Sewing thingies for the sewing room...

New year, cleaner loft? ummm. No! But I did take time to brighten it up a couple days ago.

First, my pin cushion. Much loved, much used. I cannot tell you how nice it is to have a 'roll' that fits right in front of my machine. And is long enough for me to segregate my pins by type.

I made my first one back in 2011, and it was looking pretty drab after 6 years. So, a new one. I took the oldie apart, both to re-use the sand bag that was inside and to retrieve any lost sewing needles. The latter was gratifying - I rescued 12 needles, most of them self-threading needles that I use all the time to sink thread tails.

The pin cushion is easy to make. It's basically a rectangular bag, finished at about 7" x 3", with a opening on the side for inserting the innards.  Inside, on the bottom, I have a fabric bag of super-fine sand that I found at PetsMart (bird department). The bag is sewn from a high-thread count fabric and hasn't leaked at all. On top of the bag, poly batting and fiberfill, stuffed in until I just couldn't stuff any more. And the opening is just hand-sewn to close.

Those sewing needles. Usually they're on a magnetic card that's stuck on the metal base of my lamp. This works great, because they're right at hand and not populating my pin cushion. I still see this Singer notion at JoAnns, it comes with a few needles and is very inexpensive.

Next up, a notions tray for the little things I use constantly at the machine. Seam ripper, measuring tape, long tweezers, Frixion pen, hem gauge, 7" ruler, spool caps...lots of stuff :-) I've been using a pasta bowl from my dinnerware, which bugged me no end. Making a quilted fabric replacement was easy peasy, I should have done this sooner.

The materials are simple: A top, bottom, and batting layer, all cut at 10" x 12", then sewn as a bag, turned right side out, and quilted. 

Ta dum!

I've made these trays so many times as travel gifts. Most of them are smaller, about 7" x 5" - they pack flat and have snaps to close the corners. They're great for holding jewelry, change, and keys on a hotel nightstand. And in my living room right now, this one has the notions I'm using while basting a bunch of quilt blocks.

I'm glad I took the time to spruce up the loft, but it was just exhausting. LOL - actually I'd rather be sewing.

Bye for now! Coco

A Lagenlook-drafting tale...

This was bound to happen.

Over the past few weeks I've sewn three dresses with a Lagenlook vibe. And I love them. One thing they all have in common is a plethora of pattern pieces - lots of pieces and seaming to get that iconic fly-away/belled look.

Being totally without anything else I HAD to do, I started thinking about drafting a simple dress - front, back, and sleeve - that would mimic those lines. It would be as easy to sew as a tee shirt dress.









Fun project! I decided to use the skirt from the StyleArc Toni Designer Dress and the bodice from the Sewing Workshop Cityscapes Dress.

A little time on the floor, with both patterns and more tissue on top, and I had something to sew. 

Actually, this first version isn't bad - but it is very unstructured through the body and sleeve. I do like the fabric (a pre-cut rayon/cotton/lycra jersey from Fabric Mart), so I'll re-sew this as a tunic in the spring. It will be great over white leggings.

Not deterred, I went back to work. This time I kept the skirt from my first draft, and added the bodice from Sandra Betzina's knit dress, V1297. 

The Betzina dress has a more narrow bodice and a French dart for shaping. And it has a nice slim sleeve.

Success!

I'll be able to whip one up in no time - the dress at the top of this post was sewn just that way :-) Now I'm off to see what else I can do to make a mess in the loft. I'm thinking a nightgown.

Ciao! Coco

A little unselfish sewing ...

Every once in a while, I sew for someone other than myself. Ok, not a lot, but a little bit. Christmas gifts for sure, and I always make something special for Ashley and Darrin, for their annual trip out to the San Diego ComicCon. This year, Ashley sent me some fabric for a dress - how cute is this! And do you think she likes Hello Kitty...

Darrin got a new rubber loop bracelet, his favorite, in black and gray. Who would have thought - these bracelets are a big hit with my son and grandson as well. In fact, I just got a special order for a couple in Florida Gator orange and blue.

But back to the dress, I've made this pattern about 5 times now for my girl. I drafted it several years ago from a pattern that looks nothing like this dress!

And a couple weeks ago, Ashley came over to help me with a surgery. It meant so much to me - she took FMLA from work, and it was such a comfort to have her with me. Not to mention how much she helped me afterwards. Before she came over, I made her a thank-you dress, in a little fancier fabric that she can wear with a shrug for casual Fridays.

(And I'm doing great. Not quite ready to model clothes yet, but almost there.)

Meanwhile, the super-nice person who helps me with yard work and small fix-ups around the house, and his wife, are expecting a little girl, their second child, this month. They're originally from Morocco, and I think it must be hard not to have any family nearby. I wanted to make something a little different for them, and at first I thought might do little flannel blankets. And then I remembered how popular gauze swaddling blankets are now with new moms. And how perfect for our Florida heat and humidity.

I started with a 5-yard x 44" wide piece of cotton gauze, which I thought would be enough for 4 blankets, 44' square. Nooo... when I pre-laundered it and took it out of the dryer, it was 2 feet shorter than when it went in! So enough for three blankies.

To finish the edges, I pressed out about 1" along the side seams, cut off the selvedges, and simply sewed a double-fold hem all the way around.

After another wash and dry, they are so nice and soft and airy. I want one!

Double Eye Needles

Before I could manage the stairs up to the sewing loft, I indulged in some online shopping - nothing wrong with my fingers! I finally got around to ordering a couple things I really need, both from Nancy's Notions - what a fun site, it has lots of interesting things I don't see everywhere.

