Project Bags! A great idea from a friend.

Dear readers,

I was in a friend's sewing room studio in DC last winter.  She had the best idea.  She used XL bags to store all the things involving a project -- the fashion fabric (cut or uncut), the pattern, and all the notions and findings needed.

I thought what a fantastic idea.  So, I bagged up my next ten projects with GLAD XL bags (from Lowe's), minus any notions or findings (I am not THAT organized).   I think this will keep me on track a little better  -- I tend to daudle when I sew.    And, it clears out my stash for more fabric:)

Now, if I can just figure out where to store these bags. . .

Do you keep project boxes or bags, or have some other method for indicating your fabric is for a special project?  I'd love to hear.

XOXO,

Pam

New Look 6166 - Pendleton Fabric Shawl Vest

Dear readers,

Finally, this project was a LOT more difficult than I expected.

 This is New Look 6166 -- a wonderful pattern.  I based it on the following inspiration below:

It's not exactly the same.  I missed buying it (and it was pricey) when it came in last season.

This year they also have another evening star-ish vest on their Fall line right now:

A little closer view of the matching and fitted arms.

 Boy, there is a reason that these Pendleton garments are expensive.  This fabric - Evening Star, a light to mid - weight blanket fabric was unwieldy and difficult to put together.  I ripped out the sides six times the first time I tried to match up the pattern.  Finally, I put in pins and actually sewed over them (no needles broken in case you were wondering).  This is after using jeans needles and a roller foot.  I thought it would take an hours to put together - NOPE.  Two days after cutting.

 I picked up the frog/finding at my knitting store I really like it.  I made a chevron patter for the shawl collar.

Again, getting the collar to turn was even a bear.  I see how coats can be difficult now.  Some notes:  

the Pendleton Woolen Mills Store in Portland is fantastic.  It turned out I made some errors in my cuts -- not a problem -- they sent me (via phone and email) their last yard (lucky!).  Also, they suggested felt as a binding (they have in stock).  I love it but ended up not going with the felt binding as the pattern I think is too busy.  I can always add it later.  Plus my execution on binding, based on my past record, is sketchy. 

I think turning blanket type of fabric into a garment is tough - there is a reason the cost for Pendleton is high -- it really takes industrial machines to get a professional finish in a thick garment.  I really worked and steamed this garment.  That said I'm very happy with it.  I might have made it a bit too fitted, but I can live with that.   Whew!  I was going to make a second one -- but now I am going on to my next project. 

Have you made any Pendleton items?

XOXO, 

Pam

Kwik Sew 3115 -- Yoga Pants in Polartec

Dear readers,

Still in the mood for a quick fix -- I made these Polartec Yoga Pants - My TNT pattern from Kwik Sew in Medium.  I've made them before and blogged about them Here in Black Polartec.

A perfect fit - but I didn't hem the pants (nor did I serge) Polartec does not unravel.  If I wanted to hem -- I'd definitely add an inch or two (please not I have a 31 inch inseam).    I cut them out last night and made them today in less than an hour (and after a candle zippo type of lighter exploded in my hand causing very little burns - so lucky).  

 I've worn my black ones (in thicker fabric) totally to death.   I still take those fuzzys everywhere I go.

I also used this drawcord elastic below (instead of the 3/8" elastic called for and cut it 30").  It is available on Judy Kessinger's Website Fitnice System.

I love them.  I made these a bit snug, but I can live with that.  Plus, post-surgery I need to lose a few pounds.  

Don't you love a good TNT pattern?

XOXO,

Pam

Scrap shorts for me! Not popular in my house. NOT popular.

Dear readers,

Upon returning home from a buying spree at Seattle Fabrics -  Website, I decided to "whip" up a project using some scrap Malden Mills polartec -- quickee shorts.

 Some materials just shouldn't be shorts.  Like heavy duty fleecy Polartec -- you cannot see in the pictures - but the pile is large on this and tends to catch between my legs.  I don't care --  I like 'em.  Perfect for dog walking on cool mornings.

They are not my favorite.  I didn't really use a pattern -- merely Judy Kessinger's pants sloper to test it (don't blame her -- I modified it).

Anyway, after a few glasses of wine -- J. was like -- those shorts are terrible, they are garbage.  They are not good.  I had to laugh.  They aren't good but I don't care:)  He normally loves my projects.  These smurfs didn't do the trick for him though.

Anyway, off I go on the dog walk wearing them.

Hey, I sew for me:)  So, dear readers, do you ever make anything your spouse, significant other, children, friends don't like -- and you really don't care?  I'd like to hear it!

