A new aquisition

It is taking all my will power not to start this post with the phrase "they don't make them like they used to".  Look what I did there, snuck it in anyway.  What does this refer to?

My new acquisition. Which is here on approval, at least in my mind. A few weeks ago I had an incident with my very well-loved buttonhole making attachment. After that a little voice in the back of my mind was whispering about a new machine with the built in buttonhole feature.  After some research I ordered this Singer Quantum Stylist 9960 from Costco and few days later here it is. 

I have been playing around with it for 3 days and tonight I made a top from start to finish which came out fine. For the first hour I really did not like the machine at all and was sure that after a week of fooling around with it I would be standing in the return line at Costco to get my refund. I think with anything I buy these days I kind of dislike it on principal and then slowly get accustomed. 

Maybe the reason I dislike new equipment is that I am the person that reads the manual, a study-er of the printed material, a consumer of instruction booklets. From the Cuisinart to the new printer to the Iphone to the assemble-it-yourself stuff from Ikea, I like to open the box, take out the instructions, examine all the pieces and go through the process of setting up or connecting or whatever else is indicated. Totally nerdy, huh?  As compared to family and friends who mostly fall into the "just open it and plug it in, lets see how it works" camp. 

Oh well, for my new sewing machine I could do it my way, and to my surprise after a few days, I think I like it. It may be a keeper. Except for one nagging little problem which I will get to. But I have to say the manual is not very useful. Really skimpy on the explanation of how to use all the myriad features. 

Let's remember that I have been sewing on this machine since I was 8 years old. This very one! In fact I have 2 of them, one inherited from my grandmother and one which used to live at my mom's house but she never used. Plus I have my Singer 503 which I brought back from Hawaii.

Look at that baby...that soothing coffee and cream color, the warm golden glow of the lamp, the nice open deck, the incredible punching power, the easy maintenance.  It is not going anywhere!

All that Singer love was not the reason I chose the new one, it just happened to be a great deal, had all the features and was at Costco (for you overseas readers - a warehouse store with great deals, lots of gigantic bulk packages, and the most amazing return policy ever).

But my lifelong habituation to a straight stitch only machine may explain why I am starting to bond with this new machine. Please don't laugh now...here are some of the gee whiz features that I am having fun with.

• it cuts the threads
• push buttons for backstitching
• slow stitch mode
• needle up/down button
• did I mention it cuts the threads !!!

Ok, so as I said these are not exactly new developments in sewing machine technology but they are new to me.  Not to mention all those stitches at the push of a button. So far it is actually quite easy to use, although stitch length of 3.5 lingo is not computing in my brain yet, as someone who thinks in 8-12 stitches per inch.  Can someone translate for me?
There are some things I don't like, the light is kind of glaring, the presser foot is clunky and the 5/8" marking, which I actually use is not easy to see. Also the whole thing feels so plastic-y, which I guess is to be expected.  

Recall I mentioned one teensy problem. Ha, a big problem. So far the buttonholes are  #%*$ (swear words).  Here is a example of my attempts. Mostly they came out like the one in the upper left corner. It does one side then goes up the other side and instead of doing the 2nd half it wants to keep going until I stop it.  I am wondering if the problem is the attachment.  I do notice the little bar gizmo you pull down to engage the buttonholer track is wobbly and doesn't seem quite right. I will play with it a bit more and then maybe decide there is a problem. Also see on the sample buttonholes the bar tack at the end is overzealous, a big lump really so that is not acceptable. Doesn't it just figure that the one thing I thought I wanted is not working properly? Although reading lots of blogs or forums on buttonholes has convinced me that the old buttonhole attachment makes vastly superior buttonholes so that is probably the way to go.

This weekend I will play around with it a bit more and see what else it can do. As for actual sewing this time of year I am always busier with custom sewing, so I have been making things mostly for others.

Here is a peek at something I am just completing for my friend Heather. It is rayon jersey that she bought at Britex, kind of light navy blue on white. Super soft and flowy, perfect fabric choice. This Vogue 8787 is a winner in my estimation. For once the construction order is actually reasonable! Also the cowl neckline is very well designed and falls very nicely when worn. I know I will be making this one again. 

                      

I would love to hear your thoughts on new sewing machine selection. What did you choose? and are you happy with it?  Are the old machines better?  (in a word, yes)

Here is an unexpected pleasure in the garden. I used to plant pansies in the late winter but switched to violas (smaller version of this plant) and they are much more hardy, plus reseed all over, in a good way. So this spring I had lots of tiny jewels like this pop up in the lawn.

Happy summer sewing. It is supposed to be over 100 F here this weekend so I anticipate a lot of lounging by the pool and not much sewing.  Well maybe a little.

