Victory! In other words, user error.

Dear Readers,

Hurray!  I figured out what I was doing wrong with the threading - user error.

 I used the wrong needles (I was told that the serger could use "any" sewing machine needle.  Well, I checked the manual and it clearly specifies the needle system number (130/705 H household) and range of size of needles (70 - 90) - I was using jeans and topstitching needles...oops.  Also, I was using cotton thread - the manual specifies the types of thread (polyester, synthetic, darning, wooly nylon) and thread size - and cotton is not mentioned. . . so back to cheap serger thread that works perfectly!

During my sewing downtime, I was lusting after some Hotpatterns - please see below . . . I'd love to make a sharp jacket and jeans slacks. . .

I don't mind this satchel, either:

Pretty sharp - don't you think.  I've got a tons of projects waiting - my next two - I need some quick and easy fixes. . . 

Thanks for hanging in there with me . . . 

Trying to sew!

Dear readers,

I apologize for my absence - I am waiting to finish my Burda Sew-Along pants after two muslins - here are the pictures: first, the fabric (waiting patiently on the ironing board), and second, my second Muslin.

To be honest, I have been ridiculously busy at work (traveling) but the real reason for my long-awaited UFOs (now!) is that I cannot thread my serger!  Yes,  in the middle of my Pants Sew-Along - I tried to change the thread, but gasp - could not!  I am going to retry tomorrow after waiting a week and acquiring some other thread - but it is very frustrating - I was ready to run out and buy a babylock after those five precious hours of fiddlin' with my Vintage Bernette 334D.  Any suggestions are appreciated.

My Janome has also been skipping stiches and I believe, need to be adjusted as well.  Of course!

In the meantime I have been:

(1) Visiting the 19th Academy of Motion Pictures Costume Design exhibit at FIDM!  Really fun - and pretty quick visit!!  My favorites were the Alice in Wonderland costumes, True Grit, and Wall Street (of all things!). . . They also had the Burlesque costumes - whew - Christina Aguilera is really tiny (as well as Shia LeBouf and Ellen Page).

(2) Checking out the new Rodarte exhibit at MOCA in LA.   Rodarte (the Mulleavy sisters) had a hand in the costumes in Black Swan.

(3)  Oiling my scissors.  When I bought my dog grooming scissors at the Eukanuba Dog Show in Long Beach - they gave me some oil - and each year - they give me new oil when I have them sharpened.  I used to to oil my sewing scissors - (where the scissors meet at the base not on the blades) and wow!  They are sharp and quiet again! A picture of the oil syringe below.

Hopefully, I can figure out this threading issue!  More to follow, dear readers!

Vogue 8667 Finally Finished:)

Dear Readers,

Ok, I'm only two weeks late on the publishing of this finished dress.  My second, and it's a much better fit.  I worked hard on the bodice with the princess seams.

Here's the back view - which is a better fit than what this picture suggests.

''

Whew!  Boy I need a haircut.  

I've reviewed this pattern before so, here we go:

What I liked:  Fun, easy, princess-seam pattern with retro good looks in a variety of styles.  I love the two-tone - which Eugenia ingeniously concocted in one of her dresses.  Great fit.  I added the selvage flowers and pockets which match the bodice. . . 

Peek-a-boo

 Flowers - my big design element.

My challenges:  The bodice fit - which I blogged about last post.  I wish I could add the collar to this version - I ran out of tropical material.  I lined it - which was challenging considering the double knit material I used on the skirt and somewhat skewed the absolutely perfect fit I had going on previously.  

I also handpicked the zipper and used a variety of couture techniques. . . fell stitching on the armholes and to finish the lining.  

Hand-picked Zipper.  My favorite.

Next up:  I'm in the middle of the pants sew-a-long by Sunni, The Cupcake Goddess, working on my muslin fit.  I am taking a cloning class by Kenneth King, and I've been shout out by Sue of Sew-Misunderstood!  Thanks - the posts are forthcoming.

This dress should work wonderfully  -  I'm headed to Hawaii in a week for two weeks for a work trip - although I planned to make a new bathing suit - that project has now been delayed. .  . Pattern review on this dress to follow. 

Vogue 8667 Version 2 Almost!

Dear readers,

I've almost finished Vogue 8667 version 2.  The dress is pictured below - it needs some finishing - which I will do upon my return from a trip east later this week:


First, I must thank (profusely) Eugenia from Eugenia's (Fabulous) World of Fashion, who gave me the idea of the two tone ensemble when my fabric selection for the bodice was insufficient in terms of amount of material.

