Saturday,
March 29, 2003
The MOTHERLODE!
I just received a shipment of a 100+ patterns from an Ebay auction
- Thanks to corkyangel. I am ecstatic! Nearly all of them are
my size, or within alteration range. Once I weeded out the 70's
and 80's stuff I didn't dig, I was left a solid 30 that are
60's style wonderful. Incredible! Fantastic! Superb! Tomorrow
a trip to two huge fabric stores. Watch this page for new garments.
BONUS!
Along with the patterns, was nestled a pink pamphlet of sewing
tutelage: Cut Out For You: A plan for a smart girl's wardrobe.
Published by Vogue Pattern Service in 1956. I shrieked with
delight when I saw it. I am a smart girl. I want
a plan for my wardrobe. Here's it's advice to me:
Short.
Your clothes and accessories should be scaled to your
size, without too much detail. Avoid two-piece dresses,
two-color effects; instead strive for a long, unbroken line.
Princess and Empire styles are good silhouettes for your
small figure - sheath dresses too., if your figure is slim
and trim. Steer clear of extremes such as full or circular
skirts.
posted
on 12:14 AM
Thursday,
March 20, 2003
What Were You Doing When the Attack
on Iraq Started?
I was making this dress. It started out just another sewing
project while watching Law & Order. The Lenny was interrupted
by "decapitation attacks" and "surgical maneuvers."
This
dress started out from a favorite shapeless sundress pattern
that I've made half a dozen times, included the dress I graduated
college in. Since the paper pattern is long gone, I traced
the graduation dress and cut a new one. I made it out of a
fantastic remnant I bought years ago. It started out shapeless
again. Well, it had a shape, just sort of bell shaped and
untailored. Then I came up with the idea of using a couple
of big, vintage buttons and tabs of fabric to give the number
an empire waist. I'm super pleased with the way it worked
out. And I've got a chartreuse linen jacket that can make
it work clothes, on the odd day I'm working onsite, and not
here in the pjs.
Night
well spent on the homefront.
posted on 1:13 AM
Monday,
March 17, 2003
Left: Absolutely, wonderfully loopy during the fitting. Right:
Demure homemakers in the finished product.
Skirt Sewing Silliness
Anne and Sonya came over to make skirts yesterday. I literally
laughed so hard I gave myself a headache. After a good round
of girl talk, we headed over to Hancock fabrics to pick out
fabrics. I was completely fickle and decided to use fabric I
had at home. Anne decided on a sailor-y shirt in white with
blue top stitching and two fake pockets festooned with anchor
appliques. Sonya, who "supports derranged" decided to make a
mini out of two panels of Bob the Builder fabric meant to be
made into a toolbelt, hat and little Bob doll. Sonya had never
sewn before, and Anne hadn't sewn since getting a D from the
Home Ec teacher who hated her. I am super proud of them for
their acheviements! And they were fantastic afternoon entertainment.
posted on 10:47 PM
Thursday,
March 13, 2003
Programming
Change
My March 29th Eraser Carving class at Columbia College has been
cancelled. Didn't get the minimum number of students.
posted on 12:01 AM
Thursday,
March 06, 2003
Taking
the Stress Out of Seamstress.
I feel about ten feet tall because tonight I made two skirts
and a pair of stockings and everything turned out splendidly!
The first skirt was the green floral one that was vexing me
Sunday. I cut off some of the top to make it more like a wearable
garment and less like a boa constrictor and I replaced the zipper.
The amazing army green on lime green floral was on clearance
at Hancock Fabrics. It's a very comfy cotton with a dash of
Lycra.
Next
I made a superfantastic skirt out of a bold, totally Brandy
fabric. It's an African Batik in yellow, gold, red and black.
The pattern in the fabric line up well, and I placed the darts
perfectly. Since I adore wearing color, I want to live in
this skirt with my favorite red shirt.
Plus
I made a pair of stockings out of plain black knit fabric.
I got the idea from UnluckyMonkey,
a co-worker from a past life and renegade crafter. She had
made some pirate-y stockings out of a striped knit remnant.
I dug it because it sounded easy and, best of all, warm. Now
that I've got the pattern I can see making myself some in
every color. They are quite warm and comfy, but they do bunch
up just a little bit around the knees and ankle.
The
Sewing Bible
A big reason I'm back in the terrain of sewing garments is
because I've rediscovered Readers' Digest Complete Guide to
Sewing. It is a consummate reference book for sewing, chock
full of diagrams. I was truly obsessed with my mom's copy
of the book growing up.Out of nowhere, I thought of it again,
and thanks to Ebay, I got a copy in my hot little hands in
no time.
Yeah,
you could buy the newest edition, but I fear that they've
updated the delightful 70's illustrations. I also just bought
an old edition of their Complete Guide to Needlework. I'm
starting to think those Readers Digest folks are geniuses.
posted on 2:43 AM
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