tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-42220071359073438632024-02-18T18:43:01.877-08:00JillyBeJoyfulAnonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09047123200277669095noreply@blogger.comBlogger210125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4222007135907343863.post-66998892577592480462015-12-31T19:11:00.002-08:002015-12-31T19:37:09.028-08:00I Lost a ShoelaceI know, I know - it's New Year's Eve and all you energetic young-at-hearters are out celebrating, and I'm searching for a shoelace. Priorities folks, priorities!<br />
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This is an AWESOME pair of my favorite shoe brand - Trippen - gifted to me by my generous friend Rhonda (how lucky am I???). I was going to wear them today but discovered one of the shoelaces went off for a stroll somewhere - how does this HAPPEN??? You would think I would notice when taking them off that I was a shoelace short, so surely they were both there the last time I wore them...it must be the cat's fault. It usually is, right?<br />
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I've been wanting to figure out how to make my own shoelaces, so clearly the time was ripe for it. A quick web search showed me all of the ingredients I needed, which I happened to have on hand:<br />
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<li>Ribbon of some sort (preferably something not too slippery, so they have some traction to hold a knot)</li>
<li>Shrink tubing (which comes in various colors, including clear - I had black for some electrical wire project sometime, somewhere - every girl should have a tool area with that sort of stuff, right?)</li>
<li>Paper clip (may or may not be necessary)</li>
<li>Hair Dryer.</li>
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That's it, and you're good to go!</div>
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I cut the desired lengths from my ribbon, and pieces of the shrink tube about 1/2" long. The tubing I had was 1/8" diameter, and black, which just happened to be perfect for this ribbon (yes, I am lucky!)</div>
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I cut the ends of each piece of ribbon at a bit of an angle, and rolled it into as tight a roll as possible to stuff it in to the tube. This is where the paper clip came in handy - I just pushed the ribbon in to the tube with the clip, and it was done in a jiff!</div>
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The hardest part was shrinking the fly-away ribbon & tubes with the hair dryer! I didn't take the time to try and secure the ribbon with something that would hold it steady while the hot air was blasting it, and it was way too hot for my hands to be near it! So if you're making a bunch of laces I suggest finding a way to hold the ribbon down while using the hair dryer. I set the dryer on the hottest setting, and heated the tubes for 20 to 30 seconds.</div>
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Done!</div>
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For those of you who are out and about tonight, come home fulfilled, happy, and safe! Here's to a 2016 that is filled with an abundance of blessings, good health and healing, fabulous friends and community, and lots of heart-expanding experiences!</div>
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I leave you with a shot of the first bulb opening up in my garden - Fresh Start!</div>
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And a sweet little gift from a young houseguest who is staying here for a few days:</div>
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<span style="color: #cc0000; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">HAPPY NEW YEAR, DEAR FRIENDS AND FELLOW BLOGGERS!</span></div>
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Unknownnoreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4222007135907343863.post-61849853795447942922015-12-06T20:21:00.002-08:002015-12-06T23:05:23.992-08:0023 Lovely Ladies and a Greedy Gift GrabOne of my favorite types of parties is an old-fashioned White Elephant gift exchange. One of my sewing groups holds an annual holiday party with a Greedy Gift Grab - and the gifts are far from White Elephants!<br />
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This group consists of creative, talented, and often elegant ladies with exquisite taste and sewing skills to die for, and many of the gifts are hand made and to die for! The most fun is seeing these normally polite (but fun-loving!) women narrow their eyes at a coveted gift and go for the gusto with no-holds-barred enthusiasm!<br />
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We usually have so much fun at our gatherings that there is no time or thought given to a group picture, so this year I brought my camera and herded the cats together for a rare remembrance shot of the group. Some of you will recognize many of the faces, but names have been eliminated to protect the not-so-innocent. <br />
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For my gift, I made a couple of felt containers - when I gather up my blog-posting energy again I'll post some instructions - I may make more for myself! And I love love love the saying on the cup I found! Big Bang Theory fans/fabricoholics will now have a new ear worm in their brains... ;-)<br />
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I was one of the early numbers in the number draw, but I happened to open a gift that ended up being VERY popular, so I ended up back in the fray quite a few times before the end. There is definitely no guarantee that the gift you start with will be the one you go home with - especially if it's something you really like (because everyone else probably does too, and it WILL be stolen from you! As it turned out, I went home with an exquisitely made pin cushion (which I stole from someone who loves this shade of red, but tough cookies Dorothy!) ;-)<br />
