Tuesday, 12 May 2009

Burda 7947 Skirt & Jalie 2910 Top

Just a quick note to check in. I hope everyone is having a great week so far.
I decided my next project would be a fairly easy and hopefully a quick one, so I picked this Burda skirt and a Jalie top.
I love the lines of this skirt.(View C). I'm making it in a very light weight jean fabric. The Jalie top will be the sleeveless one done up in a knit.
When sewing is done in short sessions, and the project is simple, it's actually exciting that you can see progress :) in one sitting. In one night I easily traced the pattern, cut out my fabric and sewn the skirt fronts. It's great :)
I met a young lady today, who just happens to make beautiful garments and I wanted to share her site with you. . . Erin drafts, designs and sews them up herself and sells these creative garments on Etsy. ... .She is very talented.... Enjoy!

Friday, 8 May 2009

Vogue 8259

I want to thank you all for the very nice comments on my jacket.
Faye I'm honestly not sure how long it actually took me to make this jacket. I know I really should keep track but I never think of it. If I were to roughly add up the time I'd say it would have taken me no more than a week. (We are selling our house and buying another house and unfortunately that has taken priority over my sewing time. I'm not too upset over all this though because it will all be worth it when we are settled again in our new location.)
I know when I read other people's blogs, I like to see them wearing their finished garment, so I wanted to post a picture today of me wearing my jacket.. I didn't have a photographer handy though and had to do this task myself! Not very professional ....and approx 100 pictures later....this is actually kind of funny......I think I need to get a tripod :)

Sunday, 3 May 2009

Vogue 8259 - Completed

Vogue 8259 - Jacket Front View
I'm thrilled to finally have this jacket done. I love it. It is so comfortable and I love the fit. The time I took to make the sway back alterations on the muslin paid off. I think this is the best fitting jacket I made so far.
Vogue 8259 back View
Pattern Review- Jacket Vogue 8259:
Pattern Description:
MISSES’/MISSES’ PETITE JACKET:
Semi-fitted, partially interfaced, lined jacket, below waist has princess seams (no side seams), stand collar, patch pockets, long three-piece sleeves with buttoned vents and purchased trim. A: couture construction techniques, quilting details, contrast front and sleeve facings, collar lining.
Pattern Sizing:
SIZES - 6 8 10 12 14 16 18 20 22
Did it look like the photo/drawing on the pattern envelope once you were done sewing with it?
The outside of the jacket did look like the model on the envelope. I made View B and made some changes from this view, but overall yes it looked like the pattern should.
Were the instructions easy to follow?
The instructions were very well written. There are "Claires Hints" all thru the pattern. I've done most of the couture techniques in this pattern however the sleeve method was new to me. I loved the construction of the sleeve/cuff. One construction step that was a little confusing was attaching the sleeve/lining to the jacket. I could not wrap my head around these instructions (step #41 & 42), so I just did it my way. (It just appeared that the steps were reversed. Even in reversing the steps it was awkward setting the sleeve lining in, but I did it.)
What did you particularly like or dislike about the pattern?
I love the style. The fit is the best I've made so far. I love the sleeve/cuffs.
Vogue 8259 - Sleeve buttons
Cuff Inside view
Vogue 8259 - inside sleeve cuff
Fabric Used:
Bouclé, and satin back crepe for the lining.
Vogue 8259- inside back facing
Bound Button hole
Vogue 8259 - Bound- button hole
Pattern Alterations or any design changes you made.
  • 1- I made a sway back adjustment and I took in pretty much every seam. I could have made a size smaller.
  • 2-I underlined every piece with fusible knit tricot interfacing and also added hair canvas to the front and did pad-stitching to the front pieces.
  • 3- I made bound buttonholes. My fabric was a very loose bouclé and I had some trouble with the buttonholes. I made my test buttonholes and the fabric was fraying /tearing around the buttonhole stitches. (Making the bound buttonholes with organza and using a 1.5 stitch worked great)
  • 4- I made a front facing
  • 5- I added a chain to the hem.
Padstitching
Vogue 8259 - Pad stitching
Would you sew it again? Would you recommend it to others?
I definitely will sew it again. Next time making View A with the quilted lining. I definitely recommend this pattern.
Conclusion
. This is a great Claire Schaeffer pattern.
Final inspection
Vogue 8259 - Inspector Salem ****************************************************************************

