Easing back into sewing

Happy new year!

I’ve decided to  ease into sewing this year. Last year, I don’t believe I did any sewing.  I miss it. I think it was fate that sent me to my favorite Goodwill store were I purchased this.

A whole lot of sewing patterns

Price $5.65

I purchased 38 patterns for $5.65.  Of the 38 patterns, 10 are in my size. 36 patterns were uncut. There were 3 small dog patterns.  Overall, Im happy with my purchase 🙂

Designer Patterns

I made a quick stop at the my local Goodwill Store.  I saw this bag and bought it for $7.97.

Some of the patterns that was in the bag:

Click on the photos to enlarge.

Some are uncut and not ONE of them is my  size.  I went online to learn the prices of some of them.  I’m thinking about selling them but I will have to research the different store options (Etsy,  Ebay, etc.)

I’m still working on the dress.   I hope to have pictures of a better fitting muslin this weekend.

Take care.

Simplicity 2598 View E Knit Top

Simplicity 2598 Knit Top

Pattern Description: Women’s Knit top and Cardi-Wrap with Front Variations.  This is the plus size version of Simplicity 2603

Pattern Sizing: 18W to 32 W

Did it look like the photo/drawing on the pattern envelope once you were done sewing with it? Yes

Were the instructions easy to follow? Sort of.  I follow Ann’s blog (Gorgeous Fabrics).  She blogged about the instructions to attach the collar band and I like her instructions.  They made more sense to me.  You can find her tutorial here.

Here’s a closeup of my collar band.

I also follow Pam’s blog (Off The Cuff ~Sewing Style~).  She blogged about hemming knits.  You can find her tutorial here – scroll down to 01/01/2009 entry Perfect Hems Every Time!  Using Pam’s tutorial enabled me to hem the top with getting the tunneling that I usually get when I sew knit fabric.

What did you particularly like or dislike about the pattern? The pattern is simple and using Ann’s and Pam’s tutorials made it a breeze.

Fabric Used: Poly/Rayon Knit from Gail K’s in Atlanta

Pattern alterations or any design changes you made: Other than using the tutorials mentioned above, I still had to do a FBA.  I think I need to more adjusting on the FBA.

Would you sew it again? Would you recommend it to others? Yes.  I like the wide shoulders which cover bra straps.

Conclusion: A great pattern and good wardrobe builder for the spring and summer.

13 patterns for $6.60

I bought 13 sewing patterns for $6.60 at my local Goodwill store.  None of the patterns have been cut.

Of the 13 patterns, I know I won’t use two.  One is a home dec pattern and the other is half size.   Now, I really don’t NEED more patterns but I couldn’t pass this up.  I think I did good by not buying the other package of patterns:)  There are five patterns that I want to use like now.

Jacket view A is perfect for work

View D and B or C are great

View A (red) jacket and skirt are just my style

View A (black or floral) it's long but I like itView A upper right read floral dress is so nice

Red Floral dress upper right

I probably will get to these patterns in about 2 weeks.  This is a sewing weekend for me so I hope to get the skirt finished and to the cleaners.

I went to Gail K’s yesterday and found a wonderful piece of wool/silk fabric that I’ll make a jumper.

Jumper

The jumper is Simplicity 3565 view A.  This pattern was on sale at Hancock’s this week for $1.99.  I also bought Simplicity 2614.

Blouse view D

I love view B with sleeves from view D.

Take care and have a great weekend.

146 Sewing Patterns

I have 146 sewing patterns.  I know because I entered them in Microsoft Access.  I was tired of buying patterns only to discover that I had the same pattern at home.

It was a very time consuming project but I got it done.  The project consisted of:

• creating the database in Access,
• labeling 9×12 folders,
• copying the front and back of pattern envelop,
• creating the notebook and
• filing the copies of the envelopes.

I learn a lot about my tastes in clothing.  Is that another V-neck top?

