Where did the years go?

I decided to revisit my blog today and realised I have not even looked at my blog in what, 3 years ...

It's a bit of a shock to realise time is passing so fast.The kids are all adults, well youngest is a few short months away from finishing school and deciding what comes next, and eldest has almost completed his Physics degree. The other two are making their way and dealing with whatever life throws at them. So proud of them all. 

I've been busy too. after my degree and post grad certificateI decided to keep going. I completed a diploma in Family History and am now part way through a Masters in History. I must be mad, doing all this study, but it does explain why I haven't had any time for sewing. 

Hopefully now Uni is over for the summer I'll be able to reaquaint myself with my machines and supplies. I'd like to sew some summer tops to begin with, nothing overly ambitious, but first to clear the clutter, make some room, and re-discover the fabric stash ...

MIA

Hi peeps

I have been MIA from blog land for what seems like an eternity, and I have not sewn in years, but there has been good reason for it. 

Last year I finally completed a bArt degree with a double major, Modern Media & Communication and Indigenous Studies. 

This year has been a huge challenge, what with Covid-19 and home schooling my youngest for part of the year, but I am almost done with a Post Graduate Certificate in Editing & Publishing. 

It's been a long hard slog but I am nearly done, just three weeks and two major assignments to go then I'll be free ....

There are so many things I want to sew. I have a new found interest in 'historically inspired' clothing (like those patterns pictured) but I think I need to sew some 'normal' clothes before I start dreaming too much.

Anyway, I hope to be back before too long with something to share ...

Have a great day x

I would rather be here ... it is not far from home but other things are keeping me inside today.

Sorted!

It has been a rather busy Christmas and school holiday period dogged with bad health (RA) and high temperatures, that haven't helped, so I don't feel like I achieved much in that time.

Anyway, ds#4 is now back at school for his last year in primary, ds#3 has secured himself a new job (an apprenticeship) after he finished high school just before Christmas, ds#2 is still looking for work and ds#1 is continuing with his university degree in Physics when school goes back. University does not go back till the end of next month so I have a little time between drop offs and pick ups in which I hope to get some sewing done before I have to get back to the books.

I bought my new overlocker before Christmas but it has taken till today to actually get it out of the box and set her up.

Compared to my old machine (she was 24 years old) this one has a few more features, such as differential feed and the free arm capability, that my old machine didn't have.

So far I have only threaded it and sewn a test row of stitches but I am looking forward to actually making something soon.

Merry Christmas (to me) ...

In a previous post I mentioned I have a Husqvarna overlocker that is around 24 years old. It is a basic machine with minimal features and while it still goes and still sews a very good stitch I have been contemplating a new machine for some time.

Browsing Spotlight online this morning I saw the Brother 3034D on sale for $300 off rrp. at such a bargain price how could I not get one? I also ordered myself a new pair of Mundial Serra Sharp dressmakers shears, something I have wanted to replace for years (ever since the now xh accidentally threw mine out).

As it happens Spotlight also have an offer of $40 off, for VIP's, should you spend over $100 (which I certainly did). I am feeling a little guilty as I never spend much on myself but the $340 saved makes it much easier to justify.

Anyway, this is the new machine. It should be here in a few days, can't wait to see what she can do.

Sewing machines

I am in a few sewing groups on facebook and other sites online and there is always a lot of talk about sewing machines. I have both computerised and mechanical machines and an overlocker and would one day perhaps like to add an embroidery machine and coverstitch but I can get by well without them.On my wish list is an antique machine as well, again not necessary but I would like one just the same, they don't make them like they used to.

Some people swear by and will only use one brand, others only want a mechanical machine and others only want computerised. My favourite machine, and the one that is always set up now that I have a sewing space, is my trusty old faithful Janome MC6500 P. It was not cheap by any means but for the sheer quality of the machine and the number of things it can do I really think it was worth the expense (particularly as it was purchased on sale for $1k off the rrp).

