Yes, I actually wore my project in Alaska!

All,
I'm back from a work trip and a few days off in Alaska - which was very wild and wonderful.

On our trip to Denali National Park, after a very long day in the park hiking  -  I wore my fuzzy creation.

I actually DO wear what I sew . . . .now onto the alternations now that I am back:)

Kwik Sew 3621 Finished - Last Polartec of the week . . .

Yeah!!
Polartec project 2 finished.

Yes, I finally finished another project - Kwik Sew 3621 - which, by the way is simply not made for Polartec.  I wanted to make a jacket out of my Polar material that was not quite so "sporty."  So, I chose a pattern that was for a cover-up.  I love the pattern and will probably use it again soon!

 It's perfect for beach wear.  My material was Micro-Polartec fleece.  Unfortunately, for me I ran out of material and substituted some earlier and heavier Polartec (300) for the hood.

The end result is the hood was definitely difficult to get straight because of the thickness of the layers (6 layers??).  I want to rip it out now and put in some bamboo jersey!  But since I finished even the inside seams I will wait until I return from Alaska for this!  Perfect pattern - the only problems I had were with my sewing!

First, I do need some advice about how to sew straight lines.  As you can tell I had to resew the lines three-four times for the front panel.  Perhaps it was the thickness of the material but I even had trouble with my Colette pattern a few months ago.   Tips are welcome - I'm careful when I sew to use an exact 1/4" seam (in this case) and I'm pretty careful with cutting the materials.  . . I may just need to "season" as a seamstress, or alternatively, take private lessons.

The other difficulty with this pattern is that I had trouble finishing the sleeves and bottom.  I've since ordered finished stretch binding from www.questoutfitters.com and am awaiting the arrival of this wonder material.  I tried fleece binding with no success  - it's a bit sturdy.  So for the sleeves I used a stretch finished elastic binding (the same kind used for lingerie) and it worked pretty well.  When I return from my trip and receive the stretch binding I am going to redo the hem on this item.

Has everyone seen Colette post on 10 ways to ruin your sewing.  I believe I failed items #1 - #4.  Seriously, I need to work on this.

Finally, it's a bit ridiculous that I am "sewing" all this polar fleece since I do live a mile or two from Patagonia HQ - and an outlet is nearby.

But, I can't help it - I want what I want and some of the Patagonia designs are simply not "fashion forward" enough for me.  Although I am not suggesting that my designs are there yet!   That said - I'm pausing my other two polartec projects (I think) until my return.  Plus, I can't wait to sew with non-polar fabrics:)  A nice cotton dress, please.

New Pattern Purchases

Hello dear readers,

I've taken advantage of the 3.99 sale at Joann's for Vogue and even splurged on some Kwik Sew Patterns (and one Burda) . . . .

Onto the Vogues . .

The dress to your left, Vogue 1137 gets excellent reviews and the coat is wonderful too.  I might actually make this rather than the pattern sitting in my stash (as some Vintage patterns tend to do)!

Polartec, Polartec, Polartec . . .

Hello dear readers,

Well, I've sewn my first piece of Polartec acquired from San Francisco and Seattle.  It's the old faithful Kwik Sew 3070.

Here is an action pose, again, not that exciting, but we do what we can.

Deconstructing and Reconstructing Vogue 8634

Well, as you know I made a big wadder earlier this week, luckily I turned the remaining fabric into Vogue 8634 - which I have done before.

My first project back - Wadder! (Of course)

Hi All,

I'm back from intense work matters  - and guess what?  My first project, wadder!  Just like last summer when I first took up garment sewing!  Of course.  The pattern is Vogue 8650.

I'm sorry I didn't take a photo - my morale was low and I immediately began reconstructing the garment into a cowl top - which I will post as soon as I complete the details.  Here is the link to my "not recommended" pattern review: Pattern Review Link. 

Why a wadder?  The pattern was huge - I cut the smallest size (14) - and I was absolutely swimming in it (even after pleats).  For my body shape it was not a flattering style - I think the pleats in the chest area are a big "NO" for me.

However, I did lose 10 pounds and am on P90X, day 84.  So, I've lost a cup size on my bust, two inches in my back area, 2 inches waist, and 2 inches hips - so it may be that I am smaller - but I cut a 14 - which is a 36 bust and in reality I am a 37-38" bust measurement - and it was gigantic!

BTW, has everyone seen Simplicity's "Go Green" patterns - they are kind of fun - here is the Go Green Link.

When I was up in Seattle, I visited Seattle Fabrics (an outdoor-adventure fabric store) - and bought tons of fabric.  So, I am working on some projects for an Alaska trip!  I will list them in a separate post -but it was quite a few Green Pepper patterns.

Tips I've Learned from my Janome Sewing Machine Class

Readers,

I'm sadly overtaken by events so I'm not sewing until July 30.  BUT, in the meantime . . .

I did want to post some pictures with regard to my machine class - and I have gotten some emails requesting that I do so.

This post is relevant to Janome Electronic Machines (I have a TB Threadbanger TB30) but can also be applied to their other electronic machines (The TB 30 is just a relabeled Home Decor 4030).

I guess the first thing to discuss is that I did read the brief and relatively unhelpful manual that came with the machine.  But, since I had a Singer 15 years ago - I thought "No biggie."   I thought I knew the best way to insert the bobbin and thread a needle.  Fail!

As the picture above illustrates, one must wrap the thread around the slight metal tab on the shank before the thread goes through the eye of the needle.  Duh!  BTW, it was in the manual (which is slight) and I missed it.

In addition, the bobbin should be placed in one direction ONLY - the illustration shows this but I didn't think it was mandatory, rather it was a suggestion!! Ok, that makes sense (NOW!)

The stitch number 3 to the right I'm pointing at  below- should be used for stretch knits, and other stretch materials, (and I always used the zig--zag!!).

In addition, the stitch I'm pointing to below (5 to the right), should be used for Elastics!!! According to my surly instructor, all my garments with elastics may now pull out.  We haven't experienced this but I warned Jonathan regarding his boxers:)

Finally, the button I'm pointing to below normally makes a knot in your stitch, eliminating the need for a back stitch - the instructor does not recommend it -  BUT I LOVE IT!

Behind the needle, on the back of the machine is the feed dog drop - I couldn't find it before, for some reason:)

And, Lastly, we were taught how to sew without using our legs and feet - it's the auto option for sewing.  I was skeptical at first but in reality it is very very easy . . . . I can control my pressure on the foot pedal and speed either by my feet or by hand. .  .Weird, huh?

In all, Janome should produce a user friendly manual, instead of the ridiculously brief materials they produce.  I mean, what about everyone buying on the internet.  I didn't but I live in the Los Angeles area, meaning I have a lot of choices.   And because some of the mechanical techniques are different  - if you've previously sewn on a different brand, the machine is not intuitive.

Dear Goodness, I was just browsing Theads and found this link
Unique Body Scans on body scan measurements!  I might do it if I could get a sloper out of it!