Life happens Be Positive

September is National Sewing Month

After reading an article in the Women's Day October Issue magazine (page 46) called " My Idea made me money", I  had to reflect on how being able to sew my own knit dresses have changed how I look and how much I spend on my clothing for my closet.

In summary, the article is about two retired models that couldn't find anything suitable for their changing physique; had a bright idea (more trivial than originall)  to find a seamstress who can make clothes for them. This then rolled into creating a clothing company (again, nothing ground breaking) because their was a need for these knit dresses in their demographic.

Believe me, I don't "knock their hustle", they are providing a much needed commodity. Knit dresses are a main stay in most women closets right now, but they can get up there in price depending on where you shop.

 

If you go to their website, you will see a few dresses that resemble patterns produced by the "Big 4" companies.
I can't help but be tickled by the fact that I can probably make every dress in that line up, its like an instant self esteem boost.

Makes me happy.

 
Like most things in life, when you have the skill, after a while, you tend to not think about its value and articles like this just reminds me of what I have and what its actually worth.

 
 

SS2011 Set 2: Butterick 5615 & Mccall 5523

 

This is my first two piece work-suit I've made since I started sewing.

I've always wanted to make a tailored suit, but I don't really want to do the work, you know?

So, baby steps and by the looks of this one, I think I have potential.

Patterns Used:

Butterick 5615

Mccalls 5523

  

• I used 2.75 yds of Cotton/lycra from Fabricmartfabrics.com
• My usual 1 inch petite adjustment for the blouse (size 14), lengthen the peplum an inch to bring it back to its original length.
• Made size 18 skirt, not adjustments.
• No additional notions other than what was started on pattern envelopes.

 

 

 

 

Part One

Part two

getting the milk for free

well.... at least until the cow gets here.

I ordered my copy of Nancy Zieman's Sewing A to Z and I'm waiting for it to arrive but you know I am a lush for videos so of course I found something to cool my impatience until my book arrives.

check it out yourself

Part One

Part Two

Part Three

I swear, everyone should release a video with insights from their book, I can't wait to get it. Now I just want to fill in the letters she left out :)

Bend back and Press

I enjoy posting these sewing tutorial videos, its so thought provoking.

I think most of us know how to insert an invisible zipper but there is so many ways to do the same thing, it never hurts to see another way of doing a technique right?

I have never pressed the crease open on my zipper with my iron, I probably wouldn't dare just in case the iron was too hot, but then again, I just have never thought about it, I will be trying that next time as she instructed.

And using a longer zipper that is required, is that something everyone does?

I usually just buy the recommended lenght but I see how making you own zipper stop makes it easier to end it where you want.

 

Enjoy!

A simple way to achieve great corners

The best part of this video has to be how excited she is to have learnt this new technique. In my experience, its ALWAYS the little things that help and I've been there so I know how it feels.

 

Enjoy!

Prep work

Last weekend, I didn't sew an inch.

I got my copy of the new vogue 1258 pattern and I went into FULL PREP MODE.

I've been wanting to document my process for a while, now I can just give out a link when I get asked the question, how do you get so much done in a short period of time for your sewing.

I think some people may think that the garments are not well made or I'm cutting corners left and right.

Nope, I just don't do it all at once, I do so much "prep" that when I'm actually sewing, everything that can be done before hand, is complete. What you see every week, is the result of planning and prep work, just like what happens behind the scenes of your favorite sitcom.

The only thing I didn't show in the video, is INTERFACED FABRIC PIECES, that was another tip someone bless me with that I used also, interface your pieces after you cut it out and put it in the bag so you don't have to take a break of your sewing to get up and do that step.

Enjoy!

little things that work

Butterick Fall Collection - My picks

Happy Dance, happy Dance, I finally got some patterns that I'm actually excited about.

 

YAY!!!