Busy, but no sewing

Remember when Sew News magazine was this size? I realize from this photo you can't really tell how big they are, but they are the size between the size they started out with and the size they are now. Real informative, huh? In the beginning, Sew News was a rather large newsprint magazine.



I've been "cleaning out" a closet and "under the bed" these last few days and ran across some of the old magazines that had found their way to the closet corner and buried under other "stuff." I thumbed through some of these oldies and ripped out interesting tidbits that I thought worth saving. Most of them were from the mid 90s. One of the things that seems strange in looking these over today is the lack of website addresses. Seems so strange now -- no websites noted. How quickly we (I) get spoiled!

No sewing here. What started the "cleaning out" was the fact that a new mattress was delivered on Thursday. We purchased a Sleep Number bed and, after one night, I think I'm really going to enjoy it! Anyhow, back to cleaning--I knew the dust bunnies were running rampant under there as the vacuum only reaches so far. So, that cleaning seemed to start a bit of a chain reaction that led to a part of the walk-in closet which bled over into the sewing room that was becoming rather a 'catch all'. There is still much to do in the way of "cleaning out" and, hopefully, I will continue more next week.

The sewing bug hasn't bitten so I might as well go with the cleaning bug at this point.

I did visit a yarn shop on Wednesday with 3 friends. We had a great time and I got some inspiration to pick up a shell/top I had begun knitting back in January. I've done socks since January, but had lost interest in the shell. I spent a few hours this afternoon working on it. I would like to get it finished before I leave this world!

I'm keeping up with my blog reading and I'm so impressed with what you all are sewing out there! I know my mojo will return. I'm just rolling with the flow right now!

My Fabric Haunts

Reader Cheryl Reeves asked in a comment a few posts back about where my "haunts" are located. She lives in the metroplex, so, Cheryl, this is for you.

There are several places on Perth Street in Dallas. Perth Street is a short street off Harry Hines Blvd. You would turn right or left depending which way you were travelling on Harry Hines onto Perth Street. My two favorites on that short street (Perth) are Super Textiles and C&C Fabrics. They seem to have more of what I'm interested in buying. "Best Fabrics" is on the corner of Harry Hines and Perth, and if you are looking for formal wear fabric, you will find some here.

Most of the warehouses on Perth are not air conditioned so keep that in mind if you go during the hot months of the year. I always try to be there first thing in the morning so I don't melt. I believe stores hours for most of them are 9:30 a.m. to 5 p.m.

Also, on Harry Hines is Golden D'Or Fabrics (sorry I don't have the street address, but I'm sure you can google it). They have a wide variety of fabrics and notions.

Then, there is Pursley's Discount Fabrics on North Main Street in Duncanville. It's a short distance off of I-20 when you take the North Main exit off I-20. It is near the Ben Franklin store. Again, I'm sure you can google and get exact address. They carry fabric, more buttons than I have EVER seen before, lace, zippers, etc.

If you manage a trip to any of these places, drop me a comment and let me know how you liked them!

Jeans

I've had the McCalls Palmer and Pletch jeans pattern for a while now. Why, I don't know, but I decided to try my hand at them. I had a bolt of black cotton/lyra denim that I picked up for $1.50/yd. This could make a good muslin.

I made no adjustments to the pattern and I cut them out. The pattern allowed for 1" seam allowances. Since my hip measurement fell between the size 14 and 16, I went with the 14 due to the additional seam allowance.

Here they are:





I did make one adjustment after I tried them on the first time. I sewed a more "L" and deeper back crotch seam. It helped, but it's still not right.

Looking back now, I probably should have left McCalls alone and started with a Burda. Oh well, this was a good learning and sewing experience.

Problems I have:

Back waist is too low which means I need a longer or extended crotch seam. Probably needs a flat seat adjustment (do I even have a butt back there????). These two changes would probably help alot. Not sure if I'll slash and add to this muslin to see what I might come up with or just toss and find a Burda WOF pattern. I'll have to see what mood I'm in when the jeans bug bites again. Could be tomorrow or may not be for a while.

Rest of the Jacket Photos

A live model------------







Buttons (I had only these 2) from a button tin I got on Ebay a few years ago. I like the buttons, so when this jacket goes by the way of the donation box, different buttons will be sewn on and these will go back in the tin.

And following is the cuff and the incorrect illustration of the pattern.

Finished with frustration

Sorry, I don't have the pattern number of this Simplicity at my fingertips right now. I will post it tomorrow, and I have more photos to add. Stay tuned.

Pattern Description: Misses Jacket in Two Lengths with Neckline and Sleeve Variations

Pattern Sizing: I have the sizing pattern Misses 6-14

Did it look like the photo/drawing on the pattern envelope once you were done sewing with it? For the most part.

Were the instructions easy to follow? NO, NO, NO! I am supposing the other project runway patterns are similar in instruction and if they are--I probably WON'T BUY others. The instructions are hard to follow (and I've been sewing for 40+ years) AND confusing. I sewed the cuffs on incorrectly because the photo in the instructions sheet shows to match the sleeve seam with the cuff vent. WRONG! I go alot by the pictures rather than the "dots". The pattern dot's were marked correctly but the instruction illustration was WRONG.

What did you particularly like or dislike about the pattern? I do think the final garment is cute and I think I will wear it; howver, I'm not sure how often I will wear because the neckline is awfully wide. I'll try it with a tank top and see how it looks.

Fabric Used: It's a type of an embroidered cotton. Very pretty fabric.

Pattern Alterations or any design changes you made: I cut a straight 14 and was hoping for enough bust ease as I'm measure about 1" larger in the bust that the pattern measurements for a size 14. It fits fine.

Would you sew it again? Would you recommend it to others? I probably won't sew this one again. Recommend? Maybe, but be careful trying to follow the instructions.

Conclusion: I wish I had read the other review here for this particular view. I think it was Claire. If I had, I probably wouldn't have made the mistakes with the cuffs and had to rip them out and re-sew. However, I might not have made it at all. Live and Learn!

I won! I WON!!!!!

Some interfacing from Pam from Off the Cuff Style!

I am so excited!

If you have yet to visit her blog, click quickly. She has so much valuable sewing information AND she sews WONDERFUL garments!

Thanks, Pam.

Another Top from Simplicity Pattern

This is the second version of this top.

It still needs a hem; I've just not gotten around to threading the coverstitch machine with the correct thread. I still may get to it today.





This is rayon/lycra fabric from FashionFabrics.com. It's been in the stash a while. When I decided to use this pattern--and decided to chevon the stripes--well, let's just say the pattern layout was "all over the grainline!" Thankfully, the stretch factor made it easy to work with (and around).

The end of this past week was busy with commitments and errands so no sewing was happening. And, I think right now I'm getting into a mojo slump. I hope it doesn't last long.

The Rest of the Fabric

from last Tuesday's shopping trip:

From left to right:

white stretch terry (oh do soft), navy wool/rayon mix (very nice hand), teal rayon/spandex knit, red rayon/poly double knit



cottons



and this is a denim and orange chenille type design sewn on to a tulle. I'm thinking flowy top or skirt for the DGD.





I haven't added this haul to my fabric tracking over on the right yet. I need to count the number of yards.

I did sew myself a top today (well, except for the hem). Hope to get photos up tomorrow.