3rd Annual Pattern Review Sewing Bee Round 2

Oops, so I'm not the best blogger.  Whatever...

Here's the photos of my jacket.

Whoop Whoop Whoop! PR Weekend Time!

Tomorrow I head up to Chicago with Melody, Judith and Charlene, otherwise known as Ody, JAS, and CharKS on PatternReview.  We're taking the train up from KC, a 7+ hour ride and I have my knitting ready.

My bags are semi-packed and I still have nothing to wear.  I've done a lot of sewing recently, yet they are still pieces that don't go with anything.

I definitely feel fashioned challenged.

Well, as it's too late to worry and I don't like feeling stressed, I'll just accept it as it is for now.

But, when I get back and start sewing again (since I know this is going to be highly motivating) I think I'm going to work on outfits.  I have "pinned" a bunch of things I've like over the years on Pinterest, so I'm going to work with things I've liked, and then try to recreate them.

That's my plan at least...I also have baby stuff to start working on as I'm expecting 2 grandsons by this Fall.  They will be my first and I have lots of projects to do.

So until next week....happy sewing.

Let me think about it

I've actually had a few people mention "my blog" recently, and to be honest, it's kind of (obviously) not on my mind lately.

I've done a lot of sewing, gobs actually, but I don't know what to write about.

If I make an item and want to remember what I've done, I just tend to write a review for Pattern Review.  It's pretty funny to go back and read old reviews.

So maybe I'll get the blogging bug back, maybe not.  But I still have the sewing bug, and fabric buying bug, and pattern buying bug.

And I'm really looking forward the Pattern Review Weekend in Chicago.  I've never gone to one before.  I'm truly looking forward to meeting all the other sewing enthusiastic women who will be there.  That will give me something to talk about on this blog.

Oh, and I did make my red jeans for the Shopping Spree day.  Till next time around.

Merry Christmas

I want to wish everyone a very Merry Christmas.

My daughter was married just a few days ago, here is the lovely shawl I knitted for her.  The pattern is on Ravelry, it's called Snow Angel, and she looked just like one, absolutely beautiful.

 My sister was visiting for the week and was busy knitting up dishcloths, so of course I had to make one myself.  I think I'll be making a bunch of these in the near future, but I need to buy some more colorful yarns.

I'm looking forward to 2016.  I don't know what is in store for me craftwise.  I have a few ideas in my head.  I'd like to reupholster a few items (not something I'm experienced in) and perhaps work on some crocheted potholders and such.  Of course I'll sew and do some knitting.  But I'd really like to do a few things around the house, bigger projects, and I hope to share them as they are completed.

Perfecting the Slack with Fit For Art Pants Pattern

That's my current goal, to perfect a slacks style pattern for everyday pants (which I do wear every day.)

I'm using the pattern from Fit for Art and have also signed up for the pants fitting class on Pattern Review with Sarah Veblen.

I started with my first muslin and picked wrong.  I used a size Medium with a back 1.  There are 3 backs per size, 1 is for flat buttucks, 2 is round, and 3 is more rounded.  You pick based on hips sizes and what you think/know your backside is shaped like.  Considering I always have fabric under the butt I assumed that meant flat, which is does for the most part, but not based on my size.

My hips and abdomen (not waist) both measured 42" at the time I measure.  

The first muslin was too, tight, so I went up to the back 2, and I still didn't have enough crotch depth. I drew out the back 3 for the medium and just looking at it knew it would be too big.

That's when I decided to sign up for the online class and watch all the videos.  I started to think maybe I needed the back 3 but for the size Small.

I posted my "hello" post on the class board and Sarah popped in immediately and suggested the Small pattern with the back 3.

This afternoon I drew that one out, added extra fabric for my waist area and went to work.  Below are my muslin shots (taken with a cell phone and two mirrors.)

I'm happy with the fit and this weekend hope to sew my first pair of pants which will basically be a wearable muslin to see how they fit.  Then it's just adjust as needed and keep perfecting the pattern.

Warm Winter Coat

I finished the Lutterloh coat from Supplement 294, item #159.  I think it turned out great and trust me, I was not thinking that as I was sewing.

It is maybe a touch too big, but seriously, now I'm getting particular.

Here are some pictures.

Finished Tops from Supplement 294, Item 143, August 2014

Okay, so here we go with two finished shirts from the same pattern.  Both of them are made from a heavier weight knit, stuff from my stash, all polyester I'm guessing.  The lighter gray one is a softer fabric, the darker gray has metallic threads throughout.

Comparing it to the shirt I followed the approximate measurements off of, the fabric weight is different enough that I do think the armhole could have been a bit deeper, maybe 1/2".

Honestly, they are fine.  This is the one part of sewing that pisses me off.  We expect something to fit us perfectly, yet we wouldn't think twice buying something that fits us less well.  It fits over my bust and my waist and my hips.  Unless I put in a bust dart I will have a fold of fabric at the bust, it's the nature of the beast.

I'm really pleased with the shape of the neckline, and I prefer 3/4 length sleeves to long sleeves any day.  I have super short arms and sleeves tend to be much too long.