I also realized that I’ve only used a fraction of my patterns.   So, I’m not going on a pattern diet.  I’ve seen the Fall Vogue Patterns and there a few that I want but I will make a point of using the patterns I own for the rest of this year.

I now have a notebook which contains copies of the pattern envelopes (front & back). (click on pictures to enlarge)

Cover of my sewing pattern notebook

Tabs represents types of sewing patterns

Closeup of Tabs

I’ve divided my patterns into the following categories:

• accessories,
• dress,
• home dec,
• jackets/coats,
• pants,
• skirts,
• tops/shirts,
• wardrobe.

Accessories includes sleepwear, lingerie, bags aprons, etc.  Wardrobe includes any pattern with more than one items like skirt and pants.

Here’s the break down of my pattern categories.

• Accessories – 6
• Dress – 27,
• Home dec -11,
• Jackets/coats -10,
• Pants – 11,
• Skirts – 9,
• Tops/shirts – 38,
• Wardrobe – 34.

You would think that would be enough patterns for one person.  Not!

I’ll eventually, get around to cataloging the sewing magazines like BWOF, BWOF plus (I don’t have that many) and one lone copy of Ottobre women and Kwik Sew’s Beautiful Lingerie.   That’s for another day.  I’m sick of looking at my database.

Here’s where I store my patterns.  I store the pattern (original, traced and pattern envelop)  in a 9X12 envelop because I trace my patterns instead of using the original patterns.  It works for me.

I really want to add pictures to the database but I haven’t figured that out yet.

It would be nice to be able to upload the database to my Blackberry.

So, if you’re reading this blog post.  I have a few questions for you.

1.  Do you know how many patterns you own?

2.  How do you keep them organized?

3.  If you have a smartphone, do you keep your pattern information on it?

Thanks and have a great week.

Kwik Sew 2740 Muslin

I made Kwik Sew 2740 after looking at what everyone said on Pattern Review.  The pattern was very easy and I will make it again.  I did have one fitting issue.  I have narrow shoulders.

Shoulders are too big

I looked to Pattern Review boards to search for a fix and found one.  A few people recommened Sandra Betzina’s book Fast Fit and joy o joy I have it on my bookshelf.  I made her suggest alterations on the pattern.  This weekend, I will try it on fabric.

The other fitting issue I had was my fault.  I made the sleeves way to long.

Sleeves too long

I’m looking forward to making this pattern again.  This was my first serger construction project.  I did make mistakes like not having the correct needle tension.  Now, the seams look like tailor tacks before you cut them.

Opps, I lied!

In the last post, I said I’d purchased the last patterns for 2007. Well, I lied. I bought two Simplicity patterns this week. Yes, they were on sale at Hancock Fabrics. The patterns are Simplicity 3678 and Simplicity 3790.

images from the Simplicity Patterns Co. Inc.

I just love the knit dresses featured in the 3678 pattern. With the right fabric, I could make dresses for all seasons. I will probably make View B.

I selected 3790 after seeing it on the Sewl Sista #1 blog. I can’t stand the top the model is wearing on the pattern envelop View A. I don’t like Views B or C either. I really like Views D, E and F. I’ll probably make View D.

Okay, that’s it for now.

Last Pattern purchase 2007

I went to Hancock Fabrics and bought a few items. One of them is the very last pattern I plan to buy this year. It’s McCall’s M5142 Palmer/Pletsch The Perfect Jean. It was on sale for $0.99. I’m done with patterns now I need to sew.

I also went to Jo-Ann’s and found basting thread. I don’t know why it’s so difficult to find this but I have it now. Here’s a picture of everything I purchased today.

It’s not alot but it’s everything I need to complete six items on my SWAP for Fall/Winter. I’m not sure how to use the elastic on the knit twist top yet.

Oh, I haven’t uploaded the storyboard for SWAP. Well, here’s the first draft of it. I haven’t found fabric for the blouse yet but I’ll keep looking.

I finally finished hemming the skirt. I’ll post pictures later this week.