She constructed the same dress in this method and its a knock out.

I have also constructed two deconstructed flowers to attach to the dress - in the shoulder/bodice area, I think. . 

I will model the dress next weekend  - however, I did two processes I may not choose to do again on this dress.  First, I lined the dress with cotton voile - I think that affected the fit a bit - although it's a great fit so far - it actually felt better without the lining (I'll explain that in the next post).

Second, I added pockets and looking at the silhouette I believe this changed the lines of the skirt.

By the way, if you don't know - Auburn is playing in the BCS National Championship in Arizona (I'm on a last minute trip and missing the game).  However, as sewing inspriration - I'd like to give a shout out to Sister at
Living La VIda Loca! - who has sewn, and perfected, the perfect Kwik Sew polar fleece jacket.  War Eagle!!

Tent in Living Room, also known as Why I have NOT finished my Second Vogue Dress!

I want to finish before the New Year!!   But, you can see I've been up to no good with the time off :)

Dare I mention that I've been mesmorized by the snow on the mountains surrounding Los Angeles  -  I seemingly have contracted what is known in these parts as "snow fever."  Must go . . . see snow. . . 

Intermediate? Maybe, but Burda Newbie

Hello Readers,

I guess everyone is preparing for the New Year - I've still had trouble finding time for sewing.  I changed my rating on Pattern Review to Intermediate, one step up from Advanced Beginner.    I'm now doubting that.  I've joined the Burda Pants Sew-Along from The Cupcake Goddess.  However, it has been an uphill slope:

First, what have I signed up for?

Second, I finally used highlighter to mark the pieces, but realized there is a pattern piece number 2 black, number 2 yellow, number 2 green. Oops.  Mine are pieces 1 - 5 black.  I then used a black sharpie (not the recommended method to show the correct pieces). 

This is a tall pattern, hurray!  Perfect, seemingly, for me.  And I plan to trace it out  -  any tips from anyone? I've never cut out a Burda.  According to the sew along - we're using 1" seam allowances generally and 5/8 SA for the crotch seam. . .  again, any tips are appreciated. . . 

Finally, I'm finishing up my second Vogue dress and I wanted to post what I did to alter the pattern for the lower bust (on princess seams). On my initial muslin - it appeared the bust point was too high by just over an inch.

I used the method from FFRP (Fit for Real People) - and it worked liked a charm.  Initially I tried to "cheat" and lengthen the shoulder seam (not good).   The FFRP method resulted in an accurate and precise bustline on the princess seamed bodice.

Here I cut out and moved down the bodice point. I lowered it the corresponding distance (just over 1") and drew in the new seamlines.

Accordingly, I did the same below on the corresponding piece.

What I don't show is that I actually had to alter the horizontal bustpoint to give more room from bust point to bust point.  I was wider by 2".   I don't have pictures to show that adjustment however, but I did so by adding to the center princess seam pieces and subtracting from the side center seam pieces.

I hope to post the dress before this Holiday is over!! But with the way things are going I give that prediction a 50/50...

Happy Holidays!

Happy Holidays to all!  I am thankful for many blessings in my life, for all the talented home sewers blogging and for being able to write this blog.

I haven't been posting as I've been so busy (both traveling for work and at home) -  but I am gearing back up in January - I'm taking Kenneth King's Clone Your Favorite Garment class on Pattern Review (starting January 10) and I am doing a Burda Pants Sew-Along from The Cupcake Goddess.

By the way, I did buy a ham and sew roll from The Cupcake Goddess and they are so much fun - she actually wrapped them in old patterns for mailing.  Adorable (and the smell of newly cut sawdust is to die for).

By the way, I have to give a shout out to the productive sewing blogger -
Katie's Blog.  Her blog provides me with countless tips.  Check out her blog - I highly recommend it.

A few months ago I found what I thought was a Janome-sponsored blog that gave all kinds of tips (for example, home-sewn flowers for decoration on garments) - but I've lost the bookmark!  If anyone knows of this site - please let me know!  UPDATE 12/25:  I found it - it's Janome's Sew 4 Home website - the tattered flowers I was looking for can be found there - here's an example below - I'm going to make some of these and add to my Vogue Hawaiian Dress (if I can get off the couch today!).