Beth

Return to the Scene of the Crime - Farewell meetup for Amy

Is it possible to run out of things to talk about when a bunch of enthusiastic seamsters get together? Purely a rhetorical question because I can tell you the answer is never. This post's title refers to our meetup last year at the same wine bar. The evening was arranged by the wonderful Amy (you know her from her SewWell blog as well as the Mood Sewing Network). We first met just about a year ago when I had Karen who writes the Did you make that? blog as my sewing student for a week here in California. One of the highlights of that week was a meetup that Karen and I arranged at a wine bar in San Francisco, here is a link to Amy's post summarizing that fun night.
More get togethers followed but this was Amy's last meetup as a California resident. Career developments beckon so she and her husband are relocating to Seattle.  She arranged for all of us to meet at Britex after hours and we had a champagne toast to wish her well. Do you recognize that famous staircase leading to all kinds of lovely fabrics and extra special goodies on the upper floors?

It was great to see all these friends and meet some sewists who I have only seen on their blogs. Starting at the bottom of the photo is me, then to my left is Jilly of JillyBeJoyful and next to her  in the white/black coat is Jean of JKaori Sews. Behind in the lime green sweater is Kelly of Bennomusik, a new addition to our group, yeah! Next in the red jacket is Shams of Communing with Fabric. Going up the staircase on the next row are Rebecca (another new face!), Vanessa and then in the turquoise top is Elizabeth of e-bethknits. Right behind her is Laura Mae of Lilacs and Lace and yes, she was wearing one of her fantastic vintage style outfits. To her right in the gingham shirt is Erin of SeamstressErin. With the red scarf is Geanna of Britex, just behind her is Veronique of verte-adelie and then at the top of the staircase in the white sweater is Amy of SewWell and our leader for the evening.

After our champagne toast we walked over to the wine bar around the corner and settled in for some serious sewing chat. It does amaze me that we can go for four hours talking patterns, fabric, blogs, successes, frustrations, sewing books, photography and of course the Great British Sewing Bee.

Sometimes I laugh at myself because I make all kinds of outfits but once the garment is completed and the photo is taken I don't stop to do any more photography - in the wild, so to speak. To prove that I do wear these things I give you a look, at the best photo location for sewing fanatics in San Francisco. Just one door down from Britex, so if you are in the vicinity be sure to wear your me-mades and take the requisite theme photo!  Wearing the world's greatest skirt pattern V1247, blogged here, and the jacket is S2455, blogged here.  The top I am not yet sure about, it is a red rayon jersey cowl neck, NL6901 made with long sleeves, photo at the end of this post. 

I took one very crummy Iphone pic at the end of the evening but I just saw a post by Jilly  with more photos so jump over there to see more about this evening.

I am sorry to see Amy leave the bay area but will look forward to keeping up with her on line. We had a great evening and I think a summer get-together is in the works for this group. If you are traveling to San Francisco and want to meet some fellow sewing fanatics let me know, as we are always ready to arrange a meetup.

Here is the top and the pattern photo for the New Look cowl top. Another blogger connection as I received this pattern in a giveaway and now I can't remember who sent it to me. too many patterns...

                                        

By the way, Karen (Did you make that? mentioned above) is now a Fashion Blogger with the UK newspaper, the Guardian.  I am so proud !  Ok, nothing to do with me but it is fun to say it. Hey - come to think of it, maybe you should get in touch for some private sewing tutoring with me,  who knows where you will end up?

Happy sewing and I look forward to our next meetup
Beth

Random Threads #3 and Possible new projects

New Projects:
Spring is here and my mind turns to summer dresses despite my best intentions to make anything but. During the recent sales I splurged on a few new Vogue patterns and during a bout of spring cleaning in the pattern file unearthed a few from last year that never made it to my sewing table. Here are the patterns I am considering.

V1353 has made it into the definite category and I have done my pattern alterations. I have a batik print fabric in navy/white with a vertical stripe that I have never figured out what to do with but this might do the trick. So I plan to cut this one out soon and then sew up as time permits. V1329 I ordered as it seems like a cool way to do color blocking however I think this will wait until winter. Don't you think it would look equally good with long sleeves?  Last year I started making V1241 by the same designer and could not get the fit right so I had no intention of trying anything by her again. Oh yeah, every once in a while there is a real stinker that does not make it onto the blog. Not often - but it does happen. It better not happen with my lovely batik from Hawaii.

