Happy New Year Everyone!

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A Post for Denis

Allo Denis. It was very nice to hear from you! This post is for you!

You said there was no picture of Duncan, well for you, now there is a picture - taken this month. And Thank You. I enjoy blogging - sewing more of course.! I hope you check in every once in awhile. I'll have more pictures soon! and I'll add recent ones of Serena and us too!

Next time we are in Quebec we will let you know. It would be great to see you! Take Care!

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Christmas Greetings!

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Great Coat Sew Along - Burda 7855 "Complete"

I am so pleased - I finally finished my coat.

...........................................................Looking at Bradley!

The coat went together quite nicely with no complications.

The style changes I made were minor: I made bound buttonholes and made single welt pockets.

..............................................................................................................................................................................

I used a decorative stitch on the lining hem and then sewed the lining to the coat by hand. (at the hems only!)

.....bound buttonholes and my buttons from The Button Drawer.

......single welt pockets

.........back vent detail. I didn't really notice the instructions for sewing the lining to the back vent - until I was actually sewing the lining to it. The pattern instructions for the vent would have you cover the vent opening, as illustrated in the picture. I didn't care for this, so I ended up modifying the flap lining. I clipped into the lining so I could then stitch the lining around the opening. I've done this before and so I'm pretty sure that the look I ended up with for this vent is not how it should end up looking like - however it's the best way I could think of to finish it, so the vent flap could freely open without being attached to the lining. It's also a shorter vent since I shortened the coat by 3 1/2 ".

I'm very very happy with this coat and I love the fit.

I'm so pleased how it turned out and even more pleased with the fantastic information I gained from - Paco's and Tany's tutorial - Thank you so very much to you both for sharing your time and valuable information!

Marji - Taking this project on was a huge undertaking and you did a fantastic job. Thank you.

It was a pleasure having so many people from all over the world come together for such a project. It was fun and I enjoyed seeing everyone's jackets come together.

More posts here!

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A Snowy Day

Moments in Time:

A beautiful Snowy Day means......

play time......

Jalieasy Way

I have been going thru my Patterns and sorting them out.

Basically re-organizing them in order by Company and pattern number. I came across 3 older Jalie patterns. My sister had discovered Jalie patterns when she started sewing in the 80's. Of course I had to buy some too.

This Polo Shirt # 2941 A, is copyright 1983.

These other two are 1986. I'm thinking I bought these patterns- maybe late 80's because 2941-A is size Newborn to 3X. My daughter was born in 1985.

Jalie 2924B size 4-16 ............................ ..................................................Jalie 2924C-size 24-42

If you use Jalie patterns, what is your oldest pattern?

Button - Update!

I was so hoping that I would receive my buttons today.....but I did not .....

.......truly disappointing! I wanted to finish my coat this week end!

Time to start something else!

Jalie Patterns & Emilie's Corner

* Just a quick note *

For those, who like me, love Jalie Patterns - Emilie from Jalie now has her own blog .

My collection so far! -------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Great Coat Sew Along - Ann's Progress

* My Post taken from - The Great Coat Sew Along Blog *

Hi Marji,

Great idea to roll call :)

I have been working on Burda 7855 and I have made great progress with my coat.

I did blog some on my blog. I guess I've been pretty silent during my progress. I felt that I wasn't really taking great big steps while making the coat, so at the time didn't figure I should post here. I have the coat and lining done, but not sewn together yet!

From the start I had trouble finding just the right buttons, and just last week, did find what I hope to be the perfect ones. I'm still waiting for them to arrive from The Button Drawer. When they do arrive I will just have to make my bound button holes (a bit out of sequence but still ok) /sew the lining in/ buttons/ hems......take pictures....

Even though it's taken what seems way too long to make this coat,I've had allot of fun.

Congratulations to those who have finished their coats. They all look wonderful and are all very impressive!

My Fashion Studio - Avatars!

I know - I should be sewing but I couldn't help myself - I had to make some of these up!

I think these Avatars are so cute! You can make them up at Yahoo.com!

I love the backgrounds! -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Linda MacPhee

I'll be making fleece tops soon, so I bought my fleece from Linda MacPhee. She has some of the best quality fleece, with zippers and ribbing to match the fleece. I'll be using her "No Sweat Pattern # 420. I've made this top many times and it is a favorite.

