry technique! Next project: Purple Tunic. I began this top about a year or two ago. It's far too large and as you can see my markings in the photo, I'm going to take in the sides and a good portion of the arms. I'm also going to bring up the hem to right below my derrière. I'll probably just post the final photo on that one. Don't expect too much there. It's a boring project for me. It was screwed up from the beginning and I'm just trying to make it all wearable.
All right, that's a wrap.
Until the sun rises again, happy sewing!
Blogwork
Tonight I will write a very short entry, as it is extremely late.
I didn't sew today. Instead, I chose to work a little more on my blog. Please remember that this entire site is still under construction, so nothing is perfect! (That goes for my sewing projects too. ) I've added "My Sewing Pages" and "My Sewing References" on the left side. I will soon be adding a "Textiles and Fashion Vocabulary" page also. If I am going to be writing about fashion sewing, I should use some of the lingo I learned when I was taking classes.
I hope to get my sequins sewn onto my satin top tomorrow. I'll take photos if I do. I will MAKE MYSELF REMEMBER!
Time to sign off.
Until the sun rises again, happy sewing!
I didn't sew today. Instead, I chose to work a little more on my blog. Please remember that this entire site is still under construction, so nothing is perfect! (That goes for my sewing projects too.
) I've added "My Sewing Pages" and "My Sewing References" on the left side. I will soon be adding a "Textiles and Fashion Vocabulary" page also. If I am going to be writing about fashion sewing, I should use some of the lingo I learned when I was taking classes. I hope to get my sequins sewn onto my satin top tomorrow. I'll take photos if I do. I will MAKE MYSELF REMEMBER!
Time to sign off.
Until the sun rises again, happy sewing!
Start of the Satin-Top
Sewing
It's wonderful, just wonderful! I had time to string beads for my teal satin top. Not only did I have time to string them, I had time to sew them on to the top. I'm pretty satisfied with how everything is turning out at this point.
First things first: I cut the extra fabric right off! I measured the length that I wanted it to be just by eye-balling it on my dress form. I marked it with a pencil and then measured how many inches I needed to cut across evenly—7 1/2 Inches. That's right, "Goodbye Satin!" It felt really nice to cut it off because I knew I was working towards a top that I would actually wear.
The next step was to finish the edge. I serged the raw edge with a 3-thread overlock. When you "sew off" on the seger, you end up having a tail. I read that a professional, or traditional, way to make sure the threads stay is to weave it into the finished edge with a needle.
I guided the eye of the needle first because I didn't leave myself a long enough tail.
When I was through, I just snipped the threads. I learned something today using my serger. I learned that when sewing on satin, I need to set my differential feed at .5 and set my stitch length at 1. If I set the stitch length at a higher number, it puckers. Examples are in the photo below.
The top satin edge puckers somewhat and the bottom satin piece is as smooth as can be. What a beautiful finish! I feel like I accomplished so much learning that today. Yay!
So after machine sewing, I brought out the beads but I forgot to take a snapshot of my work area to share. I did, however, take a blurry photo of my string of beads.
I really liked how the tiny fringes turned out and couldn't wait to sew them onto the top.
It's a delicate look and I'm not finished yet. I still would like to add sequins in between the fringes. I don't think that I will do the rosettes after all. I don't know how well it would go with the lace trim as far as "attention" of the garment. But since it is what my mother calls "kick-around", it doesn't really matter if the attention clashes or distracts (which would be considered in the "unmatched technique" category ). This is my first time applying beads and sequins to a garment that I am going to wear. I have tons of room to make it mine.
Book Review
I read a little more in Sewing Lingerie that Fits last night. I learned that I should cut my nightgowns and camisoles on the bias of the fabric, so that's what I will plan to do when I get to the point of making my undergarments.
I don't know what tomorrow holds—maybe a new creation, maybe to finish the one I started today, maybe a new idea! Little by little, I will reach my goal of "superior seamstress" by using one technique at a time.
Until the sun rises again...This is WizardGir1 signing off. Happy sewing dreams!