I love double-eye needles for sinking serger tails back through the stitched seam - and I haven't found them anywhere else, in shops or online.  I lost one of my two needles somewhere in the sofa a couple weeks ago. Panic. At 2 for $2.75, they are a great tool. They also come in a pack of 10.

Tracing Paper

And I ordered 2 rolls of tracing paper. I really go through this stuff - just give me paper, scissors, and tape, and I'm happy.

These are 77 yards long and 21" wide, two rolls for $15 (it can be ordered by the single roll as well). What a good buy, much less than I've been paying at A.C. Moore. To make this a totally guilt-free little purchase, I also found a free shipping coupon online :-)

What next? Well, I'm back to sewing now. Before the surgery, I cut out and prepped a few garments - I knew that part would be difficult for a while. Fun stuff - Kathryn Brenne's new Vogue 9135 jacket, a Wiksten top re-drafted with a little swing, a Kwik Sew 2895 denim jacket, and a Morris blazer in black ponte. 

So I'm staying busy and grateful for such an easy recovery.

Bye for now - Coco

Indulging myself - but it's my birthday!

Birthdays are special...

Mine is tomorrow. February 28 - and I'll be 67! I was born in a Leap Year, at 9 o'clock in the evening. Were my parents worried that I might be a Leap Year baby? no! my brother, only 14 months old, was very sick with a cold. I think my Dad was a little put out that I pulled Mom away from nurse duty and left him in charge :-)

Dad was in graduate school at Stanford University, just out of the Navy. He got called back in for the Korean War - we moved 10 times up and down the California coast before I was 6. And the baby count went up to 4 in that time!





Every year I have a private celebration. When I was working, I always took a vacation day on my birthday - it was nice to just fool around, hug myself,  and enjoy my day.

At the park, 2/28/2003

Of course my annual celebration includes a gift to me from me. This year it's a new serger. Oh gosh, I need to say that again, a new serger!

Juki Pearl Line MO-654DE 2/3/4 Thread Serger w/ BONUS Package!

Includes Juki Instructional DVD Video, Juki Electronic Workbook, Juki 8 Foot Kit, 8 Cones of Thread, 50 Organ Needles, and Hemline Serger Tote Bag.

$499.99 / Free Shipping

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Yes, a tote bag! I ordered online from Sewing Machines Plus (also where I purchased my Juki F600 - it came with a huge Bonus package as well, including a rolling tote bag). 

I take my machines to Ashley's house all the time, having a case for the serger will be wonderful! Kitty Nikita might be disappointed. She considers the serger threads to be her domain.

I've never had extra feet for my serger ( a Janome 8002D). This will be fun!

But I didn't get this serger for the feet. I've been a little unhappy with my Janome for a while. It's tricky to thread, kind of fussy. And I change colors a lot now that I use knits so much. Last night I was working on a Hot Patterns Joyful T. But I simply could not get my serger threaded - I threw up my hands, and went to bed with the serger open, the loft a mess, and threads everywhere. I don't like that feeling. 

This Juki has great reviews for its threading ease. I've read the users manual, researched the machine on the web, read reviews, etc., etc. Seems like a very well-priced little workhorse. I have to admit I love love that it really shows its insides - I can't imagine cleaning and oiling a serger without this feature. 

Features - it has all I need, plus things I didn't expect, like a needle threader, thread nets, and spare lower knife!

Birthdays get my vote! Bye for now - Coco

p.s. I'm 28 and holding.

Burda Style Athletic/Bomber Jacket!

Gosh, it seems like forever since I posted.  I just haven't been well. Short hospital stay the first week of October, and it has taken a while to get back on my feet. Aargh.

When I came home, Ashley and D. 'moved' the loft downstairs into the dining area, and I've actually enjoyed a little sewing. And today Emile took on some modeling for me.

This bomber jacket is so cute - Burda Style calls it an athletic jacket, maybe because the sleeve is not set-in. I've been wanting to sew one for months, but just couldn't settle on a pattern.

Burda Style 05/2014 #110

I finally chose this pattern, out of the many out there, for a couple reasons: it's unlined, and it has a round neck with no ribbing. I think the ribbing on my neck would make me crazy :-)

I also thought I might be able to adapt the band on this pattern for a button band, since I don't use zippers. In the end, I just redrafted the front edge:

• I extended the front and front self-facing by 1.5" to form the button band area. 
• And added the 'classic' button square at the ends of the waistband ribbing.

Another change I made...I ended up using faux welt pockets. I originally sewed in the pocket bags, but didn't like them. So chop chop!

Inside views..

I used a corded denim, which is a little stiff at this point after only one washing. It's a little ravelly, so all the seams are serged or bound.

Loving these button snaps...

Behind every good button snap there's a good tool, and believe me, this one is worth every nickel it cost me. It does all the work - I'm so excited to have this hunk of metal! Many many thanks to Anne, at Clothing Engineer, who has a wonderful review and tutorial on the use of this fantastic tool.

Pres-n-Snap, from Sailrite

15mm ring snaps, Pacific Trimming

I'm going to put snap buttons on everything!!

One last sewing note. I didn't go for ribbing - I used remnant cotton/spandex jersey knit for my cuffs and waistband - works like a charm. 

This was an interesting project, but it turns out that this grey jacket doesn't match anything in my wardrobe! So funny...

Ciao! Coco