Happy Veteran's Day - Patriotic Patterns

Dear readers,

Again, I'm so behind on my posts.  Nevertheless I wanted to thank all of our veterans on Veteran's Day:

Also,  I am behind in my stash sewing -- I"m dying to make these patriotic patterns:

and finally --

Also, Burda just came out today with some 1940s female (heck yes!)  aviator patterns -- HERE.

I am planning to finally post on the summer ASG conference I attended, my sewing gifts I received on my birthday -- I'm close to finishing my green wool cape, and I have finished three knitted caps, and am working on leg warmers.  I know, so behind.

I'm dying to catch up now if I can just cut down on my time at work and other activities!  That said I have quite a bit of time off I must take in December!

XOXO,

Pam

Drawstrings - I'm obsessed

Dear readers,

I'm not going to lie - last year I was a bit obsessed with drawstrings and lace up ties and drafted this post.   Drawstrings?  On boots.  On the back of jeans.  On the front of jeans.   I sense some knock-offs coming out of my sewing room where I bought the pattern but have not (yet) started cutting even.

Now, a year later my drawstring mania has cooled a bit -- but I am still going to make some sailor pants from Hot Patterns!

Drawstrings, yeah or neah? 

XOXO, Pam

Cape - New Look 0913/6227 Tailoring Fail

Dear readers,

I am currently working on a very easy garment that I have contrived to make complex! The pattern is a cape pattern with four different looks -- I'm making View A with no collar or epaulets, and using frogs as closures.   I don't remember what inspired me to buy this pattern -- it is listed on New Look as both 6227 and 0913.

However, even though the directions are simple and do not require any facing (except for the front portions and front openings) -- I made it much more difficult.  Hey, I thought  -- I'll do a very precise job with a hand-stitched hair canvas interlining, the type of interlining in tailored jackets.  So, I hand-stitched the left side of the jacket.

Below are both sides compared:

I actually like the drape of the fabric with no interlining, see below -- much softer.

Below is the side with the hair canvas stitched in -- a bit stiff, below.  And, the hair-canvas side feels heavy when it is on.

 I really did handstitch all that canvas in -- and it's relatively expensive, so I'm keeping it either way!  May be a stash item.

I decided to line with red ambiance lining (I wish I went with another color once I got home my local fabric store only had black, red and white).

 And, I found these wonderful frogs at my local fabric store:

 Great, so now my cape will be perfect for an Irish Christmas (not the look I was going for necessarily -- darn it -- I should have gone with or waited to buy a different lining.).

I probably should have made this pattern below.  And, I think it would look fantastic in a houndstooth. Onward.

So, should I remove the hair canvas?  - I'm about to tear it out and merely go with the lining.

XOXO,

Pam

Butterick 5678 - Classicly tailored shirt

Dear readers,

My stash-bustin' continues!  I've recently finished the classic shirt - from Butterick 5678  -- and with tips from Craftsy's Perfectly Tailored Shirt class.  This is a vintage-inspired cotton searsucker (light seer suckering:)) Sorry the photos are so large -- I was trying to capture the details here.

It is perfected fitted -- but not perfectly executed.  I highly recommend this pattern, Butterick 5678, a princess seam classic shirt.
 I've never been able to buy a shirt off the rack with perfect fit.  So, I'm thrilled.  It was easy to modify this pattern since I've got bodice blocks to compare the pattern with.

I'm last to the party with a classic shirt -- but thrilled to have finally made one!

 I ran out of fabric 3/4 of the way through the project -- and had to run back to Mood, panicked.

 I can't say enough how comfortable this is.  Pamela's video Craftsy class really helped when I got stuck on the execution.

 The burrito method of doing the collar is difficult to master -- you can see my execution isn't perfect (yet).

I believe I over-fitted this -- but it is perfectly fit.  So, I can't totally complain!

I'm going to make more classic shirts -- not sure yet if I am going to use this pattern, but I do like it.

Jalie 2921 - Scarf Collar Top X 2

Dear readers,

The stash-bustin' continues.  Today's quickie -- a new TNT pattern for me -- the Jalie Scarf Collar Top.  It is as good as everyone says! It is Jalie 2921.  A shirt a day this weekend.

This pattern is as good as everyone says -- I love the "burrito" technique for the scarf -- fantastic.  I didn't realize the SA was 1/4".  Oops.  But I probably did the sides 1/4" anyway.  It is a perfect fit.  It is a bit low in the bust -- but I think a tank will help.  I cut a "W" size and made the largest sleeves and eased them in. 

 This only took 6 pieces to cut out.  Fully serged (with some sewing in the collar area).

Here is the copy of the pattern photo below:

 I didn't expect to love this top but I did.  I added my standard 3/8" to both shoulder seam allowances.  I have a large neck so this is the best alteration (thanks to Connie Crawford at ASG for suggesting this!).

 This pattern was so good I went ahead and made my remaining fabric of the butterfly Betsey Johnson fabric from Mood.  I had to use scraps so the shoulder seams were not what I would have normally done and I needed to cut down on the scarf collar length.

By the way, there is a Jalie 30 year celebration ongoing with a contest.  I didn't know it when I started the knits -- but I'm in!  Here is the flyer from Pattern Review:

Don't you love when you stumble across a TNT?

XOXO,

Pam

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