tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6509947589228952022024-03-19T07:25:38.653-05:00Sewing the Seeds of an EscapeThese are my ramblings and musings as I stumble my way through sewing projects. I needed an escape from the corporate world, and decided to pull inspiration from Julie & Julia and give myself some new ways to spend my free time. I know I'll be getting some enjoyment from this - hopefully someone else will too!The Frantic "Seamstress"http://www.blogger.com/profile/17801672121222260074noreply@blogger.comBlogger34125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-650994758922895202.post-74523628318454060612010-11-10T14:34:00.005-06:002010-11-10T15:30:04.718-06:00Lady Grey UpdateI'm fully aware that I started my Lady Grey coat nearly two months ago...and it isn't finished. As a matter of fact, I don't believe I've touched it in almost a month.<br /><br />Everything was going fine and I was trucking along for quite some time (largely due to the fact that I decided to forgo some of the more indepth tailoring since I'm not using heavy material), I finished my bound button holes (with Daniel's help), then WHAM! Disaster struck.<br /><br />I am in love with my button holes (again, thanks to Daniel and his ability to draw straight lines). Since I couldn't find matching silk organza or a suitable substitute, I opted for the <a href="http://www.burdastyle.com/techniques/simplified-bound-buttonholes">simplified bound button hole</a>. I was so very happy with the result,<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjjn84irz43auI8OjErkZd6NFXC27bE2e2A40XwQMAN4BeGMCi4fuMJcVYr2pOWZWeEFxBOiQqO2yk7dH7uag8Tm3v3Wjkplwk52qYy3pMFGTOCbM0-ip2nAtbsbnyS5UqBIJkvsBvGw6Xo/s1600/+%25281+of+1%2529.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjjn84irz43auI8OjErkZd6NFXC27bE2e2A40XwQMAN4BeGMCi4fuMJcVYr2pOWZWeEFxBOiQqO2yk7dH7uag8Tm3v3Wjkplwk52qYy3pMFGTOCbM0-ip2nAtbsbnyS5UqBIJkvsBvGw6Xo/s320/+%25281+of+1%2529.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5538033292673323138" border="0" /></a><br />relieved that I decided to do fabric covered buttons with the lining fabric (super easy with the Dritz kit),<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjAeR25h4tpsjibWmgjkvaiRJS75iO9dDEr0wKnqxw34CEYQmzsKVP5R2A1FmNOTLw0G2DyHBc9GT67Nsvpt5A78J_DtmVhb3iw1Glt8zNDfe6oy296cj-sWoQ997H5T8P4X_G7PQFqbBFI/s1600/+%25284+of+8%2529.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjAeR25h4tpsjibWmgjkvaiRJS75iO9dDEr0wKnqxw34CEYQmzsKVP5R2A1FmNOTLw0G2DyHBc9GT67Nsvpt5A78J_DtmVhb3iw1Glt8zNDfe6oy296cj-sWoQ997H5T8P4X_G7PQFqbBFI/s320/+%25284+of+8%2529.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5538033284312259170" border="0" /></a><br />and thrilled with my beautiful top stitching<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh2VMG4p0y4xlmrmClaFjYoSuGCFd7RZI5tcb1Ds6ZxjQ-zTn1Bt_NZUqUNNa54UZSc_Q4EsA3reKK6EPWAwB9GW05WEIiDDXbcmhP3HGuYcZoe7-ZkKUNQjDHtuEPbANXpeaJWmibIHSqL/s1600/+%25285+of+8%2529.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh2VMG4p0y4xlmrmClaFjYoSuGCFd7RZI5tcb1Ds6ZxjQ-zTn1Bt_NZUqUNNa54UZSc_Q4EsA3reKK6EPWAwB9GW05WEIiDDXbcmhP3HGuYcZoe7-ZkKUNQjDHtuEPbANXpeaJWmibIHSqL/s320/+%25285+of+8%2529.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5538033279068146930" border="0" /></a><br />that it was a very long way to fall when I realized the mistake...<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgay4fliTTWT_5lXJBHBEtPyz1HGIIKED4ocIBrfmH8MZgq-2bseTy1g128Ae2HzEuSVSPIEDowhKZ7SKJ5RRIZ12utl2o27KXDgUsbs7LQUT5-doQvlqaFTvbMpfQZUsjsIr2iWJHp1Ef2/s1600/+%25283+of+8%2529.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgay4fliTTWT_5lXJBHBEtPyz1HGIIKED4ocIBrfmH8MZgq-2bseTy1g128Ae2HzEuSVSPIEDowhKZ7SKJ5RRIZ12utl2o27KXDgUsbs7LQUT5-doQvlqaFTvbMpfQZUsjsIr2iWJHp1Ef2/s320/+%25283+of+8%2529.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5538033971748856178" border="0" /></a><br />Yes, the button is on the wrong side of the front piece...on both of them. I've poured over the pattern and directions time and time again, but I can't figure out what I read incorrectly. I'm 99% sure it was my mistake since everyone else in the sew along seems to have gotten it correct...but I can't figure out how you would get to the correct placement from the pattern.<br /><br />I have enough fabric to redo the front pieces, but I have no interest in ripping out allllll those seams (remember, top stitching everywhere) and starting over. So there it sits, half finished, an eye sore, and a huge bummer. I tried to just push through and managed to get most of my lining finished...but it's just such a downer that I've lost interest.<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgXODMzaZ6tQaB8t2xD4ost67M_CcjwT-lUkXfqO5tucV6CEpJgxmbvfRhPlgOQaD-Y2PhDB2AgCgeV-OsCNr8hELv1wahB4688FKAtnWtbdM2Eo6zpYU0nK0OD5Z08t1SCIvPocsBV5kNf/s1600/+%25288+of+8%2529.jpg"><br /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgikfE-vyodni27otNDJG3cnMs3q7tFEje_4XdZHbJa1f4vfFTjWSZjxIK-6f1SfllfYAY1_nUaS5HLz6fIklOfX7F_00N3yXOmKry_2SKkiKnaPh42vt3yHAeh5k__kI-F4IhoXHcfcs8-/s1600/+%25287+of+8%2529.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgikfE-vyodni27otNDJG3cnMs3q7tFEje_4XdZHbJa1f4vfFTjWSZjxIK-6f1SfllfYAY1_nUaS5HLz6fIklOfX7F_00N3yXOmKry_2SKkiKnaPh42vt3yHAeh5k__kI-F4IhoXHcfcs8-/s320/+%25287+of+8%2529.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5538035802303139586" border="0" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh2UcCBJelOPEA6uJXqsxexZbe93cvr8AN-AD7QJ6GUjmPEDsRebFBT0yoqTt49_lZG1Lf8v8pQYZYPKgq7syaMXV8i226xGUQVCz-9EEJly2ErwM9RHsdaUSN5UCrKA-kazbniczEUG8HO/s1600/+%25286+of+8%2529.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh2UcCBJelOPEA6uJXqsxexZbe93cvr8AN-AD7QJ6GUjmPEDsRebFBT0yoqTt49_lZG1Lf8v8pQYZYPKgq7syaMXV8i226xGUQVCz-9EEJly2ErwM9RHsdaUSN5UCrKA-kazbniczEUG8HO/s320/+%25286+of+8%2529.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5538035796300254306" border="0" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgXODMzaZ6tQaB8t2xD4ost67M_CcjwT-lUkXfqO5tucV6CEpJgxmbvfRhPlgOQaD-Y2PhDB2AgCgeV-OsCNr8hELv1wahB4688FKAtnWtbdM2Eo6zpYU0nK0OD5Z08t1SCIvPocsBV5kNf/s1600/+%25288+of+8%2529.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgXODMzaZ6tQaB8t2xD4ost67M_CcjwT-lUkXfqO5tucV6CEpJgxmbvfRhPlgOQaD-Y2PhDB2AgCgeV-OsCNr8hELv1wahB4688FKAtnWtbdM2Eo6zpYU0nK0OD5Z08t1SCIvPocsBV5kNf/s320/+%25288+of+8%2529.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5538035808902722466" border="0" /></a><br />The worst part - I promised my sister I'd finish it before I visit at Thanksgiving so she could admire it and be jealous of what an incredible seamstress I am ;) Total fail?The Frantic "Seamstress"http://www.blogger.com/profile/17801672121222260074noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-650994758922895202.post-68835475416283953182010-10-11T11:20:00.005-05:002010-10-11T12:14:47.697-05:00Catching UpIt's been a while since I last posted as I've been frantically trying to wrap up a handful of projects, and it will probably be another short while until I post again.<br /><br />I'm fully aware that it is only October 11th, but for those of us giving all handmade gifts, Christmas is right around the corner. I have wisely (ha) decided to undertake 20 projects before Christmas (and some of those before Thanksgiving to save on shipping), and have completed 4 3/4. I also have Halloween costumes to finish...before Halloween...and I have the Lady Grey Sew Along mixed in there as well.<br /><br />Things are getting done though. I made the slip cover for our guest room (my sewing room/office) sofa bed:<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjW3KE8_HaiifEoQi1IbCqbtk49oW914tpxfr-9pW_6oogbhfaQWv6aZjx3vktqFfdydLBIVlH-JSk-XDi9vvMGazuBx6MCI8rVOH9cHwdKy4yw4fb9liCcjX_wTTinteN-HNar7kjLpXFC/s1600/SlipCover+%281+of+1%29.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjW3KE8_HaiifEoQi1IbCqbtk49oW914tpxfr-9pW_6oogbhfaQWv6aZjx3vktqFfdydLBIVlH-JSk-XDi9vvMGazuBx6MCI8rVOH9cHwdKy4yw4fb9liCcjX_wTTinteN-HNar7kjLpXFC/s320/SlipCover+%281+of+1%29.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5526835213383962530" border="0" /></a><br /><br />I finished the bibs for the baby gift:<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgUOSH6lGf2Nd-0TQbz7uUANrBchkY0bA0w4zYQ9UbQe_gr1v2AWKStw2EMQOtstyRoIF4kqalvnkjEo3T2W5fIBp9gBN9Br9UCDF9-Ihdaj5myoNE8aNGKHIpDsNV1OleKxUMyPqLLDqh_/s1600/+%281+of+5%29.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgUOSH6lGf2Nd-0TQbz7uUANrBchkY0bA0w4zYQ9UbQe_gr1v2AWKStw2EMQOtstyRoIF4kqalvnkjEo3T2W5fIBp9gBN9Br9UCDF9-Ihdaj5myoNE8aNGKHIpDsNV1OleKxUMyPqLLDqh_/s320/+%281+of+5%29.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5526834536456380834" border="0" /></a><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgTO_gPYw_nF52F0_-EaiDmyabWthqJ_Ixa5zjCbGUyImkyu0A-9oaYWK8JRCM0Q6-GwnP-IgNpiLWS00opTryD7G6yWbUfPMGL5ske4r6BN_Y-_Ij1RdVviGa4endWYs3JHrOkhyG8z2qV/s1600/+%285+of+5%29.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgTO_gPYw_nF52F0_-EaiDmyabWthqJ_Ixa5zjCbGUyImkyu0A-9oaYWK8JRCM0Q6-GwnP-IgNpiLWS00opTryD7G6yWbUfPMGL5ske4r6BN_Y-_Ij1RdVviGa4endWYs3JHrOkhyG8z2qV/s320/+%285+of+5%29.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5526834552224987570" border="0" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgLqbFFM-8vMTCIH13rcZyvNXCyPhl_UHHjh6BuIIDMAaEK8UYCDi3qE9PZwJuI54Lq3OJA9PisgKYH8VMB3OpslswUvGGGP2px0zB1WiOWQxQ0CnHYCdr3Qeu2nM0fXcZDoxsT0LKqOnGg/s1600/+%284+of+5%29.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgLqbFFM-8vMTCIH13rcZyvNXCyPhl_UHHjh6BuIIDMAaEK8UYCDi3qE9PZwJuI54Lq3OJA9PisgKYH8VMB3OpslswUvGGGP2px0zB1WiOWQxQ0CnHYCdr3Qeu2nM0fXcZDoxsT0LKqOnGg/s320/+%284+of+5%29.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5526834547809200130" border="0" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgFad8t88SMyxhIPThQ6oC6ZMmf-eSMf-ejFeHLw-Dk1COnmiFbKcYJ_HWq4bsqDN5f-SU0sJAwFR23lxxrPtjoxTjFoyQRNcQowsryTR8LWFQt-sVtb7DQpMspQDNPLgzYRuCqcYiokJ4J/s1600/+%283+of+5%29.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgFad8t88SMyxhIPThQ6oC6ZMmf-eSMf-ejFeHLw-Dk1COnmiFbKcYJ_HWq4bsqDN5f-SU0sJAwFR23lxxrPtjoxTjFoyQRNcQowsryTR8LWFQt-sVtb7DQpMspQDNPLgzYRuCqcYiokJ4J/s320/+%283+of+5%29.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5526834543894645698" border="0" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhOjNV1GbJioL6Gc8RSYKDqStRnkgh_q_9BMTBX05neBsv5XQ6mLQK6gzIpleNvpAhY2yM4PYMYt6XZf7-cwaEtpjOd1KnsZp_yybRdx6uRQjcUYmIl3wD0jZXblncxE0xJitkC4cQ_M2Dt/s1600/+%282+of+5%29.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhOjNV1GbJioL6Gc8RSYKDqStRnkgh_q_9BMTBX05neBsv5XQ6mLQK6gzIpleNvpAhY2yM4PYMYt6XZf7-cwaEtpjOd1KnsZp_yybRdx6uRQjcUYmIl3wD0jZXblncxE0xJitkC4cQ_M2Dt/s320/+%282+of+5%29.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5526834540639953618" border="0" /></a><br /><br />Ann is on her stand and ready for draping projects (that was more Daniel than me, but whatever):<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEikBG2SXmqW4nNLDTRAda59iXPqPtc-eGUFljNohpFClS8pMTrOiDUBIgokiRipwF5Vsx5W1tVHwcfJAsiRrwuf7k7SrejRZBAQ6X7wRCclOxI6iP7tc5bF1GBSqkuJQkGa7pHEnTuQ76z_/s1600/Sewing+%281+of+2%29.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEikBG2SXmqW4nNLDTRAda59iXPqPtc-eGUFljNohpFClS8pMTrOiDUBIgokiRipwF5Vsx5W1tVHwcfJAsiRrwuf7k7SrejRZBAQ6X7wRCclOxI6iP7tc5bF1GBSqkuJQkGa7pHEnTuQ76z_/s320/Sewing+%281+of+2%29.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5526835197060014498" border="0" /></a><br /><br />And this is where I am on my Lady Grey coat:<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEghuSoBH67LyrgV_FMAlZL-CmeVF3DuWEFZZ453IIV2p2cVGsd_U9c0KeYqYZsjPpYUPSCaZ47QRmsxusvPZOBuKcX3Iy0e8b3dP63EP5jaQqFT0_GCKwux2_cYrq39UMcU1dMOddb70ZiJ/s1600/Sewing+%282+of+2%29.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEghuSoBH67LyrgV_FMAlZL-CmeVF3DuWEFZZ453IIV2p2cVGsd_U9c0KeYqYZsjPpYUPSCaZ47QRmsxusvPZOBuKcX3Iy0e8b3dP63EP5jaQqFT0_GCKwux2_cYrq39UMcU1dMOddb70ZiJ/s320/Sewing+%282+of+2%29.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5526835206664474402" border="0" /></a><br />All pieces are cut and serged, folded neatly, and sitting in a stack. My fusible interfacing should be here today (didn't realize I didn't have enough until I went to use it), so I'll probably start assembling tonight.<br />I made my first attempt at a bound buttonhole last night and while it definitely didn't come out presentable, I know what I did wrong and think my next attempt will go better. Once I'm happy with the outcome, I'll go ahead on the jacket.<br />I'm also not sold on my button choice. I had no idea what to do, so I just picked up something that would "work" to fill the space. Maybe I should try a fabric covered button to match either the shell or lining? Thoughts? Suggestions?<br /><br />In my "finished" stack there are also those presents that are finished, but I can't post pictures...I believe in surprise too much to risk having to make something else just because the cat got out of the bag ;)The Frantic "Seamstress"http://www.blogger.com/profile/17801672121222260074noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-650994758922895202.post-74445835368273264832010-09-27T18:13:00.003-05:002010-09-27T18:27:46.879-05:00The Beauty That is My Sewing MachineI realized some time ago that I was definitely not taking full advantage of my MemoryCraft machine, and actually started feeling a little guilty every time I used it to baste my muslin or sew in a zipper. Sitting in front of me was a MemoryCraft Professional Embroidery machine, and I'd never embroidered a stitch.<br /><br />Yesterday, I rectified that problem. My sister's brother-in-law and his wife are expecting and due in November, so I decided to make them some booties and bibs. I made four pairs of <a href="http://www.newconceptions.com/free.htm">3seam booties</a> yesterday (very easy) and the beginnings of four bibs - the bibs being the exciting part.<br /><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhPBQcYejdvVPP_bWCt9mz8qJisF00D8FgZVlnyfHql8BN3Fb0grG34ioMWfITr6EbNBS0I1nL1aIt9INFYzLe5ruwtLsv0XWq06EgAIIx-HJirrmJwUzpYNF71p1MJDHF7vZfalBPlv6Po/s1600/BabyStuff+%285+of+5%29.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhPBQcYejdvVPP_bWCt9mz8qJisF00D8FgZVlnyfHql8BN3Fb0grG34ioMWfITr6EbNBS0I1nL1aIt9INFYzLe5ruwtLsv0XWq06EgAIIx-HJirrmJwUzpYNF71p1MJDHF7vZfalBPlv6Po/s320/BabyStuff+%285+of+5%29.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5521737775983669202" border="0" /></a><br /><div style="text-align: center;">(My box o'booties)<br /><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhbPSpfcf1iGbajjL8SKN1VKVdA3u-v47ZJyDhUV_Iu8gzhnS0FkPEea0vwf6jDYF2Py3v85LGiztNgn1KN_W3xJ43LykQXnrPYMzQQV6hyphenhyphenCYINaA2TVhmkHp1CXFndiBxgY3KUkAcpuu3N/s1600/BabyStuff+%284+of+5%29.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhbPSpfcf1iGbajjL8SKN1VKVdA3u-v47ZJyDhUV_Iu8gzhnS0FkPEea0vwf6jDYF2Py3v85LGiztNgn1KN_W3xJ43LykQXnrPYMzQQV6hyphenhyphenCYINaA2TVhmkHp1CXFndiBxgY3KUkAcpuu3N/s320/BabyStuff+%284+of+5%29.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5521737768748250002" border="0" /></a><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgodkE03GOL1uV-KvxdPFzU-uB8bsLhIJVL4-CWD01Vx_PmlmqkrmuwP7Sh8mJ_Ss870eq92JFBIwPS0tMPe6QXXtO68DaCC5hjVrI8gYawzPwW9C7GIiavvIyDm5gj5qrx4bApeSTN_HTV/s1600/BabyStuff+%283+of+5%29.