Hurricane Sandy

To everyone who resides in Hurricane Sandy's path, my thoughts are with you. I hope that the storm turns away and that the warnings are for nothing, but I know that the anticipation and worry is real. Stay safe and stay calm. Rose

Still here! (mend and repair)

I'm still here--Ive been pretty busy with work. It hasn't been all work and no play--You may have seen me on other blogs (Sham's Communing with Fabric and Jilly's Jilly Be Joyful). My thanks and appreciation to my blog followers. I don't have any pictures, but over the past few months I have been sewing:

panties/underwear - based on Ottobre Women (May 2009). Sometime over the past 5 months, I read the suggestion that I cut out the panties, store them in a scrap bag, and then when my sewng mojo needs help, sew several pairs of panties. It's a good idea for using largish scraps of fabric, and it does get my mojo going.

Camisoles--I used this sleepwear pattern from McCalls (5248). It's quick, but and elegant.

I've been doing quick and dirty alterations on work trousers. My trouser size range is at the top end of 'regular' retail and the bottom end of plus sizes. I've had luck with purchasing trousers on amazing sales from Anne Taylor in the "curvy" style. The trousers fit in the hip, but the waist have been too large. My quick alterations include taking in the waist at the center back seam or at the side seams. I sew through ALL the layers, including the linings--this is what makes it quick and dirty. I would never PAY for this sort of alteration, but for me it works. My purchase price is much less than I would spend on making the trousers. If you try this at home, use basting stitches to check on the fit and the appearance of the trousers, before using a shorter stitch length. It usually takes me 2-3 attempts to make certain I have an acceptable fit and appearance, and the seam ripper is your friend.

RE-Waistbands If size difference is too small to sew in a tuck, I've been sewing waistband elastic along the inside waistband (two pieces along the sides, from front to back). I've used this technique on a skirt--and it's great.

I did go to Artistry in Fashion at Canada College. Ronda Chaney graciously organized a sewing bloggers meet-up before this event--Thank you, Ronda! I try to go to this event every year (I had to skip it last year because of my broken foot). I enjoy meeting the independent pattern designers and the sewing pattern fashion show. This year, the desiger was Marsha McClintock from Saf-T-Pockets. I'm glad that I went--the garments in the show looked much nicer than the pattern envelope illustrations (is this the Kwik-Sew Syndrome?). Marsha shared the tip that pretty much any fabric can be made waterproof by using Nikwax. This product is used the washing machine. I have several (fashionable) rain jackets that are no longer waterproof. I purchased the two products (the TX Direct and the TechWash), and gracious, my jackets are water proof again! They have a strong recommendation from me!

At at the rate I'm posting, will hear from around New Year's. Again--thank you for your patience!

Simple Fold-Over Elastic Project

I hope all is well! My main activities for the past few months have been work and exercise. I have not had time to sew, but I am still reading and commenting (as time permits) on different blogs. I did come across this simple foldeover elastic project--I thought I would share. Enjoy! Twistband Hair Ties

No (Grand) Plans, just simple goals (and a sewing question)

I wish a Happy New Year to all my readers and followers! You are very patient!

The previous post was written and schedule to be posted in September 2009--I completely forgot that I had it scheduled to be published. Shams, Sherril, thank you for your comments!

My goals for 2012:

1) Work out 4 times a week. I have not been able to have a regular dance class or fitness schedule for the past few years and It's really taken a toll on me mentally and physically. My goal for 2012 is healthy mind as a product of a healthy body.

2) Sew 1 aspirational garment every 3 months. When I read other sewing blogs, I become inspired by their accomplishments. While I am very comfortable sewing activewear, the hairs on the back of my neck stand up when I work with garments to wear to work. I work in a business casual environment (more on the formal side for Silicon Valley, where casual can be very very casual). I am defining 'aspirational' as a work appropriate outfit (trousers, skirt, dress, blouse).

3) Organize fabric stash for easier access. I probably have enough material and notions to get anything made.

I spent last night sewing. I've been working very slowly on a Vogue 8634. Very slowly--I started tracing this pattern right after Thanksgiving and last night I decided to finish the muslin. While it fits, it the design is not flattering to me. So I stuffed everything in a big ziploc bag (pattern envelope, pattern tracing, muslin, notes on how it fits/doesn't fit) and placed it in the fabric midden under the cutting table.

