Just Sew It

Well, there’s two hours I will never get back. I have been wanting to make this top for the last one to two months. This tunic top is from Burda’s Easy Fashion magazine. Easy Fashion is easier than Burda’s World of Fashion. This mag. includes diagrams with the instructions. The instructions are easier to follow too. Another plus is that the patterns already come ready to cut. No tracing. The neckline on this top is ridiculous! It is so open and so low that there is no way I can wear it. It fit everywhere else but the neckline so there is no way that I screwed up on the size.

In a recent Threads issue, an article discussed tissue fitting. Tissue fitting appeals to me because it is much quicker than sewing up a muslin. By tissue fitting, I can see how the garment will fit. I have flat measured patterns but I think I will prefer tissue fitting. I tissue fitted a top that I will be making next and it gave me a great feel for how it will fit.

Tomorrow, I’ll be working on a bedskirt and pillow shams for my dm. I am so not looking forward to that.

Well, I won’t be getting Amy Butler’s Cabo halter top pattern. With currency exchange, duty and most of all, the shipping cost, this pattern will end up costing me over $30.00. Not worth it.

Anyways, I have decided to put much more thought into the projects that I chose to make. I would like to use my new sewing machine to it’s fullest capability. It has so many wonderful decorative stitches that I would like to incorporate many of them into my creations.

On Saturday, I picked up a pattern, McCall 4961, for my dd. I would like to make her a fleece jacket for the fall. She wants me to make it out of a paw print fleece fabric that she saw on the front of the pattern envelope. I found some on purrfection.com but I would prefer to get a swatch before I purchase anything. I would like to use some rick rack between the seams on the collar and pockets. I’d also like to find some cute buttons. I won’t be sewing this until September so I do have some time for find the right fabric.

I really have not been too interested in the quilting scene until I bought a Pfaff Quilt Expression. I’ve dubbed her Heidi. Heidi has 13 quilt stitches and I thought it would be such a waste not to try and use them. So I have decided to take a beginner machine quilting class. I won’t take it until the fall because I really don’t want to sew in the summer. Too nice outside. As for quilts themselves, I don’t like the geometric designs that a lot of them have. I prefer appliques such as animals, flowers, etc. I think I’ll make one for my dd and my brothers babies (when they decide to have one).

Quilting, to me, is very similar to scrapbooking. Selecting fabrics for a quilt is like selecting paper and embellishments for a layout.

I have a gift certificate for Fabricland and so off I went and spent part of it on a 6″ x 24″ ruler and safety pins. Both were 40% off.

As for my garment sewing, I still have four more projects to finish. Get cracking!

I have a video which features Marta Alto showing different types of threads that you can use on your serger. There are a number of threads that you can use to creative different finishes. I got inspired so off I went to a sewing machine dealer that carries different threads. In the photo below are my new additions to my sewing room. From left to right: regular serger thread (gold), a yummy pink with sparkles floss, another regular serger thread (beige), pink and green embroidery thread, and pearl cotton in black, blue/green and gold.

Below is a picture of a rolled hem that I did on my dd’s skirt ruffle. I used the pink with sparkles floss. It has a very nice effect.

I found Amy Butler’s website through Pattern review and I just love her fabric. According to her website, there are two stores in my city that carry her product. Hope so. On the message board of pr, someone posted this new pattern of a halter top that will be for sale in a few weeks. I love it! I also loved that she modeled it in a cowboy hat. Too cool.