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Delicious food, lots of laughs, great company, and the grey drizzly day even finally cleared up for us enough to enjoy the view from Ann's beautiful home!</div>
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A brief note on the health front - I actually ended up in the hospital last week, thinking I was going to go home with a new liver! It was quite a dramatic day, since I got "The Call" earlier than I expected, but as it turned out I was only a back-up, and after 12 hours waiting (and getting readier by the minute!), I found out that the liver had gone to someone else. Disappointing at first, but the good news is that I learned so much about how unprepared I really was! Focusing on getting all of my ducks in a row now, and really really really looking forward to being filled with energy and able to work again!</div>
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For any of my readers who don't yet know my story, here's a link to the background story, and a fundraiser that dear friends set up for me - I'm eternally grateful for all good wishes, healing energy, and any way that you can spread the word to help me get through this with as much grace and joy as possible :) <a href="https://www.youcaring.com/jillian-brorby-390801" target="_blank">Jillian's Angels</a></div>
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And in the meantime:</div>
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<br />Unknownnoreply@blogger.com9tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4222007135907343863.post-39401840385023207952015-11-14T18:48:00.000-08:002015-11-14T18:50:36.839-08:00Na Hulu Ali'iThe full name is Royal Hawaiian Featherwork: Na Hulu Ali'i - it is one of the current exhibitions at the de Young Museum in Golden Gate Park.<br />
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I was in The City (that's San Francisco for you non-west coasters) this week, and decided, since it was a gorgeous day, to enjoy some time in GG Park. I checked on the exhibits at the de Young Museum (I admit it, I LOVE my smart phone!) and realized that the Feather Capes of the Hawaiian Royals were still there - I rushed my hiney right over, since this went on my wish list when I first heard of it!<br />
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I had seen a couple of the pieces at the Bishop during my time in Hawaii in the 70's, but this was a beautiful and inclusive, albeit still small exhibit, and very do-able in an hour or so.<br />
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So worth it!<br />
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This cape - an 'Ahu 'ula, is floor length. </div>
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Although it LOOKS heavy, it probably weighs about 6 pounds. </div>
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Only the Royals, and only men, were allowed to wear these. From the 18th century.</div>
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(Note: They did not display the capes on mannequins with shoulders because of the potential damage to the pressure points. There's a good reason to have narrow shoulders, no? <br />
Yeah, well...no.)</div>
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Close-Up of the feathers:</div>
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A non-traditional women's cape from the 30's or 40's, made of pheasant feathers. </div>
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Wouldn't you wear this? In a heart beat I would!!! Just give me a place to go!</div>
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Lei hulu (feather lei). </div>
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These were worn on the head or neck by women and girls.</div>
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Mahiole (feathered helmet). This one was from the 18th century or earlier. </div>
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All things considered, these are darn well preserved!</div>
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Those black feathers!!! Drool... </div>
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When this cape was new and fresh it must have been uber-stunning!</div>
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All of the pieces were enclosed in plexiglass. Photography was allowed (no, I didn't need to be a surreptitious sneak!!! Not that I'm above that [koff koff])<br />
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Next door was a small exhibit covering the preservation of feathers, and including a few later pieces. If you go, be sure to check this room out too!<br />
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Aleutian parka - OMG I would SO wear this one in cold weather! </div>
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Although I start shivering when it hits 55° these days...</div>
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A hat.</div>
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Yes, it's a hat. </div>
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From New Guinea, and made of cassowary feathers. </div>
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The smaller, more sedate lump behind it is also a hat, but I was so fascinated by this...umm...headpiece that I'm afraid I ignored the other one.</div>
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This is another hat.</div>