Wednesday, 22 April 2009

Pattern for Smartness 1948 - Simplicity Video

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I couldn't help myself............I had to share this find from youtube.
Enjoy! ;)
Part (1)
Part (2)

Monday, 20 April 2009

My Run-4-Fun

I love running - and it's that time of year when the weather is great and I can start running outside. I enjoy that so much more than running in the inside track. I do run inside all winter but for some reason I don't keep track of the distance I run. Over the summer months I like to see how much I actually run.
I think these little graphical trackers from The Ticker Factory are great, so I'm using it again this year.
I've set my goal / guess-timate :) for 1000 km's from now till end October. We'll see how that works out.

Monday, 13 April 2009

Update - Behind The Seams: The Shaeffer Collection Volume One: CHANEL

I had posted about Claire Shaeffer's Behind The Seams: The Shaeffer Collection Volume One: CHANEL - CD in Feb....... so I thought I'd share this information with you!
David Coffin left a comment on my Feb post today saying that .... "this project has been so delayed; Claire's just been too busy to nail down! But I'm optimistic that we'll be ready to go soon, like in the next month or 6 weeks"…
He also said ....." this is a collection of high-quality still images with text, not a video, and there's many hundreds of them, way more than could ever be put in a book"......
Thank you so much for taking the time to pass on this information Mr Coffin. I truly appreciate the update.
I am really looking forward to this CD..... so now I know .... 4- 6 more weeks :)
Happy Sewing!

Wednesday, 8 April 2009

True or False....12 mins & 50 secs to make a pair of jeans?

Those who read my blog probably know that I love instructional videos :) and finding good sewing information sites.
There is allot of talk on blogs lately on making jeans. How appropriate, I came across this video on YouTube.
Now I know I've seen this years ago..... and many of you also may have seen it on the show "How it's Made".
I think it's so interesting.
This company makes 1500 pairs of jeans a day. ....and it's True.....a pair of jeans takes them.....
........12 minutes and 50 secs............

Update report!

When I'm short on time, and have to do stop and go type sewing, I really don't like that kind of sewing! It just feels like the project doesn't step forward ........ quick enough :)
I came across a cute saying and it kind of sums up how I feel about spending so much time working right now......
"Born to Sew...Forced to Work"
Having said that...... my V8259 jacket is actually coming along, which is somewhat encouraging. I'll try and have pictures up by tomorrow.
I do like working with Claire Shaeffer's pattern so far. The instructions are well written and easy to follow.
I've received my Jalie patterns and my jean Fabric from Fabric.com. I washed and dried the fabric 3 times before I liked the feel of it. (definitely do not wash this fabric with anything else....the dye runs..... but still very nice fabric.
Hope everyone else is getting some quality sewing time in :)

Saturday, 21 March 2009

My newest Sewing Room Notion

My husband and daughter saw this shoe tape dispenser at our local Staples store- and they thought it would be just too perfect for my sewing room...... I love it!
I'm very"slowly" making progress on my Vogue 8259 jacket .
Pieces are all interfaced.......pad stitching done ....
and pockets ready to be hand sewn on.
I hope to get more done tomorrow. It will be nice to finish this jacket so I can start on summer clothes....like this one of many I want to make.....
from Patrones #278. There are so many beautiful patterns in this issue.
(Thank you so much Paco).
I'm happy to say that my Jalie patterns have been shipped. They were not supposed to be released till Mar 24th, but I got my shipping notice on the 19th :) For those not familiar with Jalie, when you order (from their site), 3 patterns you receive a fourth free. I ordered three new patterns and my fourth I chose the pants patterm # 2107 for my husband. I also ordered my stretch denim from Fabric.com for the jeans pattern #2908.
....and last but not least, a picture of my "boys" keeping me company in my sewing room! Bradley happy as can be sleeping very comfortably on Duncan.

