Not-So-Haute Couture

Flickr: Photos from tamtay

Whoa...lots of excellent reviews of this machine..I wouldn't have thought about a Kenmore, but... Kenmore 19233 Computerized Drop-In Bobbin Sewing Machine with 215 Stitch Functions at Sears.com

INTER-SEASONS

I can't get a pants toile fitted. I give up trying to fit myself. I'm going to check out the local stores and see it I can go to a class or something. I know that StoneMountain and Daughter in Berkeley has classes. Ooohh--I just checked their classes link and Sandra Betzina is giving 2 pants classes! Hmmmm...$140...First class is September 9, then another on November 18.

sewing_room

Sewing Rooms

Just when I think I've got fitting issues handled they pull me back in! I tweaked my Vogue 8151 T-shirt by scooping out the armscye, which led to a corresponding alteration on the sleeve head, which I guess was the right thing to do. The chest fit somewhat better, but it really feels over-fitted and now there's a bunch of material underneath the arm. So I looked at the pattern sizing, consulted Fit for Real People and have come to the conclusion that I need to go down one more size in order to properly fit my shoulders, upper chest and back. This means that, based on my upper bust measurement of 36" I should cut a size 14 Misses and make the following alterations: Sloped shoulder 1/2" Full bust adjustment to add 2 1/2" (total of 5" across the front) Add sleeve width as needed to accommodate my 13" bicep Add to waist and hips if the 5" added from the FBA isn't enough Swayback adjustment as needed Sigh.......here we go again!

I like this:

Finally ! Vogue 8151 fits! I wore this all day and never had to yank it forward on my neck even once and there was no pooling of material in the small of my back. (Both issues are pet peeves). Besides changing the neckline design change to scoop style I made the following alterations: The back was cut in size D, morphing to an F below the waist The front was cut in size D, extending to F at the underarm and continuing in size F from that point down. Sloping shoulders 3/4" Bust dart lowered 1" 3/4" length added to bottom at the center back About 3/8" shaved off the sleeve head This was made up in a cotton knit. I stabilized the neckline and shoulder seams with clear elastic applied with wash-away wondertape. The bottom and sleeve hems were stabilized the same way, then top-stiched with a 4mm double needle. This worked beautifully, with miminal 'tunneling' between the stitching lines. Based on previous reviews (thank you to all who wrote them!) I did not do a ...

Working on the Today's Fit T-Shirt (smaller view below): I just have to record my amazement that I am in the D-E-F size of this pattern. I have lost 60 pounds in the past year and am not used to the smaller pattern size. I look at the pattern pieces and marvel that they seem so small . But they fit me! I'm on the 3rd toile and almost to a perfect fit. Here's the rundown: On the first try I cut out Size D to shoulder, transitioning to size F at (and including) the underarm. From this first toile I determined that the following alterations were needed: Sloping shoulder 3/4" Forward shoulder 1/2" Lower bust dart 1" Keep the size D through to the underarm and transition to F below the armscye (to correct fabric bunching up above the bust and under the arm). The shoulders looked too narrow on the first toiles, but I wasn't sure, so I decided to leave them the same for the next toile. The sleeves have so much ease that they seem almost gathered so on the las...

These basics from Hot Patterns will be good additions to my SWAP project: The pants are mentioned in this thread on Pattern Review as being very flattering. Sewing Diva Phyllis' entry about the skirt is inspirational; I just love how it looks! Her review of this pattern is very informative, as well. (Thank you, Phyllis!) The Hot Patterns pants and skirt join the Sandra Betzina Today's Fit T-shirt pattern from Vogue:

Last May I posted the beginnings of a wardrobe plan using line drawings of patterns I had bought from Unique: But those patterns are too big for me now, so I started a new wardrobe story board. I'm not nearly ready to start sewing a planned wardrobe, but I had fun doing the new draft story board:

My mother's sewing machine. It was a Christmas present in 1957 from her future in-laws. She used it to sew her wedding gown. My first sewing machine. A Singer Genie that I got for Christmas when I was about 11; around 1972 After the Genie above, my husband bought me a sewing machine from JC Penney (he meant well), which I used for a number of years before it was STOLEN (!) during a move. For awhile a had no sewing machine at all--I felt lost! Then someone gave me this Singer Stretch and Sew (aka cuss and sew). Now I have 3 machines: a Viking, a mini Singer that used to be my sister's (she got it when I got the Genie) and this serger: First Serger: White 2000ATS

Gosh I love SWAP* contests! Timmel Fabrics' 2007 SWAP contest photos . I've lost 60 pounds and am in need of clothes that fit! I have 27 pounds still to lose to reach my goal of 150, but I don't want to wait to start sewing. When I made my Easter skirt I was pleasantly surprised at how little (compared to 60 pounds ago) fabric I needed to use. A week or two later I was back in my sewing room looking through my patterns to find something else to make only to discover that all of the patterns I wanted to use were TOO BIG!!!!! Funny--I've been giving away clothes as I shrunk out of them but never gave a thought to my sewing patterns. I tossed my Unique patterns (I will get re-scanned when I make my goal weight and try them again) and set aside a bunch more, including a handful of Vogue's Today's Fit patterns. I really liked this one and this one and will replace them with the correct size. I spent the rest of that afternoon measuring myself and comparing...

A site to watch--patterns aren't available yet: Go-Pattern

I sewed! I actually sewed! I got this pretty accordian pleated "broomstick" fabric at my first (and only, so far) BABES gathering (BABES is a group of sistah sewists from the bay area who have Pattern Review in common: I've wanted to make it into a skirt for Easter for 2 years and I finally did! Here it is: I've lost 58 pounds over the past 10 months and this is the first thing I've sewed since I started my diet (Atkins). To go with the skirt I bought a knit top (in the misses department, not the Women's department!) and to complete the outfit my sweet girls gave me a gift certificate for a pedicure so I have matching toenails!

This looks neato: myshape.com . You enter your measurements and they match you with clothes that "fit and flatter".

My new sewing room is languishing--it needs to be brought to life! I haven't sewn in months because we moved, I started a new job and then there were the holidays. But I need to sew! Here's my organizing and decorating list: Install pegboard--paint and frame w/moulding first Organize tools on pegboard Install lighting Make pressing board Cover tables with oilcloth so they match Replace mini-blind with ivory faux wood venetian blind Make valance for window So I need to buy: Pegboard Moulding Paint (?) Pegboard accessories

Truth, Beauty, Love, and Elisa.

Found a place to upload cute videos of da grandbaby: YouTube Now I just gotta get my photoshop elements reinstalled so I can get the pics out of the camera.