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I will say no more.</div>
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Afterwards I took the elevator up to the rooftop view area, which is one of SF's finest spots to know about! You can get in to this section of the museum for free, and enjoy a fabulous 360° view of the City and beyond!<br />
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On the observation deck, looking South over the Music Concourse, </div>
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where many fantastic concerts are held.</div>
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The building with the grassy mounds on the roof is the Natural History Museum,</div>
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and you can see some of the UCSF Medical buildings behind that - buildings I've become all too familiar with lately! (but I'm incredibly blessed to have those amazing doctors near me!)</div>
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The day was so clear and warm and beautiful, and the entire experience left me missing my years living in SF! This was a thoroughly delightful reminder of just how beautiful this city really is - one of the best in the world, and right next door!</div>
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Note to Self: Spend more time there.</div>
<br />Unknownnoreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4222007135907343863.post-78652945308659959232015-10-19T15:35:00.001-07:002015-10-19T15:35:24.806-07:00Buttons and Baubles and Artists, Oh YES!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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Before too much time has passed, I must say a word or two about one of my favorite events of the year, <a href="http://artistryinfashion.com/" target="_blank">Artistry in Fashion</a>. Fiber Artists! Jewelers! Felters! Clothing Designers & Makers! Speakers! Fashion Shows! Being Surrounded by Inspiration!<br />
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The event is held at Cañada College at the end of September each year as a fundraiser for the Fashion Department. It's a wonderful day of visiting juried artist booths, watching fashion shows (one using goodies from the vendors, one with pieces shown by the featured speaker), and catching up with friends from all over.<br />
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The trouble with documenting everything with photos is that it takes away from the direct experience of all the eye candy! So I rarely get many pics from the event...maybe next year!<br />
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Here are Dorothy, Ann, and Barbara V wearing outfits pulled together from various vendors, right after the fashion show. This is a great way to showcase some of the pieces being sold by the artists - in fact, Ann bought the top and the felt necklaces she was wearing! Doesn't she look great in them? Don't miss the fun fascinator that Barbara V is wearing!<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">Dorothy Kaplan, Ann Smith, and Barbara V. <br />Sadly, none of them are being active bloggers these days!</span></td></tr>
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It's always a treat to see Margy, who drove up for the event (people do come from far and wide to attend AIF - it really is worth it!)</div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">Margy, looking as elegant as ever, Me, trying to avoid the sun, <br />and Shams (note the fabulous necklace!)</span></td></tr>
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As much as I would love to support ALL of the artists there by coming home with their amazing goodies, I was pretty frugal. I love love love these earrings, by <a href="http://www.eccentricd.com/" target="_blank">Eccentric Designs</a>! In fact, they were such a perfect match for what I was wearing that my ears donned them on the spot!</div>
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The artist, Winnie, creates most of her pieces from what she called "garbage" - discarded and found objects, married together with such a beautifully creative eye that her work has an appeal to many different tastes! Shams, Margy, and I all bought pieces from her!</div>
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My other purchase was buttons. Every year I simply MUST browse the Button Booth - I'm an admitted button addict, especially if it's vintage! I bought this string of buttons (already assembled), with the immediate image of making a necklace from them. Somehow.</div>
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There was so much inspiration from the vendors and visitors at AIF, including shams and the necklace she wore in the above pic, that I wanted to get started on my vision before it faded.</div>
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I really had no idea how to pull it off, but had to start somewhere...</div>
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I added a few other vintage buttons from my stash, laid them on some fleece & sewed them on (utilizing the orange wire that they were strung on), fused that on to a piece of leather, then wound some leather cord around & through the piece.</div>
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It took several days of liking what was happening, then not liking it, sleeping on it to wait for some new inspiration about how to fix what wasn't working....</div>
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In the end, I'm happy with my fun new necklace!</div>
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And it works with quite a few of my clothes! I seem to be getting back in to an orange/gold phase again...</div>