It's wonderful, just wonderful! I had time to string beads for my teal satin top. Not only did I have time to string them, I had time to sew them on to the top. I'm pretty satisfied with how everything is turning out at this point.
First things first: I cut the extra fabric right off! I measured the length that I wanted it to be just by eye-balling it on my dress form. I marked it with a pencil and then measured how many inches I needed to cut across evenly—7 1/2 Inches. That's right, "Goodbye Satin!" It felt really nice to cut it off because I knew I was working towards a top that I would actually wear.
The next step was to finish the edge. I serged the raw edge with a 3-thread overlock. When you "sew off" on the seger, you end up having a tail. I read that a professional, or traditional, way to make sure the threads stay is to weave it into the finished edge with a needle.
I guided the eye of the needle first because I didn't leave myself a long enough tail.
When I was through, I just snipped the threads. I learned something today using my serger. I learned that when sewing on satin, I need to set my differential feed at .5 and set my stitch length at 1. If I set the stitch length at a higher number, it puckers. Examples are in the photo below.
The top satin edge puckers somewhat and the bottom satin piece is as smooth as can be. What a beautiful finish! I feel like I accomplished so much learning that today.
Yay!So after machine sewing, I brought out the beads but I forgot to take a snapshot of my work area to share. I did, however, take a blurry photo of my string of beads.
I really liked how the tiny fringes turned out and couldn't wait to sew them onto the top.
It's a delicate look and I'm not finished yet. I still would like to add sequins in between the fringes. I don't think that I will do the rosettes after all. I don't know how well it would go with the lace trim as far as "attention" of the garment. But since it is what my mother calls "kick-around", it doesn't really matter if the attention clashes or distracts (which would be considered in the "unmatched technique" category
). This is my first time applying beads and sequins to a garment that I am going to wear. I have tons of room to make it mine.Book Review
I read a little more in Sewing Lingerie that Fits last night. I learned that I should cut my nightgowns and camisoles on the bias of the fabric, so that's what I will plan to do when I get to the point of making my undergarments.
I don't know what tomorrow holds—maybe a new creation, maybe to finish the one I started today, maybe a new idea!
Little by little, I will reach my goal of "superior seamstress" by using one technique at a time.Until the sun rises again...This is WizardGir1 signing off. Happy sewing dreams!
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.
I Kept My Promise
Well, WizardGir1 had a wonderful night of sewing! Ah, maybe I should say that I actually sat down to sew tonight, as I promised myself. And I don't know that any of my projects were even near a "wizardy" nature. I worked on 3 sewing projects: repairing a hole in a jacket pocket, redrawing the boxers pattern, and sewing up a needle-case, which isn't quite finished. (I'll post the updates, of course).
I chose to mend the jacket pocket first because it would take less time than the other projects and I needed something that would get me in the "working mode". (I decided against making a quick pin cushion, but I still have it in mind to make a few.) The jacket is my Cherokee Nation wind-breaker that I got when I was in Oklahoma at the Cherokee Nation Heritage Center, so it's important to me to keep this in top condition. Here's the hole.
Here's the fix after I ran it through the machine.
I could tell that it was going to fray right through the new stitch-line so I wanted to add something more to prevent that from happening. I decided to apply a little piece of Heat 'N Bond with some muslin I had laying around on my work table.
It's not the prettiest work that I've done, but it's inside the jacket and no one will see it. As a matter of fact, when I put the jacket on after I fixed the pocket, I couldn't even feel the bonded stitching. So that has been on my mind to complete for quite some time. Okay, it's only been a week, but I wanted to do it the first day I realized the hole.
Moving on. My second project of the night was to redraw the boxers pattern for a 3rd time. I'm hoping that I finally got it right. I told my husband that I wanted to measure him before I cut the muslin in case I need to adjust something more. Here's the drawing and the tools I used to alter the pattern design (sorry about the glaring light...still working on my photography skills). I really hope they look like boxers when the fashion fabric is sewn. =D
The last project I started (and didn't finish) was a needle case. I had traced the pattern and cut the fabric out about a month or two ago. I didn't go on with the sewing because I needed to purchase some pearl snaps. I got the snaps, so now I sew! (That would be a cute blog title for a gal who loved to sew.) I need to finish this case by hand sewing the hole shut that I used to turn the case right-side-out. I am going to hand-sew instead of stitching with machine so I can get some practice in. I enjoy hand sewing. I also enjoy free-stitch embroidery. The butterfly at the top of my blog is a sample of my work. That was actually my first "real" embroidery project. But anyways...
