Cleaning Up My Blog Site

I've started working on cleaning up my blog site. The First thing that I want to do is to add a "Follow Me on Bloglovin" Button. Apparently, I need to claim my blog and post a link before I can do that. So..Here's my request to follow me on BloglovinFollow my blog with Bloglovin">. Hope that this works!

The Definition of Sewing Insanity

Why would anyone make a man's tailored dress shirt from cotton gauze? Well, I made that happen and learned about sewing insanity. I wanted to make Silhouette 6012, George's shirt. DH was delighted and liked the pattern. So, I had a good quality cotton sitting on my sewing table. While I was excited about the challenge, I started questioning my ability to actually make this shirt. My mistake #1 was saying my concern out loud. I told my sweetie that if the shirt didn't turn out, he could wear it to work in the garden. His response was he would love a shirt to wear working in the yard. He decided he wanted his shirt in a that light weight crinkly fabric so that it would be cool. My mistake #2 was going to the Mood website and ordering this nice, cool cotton gauze. When it arrived, I loved the soft gauze and thought that it would make a wonderful summer sweater set. DH loved the fabric also and thought that it would be perfect for a summer garden shirt. Mistake #3 was not hearing the words "garden shirt" and continued with my plans for a tailored shirt. The fun began on the cutting table. Cutting little pieces from those lumps in the fabric was just plain crazy to do. Mistake #4 was my own stubborn attitude. I cut and sewed the entire shirt. At the point of the collar, I fully realized my insanity. If anyone can get a nice point on a collar from cotton gauze, I'm opened to suggestions. I doubt that I'll ever try it again!! Anyhow, here's the shirt with the guy wearing it. He's standing in front of his herb garden.

Silhouette 6012













During the "photo shoot", he said that the shirt was too nice to wear in the garden, but he will. That was a wonderful compliment but I wish that I had made the shirt in that nice cotton. Geez, I would have missed all that insanity fun. I do like this pattern and believe that it will make a great shirt in the proper fabric. The only sewing mishap was in the cut-out. I've never made a sleeve placket and cut out the sewing lines. That was one stupid thing to do. Fortunately, I had enough fabric to cut new sleeves (goodbye tank top for me). I followed Peggy Sager's "The Silhouette Man" DVD and actually enjoyed the process of making the shirt. I measured the chest of a shirt that fit DH and used that size without adjustments. I do need to make the shoulders about 1" shorter which should take care of the winkling in the top of the sleeve. The sleeves also need to be about 1" shorter. I left off the top button since he won't be wearing a tie with it (LOL). Also, he wanted the second button left off, but changed his mind after trying on the final product. I may fix that or maybe not. I know that the front placket is not very straight. That is a fabric problem and doesn't show unless someone like me is really looking at it. I will make this shirt again, but not right away. I'd like to make it in a cotton. If I use gauze again, there will definitely be some changes - only a collar stand, no fancy front placket, and roll up sleeves. For the immediate future, I'll be sewing for me!! I've made a number of garments-just have to get pictures.

Definitely Worth Mentioning

In May, I attended the Education of the Textile Arts Expo in Herndon, Virginia. It was great to have an opportunity to talk with so many enthusiatic sewers. I was able to take classes with some amazing sewing teachers like Lyla Messinger, Kathy Ruddy, and Emma Seabrooke. For me, the highlight of the expo was the three classes I took with Pamela Leggett of Pamela's Patterns. I came home with a camisole, undies, and an almost finished slip (had to leave to check out of the hotel or that would have been finished, too). Here are my 3 pieces of lingerie from Pamela's UnMentionables Worth Mentioning Pattern:

I especially like the undies and plan to make a dozen more of these. Yep, I'll have undies to match my knit tops - what a great way to use scraps. They take about 30 minutes to sew on a slow day (which is me on most days). They really do have no visible panty lines, as advertised. I made the high cut undie. These have good coverage which is important to me and still don't show under pants. I like cotton underwear because I live in steaming heat and don't want to wear fancy bikinis. That's about all I can find in my small size unless I special order them. I'm thrilled!! I do plan to make the full cut in the near future so I'll let you know how those are. I love the one undie that I made.