These are the features of the machine

It has been used a lot in the years I have had it but that said, there are still some features I have never used, such as the editing of decorative stitches, elongating stitches, using the extra high lift for the foot (I don't make quilts that are that thick) or even putting on the knee lifter. I rarely use the extension table and I am not even sure I have used all the feet that came with it. I think I need to sit down with the manual and work my way through it so I can re-aquaint myself with the seldom or never used features.

In the 9 or so years I have had this machine I have become reliant on the auto needle threader, the automatic bobbin winder, the needle down button, the lock stitch and the thread snipper button. The only thing this machine doesn't have that would be handy is a free arm, not necessary but it would be nice.

I hope this machine lasts me many more years as I don't like the idea of trying to find another machine that does all this one does, but then again the latest Janome 6600p or whatever it is by the time I need a replacement will probably have all this and more.

What is your favourite machine and what feature(s) can you not like without?

Sewing Space

As mentioned in the last post eldest ds bought me a desk for Christmas, so I would have somewhere to sew and no longer monopolise the dining room table.

Anyway, it arrived, I assembled it and set it up in my room.

I have since moved it to another location as the room was not working as it was laid out, but it now has my sewing magazines,some patterns and thread storage boxes all located on the shelves and within easy reach.

So far I am yet to get any sewing done but my space is there and ready to go as soon as I can find some time.

Sewing and Christmas

As mentioned in the last post I made a bit of a mess with the topstitching on one of the FST's, it is fine to wear around the house but I wear it out until I do something with it. I was considering covering it with a ruffle or trim and I have placed an order for a few trims so when they arrive I will decide if I am going to use one of those or make a self fabric ruffle. Either way I will be able to cover the less than perfect top stitching and hide my lack of concentration.

For now all machines are packed away, as I sew on the dining table and we needed it table for Christmas. However, my eldest son didn't know what to get me for Christmas and I saw a desk on sale that would be perfect for a sewing station. It is not as wide as some desks but is long enough to hold both sewing machine and overlocker and has some inbuilt storage.

Anyway, we saw it on sale on Boxing Day so it has been ordered and should be here within the week. It will mean there is some re-arranging of furiture to do but I don't mind that when the outcome is no more packing and unpacking machines!

Two tanks and a tee

I finished sewing second Free Spirit Tank the other day but I was not really concentrating when doing the topstitching on the blue version and I am not happy with it. I am trying to decide whether to unpick it all, not my idea of fun (and hard when you need new glasses), or to hide it with a trim or a thin ruffle made from the same fabric. I think I'll wait till I visit Spotlight and see what trims I can find before making a decision.

I have been trying to get together a set of TNT's and so far I have the tank mentioned above, Hot Patterns blouse back tee, Crafty Mammas Lovely Layers top and Love Notions Laundry Day Tee all adjusted to fit and all very useable patterns for summer. I have not started on any woven patterns or bottoms but I will get there eventually.

In a quest to add to these TNT's I made my first muslin of the Hot Patterns Shirt Tail Tee yesterday. I used a rather inexpensive striped interlock and while I know it doesn't drape like the top should I really wanted to test the fit and length before I used decent fabric. If this one doesn't soften with washing and improve the drape it will make a rather fancy pyjama top. The fit is ok but it feels a little on the large size to me and I think I need to add a bit more length to the front as well. No pics as I finished late last night and it was too dark.

Today I am planning on sewing up a muslin of the Hot Patterns La Strada Tee. Hopefully this one will fit too.

The first FST

I got back to the test run of my first FST on Wednesday. I opted to sew it together as a single layer, choosing not to add another layer to compensate for the sheer fabric. I am still considering how to hem it, the mesh is extremely stretch so I may just overlock the edge and do a sight lettuce hem or do a rolled hem (not sure how the fabric will behave so some testing will be required). It will probably be worn as is over a swimsuit to go to the beach over summer or with a camisole when wearing it around the house or out and about. I am ok with that.

