Pattern Weights and Storage Bag

I am still working on the shoulder pads for the 1952 dress.  Of course, I used the rotary cutter when I cut them out which made me realize that I could use some small, flexible, low-height pattern weights.  My first thought was to make weights about the size of a roll of pennies.  I cut the fabric (the leftovers from my jean jacket) 3” wide and 6” long; folded the fabric in half and sewed ¼” seams, leaving one end open.  A chopstick was handy to help turn the fabric.

Filling the fabric tubes with BBs was easy.  I couldn’t find my kitchen funnel, which was probably too big anyway.  I ended up borrowing a silicone mini-muffin cup from my bento supplies.  It worked great and had I located my funnel, I would have still used the little muffin cup. By the way, it took 4 ounces of BBs to fill the fabric tubes. I didn’t fill them to the top as I wanted the finished weights to have flexibility; also, it left room to sew them closed without the machine needle hitting a BB.

I made some larger weights, too.  For those, I cut the fabric 4” by 11”, using ½” seam allowances.  They were filled with 12 ounces of BBs.

As always, storing my sewing items in this little house is a challenge.  So, while I am sewing them I am already planning where they are going to go. None of my available boxes or tins were the right shape or size. However, there was a large piece of the fabric left so I thought I could make some type of pouch for the weights.  For a pattern, I chose view C of Simplicity 9949 as it was about the right size.  I have had this pattern for years but it is still on the Simplicity website.  I modified the pattern by adding five inches to the bag.  The outer fabric was block fused with heavy interfacing and handles were attached once the bag was finished.

Because I didn’t know where I was heading when I started this project, I was happy to use scraps.  The bag is sturdy enough for the weights, but when making the next one, I will give it more structure by using some Timtex, template plastic, or something similar.

I think the weights would be wonderful made up using embroidered ribbons (reinforced with fusible interfacing) instead of fabric.  Wouldn’t they be a pleasure to use?  Also, the bag could be embellished with some of the same ribbon and/or quilted.  Leather for both the weights and the bag is appealing, too.

Well, I’m not placing an online order for leather scraps or embroidered ribbons anytime soon.  I want to see how well these work and what other changes, if any, need to be made. Prototype. Yep. That’s it.

Simplicity 4586 and Pattern Weights

I am paralyzed on the mock wrap t-shirt.  I am, therefore, taking a break and have traced a blouse pattern, Simplicity 4586, another "Threads Collection" offering. Old and out of print, but a style I like and, if it fits, has the promise for many variations.  I pinned the tissue pieces together and tried them on the dress form and the fit seemed okay.  I then compared the pieces to my Bernina My Label shirt pattern.  The sleeves and the armscyes are different. Where one area is too little, the corresponding piece is too large and vice versa.  The total amount seemed close, so I'm gonna go with it.  As you can see, I generously added to the side seams.

I also attempted to fit the pattern on me, but I couldn't make a good assessment as the pins holding the pieces together stabbed me!  You heard my screams, didn't you?  I am sure the pins are exacting revenge because I tried out the "rocks for pattern weights" idea.  By the way, it worked great!  Why I haven't done this before, I do not know.  Such a simple thing.  No problems with the pieces slipping around.  I put several of them in a little basket, so they would be handy.  They are heavy and long term, will break that little basket.  I need to poke around here and find something sturdy to put them in.

Round 2 - Muslin for Kwik Sew 3360, View B

I have reviewed the knit fabrics at Tammy's Fabric Emporium and I am stumped.  I need to make a fabric selection for the second muslin of Kwik Sew 3360, the mock wrap t-shirt.  None of the knit fabrics here are what I want to use for this top.  I even made a trip to the local fabric store.  Nothing.  They had nothing that I could use.  I do not want to wait until I can order something.  So, I am going to sacrifice fabric that is already here.  It may not be the best choice, but I suppose it doesn't have to be.  If I am pleased with the style and fit, I can purchase other fabric. There is always more fabric.  Right?

During this time of indecision, I have been browsing eBay looking at old sewing patterns.  I see so many that I want to buy and I have to exercise great self-control.  I have been surprised at the quantity that are in my size range.  The Vogue designer patterns from the late 70's and early 80's are my favorites.

I have also spent this time researching, via Google, pattern weights.  Looks like folks use all sorts of things, all the way from hockey pucks, quartz crystals and beyond.  Many use gigantic flat washers, doubled up and wrapped in ribbon or fabric strips.  I have some rocks, gathered from Whitefish Point on Lake Superior, that I am going to try out.  They would look fine in a bowl or a basket near my cutting table.

I think winter is about over here, so I need to get busy with summer styles.  I like 3/4 length shirt sleeves for the office and I skip the jacket.  My typical uniform consists of shirts with either pants or capris.  I rarely wear skirts or dresses.  I am not sure why.  So maybe I should make a few and figure that one out.

Wish me luck with the mock wrap.

Randomness (read "lazy")

Yesterday, I visited Etro at Prime Outlets – San Marcos. They have beautiful stuff, I tell you. Just beautiful. The fabrics and colors spoke to me. Of the items there, the shirts made the biggest impression. All had the same, classic styling but with bright, detailed prints and made from silk. I almost cried looking at the well-made buttonholes......

I purchased the “Shirtmaking” book by David Page Coffin a few months ago and I am just now getting a chance to read it. There is a wealth of practical information offered and I look forward to incorporating some of the variations into my shirt pattern.

More on the shirt interfacing: I fused the interfacing to the fabric for the collar, stand and cuffs before cutting those pieces out. In the past, I always cut the interfacing pieces separately from the fabric pieces. No matter how careful I was in cutting the pieces out, the interfacing pieces never matched the fabric pieces. I often fused the interfacing overhang (and there always is overhang!) to the ironing board. Fusing and then cutting is better.

Another improvement that I have been thinking about is using a rotary cutter, a self-healing mat and the accompanying pattern weights instead of scissors and pins. I already have a small rotary cutter and mat that I had used for crafty things a hundred years ago. I need to create a few prototypes of the weights and see what works best. I have seen diverse items used: canned goods, large washers, small bean bags filled with uh, beans…..I need to think about it.