From UFO to FO - Part II - the Dress (Finally !)

It it now Thursday, I posted this last night and this morning, checked to find that pretty much all of the text was gone. So I try again.

Wow - 3 posts in as many days - must be a record for me LOL

My first post on my Marjie/GMarie sewalong lace/PR Weekend Cocktail/Niece's wedding dress was way back on July 7. Since then I finally finished the dress - before Aug 1 actually - that's quick for me LOL.

The full review is on PR (but for some reason, I just cannot get the link to work)

I've worn this dress and while I was happy with it after the fitting process, I see so many things wrong now. The 2 worst to me are the bust seam is too high and those folds at the back shoulders. The folds may be a normal feature of cut-on sleeves but I don't know. If I could fix those two things, I'd be pretty happy with it.

Oh, and don't look at that 'not invisible', invisible zipper ! I looked and looked for a matching zipper forever. At some point it was suggested to get one in cream and paint the pull with nail polish - Yeh, I won't actually ever recommend this to anyone. Blech. Anyway, days after the zip was in you'll NEVER guess what happened. Yup, found an orange invisible zip that matched just about perfectly. Murphy just loves me :-(

DH took a few pics. Sorry for the horribly squinty eyes - it was a VERY sunny morning !
All of the lines are shadows - it was impossible to get a clear pic.

The shoulder folds and that wonderful zipper !

I kind of like this one.

Burda 02-2009-124 & Socks - Almost Finished

The past few days were somewhat productive.

The dress is almost done. The dress that I’m calling my PR Weekend Cocktail dress. The dress that in fact came to be when I decided to follow along with Marjie and gMarie with their lace dresses. I couldn’t find any lace (& where would I wear a lace dress, anyway?) and put it out of my mind til I found fabric I really wanted to make it in. This linen was already in the collection and I just love the tone-on-tone embroidery at the bottom. Actually, I just really love orange :-)

When PR Weekend and its Cocktail Dress Contest were coming up, I decided that this would be my entry. Not really a cocktail dress but definitely a summer dress to get lots of wear (I hoped).

You know it didn’t get done !

In its third planned entry to my wardrobe, it is now my dress for my niece’s wedding in September.

The invisible zip is in, and the lining is machine stitched to the zipper tapes. It was a pretty wiggly process. Each of those seams was done twice. One side was too far from the zipper and needed to be restitched closer. The other was REALLY wiggly and needed to be straightened out. The thread matches the linen close enough that I’m too afraid of picking fabric threads instead – so, I didn’t pick out the bad lines of stitching. In any case, they’re between the lining and fabric and no one will ever see them. Plus, I look at it as a bonus as they are giving a back-up line of stitching in case the zip malfunctions ! Yep, that’s my story and I’m sticking to it.

I also stitched up one side seam, both lining & linen. What a job ! Since the armholes were stitched and flipped right side out earlier in the process, it was really difficult to get the stitching of the side seams right up to where the armholes seams ended. It’s not neat and I think I’m going to topstitch about 1/2” or so just at the bottom of the armhole / top of the side seam – just in case.

Only the other side seam (did that last night) and the lining hem to do now. The wedding is the second weekend in September – I should have enough time to get ‘er done. Ya think ? LOL

2 pairs of socks are ‘this’ close to being done – my Skew socks have been waiting for me to weave in the ends for a long time now - for as long as it has taken me to knit another whole pair of socks (6 weeks ?) ! My 4th pair of socks from SFTTU are just about finished – I’m on the cuff and working my way to the end of the yarn – I think I’ve got enough for about another 5-6 rows.

Pics on the way...soon

Reviews are up

It took forever, but I finally finished the May 2009 Mini Wardrobe.

I didn't think I'd ever finish the silly blouse.

BWOF 02-2009-125


This is what I wore to work today. The blouse, along with BWOF 07-2008-113, piece #3 for the PR Wardrobe Contest. Quite a few people commented on the blouse. It took so long to make that before I was done it, I didn't like it. I forced myself to finish it. By the end of today, though, I liked it again. It's not as dark as I feared and it fit really comfortably throughout the day.