Today I have another FST cut and have so far sewn the shoulders and side seams, only needing to add the sleeve and neck bands and hem it. This one is a medium blue in a linen knit fabric that is oh so soft. The fabric was on sale at Spotlight this week, 30% off, and while that is great I am kicking myself for only getting two colours and only enough for two tops total. This one should be finished tomorrow.

I am enjoying having my machines set up ready to sew when I have the energy and the time but I can't leave them there too long, we will need the table for Christmas at least. Perhaps Santa will bring me a sewing table I can squeeze into the bedroom? Well, a girl can dream ...

Ressurection ...

While moving boxes about in the garage looking for Christmas decorations this week I unearthed my dear old overlocker. She is a Husqvarna Huskylock 580 that I have had for over 23 years. She has been a bit neglected in the past I don't know how many years as it is hard to sew when you are struggling with RA and possibly Polymyositis, have 4 boys to look after, are doing a Uni degree and have no sewing space.

That said, I brought her out, dusted her off, gave her some new needles and plugged her in. Once the tension dials were set to say I was surprised is an understatement. Just look at this ....


She is sewing like she is new out of the box! Considering I thought she would be past her use by date and needing to be replaced this came as a great surprise. She has been resurrected!

Yesterday I cut out a muslin for the Patterns 4 Pirates Free Spirit Tank using a very fine stretch mesh. I have sewn together the shoulders and sides and so far so good, the fit seems fine and so does the length. Winning.

The patterned knit is so sheer however that you can see right through it. There are three solutions I can think of to this problem ...

1, Wear a cami underneath it
2. Sew a second tank in the same fabric and join it together at the neck and armholes before sewing on the neck and arm bands (making one slightly longer than the other).
3. Sew a second separate tank of another fabric, slightly longer and in a contrast plain fabric, to peek out from underneath this one but also to be worn alone.

I am undecided which way I will go but either way it should be done in the next few days. If I don't get to it today I have my brother in law's funeral to attend tomorrow, so I might not get back to it till Wednesday. Either way it is so nice having an overlocker to use, it makes finishing seams so much easier.

Sales

Just in case anyone has missed them, here is a link to a round up of PDF pattern sales

Black Friday Sales

Also, 50% off Sewaholic printed patterns with code BF2015 and free international shipping on orders over $50.

Sewaholic Patterns

Enjoy!

A little sewing for the little man

My older two kids (now 22 and 20) are not so willing these days to have me make clothes for them, which is fine, but my 17 yo will still wear shorts and shirts I make for him (as long as they are plain and nothing fancy). Little man (almost 10) is the one I can still have fun sewing for, he is happy to choose fabrics and patterns and I can make him almost anything and he will happily wear it.

Yesterday i pulled some brown drill and some camouflage poplin from the stash and set about making him the Alpine shorts from Terra's Treasures. The pattern can be found here for anyone interested http://terrastreasuresdesigns.com/shop/alpine-shorts-and-trousers/ .
These are the shorts as per the pattern (pic from Terra's Treasures Blog).

While the pattern calls for cutting different fronts and backs to create the upward sweep of the contrast over the legs I decided to go a different way and create the legs with the contrast lower at both sides of the legs and higher in the middle. This allowed me to cut two fronts and two backs from the same pattern piece (instead of the 4 separate pieces that would be required if following the pattern).

I also decided to cut the contrast from the poplin as a double piece to account for the difference in weight from the drill of the main body of the shorts. I also left out the side seam pockets, as these shorts were the first trial of the pattern and were basically a test run to see if any changes had to be made. Well the shorts were a hit and little man has not had them off his body since they were completed. I was a little disappointed with the non-roll elastic I had on hand and will have to find some of a better quality before I make him another pair.

Hopefully I can get these off him in time to launder them and pack them in his bag for camp, he goes in a few days and wanted shorts that cover his knees so he won't get scratched on the rope swing. These fit the bill perfectly.

