NPRINS

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

Dear readers, I'm almost five days into my sew-cation - here is my list Draft pattern for bodice blouse and sew Major alterations on two maxi-dresses Hems for three shorts/pants/one skirt Two pot holders    Jeans, one pair:) Two pencil skirts for work One A-line skirt (pending) Some knit shirts (time permitting) (cancelled - ran out of time) Belt loop case for doggie bags during walks   (I may do a tutorial - super fun!) Lined microfiber/gortex case for swim cap and goggles Doggie polartec sweaters Let's see if I can make it before Labor Day ends (and I'm spending a long weekend in Mammoth with J. and the dogs hiking).

Yes, finally  finished my bodice block!  Hurray!! Finally, I drafted a pattern of my own designing -  based on Ms. Helen Joseph Armstrong's Pattern Making book.  I modified my basic sloper (or block) I made at Sew-LA. The material is Japanese linen-gauze - very comfy.  I chose to put on regular buttons - and added a peter pan collar - which I used the construction methodology in The Reader's Digest Guide to Sewing.  What I like about it is that is has my style aesthetic - and is super comfy especially in the bust area.   It has princess seams.    I haven't been able to wear a button shirt in years.  I did make some mistakes - I sewed the button holes horizontal - hey, I know - but I haven't been wearing button front shirts for years.  Thanks J.    Also, I need to refit my shoulders - they are not quite right in the front.  They don't pull because of the ease in the bodice but they are constricting. Other than that - I love it!  Really comfy - I can't wait to wea

Dear Readers, I unexpectedly had the best experience.  I was lucky enough to get into Jennifer Stern Hazeman's Jeans Fit class at the American Sewing Guild (ASG) conference here in Los Angeles and even ate breakfast with her (unexpectedly, she's taller than I imagined)!  Fun with celebrity sewists - what a day!  Here is the link to her BLOG !  We received, among a professional workbook the following jeans pattern (left).  She has a khaki pattern that I already have (right). Jennifer is delightful!  I did get a perfectly fit pair of jeans seriously thick muslin  - see below:  The class was large - and we were provided Bernina Aurora 440s and 430s to sew our muslins with (what a luxury!).   I am going to tweak them a bit more once I use actual jeans material (I need to ease in the knee notches so they match and work on some of the back wrinkles - this material has no stretch). Seriously, Jennifer is probably the best sewing instructor I've run across. I must say she has excel

Dear sewers, When I picked up my beloved Janome after service (to send to a well-loved fiance') -  a brochure near the register broadcasted that the American Sewing Guild was having their yearly conference downtown LA. Of course, it's next weekend (during my sew-cation - normally I never have this luck!) .  I missed the registration and its hefty fees.  But, some workshops are open before the conference and they will have vendors!  Exciting!  I am thinking of taking Jennifer's Sterns Jeans fitting workshop (an 8 hour class) the day before the "real" conference begins. I've never (gasp!) attended a sewing conference. What do you all think - have you been to these conferences?  I'm most interested in the singular workshop and the vendors?

Dear Readers, Yes, with a portion of my tax refund - about three months ago I bought a Bernina from a dealer that was retiring (after 50 years) and received a significant discount.  I chose the Bernina Aurora 430.  I didn't really need a new machine - but I did want to upgrade at the discounted price and try a Bernina.  It was a difficult decision in terms of what model to buy and I didn't have a lot of time to think about it. I list the pattern review HERE.   I am happy I bought it - make not mistake - this is a luxury.  After purchasing it I gave my Janome TB30 to my brother's fiance because her machine broke.  I love it.  It handles lightweight fabrics better than my Janome.  The stitches and stitching power is greater and certainly it is more accurate (once you discount the user:)). One big difference is the metal bobbin (like my straight stitch Featherweight 221) - I believe it is more precise than the Janome - but to be honest the Janome is a great machine too.   But

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

A few months ago, someone used a portion of their tax return to boost the local economy (at least that's what I'm telling myself): What could it be? P.S. Now that the menswear is done it seems as if I'm speeding through my next projects!

Well, no.  But it's a start!  And, J. really wants a wardrobe (of all things!!). So, we'll get started on some men's tailoring between projects.  For now this project cost me only the pattern and a zipper!  But, I must admit - it did take at least 10 hours of precious sewing time. The fabric, which had been in my garage  stash since at least 1994, worked well for these shorts.  I was very concerned about the use of the fabric but J. loved it.  So these short are a "wearable muslin."  Controversial in the sewing community, I know. I was worried about matching the plaids but I believed these turned out fairly well (but not perfect). Oops!  Forgot to cut those threads before the picture!! The full pattern review is Here.   I sewed View B; a new techniques for me were inserting a fly zipper, adding mens' style side pockets and a welt pocket in back.  I probably should have taken the darts out of the back.  During the fitting J. pled for them to stay - for he was a