I ordered some patterns from http://m-sewing.com . It's a custom size pattern website that you enter your measurements in and get a pattern generated according to your measurements. Then within 24 hours you have your patterns available for you to print off on your home printer. You do have to glue all the pages together though. I haven't yet sewn one of these patterns so I can't say how accurate the fit is or how much of a pain it is to glue the pages together.
Monday, October 23, 2006
Sunday, October 15, 2006
New Look 6497 -complete. Finally!
I really, really like this pattern. This is the second time I have made this shirt, but this time I altered it so that the back is solid. The original has it so that the shirt ties in the back, which is fine for the summer. I made a casing with elastic in the top in the back to prevent the back from sagging. I also lengthened the bodice by an inch because I found the first shirt I made a bit too short there.
I used a plum jersey knit from Fabricland. It cost a $1.50 a meter. The pattern cost $2, and I've used it twice so far, so that means this shirt cost $2.50 to make. I think thats pretty good considering in the store I would probably pay over $20 for it.
I love the empire waist and how the bodice is gathered.
A pic of me wearing it. The straps aren't supposed to be a halter; I just don't have anyone to pin the straps on the back in the right spot for me to sew them. Sorry the picture is skewed. I had to set the camera on a dictionary on the table to take this picture.
Back view showing the modification I did. The back hem isn't crooked, its just caught up on my butt. I don't think this top would flatter all figures, especially pear shaped women as it flares out quite a bit at the butt.
Thursday, October 12, 2006
An update of sorts, and I have a new hobby- knitting!
I haven't had time to sew much lately and it really, really sucks. I'm just swamped with school work. I have been working, little by little, on a knit top. New Look 6497 http://www.simplicity.com/dv1_v4.cfm?design=6497 I'm making view A. I made view A in the summer out of a black jersey. This time though, I'm attempting to modify the back so that there is no ties in the back, so hopefully it will work out. I also lengthend the bodice by one inch. Somehow this resulted in the bodice being quite a bit wider than the bodice lining. Im not too sure how that happend since I just added to the length and not the width. Oh well I'll just measure how much bigger the bodice is and cut a new one to fit the bodice lining since I checked the alignment with the rest of the pieces and the bodice lining is correct. For this time Im using a plum coloured jersey that is very soft. When I'm finally done I'll post a pic of it along with the black one I made in the summer.
This weekend I plan to get some more sewing done (along with a s-load of homework). I would like to make this kimono-esque top from New Look 4020 http://www.simplicity.com/dv1_v4.cfm?design=4020&show=1
view D. Lots of people on Pattern Review (PR) have made this top with good results. I'm not sure which fabric to use. My options are hot pink, rose pink, plum, baby blue.... and I think thats it. And if I have time I would love to start on a pair of Vogue pants. I have super nice black pinstripe wool blend that feels soo comfy that would be great for the pants.
Today, two of the used books I ordered off of Amazon arrived. I'm absolutely thrilled with them! They are Singer: Tailoring and Singer: The Perfect Fit. I highly recommend these books. The other one I'm waiting on is Singer: Sewing with Knits.
On another note: I've picked up another hobby (I know, I know I barely have time to do the ones I have now.. I don't remember the last time I touched a piece of scrapbook paper). Over Thanksgiving weekend my sister taught me how to knit. She has been knitting for a few years now is really good (she posts a bit on Crafster, but mainly lurks..I think). Anyway, she let me borrow a pair of size 10 needles, some yarn and her Stitch'n Bitch book by Debbie Stoller (great book btw). So now I'm knit two, purl two'ing my way to my first scarf. Since I don't have a lot of spare time I decided to take my knitting to class with me the other day to work on it during break (I have 3 hour lecture/seminars for my 4th year bio classes...it sucks) and you'd think I pulled out a porn mag based on the reaction I got! "I can't believe you brought that to class" "What are you doing?!" me: "what does it look like?! Im knitting." etc etc. Mind you these comments were from guys not girls in my class. The girls said "oh thats a good idea, get some knitting done while on break." I really don't know why its such a big deal and I found the different reactions of the guys and girls interesting. Anyone else had a similar experience?
