Hemming and Community Service

The last couple of days I've completed hemming 2 pair of slacks and one pair of jeans for $$. I also finished another pair of shorts for the Sew Much Comfort soldiers.

I've also spent time programming numbers into telephones. My husband rarely uses his cell, so I decided rather than pay a monthly charge, I would get him a pay as you go phone. So, I purchased one through our same provider, but had to get all his numbers programmed in.

We also needed a new kitchen phone, so got that plugged in and then it was more numbers to be programmed.

Great inventions when all the programming is done!

The PMB Version

Here is a photo of the PMB version. I didn't go to the trouble of doing the front placket on this muslin as I was trying to check the 'look' and the ease. The look is close and the ease is much better. I had too much ease in the sleeve cap, so that needs to be reduced some on the "real" version. I will lenghten the next one about 1.5-2" and reduce the width of the sleeve a bit. Not sure when I'll get to the real version as I'm tired of this one at the moment. But now that I have a fit I'm happy with, I will get to it.





Yesterday's sloper version:





I need to start the alterations I came home with yesterday. Easy # 1: shorten new pair of jeans 4"; # 2 and # 3 require some "think time." # 2 is a lined jacket that has seen better days, but is a favorite of the lady. One sleeve seam (both lining and fabric) has completely come loose under one arm. #3 is a fake fur ankle length dress (with a Neiman Marcus label) that has a front zipper closure (like some of the 1970's patterns). It has a beautiful beaded braid that extends from neck to hemline on each side of the zipper closure. She wants this one cut to a tunic length. I have to figure out how to shorten the braid without the beads unravelling. She's not in a hurry for the #2 and #3 (which I'm glad as it may take me a couple of weeks to play with both of them). I'll get her jeans done this week.

Interesting Experiment

Here's my report on my experience using my sloper to fit the blouse pattern.

To pick up where I last left off--I added seam allowances and cut from some cotton fabric that could be used as a wearable muslin if everything worked out. Generally speaking the fit was pretty good (except not enough ease for my liking). Darts were in the right place and the shoulder slope was correct, BUT I used the sleeves from the pattern and they had too much ease to fit properly. I lowered the armhole as per the pattern, but I guess when I corrected the shoulder slope--that took too much out of the armhole, thus too much to ease in for the sleeve.

I used the neckline of the pattern itself, but haven't sewn in the collar to see how it looks.

I'm thinking I should have used a bigger size in the pattern itself to get the amount of wearing ease I like. I should have known as the sloper wasn't that much smaller at the side seams that the pattern itself. Live and learn!

I began to play a bit in PMB last night to see if I could come up with a "copy" of the blouse pattern, but didn't print anything out. I may try that today.

Anyhow, it was a good learning exercise. I need to learn how to deal with the changes in the armsholes. I'll pull out some books and see if I can understand it better.

Some time in the sewing room today

This afternoon I traced off V7063 blouse and I used instructions in this Threads article using the sloper I printed from the Pattern Maker free download I've spoken about several times here in the blog.

I'm hoping I did it right; the instructions were pretty easy to follow. I need to add seam allowances to the pattern I've come up with and "just cut and sew it up." Probably the sewing won't happen until tomorrow.

I've been asked to do some alterations for an acquaintance. I'll go to her house tomorrow and see what she wants done. I don't feel comfortable doing much more that hemming, restitching loose seams, taking in sideseams of simple tops, etc. She was referred to me by a friend who had paid me to shorten several pair of slacks. Wouldn't want to do it often, but a little "extra spending $$" is kinda fun to spend on more "sewing stuff."

Until later.....

Vogue Patterns

I hit the Hancock Vogue Pattern sale today and came home with several. From there I went to Joanns and picked up a couple of Buttericks that were $1.99 each.

Vogue 8344 will be a Christmas gift for my SIL. When I first saw the pattern, I thought of her. I showed her the pattern on the website and she confirmed that she liked View C. I reviewed the instructions this evening and I think it will be easy. Now to find "just the right" fabric. I gotta think on that.

V8411 caught my eye. I got it thinking I would make it up for myself, but the more I think about it, I'm not sure.....I just don't have a need for that many dresses. I could always shorten it to a top. That might have more potential.

I really like this jacket. Since we have very little cold weather here, I think this has potential in a light weight "something" to throw over slacks or jeans. Again, to find the right fabric. I've got to go through the stash.

Had a good shopping day last Thursday. I picked up 4 or 5 pieces of fabric and multiple laces/trims and walked out for just $45 and change. 3 of the pieces have patterns already waiting for them, so these shouldn't go into the stash. Now just to get sewing:!!!!

Silk Dyeing

You are looking at a silk scarf that I dyed at our Guild meeting last Thursday. I am particularly fond of wearing blues, so I used two shades of blue, a touch of magenta, and a touch of yellow.

