New Look 6516 Revisited

I finally wore my Jacket (New Look 6516). I fiddled around trying on various tops and just couldn't settle on any one of them. I decided that since I had some of the fabric I used for the lining leftover why not use that. ;0

For the tank top I used New Look 6628, which is out of print or rather its been replaced with Misses Knit jacket, top and skirt. This pattern consist of a wrap skirt, short-sleeve top, sleeveless top, mid length skirt and tank top. It was a quick sew.

Let me say if felt so good to wear my couture sewn garments. Famous words of Carolyn - I just luv those words...lol.

Also, Carolyn gave me food for thought... when she posted that she makes 90% of what she wears. I looked at the several items I'd just purchased from the Loft and decided, I want to make 90% of my clothes too and will be returning those items... as of tomorrow!! Now that money I spent on jackets, wrap dress, slacks and belts (well.. I'll keep the belt...lol) I could use for purchasing fabric. Thanks Carolyn for Inspiring Me.

Now off to begin creating my spring fling collection...lol

Instead of Badia.. Its BadaBing

I'm nearing the finishing line on Badia .... oops I mean BadaBing...lol. The Badia Tank is a scoop neck tank with a braided cable and diagonal lace in the center, fell in luv with it... but ummm you know me... Ms. Molly the Modifier...lol. I modified it by doing the back in stockinette, 3 center cables, crocheting the neckline and adding cap sleeves. For the sleeves I used the sleeves instruction from the Sunshine Tee in Knit Simple Spring/Summer 2008 issue. I modified the sleeves a teeny bit by adding another 6 rows for length and totally feelin' the tank with the sleeves which are quick... I've actually finished the second sleeve just need to sew it in. Did I tell you I'm just luv'n the idea of using my sewing machine to seam my knits. I like the fact that the seams come out flawless and no bumpy ridges.

Ok.. the big question that I'm constantly asked:

Why do I modify projects. My intention is not to whimsically dismiss a designer's style. It actually inspires me to add my creative touches. Initially, I start out doing the project in its entirety, but somewhere along the line I conjure up images of what could be and go for it. Sometimes the images that I come up with don't always work out, but I always say, hey I thought it would look cute...lol

In conclusion, I would like to say Thanks to all the Designers out there that keep me inspired.

I'm Just Saying...

Instead of this sewing machine pedal stay, which retails @ 7.99

or this pedal stay retailing for $13.99

What about this... PRICELESS and retailing for $4.99 and other stores even less...lol

I Just Luv Thrifting

Thrift shopping that is...lol. DD was in need of new bedroom furniture, she had truly worked her charm on the existing furniture and outgrown it as well. After checking out various furniture stores, I was just not feeling what was out there - a lot of constructed composite wood, mdf and on top of it, the prices were just outrageous.



So Dh and I did some thrifting, we visited the thrift shop where he'd gotten the furniture for my craftroom and Woo Hooo... for $300 smack-a-roos..

Armoire

Armoire open

Dresser

Also, a headboard and nightstands. The wood is just gorgeous - we're thinking its golden oak - it blends with the floors, which are oak, but just love the doors which conceal several draws behind it. Dh gave it a good cleaning and murphy oil soap and presto.

I was truly hoping to get a piece of furniture from the thrift shop for my craftroom. I needed a bookshelf to house my tv and stereo, etc... well dh gave me a Shift from the garage - removed the doors and that was that... so no more furniture for me...lol.

Thank goodness the thrift shop is not in my county, because I would be in there everyday...lol

Rejoicing

HAPPY EASTER ALL!

I'm rejoicing loudly, I've finished my jacket and so proud. This was a 3 week project that took me on a roller coaster ride, from jubilant to stressful to Yes I Can! At one point dh noticed my frustration and asked if he could help, and I had to laugh and responded with just a kiss...lol. I really considered moving on from the project, but in the end I hung in there, determined to finish it. By doing so, it confirmed that if I put my mind to it I can do it.

New Look 6516 pattern consists of 8 versions of a lined jacket with princess seams, flounced cuffs or straight cuffs, front ruffle or fringe. I did View C and modified it by adding the collar and omitting the ties. Initially I'd added the flounce cuffs at the bottom of the sleeve and realized it didn't work for me and removed it. My biggest challenge was the lining and with the help of Palmer/Pletsch DVD "Jacket for Real People", I was able to bag a lining. The fashion fabric is a Stretch Microfiber in a ginger color (50% Cotton 47% Polyester 3% Lycra) and for the lining I used a pinstripe (cotton/lycra) fabric.