XOXO, Pammie

Pendleton Vest Inspiration - New Look 6166

Dear readers,

I've been dying to make a Pendleton vest with a shawl collar from this inspiration:

I finally found a pattern that has a Shawl Collar, with princess seaming.  New Look 6166 -- and it only takes 7/8 yard fabric from 60" roll.

So, using some Pendleton Fabric in my stash (I blogged about it HERE), I planned to make this vest.   View E (the middle vest on the left side column).  I have one yard from a 60 inch roll.  I tissue fit the pattern vest -- making only adjustments to add length to the shoulder seam and moved the shoulder seam forward (I have slightly tilted forward wide and high shoulders, thicker neck than the norm).

Here are my pinned cuts on the dress form without the shawl collar.  Pendleton has named this fabric Evening Star.   One piece I cut slightly short.  The vest is 2" longer than the pattern calls for I have a long body -- so the shorter cut may not be a problem, I can crop it without problem due to the extra fabric.

However, I did not have enough excess fabric to make the pattern work on the shawl collar, see below:

Oops, the diagonals don't match.  But I do like the idea of the diagonal for the shawl collar -- any opinions out there?

But, I called Pendleton woolen mills and problem solved!  They are sending me another yard (discounted).  Here is their Website and Blog -- definitely worth a visit if you are in the Portland area.  At the same time I went ahead and ordered the felted binding -- that would be the easiest finish.  I also orders some Rancho Arroyo Aqua -- under a half yard in case I need it too.  Note to self:  Order more fabric than you need with prints.

Now, I can finish this week if I can get my serger thread changed.  That may be a big if.
XOXO,

Pam

Laptop Sleeve! My quick craft fix for the day.

Dear readers,
My new 11-inch Macbook Air, bought on a whim when I needed a laptop to take to an evening class.   We are a Macintosh house -- so everything is Apple so everything works together.

Now, one of the mandatory accessories for any laptop computer that belongs to someone who travels -- is a travel case to protect it. Apple provides a plethora of accessories -- even Coach and Michael Kors bags should you need it for your Macbook Air.  But, I thought -- I'd rather have my own DIY Tutorial Case.  Let's break out the internet.

I used this tutorial-- the Laptop Sleeve Tutorial Link..  Excellent.  By the way, the 11inch Macbook Air measures 14 1/4"Long by 15 3/4" Wide with 1/2" SA (Seam Allowances).

 The outer fabric is a canvas type of fabric (which I sprayed with Scotch Guard, available at your local grocery store).

   The inner fabric is minky.

The multi-color zipper is Ghee's -  Ghee's Link.  It was a 28 inch zipper -- and I saved the other multicolor portion.  Ghees sells the actual pull which can fit any other piece too.  So convenient that I can use the portion I didn't use for this project.

Also, did you know the mark of a good zipper is one when you pull the zipper tape apart and the pull doesn't move or slip down?  Well, it turns out that the more expensive zippers have locks in the zipper pull.  That's why in the 80's the zippers in our pants wouldn't zip all the way up and we were all constantly readjusting our zippers -- Cheap zipper pulls!! Who knew?  The things you learn at the ASG Sewing Conference.

 I was a little sloppy in the execution, but I can live with it.  It's a perfect fit for the Macbook Air!  And, this quick and easy project -- I needed a quick craft success fix.

Now, onto another cover for my Kindle.

XOXO, P.

Classicly Tailored Shirt -- Butterick 5678

Dear readers,

I'm taking a craftsy class "The Perfect Tailored shirt."  However, I am only around half way through the class.  So, I am starting my shirt project anyway -- although I am modifying to use a princess seam pattern, for the first one.

Here is the fabric I'm using -- a cotton print, a little bit vintage inspired, from Mood.

 This is the pattern I selected and I modified it using my sloper (or basic bodice blocks)

Although the class calls for a pattern without princess, such as this one below: Vogue 8689.  Maybe next time. I'm tempted to get a Connie Crawford pattern now that I've seen how good they are drafted.

Here is where I stand below.   I'm missing about a half yard of fabric (I'm going to Mood Monday afternoon -- fingers crossed).  Last time I was there about three months ago -- a few hundred yards remained on the roll.

As a result of the process, I've been researching tailored shirts.  Here is a women's Navy Officer shirt - from Brooks.  Very fine materials and well-tailored.

 Here is the perfect collar; you can see some of the inside:

 Perfect sleeves and plackets.

 Wonderful job on the collar stand

 Overall, the execution is excellent -- but the fit is not good.  I loved the hidden placket (below) and I learned to do this easily at Connie Crawford's class at the ASG.

So, have you sewn any tailored shirts?  Tip and tricks??

XOXO, Pam