Here's a photo of the cute needle case. I got the pattern from Sew Pretty Homestyle, which I rented from the library. (I love renting sewing books from the library to learn if I want to own them first.)
I was very proactive concerning my sewing hobby today. I also picked up three books on making lingerie from the library. (Did you have any doubt that I might do that?)
All right. With that, I better get started. The clock is ticking and I'm getting tired.
May the Sewing Force Be With Me
WizardGir1, signing off.
I chose to mend the jacket pocket first because it would take less time than the other projects and I needed something that would get me in the "working mode". (I decided against making a quick pin cushion, but I still have it in mind to make a few.) The jacket is my Cherokee Nation wind-breaker that I got when I was in Oklahoma at the Cherokee Nation Heritage Center, so it's important to me to keep this in top condition. Here's the hole.
Here's the fix after I ran it through the machine.
I could tell that it was going to fray right through the new stitch-line so I wanted to add something more to prevent that from happening. I decided to apply a little piece of Heat 'N Bond with some muslin I had laying around on my work table.
It's not the prettiest work that I've done, but it's inside the jacket and no one will see it. As a matter of fact, when I put the jacket on after I fixed the pocket, I couldn't even feel the bonded stitching. So that has been on my mind to complete for quite some time. Okay, it's only been a week, but I wanted to do it the first day I realized the hole.
Moving on. My second project of the night was to redraw the boxers pattern for a 3rd time. I'm hoping that I finally got it right. I told my husband that I wanted to measure him before I cut the muslin in case I need to adjust something more. Here's the drawing and the tools I used to alter the pattern design (sorry about the glaring light...still working on my photography skills). I really hope they look like boxers when the fashion fabric is sewn. =D
The last project I started (and didn't finish) was a needle case. I had traced the pattern and cut the fabric out about a month or two ago. I didn't go on with the sewing because I needed to purchase some pearl snaps. I got the snaps, so now I sew! (That would be a cute blog title for a gal who loved to sew.) I need to finish this case by hand sewing the hole shut that I used to turn the case right-side-out. I am going to hand-sew instead of stitching with machine so I can get some practice in. I enjoy hand sewing. I also enjoy free-stitch embroidery. The butterfly at the top of my blog is a sample of my work. That was actually my first "real" embroidery project. But anyways...
Here's a photo of the cute needle case. I got the pattern from Sew Pretty Homestyle, which I rented from the library. (I love renting sewing books from the library to learn if I want to own them first.)
I was very proactive concerning my sewing hobby today. I also picked up three books on making lingerie from the library. (Did you have any doubt that I might do that?)
- Singer Sewing Reference Library: Sewing Lingerie
- Sewing Lingerie that Fits: Stylish Underwear, Sleepwear, and Loungewear for Everyday Living by Karen Morris
- Lingerie Secrets: Sew a Perfect Fir for Every Body by Jan Bones
All right. With that, I better get started. The clock is ticking and I'm getting tired.
May the Sewing Force Be With Me
WizardGir1, signing off.
Am I Losing My "Oomph"?
Just a quick entry tonight. The thought crossed my mind, twice now, that I might be loosing my "oomph" for sewing. I plan to sew tomorrow evening. May God boost my energy and desire to get back on track with those boxers! After boxers, I think I'd like to start a cute camisole. I have some crazy bright pink and purple striped jersey knit that I am dying to to cut and sew up. I'm wondering if I need to work on a smaller project to get me going on the boxers again. Perhaps a cute small pin cushion. I don't think a seamstress could have too many of those! ...sew on Gir1, SEW ON!
