Sunday, April 21, 2013

First pair of jeans...done!

They are finished. I had additional alterations to make for the 2nd pair. I will take in the waist about an 1" from each side and I have a huge gap at the waist band and should have added another carrier loop in the middle of the back. I am still going to wear them. with a longer loose fitting top or a jacket. Also, the only button I had was this cheap-o plastic one. I thought I had metal or brass in my hoard. Guess not! I have a coupon for Joann's, I'll go and check out their notions wall.

Oh, these were made on my $25.00 craigslist sewing machine. This will be for my heavier duty items as well as my bags, totes and hats...





25.00 Machine

My jeans journey...

Hi, here is the 1st of my jeans journey. The very 1st pair of jeans that I made were back in the very early '80s. I do recall wearing them a few times, but get even remember what pattern was used. Here I am using McCall's 9233. I've had this for years. It's one of the single sized patterns by Palmer/Pletsch.

The pattern was cut straight from the package. I wanted to see how the fit was. This pattern has 1" SA at the waistband, side seams and inseam.
McCall's 9233

I left the waistband at 5/8" SA and did the full inch for the inseam and an 1.25" for the outside seam. I also added an 1" to the length.

A few issues...there were a tad bit too baggy in the back. With this pattern they give you vertical lines in the back for tucks. The 2nd issue is, the front comes under my bust, like old man pants or mommy jeans...lol

Here is what I've done so far.







I am going to do these again, but with the following changes.
  1. back tucks for the jeans back and the yoke
  2. add about 2" for length
  3. lower the rise about 3"
  4. making the fly one piece. This drove me crazy the 1st time and who's going to know anyway?



I will post the finished product. Getting these done today!!!

Sunday, April 14, 2013

I just finished another 6 day work week and I am beat. I did four loads of laundry, cleaned one of the bathrooms, sewed the yoke on the jeans that I've been working on for weeks and made two pots of soup. I wanted to give myself a mani/pedi but just have enough energy to fold the laundry and maybe just file and buff the nails and smooth the feet!

The plan is to finish the jeans this week and start to planing for a mini vacation. In June I am going on a cruise with my aunt, she thought it was free. I told her that if it sounds too good to be true, it most likely is. In addition to what I want to make for the trip, I will be making a few tailored shirts for the spring.

Seems to me that spring is the shortest of the seasons. It feels like winter will intrude and linger into "spring".
May will be will here before you know it...BAM...HEAT WAVE....

I was a co-sponser of a give-away on one of the blogs that I follow. Here is what the prize was. A pair of SS and Swarovski earrings in shades of green. That is the color of the year...right?. I plan on making me a pair....


It's done!! 'bout time...

Hello! This was supposed to be included it the March Mix up challenge that was on www.sewmuchtalent.com. I’ve been working 50-60 hours per week on my job and hadn’t had the time or energy to do much of anything in March.


Here is an old Butterick shirt/jacket from the Connie Crawford collection. It’s been in my collection a.k.a stash for a few years. I used a Kaufman 21 Wale Corduroy in Tan in 100% cotton that I got from fabric.com on 10/27/2011. I am thinking about getting two more pieces in black and red.

I went down a size in this pattern to an XXL instead of the 1X that was my size range according to the package.

This was a quick and easy project. I made no alterations, but will for the next one. I will add about 1.5” to the sleeve and use my one-piece collar method that I do. The one-piece collar method is from one of the DVDs from threads by Louise Cutting. I forgot which volume but it’s nice and you have less bulk to work with.

I didn’t use their button guide. I have ton of buttons in my collection and was able to find some that I liked instead of going out and buying new ones. I am happy with the finished garment and I’ve worn it twice. I wore it to a get-together with a rayon teal pashmina and jeans. I sported it again at work without the scarf. People were shocked that I made it!