Pink and Perky

Sew (so) I had my first day of college class last night after umpteen years of not going.  It is wierd seeing so many young people in one place.  Thank God that my degree program is for adults returning to school, so most of my classmates are close to my age. 

I wore my new dress to work today and got a lot of compliments.  I don't usually wear pink, but everyone thought it was very classy.  My husband gave me the best compliment.  He thought I'd bought the dress!  He said is was as good as store bought.  Course you and I know that "store bought" is not all that well made, but I know what he meant.

Today, a woman asked me who was my seamstress...I took great pride in saying it was me!  Here is a lousy picture (my husband is not a good photographer) and a closeup of the fabric.  I used McCall's 5882.  It's the second time I have made it and love the pattern.  It's quick and easy.  I like the combination of mixing fabrics.  For this dress I used a patterned eyelet that had flicks of silver mixed on the flower pattern.  The main part of the dress was a striped seersucker.  They really complimented each other don't you think?

Sew, that was it!  A great day.  Tonight, with my goal of doing at least 30 minutes of sewing a night, I am going to cut out a skirt in denim with a new pattern.  I'll keep you posted!

Dog Days of Summer

So since the last post, I've been working to get myself back in the saddle of dressmaking.  I've made it a personal goal to make at least one thing a week and I've accomplished that.  As I read somewhere, I try to do at least 30 minutes each evening.  I keep my sewing machine ready and waiting and I can watch my shows.  I've never been one to just watch tv-I often read a book or cross stitch because it seems idle just watching tv.

Sew (so) what have I been working on?  I've really enjoyed making McCall's M5882, which is a sweet little summer dress that works really well with some of those fabulous quilting cottons.  I made two dresses with quilting cotton and they came out beautifully.  I'll post pictures later. 

I also made a cute wrap skirt and attempted to make a pretty little top, but somehow the measurements were much smaller than it says.  The blouse is more tight fitting and bunching in the back.  I'm sure it's my fabric choice. 

I am always trying to guess fabric choices.  Cottons are fairly simple, but then I'm not sure what works with what.  I try to follow the suggestions on patterns, but they aren't always that clear.  I would love to sew with some print jersey, but it's hard to find here in Oklahoma.  If you are quilter, there are lots of selections.  Dressmakers have to look harder.  But we did just get a new JoAnn's and my selection has expanded.  I guess people don't sew much here because the stores are full of polyester and lots of plain jersey, but I love a good print.

Tomorrow I start back to university which is a long time coming.  I'm hoping that I can get more respect from peers by doing so...

Anyway this weekend, I made up a top for my OU daughter, she wanted a rust colored linen with crochet trim.  The style was peasanty.  Well, it's finished but looks costumey, not what she imagined I'm sure.  It feels too stiff and doesn't drape.  I think a rayon would have been nicer, so I will keep looking for a soft rayon in the same colore.  Again, I'll post pictures for the blog tomorrow.

So that's all for now.  I'll post the photos and keep on sewing.  Now that I'm kind of hooked again. 

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.