"Fast Fit" by Sandra Betzina
I was too active during the day to sew anything thisevening. I’m worn out. However, have been thinking about a sewing book called“Fast Fit: Easy Pattern Alterations for Every Figure” by Sandra Betzina. I’mconsidering adding it to my sewing library. Currently, I am renting it from thecounty library, so I know how useful it would be. I have already referred to itabout an issue I have with some boxers that I am working on.
The boxersare for my husband and my first fitting with the muslin was too tight acrossthe hips, and hung too low in the crotch. To solve the problem for the secondfitting, I added length to the waistband and decreased the crotch length at thewaist. I increased the length at the curve of the crotch.
He tried on boxers #2. The fittingwas better, as he had much more room in the hips, and the crotch didn’t hang aslow as they were in the previous fitting. However, the muslin pulled tightacross his derrière. I was growing hopeless in solving this issue. (I want tomake a perfect fit so badly, so I won’t give up.) I went to Sanda for help. Hersuggestion is to add even more length to the crotch curve. So, I mustmake another muslin of these little boxers! It just seems like a lot ofwork for such a small garment. After I have it perfected, I won’t have to gothrough this for another pair, at any rate.
I haven’t tried the suggestion yet,but I imagine it will be exactly what I need to make the fit. In my conclusionfor this entry, I have decided to go ahead and get the book to add to my library.I have many more garments that I want to make and I’m sure I’ll need a goodreference. Besides, it’s only $4 on Half.com . I’ll be happy to receive it inthe mail.
The boxersare for my husband and my first fitting with the muslin was too tight acrossthe hips, and hung too low in the crotch. To solve the problem for the secondfitting, I added length to the waistband and decreased the crotch length at thewaist. I increased the length at the curve of the crotch.
He tried on boxers #2. The fittingwas better, as he had much more room in the hips, and the crotch didn’t hang aslow as they were in the previous fitting. However, the muslin pulled tightacross his derrière. I was growing hopeless in solving this issue. (I want tomake a perfect fit so badly, so I won’t give up.) I went to Sanda for help. Hersuggestion is to add even more length to the crotch curve. So, I mustmake another muslin of these little boxers! It just seems like a lot ofwork for such a small garment. After I have it perfected, I won’t have to gothrough this for another pair, at any rate.
I haven’t tried the suggestion yet,but I imagine it will be exactly what I need to make the fit. In my conclusionfor this entry, I have decided to go ahead and get the book to add to my library.I have many more garments that I want to make and I’m sure I’ll need a goodreference. Besides, it’s only $4 on Half.com . I’ll be happy to receive it inthe mail.
Project: A-Line Skirt
My most recent completed project is a denim skirt. The pattern I chose was Simplicity 5914.
I love the look of an A line skirt for days that I want to feel pretty in addition to staying comfortable. I chose style "F" for my denim skirt. Even though I used a dress form, and added the pleats over my hips, the skirt turned out a little larger in the waist than I thought it might.
Here I am modeling the finished skirt. To solve the "loose waist band" problem, I just decided to wear a longer sweater that would cover the waist band.
This pattern is great for a wardrobe builder so I thought I would makeanother one is a lightweight cotton blend fabric for summer. I'd like to detail out my sewing process but I seem to either forget to take snapshots, or forget what I'd like to say about the photos that I do take. I promise to work on that step. Well, I have to because that's why I wanted this blog site. Until next time...happy sewing!
I love the look of an A line skirt for days that I want to feel pretty in addition to staying comfortable. I chose style "F" for my denim skirt. Even though I used a dress form, and added the pleats over my hips, the skirt turned out a little larger in the waist than I thought it might.
Here I am modeling the finished skirt. To solve the "loose waist band" problem, I just decided to wear a longer sweater that would cover the waist band.
This pattern is great for a wardrobe builder so I thought I would makeanother one is a lightweight cotton blend fabric for summer. I'd like to detail out my sewing process but I seem to either forget to take snapshots, or forget what I'd like to say about the photos that I do take. I promise to work on that step. Well, I have to because that's why I wanted this blog site. Until next time...happy sewing!