Here's a closer view of the button placket. Thanks to everyone who voted in my poll. The large dark buttons won, but I also had the same buttons a bit smaller. Not quite as small as little shirt buttons. The smaller version seemed to sit better on the placket. I put 2 buttons on each sleeve band instead of one.



The PR review is here : and a link to more pics.

I also managed to finish and post the review for BWOF 07-2008-113


The PR review is here - and the link to the pics - but I just have to post one here. Check out that zipper ! I know, I know, it takes so little to amuse me and make me happy :-) LOL



DH was out bowling tonight. My plan was to upload and edit the pics, make this post, edit & post the PR reviews and cut out a muslin for my next wardrobe garment (one of the pairs of pants)

Nope, didn't get anywhere near the muslin ;-) - now it's bedtime.

My first Invisible Zip !

Today was not a very productive day sewing-wise. I only came into the sewing room about 9pm. Honestly, I've been putting it off because the next step in my skirt is the zipper. The pattern calls for an invisible zipper (never done one before) - I'd decided to do it when I realized that I actually own an invisible zipper foot ! oh, and I had one black invisible zip in the stash. Handy, huh ?

My Singer HD110 came with a pile of presser feet. Only the zigzag and buttonhole feet have been used & I had at least one that I had no idea what it was. Browsing through the sewing machine reviews on PR recently, TigerEyess posted that this machine has the 'world's best invisible zipper foot". Hmm, I dug out my accessories for the machine and proceeded to decipher the feet. Yup, got one. :-)

Tonight I serged the edges of the skirt front & back (this stuff is really ravely !), put a strip of interfacing along the seams where the zip will go, took a deep breath and ....

basted the first side on...


and then the second side...

AND - looky here !!!!!




I got so excited, I had to take a picture and post it. LOL

I kinda can't believe it worked - I hope it still does once it's all put together and the lining & facings are attached.

Time to catch up

Oh my goodness, I didn't realize October got completely away from me - only 2 posts !

So, what's been happening ?

I went to NB and spent a couple of days with my Mom & my family. Mom waited 3 days for the surgery to repair her broken hip. They did exactly what they would do, if she were expected to walk again, but in Mom's case, the Alz' is advanced so far that the hip will heal (without pain, hopefuly) but they won't be able to teach her to walk again. The most hope is that she will be able to sit comfortably and not be bedridden.

When I got there, it was 4 days after the operation and she was just coming off of the IV painkillers. She is physically recovering from the surgery but typically it was a drastic event for her and the Alz' has progressed yet again. My last email from my sister is that Mom has had quite a few down days. Not able to make her smile or laugh at all, which I was able to do during my time home with her. It's something, even though she can't talk it seems like you can communicate if you can laugh with her. She doesn't know any of us any longer - but I look at her & I still see my mum, it's heartbreaking to know she can no longer do anything at all - she must be fed, dressed, moved from place to place or even just rolled over in bed. The disease progressed so much faster than any of us ever expected.

My sisters, one in particular, handle this on a day to day basis. I can't even imagine the toll this takes on them. I do know that they were both very grateful to have a couple of days to recoup while I was there - I wish I could do more - But 600 miles may as well be a million - I get home when I can.

Sorry, I didn't expect to vent. Didn't think I needed to until I started to type.


Here are a couple of pics of Mom...

This one was taken in March at my Aunt's 100th birthday. She had a good day that day and seemed to enjoy the day. But I tell you, I would have to dig really deep to find any other pictures where she is looking right at the camera. She would always duck !

Three of my siblings are in this one. The guy on the left is my eldest brother. Next to him is my sister - the one taking care of all the decisions for Mom. My youngest brother is on the far right (with the camera).



This one was taken at my Dad's 80th birtthday in August 2008. That's my mom, my sister and my sister's two granddaughters. The baby was just a few days old.



I'm on my weekend now. Two weeks ago the company went through a major downsizing and just about all the staff got hit. Laid off or put on a short week. Luckily, I got a short week - 30 hours. 7.5 hrs Mon-Thurs, Fridays off ! It's a double-edged sword - I like the hours, but not the pay :-( Oh well, I still have my job.

