Wednesday, October 28, 2009

Ripping Apart the Shirt

I've guiltily Sharpey'd up my husband's shirt.  To remember what it looked like, I took pictures.  Let's see if I remember how to put this together when I rip it apart.

Under collar, neck and yoke view.  I'm deciding whether to make the collar stay inserts.
 This is the right side where the buttons are attached.


This marks the pleat and where the sleeve matches up with the yoke.


Placket top (kind of self-explanatory)


Pleat and cuff assembly.


This shows the placket on top and underneath with the cuff detail.  (I don't like the look of the cuff- yuck)


Left side fold for buttonhole placement.

The shoulder seams are wide so I may ultimately use a pattern if after ripping this apart and finding it to be unadjustable easily.  Sure, I can make it this way since he's used to this but since it's supposed to fit right, I'm sneaking in some fitting;)  Don't tell.

Speaking of not telling.  I've officially stopped the Wardrobe Contest.  Only because Lance needs some new shirts and I want to make that zebra print trench coat.  Call me a quitter but that's what I'm going to do.  I do have other items cut out so all may not be lost- we'll see.

Tuesday, October 27, 2009

Necessity Trumps Me Again

Ok, my husband has bony elbows.  He recently wore through 2 of his really nice shirts.  I was planning on sewing for myself right now but now I need to take care of him.  Yes, I'm selfish but only temporarily.  Here are some of the fabrics he selected for his dress shirts.
  



They are 100% cotton from Michael's Fabrics; beautiful with a wonderful hand.  Both the top and bottom fabrics are a heavier woven.  The blue and red stripe is like a jacquard.  The middle striped fabric is a light-weight cotton- great for the spring and summer (this will be the last one I make).  This is after washing, drying and pressing- gorgeous.  I hear they are Zegna cottons.  When I priced the nicer shirts for men in Miami they were (gulp) $350 EACH!  I can make them for a lot less.  Unfortunately, my husband is more conservative than I am so they are going to be the typical dress shirt.  When I saw those outrageously expensive shirts in Miami I noticed they were made with contrasting inner cuffs and under collars.  Slowly I'll inch him toward something more daring.  After all, he is an accountant;)  (Curb my enthusiasm and make them generic- darn, darn, darn.)

I'm copying his favorite shirt.  After he wore through the elbows I took the shirt and hid it.  He would never let me rip it apart otherwise.  I'm going to label, photograph and then rip it apart.  I'd like to make it more fitted and longer in the sleeves and back.  He's 6'4 and thin so he needs the length and not the width.

Sunday, October 25, 2009

Expo is over and life starts again

What a great end to the weekend.  I learned how to screen print and dye fabric.  Watch me go now!  What a great week.  This was my first experience at the Sewing Expo and I'm happy.  Although, if I have to admit, the advertising company should be taken out back and shot.  Ok, that's a little strong but definitely fired.  The woman on the cover looked disheveled and unkempt.  Is this what people expect of sewists and quilters?  Disappointed!  Put some of the members of PR on the magazine and let us advertise (with a little monetary incentive) and we'll show you how it's done.  I was surprised by the limited number of exhibitors.  But, being my first, I had high expectations.

Cynthia Guffey was INCREDIBLE.  Yes, you're not supposed to use capital letters because it indicates shouting but I am!  I thought she made it so easy.  That's what I need- easy and not some couture mumbojumbo.  I am happy having things fit nicely that I can wear for years without having to do all that hand sewing- blick!  Cuddos to those who can do it: I'm forever in awe of your skills and patience.

So, finished up my pants and now now how to make the next pair.  They are great by average standards but now I'm in Cynthia Guffey realm... OCD here I come.  My jacket sleeve has been torn out and am encouraged that the canted sleeve can be remedied soon.  It had been several weeks since I was discouraged and stopped the project but when I tried it on it looked really cute.  So, time to finish it.

The Halloween party has now become a small friendly get-together.  Saturday is hard for parents (which we are not) so we've decided to make it really relaxed without costumes.  I've got mixed feelings about this since I really like Halloween and dressing up.  That's for another day to discuss.  Now my costume won't get in the way of my sewing for the Wardrobe Contest.

As it stands, I have 3 bottoms and 2 tops to finish in 5 weeks.  I know one top will be finished and likely, I will be distracted by my new Hot Patterns...  isn't that just typical????

Hope this week is better than last and I figure out what I'm going to do when I grow up.

