A Little Sewing and A Little Laughter

I finished 2 pairs of pants from TNT patterns,Simplicity 2700 (grey plaid) and Sewing Workshop Plaza Pants(black).I know the hanger shots don't show much but I just wanted to share what I've been working on. I want to make a jacket to wear with the Plaza pants. I'll take pictures wearing both pieces as soon as I finish the jacket.

Here's my latest project is this OOP Vogue. It will be my last winter piece. The fabric is a wool blend with embossed large scale paisley print. The jacket is fully lined and the pattern requires that every jacket piece is interfaced.


I'm using the techniques from my newest sewing library addition"Jackets For Real People: Tailoring Made Easy".In the Palmer/Pletsch books they employ pin fitting your pattern instead of making a muslin. I pin fitted and of course I had to do the FBA as usual. I also added to the side back and side front pieces to accommodate my thick middle. The fabric pieces are now cut,interfaced and marked. As the book suggests,I pinned the fabric pieces together as if sewn and tried it on and fit nicely. If everything goes as planned,I should have a new jacket,by this weekend.



Now for a little laughter:

Wanna see something funny? Look

I Got It From My Momma

My Mom,brother and two nieces came from Detroit to spend a week of "spring break "with me. My Mom always arrives bearing sewing goodies for me. This time was no different.She brought two huge boxes of books,patterns and notions.

My mother taught me how to sew when I was 13. I was a totally unwilling student of any needle arts,preferring instead,comic books and horror movies.I usually griped and complained through every minute of the sewing process.However I did manage to create a couple of wearable items,under her instruction. During her recent visit she gave me one of my earliest pattern purchases. I'm not putting a date on this but some of you may remember when you had one in your closet. I was wearing that red jumpsuit proudly back then. Looking back now,I probably look a bit like a tomato pincushion.LOL

I'm glad she had the patience to teach me the craft that I now enjoy.You know it,"Mother knows best". Here are a few of the fantastic collection of vintage sewing books she gave me.
Some people read novels before bed,I read sewing books,magazines and pattern instruction sheets.I love the older sewing books.They cover every detail from A to Z. The Crochet book list 500 stitch designs.This is just a small peek at what my Mom brought.There is also a series of books(12) called 'The Art Of Sewing"by TimeLife. I'm still browsing the stacks.Thanks Mom.

The New Chick

There's a new chick in my sewing room! She has been wearing my clothes but,I don't mind. She's been a great help so far. Her name is Claire. She hasn't been adjusted or belly-padded yet. I'll do that later after some study on how to do it.

One of my Sewing resolutions for this year was to learn more about fitting.This weekend I bought this book to start me on that quest.Many of of the sewing/blogging sisters have this book in their library and have given it the thumbs up. I love blogging.There is so much good advice available. Just ask and you get honest answers,not paid endorsements.I've been reading though it during lunch break at work and I can't wait to get started.I'm going to hold off until after the Sewing Expo in Atlanta, this Saturday.I'm almost too excited about that to concentrate on much else.

I did get some sewing done this past weekend.Last Friday I got this pattern and some fabric from Hancock Fabrics ....

and by 2:00am Saturday morning I finished this shirt and cut out another.I love uninterupted late-night sewing.After sewing until wee hours I got up early enough to hit the yard sales and found this for $1.00.
Old school sewing books are full of forgotten basics(grain line,marking,pressing,etc) and cool retro details.This book is my bedtime read this week. If you should stumble upon this book,grab it.I think you'll like it. I'll be sharing what I learn in future posts.

Good Shopping

I went book shopping today during lunch and purchased a few goodies. The "Chic Bags"book has been on my want list for a while. It has a lot of fresh looks and great instructions. The "Passion for Patchwork" has quilted projects which I 'd like to make as gift items for gifts.I've done a little quilting(1 table runner) before and it was really relaxing.Several ladies I've recently met at the fabric store, have advised me to take another stab at it.

These magazines are going to the top of the magazine pile next to my bed.To top off the day,when I got home from work my Ebay wins were in the mail box.I guess I've got tote bags on the brain. I love making them. The Athena Blouse pattern is a good basic for my wardrobe makeover. It will probably hit the cutting table Saturday after I return from the fabric store. It's going to be cold and rainy tomorrow.Excellent for staying in a warm dry sewing room

I completed my Plaza pants and a pair of jeans. I'll have to post pictures of the finished products later when DD slows down enough to take photos. Both fit great.This was my first time making a pair of jeans.Now,I have another great reason to avoid the mall.Well,except for accessories and shoes. Here's a picture of the pattern and the denim.The denim has just a hint of stretch and it is super dark. I made view C. I'm so pleased with this pattern.I know I will make at least 3 more pair.