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgodkE03GOL1uV-KvxdPFzU-uB8bsLhIJVL4-CWD01Vx_PmlmqkrmuwP7Sh8mJ_Ss870eq92JFBIwPS0tMPe6QXXtO68DaCC5hjVrI8gYawzPwW9C7GIiavvIyDm5gj5qrx4bApeSTN_HTV/s320/BabyStuff+%283+of+5%29.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5521737764604176114" border="0" /></a>I played around with doing multiple images on one bib in these<br /><br /></div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgY7Y8g-NiqVI3-wcF0EHx2BQuuttttj055nYLxp0E3O8lqxcIKG3TQCyxvK5GmoMV04g8tgPi-9ZT4_oiXi7KAooe9IZYzW1UFXgpliYb4y-fK-W63yGYtMxj3koN4kcIx11XZ5Kp5Kl1Z/s1600/BabyStuff+%282+of+5%29.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgY7Y8g-NiqVI3-wcF0EHx2BQuuttttj055nYLxp0E3O8lqxcIKG3TQCyxvK5GmoMV04g8tgPi-9ZT4_oiXi7KAooe9IZYzW1UFXgpliYb4y-fK-W63yGYtMxj3koN4kcIx11XZ5Kp5Kl1Z/s320/BabyStuff+%282+of+5%29.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5521737757399356370" border="0" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiLLIplGoF4Nx9o88yHauQ-BuBVJhE3EgNBRgqkXSkvsKBBrKamb-qFOljjf0U9kw1l_-iPmPIfVS9naKs7J4wo-AM7fBmvHpCNBnf4LAoinhZ_FZ1BlvOVDv4jgbnbMgb0SPXt5ThRfZZc/s1600/BabyStuff+%281+of+5%29.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiLLIplGoF4Nx9o88yHauQ-BuBVJhE3EgNBRgqkXSkvsKBBrKamb-qFOljjf0U9kw1l_-iPmPIfVS9naKs7J4wo-AM7fBmvHpCNBnf4LAoinhZ_FZ1BlvOVDv4jgbnbMgb0SPXt5ThRfZZc/s320/BabyStuff+%281+of+5%29.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5521737754614747186" border="0" /></a><br /><br />I'm not sure I used the right kind of stabilizer. I was planning to use a lightweight interfacing to leave in permanently since it's on a very lightweight broadcloth, but only had medium so gave that a try. There are some wrinkles, but I'm not sure if it's because I had such a hard time getting the fabric taught in the hoop, the stabilizer, or something else completely. Thoughts?The Frantic "Seamstress"http://www.blogger.com/profile/17801672121222260074noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-650994758922895202.post-82586439702930038132010-09-22T09:41:00.004-05:002010-09-22T10:12:06.981-05:00Double, Double, Toil, and TroubleHalloween is right around the corner, so I'm starting on costumes. Last year we had a last minute scramble to come up with something fun for the Halloween dance and decided to plan this year's that night also. So while dancing around <a href="http://www.blogger.com/www.regentballroom.com">Regent Ballroom</a> as Erik and Christine from Phantom of the Opera...<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhbPX2J-NywD3VrG_6xWr9zXuGE0AxNED1PYk8p2GwXooeXAGxvqBT9gSfuevK__hNB-h3RUIRVSJ7_mHXSCBwpnMN6r4oiZCZlWp6l7kzpP972JeQUkmjzV39hcbtQy-VZlsTG9H2Y7bNa/s1600/Halloween"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhbPX2J-NywD3VrG_6xWr9zXuGE0AxNED1PYk8p2GwXooeXAGxvqBT9gSfuevK__hNB-h3RUIRVSJ7_mHXSCBwpnMN6r4oiZCZlWp6l7kzpP972JeQUkmjzV39hcbtQy-VZlsTG9H2Y7bNa/s320/Halloween" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5519750505771559250" border="0" /></a>(Daniel had the mask and everything, but had to take it off so<br />he could navigate the traveling dances)<br /><br /><div style="text-align: left;">...we were deciding that this year we would go as Don Lockwood (Gene Kelly) and The Lady in Green (Cyd Charisse) from Singin' in the Rain.<br /><br /><br /></div></div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhpeM5lVD5SmgEHRlas5JHKp9C6Pxd7tKFjDwzcn_0Lj5xC-fzjDN-qlmWGHnGJXm3zetX8POi_MyLyUNhsTdmiDaaXcBhql3uTBZDk6drAVw7XB0wMAlyAntMJZBrj_gHMUV5NfwHRMccL/s1600/Halloween2"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 235px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhpeM5lVD5SmgEHRlas5JHKp9C6Pxd7tKFjDwzcn_0Lj5xC-fzjDN-qlmWGHnGJXm3zetX8POi_MyLyUNhsTdmiDaaXcBhql3uTBZDk6drAVw7XB0wMAlyAntMJZBrj_gHMUV5NfwHRMccL/s320/Halloween2" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5519752847702022306" border="0" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEik9b6OsRuOpN7zDEYfTn26l98LFO7QwismeJfkZyZeCathFt1WME18HqEeyiBH-xZV-fiNthE3hdP-eHHYDLEGMocUjnD-AgeMKtvefLLZl30sD7UaF0FfBaxJpk7JHGoCHvkw2Uy1kf3J/s1600/Halloween3"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 238px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEik9b6OsRuOpN7zDEYfTn26l98LFO7QwismeJfkZyZeCathFt1WME18HqEeyiBH-xZV-fiNthE3hdP-eHHYDLEGMocUjnD-AgeMKtvefLLZl30sD7UaF0FfBaxJpk7JHGoCHvkw2Uy1kf3J/s320/Halloween3" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5519752856828117090" border="0" /></a><br />Singin' in the Rain is probably my absolute all-time favorite movie, and the Broadway Melody dream sequence is one of my favorite scenes. The music is fun, the costumes are great, and the cheesy over-acting makes me smile. Daniel hates watching this movie with me because I recite every line and sing along with every song...but it just makes me happy. I can think of nothing better than to spend a fun night dancing as "them." I only hope we do their memories justice.<br /><br />Daniel's costume is pretty easy - he owns khaki pants, I've finished all but the buttons on a bright yellow vest for him, I'm ready to make the pink tie, and he'll have to make due with a white shirt because I'm not making him a yellow/white striped shirt for one-time use.<br /><br />My costume will be my very first draping project. I'm just using some Kona Cotton so I don't have to worry about funny stretching draping with knits, but I still don't really know what I'm doing. And, as I'm not known internationally for my fabulous gams, I'll be lending a little more coverage to the dress :) I need to buy some pretty sequined spangles to adorn the dress with (and make a matching choker), and still need a zipper....but I'm ready to start planning!The Frantic "Seamstress"http://www.blogger.com/profile/17801672121222260074noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-650994758922895202.post-87788050550605053282010-09-19T18:28:00.006-05:002010-09-19T19:37:22.871-05:00And We're Off!!<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhawGRf7DNPGMKZ3CxdEaLGsOw7Huv4rlQlIHhZ7ng3LdayRIr59GyDevcF9D8slq_3qLT6yhP3MxZtZYuQhjcYRLO6KdWnnfici_tF6zhQLoNql0XKMAgfIkhBjCXuKJ7MdTP4QA-8S1i4/s1600/sew-along_banner2_150x150.jpg"><img style="float: left; margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; cursor: pointer; width: 150px; height: 150px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhawGRf7DNPGMKZ3CxdEaLGsOw7Huv4rlQlIHhZ7ng3LdayRIr59GyDevcF9D8slq_3qLT6yhP3MxZtZYuQhjcYRLO6KdWnnfici_tF6zhQLoNql0XKMAgfIkhBjCXuKJ7MdTP4QA-8S1i4/s320/sew-along_banner2_150x150.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5518788233609992530" border="0" /></a><br />The <a href="http://www.blogforbettersewing.com/search/label/Lady%20Grey%20Sew-Along">Lady Grey Sew Along</a> started this week and we're currently at our muslin/fitting stage. Thankful that I could save some money by using some old drapery fabric from Mom's stash, I set out to make my muslin. As I said before, this if the first time I've ever followed this golden rule of sewing, but I'm definitely seeing the benefit already.<br /><br />I finished mine Friday evening and put the pictures up on our Flickr pool to get feedback as I am 100% new to coats and tailoring. At first look, I was thrilled (remember that the collar and lapel have the seam allowances showing, so they'll be smaller by 5/8" all around). I was also a little thrown by the incredibly uncomfortable sleeves. That is, until I realized that there was a left sleeve and a right sleeve (would have been helpful for them to mention that), and I definitely had them in backwards, which is why they look so crumply.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiJmzSsoFBrAFJkWH58B8wnvnNI2eWug_mbSzDt3y9DCkxfnV-PuKrXJUKzK9Hpkwyoy2gbqMjnFTgzbMsToNHr2ZPhImwCs9pSY22OM7KkOex2qV9qkYXDcm_DQ1fMew1v8eS09CFUJyyx/s1600/LGMuslin+%281+of+3%29.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiJmzSsoFBrAFJkWH58B8wnvnNI2eWug_mbSzDt3y9DCkxfnV-PuKrXJUKzK9Hpkwyoy2gbqMjnFTgzbMsToNHr2ZPhImwCs9pSY22OM7KkOex2qV9qkYXDcm_DQ1fMew1v8eS09CFUJyyx/s320/LGMuslin+%281+of+3%29.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5518785009237617714" border="0" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjTUMBiF5OeIXTR2vdkl8Z1G9Z_DpfkJ1MGoI-2oKwPVJk-OZ1rctDyVRHwbzeFSrPKnQq_9kb_HzkVIl08ZQ05sc-C8m-f-TP82B_CmMR_rSZlm-3VnQHTJRiD_8rsOzi4TEdZQ60-9yFO/s1600/LGMuslin+%282+of+3%29.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjTUMBiF5OeIXTR2vdkl8Z1G9Z_DpfkJ1MGoI-2oKwPVJk-OZ1rctDyVRHwbzeFSrPKnQq_9kb_HzkVIl08ZQ05sc-C8m-f-TP82B_CmMR_rSZlm-3VnQHTJRiD_8rsOzi4TEdZQ60-9yFO/s320/LGMuslin+%282+of+3%29.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5518785016064449666" border="0" /></a><br />Then I turned around...<br /><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhAp0DR8Phgr7TzMxfvvQcYOMp-K60Oc8vwhRfAPl8ruUWiF3uG3QuAsLCOMldypBHRo-E5WPQGKpIPl_nZGWlXQRTYvVlEoU3sP2gtCfkBBOTsLwvkPKO7RyMDwG_Iz-tbuJVHIf20Y2Wy/s1600/LGMuslin+%283+of+3%29.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhAp0DR8Phgr7TzMxfvvQcYOMp-K60Oc8vwhRfAPl8ruUWiF3uG3QuAsLCOMldypBHRo-E5WPQGKpIPl_nZGWlXQRTYvVlEoU3sP2gtCfkBBOTsLwvkPKO7RyMDwG_Iz-tbuJVHIf20Y2Wy/s320/LGMuslin+%283+of+3%29.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5518785024719072546" border="0" /></a><br />I knew the fit was close, but couldn't quite figure out what was going wrong across the back. So, I waited and checked for feedback every hour or so until I saw the suggestions that the coat was a little long in the waist, which makes perfect sense as I am child-sized :) I brought it up about 1/2" all the way around to test the theory and was delighted with the result. As I had additional suggestions to try some light shoulder pads to help with the extra space across the shoulders but still allow free movement, I tacked in some 1/4" shoulder pads. I also took the time to switch the sleeves and was pleased to find that that was precisely the problem. Once I had those turned up to the planned 3/4 length, they didn't even look so overpowering on my little arms, either.<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj6IrzKQsWJkLm9y78MSvUplaO99Ksz9zX_mE7ROcl2LItZDNM3NvT1FVAkG2CErftXlBpNYaUBxJKJNRvKtHBmhd5Zp94cXX6WcEw2Dkz20MV44lTW4yExTKPWvzMt6jQF4gGn2rklrvqK/s1600/LGMuslin+%288+of+2%29.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj6IrzKQsWJkLm9y78MSvUplaO99Ksz9zX_mE7ROcl2LItZDNM3NvT1FVAkG2CErftXlBpNYaUBxJKJNRvKtHBmhd5Zp94cXX6WcEw2Dkz20MV44lTW4yExTKPWvzMt6jQF4gGn2rklrvqK/s320/LGMuslin+%288+of+2%29.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5518785046593382210" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiIaz88AKVPnneympkCh1mC09vJ2nYKXZ2Inkl_6vJCIC6bOvq4Hi8XBhU4PuSyDnAYRA4OBPKo0gHFni2_zMHx3Fpz5Sjc7L37ZyFwV3PnlTdU3UJ5pyuB8TrnGNwFTnALBg_j8E8Ioa7a/s1600/LGMuslin+%287+of+2%29.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiIaz88AKVPnneympkCh1mC09vJ2nYKXZ2Inkl_6vJCIC6bOvq4Hi8XBhU4PuSyDnAYRA4OBPKo0gHFni2_zMHx3Fpz5Sjc7L37ZyFwV3PnlTdU3UJ5pyuB8TrnGNwFTnALBg_j8E8Ioa7a/s320/LGMuslin+%287+of+2%29.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5518787934649534082" border="0" /></a>(Those are excited little fists because all the changes worked, FYI)<br /><div style="text-align: left;"><br />I am so glad I decided to do the sew along now that I'm into it, and I definitely think it was a worth-while splurge. The feedback from more experienced sewists has been invaluable (and we all know I would never have done the muslin otherwise), and it's so fun to see what fabrics, etc everyone else is working with! AND, it doesn't hurt that through this I've connected with another little sewist in IL who is also 4'11 :) Maybe I'm not so strange afterall...<br /></div></div>The Frantic "Seamstress"http://www.blogger.com/profile/17801672121222260074noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-650994758922895202.post-24540158034826213062010-09-16T13:21:00.005-05:002010-09-16T13:51:58.991-05:00Bundle Up!I love it! It's cooling down, the leaves are changing, the sun feels nice and warm rather than like a high intensity heat gun. I don't know if you can feel it, but I sure can and I'm loving it! Of course, this means the next step is BRRR, which I could probably skip. And, as we all know, with BRRR comes blankets!<br /><br />A friend approached me last week about making a blanket for her mom's birthday present. Of course, I was flattered and agreed immediately (I actually agreed to making something before she told me what it was...bad plan, I know). I've spent the last week learning how to do free-motion quilting, or stippling, and practicing a LOT. My practice blanket is a baby blanket for someone in the family. I only did enough to practice the stippling before I put that on hold and attacked the one for my friend since it has a deadline.<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;">I pinned the backing to the rug instead of taping it to my floor...<br /></div><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhXjZV9OxxATuuEjHuO5SNzc1GY-t_XX_92OPLHBCiBkmY4ugrjl1uLFuKiHVWUkhZhQUQqXYykLJLk_TFX5IprV_XXcXd9vyP8XewnewNkMuhprXIk9vWscIsEJ_CFey8v4bTaYF33CfHZ/s1600/BabyBlanket+%281+of+6%29.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhXjZV9OxxATuuEjHuO5SNzc1GY-t_XX_92OPLHBCiBkmY4ugrjl1uLFuKiHVWUkhZhQUQqXYykLJLk_TFX5IprV_XXcXd9vyP8XewnewNkMuhprXIk9vWscIsEJ_CFey8v4bTaYF33CfHZ/s320/BabyBlanket+%281+of+6%29.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5517581885869292050" border="0" /></a><br /><div style="text-align: center;">I pinned out the layers every 2-3 inches starting in the center...<br /></div><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhXRRyXZ2tkvnVs2rQwQQjyIPGyo6H2B6KRPxykH4ynyEqAjU_eKWGTlbWHVRCH3ASKDNfGWBQWd98_ei0tN-XQMDE8Gkav_agXQwZ3JTFuyM-xssDIuILqEaN9vxgVdeRivVcv45wlP1LK/s1600/BabyBlanket+%283+of+6%29.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhXRRyXZ2tkvnVs2rQwQQjyIPGyo6H2B6KRPxykH4ynyEqAjU_eKWGTlbWHVRCH3ASKDNfGWBQWd98_ei0tN-XQMDE8Gkav_agXQwZ3JTFuyM-xssDIuILqEaN9vxgVdeRivVcv45wlP1LK/s320/BabyBlanket+%283+of+6%29.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5517581897403456226" border="0" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjt-_b9XxQL7N14-Wtputux3WXqvRg9jtCg9FAXymeJLoiZk4IYEMWD4MtdSS0_SltAQb29DTjNRVhUA7JYNLu5C9wIRy0JQ-zbrNccvKYN45DCVCeygdQAd9WjzKlWeodqZlSdQmzvCDdk/s1600/BabyBlanket+%284+of+6%29.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 242px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjt-_b9XxQL7N14-Wtputux3WXqvRg9jtCg9FAXymeJLoiZk4IYEMWD4MtdSS0_SltAQb29DTjNRVhUA7JYNLu5C9wIRy0JQ-zbrNccvKYN45DCVCeygdQAd9WjzKlWeodqZlSdQmzvCDdk/s320/BabyBlanket+%284+of+6%29.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5517581906900867794" border="0" /></a><br /><div style="text-align: center;">Then hand-basted some lines and started quilting! I did one column before moving on to my friend's (as you can see, I had a LOT of help)...<br /></div><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgmJR8ZLWdPgDSyU5vZhFfMyrbq-8thNfqzTe9cmTmhWXBDa8vpygR_f-JqKCt0vUMMNHWMD-VYAFzRozxnUeQXjLRCsl7i7-5rzNwOdDhHUsYsOWJdXDbvSPuPb3DhP69PweDyzJpkz8O2/s1600/BabyBlanket+%285+of+6%29.