Saturday, October 17, 2009

Feza Oriental Yarn Scarf

Since my sewing has yielded negative progress and the weather is changing to cold, I decided to get a little knitting done.  This is a super quick project- all of 3 hrs and I'm a slow knitter.

The yarn is Feza Oriental Yarn knitted on 17 circular needles in a straight knit stitch.  I wanted something bright and green to remind me of grass in the summer.  It's a little crazy but hey, I'm going to work it;)


Thursday, October 15, 2009

Pants are done- NOT!

Ok, I finished the pants and put them on.  Not bad, need a little tweaking sooooo- yep, I ripped out the waistband and then oops, the zipper pull gracefully separated from the zipper.  Ok, I handle this.

Nope, couldn't fix it.  So, I ripped out the whole zipper and facing.  Pretty much back to square one.

Basted the zipper in again and caught the lining- can we say it's not a good night to sew?  Removed the lining and now am back to putting the zipper in the pants.  I hate to think I have not accomplished anything and have made negative progress this evening but it appears to be happening.

After I get these darn pants finished it is a break from the wardrobe contest to make 2 Halloween costumes before the weekend is out.  Calgon, take me away...

Saturday, October 10, 2009

Photos of some of the finished projects

More items for the Wardrobe Contest on PR 2009



BWOF top 1/09 top from a Rayon/Lycra from Gorgeous Fabrics.  Cute pattern- wide at the upper bust but cute details.   I used a selvage treatment at the neckline to keep it stabilized and keep it from gapping.  It seems to work well.
Hot Patterns T-shirt- 14oz. Rayon Jersey from Gorgeous Fabrics.  This is going to be a favorite pattern of mine- so comfy and easy.
Both of these tops got the cover stitch treatment at the neckline.  I'm getting to love that machine.


BWOF 1/09- #111 skirt from Rayon Double-knit from Emma One Sock.  This skirt has cute detail and an interesting waistline.  I'll put pics of it up so you can see how it finished out.

I'm still sewing and taking more pictures.  I hope to have another top finished and a pair of pants finished today.  Stay tuned for more pictures.  I'll dissect the items later.

This is a Jalie pattern- it looks like it's gapping at the neckline- hmmm.  When I look at it in the mirror it looks fine.  I must be standing funny...

It's cold, unseasonably so; I'm sewing today and going to start cinnamon rolls- yummy.

Tuesday, October 6, 2009

Hot Patterns T-shirt Done



Ok, after a failed attempt at a Hot Patterns outfit this one is a success.  I love the t-shirt pattern. (photo courtesy of Hot Patterns.com)  It was short so I added 3 inches to the length and also an inch to the sleeves.  To top it off, I made a binding for the neckline.  A final finish involved the cover stitch machine.  I think I need the special foot to keep it even while stitching...




The fabric is 14 oz. Rayon Jersey from EOS.  I really wish I'd gotten all the colors because it feels so nice!  They've had a shortage of this type of jersey recently so I'm eagerly awaiting more of it.  They have a nice gray so I'm going to add that to my stash and make another Hot Patterns T-shirt.
Hot Patterns link for t-shirt


  

Monday, October 5, 2009

Busy Day

The topper is getting a little hand sewing now to attach the lining.  I was disappointed that the fabric arrived dirty but have since added to the dirt by my new Juki leaking onto the winter white fabric.  Yes, it will have to be cleaned prior to wearing.  Does anyone know where I can get dry cleaning solution?  My grandmother used Energene (sp?) and it worked well but I don't know where to find it.

I've rehemmed the sleeves on the 2nd top and muslined the Vogue pants as of today.  My denial continues that I am petite in the crotch but I did have to take it up a little so it wasn't looking like "hammer time".  Tomorrow I plan to sew them up.

As far as my plans for the summer and getting my tennis lessons, I'm going to start on Thursday.  Also, finished the continuing education for my license.  That's a lot for one day.  If I can accomplish this much every day I'm unemployed then when I start my work again life will be easy-breezy.  (in theory)

This weekend I'm planning on taking pictures of the items I've finished for the Wardrobe Contest.  By then my hair will be highlighted again- yeah!

Thursday, October 1, 2009

Tomorrow is the end but the beginning

Ok, to those of you who have been following my saga, tomorrow is the last day at my job.  This is a big deal for me since it also means I need to decide when to start my own practice.  Being the security conscious type that I am, quitting without a final plan is "uncomfortable" to say the least.  I am leaving behind many wonderful patients who are my surrogate family in many ways.  Tears are going to come but the future will be bright- even if I have to drag myself kicking and screaming into it.