Just Sew It

I registered for an online course on Patternreview.com and while I want to learn how to sew a tailored jacket I am not sure if it was a good idea. I’m behind. Starting on Monday, the instructor has posted lessons each day. I have not had the chance to even prepare my fabric yet. That I will do today. I will also cut out my patterns and do a test pattern on Sheila. I usually only do a test with the pattern itself. I saw this technique in an article in a Threads magazine article. I like it because it does save time. Time is not something I have a lot of. So, I need to get my but in gear. I will be behind but as long as I get the material I can work at my own speed. However, I am not thrilled at the chats and the site’s owner. I could not access the chat. I have the password but when I went to type the password in the box nothing happened. I could not enter anything in it. The cursor would just sit there. I posted for help under Chat and Announcements but the owner never replied. I guess I should send her a pm. or email. Hopefully she will reply. If not, I may ask for my money back? I don’t know about that. I already have the lessons. I sort of feel alone doing this course. That is why I like to take a course with the instructor right there.

I should just stop complaining and get on it.

I’ll post some progress pictures in a couple of days. Wish me luck!

That is the name of the beginner quilting class I am taking. Last night was the first with just an orientation of what supplies we will need, explanation of colour coordinating and then selecting our fabric. I was not expecting to select our fabric at THEIR shop. One word. Expensive. Very expensive. I mean $19.00 a metre for cotton?? Come on. They only gave us 10% off. Add 6% G.S.T. onto that and we are only getting 3% off. Nice. I was planning on going to Marshalls to select my fabric as the prices are much more reasonable. But everyone was getting their fabric and I did not want to look like a cheap skate. They did have very pretty fabric but I think for my first quilt spending that much is a little unreasonable. Anyways, I hope that the class will be beneficial. The other ladies who are taking the class seem nice and it should be fun. Next week, I have to lug “my precious” to my class. The instructor asked everyone what type of machine they had. When I told her what I had she said she was a Pfaff person also and told the class that she may use mine for demos. Uhhh… I don’t think so lady. I don’t let anyone touch my machine. She’s “my precious”. If you have seen the Lord of the Ring movies, you’ll know what I am talking about.

Here is my fabric selection. We had to chose one focal fabric with a number of colours in it to expand on the rest of my selections. It is hard to choosing fabric. What will look good? I purchased a book called, “Color Play” by Joen Wolfrom. Good book.

This photo is my focal fabric:

This is a photo of my background and focal fabric together:

The rest of my fabric chosen:

Will it look nice? That I do not know. The lady who helped me said that my quilt will be bright. Judging from what she said about the British (she is from Britain herself) they are not used to or fond of bright colours. Not sure if that is true but anyhow I told her that is the Ukrainian coming out of me. I love colour and am not afraid to use it.

This is a learning experience. The instructor also said that we should keep our very first quilt. This way we can see how far we have come down the road. I don’t think I would want to give this one away. I am planning on making a quilt for my parents for Christmas and I have something very specific in mind for them.

As for my speed tailoring class, I have been downloading my lessons but have to touched the pattern or fabric yet. That will have to wait until the weekend.

I found this photo on “Fashioned”. A blog that posts pictures of designer’s lines. I love this particular outfit because it combines lace and silk. I think the skirt is silk. If not, I still like it. I’d like to make something very similar for a wedding I’ll be attending in the summer.

If I find a pattern for this top, I will be wearing a camisole of some short. I wouldn’t want the girls to make an appearance. These models are so bloody skinny and tall that I could never get away with that. I’m 5′4″ and weight 130 lbs. I’m not fat but I’m not a stick either.

On Patternreview.com there is a thread where members discuss Project Runway #3. I unfortunately cannot participate in the discussion because Lifenetwork is only on the fourth episode. I recently read someone say, “I wonder if Tim Gunn would go to Wal-mart”. No, I don’t think so. I once heard a gay friend say, “I don’t go to any store with the work “mart” in it. I highly doubt Tim Gunn would go near a Wal-mart. I can hardly stand that store never mind him. I thought that was funny.

So quiet this afternoon and I’m getting a lot of sewing done. My dh took the kids to the waterpark. I hate going there. Way too busy and I absolutely hate busy crowds. I’m a hermit.

I made a ballet skirt out of chiffon with sparkles on it. I finished hemming my dd’s velour pants. I am soooo glad I sew. I just wish sewing was as popular as scrapbooking is. If it was, there would much more local suppliers. Non-sewers just don’t know what they are missing.

My jean jacket is finally complete. I finished sewing on my buttons last night. I have a selection on my precious just for attaching buttons and I love it. A zig-zag works fine but this feature is specially just for buttons. Overall, this pattern was easy. I thought it would be hard but it was not. Kwik Sew is my all time favorite when it comes to instructions and the actual pattern. I actually very proud of myself for sewing a jean jacket. I’m not one to brag about things but I just can’t help myself.

I purchased a olive green purse to specifically match my jacket (and a wallet). Winners rarely lets me down.

What’s next? A nightgown for my dd, an apron for Christmas. Next week I start my two classes: Speed Tailoring and Beginner quilting.

This is a rant post. I am fed up with these women that work at sewing dealerships. Why? Well it seems that they have difficulty with writing things down or getting things straight.

I registered for a course called “interfacing and pressing techniques” and it was scheduled for Thursday evening. I called today (three days in advance) to see if the class had been cancelled. This particular store always forgets to call when a class has been cancelled. Yep, it was cancelled. Only two people registered. Ummmm… no one called me. They replied, “not yet”. Ya… right.

I asked for a refund and the lady on the phone said, “oh, you have to do that through Trudy”. Trudy!? what! I know I don’t have to get a refund through Trudy. Anyways, I talked to Trudy. Another dingbat.

I called another dealer where I register for a beginners quilting class called, “Great Beginnings” to see if that one was still on for next week. Gave my name. Yep, I’m registered but for the morning. What the …..! The original woman who registered me CALLED me the very next day to see which time I wanted. She had registered me for the morning. I told her I wanted the evening time. “Oh, I’ll change it for you”. Apparently she did not. Well, because I called today the correction was made and the class now has four people meaning the class has a good chance of running.

Come on!!!!!! What’s up with these women! Can’t they get something straight. You’d think they were working at McDonalds.

I called another store earlier in the month to enquire about their courses and the lady I spoke with did not know what classes were scheduled. Ummmm… they are on your website dimwit! She is the owner of the store too.

I think I’ll just refer to the internet and books to learn more about sewing and quilting.

My rant for the day.