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgmJR8ZLWdPgDSyU5vZhFfMyrbq-8thNfqzTe9cmTmhWXBDa8vpygR_f-JqKCt0vUMMNHWMD-VYAFzRozxnUeQXjLRCsl7i7-5rzNwOdDhHUsYsOWJdXDbvSPuPb3DhP69PweDyzJpkz8O2/s320/BabyBlanket+%285+of+6%29.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5517582591235812770" border="0" /></a><br /><div style="text-align: center;">And if you look at the square directly above her, you can see some of my quilting...<br /></div><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEijzqTibL5NRCgSaVHn5xCCAXw43ym8EYGDC5GMO40eRZ4yTXH795fWgB2y-QlDXx8VmhlEWFYb9rw82Lu878EtrbPmen1D-1FeEKMnCx9hF4HkQmQkLNDg5fKhpJCLPYvgh2rDJ6oG53rQ/s1600/BabyBlanket+%286+of+6%29.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEijzqTibL5NRCgSaVHn5xCCAXw43ym8EYGDC5GMO40eRZ4yTXH795fWgB2y-QlDXx8VmhlEWFYb9rw82Lu878EtrbPmen1D-1FeEKMnCx9hF4HkQmQkLNDg5fKhpJCLPYvgh2rDJ6oG53rQ/s320/BabyBlanket+%286+of+6%29.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5517582601489873314" border="0" /></a><br /><div style="text-align: center;">That blanket is just light-ish cotton. The one for my friend is flannel, making it a little trickier. I am almost finished. I need to tied off the thread ends, possibly add a little stitching, and add the binding. What do you think?? Not too shabby for my first try?<br /></div><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj6Ra3qn8u-QomHLXZQzESYvG-f98SIhsPcCfsASsXPTpIPEpHgdZTS2aDx8zbDKgeEmHYg5K8tZsc8tox3YmEqnH42ok7FkcsmR2v2IucdfIRE4XEiXrg4Kf54dURK_UL214qO6BRDVcwu/s1600/ElizabethBlanket+%281+of+3%29.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj6Ra3qn8u-QomHLXZQzESYvG-f98SIhsPcCfsASsXPTpIPEpHgdZTS2aDx8zbDKgeEmHYg5K8tZsc8tox3YmEqnH42ok7FkcsmR2v2IucdfIRE4XEiXrg4Kf54dURK_UL214qO6BRDVcwu/s320/ElizabethBlanket+%281+of+3%29.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5517585154654322370" border="0" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjPR4uf2GTgqRzbUbglgurkM7A7bCs7YPs1GZPArUG2gK5r7CFCwcxOOVRfWbBlnJurjh44pOwslsNtL91DSiqtxPyRmS6gVcre3BajGqZ6l_byO7rJaqwSMoFzkRsmqOSYypuLxxxoJs-V/s1600/ElizabethBlanket+%282+of+3%29.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjPR4uf2GTgqRzbUbglgurkM7A7bCs7YPs1GZPArUG2gK5r7CFCwcxOOVRfWbBlnJurjh44pOwslsNtL91DSiqtxPyRmS6gVcre3BajGqZ6l_byO7rJaqwSMoFzkRsmqOSYypuLxxxoJs-V/s320/ElizabethBlanket+%282+of+3%29.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5517585156454861730" border="0" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhWki9GDgPkQdY-0UV6qnMVjGKRYH5yTPKEPCN76uUZWAW_-UHQeSL01TXh1-NFfzZFF7ABe3NPkKZ7v1Rh33800ldYCclHdxoMKUeSwCt3LwAcR7arLtePgcGfOMmD4Q_9VH-qV-H4aQ0W/s1600/ElizabethBlanket+%283+of+3%29.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhWki9GDgPkQdY-0UV6qnMVjGKRYH5yTPKEPCN76uUZWAW_-UHQeSL01TXh1-NFfzZFF7ABe3NPkKZ7v1Rh33800ldYCclHdxoMKUeSwCt3LwAcR7arLtePgcGfOMmD4Q_9VH-qV-H4aQ0W/s320/ElizabethBlanket+%283+of+3%29.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5517585165463725074" border="0" /></a>The Frantic "Seamstress"http://www.blogger.com/profile/17801672121222260074noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-650994758922895202.post-68150194062975117562010-09-15T10:30:00.002-05:002010-09-15T10:38:24.514-05:00Meet AnnYes, she's finally finished (well, except for the stand). After many grueling hours of labor, we can welcome Ann to the world. Since I replaced my middle name with my maiden name when I got married, I decided to name her Ann to remind myself of where I was when I started sewing. I know, I'm so sappy.<br /><br />I spent yesterday afternoon covering her in some fleshy stretch nylon - not fun - and pinning it down where it doesn't quite follow the curves. Daniel is planning to build a base for her so we can attach her to one of our lighter tripods we have around the house. Then she'll be adjustable!!<br /><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjSRHOGTzwxipM6RtIlUBR-i0qPtu_fbetcemT_7P9FHUdp2b7dN8ol3KN8q1D4Al-n_6TiAVRXSKRT4dOQWsMZiYKuEzY3zGXPbQqFdz_bs1Qhhgg6nmqudFyEwGhyzkl70k4i5mTFtsfP/s1600/Dressform+%281+of+1%29.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjSRHOGTzwxipM6RtIlUBR-i0qPtu_fbetcemT_7P9FHUdp2b7dN8ol3KN8q1D4Al-n_6TiAVRXSKRT4dOQWsMZiYKuEzY3zGXPbQqFdz_bs1Qhhgg6nmqudFyEwGhyzkl70k4i5mTFtsfP/s320/Dressform+%281+of+1%29.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5517164925505343202" border="0" /></a><br />Can't wait to start using her!!!The Frantic "Seamstress"http://www.blogger.com/profile/17801672121222260074noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-650994758922895202.post-54206836887572645772010-09-14T15:02:00.009-05:002010-09-14T16:01:50.265-05:00Photoshoot!!Fully aware that complaints have been flying around about all my pictures being of my projects on hangars, I decided to take advantage of the beautiful weather this weekend and rectify the problem!<br /><br />I grabbed Daniel and we spent Saturday afternoon in a park doing a little photoshoot...and I got to re-educate myself on the skirt-under-dress-etc changing technique as I changed either standing outside of my car of in the backseat :) Enjoy!<br /><br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://sewingescape.blogspot.com/2010/08/pink.html">Simplicity 2886</a><br /><br /></div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgbILvQ8MgzhPRpk5HooTcoTMZuKSRnV2lfCfCFX-P4H-ArEKarOkmvO2c4Rbgbt8yF0Hn6rrk-MinoYqfw03eUxz3AgUEK7FmUX2CTvzORX8VMGuLAC-0U3v6ot2WO0JzBAlkh8TbaHJa7/s1600/PhotoShoot+%281+of+14%29.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 213px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgbILvQ8MgzhPRpk5HooTcoTMZuKSRnV2lfCfCFX-P4H-ArEKarOkmvO2c4Rbgbt8yF0Hn6rrk-MinoYqfw03eUxz3AgUEK7FmUX2CTvzORX8VMGuLAC-0U3v6ot2WO0JzBAlkh8TbaHJa7/s320/PhotoShoot+%281+of+14%29.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5516866102093730546" border="0" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgGdTH5fSyk6NGsUvAPG0x6eLK_LxURpTz9b3lhohxE66y0dUU0t3Dnu4GUm9A6Z9f4GgenBrEoFPVOl4__kyaS_WBlBL7-E6_Is5w-qGnQORs-05Jg4_lI35_IPbR8lRSg31R6pkZSilW2/s1600/PhotoShoot+%283+of+14%29.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 213px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgGdTH5fSyk6NGsUvAPG0x6eLK_LxURpTz9b3lhohxE66y0dUU0t3Dnu4GUm9A6Z9f4GgenBrEoFPVOl4__kyaS_WBlBL7-E6_Is5w-qGnQORs-05Jg4_lI35_IPbR8lRSg31R6pkZSilW2/s320/PhotoShoot+%283+of+14%29.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5516870482328024866" border="0" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhAkw5wVcg9e1m4T_Ls0psR-7v6LGht5vr0KAgiMgI9AguoqMecuPD9YLsgj5n4NFBLGWIeW1x0smJbR3BHBSN8rK3dLu_LHPASfeq-JuEQCQbTFLmYuu6zGwjLqOQscP4GG7VnvplZiY5K/s1600/PhotoShoot+%282+of+14%29.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 244px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhAkw5wVcg9e1m4T_Ls0psR-7v6LGht5vr0KAgiMgI9AguoqMecuPD9YLsgj5n4NFBLGWIeW1x0smJbR3BHBSN8rK3dLu_LHPASfeq-JuEQCQbTFLmYuu6zGwjLqOQscP4GG7VnvplZiY5K/s320/PhotoShoot+%282+of+14%29.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5516866116568590226" border="0" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEinbfQwzaM4qU4EygrT8FcG_LPpYNSvKz34pWU-SiIGMgX7AAKNiqFEaQVwzYZGrWS8cV3EjM_RfvvjCb22zP_mX-6Q3CSmMmAhN7uciOAQ1nlCV84n2Y1hf_0HBQWKbXl7A1Hm-2cvcKC3/s1600/PhotoShoot+%2810+of+14%29.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 214px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEinbfQwzaM4qU4EygrT8FcG_LPpYNSvKz34pWU-SiIGMgX7AAKNiqFEaQVwzYZGrWS8cV3EjM_RfvvjCb22zP_mX-6Q3CSmMmAhN7uciOAQ1nlCV84n2Y1hf_0HBQWKbXl7A1Hm-2cvcKC3/s320/PhotoShoot+%2810+of+14%29.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5516868248022110354" border="0" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjJhlV5EnZcbBm_lkjAnuYsfc_NWKAkKTwSmPWVE7-NihGi1lD98Op_L7tNH-DQp0j_zL-uqPJDgPLWaMnJAqQJP7Jx2uFM2tgNpZEvPoC_pzWj6ijvnV5wcuRXyBgb4CLYswxrIiUdi-zA/s1600/PhotoShoot+%2811+of+14%29.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 213px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjJhlV5EnZcbBm_lkjAnuYsfc_NWKAkKTwSmPWVE7-NihGi1lD98Op_L7tNH-DQp0j_zL-uqPJDgPLWaMnJAqQJP7Jx2uFM2tgNpZEvPoC_pzWj6ijvnV5wcuRXyBgb4CLYswxrIiUdi-zA/s320/PhotoShoot+%2811+of+14%29.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5516869822879120626" border="0" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg3AyvD-Y97EbLuE88LTCaSU1GKCKzu_3uci3v-iEo7gu13ppW9QqnVNU9YpEWUHAW_5D0p6NfHweZxS-EkZ9TVBYrbi0aKl5EmmWRH87gbqR6TNNqWWt9vPk1jLC3A6VEkQKhckhy7vKkL/s1600/PhotoShoot+%2812+of+14%29.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 213px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg3AyvD-Y97EbLuE88LTCaSU1GKCKzu_3uci3v-iEo7gu13ppW9QqnVNU9YpEWUHAW_5D0p6NfHweZxS-EkZ9TVBYrbi0aKl5EmmWRH87gbqR6TNNqWWt9vPk1jLC3A6VEkQKhckhy7vKkL/s320/PhotoShoot+%2812+of+14%29.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5516869344619696690" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://sewingescape.blogspot.com/2010_09_01_archive.html">Simplicity 2501</a> and my <a href="http://sewingescape.blogspot.com/2010/08/upcycling.html">upcycled skirt</a><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiu-1cJwmrU5BrY5PRtaknQtqANteHGyGSdOHHcDdPNWRfDvAe0BK449q2gVkjwK5F8eEGKRpJiqkWCgdS0R5jqer5zInmZ343UAfG8OYsuwng_iL1AcI_TSq9Au0N5EHBw5gyB74jrz6vP/s1600/PhotoShoot+%287+of+14%29.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 213px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiu-1cJwmrU5BrY5PRtaknQtqANteHGyGSdOHHcDdPNWRfDvAe0BK449q2gVkjwK5F8eEGKRpJiqkWCgdS0R5jqer5zInmZ343UAfG8OYsuwng_iL1AcI_TSq9Au0N5EHBw5gyB74jrz6vP/s320/PhotoShoot+%287+of+14%29.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5516868218555500770" border="0" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZugqRFwX-ghkBILh49COgDpsp_uXWWoJRHQg6WVlHSTgBm3_10MmJE1fXQdohvB3rGJsxIy6xq8_k4hwjkqpo9lB9oDXlSPp10rTyQh7QrLIzLUBCbAJi7AJd8WAoI1FMgTRGH0Fs-DPV/s1600/PhotoShoot+%285+of+14%29.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 213px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZugqRFwX-ghkBILh49COgDpsp_uXWWoJRHQg6WVlHSTgBm3_10MmJE1fXQdohvB3rGJsxIy6xq8_k4hwjkqpo9lB9oDXlSPp10rTyQh7QrLIzLUBCbAJi7AJd8WAoI1FMgTRGH0Fs-DPV/s320/PhotoShoot+%285+of+14%29.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5516866148551746642" border="0" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhUJOWwAGJp5RH_5bfyDRP_wHs4JqzOq6BMeKVpYaT_sPZpdGIXTuzuUt-4Wb9Nsh0s0QyoYWWCmiuXImf3udUTIz9fsTXDNDP7VOlMXWwuxA7ft7YTLe6x0v7WuxlmNR7W9VWD47Wricjw/s1600/PhotoShoot+%286+of+14%29.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 213px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhUJOWwAGJp5RH_5bfyDRP_wHs4JqzOq6BMeKVpYaT_sPZpdGIXTuzuUt-4Wb9Nsh0s0QyoYWWCmiuXImf3udUTIz9fsTXDNDP7VOlMXWwuxA7ft7YTLe6x0v7WuxlmNR7W9VWD47Wricjw/s320/PhotoShoot+%286+of+14%29.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5516868212155300850" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><a href="http://sewingescape.blogspot.com/2010/08/same-yet-very-different.html">Brocade Skirt </a>(and Ann Taylor LOFT shirt)<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhxOC9H4SzdcJLQ9FFIo5ojtAyPo1Zk4jAfoQT_TsJtnkuOUL2KeZxP1FaJlKiCj5-CIW4PPdPq1loLkxf15QiK5wrVTnHB2UKX6pcFWkrO2XtOVP5E0752PbG2pn9nu2tLlk-5VUEOuKkt/s1600/PhotoShoot+%2813+of+14%29.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 213px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhxOC9H4SzdcJLQ9FFIo5ojtAyPo1Zk4jAfoQT_TsJtnkuOUL2KeZxP1FaJlKiCj5-CIW4PPdPq1loLkxf15QiK5wrVTnHB2UKX6pcFWkrO2XtOVP5E0752PbG2pn9nu2tLlk-5VUEOuKkt/s320/PhotoShoot+%2813+of+14%29.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5516869334569289266" border="0" /></a>(I was annoyed with the wind...stupid Midwest)<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjWav2pth7ne72Tb4Lv8O5uUGXCP8Rb0aBzAQz_vgZWz-B0pPKObZlnoSgFXHbq0Ml6VQeiEZMbGAlNahMSNgPRCbnSQ0hV6holF3a4gwioHiTljuHqsBSnyeH7bD3g_G7p0_AFhN4GRMjH/s1600/PhotoShoot+%2814+of+14%29.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 213px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjWav2pth7ne72Tb4Lv8O5uUGXCP8Rb0aBzAQz_vgZWz-B0pPKObZlnoSgFXHbq0Ml6VQeiEZMbGAlNahMSNgPRCbnSQ0hV6holF3a4gwioHiTljuHqsBSnyeH7bD3g_G7p0_AFhN4GRMjH/s320/PhotoShoot+%2814+of+14%29.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5516868851316366690" border="0" /></a>(Note: that gorgeous necklace was handmade by <a href="http://www.andromedascharms.com/">Andromeda's Charms</a>)<br /><br /><br /><a href="http://sewingescape.blogspot.com/2010_07_01_archive.html">Butterick 5354</a> and <a href="http://sewingescape.blogspot.com/2010/08/same-yet-very-different.html">Denim Skirt</a><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi262pa00wzVmdbuLOypknE0lhEfXjP39P4-eje_5wokH-xDK2t48ALjH8-eGMfrS81unb6pVqGVe4kWwseRs0wru_YuB0NnyMVQ2VBsDLUh-LSm7YEl1tBxyaFLo7ZRNRh_mYCVB0GVfiv/s1600/PhotoShoot+%288+of+14%29.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 213px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi262pa00wzVmdbuLOypknE0lhEfXjP39P4-eje_5wokH-xDK2t48ALjH8-eGMfrS81unb6pVqGVe4kWwseRs0wru_YuB0NnyMVQ2VBsDLUh-LSm7YEl1tBxyaFLo7ZRNRh_mYCVB0GVfiv/s320/PhotoShoot+%288+of+14%29.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5516868227649727874" border="0" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh_5edhBr6bK3qF6BtXHaPoXKLbnpiqUT3cl2CwGK0ePycp4JF3cmpLqE1wSLq0QdpgRe1lqtA7YggP0QKTDiJp3i3hYvObhDa0UVon8muzIyYEG9xGVcBfTRY4i0PoPqN4S9fkhInIJvsX/s1600/PhotoShoot+%289+of+14%29.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 213px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh_5edhBr6bK3qF6BtXHaPoXKLbnpiqUT3cl2CwGK0ePycp4JF3cmpLqE1wSLq0QdpgRe1lqtA7YggP0QKTDiJp3i3hYvObhDa0UVon8muzIyYEG9xGVcBfTRY4i0PoPqN4S9fkhInIJvsX/s320/PhotoShoot+%289+of+14%29.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5516868239214469474" border="0" /></a><br /><div style="text-align: left;">Needless to say, we had a great time! Hope you enjoy the shots!!<br /></div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi262pa00wzVmdbuLOypknE0lhEfXjP39P4-eje_5wokH-xDK2t48ALjH8-eGMfrS81unb6pVqGVe4kWwseRs0wru_YuB0NnyMVQ2VBsDLUh-LSm7YEl1tBxyaFLo7ZRNRh_mYCVB0GVfiv/s1600/PhotoShoot+%288+of+14%29.jpg"><br /></a></div>The Frantic "Seamstress"http://www.blogger.com/profile/17801672121222260074noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-650994758922895202.post-69962594099603043082010-09-09T23:02:00.002-05:002010-09-10T09:26:36.778-05:00Buttons!<span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">As you may recall from my </span><a style="font-family: trebuchet ms;" href="http://sewingescape.blogspot.com/2010/05/redemption.html">black linen pants</a><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">, button holes were somewhat problematic for me. Luckily Daniel (isn't he wonderful?) stumbled upon a bizarre presser foot, asked me what it was, and we discovered together that I had an automatic button hole foot. All I had to do was figure out how to use it...