Christmas baking is underway - anyone who followed me last year watched me make batch after batch of cookies. I need some for home, work and for my guests who come for a Christmas dinner early in December.

With some extra weekend time, I started early this year. Last weekend I made the ribbon (19 dozen) and candy cane (7 dozen) cookies. They are safely tucked away in the freezer waiting to be packed. This weekend the plan is to make the spritz cookies.

I'm also considering making cherry loaves to go with. I'll see and decide soon.



Projects - I've got a few on the go, almost but not quite finished. I'm hoping to have the 2 sewing projects finished and posted before the end of the weekend.

1) SFTTU socks - the 2nd pattern in Wendy Johnson's book (Socks from the Toe Up) is called Lacy Ribs Socks. I started these while sitting with Mom a few weeks ago. They haven't progressed much because once I got home, I went back to working on project number 2.


2) Baby afghan - this is for a colleague - she's due to begin Maternity leave in 4-6 weeks, so this is getting most of my attention for the moment. There is about 2 rows left on the 3rd ball of yarn. I want to add one more ball before I consider it finished.


3) The D$%$m shirt - I 'still' have to do the buttonholes & buttons !


3) Skirt - BWOF 07-2008-113 - this is in my PR Wardrobe storyboard - finished by Sunday ??? maybe.....stay tuned.


I found this link to make a personalized signature at Mary is Sewfast and had to try it out. Isn't it cool ? I just wish my actual signature was this neatly written LOL !

BWOF 2009-04 (112)

I haven't quite got the hang of sewing knits yet, but it's a wearable tee.

The fabric is one of the remnants I bought & posted last week. It's a VERY slippery fabric ! I had a very hard time getting the seams started on the serger evenly. The top layer didn't 'catch' until the bottom layer was already about 3/8" started. I'll have to practice to figure it out.

I like this one a bit better than the boatneck tee from BWOF 2009-02. I made a straight 42 with no changes and I like the looser fit through the body. It's got raglan sleeves so I figured the narrow shoulders wouldn't really be much of an issue.

I wasn't sure how to do a forward shoulder adjustment on raglan sleeves. Now I have an idea how to do it on the next version.

The neck on the boatneck tee was just fold under and topstitch, this one has a separate neckline sewed on. It's really floppy, not sure what I did wrong.

Don't like the finished length of the sleeves. I DO like the bottom attached cuff although next time I'll probably make it a bit shorter. On this one, I'll just push the sleeves up. I wore it all day today. The wearability factor is very good - I did NOT spend the day tugging at it :-)

Oh, and I used a longer stitch (3.5 instead of 2) for the twin stitching on the hem, MUCH better !

Front view


Back


It's so nice to take pics outside now - spring's here !


Tomorrow morning we leave early for our trip to Toronto (about 5-1/2 hours). I'm going to bring my socks with me and maybe I'll get the second one done during the drive.

A catch-up post

I started this post on Monday when I got back, but boy, things got busy this week ! I spent a bit of time each day working on it. Here goes...


The party

Well, the party was a rousing success ! My aunt had a great time and spent 2 full hours greeting everyone in the receiving line. No breaks - one person suggested a break. Miss some of the party ? I don't think so ! He didn't suggest it again - LOL !

I heard by way of the grapevine that she was concerned not many people would attend - last count of the guestbook was 293. That doesn't count the ones who didn't sign and the ones who signed 'and family', so well over 300 people all of them cousins at one level or another. Even knowing my family is huge, it's a funny thing to walk into a reception hall and be related to every single person there.

Here she is with my Dad and one of my sisters - lookin' good for 100 years old, no ?


and with my younger brother - handsome guy, isn't he ?
hmmm, don't tell him I said so, I think it's against sibling rules LOL :-)


After the party some of us went back to my other sister's place (remember, there's 8 of us !)
We don't get together often, so when we can, we make the most of it. There were lots of silly faces in the pics that night, this one's not too bad. Only 5 of us in this one.