I thought I'd also share one of her "Linda MacPhee's Workshop" Episode videos. There is an interesting segment with Ron Collins on making ties.... A great Christmas gift idea. (Ron Collins and Linda are about 12:23 mins into the video if you just want to watch the tie segment )

For those who live out west - Ron Collins will also be in BC, Canada - April 2009 - with Sandra Betzina!

Linda MacPhee Video. . .from Linda MacPhee site.

** Update - The Great Coat Sew Along - I've also just found my buttons for my Coat! I was getting a little frustrated because I* couldn't find what I wanted locally or on line. Today I came across the ones that will work perfect...... from The Button Drawer.

Chanel - Fashion Videos

So much inspiration in a 3 minute video!

Fall 2008

Spring 2009

Videos are from Style.com

Robin and Mountain Ash Berries

Images - Moments in Time

I have to share these beautiful pictures taken by my mother in law Irene, in Blacklands New Brunswick.

I love this one with the Mountain Ash berry in his mouth......

Needle Guard update

I spoke to my local dealer today. The needle guard is used mainly to keep fingers safe...there is an opening at the top of the guard so the needle could still fly up. He suggested that wearing safety glasses would be the best, especially for this project . He also thought that because I was breaking so many needles that something might be misaligned on my machine. He wanted me to check and make sure that the needle is going up and down properly and not off center. It does appear to me that everything is alright.... Or.... I might also be using the wrong needle. I started with an 80/12, but that wasn't working very well..... the fabric was too thick. I switched to a 90/14 stretch. The fabric does have stretch but now that I re-check the fabric again, maybe not enough for this type of needle- oops. So I will change to a 90/14 universal needle and see if it makes a difference. I have a feeling it will :) I am not one for dramatics, but this actually did put a scare into me, so I think I will, for now, wear safety glasses when I sew. It's one of those things that is so simple to do but can make such a big difference.

Happy Sewing!

Ann

Needle Guards

Does any one sew with a needle guard on their machine?

Picture from Husqvarnaviking.com

Tomorrow I'm buying a guard......so tomorrow I will answer.........."Yes- I do"!

I had a bit of a scare last night. I was sewing and the needle broke. I know - happens to everyone, it really doesn't sound like a big deal. Normally the needle just breaks and partly stays in the machine, hooked up on the thread, falls into the bobbin area! This time a piece of the needle flew into my eye. Ouch! I carefully removed it ( with hubby's help). Lucky for me it only scratched my eye. There was no damage done. It was just irritable most of the night. This is the first time something like this has ever happened to me.

My "Designer 1" machine really can handle the layers of fabric, but for some reason this was the third needle I broke since starting my coat.

When I took a class from a local college, we had to wear safety glasses when using the industrial machines. I think a needle guard at home will be fine. Not sure if it will be annoying but I'm going to give it a try cause it really did scare me.

Un petit poste pour ma mère, Françoise, et sa soeur, (ma tante) Pauline.

Bonjour Mom et tante Pauline. Juste un petit poste pour vous dire un beau Bonjour. Vous savez que juste parce que je ne poste pas de message en français, cela ne veut pas dire que j'ai oublié ma famille française. Je pense à vous tous.

Vous savez aussi que cest très difficile pour moi d'écrire en francais et j'ai toujours été gêner (shy) d'écrire en français. Pour vous, je vais essayer de changer cela. Avec l'aide de mon petit ami "Google Translate" j'espère d'écrire avec moins d'erreurs. Mais croyez-moi je vais encore faire beaucoup d'erreurs parce que Google ne traduit pas tous les phrase parfait!

(J'ai peut-être besoin plus de Google Translate pour m'aider :) mais je suis très confortable avec ca pour le moment.)

Je suis très heureuse que vous visitez mon blog.

Je vous souhaite une merveilleuse journée et vous me manquez tous :)

Ann

Single Welt Pocket -Burda 7855

Burda 7855 Single Welt Pocket Originally uploaded by Ann's Fashion Studio

I did actually sew today so I wanted to post "something" about sewing. . Burda 7855 jacket has two choices of pockets, In Seam or Front Flap. I didn't want either one. I wanted a Single Welt Pocket.

