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Sunday, January 20, 2013

Lazy Sunday

Not much sewing going today. I am babysitting my grandson that is 1 year old. He keeps me stepping, currently taking nap so I am playing on the computer so I can make sure he doesn't fall off the couch. Yesterday Bella and I had our second sewing lesson. I had went to JoAnn Fabrics and purchased 5 Learn to Sew Patterns for little girl's and some valentines material. Of course she wasn't fond of what I picked, but we used it anyway. Note to self, take her with me when buying patterns and fabric. Even at 9 years old they are extremely pickie. We finally agreed on which pattern to use that wouldn't be too hard. I made her cut the pattern out, which she did a great job. Then we proceeded to layout pattern on material. I showed her how to pin the fabric to the fabric. I haven't yet given up pins for weights, maybe something I might do in the future. She cut out the fabric all by herself. I read the instructions to her and tried to explain each step. Of course I had to guide her every step. But she learned to pin material, sew straight lines and also learned how to gather material and sew. She made a mistake so she also used the seam ripper. She thought that was cool, wait a little while and I am sure she will hate it, like everyone else. She had a hard time inserting the elastic, I had to help her, but the skirt turned out cute. Her only complaint was it was too long. So next time, we will shorten.

I worked on my pattern again for the last shirt I made. The ladies on Pattern Review made a view suggestions. So I decided to re-trace the front again and start all over. I cut the self facing off as suggested. Then I made a Full Bust Adjustment and added a dart, to fit a little better in the front and reattached the self facing of the cowlneck. I then did a rounded back adjustment. So now I have done a full back adjustment and a round back adjustment. Hopefully these changes will add length to the back, make the front fit nicer and the cowlneck not to be so low. I did cut out material again that I got a JoAnn's 50% of red tag so I only paid $10 for the material, so if it doesn't turn out I won't be out alot. Though I probably will end up wearing even if it doesn't fit perfect. Went to Doctor yesterday about my diebectic and they put me on more medicine and said I must exercise for at least 45 mintues a day. So I am really going to try to listen. I hate taking so much medicine. I need to lose weight and that would help my sugar count.

Tuesday, January 15, 2013

I actually went to my sewing room tonight and sewed. My husband had to work over at work and didn't get home until 9:00 pm so I was home alone. I had already cut a top using McCall's 6612 which was the pattern used on the last top. For my first top I added 1" above the waist line to bring it down to my waist. I also added 1/2" to the front and back seams at the sides, and 1/2 to each side of the sleeve seams, tapering down to nothing at the elbow, they are 3/4 length sleeves. I originally did the side seams as view A with the fabic at sides to create a rouching up on the sides but just didn't like the look on me, so I took out the elastic and shortened it alittle more. But I found the top was a little tighter than I liked and it felt uncomfort on me. Looks great on the dress form, just not on me. So I made the following changes. I decided to do view B because I didn't like the rouching. Ishortened it to be tunic length about 19" from arm whole. The last top I made was a little tighter than I like my tops, also the shoulder was not wide enough for my shoulders. The pattern pieces for the top front is different and I am not sure how to add to the shoulders, do a FBA that I really think I could use. This is the front pattern piece:
The top portion of the pattern folds down so that the cowl neck is lined in the same fabric. The shoulder meet when completed. Because I didn't know how to make a FBA I decided I would try to cut the seam allownce and move out 1/2" on the complete side. I thought this might work....did not. Made my cowl neck really big, but did not increase the shoulder with. I also added 1" again above the waistline so the waist would hit where it was suppose too. However with this pattern it really wouldn't matter, there is no waist. But I needed the length. I proable should have just left waist alone and added to the bottom, but not sure about that thought. On the back piece I needed some more room, so I cut pattern and added 1/2". See picture..
I also left the 1/2" on both side seams of the front and back. I raised the back of the neckline about 1/2" because I didn't like how low it fit on my back neck. This is the second finished top...
As I look at the pictures, I need to go back to re-think all my alterations. Adding to the front didn't do much but make my cowl neck hang really low. I must where a cami under or I would be showing the girls all day. The back is shorter than the front. Off me, it is good, on me it is bad. So I have to figure out how to add to the back but keep it the same as the front on the sides...Not sure. Purchased fabric from Fabric.com 2.5 yards @ $3.99 only used about 2 hards because of the long front piece. Material is a ITY and very slinky and a little harder to work with

