Jeanstar!

Dear readers,

Jennifer Stern graciously featured the fit of my jeans on her blog  - JStern's Blog Here.  I love the fit - very comfortable - now I wish my first pair had better execution in the stitching - at the time I was fiddling with flat felled stitching (lap seams) - somewhat unsuccessfully!

Almost done with my second pair of jeans:

One of the parts of the jeans making process I find so intoxicating is the multitude of decisions that must be made before the final result. 

Below, my project is cut and waiting to be sewn:

One of my first decisions was where to sew the coin pocket (if any) on the jeans.  So I pulled a few pairs of jeans out below, to examine the differences on current designer jeans.

A few different styles from Hudson and True Religion Jeans.  It turns out, almost anything goes with the placement and design of the coin pocket.
I could have left out the pocket, but almost every "classic five-pocket design" jeans has one of these pockets.  


I looked into the history of the coin pocket.  Apparently, the small denim pocket above the front pocket first made its appearance in 1890 on Levi's intended to be used for coins and pocket watches.  

After some consideration, I chose a slightly off center style to add some pizzazz.  They are red, after all.

I am almost finished with the jeans.  All I have to complete are the belt loops, buttons and rivets, back pockets, and hem.

Jeans, again . . .

All,

I am starting my JSterns jeans again in red denim.  I have them cut, serged the appropriate parts - and am getting ready to start sewing today.

I forgot to post some details on my first pair:
I did finish my jeans using some nickel rivets from Tandy leather company
and inexpensive (it shows!) Fabric Store Jeans Buttons.

However, you can buy really great buttons at this link and rivets (even in nickel black) at Grommet Mart.  I bought some new rivets and jeans buttons off a cool ebay seller LINK HERE.:
Celtic Rivets:

 H script button:

As for denim fabric, I have previously bought mine at Mood, and at Fabric Town, a locally owned fabric store and have now found a new source, Pacific Denim Outlet - who sells to the Jeans Designers here - I'm checking into it and will get back to you.

Premium high design denims are normally (but not always there are some domestics) imported from outside the United States, but manufactured to a finished garment in Los Angeles.

Here is a pair of True Religion Jeans Below (bought for less than 20.00 at True Religion outlet but priced retail at around 200.00).  Note the techniques used in distressing the denim.

The first technique, I believe, is sand-washing (this is what I am calling it). Note the distressing in both photos around the knees and the back of the jeans.  By the way, this denim here is HEAVY - not a light lycra blend.

The second, note the whiskers on the denim in the picture above.

I've attached a great youtube videos explaining the technique that you may enjoy.

Perhaps a handy husband or boyfriend might help out in the quest to achieve the perfect distressed denim.  J. is a musician, so I am out of luck, unless I can convince my father or brother to assist!

Review Green Pepper F875 - Oregon Trail Messenger Bag (Small)

Dear Readers,

I've finished my first project of the year - unfortunately, it is a bit of a mess.
For your consideration, Green Pepper F875, the Oregon Trail Messenger Bag (now numbered #545).

I made the small satchel, for the purposes of checking out this pattern.  I like it  - I don't love it.

The pattern was coming together rather well; however, once I "bagged" the lining - I fell apart.  The lining is bagged right side up to the inside-out outer bag - this makes it fairly impossible to get it straight.  I think next time - I am merely going to bind the edges - much easier and I can ensure it is straight.  Here, the top cover is simply too narrow.

I also made a mistake with the material:  this pattern calls for heavy canvas or the like - I made it with a thick linen and minky lining:)  So, it's a bit too squishy.  I could and probably would have recommended facing it with a heavy-weight pellon interfacing - but believe me the construction calls for many layers - and sewing it would have been a challenge.

 A picture of the adorable (I think) fabric:

Even though it's not perfect, I can see myself wearing it or even carrying a camera in it - in my world (where I frequently travel) you can never have enough bags.

Here is the original pattern F875, the Oregon Trail Messenger Bag (now #545):

And a new Green Pepper pattern, the Village Courier Bag, #555, which I would recommend trying - it looks like it would be easier to construct:

Luckily, my sister-in-law (to be), sent me a wonderful bag for Christmas - so I have a nice finished project to wear while biking!

Now, moving on the red jeans - my now TNT jeans pattern from Jennifer Stern.  I am sure this will trigger a jeans obsession!

I also am dying to create a new pattern for a bicycle seat saddle bag!  If you know of any please let me know.

P.S.  Another resolution albeit materialistic:  I am going to bite the bullet and trade in my workhorse serger for a babylock air threading serger at some point before the end of spring.  It sometimes takes me up to three days to successfully thread my Bernette 334 (obviously user error) but it's driving me batty!

Considering sewing . . . . in 2012.

Dear Readers,

Well, in the spirit of the "New Year,"  I've compiled some sewing "to-do" lists for the New Years (in addition to starting Tony Horton's exercise program, P90X2), and for some reaons, I'm eager to get this post out in the blogosphere!

This year, I'm considering sewing:

(1)   A few pairs of bikini and boy short panties.  Status as of April 2012:  Fail, so far.

