Red hot denim- thanks to the Coco Fires!

I am still trying to decide if I want a skirt or shorts made from the yard of red fabric I bought several weeks ago. I found this lucious red denim during the week we had fires in my neighborhood. If your were following the news it was called the Coco Fires! Coco like Coco Chanel- a foreshadow ing of my future(hehe)! Why stress out about something you have no control over? So, my husband and I hi-tailed it up to Santa Barbara in my little blue convertable BMW125i, and I found this little fabric store on State Street called Fine Fabrics. 

You know you are in an expensive shop when they don't display prices! My first selection of fabric was 179.00 dollars per yard. No. Not happening. Not yet anyway. Then, I nonshalantly mosied over to the yard ends basket feeling a little defeated over the $179.00 fabric find. In that little basket, I found some Italian shirting and this red denim with hints of gray fibers running through it. It was silky smooth to the touch. Bingo! A shirt and a skirt! Yes! 

After four days at the stress free Fess Parker Hotel across the street from the beach, the fire department finally lifted the mandatory evacuation for my neighborhood. My husband and I got back into my car and hi-tailed back home. I do mean hi-tailed, too! My husband drives like Mario! 

The Coco fires proved to be inspirational in many ways. First, be thankful for what you have and the people around you. I have great neighbors. We supported one another throughout the duration of the fires sharing our thoughts about what we had no control over on Facebook. We were all in the same boat. Secondly, out of a potentailly stressful situation it is possible to find a way to relax. For me it was fabric shopping; while shopping, I am always imagining and hoping. That day I was hoping that I would be able to go home eventually to my sewing machine that my husband calls the "Cadillac" and make something amazing with this fabric I found. 

Now sitting at the "Cadillac," I am preparing to cut into this gorgeous red denim. I think I have decided to do a skirt. I love shorts, but I am in the mood for a skirt. Less seaming and I'll have a better chance of getting it done in the next few weeks. I'll save the fancy sewing for the Italian gray shirting! 

Out of a stressful event, something peacful emerged! As I think back, I didn't intentionally set out to make something red like the fires buring in a dark sky, or gray like the ash that fell and left a blanket of it all over the place. The Coco Fire inspired a week of creativity and hope. Now, time to make it work!

If you want a basic, straight forward pattern, this is it! This is a super easy maxi dress that doesn't take long to sew. I finished it in a day. The marriage of fabulous fabric and pattern is what made this dress turn out nicely. The sizing for this dress runs true to the measurements. I did not make any adjustments to it at all. This dress looks like the picture of the pattern. It doesn't sag either. Sometimes wrap dress open too much in the front. I don't have this problem with this design. This dress is great for a beginner or an advanced seamstress. It is always nice to sew up a dress that looks fab and feels fab too! The instructions were extremely easy to follow, and it went together quickly. Best thing about this pattern is that it is well written, and a guarantee that will look great on many types of figures. I always hit a home run when I buy fabric from Emmaonesock. com. I love vibrant colors, and I don't always have time to get to a fabric store because of work. That makes Emmaonesock convenient for a working seamstress like myself. The only pattern change I made is lining the dress. I used the short version of this dress for the lining. You can see the bright yellow in the pictures. I have found that you cannot see the lining unless I pose silly. I didn't want to do a full length lining because I wanted to make it light and airy. The lining is a mesh fabric. Full length lining would make the dress heavy, and in the sunlight, you can see the silhouette of my legs! My hubby enjoys that special effect! If you're looking for an easy dress to sew up, this is it! It is a basic design that I think most women would look fabulous in. Also, light , airy fabric helps the dress hang nicely, and keeps it comfortable to walk in.

