Back to Bloggin'

Dear readers,

I'm sorry to say I've been very lax in posting these past two years.  It has taken me quite some time to turn the corner on my grief of losing my late partner of 12 years, J.  I also had a 'bout with a serious illness (all is well, now).  I feel like perhaps I can start posting now.  If you have experienced the loss of a family member, spouse, partner, parent or (god forbid) child - I have found certain things helpful.  A therapist, a widow's group, friends, travel; for podcasts, I liked "What's your grief?" and for books, for me (and I have probably read enough to get a Ph.D in grief) I particularly liked A grief obseved by C.S.Lewis, and Second Firsts. I also liked the (Joan) Didion books, and could appreciate Cheryl Strayed's book on the PCT but not until after a year had passed for those memoir type of readings; I needed some perspective.

Two of my favorite quotes are "No one told me grief felt so much like fear" (C.S. Lewis) & "Grief is sneaky, very sneaky  . . but life is sneaker and more alive than grief could ever be." (Second Firsts).  Although when you are in the raw mix of emotions, any quotes feel trite.

So back to the point of this blog:  I have been doing all kinds of craftsy things, and meeting my fiber goals.  I've been an active (somewhat) member of the Ventura County Handweavers and Spinner's Guild.  I have learned to weave on a rigid heddle and spin (see pictures below).  I've even been spindling, and finally I have a Mirrix tapestry loom BUT have not been successful (yet):

I've been doing all kinds of knitting, mostly hats as gifts (more on that in a later blog) and am finishing up a sweater now.  On Ravelry my name is pammieandtheps, here is a teaser but again, I will do a blog post on my adventures in knitting:

My sewing has taken a back seat to my other fiber goals but I've made a two skirts and a four blouses.  I've even made some bad forays into bra making (one successful -- one not so much).
My skirt, a rugged linen from stash, followed by a lined sequin skirt - which I completed last minute right before a party:

In other fiber-y things, I even started rug making (latch hook -- remember that?).   Yes, perhaps I've lost my mind!

Dear readers, I'm not ashamed to tell you I know a whole lot more about sheep than I ever used to.

I hope you all are well, and I've been diligently reading my bloglovin' with your wonderful posts.

See you all very soon (A presto!),

XOXO,

P.

Another (fun) Self-Drafted A-Line Skirt

Dear readers,

I've made another skirt from my skirt sloper - this time I made an A-line skirt using the adjustments I've learned from two sources. . .

 The fabric is from G-Street Fabrics - $6.00 on their "skirt ends" table.

 A back view above, showing the A-line shape.

 I keep getting photo-bombed by my Kerry, Pixie.

 I inserted a quick lining from the stash - albeit a bit uneven.  It peeks out when I sit - but at this point - I'm ok to live with that:)

 This methodology is what I merely used.  Adding a bit of flare at the side of the skirt.  This reference is from a used book:  "How to Design your own clothes and make your own Patterns" by Claudia Ein.  I do like some of the ideas.

 And, adding to the flare is an option, slash and spread method by Helen Joseph Armstrong, "Patternmaking for Fashion Design."  I didn't use the slash and spread method as the skirt materials didn't drape as well, and it is suiting material.  Although I do plan to use this method sometime in the future.

 Photobombed again!

Finally!  Still photo-bombed but you can see the shoes.  Fidji - my heels broke consecutively in DC, and then in Bremerton/Poulsbo - so I WAS FORCED to run out and buy some new shoes in both locations.   At first, I thought these might be a bit "elfish" but they have turned out to be super comfy 1.5 - 2 inch red heel, and really, my "go to" heel for jeans and even while teaching.   They are the result of a great recommendation from a travel (and sewing) buddy.

More sew-cation work to follow!

Two Pencils for the Fall!

Dear readers,

Back from dog-cation, we are now on the regularly scheduled sew-cation.  Two more pencil skirts are completed, drafted from my skirt slopers.  The first, made out of wool (feels like soft felt) from Mood, below:

Perfect scholarly-lawyer attire with a vintage feel.  I realize from these fair pictures I might consider improving my pressing skills!

