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!

* Looking for Argyle fabric *

I went to my local fabric store today - Fabricville - and what nice fabrics they have out for fall! Lots of lovely choices! I was looking specifically for argyle fabric - I want to make a cardigan/cami or just a top fron one of the Jalie patterns.They had some argyle fabric but unfortunately not what I wanted. Sheila from Sheilaz crochetz,threadz & knitz posted a really nice picture of some blue/lt. blue argyle she bought and that fabric is what I'm so looking for. If I can't find similar I may just go back and get what they did have :)

While I was at Fabricville I spoke to Diana -and she is now also a blogger- Sew Passionista by Diana - Congratulations Diana, your blog looks wonderful :)

Diana made a Sandra Betzina jacket - Vogue 1060. She has it up on display at the store....and she did a wonderful job, it looks great! It is a really nice style. The fabric she chose - a black quilted stretchy faux leather - works really well with this pattern! I liked it so much I too had to buy the pattern.

I Love the sound track to "The Cider House Rules"

A little off a sewing topic - but I really liked this movie, I know it's an older one, but I can listen to Michael Caine's voice for hours :)

Trailer: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WxJr09u10co

Soundtrack :

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Tt8WMXz1WeE&feature=related

From You Tube

* ------------------------------------------------------------------------------*

Images - Moments in Time : Today I started my red and green chow chow with the tomatoes Bill grew. (I'm originally from Quebec City , the majority of my family still lives there, and I'm used to my Mom's recipe, which is very close to the one I've linked to!) We picked all the plants except the little cherry tomatoes. Tonight they soak and tomorrow I cook them up! I'm also making home made bread :) for Duncan!

Upside down Cherry Tomato Plant (Bill's Mom gave us a couple of these planters with all these great tomato plants. This is the first time we tried growing these upside down plants. They are great! I've linked to a site I found that explains this method quite nicely). We were very successful growing them and will do so again next year!

Great Coat Sew Along - Muslin/Fitting

I finished the muslin for Burda 7855 View B and I am very happy with the fit, however you would never think that from these pictures. I used a cotton for the muslin that is absolutely horrible as far as wrinkles, and the camera shows them "all". (The sleeves are the worst and believe me I ironed this fabric several times for the pictures but it really was no use!) After taking a gazillion pictures I am going with these or I'd never get any posted.

The only alteration I will do is on the sleeves. The fit is fine, there is no tightness but as you can see one sleeve does not look so good. The sleeve cap has too much fabric, see red circle/picture taken outside. I removed some of the excess on the right sleeve as I pinned the sleeve to the arm, and then sewed it. The sleeve looks much better after having done this. I believe Tany had a similar issue as well. So for the sleeve paper pattern I will use Tany's method , she posted a great tutorial explaining this alteration in detail! Thank you Tany! ( Here it is on Tany's blog for those not participating in the Coat Sew Along).

There is what appears to be a lots of wrinkles on the back, and the sleeves, but trust me when I say it's the fabric! I am pleased with how the jacket fits and how it feels when I'm wearing it. I may shorten it somewhat but I'm still pondering this change :)

"Almost" a Completed Great Coat Muslin

I did get most of my muslin for the coat sew along done this week end.

I decided I'd make Burda 7855 View B instead of Butterick 5145, and so far I am really liking it.

Pictures from Burda Fashion

All I had to do tonight was sew the sleeves on... but first, before I start I thought, "I'll just check my emails and a couple of blogs, just a quick look".

Thanks to Belinda at Sew4Fun I'm hooked on Project Runway Australia. Every week she posts the next episode.

Thank You Belinda :)

So of course when I saw it on her blog tonight, I just couldn't help myself, I had to watch Episode (7) "tonight" - instead of finishing my muslin - but that's OK. I really enjoy the show and it's a great way to sit back and unwind after a busy work day :)

So I will post pictures of my muslin as sooooon as I sew those sleeves on :)

Have a great sewing day!