</span> <span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">Turns out, all you need is a project and you can figure out anything (because you have to!). I found some great white swiss dot fabric in the stash I rescued from my mom and decided to make a great button down shirt and I had a pattern that I'd been itching to use (</span><a style="font-family: trebuchet ms;" href="http://www.simplicity.com/p-3059-misses-tops.aspx">Simplicity 2501</a><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">) since it comes with patterns for cup sizes A-D. I greatly appreciate someone else doing the adjusting!! I wasted no time diving into that project and made myself view B. Everything went very smoothly and I love my finished product! My only complaint would be the fact that you can see the facing so much through the shirt since it's so thin. Not sure how I should have done it instead? Regardless, I'm very happy with it and already wore it when I worked out of our corporate office in Chicago a couple weeks ago!</span><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg9KxYsAV6KS_ttvdEb48zxvqFbZX7IclXkLFsufMqidjjX1-EIcyw2vmvMGAhRra9tjkfMY5ZgplwN_gtI93JpYslK7a_tAWVKC6O2SjjjjRPdkTg85Wsbhd2sZs0USHPGBPFIfFSFpdXa/s1600/button+down.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg9KxYsAV6KS_ttvdEb48zxvqFbZX7IclXkLFsufMqidjjX1-EIcyw2vmvMGAhRra9tjkfMY5ZgplwN_gtI93JpYslK7a_tAWVKC6O2SjjjjRPdkTg85Wsbhd2sZs0USHPGBPFIfFSFpdXa/s320/button+down.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5515123495476691138" border="0" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEix8sfjCS7dmuWFmaEaKtJ0HX9H2RqbjblnZQZu_gxzX0BSrWVNY_ekQYOWusTwFCWSNMDvv89OKMmG-6EF8fvUsuJJWoUlcmTvBiThsiR0teMGlsQQu4zxPfkQ4o_bU4DTFHPttKKlofPS/s1600/ButtonDown+%282+of+4%29.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEix8sfjCS7dmuWFmaEaKtJ0HX9H2RqbjblnZQZu_gxzX0BSrWVNY_ekQYOWusTwFCWSNMDvv89OKMmG-6EF8fvUsuJJWoUlcmTvBiThsiR0teMGlsQQu4zxPfkQ4o_bU4DTFHPttKKlofPS/s320/ButtonDown+%282+of+4%29.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5515126215854143826" border="0" /></a><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhuzzNh0-bOnN-aNG7JZy3Es65qkqFTS9WldLrJEJnth-1X9FGIeX8Kezas-T5G_zHGv4URBc1jMcs-jI0Byh76hVVfMsjrpDpUsRsxevvgVDL1CSIk6WJLT2bx6dWTWu8fFNTDnHBKcica/s1600/ButtonDown+%281+of+4%29.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhuzzNh0-bOnN-aNG7JZy3Es65qkqFTS9WldLrJEJnth-1X9FGIeX8Kezas-T5G_zHGv4URBc1jMcs-jI0Byh76hVVfMsjrpDpUsRsxevvgVDL1CSIk6WJLT2bx6dWTWu8fFNTDnHBKcica/s320/ButtonDown+%281+of+4%29.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5515126200577291474" border="0" /></a><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">Pretty, pretty button holes!!</span><br /><br /><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">I also decided to thank Daniel for all of his support by actually making him something. I know, I'm as sweet as they come. I decided a shirt sounded far less daunting than pants, so I started with </span><a style="font-family: trebuchet ms;" href="http://www.simplicity.com/Search.aspx?SearchTerm=4760&x=0&y=0">Simplicity 4760 </a><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">view B for him. I've never thought of Daniel as anything but big. He's 6', average build, size 13 shoe. Obviously he's not a giant, but I'm 4'11", average build, size 6.5 shoe. When I can put someone else's shoes on </span><span style="font-style: italic;font-family:trebuchet ms;" >over</span><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;"> my shoes, they are huge in my head. Needless to say, I found it counter intuitive to be using the second smallest size pattern (he's a medium) for him, especially since my size 12/14 is frequently the biggest of the sizes grouped together. </span><br /><br /><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">Here's the nearly finished product. All I need to do is finish off the thread ends and tack down the facing at the shoulder seams and he's one shirt richer! Granted, it may be the only shirt he ever gets since he wasted no time dropping the "it looks a little country-western with those pointy things on the shoulders" even though he helped pick out the pattern...maybe he'll make it up to me by going to Hancocks with me this weekend :)</span><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgGHq3OxNnJlnhQF93JVF9iBQCBPTrdhiVD-Uk1ZS8IYnG7JeM_LJ43oI6F6IgMx6HmCDNZlMd7n0Hd1RDEwqdF3Csskn0SfnlySttEcHZsUnhJfCt5VXzB0QFMm3VBKY4dywCY7FPTW7SE/s1600/ButtonDown+%283+of+4%29.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgGHq3OxNnJlnhQF93JVF9iBQCBPTrdhiVD-Uk1ZS8IYnG7JeM_LJ43oI6F6IgMx6HmCDNZlMd7n0Hd1RDEwqdF3Csskn0SfnlySttEcHZsUnhJfCt5VXzB0QFMm3VBKY4dywCY7FPTW7SE/s320/ButtonDown+%283+of+4%29.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5515126222014871186" border="0" /></a><br /></div></div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjPP3nJOJiZPKylc5eC7OyxvOfUW75cNvKHjmd8VzqzwPrCCLrS_BAu1tyOAd03uSg1AMH-W1YeafNqotsE6smeu0v3XMb0SSW6YdhSEY_44heCqE39W6ehvEp0TlOvIvyb6NN7rA-QoHpF/s1600/ButtonDown+%284+of+4%29.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjPP3nJOJiZPKylc5eC7OyxvOfUW75cNvKHjmd8VzqzwPrCCLrS_BAu1tyOAd03uSg1AMH-W1YeafNqotsE6smeu0v3XMb0SSW6YdhSEY_44heCqE39W6ehvEp0TlOvIvyb6NN7rA-QoHpF/s320/ButtonDown+%284+of+4%29.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5515126232747414322" border="0" /></a><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">Again with the lovely button holes!!<br />The fabric looks a little grey here, but it is the dark green from the first picture.</span><br /><div style="text-align: left;"><br /><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">Perhaps I can also guilt him into a photoshoot this weekend...</span><br /></div></div>The Frantic "Seamstress"http://www.blogger.com/profile/17801672121222260074noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-650994758922895202.post-63048729526462974752010-09-09T12:33:00.004-05:002010-09-10T09:27:10.509-05:00Lady Grey Sew AlongI am getting more and more antsy every time I think about starting the sew along, and even have a little countdown going in my head. It's almost here! I'm pretty sure I have everything I'll be needing for the project, with the exception of the button and I might have to buy more interfacing. Want to see my fabric choices?<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEio1LJGu2yYC4GKLt846pXW0gq2mYI2vbG_JZt8N5q7X94eEpeeiLmihDXnxANg1Pw2B2vsU1qF25xYcc72zR99sbVDT3q3CdNwuhayT2jYwt2JIPMC-EDTWEIWfynHcSlRWPDIWzMYcx9P/s1600/LadyGrey+%281+of+2%29.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEio1LJGu2yYC4GKLt846pXW0gq2mYI2vbG_JZt8N5q7X94eEpeeiLmihDXnxANg1Pw2B2vsU1qF25xYcc72zR99sbVDT3q3CdNwuhayT2jYwt2JIPMC-EDTWEIWfynHcSlRWPDIWzMYcx9P/s320/LadyGrey+%281+of+2%29.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5515118807988169746" border="0" /></a><br />For my outer I chose a medium brown stretch moleskin (loved the machine wash/machine dry aspect!). I ordered some stretch moleskin in bone to make a cover for our futon and loved the feel of it so much that I decided that's what I wanted to use. From there, I just had to choose the shade.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgD3dxh1bs7eT_6DBNrgMFwlQWRgHFg8u4xVV9pwejF_K2dvIAjpTtf3LqH441Ht3Vza_0WP3zEt-_ON8-RNK3_NZbHolbRD1myZON0llh7kVsxgRoxd93aHoiz6d1HcnpXYszjpkB6g85a/s1600/LadyGrey+%282+of+2%29.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgD3dxh1bs7eT_6DBNrgMFwlQWRgHFg8u4xVV9pwejF_K2dvIAjpTtf3LqH441Ht3Vza_0WP3zEt-_ON8-RNK3_NZbHolbRD1myZON0llh7kVsxgRoxd93aHoiz6d1HcnpXYszjpkB6g85a/s320/LadyGrey+%282+of+2%29.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5515118815453610338" border="0" /></a><br />I really wanted to have a fun lining and had two on Fabric.com that I couldn't choose between. One was just so much fun that I ordered it even though I wasn't convinced it would match the outer, and the other was the pictured navy/floral satin charmeuse. I definitely like both, but this one was a little more tame than I was hoping for; ultimately it was decided that matching was the most important :)<br /><br />This definitely won't end up a statement coat, but I thought it wise to play it safe on my first try...and I'm not quite sure I'm ready for one just yet anyway.<br /><br />We start the muslin next week and I'm a little embarrassed to say this will be my first time making one. I always run head first into the project (which is probably why I have some adorable disappointments in my pile), but I am committed to following the rules 100% with this project!The Frantic "Seamstress"http://www.blogger.com/profile/17801672121222260074noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-650994758922895202.post-1219200603059708922010-09-08T10:50:00.002-05:002010-09-08T11:17:44.690-05:00Sewing Double UpdateI know it's been quite some time since we started this process, but we've only made a little headway. We let the form dry to be sure it was really cured before we started filling it with expanding spray insulation (smart, right? We have our moments).<br /><br />This weekend we taped the two halves together and got to work. I read somewhere to spray the inside with cooking spray or coat it with vaseline so the foam doesn't stick to it. We tried cooking spray and vegetable oil (unfortunately, no vaseline on hand), but they just soaked into the plaster. We considered Crisco, but I can't for the life of me remember why that was vetoed. We moved on figuring we'd come up with something :)<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiQYboAjf3ZtZuMQjlRsSpG8FzUGOP9rQLxRnd-FC47Jx5D4r8pRukRs2wXZ3LC_wvjB_e-lTB_HnK78pc3x_4sQm2u3IotY9P_36RQR9K6unE_qaitI2piADeFvoBoFvhB_htpd6g41mwp/s1600/Dressform+%283+of+3%29.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiQYboAjf3ZtZuMQjlRsSpG8FzUGOP9rQLxRnd-FC47Jx5D4r8pRukRs2wXZ3LC_wvjB_e-lTB_HnK78pc3x_4sQm2u3IotY9P_36RQR9K6unE_qaitI2piADeFvoBoFvhB_htpd6g41mwp/s320/Dressform+%283+of+3%29.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5514577175056126050" border="0" /></a><br />We set the form upside down in a 5 gallon bucket, propped up along the sides with boards and started filling. We did all of one can first, but it didn't expand as much as we expected. Then we decided to do layers, let them dry and expand some, then add another so we weren't weighing anything down as they expanded. It worked.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjstH47_N-2PtxDf0YBAE4OkmQ4te8sp49moTxawwri1TzX3gbMkmN7SAWY8NW-JKF82L5BQqDCGWaDdvcnDPJwoQOJIWWXGUMgOHuZaE2JC3ksYdB0Oh2C77ELA15BrWdL_0Ge3dn-5ao7/s1600/Dressform+%281+of+3%29.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjstH47_N-2PtxDf0YBAE4OkmQ4te8sp49moTxawwri1TzX3gbMkmN7SAWY8NW-JKF82L5BQqDCGWaDdvcnDPJwoQOJIWWXGUMgOHuZaE2JC3ksYdB0Oh2C77ELA15BrWdL_0Ge3dn-5ao7/s320/Dressform+%281+of+3%29.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5514577159536536546" border="0" /></a><br />After 3 cans of the regular Great Stuff and 2 of the window kind, the foam is set and we're just contemplating the removal. Our plan is to just wet down the plaster and wash it off.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgWXWXsBQgxUlJ6V52-HrKig-68t17ggrWA7RebDRVReQ0pGgv-croNL-4TGsukbqUo4pUNdcI63MDP_lbqAFbLXFyQnIr14tknFzDJDquS0oOzkOI_biciPcVL68TbJTWY3hY6ZZaixTK6/s1600/Dressform+%282+of+3%29.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgWXWXsBQgxUlJ6V52-HrKig-68t17ggrWA7RebDRVReQ0pGgv-croNL-4TGsukbqUo4pUNdcI63MDP_lbqAFbLXFyQnIr14tknFzDJDquS0oOzkOI_biciPcVL68TbJTWY3hY6ZZaixTK6/s320/Dressform+%282+of+3%29.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5514577167896496450" border="0" /></a><br />From the outside it seems to have held fairly well, aside from the spreading at the "seams" right around the bustline. I'll just measure and shave off whatever is extra.<br /><br />My plan now is to buy some ribbed knit or tricot (something stretchy at least) in a flesh tone to cover it with. No clashing purple for my dressform :)The Frantic "Seamstress"http://www.blogger.com/profile/17801672121222260074noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-650994758922895202.post-13434578303612500592010-09-07T08:30:00.003-05:002010-09-07T09:15:59.486-05:00Happy National Sewing Month!!<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://www.nationalsewingmonth.org/html/materials.html"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 84px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjy-GuIWokdRmeL9l4IXWMcY-s8SA158Blpz6pxijS0ry07sSABu-HZIbpCAmhsnytqVN7CDtExPq_epZnR7WfvhXqf5zSvxwKF83PH03E9qHcUgXal3eln9jyqHANr24GjxQ9iM5lo71N2/s320/header_left_650a.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5514171437647650594" border="0" /></a><br />September is <a href="http://www.nationalsewingmonth.org/index.html">National Sewing Month</a>, started by the American Home Sewing & Craft Association and President Regan in 1982, and continued today by the joint efforts of the <a href="http://www.asg.org/">American Sewing Guild</a> and the <a href="http://www.gotsewing.com/">Sewing & Craft Alliance</a>, helps to remind all home sewists of the joys of sewing while spreading the word to the rest.<br /><br />Each year they host a <a href="http://www.nationalsewingmonth.org/html/history.html">contest</a>, and this year is no different...except that I plan to enter for the fun of it. This year is the <a href="http://www.nationalsewingmonth.org/html/contest.html">2010 National Sewing Month "Accessorize Your Life" Contest </a>- can you guess what I'm entering?<br /><br />If you spend some time browsing the site, there are some projects to participate in. Whatever you do, take some time out of your schedule to sew something and share sewing with someone new.<br /><br />Happy sewing!The Frantic "Seamstress"http://www.blogger.com/profile/17801672121222260074noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-650994758922895202.post-28559228408945796992010-08-26T09:25:00.004-05:002010-09-08T11:19:05.888-05:00Little Girls are made of Sugar and Spice......and everything nice, which is why I wanted to make some dresses for our friends' little girl, Citlali. Since I don't have her here to try things on and fit as we go, I opted to start with some pillowcase dresses. Oh my are they simple and absolutely adorable! The great benefit is that they can grow with the child (and we all know how fast toddlers grow)!<br /><br />If my memory serves me, Citlali will be 2 in November, so while this will be a dress for her now, it can be loosened at the neck and become a top as she gets bigger! I'm hoping to get some pictures of her in the dresses to share with you, too. She is just adorable!<br /><br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjK9-LUEbGWs8k5QKo1_IIC3H1db1Y8Aqf7IIyUe7t0sg3XwV9vsagEMUXO17LSPqWMv8bWQh51ogWlPymrVZ0NzmzEQ8tCWmI5SqOQH8feHu2MsAM4P8Q2I3kw8DhD-ySCaexF5HjMw0wb/s1600/pillow+case+dress.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 213px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjK9-LUEbGWs8k5QKo1_IIC3H1db1Y8Aqf7IIyUe7t0sg3XwV9vsagEMUXO17LSPqWMv8bWQh51ogWlPymrVZ0NzmzEQ8tCWmI5SqOQH8feHu2MsAM4P8Q2I3kw8DhD-ySCaexF5HjMw0wb/s320/pillow+case+dress.