More possibilities are these two. As long as I have been sewing Vogue designer patterns I have been making Anne Klein patterns, particularly for business wear. I wanted to try that dress on the left, V1327  and I have some dark rose pink wool crepe which might be the right fabric for that dress ($ 2 estate sale purchase). It also has possibilities as a top and would not be too difficult to adapt. The jacket is what caught my eye on the V1293 on the right, however I have taken it out of the envelope several times but never got to the cutting out stage. Something about the fit of the jacket in the shoulders keeps putting me off. Just me or does it look really tight on this very slim model? This one may go back in the pattern box.

Ok, here is one that would be pure indulgence, do I really need V1281 shown on the left? Not at all but it is so pretty and I am crazy for these Donna Karan drapy styles. I like the dark/light combo they are showing.  At the Pattern Review SF Weekend this was the one and only item I took at the free pattern giveaway. Perhaps this will be my birthday dress which gives me a few months to get it done.  As for V1250, I am making this tomorrow as a present for a friend. 

Last up in the dresses category is a Burda envelope pattern (oh I am branching out aren't I?) I saw this pattern in the little booklet which was on the counter in the notions department at Britex. I skimmed through while on the Bart train on my my way home and my eye kept returning to this one. I have two different fabrics that could work with this, one is a stripe which I rarely sew. I like stripes so why is that? Seems I have talked myself into it. hmmmm.  

So that is the dress plan for summer, those will be the fun and/or challenging personal projects I have in mind. I would like to make another short sleeve button front shirt, and some t-shirts are waiting to be cut out. Plus another pair of Short-lows (Sewaholic Thurlow shorts) and maybe some Thin-lows (slim pants version). 

Bay Area Meetup:

My friend Amy of the SewWell blog is moving to Seattle and she has scheduled a meetup next week in San Francisco. Here is the link to her blog post in case you haven't seen it and are able to join in.  She will be missed by her SF bay area friends but of course we will read about her sewing adventures in a new city and next time I am up to Seattle I will pester her for all the inside scoop on fabric shopping in the great northwest. 

Sewing Instruction:  

One technique I forgot to add to the list of options - reproducing a favorite garment. If you have something that fits well or you just love the shape but would like to have another version we can create a paper pattern from the existing garment (without taking it apart). I did a two blog post on this technique, links here and here.

This is just about the best time of year in the garden, everything is planted and just blooming like crazy. Well most everything is planted... except for the 5 new plants which I should not have bought at recent sale.  Best of all, the tomatoes are doing their thing and we should have some in July :) I hope.

Today's SunnyGal garden photo, where I decided this year to incorporate the tomato plants in with all the pretty flowers. So far they seem to like it.  This is a Lemon Boy yellow tomato, not ripe but getting there.  Yummmm.

Happy spring sewing with patterns new and old, 

Beth

Spring Coat from BurdaStyle Sewing Handbook

When I showed this coat to my family, the most frequent comment was something like "another coat?" But what they should have said is "another Burda?" because that is the notable point.  Ok, maybe I don't need another coat but I did have this large-ish piece of fabric remaining when I made this vintage McCalls pattern last year. This was a piece of fabric I found at my local thrift store that was already pre-fused with a very nice interfacing so it made it a dream to sew. 

The pattern came from the BurdaStyle Sewing Handbook which I found in my local library. In fact I checked it out, came home and found the pattern sheet for the coat was missing. I had to go back to the library, find another copy (which did have the coat pattern) and then point out that the first copy was missing that pattern sheet.  It is great that my local library gets quite a few sewing books - mostly I find them by searching the on-line catalog and then requesting at my local branch. I am kind of torn about not buying the books but I like the library to know there is a demand for the genre. 

I made the pattern almost as designed with one change to make the sleeves smooth at the shoulder instead of gathered. The style is very sweet as is and the gathered sleeves looked a bit pre-teen to me. I also skipped the belt, while I like the look of coats with a belt when wearing they drive me crazy and I tend to leave them at home. 

I was a bit lazy when I traced out the pattern so I didn't even trace the lining pieces, just used the outer pieces to make the lining. I always figure that lining is just a guideline and when I make them I do little modifications for comfort and wearability. It suprises me that many patterns do not add a bit of ease to the lining pieces for outerwear and a center back pleat is a must. When I cut out the lining I add about 1.5 inches to the center back, whether on a fold or seamed, and then just sew the regular stitch line from the neckline down about 2 inches, then press the rest to create a pleat (see below right).

            

Do you like this lining? Which I found at an estate sale and knew it would be just right for something one day but never imagined this perfect :)

Another sneaky reason I don't use the lining pattern pieces is because so often coats have that round neckline facing piece and I prefer the lining fabric to go up the back as far as possible to meet the collar (since coat fabrics are so often itchy).  I kind of improvise and match the front and back lining at the shoulder seam. This works as I sew the linings in by hand most times. One small live and learn moment was that I could have added a bit more interfacing in the collar, it is a bit limp but perhaps just something I notice when wearing.