The shopping

As is my habit, there was a visit to Fabricville. And I bought.....N-O-T-H-I-N-G.

I think it's a first and DH had a hard time believing I came home empty-handed. Well, almost...

At Christmas, I bought a few balls of Koigu sock yarn but have not yet attempted a sock. This trip I stumbled upon a yarn store uptown and decided then and there that it was time to get started - of course that required all the supplies:

A pattern, a set of 2.75mm bamboo dpn's and a 100g ball of Opal in the Crazy pattern/colorway (OMG $18.99/ball !!!)



After a test swatch that told me I should probably be using 3mm needles, I cast on anyway. My foot is long (size 9) but narrow. It should fit. If not, I'll undo it and start again. At this price, I'm not giving them away - who knew the cost of sock yarn !!! And WHY do I make the first attempt with Opal yarn and not the much less expensive Koigu ?

This is where they are now were on Wednesday - the pattern is nothing like the display sock, but I'll keep going and see what happens. My first time with bamboo needles - they're great :-)




and THIS is where they were yesterday - just about 6" long. I took this pic right before I started the instructions for the heel




That was it for the trip, hmmm, what else ?

March Wrap-up - only the newsprint tee. Not much to require a wrap-up post, but if there is one completed object per month, that will be a very successful year for me.


BWOF - picked up the April issue today - the first time it was available before the 1st of the month. There a few things that caught my eye. Now that I've made one BWOF item, there are more to come.





I think that's it for now - I wouln't have missed my aunt's party for the world, but I'm GLAD to be back home.

Comments on the Tee

Thanks for the comments on the tee, Ladies.

I wore it to work today, and it was very comfortable. But, let me tell you, it got noticed !!! I work in a casual office but we don't dress very exciting, I noticed today that there is very little pattern or texture in the women's clothes. Some, but not alot. The guys, of course, are just in pants and shirts for the most part.

Gwen - it was a conversation starter, for sure.
Trena - I'm not the rebel type by nature, but I'm gonna give it a try, carefully LOL :-)
Gaylen - the rose placement is a total fluke, lucky, huh? But if you notice, there is a headline "Agency to Promote Organ Donation" right at the bust line. I only noticed it later in the day today, but I could say I did it on purpose, no ? As to 'what's the worst that could happen'? well, I'm so not a rebel that I picture my machine exploding on me if I do anything wrong - it wouldn't, would it ?
Faye - you wouldn't have been alone, I got 'read' all morning ! It was pretty funny actually :-)

BWOF 2009-02 (108) - version 2

Yes, it's 3:50am and I've been wide awake since 2:30 (and not much impressed - it's going to be a long busy day)

So, to make the most of the time, here I am - with t-shirt pics. When I finished it Tuesday, I hung it up and took a couple of pictures myself.

The inside showing the serged seams.


The hem - I did give up on the coverstitch but I did manage to figure out the twin needle on the regular sewing maching. The wonder tape helped immensely because the fabric was sooooo slippery. The hem is ok but the instructions on my machine say not to make the stitch length any longer than 2 when you use the twin needle - it's a VERY short stitch & I wish it was longer. I don't know why the length is supposed to be that short but I'm going to set it longer and very carefully try a sample because all the things I've read lately for twin stitch hems say to make your stitch longer (maybe 3 or so) - It would look alot better.

I didn't get a chance to have DH take pics on me until last night.

The newsprint fabric is very lightweight (poly/lycra ?) was from the same Wazoodle order as the first pink tee (about $4 for 1.5m). I didn't like it when I got it but someone (can't remember who) on PatternReview used it and I liked her shirt alot. Now I can't decide if I like it on me or not.

The fit on this one is better than the pink. It's a tad longer in the body, it sits better on the shoulders (small forward shoulder adj.) and I love the long sleeves - I can't buy RTW long enough in the sleeves !

The serger was dropped off at the service center last night after work. It needs a cleaning and I want the tension disks checked. The tension for the right hand needle seems 'off'. They'll check it out today and I 'should' be able to pick it up tomorrow morning.