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5509725795802369426" border="0" /></a><br />(This dress is made with white pique cotton with multi-colored polka dots - rescued from Mom's stash - and red grossgrain ribbon)<br /><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg3c0x3wn3a5dHYujzCXK49CQaotaXaQn5dRPa8IGV5gsJ3gNyd-5lQDBRZ6weHEfgweOuEG7SDWl8wTT7go8nBUkNVzd0Rh1pATqwo3AzTlfx130caM8QTFxvp2TdFFobaBPH4vSCRry9D/s1600/pillow+case+dress+3.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 213px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg3c0x3wn3a5dHYujzCXK49CQaotaXaQn5dRPa8IGV5gsJ3gNyd-5lQDBRZ6weHEfgweOuEG7SDWl8wTT7go8nBUkNVzd0Rh1pATqwo3AzTlfx130caM8QTFxvp2TdFFobaBPH4vSCRry9D/s320/pillow+case+dress+3.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5509887489473326066" border="0" /></a><br />(This dress is actually made from a pillow case with a tie and bias tape I made from white broadcloth)<br /><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div></div>The Frantic "Seamstress"http://www.blogger.com/profile/17801672121222260074noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-650994758922895202.post-59606407651934409752010-08-25T10:07:00.006-05:002010-09-08T11:19:24.048-05:00My Sewing Double in the WorksI've been eying the adjustable dressforms every time I go to Hancocks for some time now, and <span style="font-style: italic;">really </span>wanting one every time I have to fit a shirt or dress with a zipper and Daniel has to help me. I tried to just bite the bullet and buy one about a month ago when I **thought** Hancock was having a sale on them, only they weren't on sale when I got to the store so I talked myself out of it.<br /><br />Part of the argument to not buy one yet was the fact that I am curvy, so just adjusting to my numbers would still give a fairly skewed impression of "me."<br /><br />Then, I started looking into the homemade doubles. I read about the duct tape one, the brown paper tape, and on and on. I wasn't excited enough about any of the methods to jump into it until I came across a plaster cast method. Basically, you use the plaster strips that casts are made from to make a mold of yourself, then use your desired method to make a dummy. I was stoked.<br /><br />We went out Sunday and bought about 10 yards of 3" rolled gauze and the smaller bucket of plaster of paris....and we used every last bit of it.<br /><br /><ul><li>Standing in a big cardboard box in the kitchen wearing just a bra and undies (and shoes and socks to keep my feet comfy on the hard floor), I had Daniel wrap me in a firm, but not tight, layer of plastic wrap (I helped out along the squishier areas holding things in place so they didn't get smushed). </li><li>He then whipped up a batch of plaster, cut some strips of gauze, and went to work starting at the top. Since gauze is flexible, getting good curves around my curves wasn't a problem. The plaster of paris was the quick dry (20-30 minutes) kind, so he had to work very quickly covering me in the gauze. Having another set of hands would have been seriously helpful.<br /></li><li>We let it dry, then he cut me out with pruning shears (a little stressful).</li><li>The whole process probably took about 45 minutes all together.</li></ul><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhfHchcHyh026PcqYgn_AIeWjEzj9hvfWW0cTq3_SzIIiMgzF5xWNneLGtIinB8YEY1cztpE903M8WAem-YcuR8RI8RMZduxl8IrMMqw08nNA8_QVo9OGo0E6YrkxJ8y7WjmxfVt9eGI6IB/s1600/form+on+2.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 213px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhfHchcHyh026PcqYgn_AIeWjEzj9hvfWW0cTq3_SzIIiMgzF5xWNneLGtIinB8YEY1cztpE903M8WAem-YcuR8RI8RMZduxl8IrMMqw08nNA8_QVo9OGo0E6YrkxJ8y7WjmxfVt9eGI6IB/s320/form+on+2.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5509385878773643554" border="0" /></a>(If you could see my feet, you would see the shoes and socks, with little plastic wrap booties)<br /><br /></div>As a claustrophobic, this was not exactly the most pleasant experience of my life. I kind of had the sensation of being buried alive in something clear (since I could obviously see), especially once the plaster started to dry and I could feel the weight and wasn't able to move. Daniel did well keeping me calm while it was still wet so I could keep my breathing steady and not alter the mold (or pass out, of course, since sitting down wasn't an option).<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEinugEkcgprZ7DOIZcTlaQDvQ_NXyasg-n2HVK35xeH9u0YWJlfFPqwV2Ld5KsqqSkYt6dn_22yW_mef3rll3G_Op8sw9cJjxyyoh3IZfne67CKJ_C6X4YuI80QbbngUTGlygOW4xqdT70i/s1600/form+off+2.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 213px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEinugEkcgprZ7DOIZcTlaQDvQ_NXyasg-n2HVK35xeH9u0YWJlfFPqwV2Ld5KsqqSkYt6dn_22yW_mef3rll3G_Op8sw9cJjxyyoh3IZfne67CKJ_C6X4YuI80QbbngUTGlygOW4xqdT70i/s320/form+off+2.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5509386540721938594" border="0" /></a><br /><br />After cutting me out, we noticed a little spot that was missed in the shoulder, but we'll just tape over it when we fill it. Now all we have to do is go buy some foam insulation to fill it with! Once that's set, I'm just going to buy some fleshy colored tricot or ribbed knit to cover it with, then come up with a name :) Suggestions??The Frantic "Seamstress"http://www.blogger.com/profile/17801672121222260074noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-650994758922895202.post-21830111751318936452010-08-23T17:12:00.005-05:002010-09-08T11:19:52.093-05:00Ready to Buckle Up for My First Sew Along!<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://www.blogforbettersewing.com/search/label/Lady%20Grey%20Sew-Along"><img style="float: left; margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; cursor: pointer; width: 150px; height: 150px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhEY9c9m8lSh2qNadmYXIo1oZyOee2XQrg7VCDVclXtFuA9B9b-DqodTV0Nf6WAEfK3ZjrLyd4tDLFj6PAw7nnDjraytp-oYk3soSaL2iHHV7BQDCT98pkNzBO_joQysVvsnv_5GB9nI8t_/s320/sew-along_banner2_150x150.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5508736078656308386" border="0" /></a><br /><div style="text-align: left;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhvLplRtVxwJmBXBibJQMo7dcZvmS0qXLg5UeiMlqlwyTuJmLrgdADMGJ4q2RTgXtdpDVD8V7YGrpTiXwX3tjJO6yFP6R93lz-WQLsTF6c7XR_oIHaGe04sc0pT-cRhvGRoey4DRqdRJamS/s1600/sew-along_banner2_150x150.jpg"><br /></a><br /></div><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">This is it! I'm taking the plunge and have "signed-on" for my first Sew Along!<br /><br />I've been a lurker on <a href="http://www.blogforbettersewing.com/">Gertie's Blog for Better Sewing</a> for quite some time now, and an avid one at that. As a matter of fact, I take pride in my sneaky, stalkerish, lurking abilities which are not limited to blogs by any means. With one quick post, however, Gertie got the better of me and I caved, leaving an excited, introductory comment on her blog. What was this devious post about? Nothing other than a Sew Along! <span style="font-style: italic;">**gasp** </span>I am so weak.<br /><br />As a coat lover, I've been itching to make myself some fabulous fall coats (I am not so disillusioned as to believe I could make myself a coat that will keep me toasty warm at -10 degrees F). What could be better than a Sew Along for this fabulous <a href="http://www.colettepatterns.com/shop/lady-grey">Lady Grey coat</a> by Colette Patterns?? Oh, I know. The sew along PLUS the fact that this gives me an approved excuse to buy more fabric, as the beautiful green/silver plaid and beige/chocolate plaid just aren't right for this. Poor, poor Stephanie - right?<br /><br />I have the pattern ordered, and it looks like the process will begin mid-September. More to come!!<br /><a href="http://www.colettepatterns.com/shop/lady-grey"></a> </span>The Frantic "Seamstress"http://www.blogger.com/profile/17801672121222260074noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-650994758922895202.post-2943009357150462732010-08-20T14:24:00.006-05:002010-09-08T11:21:23.337-05:00Upcycling<span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">Again at Daniel's suggestion, I went for some more instant-gratification projects and turned two of his button-down shirts that I don't think I've ever seen on him into casual skirts for me. Neither are quite finished since I was missing notions (can you imagine that?), but I'll get the finishing touches on them this weekend. Here's where they are so far:</span><br /><br /><div style="text-align: center; font-family: trebuchet ms;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhkmq8jDleKhobZmvMqq8aRuqK5Tf4pmcbpkXQ4rLBs0fMUg9XHTqAVRT_8HmOGZy0BBZQGKm_JurlmBe_CzfMQhFq7GVaXuEi4VP-VbYwtnIklbNNA2SYpxLLU7XIf8maSuRPplfW5F4fD/s1600/upcycle+skirt+khaki+front.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhkmq8jDleKhobZmvMqq8aRuqK5Tf4pmcbpkXQ4rLBs0fMUg9XHTqAVRT_8HmOGZy0BBZQGKm_JurlmBe_CzfMQhFq7GVaXuEi4VP-VbYwtnIklbNNA2SYpxLLU7XIf8maSuRPplfW5F4fD/s320/upcycle+skirt+khaki+front.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5507575907530539602" border="0" /></a><br />Skirt front<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjQTrmwjN4L4iSjg6TIt0n-ghR-MzNIvu5fEYxZ-MCjQ4Nzdq2D_tEoqzoO8Vt4V1OuqwQJHJ4P0rStdh6rpXd1sDABlbRi9987dn8YIMpZXgW_Kr4LxrPXFSGJ-HteMiIdz5IvKMewa1t7/s1600/upcycle+skirt+khaki.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjQTrmwjN4L4iSjg6TIt0n-ghR-MzNIvu5fEYxZ-MCjQ4Nzdq2D_tEoqzoO8Vt4V1OuqwQJHJ4P0rStdh6rpXd1sDABlbRi9987dn8YIMpZXgW_Kr4LxrPXFSGJ-HteMiIdz5IvKMewa1t7/s320/upcycle+skirt+khaki.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5507575904862655330" border="0" /></a>Skirt back<br /><div style="text-align: left;"><br />As much as I really wanted the buttons/pockets in the front, once it was on I just liked the way everything laid with them in the back. It was matching thread that held up this process (that and a hook/bar closure), so I'll finish off the bottom with a straight hem, sew down the line of buttons so there are no surprises during wearing, attach the closure, and it will be ready to wear!<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi4J6jldxktgmAApmbfqOq1SkStVCIUGOual6VYjgKuASkSN0IcOfT5BbtQJokQOTKgOGpbHP5gfnIsTnvGYvASbuaOstGOdrxtOZUOY0l7y-2et0Qksyqlw5W1T_7eLFd4P9kdGOBgDk6q/s1600/upcycle+skirt+brown+front.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi4J6jldxktgmAApmbfqOq1SkStVCIUGOual6VYjgKuASkSN0IcOfT5BbtQJokQOTKgOGpbHP5gfnIsTnvGYvASbuaOstGOdrxtOZUOY0l7y-2et0Qksyqlw5W1T_7eLFd4P9kdGOBgDk6q/s320/upcycle+skirt+brown+front.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5507575894865729026" border="0" /></a><br /><div style="text-align: left;">This one is much closer to being finished - it just needs the closure. I'm intentionally not showing you the darts in the back because they're off center. After many goes trying to get the darts in the right place and the correct length, I finally thought they looked good, but the skirt was just a little bit too big still. So, I decided to take in the sides, took the first one in a little too much so that I couldn't do the other, and now have lopsided darts in the back. I'm counting on no one noticing when it's on. Plus, it's such a casual skirt, I'm not too terribly concerned...somehow I can only get darts to go successfully when I end up deciding I don't want them...<br /></div></div><br /></div></div>The Frantic "Seamstress"http://www.blogger.com/profile/17801672121222260074noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-650994758922895202.post-51383745809862256982010-08-16T12:37:00.004-05:002010-09-08T11:21:45.539-05:00The same, yet very different...<span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">In efforts to clear out the stash quickly, Daniel suggested that I make some of the skirts in the "to-do" pile since they're quick to whip together. Pencil skirts are super easy, but life can get frustrating when you don't have a pattern that you really like.</span><br /><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">So far, I'm not a huge fan of my one pencil skirt pattern, but I hesitate to buy another because it might just be the same. Part of the problem is that it's from a business suit, so it comes up to my true waist and I'm just not sold on that being a good look for me. With my fearless comfort rigging patterns into something else, I've just been modifying it into something more "me."</span><br /><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">I started out with some stretch denim (originally purchased to make a purse...but I kept staring at it thinking what a great skirt it would make). I managed to eek out a pencil skirt from half a yard of fabric, and it went pretty smoothly. This was my first attempt at the vent in the back (which was a stumper for a couple of minutes, then the lightbulb lit up and it was a breeze), and the invisible zipper went in without a hitch. And of course, it doesn't look like a big rectangle when I wear it - it's actually quite cute - and since I'm child-size, it's not nearly as short as it looks on the hanger.</span><br /><br /><br /><div style="text-align: center; font-family: trebuchet ms;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjfWS-nhco5vY09uZnCU4s0O5daoVOt_gYwlvVgBFYfW5oYbtJepVLodkMRAwpX_67H5Y_ljh-2Ayru9vazedw0jEmDxv4zj3PXcMH_Ttr9zGvJCXLTanHwE5mya3XyhvbGzIpG77jNv8FK/s1600/denim+skirt+front.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjfWS-nhco5vY09uZnCU4s0O5daoVOt_gYwlvVgBFYfW5oYbtJepVLodkMRAwpX_67H5Y_ljh-2Ayru9vazedw0jEmDxv4zj3PXcMH_Ttr9zGvJCXLTanHwE5mya3XyhvbGzIpG77jNv8FK/s320/denim+skirt+front.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5506065101139139154" border="0" /></a>Front<br /><br /></div><div style="text-align: center; font-family: trebuchet ms;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjtcB14UCYnUah01xupM75s1p9Y3h3vrpc2qm-DKzk_mG_1YDTjZxR1QuBH1QLQmUteSOA3phsrwXCvVdahpsWSWOtH6bLYAJruCjIFwoDkJ1IVshxBl_jsDhZdMoE1UviykhxQ5_1ZGs7z/s1600/denim+skirt+back.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjtcB14UCYnUah01xupM75s1p9Y3h3vrpc2qm-DKzk_mG_1YDTjZxR1QuBH1QLQmUteSOA3phsrwXCvVdahpsWSWOtH6bLYAJruCjIFwoDkJ1IVshxBl_jsDhZdMoE1UviykhxQ5_1ZGs7z/s320/denim+skirt+back.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5506065107569537490" border="0" /></a>Back<br /><div style="text-align: left;"><br /><br />My second go at the pencil skirt (same pattern, and same initial modifications) was drastically different. This one was made from a beautiful poly brocade. It was my long-anticipated, first time ever working with brocade. I've been dreaming of making myself all sorts of beautiful brocade pieces for months now but couldn't until I discovered the incredible selection of brocades at the JoAnns by my parents. No one around me sells them, and my trusty Fabric.com doesn't carry much either.