Notes to self about Lutterloh Patterns

I've already read through the entire thread about Lutterloh on Pattern Review, and I'm actually reading through it a second time and taking a few notes for myself.  Luckily I have enough experience with patterns to understand what I've been doing so far, but I'm sure I'll be stumped at some point.

I was reading on the PR thread about the grainline and one person mentioned how she couldn't "establish" it and someone else mentioned copying the grainline from the little pattern to the drawn off pattern.

My "note to self"...that is wrong.  The grainline is drawn on the pattern, but you don't establish it until you've drawn off the pattern.  For example, the grainline of a back pattern piece will always be going straight down the center back, but the little drawing doesn't know if your bust starts at 100 and hips go to 120, or if it is 85 cm and hips 110.  That back grainline will appear different than the little yellow lutterloh pattern.  And the grainline of a front piece is parallel to the center front, which is marked on the pattern.

I did a little googling to verify the sleeve grainline.  Here's a perfect description of how to find it on the Fashion Incubator - How to find grainline on a sleeve.

I really see where people can get confused by these patterns, thinking it "should look" like the little yellow drawing, but no, it shouldn't at all, it should look like whatever it will look like based on your numbers.

I whipped up a little sweatshirt yesterday, finished it up today.  It's super cozy.  I have a long way to go to understand some of the fit, it's a little too large, but it's also a sweatshirt.  I think I'll redraw it a little smaller and compare the pattern.  I'd like to make it again.

Final Entry - Pattern Review Sewing Bee

Wowzer, was that ever a ride.  I really had fun working on my entries, and I'm also happy to be finished.  My final projects is this pair of pants using the new Lutterloh kit I received just a week ago. I can't wait to start another project using it.

Link to Picasa Web Album

Review on PR website

The Mad Seamstress

I can see my direction has changed since my last post in.....September?  I'm not a very good blogger. That is so me though, my mind always goes for a spin in another direction. I can't do all the things I want to do or have ideas for, etc.

But I should blog a bit, so I'm thinking I'll work on that before the end of the year, change things up, and freshen up the blog and actually use it.

I've been busy sewing for the Pattern Review Sewing Bee, having just finished up Round 3, though we won't know who passes on to Round 4 until this weekend.  It's been so much fun and so very motivating.

Challenge 1 was an A-line Skirt

Challenge 2 was reconstructing from men's buttondown shirts.

Challenge 3 was a knit dress from 2 fabrics (pattern given to us.)

Wish me luck as I do hope to pass on to the next round.

A new focus

I'm feeling slightly disillusioned, let me explain.  First of all, yes, I've been sewing.  I love sewing and it's my entertainment.  The other day I went thrifting and I bought loads of clothes, all nice and new and in my colors (a later post to come about that) and I spent a whopping $38.  That's what I'd spend on one new pair of slacks, and buying fabric for a nice pair of slacks is not much different.

I do need new bras as I've gained weight again, so my new focus is going to be bras again.  I really want to compare different patterns and shapes and such.

Reason this came to mind is that I recently downloaded a new bra pattern, took my measurements (as I expected) and made up my bra.  Now, to be honest, the last time I did that with a KwikSew pattern, it fit perfectly, obviously something that rarely happens.  But I did think I'd be close enough in size for some minor alterations.

Not at all, this bra was so tiny, I was just shocked.  I could tell while making it that the cup wasn't going to fit.

I spent this morning cutting out cups of different sizes, and it made me think about making bra muslins and such, so that's going to be my new focus -- bras and fit and patterns and such.

So of course I found a different pattern to download...so much fun.

More to come.

Vintage Sewing Notion Collage

Talk about a fun project I just did.  I was looking at vintage sewing notions on Pinterest and saw an idea for a collage, and then came up with my own idea.

A few of the notions I already had, and I bought a couple things at a local sewing resale shop.  The frame was one we had, which I spray painted and then dry brushed to make it look old.  You can find instructions all over for how to make a "vintage picture frame."

Isn't it just adorable, and it really didn't cost much to make at all.  And now I have some art for my sewing room.

Lots of sewing lately....and pants for the contest

I really need to do a little posting, but what I think I'll do it just post photos of some of my latest projects, all of which will have reviews on Pattern Review.

These slacks have been submitted for the Pants contest this month.  I would be grateful for any votes.  I used the SureFit Designs pants kit.

I did a couple cardigans from the Silhouette Patterns Twin Set, and used the instructions from one of her webcasts recently.

I made some cute linen capris, also from SureFit designs and did embroidery on the leg.

Cassiope - Shawl

I finished a cute and actually simple shawl this past week.  I know the words "shawl" and "simple" rarely go together, but  this one didn't overly tax me at all.

Here are a  couple photos:

A bit thanks to Jennifer for the skein of yarn.