Friday, 13 March 2009

New Jalie Patterns

Following pictures taken form Jalie site.

The New Jalie Collection is Available for Pre-Order.

I pre-ordered mine today. They are due out Mar 24th.
I just love the neckline and the little mandarin collar on the Faux Wrap Top-2910.
.

Wednesday, 4 March 2009

** Sisterhood Award ** Pass it On

Thank you so very much Marjie and Lindsay for this Sisterhood Award. There are so many great blogs out there and I can spend way too much time browsing, but I do love reading blogs :) and seeing what everyone is making.
As I said for the Kreativ Blog Award, I would just like to pick everyone from my side bar, because they are all wonderful blogs!
The rules of this award are:
1. Put the logo on your blog or post .
2. Nominate at least 10 blogs which show great Attitude and/or Gratitude!
3. Be sure to link to your nominees within your post.
4. Let them know that they have received this award by commenting on their blog.
5. Share the love and link to the person from whom you received your award.
1. Ana Carina - Os Meus Projectos de Moda
2. Ana's Closet
3. Ann- Gorgeous Fabrics Blog
4. Anne - Le Mani D'oro
5. Birgitte - Bubblegum 4 Breakfast
6. Summerset - Pins and Needles
7. Deepika - Curtains to Coats
8. Diana - Sew Passionista
9. Faye's Sewing Adventures
10. Tany - Couture et Tricot
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Sunday, 1 March 2009

Vogue 8259 - Trims & Buttons -Blues

** Thank you so much Birgitte, Anne, Lindsay and Paco for your help and offers. I truly appreciate your thoughtfulness :)
After yesterday's post, I've been playing around - allot - with the white trim and also making trim from the bouclé fabric, however I didn't come up with anything I liked.
I had these buttons and trim for another project, and when I tried them with this blue/white bouclé fabric, well I kind-a like it :)
The trim is a variegated color that actually blends very nicely. When the light reflects on the buttons, the blue of the bouclé fabric comes out in the buttons!
The buttons look goldish in the picture (on my screen), however they are actually an antiqued looking silver.
Fabric,trim and buttons all seem to just fit together! I'm happy. Now I can carry on :)

Saturday, 28 February 2009

Blue/ White Bouclé Jacket- Vogue 8259 - Trim & Buttons & Claire Shaeffer CD

I finally found some trim and buttons today.....but I must say I'm not totally thrilled with my find....but it was what I could find. I really only have the "one" place to go to, to choose trims and buttons, and although it is pretty good most times, it definitely is not like Lindsay's go to places in NYC's Garment District :)
I was truly hoping to find trim to match the blue in my fabric, but that was just not happening! So I'm a little disappointed - but white trim and buttons was just my only way to go! Hoping when all is done it will look beautiful!!
I'm leaning to the #1 choice, but will decide when the time comes to apply the trim.
#1
**************************************************************************************
I thought I'd share this information because I know there are some of you,just like me, who are patiently waiting for this CD:
Behind The Seams: The Shaeffer Collection Volume One: CHANEL
-
I emailed David Coffin today asking when the CD would be available to purchase and from where, and this is what he wrote back:
I'm sorry this has been delayed, but it WILL soon be available. It's essentially done and just needs some details tweaked so that Claire and I are completely happy with it, which we're working on as we speak. Claire will be selling it, and I'm sending her a copy of this so you can get on her announce list. She's here:
(It's a CD-ROM, btw; not a DVD; amazingly, it all fits on a CD!)
Thanks for asking, we're hard at work!
Best,
David Coffin
I didn't realize there was an announce list, might be a good idea to get your name on this list :)
*************************************************************************************

Tuesday, 24 February 2009

Blue/ White Bouclé Jacket- Vogue 8259

I have been slowly getting thru my little fitting marathon with this jacket! Luckily they are not major adjustments, just time consuming, with allot of pinning/unpinning and trying the muslin on...... and off..............to get that perfect fit!The back was mainly the problem area. The jacket back has 2 pieces, main back piece and a side back. This gave me lots of seams to adjust the fit, but I did end up making adjustments on pretty much every seam, front and back!
There was way to much fabric at the lower back and mid back. I made a double sway back adjustment, which were two dart-tucks tapering to nothing at side seams. This adjustment made the back hem pull up, so when I transferred all the adjustments to my paper pattern I added length to the back and straightened the grain line.
I also had to take in the center back, side seams and front seams (under the bust only).
1st muslin
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.
.
.
.
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.
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* I made a 2nd muslin, no sleeves, to confirm that the adjustments were alright.
I was happy with the fit.
There is still some minor tweaking that needs to be done, but I'll make those on the fabric.