Start of the Challenge
Front Facing/Side Panels/Back
Neck Edges
Sleeves
Front
Back

Springing Ahead

with my kitty by my side....lol. Ms. Darla hung out with me as I casted-on and started the ball rolling on my latest project, which is a reflection of how bad I'm ready for Spring. She's resting now after I had to tell her to sit her behind down after tangling with my yarn... gurl was loosing her mind...lol. With my latest purchase of Elann Callista I went in search of a knit pattern and came across Badia, which is a tank with a center cable and lace. I started the project last week and was amazed at how fast I worked up the back. I guess after stressing over my jacket I went full throttle on the project and now working the front.

After working the front following the cable & lace stitch glossary, I realized that it wouldn't work for me and opted for just cables and you know how I love cables....lol. I had to rip back 5" of the the cable & lace...uggh! and do what I'm known for - I've modified the pattern, by omitting the lace and doing 3 rows of cables instead of one (which was very hard to photograph). Also I did the back in plain stockinette, the pattern calls for the cable & lace in the back and just felt it wouldn't work for me back there.

Another modification I would like to make is adding short sleeves, so I've been looking at other knit patterns for the right sleeves. Now off to print out a few patterns I think will work... seeyah.

My Weekend Was Sew Challenging

I did a lot of reading this week, specifically on Bagging a Lining. I read Thread's article on Kenneth D. King's lining method, Thread's Jackets, Coats & Suits article on Jacket Lining Made Easy, Palmer/Pletsch's Jackets for Real People, and more reading. It seemed the more I read, the more confused I became and by Friday nite I'd overwhelmed my brain on the topic. At one point I decided I would move on from my Jacket project, feeling that I'd taken on a project that I was not ready for.

Saturday morning, as I browsed through my patterns for a new project, I eyeballed the jacket and thought sheesh, if I can't finish that jacket what the heck will I do with another project that is challenging. I pulled out my Jacket DvD and no kidding, I must have watched it at least a dozen times until something clicked...lol.

I literally closed myself in my room and dug into getting that lining into that Jacket. Carolyn suggested that I use a lining that was slippery. So Friday I stopped at a fabric store and checked out lining fabric, but my brain was in overkill mode and I just walked out. As I headed home I decided that since I'd cut fabric for the lining already and with all the indecisiveness going on about the project, it would be best to work with it if and when I learn the lining method. After this escapade I will be loading up on lining fabric. Thanks!! Carolyn for your help.

Here was my Saturday Itinerary:

Morning

Noon

Evening

Midnight

I am totally exhausted....lol.

EE Kcal Project Finale

You're probably asking... what happened to the sleeves... hmmmm well it ... umm how shall I say...lol Ol' heck... after seaming it and trying it on I was really diggin' the vest-look and realized I liked it just as is... and declared my EE Kcal project finished... Haha!...

Project Specs:

Pattern: Open-Neck Pullover by Cornelia Tuttle Hamilton (Modified)

Pattern Source: Knit Simple Spring/Summer 2006 issue

Yarn: Tahki Donegal Tweed in Charcoal (100% new wool) and Kathmandu DK yarn in Grape ( 85% Merino Wool, 10% Silk, 5% Cashmere)

Usage: 2 hanks of Tahki Donegal Tweed & less than a ball of the Kathmandu

Needle Size: 7

Modifications: The pattern called for the project to be done in seed stitch, I only did 10 rows of seed stitch and the remainder in garter stitch. I opted out of the deep-neck opening, which measures about 6" or so long from the contrasting band up to the neck. Instead I made the neck opening about 4" long. I also opted out of doing the sleeves.

Start/Finish: February 15 - March 9, 2008

Conclusion: It was very comfortable and it looked great on, and was totally lovin' it as a great alternative to a blazer.

Also, I sewed the seams together with my machine... I was not in the mood for hand stitching ;0

Blocking Boards & Easing

I can't recall where the discussion about Blocking Boards took place, but I do remember Niksknits & Crimsonpurl discussing using other items to make blocking boards. Jumping on their creative ideas, I remembered that I had extra exercise mats and created a blocking board using them. I only had 4 left over and will stroll over to Modell's and pick up a pack of the Interlocking Exercise Mats, which cost only $10.99.

But looka here....haha!

