Finished Summer Dress

I finally finished my summer dress! I used Simplicity 2249 which is a very easy pattern to sew.  I made two changes, instead of facings, I lined the dress because I used a very thin dotted swiss.  And I took in the waist a bit.  Everything else was the same.  I chose a lovely fabric and it came out great.

Knowing your sewing machine

Do you use all the feet that come with your sewing machine?  I've got some feet I've never used and took the time today to practice each foot, try all the different stitches that I'll probably never use, andI  played with the fancy pattern stitches. 

This got me thinking?  If I have all the stitches, why would I need a serger?  I've had serger envy forever, but I don't know how to use one.  I've been sewing since I was eleven and I know I'm not ready to learn something new quite yet.  But I do love my sewing machine.  It's an old Pfaff 6150 and it does so many cool things.  I brought the machine from England and have to use a step down transformer to use it here in America. 

So I'm back to my original reason for looking at the feet with my machine.  I forgot how to buttonhole.. Yes, I admit I avoid button holes at every opportunity.  But I have to make some button holes in the coat I'm making and I needed to practice before I ruin the coat. 

But I need to stop now.  I have coat sleeves to sew on and then combine the lining with the coat.  Wish me luck on the button holes.

Sewing Requires Patience and Attention

So this has been some sewing week.  I remind myself that the Shakers allowed some imperfection in their work becuase they believed only God was perfect.  I'd like to think that is why I have some many mistakes, but that would be a lie. 

So I started making my Vogue reversible swing coat.  It is faux suede on one side and faux fur on the other.  I used a beautifl tan suede and a rich brown textured fur for the other.  It is designed to roll the sleeves to display the reverse and the collar also opens to show the reverse. 

From the beginning, I have made mistakes.  When I cut out the front piece, in small print on the pattern states to include an additional length for the roll.  Why didn't they just add it to the pattern I wonder?  I worked around it by sewing on the additional length.  It will fold on the seam, so it won't be noticeable.  I also had to take the side pieces apart because I mixed the front side pieces with the back side pieces. 

I'm taking my time to make sure it looks good.  I think it will be fine.  It's only the second time I sewed with fake fur, and it's a bit messy and a little more tedious to sew.

I believe it is my opportunity to learn patience and attention to detail.  Until next time.

Good Weekend of Sewing

So desapite one mishap, I feel like I had a good weekend of sewing.  My husband is buying me a new task chair so l will be more comfortble.  Anyways,the weekend started out as a disaster.   I tried to make this incredible pulllover top despite reading review of patternrewview.com that indicated it was a poorly designed pattern.  Well, turns out, it truly  is.  After three days of trying to fit the facing, I'm sad to say I gave up.  Too many patterns and fabric, not enough time to fight a pattern design. 

So now I'm working on my new winter coat, Vogue pattern 7627 which will be faux suede in brown on one side, and a curly faux fur  in black on the alternate side.  I think it will be amazing.  I would classify myself as an intermediate seamstress, but this will be my first time with faux fur.  I'm very excited to see how it turns out. I've finished the faux suede side and tomorrow will start the fur side.  Should be done by the weekend. 

Sewing is my passion.  Although until recently, I put it off because it felt selfish to sit in my room sewing when I have a family and a job.  But there this nothing wrong with watching Sex In the City and sewing for an evening's entertainment.  Until next itme,  take care.

LIfe Changes

So as I contemplate how to make a double breasted coat dress for my friend Sydney (who is built like a model), I search patterns on line and found an interesting Simplicity patterin 2149 which is a new fall pattern of a longer classic jacket.  It's beautiful how they made it in tweed with black braid and lace trim.  I'm thinking it would be excellent for the fall with a pair of skinny black pants. 

So my mind is filled with what to make next after my jumpsuit fiasco.  I finally tried it on today and it is way too snug.  I'm so disappointed but lesson learned.  Try on and double check the pattern size multiple times. 

I'm looking to make another summer dress from a Simplicity pattern.  

For another change in my life, today, I enrolled at the University of Central Oklahoma to finally finish my degree.  I've tutored so many people on their schooling and I'm constantly educating myself by reading history and biography.  I am a smart intellligent person and I need the paper to say so.  I've enrolled in the Reach Higher program which allows me to finish my degree on a quicker pace and uses my work experience and knowledge and gives credit for real life experiences.   The school is very nice and everyone I've met wants you to succeed.  While my job has no where higher to go, I think it makes me more marketable to have the final paper. 

So my mind is full of sewing projects and school work.  I'm so excited on these new changes in my life.  Instead of just being a bystander, I'm an active participant.

Never Too Old to Learn a New Lesson

Today I spent all day working on the cutest jumpsuit.  I bought a fabulous woven plaid in turquoise, white, and navy.  I decided I was going to take this simple project and make it more special by completely using french seams throughout.  I also changed the elastic waistband by creating a bias strip to cover the elastic so that everything was neat, tidy, and very professional looking.  Because of using french seams, it is more difficult to try the outfit on as you go.  It is more difficult to replace the seams once they are in. 

Even though I checked the pattern for sizing, I was mildly surprised to that the hips ran a little wider than the same size in a Simplicity pattern.  I used a McCalls and pattern reviews indicated no major problems except the bodice might be a bit short if you are long waisted.  So I cut the pattern to size based on the information I read.

It came out beautifully.  All the plaid lines matched.  I took extra time to make sure that seams matched.  I embroidered a bouquet of fabric flowers and butterfly shaped buttons to a bright collage of flowers acrss the upper right bodice.  Just beautiful.

Time to try it on.  Hemming of the pant legs was all that was left.  I was so excited....I inched it up my backside and then realized...It wasn't going any further.  Nada, no way,  my butt was too big. 

So now it it hanging in the closet with the hope I might lose a little weight and can wear it.  But lesson learned,  Try the outfit on by basting the pieces together before fancy stitching.  Oh well,  but at least it is beautifully done...

Starting a Blog

Never thought I'd advance to this state of writing my thoughts on a computer vs. a journal.  But life is all about the learning moments.  I hope my blog will be an interesting journey of my sewing adventures and my life events.  I have lived a life that can seem to some a contradiction in many ways.

On one hand, I am a totally devoted wife and mother.  I learned all the domestic skills and love them.   I love the simple crafts generally associated with women.  I am quite skilled at embroidery, cross stitch, crochet, and sewing.  Plus I love to cook, and bake. 

Yet, I totally believe women can be anything they want and am angered when limits are placed on women. I entered the Air Force at 19 years old as one of the first women in the Avionics field.  I served 20 years.  I've never had a traditional job.  Life might have been easier for me, but I liked the challenge.

On one hand, my job and life requires that I be a public and outgoing person.  I have to teach classes and mix with all sorts of people.  I am an essentially a shy person and so when I go to work, I actually role play what I think a person who is outgoing should be like.  But when I'm home, I like sewing, reading, and spending time with my family.  I'm not much for going out and socializing.

So you see some of my contradictions.  I just see that these are characteristics that make me interesting.  Hopefully you will see that I have some unusual points of view and thoughts to share.