Fast and fabulous fiesta top! eHP1142

I finally made a quick top last week. It sat in my closet all this past week and I finally wore it yesterday! It seems like every project I have been doing lately takes forever. I love to sew something that I can complete in an afternoon, like it, and wear it soon afterwards. It doesn't happen often, but when it does-Yahoo! So a little info about the construction of this top: This top was easy to make. I did not follow directions because I almost never do! I did read several reviews about this pattern company before on PatternReview.com which I found extremely helpful. Most of the pattern reviews say that the patterns run big-yes this particular one did as well. I have made a top before a few years ago from this company- I like the edgey styles, but the construction of the pattern peices don't always go together very well. After I started this top, I remember that I had to do some major adjustments to a top I made a few years ago. It was made of a fabulous, expensive sweater fabric, however, it was not comfortable. I liked the idea- it needed a lot of tweaking. I don't have time to tweak. I am a 2-4 in commercial sizes. Because I knew this top probably ran big, I took off an inch all the way around. I downloaded this top from Hot Pattern's website, and I didn't see the pattern piece for the neck. The directions had you cut two more pieces neccessary for the armbands. So, I made my own pieces for both the armband, and neck. I actually used the banded v-neck technique from the book The Dressmaker's Handbook of Couture Sewing Techniques written by Lynda Maynard. It recommends that you use this technique on wovens, but I interfaced the silk jersey with a great stabilizer and it worked just fine. Other changes I made to this top were-I eliminated the back seam and cut it on the fold. I don't see the need for a seam down the back anyways. I had a beautiful silk jersey that I purchased from Emmaonesock.com, and I didn't want to interrupt the design. I used my serger mostly for seaming, and then used my sewing machine to do the details on top. My Artista 180 is in the shop getting a new faceboard(ouch!), so I have been using my mechanical Bernina 55 that I got to teach sewing lessons to my little ones on. So far, I have liked how the machine has sewed. It has handled the jersey very well. Overall, I like the style of this top, and I think it goes well with skinny jeans. I don't always like tight tops, and loose fitting tops during the summer feel better to me. I caution you to piece the pattern together first, and check to see if you have all the pattern peices, too, if you use a pattern from this company. I will probably make this top one more time because there is a style change idea I have-ruching. Happy sewing, Timi

Inspiration and the result!

Dolce and Gabanna- the inspiration and the result!

Mission accomplished!

Mission accomplished- at least for now. This dress took so much time. The first one always seems to anyway. I have learned much on this great adventure. First, that I have every conceivable answer to sewing issues in my own personal library- now if I just had the time to read them all. I was in the just- do- it- mode for a while. Then, things started getting tricky.

Sewing is just one big problem to be solved. That is, if you aren't using a pattern! I realized after the fact that I should have used fusible lining for the interlining. That would of helped with the fraying. Tweed unravels so quickly. It can become a mess. I secured the edges as much as possible. Next time, I will try the fusible lining. However, just for the bodice. I ended up liking the body the silk gave the dress in the skirt. Plus, then it is easy to make the fringe at the end. This would not be possible with fusible lining.

The dress turned out to be very pretty. I thought that it would be much easier. I used a lot of hand stitching. Lining the dress, trimming, and pressing took so much time. It is hard to factor that in. The dress only had 5 pattern pieces which I drafted myself. I made a muslin afterward. The whole process took about two weeks total. When I looked at the original picture with Jennifer Aniston, I though the dress would be a piece of cake.

It was no cake. I enjoyed the process though. I left the fringe long on my dress for now. I may cut it. I need to have a fresh pair off hands when I do it though. My husband likes the fringe long. Proportionally, I am not sure. It may get tangled longer too. What do you think? Long or short fringe? I like the pink tweed for the summer. I also did not make the skirt as tight as Jennifer's. Maybe that might look good for the black one I make next time. I want to wear this dress to a wedding and a military ceremony for a new museum. My butt doesn't need to be the highlight either. The fringe is sassy enough!

SO, this is the second dress I have designed myself. This one was fun. It is encouraging when something turns out right. It makes you want to do it again! Thanks for reading and happy sewing to you!

tick tock...

Okay, here goes the zipper. I have the lining in. First, I decided to put seam binding around the armholes because the tweed unravels and I feel it needed more support. Now, I need to put int he zipper. I would have liked to do an invisible zipper however, I did not find the right color. I suppose I could have used white. But, I am picky about things like that! So, in by hand it goes!

Taking shape...

