NPRINS

Dear readers, While on a quilting break - I returned to my regularly scheduled program of making clothes, in this case some panties.  I enclose the picture for muslin purposes only.  I cut out a medium - using a jersey knit for a muslin.  Result:  Ridiculously too big. Please ignore the awful execution - I sewed them for muslin purposes only to check sizing.  I made them using Kwik Sew 3881, the hipster version (middle of the column on the right).  Horrible on my hips -  so I'm headed back to the drawing board for alterations.  I will also check the stretch content.  Perhaps my jersey had a bit too much stretch (I believe this pattern calls for 25% stretch).   I cut the M but seemingly a S or XS may be appropriate.  On  positive note - these go together really fast. I am studying execution styles for undies once I get these right.   Apparently, according to Singer's guide to sewing lingerie - there are three techniques you...

Dear readers, I've finished piecing my quilt top - I hope to assemble it for quilting today. Well, I didn't really follow the directions - which were fairly simple.  I also made this lap quilt a bit longer for sitting on the couch  - it always seems that lap quilts are too short. One item I didn't do well (and it's not in the directions) - is that I should have "trued" my 14" quilt squares.  I didn't think to do it - I'm a quilting luddite, apparently.  This made some of my seams on the quilt top not quite matching.  Once it's quilted I don't think it will be noticeable - except by me. I realized it on block 7 of 15.  I could have opened the quilt up - but I'm a lazy quilter. In my mind, perfection is the enemy of good.  This affects my entire life I think.  Perfect people are really irritating.  I delay many projects and writing because I am afflicted by this need for perfection.  I'm certainly not perfect myself in my personal li...

Dear Readers, Yes, I said it!  I'm doing it.  A quilt.  It was on my New Year's Resolutions list.  I never thought I'd make one again but somehow I've become roped in with the wonderful fabric from Moda, Big Apples and eyes toward a modern quilt pattern. I've spent a week sorting Jelly Rolls, Charm Squares and cutting pieces.   I forgot how long this portion takes to finish.  Below is the backing: This is the quilt pattern I've downloaded from the  Fat Quarter Shop  - I'm only making a longer lap quilt - mostly due to laziness, I think . . . . plus any quilt on the bed will suffer depreciation from both our Kerries.   This is a modern quilt and I am dying to making something really fun and newish.  I am starting with a pattern but want to make one of my own soon. One cool tip - I received my ASG Los Angeles newsletter and it has a link to  The Scientific Seamstress' Blog and Template Download.  Look what I downloaded for f...

Dear readers, Happy Valentine's Day! In a panicked state last night I made my TNT boxer short pattern for men, Kwik Sew 1672. The fashion fabric pattern I call  Professor Owl, courtesy of my local quilt shop: The pattern picture is posted below: I've tried the Simplicity version of the boxers and I prefer the Kwik Sew pattern.  One tip I use is to interface the fly flap with a lightweight facing.  This technique keeps the flap closed. The only other method I used that was slightly different is that I enclosed 3/4" elastic in the fabric instead of using the open 1.5" soft elastic I normally use to adhere to the waistline.  I did this because I have the 3/4" elastic in my stash - and sometimes the elastic enclosed in the fabric is soft and comfy, and a bit different than those pairs I have made before. I've made about 8 - 10 pairs of these in the past and they are always well received.  This pattern took less than 2 hours to sew up.  My pattern review for my ...

Dear readers, As promised, JStern jeans, my second version, in red stretch denim from the much-loved TNT pattern.   Red jeans are in (as far as trends) right now - I'm seeing them everywhere.  ( I also chopped 16" off my hair - this is the wavy version).  I bought the fabric from mood.  I'm wearing Danski clogs, bought in Seattle during a rainstorm two years ago, and a rain jacket from Anthropologie I'm not sure I'm keeping (it really never rains here but may be very good for travel for a less sporty option).  Again, they are a perfect fit.  I took Jennifer's class at ASG in Los Angeles where she led us through a  fitting session (and in which I blogged about in detail).  I used stretch denim.  Her instructions state to use denim with no more than 2-3% stretch and these jeans probably have 30%!  I bought the fabric from Mood back in September.  So, I sewed the crotch and inseams the same as directed and used a 3/4 hem on the sides a...

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...

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 abo...