This morning I was reading Stacy Sews’s blog and she was wondering where “My Paper Crane” had gone. She posted a link and I checked it out. Heidi at My Paper Crane has the cutest little creations. Check it out:
http://www.mypapercrane.com/
I’m having troubles with linking. Don’t know why? I have linked many times before.
Oooh myyy God!! What was I thinking!! I have never copied a rtw garment and while the pieces seem to go together fine, fitting a large breasted woman is not the easiest. First of all, I put one dart on the side of the top. So I ripped it out and placed it the right spot. I sewed the shoulders together, the sleeves are in, the bias facing on the neck edge is in, and I attached the front bottom.
I’m actually making two of these for her. The first one that I’m making is lining fabric. I’m not too happy with that. It is not very easy to work with. If it wasn’t for the IDT on my Pfaff, sewing this would be more difficult.
I did not take any photos as I was kind of stressed out. I hope this turns out. I have her coming tonight for a final fitting and then I want to finish the other one in the next two days. I’d like to have this for her on Thursday. She wants it for Saturday.
Well, at least my sewing studio is in the basement and it’s keeping me cool in our lovely heatwave.
Okay, I have been a slacker with this top and it’s time to get it finished (I’ve been hanging at the beach). The following photos show you how to copy a made garment by the tape method. I used blue painters tape. It has a medium stickiness to it and works very well with this process. I used regular masking tape on the edges on my first piece and that did not work so well.
In this photo I have taped the back piece but only half way since it will be cut the fold. The tape must be overlapped otherwise it will come apart when removing from the fabric.
In this photo, I removed the tape and set it one the floor for tracing:
I put tracing paper over the pattern piece:
I then traced by adding my seam allowances at the same time:
I have since sewn parts of it together and will pin other parts so I can fit this lady. I will be working every night until it’s finished because she needs both tops on Saturday. Wish me luck!!
Every year our city has a contest which Canada Postal workers, or a neighbour, friend, etc. can nominate your yard. The yard must have an impressive show of flowers. They also have a natural category. My front flower bed is very showy and I think next year I am going to expand it by pulling it out from the front more and adding more flowers. After five years of experimenting with flowers, I now know what flowers beautifully and is hardy. Marigolds are very tough flowers and there are a variety of marigolds. There are two main types: African and French. Within those two types there are a number of kinds to choose from. Next year I will plant the following:
Tall African marigolds in yellow in the back row against the house. I have lilys that grow every year and they really pop when they bloom.
In the middle, I will plant a mid-sized african marigold probably in a gold or orange colour.
In the mid-front row I will plant a smaller french marigold.
In the very front row, I will plant ageratums in a mid-blue purple colour. They add a very nice finishing touch. I planted a few this year and they look nice.
I just took these pictures of my front flower bed and it will be more showy next year. I chose those colours because my house is green and the orange and yellow look very flattering with my house.
I will also add some hanging baskets along with my two planters that have in the front of my door and garage door. Yellow and purple/blue look very nice together.
Can’t wait till next year!
Doesn’t this look yummy! I love summer!!!!!
I’m almost finished my scrapbooking. I have scrapped about 12 pages and have a few more to go. I didn’t want to do any sewing during the summer but as in my previous post I talked about a neighbour of mine who asked me to sew a Choli. Well, I copied the blouse she gave me by using the tape method. The top she wants me to copy was NOT well made. The sleeve was not set in evenly; thus, my pattern for the sleeve is cock-eyed. I hope this turns out. I’m not enjoying making this and just want to get it over with.
At one time I wanted to start a home-based business as a personal sewer. What was I thinking. I find it to be a lot of work and hassle for such little pay. Albertans just don’t like to pay for custom-made garments either. A while ago, another neighbour of mine asked me to make two tops for her. I drove her to the fabric store (she does not drive) to help her pick her fabric and pattern. I went over to her house a few times to fit. In the end, it took her two months to pay me. Worth it? not!
I’m gearing up for September to be a busy sewing month. I’m going to try quilting and the quilt or quilts I make will be given as gifts for Christmas. I found a dog’s bed that was quilted in the magazine; Quilts and more. Too cute. I tried to find a photo of it from their website but couldn’t even find their magazine on their site. Oh well.
In Stitches