Swap 2015

The rules for this years Swap on Artisans Square have been announced and, in a nutshell, anyone who chooses to participate needs to sew:

1 "3 pack" of Colour(s) A (3 garments)
1 "3 pack" of Colour(s) B (3 garments)
1 "Combo Pack" of Colour(s) A & B (2 garments)
1 "3 pack" of Wild Cards (any colour but will work with at least some items from other packs)

These rules re further clarified to state that A "3 pack" can be any of the following:

2 tops + 1 bottom
1 top + 1 bottom + 1 outer layer
1 dress + 1 top + 1 bottom
2 bottoms + 1 top
2 dresses & 1 layer.
1 dress + 1 top OR bottom + 1 layer.

Time limits and other rules:

Two garments may be previously sewn but do not have to, one may be purchased if you like and two may be sewn up before the official sewing start date of Dec 26, 2015. Muslins, pattern fitting, cutting, interfacing, and other preparatory work may begin right away. All garments must be finished by April 30, 2016. While this is a competition the only prizes are the satisfaction of completing the challenge and the enjoyment of planning and sewing.

So far I am not 100% sure I will be participating this year but I am considering it. I have not sewn for myself for quite some time but Uni is finished for the summer break so I should  be able to find the time, all I need is for the RA to co-operate so I am physically able as well.

Today I sorted my fabric stash into plain knits, patterned knits, plain wovens and patterned wovens so I could clearly see what I have to work with. I tend to buy fabrics in lots of two or three that co-ordinate so it should not be hard to find fabrics that work together. My pattern stash is not too bad, with an ever growing collecting of pdf patterns, but whether I have patterns to suit the fabrics remains to be seen.

My sewing machine is good to go but the 22 year old overlocker may need a bit of an overhaul first, I will have to get one of the kids to unearth it for me (from the depths of the garage) so I can determine what needs to be done (hopefully it won't be much).

I need to think some more ...

Stocking up during sales

I have still not managed to sew anything but I am getting closer, with my final Uni assessment piece due Monday night, so I hope to be sewing very soon.

Anyway, today two stores I have been know to shop with are both running sales, Lincraft and Textile Traders, so I made the most of having a bad back and not being able to move much today today and sat here with the lap top doing a little shopping.

From textile traders I ordered these ...

From Lincraft I ordered these ...

While I was at it I purchased a french curve and long clear quilting to help make altering patterns a little easier ...

At least I should be ready to sew when I have the time.

EDIT: I just discovered one of the Janome overlockers is on sale for half price. It is so tempting, my overlocker is 20+ years old and I am beginning to wonder if it is worth paying for new blades and an overhaul or whether I should just buy the new one? The difference between the cost for either option won't be much ...

No progress yet

Apart from the second part of the fabric order arriving and ordering some extras to take advantage of the 40% off sale at Spotlight, including Muslin and a couple of lightweight lawn fabrics destined to be tunic tops or kaftans, there has been very little done on the sewing front. I have downloaded a couple more PDF patterns from independent designers as well. I don't know if these recent acquisitions will fit into a SWAP plan, should I decide to take part, but they will surely form a good part of my Summer sewing plans.

It's arrived, well ...

I ordered 9 pieces of fabric from Darn Cheap on the 2nd of October (as per earlier post) and some of it arrived this morning; the two bottom weights, the grey knit and the grey/white patterned woven.

The grey knit is the softest knit I have ever felt, it is wonderful, and will be perfect for a loose fit summer top or tank. It feels so good I went back to the site to see if they had other colours in the same fabric but they only have a pink-salmon colour which I don't think would suite me, shame.

The plain black is a linen blend and looks like it will work well for a skirt or cropped pants, which was the intention when I ordered it. It will be interesting to see if it softens at all on washing or whether it will remain a little crisp.