I love the slip, too. Finally, a slip that is short enough. It's almost faster to make a new slip than hem the crap sold at the stores - a lot less expensive to make and with better quality fabric. The slip does fit comfortably snug on my body, without the winkles showing in the flat picture. The sewing time is 30 to 60 minutes. I'll be making more and probably will get fancier - with lace, appliques and a camisole to match.

I'm not sure about the camisole in Pamela's pattern. It is a bit awkward to put on and get lined up probably. I'm sure that I'll get faster. I hope so because I'm usually in a hurry to get dressed and go.

Among the many things that I learned from Pamela (info coming soon as I apply them to garments), is that a great iron makes a big difference. I was using a Rowenta tank iron. It's a good iron. I certainly will keep it as a back up, but it doesn't work as well as the one Pamela sells. It's a Reliable Velocity Sensor iron made in Canada.

When the steam button, with low and high options, is on, the iron gives steady steam just by touching the handle. There also is an option to not turn off after a short period of not using it. I understand that there is a law now that requires the auto shut off. Of course, it has various heat option for diffent types of fabric.The iron is not cheap. I paid close to $200 at Expo pricing. It is worth every penny!

I'm excited just writing about this lingerie pattern. I think that I'll go cut out a pair of pink knit pants to match the top I made last week. This pattern can be addictive!

Happy Sewing!!

Bloglovin, Of Course

Like most other bloggers, I have registered on bloglovin. You can follow me at http://bloglovin.com.
I don't know what is going to happen tomorrow when Google Reader leaves. Hopefully, the dashboard will remain the same. I read blogs from the dashboard. At this point, I have a few problems with Bloglovin. (Maybe, I don't care much for change.) I haven't figured out how to make comments without leaving the site and going to the website of the blogger. I love comments and know most bloggers do. I've limited my computer time and hate spend time going to the actual website to make a comment. Also, I can't see all my followers. I appreciate everyone who follows my blog and would like to read what all of you are doing. I sure wish that blogloving had a place for questions and answers. Maybe these issues are just me. I hope so. If so, I'll figure them out eventually.

Finally, I'm starting to have some time for sewing. My blog posts will increase when I'm able to get pictures. It's the rainy season in "sunny" Florida. When the sun does come out, I use the occasion to work in the yard. Right now, it's just too dreary for any halfway decent pictures. I'll just get back to sewing and create more stuff for blogging when the sun comes out. Maybe it will tomorrow! :)

My Sewing Conundrum

When my life is busy (like really hectic) and there is no sewing time, I usually buy patterns and fabric. The items are on sale at prices too good to miss (or so my brain tells me). I find my behavior confusing. There are plenty of patterns and fabrics in my stash of goodies. I could spend my limited time sewing a seam or two. Do I do that? No, I spend my time exploring websites! When I'm involved with a sewing project, the sales don't appeal to me most of time...if I even notice them. I'm just too busy working on a project. Anyhow, I did buy some treasures. I'll have lots of fun with them if life allows.

The BVM sales are great. Here's what I bought:

Fabric Mart had a 50% off sale on double knit and ponte. In my defense, that type of fabric is lacking in my stash. I do need some basic wardrobe builder fabric.

Fabric Mart Ponte and double knit



Sawyer Brook only has a few sales during the year. I love their fabric. It's a bit pricey but well worth it.

Sawyer Brook sage silk and print cotton satin



Gorgeous Fabrics has great fabrics at a reasonable price but high shipping costs. There are sales almost every weekend. Most of the time I check the sales when I'm looking for something specific. This time I was looking for sage lace to go with the above pictured silk. When I found it, I had to have it knowing that the colors might not match. The fabric gods were with me and the colors are perfect. Of course, fabric doesn't like to travel alone so I bought a  couple of pieces to go with it.

Gorgeous Fabrics lace, print ponte knit and brown double knit

I did manage to work on the shirt for DH when all the sales (of interest to me) finally ended. I just have buttonholes and buttons to go.