<br />Needless to say, I was dancing with excitement when I pulled out my fabric to start the process. I was quickly met with frustration when I discovered the odd way brocade acts when it's stretched and there's a zipper thrown into the mix. I had a nice wave down my backside from where the zipper pulled just a little. After a second unsuccessful try to make things lay right, I decided it would have to be loose and I'd have to put in darts. Normally I manage to fore-go all darts since I like skirts/pants to ride at my hips rather than my waist. I've also been a little confused how to use darts on the front of a skirt/pants when I don't have that little "female pooch" but do have a teeny bit of a spare tire. Seems backwards. Regardless, after many, many, tries, I worked four darts into my skirt and love it. I tried a blind hem, but it didn't turn out well. I'm guessing it's because the fabric won't fold as flat as others? I'm working on ideas for how to fix it. In the meantime, I wore it dancing Friday and got lots of compliments!<br /><br /><br /></div></div><div style="text-align: center; font-family: trebuchet ms;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgaEYi4N0zxxLaSNniMlq_7lS4gsv7bZKUtxUQmedQtQgOY-bIv59y7XNXko38VJy9aoNgV963iKdx_IE0YoOHDWNIXoXxOZ2S2OjLqvIePvPGOX7dEAcmkgguLa0rzKOJEKRzdtXQPK3o5/s1600/brocade+skirt.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgaEYi4N0zxxLaSNniMlq_7lS4gsv7bZKUtxUQmedQtQgOY-bIv59y7XNXko38VJy9aoNgV963iKdx_IE0YoOHDWNIXoXxOZ2S2OjLqvIePvPGOX7dEAcmkgguLa0rzKOJEKRzdtXQPK3o5/s320/brocade+skirt.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5506071855674279122" border="0" /></a><br />Front<br /><br /></div><br /><a style="font-family: trebuchet ms;" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj-MQLTfWr92MFonNVjZx5NIe0AJgsA22r3h6u1bMUeQJeyJ-LMlp2gyQjv4yYueDvd0ugDmDW0mEESzCEqIkXiruAf3QwkArixBTTWx6A0jTWHG44gq0MEen0UyRXPLfkpx9LkImKLgP46/s1600/brocade+skirt+back.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj-MQLTfWr92MFonNVjZx5NIe0AJgsA22r3h6u1bMUeQJeyJ-LMlp2gyQjv4yYueDvd0ugDmDW0mEESzCEqIkXiruAf3QwkArixBTTWx6A0jTWHG44gq0MEen0UyRXPLfkpx9LkImKLgP46/s320/brocade+skirt+back.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5506071864430132114" border="0" /></a><br /><div style="text-align: center; font-family: trebuchet ms;">Back<br /><br /><div style="text-align: left;">More to come!! I'm a busy little bee!<br /></div></div>The Frantic "Seamstress"http://www.blogger.com/profile/17801672121222260074noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-650994758922895202.post-89533978718560767512010-08-12T10:15:00.005-05:002010-09-08T11:22:04.558-05:00Pink!<span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">It's clearly past time to share some finished products with you. A couple weeks ago I completed my first two dresses! I used </span><a style="font-family: trebuchet ms;" href="http://www.simplicity.com/p-1798-misses-dresses.aspx">Simplicity 2886, view A</a><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">, for both with a guess-work full bust adjustment. Not a single book that I have for fitting talks about adjusting this kind of a bodice, but I made it happen.</span><br /><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiVufUUELFjkoK43xyHe5-NNvKNvcOTvU7uAITiC5cvJ8HvV3PdP_pE8cBGgW5O3hPD7ZBUq-QQ9NGW2mMXCCHlGxRc5KeUXLA0p1qS0mSBxzvLiyu5eASJ-7c3WV4UWgNiRMUKxLsRvCPj/s1600/pink+dress.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiVufUUELFjkoK43xyHe5-NNvKNvcOTvU7uAITiC5cvJ8HvV3PdP_pE8cBGgW5O3hPD7ZBUq-QQ9NGW2mMXCCHlGxRc5KeUXLA0p1qS0mSBxzvLiyu5eASJ-7c3WV4UWgNiRMUKxLsRvCPj/s320/pink+dress.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5504545270235506914" border="0" /></a><br /><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">This was the first one I made (you may remember that fabric from the earlier </span><a style="font-family: trebuchet ms;" href="http://sewingescape.blogspot.com/2010_07_01_archive.html">post</a><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;"> that instigated my fitting research). Since I used such a light/thin cotton, I went ahead and added lining for the skirt. Looking back, that was a serious headache that I regret. With the pockets not actually being hidden in the side seams, I had to work out lining with the pocket yoke (nightmare when you're still trying to figure out how the dress goes together), and when all was said and done the lining made the skirt kind of bulky at the waist seam. It was my first encounter with the invisible zipper (which I love), I learned how to do a blind hem with my machine (which I also love, depending on the cooperativeness of the fabric), I played with some decorative stitches on the hem of my lining, and managed to have to sew nearly every seam twice. But, it was a great learning experience and the second dress went much more smoothly.</span><br /><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiy9h0Y4QflfcDZeuyqHfFI5z99rxmoF78tcn4u5buTVPBjdQcdt_KTOXE7E_2huIDreIxL-3vIr18ivGpyuEjIPGjISgIO-neVKqkW3YU2KGGEySQ53mYmRheO_SiifPRPiiSjeVksq6Vk/s1600/striped+dress.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiy9h0Y4QflfcDZeuyqHfFI5z99rxmoF78tcn4u5buTVPBjdQcdt_KTOXE7E_2huIDreIxL-3vIr18ivGpyuEjIPGjISgIO-neVKqkW3YU2KGGEySQ53mYmRheO_SiifPRPiiSjeVksq6Vk/s320/striped+dress.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5504549655373282434" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">I definitely </span><span style="font-style: italic;font-family:trebuchet ms;" >thought</span><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;"> I had the stripes lined up at the fold when I cut the pieces, but I was rather obviously wrong. Oh well. I left out the skirt lining and made myself a slip to wear under it (much easier!!). I was contemplating a baby hem, but tried out the rolled hem on my serger instead and LOVE it! I used the white thread (all I have at the moment) and it works, but I keep thinking how great it would have been in a gold metallic thread to match the gold threads that run through the fabric.</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">They're both super comfy and cute on. You'll get pictures of them on when it's not so insanely hot!</span>The Frantic "Seamstress"http://www.blogger.com/profile/17801672121222260074noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-650994758922895202.post-43387885428338217482010-08-11T14:38:00.005-05:002010-09-08T11:30:35.724-05:00The Stash...<span style="font-family: trebuchet ms;">I don't know about you, but my stash is a living, breathing, and most importantly </span><span style="font-style: italic; font-family: trebuchet ms;">growing</span> organism. At least, it was.<br /><br /><span style="font-family: trebuchet ms;">Daniel recently addressed my (not-so) clandestine relationship with Fabric.com, gave me a very disappointed frown, and guilted me into "going on a break" from that relationship (sound familiar, Friends fans?). I can feel my poor stash's breathing growing weaker as it inches toward suspended animation; I have two orders in the mail (tomorrow and Friday will be bittersweet days - the last two deliveries for quite some time), and am not allowed any more fabric purchases until I've finished every project I have fabric for...and that's a LOT:</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family: trebuchet ms;">12 Christmas presents - that's as specific as I'll get online ;)</span><br /><span style="font-family: trebuchet ms;">Brown and ivory floral pattern dress</span><br /><span style="font-family: trebuchet ms;">Red knit dress</span><br /><span style="font-family: trebuchet ms;">Navy knit dress</span><br /><span style="font-family: trebuchet ms;">Teal dress (can you tell I'm enjoying the dress making?)</span><br /><span style="font-family: trebuchet ms;">Plaid jacket</span><br /><span style="font-family: trebuchet ms;">Plaid coat</span><br /><span style="font-family: trebuchet ms;">Gunmetal satin dress</span><br /><span style="font-family: trebuchet ms;">Yellow knit top</span><br /><span style="font-family: trebuchet ms;">Striped knit top</span><br /><span style="font-family: trebuchet ms;">Golden knit top</span><br /><span style="font-family: trebuchet ms;">Brown spaghetti strap shirt</span><br /><span style="font-family: trebuchet ms;">Brick knit sweater</span><br /><span style="font-family: trebuchet ms;">Blue shorts</span><br /><span style="font-family: trebuchet ms;">Daniel's gold shorts</span><br /><span style="font-family: trebuchet ms;">Daniels' green pants</span><br /><span style="font-family: trebuchet ms;">Green button down for Daniel</span><br /><span style="font-family: trebuchet ms;">Brown button down for Daniel</span><br /><span style="font-family: trebuchet ms;">Yellow button down for me</span><br /><span style="font-family: trebuchet ms;">Yellow button down for Sherry</span><br /><span style="font-family: trebuchet ms;">Blue button down for me</span><br /><span style="font-family: trebuchet ms;">Blue button down for Sherry</span><br /><span style="font-family: trebuchet ms;">Burgundy pencil skirt for Sherry</span><br /><span style="font-family: trebuchet ms;">Lilac suit for Sherry</span><br /><span style="font-family: trebuchet ms;">Sand poplin button down for Sherry</span><br /><span style="font-family: trebuchet ms;">Blue floral dress</span><br /><span style="font-family: trebuchet ms;">Gold floral jewel neck shell for Sherry (suggestions on patterns? I can't find one I like)</span><br /><span style="font-family: trebuchet ms;">White floral button down for Sherry</span><br /><span style="font-family: trebuchet ms;">Tan suit for Sherry</span><br /><span style="font-family: trebuchet ms;">Pink corduroy outfit for Citlali</span><br /><span style="font-family: trebuchet ms;">Pillowcase dress for Citlali</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family: trebuchet ms;">...I think that's everything. I hope it is at least! Now, I know this makes me look like a serious stasher, but a considerable chunk of that fabric did come from my mom. I'm sure she will tell you what a sweet daughter I am to rescue her from 2/3 of her stash that's been growing since the 80s!</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family: trebuchet ms;">Geez! I need to get to work!</span>The Frantic "Seamstress"http://www.blogger.com/profile/17801672121222260074noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-650994758922895202.post-82539464831218187192010-08-05T15:32:00.007-05:002010-09-08T11:22:38.152-05:00My New Toy<span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">Yes, I have been neglecting you. No, it's not your fault.</span> <span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;"><br /><br />Two weeks ago today was a beautiful day. That glorious UPS man that I have come to adore brought me yet another life-altering package: my new serger. Who knew it could get better than shoes and fabric??<br /><br /></span> <a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgk-KSjH4nfBdpJZYq4PexlKjNL5HiBhCq-EW6XxxaUAFm7rET7sBgqrf_blzlPT4o_32LFPWhE6g5X6QWhI5Qvhx7Yfj50uX8dykw4LFjG_pWOMpCNMLmq-wghBEGFaikSt0v2e4BNGxRa/s1600/steph-1.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgk-KSjH4nfBdpJZYq4PexlKjNL5HiBhCq-EW6XxxaUAFm7rET7sBgqrf_blzlPT4o_32LFPWhE6g5X6QWhI5Qvhx7Yfj50uX8dykw4LFjG_pWOMpCNMLmq-wghBEGFaikSt0v2e4BNGxRa/s320/steph-1.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5502035071786340274" border="0" /></a><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;"><br />Yes, friends. I bought a new Janome MyLock634D and have been consumed with it: reading the book (then re-reading because I was, of course, too excited to retain anything), experimenting, and making wonderful seams!! My only complaint at this point is a sore back from switching back and forth between my sewing machine and the serger (I lack the ability to do all sewing in one clump, then all serging and just go back and forth the whole time). </span> <span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;"><br /><br /></span><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgTtR3IeNB6SKjYrpfhDAsYVpTUgCwWXoyiFXI592PvWy27-SKoDVjxCjtrbdqwQYg-HhyphenhyphenE5Xk6j5uAt6RqMNSKof6CdPlQv3Z_eer61QIRVnhU1vJZvp-f8dxSAXnyLkwgPPWAYBD_KNy_/s1600/steph-2.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgTtR3IeNB6SKjYrpfhDAsYVpTUgCwWXoyiFXI592PvWy27-SKoDVjxCjtrbdqwQYg-HhyphenhyphenE5Xk6j5uAt6RqMNSKof6CdPlQv3Z_eer61QIRVnhU1vJZvp-f8dxSAXnyLkwgPPWAYBD_KNy_/s320/steph-2.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5502035197145605954" border="0" /></a><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;"><br />Threading is difficult, but definitely doable and no worse than the Berninas I sat with (yes, it came threaded, but I managed to unwittingly pull the threads out while trying to tie them to the spools - very bright, I know). I made Daniel check my threading before I would try using it and only had one thing twisted my first try.</span> <span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;"><br />It's super easy to switch back and forth between a standard overlock and a rolled hem; you just have to remember all the steps. :)</span><br /><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">All in all, I'm pretty much in love. *sigh*</span> <span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;"><br /><br />I've been using it everywhere I can think to - I even did rolled hems on my fabrics before prewashing them. Love it. Love it. Love it!</span> <span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;"><br /><br />Thanks to my obsession with my new little toy, I've been getting much accomplished. Unfortunately, thanks to my keen ability to lose anything and everything (read: sewing needles), I have no finished products to share with you right now. Three are waiting for that needle to finish up loose threads, tacking zippers, etc and some others are waiting for notions. I'll be buying some needles this afternoon, but I'm holding off on the rest since Hancock is having a 50% sale next weekend on all notions. ...I also wouldn't mind a heat index under 110 degrees F to go outside and take pictures. You'll see them soon though! Promise!</span>The Frantic "Seamstress"http://www.blogger.com/profile/17801672121222260074noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-650994758922895202.post-84560836787820135042010-07-18T22:50:00.007-05:002010-09-08T11:25:25.177-05:00A Little Education, A Bit of Organization<span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">Yes, yes. I've been neglecting my blog for a while now. I've still be keeping plenty busy with sewing activities, just more of the non-sewing sewing ones rather than the sewing ones. It's been reading, measuring, drafting, researching, and organizing.</span><br /><ul><li><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">My sewing room is coming along slowly: Daniel's working on shelves, we're designing the sewing table he'll build me, and I'm sorting through all of my grandma's attachments, figuring out what they are, and making a home for everything.</span></li><li><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">I've been drafting out the patterns for the purses I designed. 