One of our guild members purchased a set of the COLORHUE dyes at one of the recent shows in the area (may have been Martha Pullen). This dye (I believe she called it transparent) is fun to work with. All you need is water. Drops of the various dyes are mixed with water in small bowls. We soaked the silk in plain water and wrung it out, and then commenced to "play" with the colors. It was really fun. I'm thinking of getting a set and playing with some rayon, i.e. making my own batik.

Still no sewing going on here. Have had lots of "life" get in the way. I have two friends that are taking care of ill sisters and both of them have gone into Hospice care just this week. Both are dealing with cancer and both ill sisters are the "younger" sister.

I've been trying to do yard work each evening as the high temps the last few days have been in the low 90's. (That's cool for us in August.) But I think I'm going to take the night off tonight, but I doubt I'll make it to the sewing room. I MUST get in there and finish the I spy quilt so I can get it to it's new home. Maybe next week will be better for sewing time.

My friend, Eve, and I are going to Pursley's in Duncanville tomorrow. We are expecting to see fall fabric out. I don't need to come home with ANY, but I'm sure I will.

Slow sewing week so far

Slow on sewing, but busy on other things. I did finish another pair of adaptive shorts for the Sew for Comfort group (injured soldiers) on Monday afternoon. Now to get them in the mail. I need to change from shorts to flannel pants since cooler weather will eventually be here. I have 5 yards of flannel waiting to be cut.

Tuesday, I had to take one of the cars in for its 40K maintenance. My dealer is about 60 miles from here (far north Dallas) so I rented a car through them and ran around in that area since I seldom get to shop up there. I was so excited when I got to the Joann's Superstore and found 2 Australian Stitches magazines. I usually have to order them off the net if I want one. I also picked up the new Tauton magazine (that I can't remember the name of right now--something about Style?). I've had great fun perusing all three of them.

So Tuesday was an all day thing getting home about 4:30p or so. Wednesday, I made it to Curves and then helped a friend all afternoon with some errands. Home around 4p.

Today is my Sewing Guild and we are having a demo on dying fabric. I think I'm gonna love that! We begin at 10 a.m.--then head out for lunch as a group. All that should be fun.

So, until later............

Finished Skirt - Kinda Blaa

I finished the green and floral LeSkirt this afternoon. I tried it on with the "basted" sleevless top, and I don't think I like it. I was disappointed, so didn't feel like taking a photo to share. Maybe it will look better to me tomorrow.

If not, I have enough of the solid green to make the "old faithful Burda skirt." So, all will not be a bust.

I wore the beige linen blend Burda skirt and sleeveless top with the facings turned out (pictured in my last post) to church this morning and got several compliments. I felt good in the outfit the moment I put it on (even in the fitting process) so this one is definitely a winner for me.

I may get away from the linen blends for a few days and head to the cotton stash. This upcoming week is a busy one, so I don't know how much sewing time I will be able to get in.

Later this evening, when the sun begins to set, I will get out and spray the poison ivy that seems to keep creeping on to the back fence. The dogs get into it and then I break out when I least expect it. Like so much of the U.S., we are having HOT days, and I don't do well working in the heat (thus my spraying has to wait until evening). Today I think it was 102 with the heat index about 112. 100 degree days are normal for us in August, but that doesn't mean I have to like them!!!!

While I was out

(Edited to add photos of additional linen blend fabrics)

Now that we are back "online," I've been able to take some time to get caught up on the blogs I try to visit regularly. I really missed not being able to read them. Nice to be getting caught up with everyone.

While the internet was out, I did sew some. I completed a linen/cotton blend skirt (Burda 3152 cut on the bias) and a sleeveless blouse (from my Pattern Maker princess blouse) that will match it as well as the Louise Cutting's one seam capris I made a few weeks back. Without doing a "real" SWAP, I am trying to get several mix and match things in the casual department. While this beige is not really my color, I couldn't pass up on the fabric at $1/yd, and the blue around my face helps. It washed up really nice and the linen/cotton is cool for our Texas hot temps.



The blouse has the facings turned to the outside. I didn't want to turn under the facing edges so I 3-thread serged finished them with blue heavy thread and then topstitched down. I like the way it came out.



I also have two more bolts of linen blend--one is a floral with black and beige and one is a stripe. (Too lazy to take photos now--maybe after dinner.) I'm thinking more one seam capris, another skirt and a sleevless top.




I had cut out another Le'Skirt of a green linen blend solid and a print that included the green. It's almost done--I had to pick up matching green thread for the rolled hem. I got it yesterday while doing errands. The top (also from the Pattern Maker sloper I printed out) is just awaiting binding for the neck and arms.



Sorry I'm not modeling anything. I've got some sort of rash (I'm sure from the recent yard work) and I'm itchy. Don't want to change out of my shorts and oversized T-shirt.

I hate being out of touch

Our DSL modem was knocked out by a lighting/thunderstorm last Thursday night. So, no internet until a new modem could be sent to us. It arrived late yesterday, so now I can communicate again.

I was going through withdrawal!!!! I'll catch you up tomorrow on my sewing adventures.