This weekend I plan to get some more sewing done (along with a s-load of homework). I would like to make this kimono-esque top from New Look 4020 http://www.simplicity.com/dv1_v4.cfm?design=4020&show=1
view D. Lots of people on Pattern Review (PR) have made this top with good results. I'm not sure which fabric to use. My options are hot pink, rose pink, plum, baby blue.... and I think thats it. And if I have time I would love to start on a pair of Vogue pants. I have super nice black pinstripe wool blend that feels soo comfy that would be great for the pants.
Today, two of the used books I ordered off of Amazon arrived. I'm absolutely thrilled with them! They are Singer: Tailoring and Singer: The Perfect Fit. I highly recommend these books. The other one I'm waiting on is Singer: Sewing with Knits.
On another note: I've picked up another hobby (I know, I know I barely have time to do the ones I have now.. I don't remember the last time I touched a piece of scrapbook paper
Friday, October 06, 2006
My newest machine! A vintage Kenmore.
This is my newest vintage machine! Can you believe that I got it for free! It works prefectly, just a bit louder than my Singer Stylemat 329K from the 60's (I think), maybe its because its a front loading verticle bobbin? This Kenmore is obviously older than the 60's, but I don't know by how much. The model number on the bottom says C -877-16. It only straight stitches and backs stitches, but it really makes a nice stitch. Its sooooooo pretty too! I would love to know more about this machine, especially what decade its from. I have joined the vintage kenmore yahoo group, just haven't posted there yet.
Wednesday, September 20, 2006
Wrap miniskirt- Burda 8175
I just finished sewing up view C of Burda 8175 its an easy pattern from Burda Young fashion. I had relatively few problems with this skirt. It came together quite quickly and easily as it should for an easy pattern, although thats not always the case for me. I absolutely love the fabric its a hot pink and black wool blend plaid with a silver stripe running throughout the plaid that I bought from Fabricland on sale for an amount I can't quite rememeber... probably less than $6 a meter though.The skirt has a self fabric fringe, hence all the thread on the floor. Thats Troy, my little Miniature Pinscher in the photo, he'd be furious if he knew I published an unflattering angle of him on my blog! Later on I'll be making some doggy coats for him. He alreaday has some that I made last year, but he needs new, more in fashion coats for this winter.
An informal introduction
I'm not entirely sure why I have started this blog; I suppose it has to do with me taking up two new hobbies - scrapbooking and sewing, which I absolutely love! On this site I hope to share my experiences of learning to sew and would love to hear from people who are also learning to sew.
First a bit of my sewing background: in my house we have always had Singers. I remember, as a little girl, watching my mother trying to teach herself to sew with a computerized Singer (2210 - the Athena) on the kitchen table. Her efforts did not come to frutition and she dropped the hobby. I think she would have kept up with sewing if she would have used to more simple mechanical Singer (a 70's model) in the cabinet that was stored in my closet. What made her think that she could use a computerized sewing machine when she couldn't figure out how to work the VCR is beyond me. I also remember playing with a Singer treadle from I think the 20's when mom and I would visit an old lady, Marie, in our town. This Singer treadle would become mine this past summer at the estate sale after Marie's passing. I also acquired a Singer featherwieght and a Singer 301. Both the treadle and the 301 are still working and the 301 has all of her accessories. The 301 is in the shop right now for a cleaning and check up. I can't wait to use her this weekend. Back to my sewing history: since my mom had quit sewing by the time I came of age to learn to sew my sewing affair didn't begin until grade 11 in highschool when I took a fashion design and sewing course. I absolutely loved it! However this steamy affair was sadly cooled by a sewing machine needing repair. After the class was over I was going to keep on sewing over the summer, but the Singer 225 (the mechanical from the 70's) needed a belt repair. I was 'scared' of the Athena and didnt use her because I didn't want to break mom's "expensive computerized" sewing machine. So sewing was put on the back burner until my third year of university (although I thought often of getting back into sewing) when I worked up the courage to wrangle the Athena.. without a manual. And we had no problems together, in fact we meshed quit well and I felt silly for being afraid of her for so long. (I blame it on my mother and her exclamations of 'expensive computerized sewing machine" when really by the time I got sewing the "expensive computerized sewing machine" had long since ceased to be a top of the line machine) I recently acquired a Brother CS6000, which I quite like. I got it because Athena wasn't fond of knits no matter which needle I tried; her button holes left something to be desired as well. But now I'm missing her and am going home this weekend to my parents to get her, just to make sure I know where she is so my little girl (when I get one) will learn to sew on her... if she lasts that long. If she kicks it before I get a little girl, I'll keep Athena anyway as a sewing room ornament. I also have a Kenmore serger that my loving bf bought me for Christmas this year. I've been sewing fairly consistently for the last year and really want to improve upon my skills and learn fitting and pattern drafting. So thats my sewing history... whew! who knew it would so long!