I've got Mine :-)

I took a walk at lunchtime and picked up my March BWOF. Yaaay, I've got my reading for the bus ride home tonight.


Can I just say again 'I LOVE my local dressmaker shop' - Garnitures Dressmaker Ltée !

They are very small and carry a bit of everything (sewing, beading, knitting, cross stitch). I can buy muslin either 112-150 cm wide in 5 or 10 meter lengths, at $12 or $15 dollars (last time I checked muslin was $9.99 at my chain fabric store). They have many different kinds of interfacing, including hair canvas and everytime I go in, I see something I didn't notice before - today I saw .... wigan.

Now, to be fair, before I needed wigan for my coat for the Great Coat Sewalong, I had no idea what it was :-( and so I would 'never' have noticed it in the store.

At that time though, quite a few of the participants did not have easy access to sourcing this item among other things and so Marji graciously sourced and put together packages for us so we would have what we needed to make our coats.

I now have my own source for the next time I need it (assuming that is, that I finish 'this' coat).

I know we are not in the league of New York for sewing supplies, but I am starting to realize just what a wonderful resource this little shop in downtown Montreal is - and since I only work about a block away, just how lucky I am. What will I find the next time I venture in ???

Customer Service !

Don't you just love to deal with local merchants ?

We spend a lot of time complaining about customer service these days - it's just not what it used to be - BUT there are certainly some places that do go out of their way to provide good service.

Today's example...

I found online sewing info last December...I found my first Burda in Feb 2008 (a 40 minute drive away). Then I spent 4 months trying to locate a shop a 'bit' closer, to no avail. During which time I did manage to get all but March 2008 & May 2008 from the first shop. A special trip to a fabric store being not a real hardship, after all. LOL :-)

In July, my brain actually started to function.....Hellooooo.....I work 1 block (yes, 1 block !) from a small, local dressmaker/craft store !!!!!!!!!! Now, I've been in there many times, for cross stitch supplies, zippers, etc. So, one day at lunch, over I go - THEY CARRY BWOF !!! EVERY MONTH !!

The young gentleman also told me, "by the way, we keep a list of people who want BWOF and put one aside for them each month - and if they don't come right away, we call them & after a month or two, if they haven't come in, we put it on the shelf for sale to the regular public."

So, is it just me, or is this AMAZING service ? You bet, I'm on the list and in August, they had a BWOF with a post-it with my name on it, just as promised.

And today, I strolled over on my lunch break and picked up the September issue - AND he remembered me - not my name but enough to know what I was there for. Reading for tonight's bus ride.

Life is good (so now I just have to actually make up one of these, a one dot skirt should be a safe start)

Thinking, Again - Is that a good thing ?

I tell you, I'm spending more time thinking and reading than I am sewing...EVERYTHING I want to do must be learned ! LOL

Today's quandary ? How to Line an unlined skirt.

So, I've never made a lined skirt, I've yet to make a BWOF either, but this, of course, doesn't stop me.

I really like the skirt in BWOF 08-2008, the one with the pleat in the front - sorry don't remember the number #106A. I've read the instructions and it 'seems' easy enough...BUT..It's not lined and I don't know how to go about making a lining pattern for it (I want to use the wools I bought in Toronto, and they'll definitely need lining)

The questions are,
1. do I cut the skirt pieces exactly and make the lining w/the pleat and the darts, or
2. do I fold up the darts & pleat on the pattern to make a lining piece without that extra bulk, or
3. do I make the lining with darts but without the pleat?

Advice anyone ?


Re: the Coat - well, last night I read (again) the instructions for redrafting a 1-piece sleeve to make a 2-piece sleeve and started to rework the V8346 1-pc sleeve. I'm almost done, just a few more lines to adjust and I'll hopefully have sleeves set into the muslin by (or on) the weekend).

I was worried to be so far behind with the sewalong but it seems as though I'm not the only one still working on and finalizing the muslin - I really want to finish this coat, so the longer I can post the muslin to the blog the better !