(2)   A bathing suit.  Status: Cancelled, for now, I just bought custom suits from North Shore Swimsuits (well, sorta custom).

(3)   A messenger bag and perhaps, a saddle bag or panniers.  Status:  Completed but not perfect.

(4)   Doggie clothing (rain coat and/or fleece).  Status:  Bought sale rain coats/need to make fleece.
(5)   J. Stern's Khaki pants pattern - Cut out pattern have not sewn.

(6)   Hot Patterns Moto Jacket - No work completed yet.

(7)   Sailor Playsuit from Wearing History - No work completed yet.

I am conflicted about this pattern (I myself am a retired Commander) - I am not going to make it as literal, I don't believe - perhaps a change of fabric will make a difference.

(8)    A shirt for Jonathan.  Update:  He wants a vest.
(9)    An outdoorsy clothing item for Jonathan.  Update:  He wants a jacket.
(10)  Maybe some bike shorts for Jonathan Status:  On hold, his knees are bothering him.
(11)  A cashmere jersey top from some luxurious cashmere silk I saw at Mood
(12)  A swim parka (for the drive home after swimming)
(13)  A corset
(14) A Decades of Style dress

or

(15) Perhaps try a modern quilt (I've quilted before but now as a garment sewer - it's very hard to go back).   Completed April 9th.

What a hefty list!  I am the type of person that always takes too much food at buffets too.

Why not shoot for the moon?  Even if I only make it to the top of the hills, it's upward and in the right direction.

I'd love to hear what everyone else is planning this year!

Please, do tell!

A year in review . . . .2011

Dear readers!

The customary 2011 year in review (I did forget to do this last year):

I've attended the ASG conference (and joined American Sewing Guild)  in LA - and met some more bloggers and sewers in the sewing community (online and off).

I've completed two slopers - one top and one skirt (at Sew-La). I have them hanging in my sewing room:

And one of two tops:

And, finished a fitted pair of jeans this year (Jennifer Stern's Jeans pattern and class (Jennifer's Webpage).  I count those as my notable accomplishments.

Specifically, I sewed the following (fitted) garments:

(1) 3 skirts
(2) 2 tops
(3) 1 pair jeans
(4) 1 knit top (not fitted, unfortunately)
(5) 1 pair shorts
(6) 1 pair of shorts for Jonathan
(6) 1 sew-along Burda pair of pants
(7) 2 dresses
and a bunch of doggie bags, and other home dec projects!
-------------------------------------------------------------
Total:  12 garments!

That's not too shabby considering  I  traveled last year, and we were minus one attorney - hopefully, I'll be a bit more productive this year.

I really look forward to posting my garments - it keeps me motivated and I do love to see what everyone else is posting as well.  I read my Google Reader every morning - so even if I'm not posting I'm reading blogs.   I think I also receive a certain satisfaction from this blog - so I'm keeping at it - although I am very very slow at posting during certain parts of the year.
Every blog opens me to someone else's ideas about sewing, and life  - it does allow me to feel more engaged with the sewing community.  I also have quite a few bicycling and quilting blogs I follow.

What about you?   I'm dying to see the End of Year counts!

Sew-jo is back (again!)

Yes, finally my sew-jo is back!  Here's what I've been up to:

1)  I bought some fabric at Gorgeous Fabrics (wonderful to purchase from!):

2)  Some new Hot Patterns:

I also acquired a used pattern but cannot find it in the Hot Patterns catalog.

3)  I am making another pair of jeans in red denim, purchased from Mood:

4)  And, I'm attempting a satchel, from a green pepper pattern:

5) And, holiday presents for co-workers (with dogs):

And, finally, taking some pictures, mountain biking and attending an environmental law conference in Yosemite late October:

Happy Holidays!

Hopefully I'll have more fun projects ahead!

Finally - Review Colette Violet #1015

Dear readers,

I apologize for the delay in blogging - I've had some family medical problems, coupled with an extremely busy work schedule involving five weeks of travel this fall!  Again, no excuses -  I finished this blouse early November, and I am just now getting around to blogging it.

Here is the creation, I darkened the hue to magnify the colors. . .

 First, I used my sloper to modify the pattern - which is very well executed.  The pattern directions are a dream.  The collar method was a bit different than I've used before for peter pan collars.  I made a mistake.

Yep.  As you can see below - the shirt contains no dart at the bustline.  My sloper is based on a princess seam.  I rotated the dart and added length at the bottom; unfortunately I measured incorrectly and the front was 1" shorter or more than the back.  So I took out the dart, leading to the blousey front as you see below!

Other than this - a wonderful pattern.  I must have been tired when I cut this.  I used Japanese linen blend fabric, and I will post a review on Pattern Review.

By the way, I went out to make some Home Dec. (yuck!) projects and found that holiday fabric was extremely scarce - I must have missed the rush!

Hope all is well and I hope to sew quite a bit more over the Holidays.  I have bought some amazing fabric on my travels and online and I'll tell you all about it!  In the meantime, I've been amazed by all of your creations!

Happy Holidays!