NPRINS

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 -...

Dear readers, If you remember I created the 1944 House dress where I blogged about it HERE . I did two techniques very different from my normal process. First, I underlined the dress -- a different technique than a lining. The fashion fabric was very sheer. I chose a black batiste for the underlining.  In retrospect, a lighter weight voile fit the project better -- the batiste is a bit dense - making the dress a tad bit heavier -- and causing my fingers to be sore pushing the needles through the fabric for hand-stitching the finishes.   Threads  has a great article on underlining that discusses the change of hand for the fashion fabric (click on the link to go there).   Overall, I did find the underlining much easier to sewing rather than a lining in this project.  I serged the fabric fabric and underlining together and assembled the dress as I would if no lining was involved.   I did think a red voile might have been a better background color -- but couldn...

Dear readers, If you remember, I produced a 1944 House Dress in June.  I love it. I love the snaps, and it's so comfortable.  One of my favorites. However. I didn't add the pockets. What do you think -- do the pockets add to the dress?  I'm thinking about it.   The print I think is enough.  The pockets below are not folded yet for the SA, and are pinned to the dress for conceptualization. Yeah, OR Nay: J. thought the pockets made the dress too costumey.  I tend to agree.  But when I was reviewing the pictures after an absence -- I had to ask. XOXO, Pam

Dear readers, I've way behind in my posts.  I've been taking a Novel Writing class, for the last 10 weeks.  So, after some extensive writing -- I'm on a writing break -- this is week 2.  So, back to blogging. First, a fail.   I used my Gertie's TNT Pattern -- the Portrait Blouse in Knit.  However, I failed to cut my slippery fabric correctly and it turned out much too big.  I'm still not sure whether to keep it.  It's too big in the neckline. My dressform is my size (12 bodice)  -- it maybe just a smidge smaller -- but you see the bagginess.  Darn it. So, here's what I've been up to: (1)  Multiple posts on the 1944 House Dress -- I'll post this week on the construction. (2)  I made a Macbook Air bag (yes a new laptop!!) Yeah, I love it!  Post forthcoming.  Super easy. (3)  I attended the American Sewing Guild (ASG) Conference in Washington, DC (Crystal City, actually) -- taking multiple classes and buying all kinds of...