The gray/white patterned fabric is a bit silkier than I expected but it will still be good for a loose flowy shirt or kaftan for Spring or Summer. I am not sure if this might shrink so I am a bit undecided about whether I should pre-wash it or not.

The dark denim is a lot heavier than I expected and is more of a winter weight fabric so that will be added to the stash for sewing next year, perhaps.

I am assuming the remaining knit fabrics are in another package and hopefully they will arrived tomorrow so I can start planning what to do with them, I am eager to get some sewing done but then again Artisans Square's SWIG rules have not been posted yet (usually happens first week of November or thereabouts) so I may hold off making any plans until I decide if I will be Swap-ing or not.

Copy Shop Printing of PDF's

In the past few years I have started buying PDF patterns instead of printed patterns, not only is there instant gratification but I don't have to pay shipping costs either (which can be quite high now the Aussie dollar is low against the USD).

Normally I print these at home and spend a few minutes taping them together before cutting them out but I wondered whether it would be worth taking them to a copy shop to have them printed, especially those with a large number of pages. However, here we only have Office Works who offer this service BUT they are known to state that copyright issues prevent them from printing sewing patterns. Really? We pay the pattern designer for the right to use their patterns and they often supply us with print at home and copy shop versions so we can print them either way. I can't understand why there is a Copyright issue? Some people have taken their receipts for pattern purchase in with them still to be told now.

A pattern group I am in has taken this issue up with Office Works and an outcome is pending. I believe that because a customer pays for these patterns and they are supplied in this form to be used they should stop being ridiculous and just print them. There has been some forward movement on this issue but I am holding off printing until I hear that the local store has agreed to print.

I wonder, have you ever had this issue where you are?

A little shopping

After todays not so successful attempt to buy fabrics locally I decided to go online and see what I could find ...

The center top and center bottom are bottom weight wovens, the bottom right corner is a woven and the others are all knits.

The bottom weights will be pants or skirts (depending on how they feel, drape etc), the black and white patterned woven will be a summer over-shirt or kaftan and the rest will be tops. No patterns decided as yet, I won't do that till they arrive which hopefully won't be too long.

All fabrics are from Darn Cheap and as their name suggests all fabrics were very well priced.

Love Notions Laundry Day Tee #2

I whipped up another of these tops today but this time I used some mystery knit fabric I have had in my stash for an unknown length of time. I think it is probably a mix of cotton and lycra but it doesn't have a lot of drape and while the fit is still ok it does not hang as well as the ITY knit I used yesterday. Still ok but not great but it probably didn't help that I forgot to make the shoulder adjustment.

This afternoon I popped into one of the local fabric stores to get some more fabric and found something that looked a little different so I decided to get that. What I found weird was that when I asked for 2m the lady serving looked at me like I had three heads. She questioned why I needed that much fabric, was I making a dress, etc. No, I am making another top and yes I am aware how much I am buying, the pattern I am going to use suggests 1.8m and I always allow a bit extra for shrinkage. She was still hesitant to cut the 2m I asked for and I almost had to convince her that I knew what I was asking for. It was only $14 per metre so I really can not understand her concern, after all anything left over can be used for contrast sleeves and neck or sleeve bindings.

I would have thought shops wanted to sell their goods but perhaps I am wrong ...

EDIT: Yesterday I cut the above mentioned fabric, sewed shoulders together, installed sleeves, sewed side seams and all was going well ... till I attached the neck band. Ugh. Despite it being pinned in 1/8's around the neck somehow during sewing it 'slipped' and the result was atrocious. I have never had that happen before! I removed the neckband best I could but needed to trim down neckline once that was done (due to holes being snagged during unpicking). I recut the neckband a little longer and a little wider and re-applied it. It just looks horrid. I don't have enough to recut the front and back and while I know there will be some way to rescue this and make it work (perhaps with the addition of a yoke) but for now I am over it. I am putting it away and will (perhaps) come back to it some time in the future.