So, it has been a few hours since I last posted. Ugh! Ironing and picking out stitches-not fun. I don't mind ironing actually. I could iron all day. Picking out little stitches-not!

The dress is really beginning to take shape. I am really liking it. I am not sure how I am going to handle the neck and armholes. I haven't used facing and may not choose to. When I took the LBD class on Pattern Review it was suggested to leave out hte facings and go directly to lining. However, with tweed, I am concerned about the stretching. I may do a little research before the lining goes in.

Knock-Off Dolce and Gabana Dress

It is down to the wire for me this morning. I need to sew up the lining and get this dress entry submitted to Pattern Review.com.'s Knock- Off contest.

The dress I am sewing was worn by Jennifer Aniston last fall, and featured in People magazine. I originally thought I might do this dress in a black multi colored tweed. However, I decided to make it in a cheaper fabric first. I always sew things up better the second time around. Plus, this is my pattern. I drafted it and I need to work out the kinks before I use the good stuff!

The dress actually has sewn up fairly easily. I did use a lot of couture hand stitching techniques. After making my muslin, and cutting the fashion fabric, I thread traced the interlining. I couldn't use the wax paper though. It did not leave any marks on the silk organza. I purchased some silk taffeta yesterday for the lining.

I have the dress ready to go for the lining. It should take too long to do.

Simplicity Project Runway Jacket 3538

It has been a while since I've posted anything. It doesn't mean I haven't been sewing though! It is almost near the end of the school year and I'm feeling like I can breath again. Teaching, being a parent , and a wife is very time consuming.

This jacket is very easy to make. It took me nearly a year because I had too many interruptions-other sewing projects and life in general got in the way.

I lined this jacket with red silk which turned out very nice. I also had some vintage rose buttons for the finishing touch. I suggest when you use a multiple style pattern to highlight the steps of the directions that pertain to the jacket style you choose to sew up! I started following the wrong steps to another style. I guess that is how you learn from your mistakes!

The directions were straight forward-other than my little mishap. The only things that I suggest is that you check the circumference of the sleeves. I like my jacket arms a little looser than the way it is cut from the pattern. You may have to adjust the armsycle if you adjust the circumference of the sleeves. That is what happens when you don't check the pattern's measurements before you cut.

I used a pretty red wool fabric that has been sitting in a Tupperware container for way too long. I have enough fabric to make another jacket or maybe some pants to go with it. Wearing all red may make me look like a big, red tomato though.

Am I going to make this jacket again? Yep. I already have my fabric cut out. I'm making the short sleeve version with silverish linen for summer. I need a little cover up for those spaghetti strap dresses and breezy evenings. Happy sewing again:)-

New Look Pants 6510

These pants are great. They aren't fancy or complicated to make. I have made this pattern several times over the last few years. I highly reccomend this pattern to beginners and any other sewing level. Because they are so basic, I have been able to tweak this pattern to my tastes.

I did make a few changes to this pattern for the better, I think. The waist band or facing leaves a line if you follow the original directions. Therefore, I illiminated the facings and interfacings and replaced them with wide gross grain tape. This method for making a waist is so much easier and looks better by laying flat against your body with no lines showing underneath that a facing may leave.

I also chose to line these pants. I highly recommend lining dress pants. They look better and smooth out any lines, bulges, or anything else you wear under your garment. Lining is fairly easy. I just cut the lining from the same pants pattern. I may have taken in the lining by an 1/8th of an inch while seaming. Not too much though. Then after sewing up the pants and the lining, I secured the lining at the waist with a single stitch seam before I attached both pieces(pants fabric and lining) to the gross grain tape. The wrong sides of the pants and lining are together before you seam and add the grossgrain tape. I secured the grossgrain tape to the top outside of the pants and then folded it to the inside. Make the tape about a half inch longer than the finised pant waist so that you can fold in the edges after securing it to the waist. Iron as you go because this creates a professional finished look. Most sewers probably know this-ironing is essential to sewing a garment and it is almost never mentioned in the pattern directions.

I hand sew the hems of both the lining and the pants. I left them hanging freely. Sometimes you need to attach the lining to the gament. I did not with these pants. At the waist, I used a hook to hide the lapped, side zipper.