 I love the dark wool skirt - and it's absolutely a perfect fit.  I have to thank Sew LA for the sloper classes - these are really good (and I'm about 10 pounds heavier than when these were drafted but they still fit well).

 A back shot, above - ugg - needs better pressing.

 I drafted a flat waistband using the pattern-making book from Ms. Armstrong.  It's wonderful.

I lined the skirt above in red bemberg ambiance.  

Below, please see a close-up of the fabric.

The second skirt is another wool, but tweed, $6.00 from G-street fabrics:

No waistband, and the fit is better on the first, I believe. 

 You can see the tweed a bit better.

I lined the skirt again, with a heavier weight Bemberg.

I am still having execution problems - my hem is much better (I'm doing blind stitch machine hem).  And, I am doing machine centered zippers (which look not so good!) - but luckily I NEVER tuck in blouses.  My kick pleats could use some work as well.  These are easily (and proudly) wearable but are not, sadly, perfect. . . 

I have not been doing Pattern Review posts since these are all self-drafted.  I've considered it but I believe the intent of the website is for review of existing patterns.    Am I wrong?

This concludes my skirts for Fall - all work-type skirts - again, a necessity but not a ball of excitement.  I drafted three and I will draft one more different skirt - an A-line casual skirt in Japanese gauze with an elastic waist. 

Thanks for your comments - I am having fun with my sloper and I am working on Jennifer Stern's Jeans pattern next!

First basic block piece (skirt) turns into something wearable!

Whew!  I've been busy at work.  I took this class in November and am just NOW getting around to making something (after gaining 20 pounds too!).
I finished it on Sunday . . but haven't posted because I've been taking adult swim lessons (to improve my stroke) and it's exhausted me!  It's every day this week - I thought I only signed up for one class!

Now  . . .  what I made - a well-fitting pencil (or straight) skirt:

That said - Wow! Super easy - with my basic block (sloper).  This took nothing at all to sewing up:) I measured a 1" inch allowance but ended up sewing 5/8" (of all things - I tried 1" but it was a bit large).   I do believe I could probably sew an 1/2 inch SA rather than 5/8.   I did not make a waistband.

I also designed a pleated vent (or kick pleat) in back of the skirt.  I did this with the help of my trusty patternmaking book by Ms. Armstrong. I am considering doing a tutorial but I'm not 100% certain I sewed it correctly in the execution and need to conduct more research.   The picture is not so great - I should have used my macro lens and put the skirt on the dressform - not hanging off the ironing board.  Ah, next time.

 And a machine-sewn centered zipper (rather than my normal hand picked zipper).  I also used wonder tape - which does have its advantages (no pins) but it did get my needle and zipper a bit sticky.

Finally, a really well fitting pencil-type brown skirt for work wear. The fabric is wool, so I pretreated it using the steam as this fabric is dry clean only - I hope it works!

Also, note I'm a big chicken - I refuse to change the thread in my serger - so I'm going with the dark blue.  Seriously, I'm not changing the thread - I had it serviced and it sews perfectly.  Don't mess with success.


I fully lined the skirt to the waist (and used copious amounts of facing) with a mid weight bemberg lining.  I then put in a blind hem by machine - and once in, I attached the lace to the lining with a fell stitch.  I do believe I am getting some pulling in the hem due to the machine stitching (user error).  I may take out the hem and hand stitch it in.  In addition, the skirt was a bit short - I wanted a full 1 to 2 inch hem and was able to hem it only 1/2 inch.  Good to know.

By the way, I bought the wool skirt material from G-Street Fabrics near DC for 6.00 - they have a table for fabric ends perfect for skirts!  A great deal!

Yes, I will do this again  -  the entire process probably took less than 4 hours.  I am finding I am enjoying having a sloper skirt pattern.  Next up, the basic bodice block.

P.S.  Well, it is a bit boring!  But I do need some basics and enjoying this "fallish" sewing. . .