6 down, 13 to go! (This activity also taught me that rotary cutters are extremely sharp. If you happen to brush the blade along your arm, you end up with - you guessed it - a sizable slice through your arm that stings for 2+ hours)</span></li><li><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">I've researched and tried out sergers and ultimately made a decision and placed my order. I have a Janome MyLock 634D in the mail, to arrive Tuesday!! :)</span></li><li><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">I've been doing lots of reading about alterations and fitting, and have learned some things about my body type that I wasn't aware of.</span></li></ul><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">See, lots of non-sewing sewing work. In my defense on the sewing side, I now have 3 versions of the Butterick 5354 (and a fourth that went to my sister for her birthday), and I made a very pretty, mostly successful, Simplicity 3956A, which went to a friend of mine. Granted, I had no idea if that one was even remotely a success until Friday since I was making it for myself, it wouldn't zip past my bra strap, and I was left wondering what went wrong until Beth tried it on and it fit her perfectly. Yes...I've forced myself to learn a lot in the last two weeks.</span><br /><br /><a style="font-family: trebuchet ms;" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh-jqjJAr9Q89bnO7Wv3ooFzWV0RAtN_jPMIqm1dQHvmkxC-rhFnmPIGvFtpLhd487k2eHtE2rP4g19HRu4bKrrRnGmjaGpmHf9P2HrVqUa6I0-5JRrawrWJxiYs1akj1Jb4WOZFhjfY54p/s1600/Butterick.jpg"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh-jqjJAr9Q89bnO7Wv3ooFzWV0RAtN_jPMIqm1dQHvmkxC-rhFnmPIGvFtpLhd487k2eHtE2rP4g19HRu4bKrrRnGmjaGpmHf9P2HrVqUa6I0-5JRrawrWJxiYs1akj1Jb4WOZFhjfY54p/s320/Butterick.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5495475197526556450" border="0" /></a><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;"> Butterick 5354 with sleeves!!</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">The screeching halt of my production output immediately followed my mental breakdown Thursday before last. After a couple rough days at work, I decided to relax and start on my much anticipated summer dress (Simplicity 2886A), with pockets and all. I couldn't have been more excited as I cut out pattern pieces and started the assembly. It started going wrong quickly after that when I pinned (and sewed, and clipped the corners, and trimmed the seam allowance, and pulled all that through the shoulder seams) the right side of my bodice to the wrong side of the bodice lining, so I ripped it out and fixed it. Then I managed to sew the side seams together rather than the back center seam (boy, did that take me a long time to figure out what I'd done wrong and why it wouldn't just turn right-side-out), and ripped it and fixed it. But it was okay. At that point, I was beaming with pride looking at a completed portion of my adorable dress. I draped it over myself and ran to the mirror, only to find that there was no way on earth that it was EVER going to be even remotely close to fitting me. The bottom of the bodice barely even made it halfway down my bust, let alone allowing room for the gathers into the waist band. I cracked then and there, staring at the mirror, just bawling. Daniel, bless his heart, tried to comfort me and tell me I would learn how to adjust it (of course, I had no desire to hear that, I was wallowing. Sometimes he's just so silly), but it just hurt so much. So I cried it out, came to my senses and started googling about Full Bust Adjustments. The tutorials I read made sense, but I wasn't 100% sure how to apply them to my dress, so I ordered some books on alterations and fitting patterns and hunkered down to wait.</span><br /><br /><a style="font-family: trebuchet ms;" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg9B8jx_LjUsLVT5efLM3oH_eHeFTh2WItcIvmDD90qVoBQz27dG1w-PLOAg3aYJsVj_dpRcfSva9UOtAKMTyCcBP9AzYglnxFDEF39EH7lqvTRQ8BUztSl-g4EkXim8e8rHBdDqQ3YMxbW/s1600/Bodice.jpg"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg9B8jx_LjUsLVT5efLM3oH_eHeFTh2WItcIvmDD90qVoBQz27dG1w-PLOAg3aYJsVj_dpRcfSva9UOtAKMTyCcBP9AzYglnxFDEF39EH7lqvTRQ8BUztSl-g4EkXim8e8rHBdDqQ3YMxbW/s320/Bodice.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5495475177129434834" border="0" /></a><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">An aside: why is the bodice front shorter than the bodice back? I can't figure out how that would work for anyone...</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">When the books arrived, I actually decided to read them rather than just looking up the FBA and moving on. Right now I'm reading the Palmer/Pletsch Fit for Real People and have a new-found awareness of several aspects of my body. I roped Daniel into helping me create a body graph today. He was not thrilled about it to start with since my non-cookie-cutter body shape gives me some real body image issues, but I think it actually helped in the long run. Looking at the completed graph really showed me that acute scoliosis my chiropractor talks about, but looking at the real-person samples in the books made me okay with it. Who among us is perfect? I also learned that I am a rare, true petite. The vast majority of short people are just that, short. Their legs and upper bodies are not in proportion to each other, usually the legs are short and the torso is average. I'm proportionate, which is why people never know I'm short until they have something to compare me to (generally, themselves). This is my graph:</span><br /><br /><a style="font-family: trebuchet ms;" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj1Bh9QMeE0ZKbA2kdU-owXl_HIkL9KyduqaR06KN6eRpySZ42ILA9QaA4UDgc4ZxLbB3zhVdfk6Pcgn8oZusSR2iKvN3rdbnsbTWbHRYnKexVrvF-g5Z47i8pT-FR-whYl8k4jhXzaWKDa/s1600/Graph.jpg"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj1Bh9QMeE0ZKbA2kdU-owXl_HIkL9KyduqaR06KN6eRpySZ42ILA9QaA4UDgc4ZxLbB3zhVdfk6Pcgn8oZusSR2iKvN3rdbnsbTWbHRYnKexVrvF-g5Z47i8pT-FR-whYl8k4jhXzaWKDa/s320/Graph.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5495475200451372882" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">I also completed the worksheet that told me some things I didn't know. I have very defined collar bones which give the optical illusion of squarish, broad shoulders. Looking at the math, I actually have one sloping shoulder, and they're average (I have them marked as narrow on the sheet because I noticed after I originally posted this that I measured incorrectly, oops!). The worksheet also confirmed one thing I knew: I have a big head :) See for yourself:</span><br /><br /><a style="font-family: trebuchet ms;" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgMeoizeiENY58PBNMGkN4jHAcyCtZPctiuwVQ6lbzTOwP2R8pknVIHzV_ETt-U_FK_Ct7BJllH8YEDHBRI_xx-84ILp_gCjN5RK64nG9793vwev_Px6WsWdG7qVDWSSbYtI5sfDYuZKyZl/s1600/BodyGraph.jpg"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 233px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgMeoizeiENY58PBNMGkN4jHAcyCtZPctiuwVQ6lbzTOwP2R8pknVIHzV_ETt-U_FK_Ct7BJllH8YEDHBRI_xx-84ILp_gCjN5RK64nG9793vwev_Px6WsWdG7qVDWSSbYtI5sfDYuZKyZl/s320/BodyGraph.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5495475189164650386" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">Now, I can't speak for men, but as a woman I know how difficult it is to maintain an accurate opinion of our bodies. It's so easy to fixate on that extra inch here or there that we don't like, or that popped up out of nowhere, and dilute ourselves into believing we're fat. I think it's a good idea to get the figures straight, and see it objectively. It might not always give us the answer we want (I'm pretty sure when we make my papier mache' dress form I'll be less than thrilled seeing in 3D what I really look like), but at least we'll have an accurate body image in mind...and how often are women </span><span style="font-style: italic;font-family:trebuchet ms;" >nicer</span><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;"> to themselves???</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">I'm taking this one step at a time and will learn to adjust my patterns to accommodate my extra fluff, and you'll see plenty of fitted bodices at that point!!! (a timeline hint: I really need the dress by Labor Day weekend)</span>The Frantic "Seamstress"http://www.blogger.com/profile/17801672121222260074noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-650994758922895202.post-8815577825024871242010-06-30T13:51:00.005-05:002010-09-08T11:22:53.179-05:00Oh Butterick, why do you mislead me?!<span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">I completed my first shirt Monday evening, and wore it last night for the photoshoot Daniel was doing (I was the dutiful assistant/packhorse/prop master)! It was wonderful, light, breezy, and very comfy...even though I have a decently sized bone to pick with Butterick.</span> <span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;"><br /><br />This was a "Fast & Easy" pattern, and it lived up to it's name. The directions, however, left something to be desired. I know, I know, I'm supposed to be smarter than the directions, but let's face it...I can't always be perfect, right? My biggest frustration was something I should have caught if I had read ahead. When attaching the facing to the neckline, the directions had me trim away the seam allowance, </span><span style="font-style: italic;font-family:trebuchet ms;" >then</span><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;"> informed me that I was supposed to understitch the seam allowance to the facing. Interesting idea, Butterick. How exactly was I supposed to stitch 1/16" seam allowance to the facing??? I couldn't come up with a way to make that happen, so I edge stitched (1/16" from the seam) through the front, seams allowance, and facing...three times before I was satisfied with the outcome (that equals a LOT of seam ripping with a seriously dull seam ripper and a very unhappy me).<br /><br />I'm new with the stretchy materials (this was a light weight matte jersey), and couldn't quite get the edge stitching through all those layers without stretching it (perhaps I need to learn more about this stretch stitch I've read about?), so the neck and facing still lay a little funny, but I think it would have been just fine if I could have under stitched the facing. My other big issue is that along a couple of the pleats' seams, the stitching is pulling through the fabric...not quite sure how. </span> <span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;"><br /><br />Another thing I tried to figure out, with no success, was a way to put a tighter (not tight, just not draping) strip of fabric on the inside across the bust to keep the gathers from falling into the anti-cleavage area that some "well-endowed" women, such as myself, somehow have. I just wanted to attach a strip of fabric (about 4" wide) across the front, starting just below the arm holes on both sides, to act as a nice barrier so an undershirt wouldn't be necessary. Unfortunately, no matter how I tried it, that strip would pull the shirt and make the armholes pucker. So, I wore the undershirt.</span> <span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">In the future, I'll know to under stitch before trimming, and I know that 100% against the narrow hem the pattern calls for. It would have looked light years better with a 1" hem or a nice band. I have fabric for another, and I think I'll try out a nice 3" band at the bottom.</span> <span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;"><br /><br /></span><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjwzMDJb4LPqWkiMCgNHNwUhtCv3lyvu720c5l6XHE51hzI9KIKUO4PjMnw9FLZeDxQetkt91zeSzpZI1KooVYWibkrG2XTrFpWipd4SYCVlyvs9XQVgn6jMwU8gR9mVC1meolLhoJtBzr-/s1600/shirt-2.jpg"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 214px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjwzMDJb4LPqWkiMCgNHNwUhtCv3lyvu720c5l6XHE51hzI9KIKUO4PjMnw9FLZeDxQetkt91zeSzpZI1KooVYWibkrG2XTrFpWipd4SYCVlyvs9XQVgn6jMwU8gR9mVC1meolLhoJtBzr-/s320/shirt-2.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5488650722682632642" border="0" /></a><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgD5IZlohrgYWnvRPIdCaEXHICjCV87lEDKtlVl7247vqhyphenhyphen4-X54stAaqgl2coB7SUxidTe3r6xkGYH66DHsLQnGHnuU8pvmReaEpW_Ajn91BdbxFZx-XXTviaDHehyphenhyphenPtSEatVuSO93OEPS/s1600/shirt-1.jpg"> <img style="cursor: pointer; width: 214px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgD5IZlohrgYWnvRPIdCaEXHICjCV87lEDKtlVl7247vqhyphenhyphen4-X54stAaqgl2coB7SUxidTe3r6xkGYH66DHsLQnGHnuU8pvmReaEpW_Ajn91BdbxFZx-XXTviaDHehyphenhyphenPtSEatVuSO93OEPS/s320/shirt-1.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5488650711652049938" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">I'm also contemplating making one for my sister's birthday to go with the skirt I made her. I made it out of a nice "linen look" blend that was light and soft, perfect for a long casual skirt in a Georgia summer! I wanted the skirt to be very finished looking, and I may have gone overboard with my French seams all around and a top stitched hem, but I like it. That particular fabric, however, informed me that I have a thing or two to learn about pressing, so I've been reading up. I did follow the directions in my </span><span style="font-style: italic;font-family:trebuchet ms;" >Top Fashion</span><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;"> book for the zipper (keyed it and everything) and am pretty happy with how it turned out. If I had the paper backed fusible webbing it called for, I think it might have been perfect! All I can say now is if she doesn't like it, I gladly accept returns.<br /><br /></span><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiz-x07ZyxscenJAUTQI19Inl_h2P6BL-NaMJKA7z9Tn0rURSb0te1Bn3NdoAg9To4t-DHkDOtPJp3s_vO0qHmDleCRCB61jLLX6gkFKGJ9aOuMGtRnxgu2i7o3wITABqqV3pit5HItTnS1/s1600/skirt-2.jpg"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 214px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiz-x07ZyxscenJAUTQI19Inl_h2P6BL-NaMJKA7z9Tn0rURSb0te1Bn3NdoAg9To4t-DHkDOtPJp3s_vO0qHmDleCRCB61jLLX6gkFKGJ9aOuMGtRnxgu2i7o3wITABqqV3pit5HItTnS1/s320/skirt-2.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5488650749877508514" border="0" /></a><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEga8RKGWgcjznvQ6zv-jYcVl15C9tZzvAlyzvBLMhKrPIJ1USb9ji_fHUuXITamzyJ6y3O0tx4eYNzDuunu6HAtXk6ipeH1SXGy2zxEwfHgzVs9U4Bd7kfBUaLUTn3aRMYaE1dwoz_cKJqo/s1600/skirt-1.jpg"> <img style="cursor: pointer; width: 214px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEga8RKGWgcjznvQ6zv-jYcVl15C9tZzvAlyzvBLMhKrPIJ1USb9ji_fHUuXITamzyJ6y3O0tx4eYNzDuunu6HAtXk6ipeH1SXGy2zxEwfHgzVs9U4Bd7kfBUaLUTn3aRMYaE1dwoz_cKJqo/s320/skirt-1.