Quick project

Found this pattern when I was organizing projects.

Lynne had purchased fabric and cut out two views - C and A.  I wanted something to do last night that didn't take too much time and effort so I sewed up view C. 

A new skirt for either Lynne or Molly, doesn't really seem to be Abigail's style.

Too much to do?

Made a list today - have 17 projects lined up.  These are projects that have both a pattern and fabric.  Pattern only or fabric only do not count.  Maybe not a good idea to know there is that much ahead of me. 

Sewing room organization

Sharing a sewing room with the other Randall sewist, Abigail, means I need to be a little more organized than I naturally would be. 

First, I organized the rolling drawer unit.

Then I needed to organize my projects so I could see what I have to do and have a place to put them away when Abigail wants to use the room.  I like the idea of boxes and I found some cool Martha Stewart chalkboard labels at Staples.  I don't have the exact boxes but since the labels are repositionable I used some Christmas gift boxes.

Up next

My next project is McCalls 3495, dating from about 1973 I believe. I am making view B, second from the left.  Lynne has picked a cute retro-y fabric, but I am making it up first is some striped material I got at Value Village at the 50% off sale.  There may be as many as six or seven yards on this bolt and I got it for $7.49, so a great price for practice fabric

 

Because the pattern we have is an 11 junior and Lynne is NOT a junior I am making my first experiment with slash and pivot pattern alteration.

 

I am making it slightly wider through bust and hips.  That and the generous design ease will be sufficient, I hope.

The other interesting wrinkle is that the written instructions are missing.  I feel fairly confident that I know what order to do things, but it is slightly out of my comfort zone. 

Pioneer dress - part 2

I finished Barb's two dresses, bonnet and apron for her wagon train adventure.

These were pretty simple and straightforward to make.  The armhole was interesting.  It was formed by the front, back and yoke.  It made an odd 3 cornered intersection. 

Vintage Pattern 2836

Since re-entering the sewing world I have discovered the wild and wonderful world of vintage patterns.  I knew my friend Jayne had made money on e-bay, buying old patterns at thrift stores and re-selling them.  I had no idea what big business it was.  Some of those vintage patterns are really expensive!!

Of course, I want to try my hand at some of these.  And we do have some of the big 4 pattern companies offering 'new' vintage patterns - bringing patterns out of the vault, so to speak and offering them to us anew.  Have one vintage Vogue under my belt, will showcase in some later blog.

Today's subject is Pattern 2836.  I can find no indication of ANY pattern company, either on the envelope or the instructions.  This was given to us by my friend, Sherie.

Some charming things about this pattern:

• The sizes are indicated by year, i.e. 12 years, 14 years, 16 years.  Though I can't imagine any 12 or 14 year old, from any era, wearing this pattern.  Looks too grown up I think.
• There are no printed markings on the pattern pieces themselves.  The notches are actual notches cut into the pattern.  A series of three small perforations indicate laying on a fold, "lines of triple small perforations" indicate laying "lengthwise of material"
• Layouts included for 39" and 54" material.
• Has gathers in  long sleeve version at the elbow.
• Seam allowances are 3/8".

And here are the complete instructions!

Folkwear 106 (Turkish Coat) - Part 2

Cut out parts of the toile and tried them on Heather today.  I will have to upsize it some and she will have to order some additional silk for the borders. 

However I had no difficulties getting the side panels,  gussets and sleeves to fit, so I have no idea what problem the other pattern reviewer was having.

It is awkward working with a pattern that only uses one layer of fabric.  I am so used to fabric being folded when I cut out.  I had the back cut out and when to cut out the front when I realized I had cut TWO backs and could use one of them for the front (as they are the same size and shape (except for the neck).  Glad I realized it before I got too far. 

Now need to completely sew together the outer layer (no lining) and try it again for fit.  Hope I have included enough ease for it to be used as a coat.

T-shirt skirt

Lynne is going to a Rocket Summer concert.  She had an old RS T-shirt, but didn't want to wear it as a shirt as there were bleach spots, stains, etc.  She decided I should make a T-shirt skirt.  Now, making things out of knit and with no pattern is definitely out of my comfort zone, but Abigail didn't really want to take it on.  So off I went.

I even did a toile from an even more unwanted T-shirt!  I needed to taper it even more- the waist is still a bit too big, while being pretty tight around the hips (the tightness is okay, and she covered up the looseness by wearing a belt).

I used a stretch smocking stitch to attach the design from the old T-shirt to the new skirt.  It only took me a few hours and I think it turned out pretty cute.

Here is the front view.

This is the black separating zipper - which I just happened to have in my fastenings drawer!

Here is the design from the original T-shirt.

Folkwear 106 - Part 1

Starting on the Turkish Coat Pattern.

Have Heather's final (expensive) fashion fabric.

After reading the pattern directions themselves, looking at the pattern pieces and reading the two pattern reviews I found online, decided that I definitely need to make a toile.  Just not that confident about fitting non-traditional pieces together.

Found some fabric at the Value Village 50% off sale.  Also hit up Jo-Ann's Memorial Day sale for some plain cotton at 2.29/yard.

Have read pattern warnings, guidelines and instructions numerous times.  Finally unfolded and examined all pattern pieces and cut to separate. I am pretty sure that the pattern is going to need to be sized up for a correct fit.  Apparently this should all come in the main pattern pieces - the side panels, gussets (which one review said were impossible to fit - oh joy) and side borders are NOT supposed to be adjusted.

So my plan at this point is to get the side assemblies made - side panel, gusset, sleeve (which I will cut to the pattern, but may have to adjust the final length).  Then attach the front extension (which are really supposed to go on the front) but I want the 'known' size done, and then I can adjust front and back as necessary to meet the side assemblies.

Heather is coming on Thursday. Here's what needs to happen.
Cut out pattern pieces. (done)
Cut out side assembly pieces (gusset, sleeve, side panel) from exterior fabric.
Cut out side extension piece from exterior fabric.
Sew side assembly together (one or both?)
Sew on side extensions (one or both)

My other question is - do I need to practice putting in the lining?

I think the coat is going to look a little strange without any quilting or trapunto but she says she doesn't want any. 

When is enough enough?

When I start sewing, it is hard for me to know when I have done 'enough' for the day.  It's always so satisfying to get another seam done and another step completed, I want to just keep going.  Today I started on Barb's second Pioneer dress.  I did the collar/interfacing/facing, the yoke, and sewed the collar to the yoke and sewed on the yoke interfacing.  I think that has to be enough for today. 

Pioneer dress - part 1

My friend, Barb, is going on a wagon train trip with her 6 (or 7) year old grandson.  It is for a week in North Dakota, at the end of June.  Everyone has to wear appropriate clothing so I volunteered to make her a couple of dresses. 


I am using McCall's Pattern 9423 for the dresses and bonnet.

 We both think the apron will be very warm and will be getting a simpler apron pattern to use.  Here is the first dress, with matching bonnet.