I got these buttons at Stone Mountain fabrics in Berkeley but tragedy nearly struck when I was making the buttonholes as I have broken my cherished Singer buttonhole attachment. I do have 4 other ones but each one has some weird issue, wrong cams, screw missing etc. So they are like the proverbial car kept for parts. Luckily I was able to complete the buttonholes as it was way too late to put in bound buttonholes. Plus I had already decided early on that machine buttonholes would look better.

When I was cutting this coat out it was down to shreds of fabric remaining, and actually had to slim down the walking vent in the back.  To keep all its width I finished the edge with some satin lining found in my scrap bag which was a very close match and I like the peek of satin there in the vent. I did put some white weft fusible on the hem to give it some body, it really helps the hem hold its shape and resist crumpling. 

Here is me and my spring coat plus a garden photo all in one.  Rushing as it started to rain! Talk about unexpected but very welcome for the garden.

Happy sewing, Beth

Super summer Simplicity separates

Do you do a closet exchange when the weather changes?  We always did that in my family when I was small and the habit remains. This week I took down boxes filled with shorts and summer tees and gladly packed up the wool sweaters.  As I was hanging up some summer shirts I came across this one which I made last year and have never worn. At the time I really didn't like it much but I can't recall why, it seems perfectly nice now.

Or perhaps I am just happy to wear a little cotton blouse, denim skirt and some sandals. Probably so. The pattern for the top is Simplicity 2339 Amazing Fit pattern which I previously made here in blue silk charmeuse. This version in cotton lawn looks totally different and in fact neither version looks much like the pattern drawing. On the first one I converted the front to have a hidden buttonhole placket which is very nice feature on a fine silk blouse. 

For this version in cotton lawn I also eliminated the sewn-on buttonhole placket to create a ? faux ? placket.  I am not sure if this has a name, you see it sometimes on high end women's shirts and blouses. It is a good way to save cutting out that long piece, it adds no bulk, the interfacing is hidden and the inside has a beautiful clean finish. With a little math it is not difficult, I will do a follow up post on how to do using fabric that is easier to see than this black print.

The skirt is Simplicity 2152 in black stretch denim which I blogged here.  This is a great skirt pattern and I wear it a lot as it is great for running errands with nice pockets to store all kinds of notes, scraps, phone, etc. 

In the background behind my elbow you can see one of the foxglove plants. I bought a 6-pack of tiny plants last year and had a few flowers but this spring they are fantastic. The one shown below is about 4 feet tall now.  By the way in the top photo I am standing in front of the very large apple tree, right below the bee colony. Do you think I am brave?  Actually they could care less about people since they are so busy with the lemon trees...at least for the time being.

Happy Spring Sewing,  Beth

Vogue 8865 jacket in rose red

Did you wonder what happened to this one?  Not that anyone is losing sleep over what I do or don't finish sewing, I didn't mean to say that.  I know you all have better things to to do. Like watch the final episode of the Great British Sewing Bee...which I have not seen yet. And plan to watch tomorrow sometime, so no spoilers. A bit challenging to avoid seeing the results today on line but so far I have succeeded. I have to watch it tomorrow morning because in the afternoon I will be in San Francisco for Pattern Review Weekend 2013!  Couldn't miss that, right here in my own backyard, so to speak. Looking forward to meeting everyone.

Now back to Vogue 8865, a very simple little jacket that I quite like and am thinking this is the very pattern I can use to make a nice soft leather jacket come fall, maybe with some contrast sleeves or something.  Not that I am thinking about fall, to busy enjoying spring right now.

Here is the previous post on construction of this jacket with some details on how I sew and trim sleeves - in a word - lots of pins! You can see the seaming better in this photo of the back. 

I did make the version with the slightly strange lapel/collar and I like it OK, the pattern called for the entire jacket (all pieces) to be interfaced with knit fusible, which was a good idea in theory but if I were to start over (knowing what I know now) I would put a thicker interfacing in the lapel and collar area as I don't think it has enough heft to support the fabric with just fusible knit.  Oh well...

I did find this in my big box of linings and I know I found this at a garage sale, it is not quite the exact shade of rose but a nice complement - and the price was right.

Another nit-picky detail is that I added 2 inches to the bottom when I cut it out, just for the heck of it and also I like a wide hem (instead of bagging the lining). Also I held it up to a couple of other jackets and it seemed kind of short. And yet when I got to the hemming, this is what I did:

Are you kidding me, a 3/4 inch hem?  If I hadn't added those 2 inches to the length I would have been really annoyed, and had a nice bolero. Yes, a bit of an exaggeration but really, kind of short!