I placed my EE Kcal project on it and pinned it down and Presto..... A La Blocking Board....lol. The good thing about it - you can take the mats apart and store them under your bed/closet, etc. when not in use... Thanks Ladies!

On the sewing front, I've managed to set-in the sleeves to my jacket. I watched Jackets for Real People DvD and Marta discussed using bias interfacing to help ease the sleeve cap into the armcyse, but I didn't have any around and while watching Project Runaway (Oh! btw the finale was off the hook...) I brain stormed on another way to easily ease the sleeve. I experienced an epiphany!!! needle & thread.... I ran a row of long stitches along the top of the sleeve cap, slightly pulled on the thread gathering the sleeve cap. I then placed the armhole over my sleeve board and pinned the sleeves in place. Once the sleeves were completed with bated breath I tried on the jacket and started doing the happy dance... it was perfect. After straining my brain on how to make it work I came across a tutorial by Threads, which discusses easing sleeves using the same method... lol. Now, if I could just get over the next hurdle... bagging a lining.

I will be using this fabric for the lining, which is cotton & lycra. Its been shuffled around over the last couple of days and has barely wrinkled... so that's a good sign.

Sheesh, I was long winded on this post...lol. Oh! Don't'forget to set your clocks an hour ahead.

Hello All,

How was every one's weekend? What did you all do... anything good?

Last Friday nite I went through my sewing reference books to prepare myself for my next sewing venture as well as reviewing the Palmer/Pletsch DvDs.

I decided it was time to pull out this gorgeous fabric that I'd purchased, which is a Stretch Microfiber in a ginger color (50% Cotton 47% Polyester 3% Lycra) and pegged New Look 6516 for it.

On Saturday I spent the better part of the day working on it, cutting, interfacing, marking and baste stitching. While doing all of that I listened to Marta (Palmer/Pletsch) talk about her Perfect Fuse Interfacing and will put in an order for it because the interfacing I used puckered. Check me out... Martha, like I know her personally....haha!

Although, I've sewn a jacket before, New Look 6516 is constructed differently in that it has side front & side back panels, which had me scratching my head. I was clueless in that the pattern pieces did not appear to align with the front panel nor the back panel. I had to refer to Threads Jackets, Coats and Suits book for help and eventually realized that the side back and side front panels require easing....Sheesh. I'm noticing that easing plays a major part in sewing....lol.

The pattern calls for a lining and initially decided I wouldn't, but after checking out several of my suits and jackets and swooned over how polished it made the garment, I went ahead and cut & marked the lining fabric. I popped in Jackets for Real People DvD, which shows how to bag a Lining, can I say it had me shaking in my boots. The assembling part I grasped, but when she goes into putting the lining in the jacket... my brain went into freeze mode....uggh!

Sunday I assembled the collar and eased it on to the neck line.. there goes that easing again...lol. But I made a boo-boo. I ended up with the under collar on top of the upper collar... sheesh.

Sewing garments is a mental challenge and realizing each pattern takes me through a new learning curve. Well, I'm off to numb my brain on additional tips and tricks for bagging a lining.

Serging on the Edge

I'd purchased a serger as a companion to my sewing machine and looking to take my sewing to the next level. After checking out the DVD, I seriously contemplated returning it. I watched the DVD and instantly became mortified, the dvd wasn't clear and then thought there's no way I'm going to learn how to use that machine, let alone thread it.

The machine sat for week, I would look at it sideways, mumbling to myself... gurlll you know darn well you have no clue what you're getting into and again considered returning it. While looking for a dvd on jacket making, I remembered that I'd purchased a serger dvd by Palmer/Pletsch. After contemplating it a lil more, I finally decided that I needed to try it out first.

I sat down and familiarized myself with the machine and thought oh! that's cute that they threaded the machine, but in order to learn it I may as well pull all that thread out. I put in my dvd and as I watched it, I became a lil distraught when Martha mentioned she would not show how to thread the serger b/c every machine is different. Then nearly fell out of my chair when she mentioned that she would demonstrate how to thread the serger using the existing threads in the serger... DUH!!! I pulled out the dayummm threads.....uggh!

Well, I had no other choice but to pull out the manual and begin the process of threading from scratch, which took some doing, the lower looper was a real challenge.

End Result......

I DID IT!!!!! YEAH!!! I need to adjust thread tension on the lower looper, but by gawdly... I got it!!!

With that taken care of, now I can move on to my next sewing project, which is pattern New Look 6516.