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5488650732378417682" border="0" /></a>The Frantic "Seamstress"http://www.blogger.com/profile/17801672121222260074noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-650994758922895202.post-67239299436038853412010-06-23T15:25:00.004-05:002010-09-08T11:25:04.141-05:00Research Underway<span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">I had an eye-opening experience last week. Thanks to 5 months of unending problems with our cable service (TV, phone, internet...and I </span><span style="font-style: italic;font-family:trebuchet ms;" >try</span><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;"> to work from home), we made some changes and were expecting to be without a connection to the outside world for one evening...scary, right? As it would turn out, the sales rep we talked to was completely and utterly clueless, and our cable was turned off at 3:30pm Thursday and the technician didn't come out to re-install until 4pm Saturday. Yes kids, that's 48 hours with no TV, internet, or phone...in other words, painful. Under different circumstances, that would have been unpleasant, but tolerable. We had tornado warnings on and off and flash flood warnings constantly - needless to say, enjoying the out of doors was out of the question; we had been left under the impression that a technician could call us to come anytime Friday or Saturday, so no leaving the house until after 8pm. Needless to say, we didn't know what to do with ourselves!</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">The house is cleaner and we tackled some lingering projects...and I believe I plugged in my iPod and bopped around the house for a couple hours. One of my projects was creating patterns for all of my bags that I designed so I had an idea how much fabric I would need. I whipped together smaller, to-scale sketches of the pattern layouts and scooted to Hancock Thursday evening (since we weren't expecting anyone just yet and they were having their semi-annual clearance!) to grab some fabric. I can honestly say I had no idea it would be so hard to pick out fabrics (and the matching liners!!), but the task just about defeated me. At last, I had a variety picked out for a large handful of the bags (and a couple other pieces of fabric for some some tops I wanted to make - 60% the Value Fashion fabrics?!? How can you pass that up?), grabbed the zippers and thread, and headed home. I held off on buttons and handles...I think I had enough going through my head.</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">I still only had my mini-patterns since I hadn't decided the best path to take creating real patterns, and started contemplating how to move forward. That, of course, led me to the bookstore. Daniel and I spent an hour browsing in Barnes and Noble (he was looking at programming books, I was looking at sewing books) until it surprisingly closed on us (anyone else think that B&N closed at 11, not 10 o'clock?). At the 15 minute announcement, I still hadn't quite found what I was looking for, so I wrote down the information on all the other books I grabbed to look them up on Amazon if/when I ever got internet again.</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">We suffered through most of Saturday, then rejoiced in the returning of glorious cable that evening by playing with our new On Demand feature and looking up the lists of things we'd wondered about while without internet (what did people do before the internet when they had those little, unimportant, curious questions that just nag at you until you find out the answer??). I looked up the books and, after reading reviews and other suggestions, decided on two to buy:</span><br /><a style="font-family: trebuchet ms;" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgyFdAdD6Emr64C32DglJJqWk6g0UIxntHpvzPIFx7l3RarDCxIzNnPhZRnFNzZ3GJOnwjVSGfbwzSDlz40flArZ5YSX1P8zTGZiBWhb-yBluidmOmIWfz7O2-hzOwQ312Pry_ixa9SWqtG/s1600/The+Complete+Book+of+Sewing+Short+Cuts.jpg"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 250px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgyFdAdD6Emr64C32DglJJqWk6g0UIxntHpvzPIFx7l3RarDCxIzNnPhZRnFNzZ3GJOnwjVSGfbwzSDlz40flArZ5YSX1P8zTGZiBWhb-yBluidmOmIWfz7O2-hzOwQ312Pry_ixa9SWqtG/s320/The+Complete+Book+of+Sewing+Short+Cuts.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5486092794498262818" border="0" /></a><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;"> </span><img style="font-family: trebuchet ms;" src="file:///C:/DOCUME%7E1/ste_kohe/LOCALS%7E1/Temp/moz-screenshot.png" alt="" /><img style="font-family: trebuchet ms;" src="file:///C:/DOCUME%7E1/ste_kohe/LOCALS%7E1/Temp/moz-screenshot-1.png" alt="" /><a style="font-family: trebuchet ms;" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhsOxMK1dyTyj115pRrK_Y_SwtH8U2S25QTrSR2ifowPaUhb8H0vvz_7iEjbw0RgwkuSBX8G7t9_PNP0ZeakKaPfSXndgsuZt_SyjJ4YtYj6bqzc_OMDd4mQEjZlrOh9I24jej9SJaiYo4e/s1600/high-fashion-sewing-secrets-from-the-worlds-best-designers.jpg"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 243px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhsOxMK1dyTyj115pRrK_Y_SwtH8U2S25QTrSR2ifowPaUhb8H0vvz_7iEjbw0RgwkuSBX8G7t9_PNP0ZeakKaPfSXndgsuZt_SyjJ4YtYj6bqzc_OMDd4mQEjZlrOh9I24jej9SJaiYo4e/s320/high-fashion-sewing-secrets-from-the-worlds-best-designers.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5486092800902746690" border="0" /></a><br /><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">So far I've received the High Fashion one and have only browsed the seams chapter, but I LOVE it! The illustrations are wonderful and make the instructions actually make sense! Plus, the little "Sewing Secrets" will be very useful. I'm attempting to be patient and read the books (at least the majority of them) before I start making my purses since I really want them to be quality.</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">Daniel and I are trying to figure out a good way to rearrange our spare room/my office into also being a functioning sewing area. We're thinking a good futon instead of a full bed, he's going to make me a convertible sewing table that I can make into whatever I need, but still fold down to just being big enough to hold the sewing machine when not in use, and some good storage! I also want to put a "project board" up somewhere so I can keep track of my plans :)</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">I also have the skirt for my sister's birthday present on the docket, but it should be a breeze since I'm using the same pattern I used before - just with more finished seams and hems. I prewashed the fabric today and think I'll get cutting tonight!</span>The Frantic "Seamstress"http://www.blogger.com/profile/17801672121222260074noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-650994758922895202.post-88119862308589374352010-06-15T14:59:00.004-05:002010-09-08T11:25:46.869-05:00Rested and Ready to Go!<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';">I'm back from my extended break, feeling rested and ready to hit the ground running. All of my clothes were wonderful for the honeymoon, and the travel-document-organizer-thing was a lifesaver. The wedding was beautiful, the honeymoon a dream, and I've had plenty of time to get the wheels turning for my next project.<br /><br />A good friend of mine is going back to grad school this fall, and I decided I would make her a great custom bag (for books, laptop, and a purse double) for school. This, of course, sucked me down the path of "how can I make this into a job so I don't have to keep doing what I am?" and I landed me at the crossroads of Wishful Thinking Way and Getting Ahead of Myself Boulevard, planning out a line of purses/wallets/bags to make and sell (not to mention the idea floating around in the back of my head to create clothing and bridal accessory lines as well). So, all a twitter with my new and exciting idea, I began the planning process (my favorite!).<br /><br />The <b>Seedling</b> line currently consists of designs for: 1 messenger bag, 9 purses, 2 clutches, 1 laptop bag, 7 wallets, and 1 wristlet. I decided to hold up a little on the designing side and crack down on drawing up some patterns since Hancock is having their semiannual clearance sale later this week and I want to know how much fabric I need for each project so I can scoop it up on sale. It's been challenging, but a lot of fun - although, I am finding that I will need to buy plenty of erasers ;).<br /><br />I also have a logo drawn up that Daniel is going to help me make look better with InDesign, and hopefully then I can figure out how to use the scanner for the embroidery on my fancy-schmancy sewing machine to make labels.<br /><br />I got to "Seedling" from the name of my blog and the hopes that this project will be the start of something exciting. Then in my daydreaming, I thought of some names for my "other" lines that are waiting to take shape:<br /><br /><b>Lily Grass</b>: A line of casual, comfortable, yet trendy clothes centering around earth tones.<br /><b>Lady Slipper</b>: A line of simple, yet elegant bridal accessories such as veils, custom corsets (good ones that are comfortable), garters (Mom's hand knit garters are welcome, too!), penny in your shoe holder.<br /><b>Dahlia </b>or<b> Black Orchid</b> (can't decide): A line of evening wear that livens a classic look with a hint of trendy flair. From cocktail dresses to evening gowns.<br /><br />In Chicago this past weekend, I had a great time window shopping down The Magnificent Mile. Plenty of ideas bouncing around in my head thanks to those wonderful designer displays!<br /><br />So without further ado, my plan is to create this line of purses/wallets/bags (and do it WELL!) and hopefully sell them at some craft shows to start...we'll see where it ends up!</span>The Frantic "Seamstress"http://www.blogger.com/profile/17801672121222260074noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-650994758922895202.post-10629473310387093862010-05-13T23:31:00.005-05:002010-09-08T11:26:18.490-05:00One Month Later<span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">On the evening of April 15th I embarked upon a journey to find a hobby that would be an escape, hopefully finding some personal growth in the process. I gave myself a goal and a deadline and dove in headfirst. </span><br /><br /><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">Let's review:</span><br /><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family:trebuchet ms;"><span style="font-weight: bold;font-size:85%;" >"The Goal:</span><span style="font-size:85%;"> Some cool, comfortable summer clothes – two pairs of gaucho pants, one pair of linen pants that convert to capris, an a-line skirt, and a trumpet skirt</span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family:trebuchet ms;"><span style="font-weight: bold;font-size:85%;" >The Deadline:</span><span style="font-size:85%;"> May 18<sup>th</sup> (yikes, just over a month!), so they’re ready for my honeymoon in <st1:country-region st="on"><st1:place st="on">Belize!!</st1:place></st1:country-region></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family:trebuchet ms;"><span style="font-weight: bold;font-size:85%;" >The Equipment:</span><span style="font-size:85%;"> My grandma’s crazy, scary, computerized sewing machine that I don’t actually know how to work...do I smell a problem already?<br /></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family:trebuchet ms;"><span style="font-weight: bold;font-size:85%;" >In My Corner:</span><span style="font-size:85%;"> Mom. I grew up sewing with her, but it’s all somehow much more frightening when she’s over 500 miles away. I hope she’s ready for all the desperate phone calls that are sure to come!"</span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family:trebuchet ms;"><span style="font-size:85%;"><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">And where am I now?<br /></span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family:trebuchet ms;"><span style="font-size:85%;"><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;"><span style="font-weight: bold;">Trips to Hancock Fabrics: </span>6. Okay, so I'm really bad about getting everything I need in one trip - even with a list. And if I'm honest, that store is a little like a drug to me. As soon as I walk out the door I'm dreaming of my next trip back...and hoping that there will be more than two employees working or less than 4 customers in the store.<br /></span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family:trebuchet ms;"><span style="font-size:85%;"><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;"><span style="font-weight: bold;">Frantic Calls to Mom:</span> Oh, too many to count. They did, however, get fewer and farther between as time went. The number of times I came across the problem at 11 o'clock at night probably had something to do with that.</span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family:trebuchet ms;"><span style="font-size:85%;"><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;"><span style="font-weight: bold;">Moments of Panic, Depression, Utter Frustration:</span> Um, do I have to admit? I suppose for personal growth, it's best to be honest with myself. I'm going to average it out to about 12, but only because I bundled that one tragic night into one "moment".<br /></span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family:trebuchet ms;"><span style="font-size:85%;"><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;"><span style="font-weight: bold;">Moments of Utter Confusion: </span>Now that's an easy one: just one.<span style="font-style: italic;"></span> I'd have to say the moment was constant from the day I started, but I can feel the pressure letting up and see little glints of light at the end of the tunnel. Perhaps I'm starting to understand?</span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family:trebuchet ms;"><span style="font-size:85%;"><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;"><span style="font-weight: bold;">Broken Needles:</span> One. I broke my first needle yesterday when my presser foot fell off (oops)...after the machine kept making some awful grinding, crunchy noise and telling me to "stop for safety", after I couldn't get the bobbin to thread correctly. Rough night, but I learned a LOT.<br /></span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family:trebuchet ms;"><span style="font-size:85%;"><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;"><span style="font-weight: bold;">Finished Products:</span> Two pairs of gaucho pants, one pair of linen pants that <span style="font-style: italic;">will </span>convert into capris once I buy the presser foot to do button holes, and two linen skirts. Also to my name I have: one travel document organizer thing, one pair of pull on capris, and a pair of bermuda shorts (yes, those last two happened in the past two days). Nothing is perfect, but everything is wearable in public, fits well, and is a finished product that, most importantly, I am proud of. </span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family:trebuchet ms;"><span style="font-size:85%;"><span style="font-weight: bold;">Next on the Docket:</span> A break. My wedding is a week from Sunday and then I'm spending a week in Belize. I'm sure I'll be contemplating my next project, but until then, go out and try something new. Who knows, you might discover part of yourself you never knew was there.<br /></span></p>The Frantic "Seamstress"http://www.blogger.com/profile/17801672121222260074noreply@blogger.com0