I found the pocket placement was too low for me, so I raised it.

I made this pocket, using the instructions from the book - "Tailoring- The Classic Guide to Sewing the Perfect Jacket" .

I put the sleeve to my muslin in the pocket to see if it might make the welt stand out a little but the welt blends in really well, there really is one there. Next one I make I could use a contrasting fabric.

View of the lining inside pocket.

The Instructions were clear and easy to follow. I am pleased with the results.

(Along with pg 94 you also have to use some steps on pgs 91, 92, 93. Click on "All Sizes" to be able to read instructions.)

Fall Scene

Images: Moments in Time

Benjamin NB Oct 5 2008 Originally uploaded by Ann's Fashion Studio

This beautiful view, which can be seen just down the road from where my husband's parents live, is the view across the

Chaleur Bay to Quebec , Gaspé Peninsula and Heron Island .

Picture taken in Benjamin New Brunswick.

by: Irene

Oct 5 2008

Images - Moments in Time

I've been trying to come up with a Label name - for pictures - that I post that are Non Sewing related.

I finally came up with one I like. My new Label for these pictures is,

Images -Moments in Time:

Ann Originally uploaded by Ann's Fashion Studio

• We don't live near my family and so we don't see each other very often. This picture is for them - to see I went a "little" blonder - to hide the gray :) - and a bit shorter!

• I am never alone when I sew. My Bradley is always with me in my sewing room. Sometimes he's sleeping, like this picture taken last night, but mostly he wants to be on my lap, or playing ball. (I can sew and play catch with him.) I've gotten really good at aiming the ball, and gently, tossing it through the sewing room door to the family room :) He's just a little guy so this gives him a good run!
  He can do this forever - he never seems to get tired of this fun game!

• And now that it's getting a bit cooler, Hilda is taking up residence in my sewing table.

It's a very cozy spot for her.

Bradly and Hilda's pictures were taken last night. Salem wasn't in my sewing room with us, so not to leave him out I'll include a recent picture of him.

Pad - Stitching

*Please note *All pictures in this post, (except for one - the one with the green mat)- are captured from Roberta Carr's "Couture Techniques for Fine Sewing" DVD.

I've been working on pad stitching the fronts of my Burda 7855 jacket.

We received alot of great information from Paco on Tailoring techniques. I alternated between Paco's method and Roberta Carr's grid method, from her "Couture Techniques for Fine Sewing" DVD.

In this picture, Roberta Carr shows how the grid should look. Smaller around the lapel and gets bigger in the body. It took me quite some time to draw my grid on my jacket interfacing, but once it was done, the stitching went quite quickly. (I've only completed one side of the jacket)....In the picture below Roberta is postitioning the interfacing on the jacket, starting at the bottom....

Pictures captured from the "Couture Techniques for Fine Sewing" DVD.

I also followed her directions for the pad stitching. Start stitching from the bottom of the jacket, going from the center of the squares to the corner, and work your way up the jacket. Then come back down the squares, working from the corner to the center. You end up with perfect "V's". I actually like this method. Once the grid is done the stitching is actually very effortless.

This picture above shows Roberta going from the center to the corner.....

This one from corner to center......forming a perfect "V"

On my jacket (below picture) the roll line has been stabilized with stay tape (black) and I've sewn the stay tape down the front ,the other edges have been sewn using a catch stitch, as per Paco's method. Roberta, below, instructs to have the tape (light green tape) stop 2" above the center front line....

to reduce bulk when folded......

Roberta instructs to sew the tape, using a catch stitch, so the tape

"floats" between the stitches,below picture.

The overall feel of my jacket front feels great. The lapel rolls nicely and has a nice shape. I'm very happy with the results.

I truly enjoyed this hand stitching session. Now I have to do the other side.

I was sad to read that Roberta Carr passed away recently.. ..What a great loss.

Jalie * Socks * Chaussettes *

Making Socks / Chaussettes, looks very interesting. Check out this Jalie Video :)

Jalie Pattern #2448 Women's Thermal Underwear

They look like they would be fun and easy to make :)

How nice is this?