If you're still with me I'd love to hear about your sewing experiences, especially about what got you involved.
Also I'll update soon with my stories (aka struggles) of my current and planned sewing projects. Once in awhile I'll post new scrapbook pages that I've done.
First a bit of my sewing background: in my house we have always had Singers. I remember, as a little girl, watching my mother trying to teach herself to sew with a computerized Singer (2210 - the Athena) on the kitchen table. Her efforts did not come to frutition and she dropped the hobby. I think she would have kept up with sewing if she would have used to more simple mechanical Singer (a 70's model) in the cabinet that was stored in my closet. What made her think that she could use a computerized sewing machine when she couldn't figure out how to work the VCR is beyond me. I also remember playing with a Singer treadle from I think the 20's when mom and I would visit an old lady, Marie, in our town. This Singer treadle would become mine this past summer at the estate sale after Marie's passing. I also acquired a Singer featherwieght and a Singer 301. Both the treadle and the 301 are still working and the 301 has all of her accessories. The 301 is in the shop right now for a cleaning and check up. I can't wait to use her this weekend. Back to my sewing history: since my mom had quit sewing by the time I came of age to learn to sew my sewing affair didn't begin until grade 11 in highschool when I took a fashion design and sewing course. I absolutely loved it! However this steamy affair was sadly cooled by a sewing machine needing repair. After the class was over I was going to keep on sewing over the summer, but the Singer 225 (the mechanical from the 70's) needed a belt repair. I was 'scared' of the Athena and didnt use her because I didn't want to break mom's "expensive computerized" sewing machine. So sewing was put on the back burner until my third year of university (although I thought often of getting back into sewing) when I worked up the courage to wrangle the Athena.. without a manual. And we had no problems together, in fact we meshed quit well and I felt silly for being afraid of her for so long. (I blame it on my mother and her exclamations of 'expensive computerized sewing machine" when really by the time I got sewing the "expensive computerized sewing machine" had long since ceased to be a top of the line machine) I recently acquired a Brother CS6000, which I quite like. I got it because Athena wasn't fond of knits no matter which needle I tried; her button holes left something to be desired as well. But now I'm missing her and am going home this weekend to my parents to get her, just to make sure I know where she is so my little girl (when I get one) will learn to sew on her... if she lasts that long. If she kicks it before I get a little girl, I'll keep Athena anyway as a sewing room ornament. I also have a Kenmore serger that my loving bf bought me for Christmas this year. I've been sewing fairly consistently for the last year and really want to improve upon my skills and learn fitting and pattern drafting. So thats my sewing history... whew! who knew it would so long!
If you're still with me I'd love to hear about your sewing experiences, especially about what got you involved.
Also I'll update soon with my stories (aka struggles) of my current and planned sewing projects. Once in awhile I'll post new scrapbook pages that I've done.
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