Sunday, January 13, 2013

Bella's First Sewing Lesson

This Christmas I purchase my grandaughter her first real machine. She is nine years old and really just wanted a toy Hello Kitty sewing machine. I felt if I was going to try to teacher her to sew, we needed a real machine. However, she wanted something cute. I started my search on machines, and I fell in love with the Hello Kitty sewing machine. It ran $250 and I just couldn't justify paying this kind of money for a 9 year old. I recieved an e-mail from my Babylock dealer that I could purchase the BL9 for less than $100. That was doable. But how can I make it cute? A lady on Pattern Review suggested Hello Kitty stickers. I found some vinyl stickers at Walmart that are removed, that would do the trick. This is what I came up with....
We started our sewing lesson. I worked with her before on making doll pjs, but this time I purchase a book "My First Machine Sewing book" by Winky Cherry. We looked at the book, I showed parts on her machine and what they are called and what they do. The book has different line drawaling, that you sew without thread and try to stay on lines. That shows them how to move fabric and sew straight. She got bored after about 20 minutes so we started to sew with material and will pick up the lessons again. She made pants for her 18" doll from pattern Simplicity 5733 which was very easy and a quick sew. We had a good day, with only one fatality. She let the pressure foot come down on the outside of her finger, leaving a blood blister
I did cut out another top and it is awaiting me to finish. I tried added a little to the back and sides so it will not be quite as tight. We shall see.....

Saturday, January 5, 2013

First completed top since the New Year....
I made McCall's 6612 which is a very easy pattern.  I made view "A".  However, I shortened as a tunic to where with pants.  I also added about 1/4" to side seams so it would not fit so snug.  The pattern was very, very easy.  I used a ITY knit, and awful blue that I had in my stash.  I wanted to see what the style looked like on mysef since it had some good reviews on Pattern Review.  The material I used snagged very easy, and when I tried on before it was finish it got a run in the material around the arm whole.  You can't see it when it is finished, but I know it is there.  I also think that the solid color is a little boring,and definately needs some type of belt to break it up and some jewelry of some sort.  I like the pattern, but around the shoulder area it seams a little tights.  Maybe it needs a Full Back adjustment for my figure.  The sleeves are quarter lenght and I think I could add a little to the sleeve so it wouldn't be so tight.  I think I would like to try to make again out of better material and make some adjustments because it would be a great top for work.  I don't think I would wear a dress, but I really do like maxi length I see on everyone.

Tuesday, January 1, 2013

Happy New Year 2013
My husband and I are not big partiers, and we just stayed home and watched TV and slept the New Year in, but during the day my daughter's and their family came in for pork and kraut.  We had a nice visit, but the baby got sick and threw up, so that put a little damper on the day.  The flu is awful around here, everyone you talk to have been sick or are sick.  So let's hope we all don't get sick.  Epecially since tomorrow if my first day back at work after the Christmas vacation.  At least I only have three days to work, short week.  I should be able to make that right...

Any way I cut out a top from McCall 6612 view A.  Though I shortened quite a bit to make it more of a tunic.  I added about 1/2 to the side seam so it wouldn't be real tight.  I hope it works.  The neck is really different, but I think I may like it.  I love the drapy neckline.  I used some knit I had in my small stash.  It won't be much of a loss if I hate it, and need to make adjustments for the next top.  I really am not fond of the color, not sure why I bought, probably because it was cheap.  I will post when I actually get it sewn up.  I plan to sew a little tomorrow night.  Hubby is off all this week, so we will see how much sewing I get done.

I just got done ordering some stablizer from a new place called Red Rock Threads out of Nevada.  My girl friend got me a gift certificate on line from them so I could get some thread or stablizer.  I decided to purchase stablizer since I was almost out.  Hope they are a good company since I have never heard of them before.

Until tomorrow....