Then I pulled out Kwik Sew 2722. As part of my 2012 goals, I am going to the gym and dance classes, so I need appropriate clothing. I can whip out a pair (or two) of dance pants in an evening (or buy what I need from Costco), but I wanted to make some dance class tops. At the gym, where I take sculpting, hip-hop dance or yoga classes), I wear a Enell sports bras, which really support me but aren't really flattering. I wear a variation of Kwik Sew 3567 or Kwik Sew 2723 (modified, incorporating an empire waist)--these completely cover my bra and I feel comfortable in them.

When I go to dance class,* I usually wear a regular supportive bra and a camisole (from Target or Costco). If I'm cold, I'll wear dancers wrap top (from a Kwik Sew pattern that appears to be out of print 'cause I can't find it on the website). Well, after several years of wearing this, I want to wear something different. So I trolled the Kwik Sew website and I came across Kwik Sew 2722.

Kwik Sew 2722 are unitards: two views feature key hole back. I decided to modify this pattern (no, I will not appear in public in a unitard) and use it to make sleeveless tops. So last night I pulled out the pattern (yes, I had it in my stash), traced it, cut it and sewed it up. I did this in less than 2 hours, pressing each seam, fitting it and altering the pattern as I went along (see--I don't have a problem with sewing active wear).

I fiddled with a FBA. Kwik Sew pattern is designed for a smaller bust, and the instructions ease extra fabric at the side seams. I added more room for the girls, but I may alter it to add an empire seam for better shaping. Right now I'm pretty happy with the way it turned out. I like the keyhole (no viewable bra straps, which was the goal!). Here is a front view in front of the fabric stash.

I do have one problem--the neck closes with a swim hook. I can't get the hook to stay closed-- the top of the hook slides out. I tried tightening the collar so that there is more tension. I made a second version of the top with a narrower band, but the hook keeps sliding out. Happily, the top is in no danger of slipping off--I don't have to worry about a wardrobe malfunction. Does anyone have suggestions on how to fix this? I can always safety pin it, but it seems like there should be a better solution. I may experiment with buttons or snaps (yes, i have a snap setter in my stash). I want to work with the pattern a bit--I could use it in a dressier fabric for just night clubbing (due to my copious social life).

*It may seem strange that the dance classes and gym classes have different cultures, but they really do! I think that I could wear KS 2722 to a yoga class with a regular foundation garment, but the keyhole effect would be lost with my sports bras, so it wouldn't work for the other gym classes

What would you do with a windfall?

Wow! I forgot that I had this scheduled for posting. I think that I pretty much agree with the first few points. My job situation has changed (for the better), so I do feel like I'm in a position to make a difference in 2012. I'll try to have another post laster today. Happy New Year, everyone! ~ January 1, 2012

Windfall:

n.

1. A sudden, unexpected piece of good fortune or personal gain.
2. Something, such as a ripened fruit, that has been blown down by the wind.

What would you do if you had a windfall? I would:

1. Donate 1 to 5% to selected charities.
2. Save 60 percent (invest 30% and save the other 30%).
3. Sell all my worldly goods and travel for a year, with the goal of hitting all continents. I would live frugally in these different locations.
4. Eventually move out of the suburbs, into a city, and arrange to have a job where I feel I'm making a difference.

I suppose that I don't have to wait until I win the lottery or some mythological uncle passes away, and I could get started now....

written 11/22/2009

Like the Costume fairy, but only taller

The scary thing is that I used to be like the lady with the headband.

LIke the Costume Fairy, but only taller

I'm still here

I've been off crutches for about one month. Thank goodness--I was going stir crazy. I'm still in recovery mode, but I do want to offer my sincere apology for being away for so long. I can't say it any better than this guy. Gosh, just listening to this makes me want to get a boy band CD and watch the movie Titanic a couple of times.

Your personalized apology

I've been trying to dig out from the clutter that accumulated during my ten weeks on crutches, as well as re-start my fitness routine. I have done some minimal sewing--I made some scrunchies to keep my hair out of my face while I work out. Scrunchies are very 1980's, but they do not get lost in my gymbag, the way elastics do. I used these instructions.

While I was on crutches, I attended a meeting of fellow sewists at the abode of a Sewing Diva who happens to live in a work-live loft. Wow! it was gorgeous and I came home and looked at my small apartment and realized I could re-organize it would be more of a sewing atelier than lots of piles of stuff related to various hobbies. So that is one of my objectives for 2012 go through stuff and get de-accesssion things are more of an obligation than a pleasure. I hope to post again before the year is over, but I wanted to drop a line before the holidays!