See, I told you. And I am still not sure about the oddball collar design.  Might make the other version and/or draft some other collar idea, if I can come up with one. 

The top is Simplicity 1916 which I previously blogged here.    
The pants are my latest version of the Sewaholic Thurlow trousers, in black denim, more details to follow including a few pitfalls (and how I survived them).

Here is my latest impulse purchase at the garden store, a pink hydrangea which took the place of a sad and spindly old azeala.  Ruthless, I tell you. Produce flowers in my garden or your days are numbered.This new plant better watch out!

Happy Sewing, Beth

Random Threads # 2

Time for another post where I gather up the random threads that have been occupying my mind lately.

I did finish the Vogue 8865 jacket in deep pink wool, so I will post that one soon. Keeping with my resolution to make anything but dresses and trying to use up fabrics I have, here is a sneak peek at my latest project, all finished but for the photos.

Sewing Lessons with me:  months ago I added a page to the blog about sewing instruction and then left it blank. Now I have finally added some content!.  If you are in the San Francisco bay area and would like to spend some time in one-on-one sewing instruction with me,  email me to discuss. (my email is: sunnygalstudio (at) gmail.com)  I have listed a bunch of techniques that you may want to learn and of course there is always fitting. (have you made a muslin or sloper that needs another sewist to fit?)

Pantone Spring Color Trends:  every season a few I like (the bright and bold) and the rest are bleeeh. If you haven't seen them here is the link. After all this is marketing through and through...a way to create desire in consumers to purchase new items.  If you are interested in this I recommend a book I read a few years ago, Color Stories: behind America's Billion Dollar Industry.  Fascinating look at the business of the cosmetics industry. Thank you to my local public library that had this book on the new and interesting shelf a couple of years ago.  I love my library and am a bit worried about the future of libraries in general with budget issues and changes in the publishing industry.

Don't you think this is the ugliest pattern they have ever come up with? Click over and wonder who would look good with a weird boxy bow across their frontage? And the background wallpaper plus the necklace make the outfit, right.  eek...

ITY knits:  I think I am over them.  I have made a few items, mostly because I loved the print but the feel of the fabric is just not for me.  For the future I will stick to rayon, cotton, bamboo or wool knits and if I find the right fabric at the right price a silk knit.

Jean's coat:  have you seen this masterpiece made by my friend Jean Kaori? Lucky her, she went to the Susan Khalje class in SF recently and created 2 fantastic lace garments. This is only one of her talents, her knitting is beautiful and almost makes me want to try.  Almost.

Project Runway:  Ok I will never NOT watch a show that involves some sewing but some is the operative word.  Less and less actual design and sewing of real clothes and too many stunt challenges. Plus the people on this season are as annoying as ****.  No one I care to win. Maybe the whole thing is a bit tired and needs to go away for a while.

The Great British Sewing Bee: A show that actually features sewing!  Moves along at a good pace, discusses the techniques a bit, and the participants are charming/quirky/talented/earnest. My only criticism is the show's tag line, "looking for Britain's best home sewer".  If that were the case it seems they could have found a few more contestants that were actually advanced level, but after all it is a reality tv show  which requires a few interesting characters to make the story move along.  The finale next week is a formal evening dress.  I would not want to make that in a day while filmed, talk about pressure!

A questionable top:  my sister showed me a very cute t-shirt top she bought the other day and I thought I could recreate the neckline. I used the simple T-shirt top from New Look 6150 and played around with the neckline (something I did on this blog post when I made a color block dress).  Now I have a new top which has a nice shape but perhaps is hideous. Or cute?  I can't decide. I threw everything but the kitchen sink into this one, as I wanted to try the gathered short sleeve on the pattern plus I cut the front out about 4 inches longer than the back so I gathered at the side waist to create a ruched effect.



I like the keyhole effect so that is a keeper, but it is this crazy psychedelic print that is bugging me. But it is soft and comfy. I have more of this fabric (which I threw in the cart on the FashionFabricsClub website when I was ordering other stuff) so it will get used for other t-shirt experiments.

In garden news I recently filled a few knotholes in my huge apple tree so that the bees would not find them and start a new colony as they did 2 years ago. Evidently I missed one but they didn't. I hate to commit bee-icide but in a few weeks going past the picnic table at 4 pm will unnerving.  However the orange and meyer lemon trees are in full bloom and need the pollination.  So the bees are spared for the time being. This is the scene outside the kitchen window, the orange blossom fragrance is heavenly.

Happy sewing, Beth