Jacket Drama

I'm currently working on another jacket. I have had a really hard time with this one.Not because of technique or pattern flaws,but because I keep working on it when I'm tired or stressed.

I didn't realize this until I looked at my "sewing commandments".You may have seen these floating around the Internet a few years ago.You may even have them posted somewhere in your sewing room.

The commandments "Thou shall take a break when stressed"and"Thou shall remember to break for sleep,food and personal hygiene"are the ones I have neglected to keep.Now don't turn your nose up yet.I take care of the personal hygiene and I eat,but as far as sleep...I'm up sewing or reading about sewing(blogs,books and magazines) until 2am.lately. Believe me,this isn't working,at least not when I have to get up early the next morning.Late night sewing is so peaceful.Everyone else is asleep and its just me and my sewing.However,I'm going to have to remember to cut it off and get my sleep.

I have sewn and un-sewn each sleeve twice. I have sewn over stop dots several times.I have caught other parts of the garment in seams and stabbed my fingers on forgotten pins.All this drama makes me want to hurry and finish before I get sick and tired of looking at it.

I have the day off, tomorrow and I am determined to finish my jacket.

Update

My DD is back in good health and able to resume her roll as my fashion photographer.Here are the pictures I promised.
This Butterick pattern is a super fast and easy.If I wouldn't have had a problem finding the perfect buttons,I would have finished this fully lined jacket in a few hours.

Here is my jacket.I even put on gloves for effect.By the way it is about 80 degrees in the daytime in Georgia,lately. It is made in a short pile novelty fur.I used my walking foot attachment for the first time.

I had a difficult time finding matching buttons so I purchased bright green buttons and painted the with acrylic paint and sealer.The sealer protects the paint(no chipping)while adding texture and sheen. This jacket is from Simplicity4082(OOP).It is unlined.Next time I will line it or extend the front facing all the way to the side seams. That will keep it from hanging up on my girls.I will have to wear it with a smooth texture top to avoid that problem. Hey,that a good reason to make a few silky tops.

Last of all here is the white tie blouse from Vogue 7935. Please excuse the bad bra. I didn't wear it out in public.

Now ,I'm heading back to my sewing room. I think I've got jacket fever.I'm working on a blazer and I'm struggle with the sleeves.It's seam ripping time.(sigh)

Latest Creations

My DD is still not feeling well and is not up to take my pictures for me so bear with me and my photos of Claire.Claire is wearing the white blouse from yesterday's tutorial.

It is from Vogue 7935 .I believe it is recently discontinued.The attached neck tie can be tied up high or low or to one side as shown here.

Next up is a swing topper from Vogue 7935 which is also discontinued.

Here is Claire in view F on the pattern envelope.I wore it to church this morning an I think it looked better on me than on Claire.

Both of these pattern were easy and fun to sew.I plan to sew both again.The blouse fabric (georgette) was given to me by my friend Nancy.The jacket fabric(suiting) is from Hancock Fabrics.

I plan on taking pictures wearing these garment along with another jacket.It's been a good sewing weekend.

Tool Tutorial--That's Awl Folks

I just finished this blouse and thought I should do a tutorial on,one of my favorite sewing tools,the awl.
This pattern features loop and button closure.Placing the loop under the presser foot without it slipping from the proper position can be difficult,because you can't always get your fingers in close enough to control the fabric loop.This is one of many cases when an awl is just the tool you need. I have three different kinds. Pictured from left to right,a finger tip awl,a long handle awl and short handle awl.
I like the finger tip awl best.Kinda like Freddy Kruger of "Nightmare On Elm St" or Wolverine from "The Xmen".Sorry my inner child is trying to get out.

For the next pictures I'll use the short handle awl because it's easiest to find in any fabric store,just in case you want to run out and buy one.

Simple use this tool as if it was a long sharp finger.Place the point on to the loop and with slight pressure guide the loop and bottom fabric under the foot as pictured here.

With an awl you can get right under the presser foot without losing control of the loop or the fabric. Please do not sew over the awl.Remove it after the sewing machine needle pierces the loop.
Now your loops are in place.I hope this was helpful to some one.

As I said earlier,I finished this blouse today.I worked on the garment this week and finished all of them. My DD is not feeling well and she is my photographer.I try to get DH to take pictures tomorrow.

I'm Back

I know it has been ages since my last post.I probably have set some sort of record. I have slapped my own hand ,for being a bad blogger.

I lost my sewing "mojo"for a really long while. It began while I was working on this jacket .The fitting was going well and then I decided to learn tailoring techniques at the same time. The whole process became overwhelming. There was a lot of ripping,re-sewing and whining.I had also started teaching sewing classes.This has always been a dream of mine.The classes were going along wonderfully and my students were delightful,but at home, there was nothing....no sewing.

But...I did knit my first wearable sweater.This is from Vogue Knitting magazine.It is for my DD,Ashley.

I got my sewing "mojo"back after a visit with my friend Linda .After hanging out in her sewing room and seeing her newest creations and plans for future creations,I felt renewed and ready to finish my jacket.Not only did I finished my jacket,I made matching pants and ended up with a great fitting suit. I went on and made another pair of pants and a top. I enter all of these items in the Georgia State Fair Sewing Competition,this past Saturday. I'll post the pictures of my suit when I get it back from the fair. Here is a picture to show that plenty of people are sewing in Georgia.

My friends Linda and Ebony entered the competition too.We ended up making it a day of fabric shopping,lunching and fun. After hanging out with these talented women,I was filled with all kinds of sewing ideas. They are so inspiring.(Thanks you both!)

Today ,before going to work,I had time to work on my current project,another jacket.(less work involved this time) I'm making the one shown in pink, on the pattern packet.

Remember September is "National Sewing Month". Enjoy it.