In my last post I linked to a video on youtube, the one Susan had posted on the Great Coat Sew along, "Stitching Techniques for the Tailored Jacket" made by OTIS College.

While checking this one out I found others and wanted to post them to share with you all, and have them as references for later, if ever needed. Well today I received a really nice email. The OTIS College, Dean of Admissions, Mr Marc Meredith, e-mailed me to thank me for posting about OTIS college on my blog. I thought that was really quite nice :)

He has a blog called The "O" Observed and he mentioned my post on his blog - Thank you Mr Marc D. Meredith.

For those fortunate to be out in the Los Angeles area I'm sure a walk around campus would be a great inspiration. If any one ever does visit please let us know!

Otis College of Art and Design

9045 Lincoln BLVD

Los Angeles, CA 90045

Phone: 800-527-OTIS (6847) or 310-665-6800 http://www.otis.edu/

Marc D. Meredith

Dean of Admissions

Phone: 310-665-6820 Fax: 310-665-6811

Great reference for Sewing Techniques

Susan from fabricluver posted a link to a very interesting Sewing Techniques reference video on The great coat sew along blog - Thank you so much Susan :) I really enjoyed it. When I first saw it - it reminded me of a great post I read on Tany's blog about thread tracing Part 1, Part 2, Part 3. (Thank you Tany. I hope you don't mind that yet again I link to your blog :) and of course Paco's wonderful Jacket Tailoring Methods tutorial. (Tany's translation).

I wanted to post these on my blog for those not participating in the coat sew along, and also for my future reference. The "Stitching techniques for the Tailored Jacket" are very well done in this video - made by OTIS college on youtube. (It's amazing what you can find there!)

Other videos : "OTIS Fashion Design Department" , Basic Hand Stitching, Invisible Zipper, Lap Zipper, Railroad Zipper.

I think if I was younger and starting out OTIS College might be a great place to attend.

• Non Sewing: My 16 yr old son was working on a school assigment "all" week end - taking care of a "baby". (A doll that is just like a baby!) For those not familiar with these dolls, the baby acts and sounds just like a real one. It is computerized and programmed to giggle, burp, cry when it is hungry,wet,fussy......... his responses are monitored by the bracelet he has to wear,which he cannot remove. My little Bradley was quite taken by this baby! It was a long week end and long nights for him. (and us-not use to hearing a baby's cry in the house anymore - especially late at night :)

All in all, he handled this assignment really well. We were truly very impressed!

However not a sight I want to see for quite some time :)

Images - Moments in Time

*Sept 13th * Happy 23rd Birthday Serena *

Images - Moments in Time

* My Blog Award *

I was given a blog award (Anne called it a prize) by Anne from "Le Mani D'oro"

Thank you so very much Anne. I was really pleased.

The rules for this award - prize are as follows:

1. Select 6 bloggers to whom you would like to give this award- prize (definetly not easy to choose - only 6)

2. Put the award - prize on your blog and indicate who gave it to you by identifying her/his blog;

3. Paste these rules on your blog;

4. Write 6 of your most important values and 6 negative points you condemn,

5. Inform the 6 recipients by leaving a comment on their blog.

Values that are important:

1. Commitment (Family,friends,work...)
2. Loyalty
3. Integrity
4. Respect
5. Goodness
6. Fairness

Some things I condemn:

1. Drinking & Driving
2. Puppy Mills
3. Racism
4. Violence
5. Hypocrisy
6. Selfishness

My daily visits include so many other wonderful blogs, so it was very difficult to limit my choice to 6 blogs.

1. Tany - Tricot & Couture (Aveiro Portugal)
2. Paco -Paco Peralta (Barcelona Spain)
3. Lucia - My Cafe Couture (Paris France)
4. Dawn - Two on Two Off (Alaska US)
5. Summerset - Pins and Needles (Northfield NH, US)
6. Belinda - Sew-4-Fun (Australia)

This is such a great way to recognize the creativity of such talented people.

As Anne said " This ends up as an endless chain of appreciation".

If you haven't been to these wonderful blogs take a minute - or two :) and enjoy them!

Happy Sewing!