Thursday, 12 February 2009

Instructional Videos & More

A work in Progress: Last updated ~ Jan 11 2017
This is a post of some of the sites that have instructional videos or sewing information, for future reference and easy access. There are so many available, but these are just "some" that I like to check out. (I'll just keep adding them as I find more)
Andrea - Sew to Fit 

Angela Kane (YouTube) - Website

Claire Kennedy - Basic Fitting Video

Laura Volpintesta - Fashion Illustration Tribe website

Laura Volpintesta(YouTube)
Collar Clamp Tool - "Off the Cuff" how to tutorial
David Coffin - includes Marcy & Katherine Tilton, Kayla Kennington,Kathryn Brenne videos.
Fashion Schools - Canadian

Get Creative
HGTV

 Hot Patterns -YouTube
Husqvarna

Jennifer Stern - Jennifer Stern Tee shirt pattern
                     
Linda Macphee Workshops

Man Sewing (You tube) - Rob Appell
New Mexico State University
OTIS College - Tailored Jacket Construction Technique - YouTube

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

Otis College - Mariano Fortuny



Pants- Tapering Widening Pants (Threads Mag Site)

Sandra Betzina (YouTube) -  Power Sewing - Web TV Show - Sandra Betzina
Power Sewing - The online Show About Sewing - Sandra Betzina


Sandra Betzina - Fly Front Threads article 

Sarah Veblen- Site

Sarah Veblen -Neckline Binding - knits

Sulky

Sure Fit Designs - YouTube - Website

Turtle Neck - knits- Sarah Veblen

TR Patterns

Sarah Veblen - Making and Using a muslin and Straightening the Grain

Sarah Veblen - Making and Using a muslin

Silhouette Patterns

Sew to Fit(youtube) - Sew to Fit (Blog)

Sewing.org 
Sewing with Nancy

Sewing with Nancy (Public TV)

 Susan Khalje
Threads Magazine
Threads - Tapering or Widening Pants

Toolfully - Diane Deziel(YouTube)
                - Dress form Arm
                - Knotting
                - Downloads

University of Fashion - Online Fashion Design Training



Sunday, 8 February 2009

New Background

Not much sewing going on however I have been playing around with backgrounds to see which one I like best.
At this moment I'm thinking I'll stay with this one.
Thank You to Belinda at Sew4Fun for sharing "the cutest blog on the block" site.

Saturday, 7 February 2009

Wordel - Fun

See what words you use most in your posts!
  • Wordle: Ann' Fashion Studio.Click to enlarge.
    

Ann -Jalie 2794

Originally uploaded by Ann's Fashion Studio
Ann -Jalie 2794
I must tell you that these Jalie tops are "so" comfortable!
This is the top that does not have the altered (raised) neckline.
I find it is low, but with a camisole it is just right!
Edited: I wanted to mention that I cut the neckline bands as per pattern pieces, but for this top, applied them using the Sarah Veblen technique.
Another one of her videos available is her turtle neck application. (I'm posting them here for future references.)

Vogue 1086

I have been patiently waiting for my local fabric store to bring the new Vogue patterns out. I was thrilled to see them in the cabinets today so -
I bought Vogue 1086 today.
When I first saw this pattern on the Vogue site, I knew I had to have it. It's a gorgeous dress and I'm very anxious to make it.
Now - I must ponder what fabric to use!
Hope you are all having a wonderful week end :)

For Mom - Serena

I Posted a picture of Duncan, my handsome DS ,(for Denise), now here is one of Serena, (my beautiful DD) - for you Momm :)
Serena
Originally uploaded by Ann's Fashion Studio
.