That's all that's going on in my sewing world. Happy sewing!




Bits and Pieces

Since I last posted, I've felt scattered. My sewing reflected my feelings. I figured that it was time to sew Vogue 1250 like everyone else in blogland. When I saw Carolyn's most recent version of this dress, one of the fabrics in my stash started screaming "Me, Me". It's not a ponte. It's a gauze type fabric with a backing, but the houndstooth is similar. I purchased it from EOS because I loved the camel and brown color combination. This fabric was not a great choice for my first version because it raveled like crazy. Also, it didn't have enough stretch for this design. I took out the side seams as much as I could. With a bit more ease, I would like it better but it's wearable. I like it.

I'm still trying to decide how to finish the armholes and hem. Usually, I topstitch. I just don't think that would look very good with this fabric and design. I'll probably serge and hand stitch although I may use binding. Right now it's hanging in the closet waiting for the final inspiration. For the back I turned and used stitch witchery instead of a facing (got that idea from Carolyn). I like the way it finished the edge without a facing flapping around.

While procrastinating making that decision, I started working on a shirt for DH, Silhouette 6012.The definition of sewing insanity is making a tailored man's shirt in a cotton gauze, especially for the first time. I made the mistake of asking him what fabric he wanted. What a trip this has been! I've been trying to get all those points just right and, finally, realized that is not going to happen. It's crazy anyway. He wants to wear it in the garden to stay cool and protect him from the sun. I seriously doubt that he will notice those points. I have finished all the pieces and sewed the front and back together. The rest should be easy, right?

I was too lazy to press the sleeve before the picture. I just wanted to see my progress. The collar does have a band that I added after taking the picture.

My work on the shirt stopped when I needed something to wear to a funeral. At my age, I knew that I needed a funeral dress but it seemed morbid to start sewing one. I am tired of wearing my old black pants and t-shirt top. A good friend died of cancer last week. I was planning to take a picture after the funeral but just didn't feel like it. A picture of the dress will come in a future post. While appropriate for a funeral, it's also a nice date night dress.

Sewing has been slow the past few weeks because we are remodeling our master bathroom. It's hard for me to concentrate with all the banging, etc. going on. Here's my home work-in-process picture:

You can see the edge of embroidered quilt I made years ago. That's the only pretty part of this picture. I can't wait for the construction to be done!! I'd like to work on organizing and decorating my sewing room. I've seen so many great pictures on the blogs lately. I'll get to it - soon I hope.  I'd like to finish some of my bits and pieces first.

I did finish cutting out the lace anniversary dress except for the lining (which was orderd and only arrived a few days ago). I doubt that I will start the sewing until the end of May or June.

I've tired to resist all the wonderful fabric sales around. I barely have room for my large fabric stash. I saw this on EOS. It spoke to me and was in the cart before I knew it. I'm looking forward to an easy (hopefully) summer dress from the fabric. I want to end the post with a pretty picture so  here it is:

Silhouette 150 - Top #2

I managed to finish 2 tops for Faye's Essential Top Sew-A-Long! I'm proud of myself since I was sewing as I was finishing tax returns. If anyone reading this blog hasn't seen the sew-a-long tops, you can hop over to Faye's blog and see some amazing eye candy!! Here's my second top:

This is Silhouette 150 sleeveless version. Years ago I made this top and had horrible gapping problems in the front. I made the long sleeve version this winter and had no problems. I made a size 3 tampered to size 4. The only adjustment was raising the armhole half an inch for the sleeveless version.  It's a great 1 to 2 hour top. This is a close up of the front yoke.

I forgot to take a picture of the back. It has a slightly curved back yoke.

I'd love to continue making tops, but there are lots of other garments on my sewing list. Right now, the anniversary dress lace is on my cutting table. My anniversary isn't until the end of June so I doubt that I will start sewing it. That dress will be a long process. Why should I make it too far ahead of time? I'll probably make a simple dress or the shirt for DH that already is cut out. We'll see what mood strikes me!