I did cut the smallest pattern size and shorten the pants in the seat, the lenghth, and width to fit my measurements. These are high waisted pants so keep that in mind. The tie at the waist is unsusual. I get many compliments when I wear these pants. I am wearing these pants with a top I made from a Simplicty pattern last summer.

Simplicity top 4020

This is an easy top to make in a couple of hours. My serger was misbehaving though. I am still figuring out the tension and other adjustments on it. I changed thread which shouldn't be that big of a deal, but the thread kept breaking and then I kept getting loops in the stitches. GRRRRRRRRrrrrr. I finally figured it out.

This is a good pattern for a beginner. It is also good for anyone else who wants to make a quick, cute top. I bought a top at Anthroplogy several weeks ago on sale-same type of fabric-it was $40.00. My top cost my $16.00 plus my time.

The only changes I made was to the length on the bottom part of the top. Since the styles are a little longer these days, I added five inches to the front and back pieces. I made this same shirt several years ago in a palm tree print and didn't like how it was so short. Look for unique prints to use with this pattern. I enjoyed figuring out where I was going to place most of the flowers and keep the back looking like stems. You may need to purchase extra fabric if you are going to emphasize certain parts of the fabric.

The backside of VogueElements

VogueElements 9570

These pants are very comfortable and great for yoga,teaching, and relaxing.

Simplicity jacket 4698 E

This jacket was easy to construct. The only obstacle was trying to get the plaids to match. The plaids were uneven. I haven't done a jacket in a while and chose to use a fairly cheap synthetic piece of fabric that was less than 5 dollars a yard. It is nice when you luck out making your muslin and you like it! I did buy an expensive piece of plaid-red, grey and black wool for my next jacket. Alterations made to the jacket -I took in the breast area about an inch, shortened the sleeves, shortened the bodice, and I lined the entire jacket. This jacket only gives directions to line it in the inside front, and little pieces that connect up along the collar in the back. If I followed the directions it would have been completed sooner. However, I like my garments lined. The piping wasn't too bad to sew in between the bodice pieces. The only problem was the fabric was slippery and didn't catch and move smoothly under the foot and throat plate of my machine. Other than that, I think this jacket is fairly basic and has easy, straight forward directions to follow even for a newer sewer. I probably will do a different variation and line it completely again.

Finished dress-Cristine Jonson Wrap dress 526

I absolutely love this dress. It is so comfortable. I teach and need clothes to fit and move well. This is the second dress I have made from this pattern. This time I used the collar and sleeves with cuffs option. I like this variation especially with a stretchy cami underneath. I made the sleeveless version earlier this past summer in a blue and white paisley knit.

This dress was very easy to put together. I just got a serger last spring. I highly recommend getting one if you don't have one already.I have a Bernina which I think can really do it all. However, do like the finished look and construction when using my serger.

I bought nicer fabric from Emma One Sock this time. It is really nice quality, washed and retained it's body really well. I chose the color pink because the W magazine in July forcasted pink being a big color this fall. I actually was going to enter the mini-wardrobe contest on Patterns Review that ended in August and this was part of the ensemble. Unfortunately life interrupted my plans as usual. Between family obligations, teaching ESL students this summer, and getting ready for school in the fall, I couldn't quite make the deadline. However, I am not one to quit. I finished the bloody ensemble and will post the rest of it in the days to come. I just have to get my sons or hubby to take the photos of the garments for me!

The Cristine Jonson pattern is so easy to follow and sews up nicely. I know there is a Vogue pattern that is similar to this. But I prefer no seam lines down my back. This dress just has seams that run down the sides only. It is self faced on the top. I made the ties extra long around the waist. So the ties go around my waist several times. I also love this dress because it looks great on a variety of body shapes. There is one more variation I am going to try. I already have the fabric purchased from Jane's Fabric in La Jolla, CA. The have a fab collection of buttons and designer fabrics. Shopping in La Jolla is like a vacation too. There are cute shops up and down the main street, and when you get hungry there are many fabulous restaurants to pick from!

Christine Jonson dress

Simplicity dress