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Do you make your own jewelry? Silversmithing & related activities are beyond me, and beading (although I've done a lot of it) can end looking more crafty than arty in the hands of someone like me, but there really are a lot of options out there to make some unique and not-that-hard pieces! I've done some paper weaving beads, which were lots of fun! They're not that hard, but a bit too complex to try describing on paper - I think that learning this technique is really an in-person thing)</div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">This is two necklaces worn together.</span></td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">This was a ridiculously time-consuming piece, made years ago, <br />and honestly, I can't remember the last time I wore it! It may be time to pass it on...</span></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-Y3Ovwu-Sk_A/ViQ6xiRxsNI/AAAAAAAAIhg/_NSV2Ju01po/s1600/IMG_0603.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-Y3Ovwu-Sk_A/ViQ6xiRxsNI/AAAAAAAAIhg/_NSV2Ju01po/s640/IMG_0603.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">Your Basic Beading. I actually do still wear these at times. I think I've given away everything else I ever beaded. (Except my pendulums! But those are still used...) My beading days, I think, are probably pretty much over.<br />So why can't I re-home my boxes of beads and tools??? </span></td></tr>
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Yes. Why, indeed? Do all of you creative and crafty type people hang on to your tools and treasures from projects you were obsessed with at one time or another? I can get rid of so many other no-longer-used bits and baubles of my life, but not my creative tools! Do I need an intervention? How about you? Do you hang on to those odd crafty bits because you're sure you'll get involved with them again...someday? Or do you move on? (I even help other people with their clutter - but don't you dare touch my 4-strand yarn winder or my paper-making screens!!!!)</div>
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Unknownnoreply@blogger.com17tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4222007135907343863.post-53667870396428849272015-10-17T22:16:00.001-07:002015-10-19T15:29:55.420-07:00Pippi Longstocking, Marcy Tilton, and Me<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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So I know I'm missing the leggings, but still - aren't we just quite the little trio? I seriously want to make some striped leggings and wear this with my Trippen boots!</div>
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I fell head over heels in love with this pattern, Marcy Tilton's V9108 - not in small part because of the stunning graphic on the front panel! But of course one can't just copy everything about a pattern now, can one? Even though, when I saw that fabric in person (shams made a <a href="http://communingwithfabric.blogspot.com/2015/07/mixed-fabric-button-down-shirt.html" target="_blank">GAWjuss shirt</a> from it!), I wished I had it! Wishful thinking only, since I'm sewing almost entirely from stash these days (and I really can't complain about the size of my stash! - thank the heavens for my <strike>greed</strike> foresight when I was still working and had an income lol!)<br />
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Wanting to make this, and choosing the fabrics, turned out not to be as easy as fabric mixing usually is for me. Something about the layout & proportions of everything really presented a challenge for me. I wasn't the only one! My friend Ann (who, sadly, hasn't been blogging for ages - even longer than I) and I had a brainstorming session to help each other piece together our options.<br />
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In the end, I cut up an old pareu (rayon) I've had for years (that's the printed panel), and combined it with the stripe and the black (both knits), and ran a lovely ribbon on both sides of the panel for balance and a smooth transition.<br />
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But I'm getting ahead of myself.<br />
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The construction is just unusual enough that I felt it warranted a slapped-together muslin, and I'm REALLY glad I did this! I somehow missed a rather crucial fitting bit - the fact that there are straps added on to the shoulders that connect the front and back. I couldn't figure out why my top was SO much shorter than the pattern pic, until I finally found the extra pattern pieces. And with the way it's constructed, it just isn't possible to fit as you go - it all finally comes together in the end.<br />
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Unfortunately given my absence from blogland and the fact that I didn't take pics or make notes along the way, I have no memory at all of whatever fitting changes I made! I'm sure I made a small (I nearly always do with Marcy patterns), and I used my TNT for the t-shirt, adjusting the neckline to match the jumper's.<br />
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Oh yes, the t-shirt! People who don't know the pattern usually think this is a one-piece, but it's actually a jumper with a t-shirt underneath. (what do you Aussies and Brits call an American jumper? In spite of my British Mum and some Britishisms that stuck with me, I'll never be able to refer to a sweater as a jumper...)<br />
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In the end, this outfit has been getting a LOT of rotation in the wardrobe! Maybe not the most flattering of outfits, but super comfy and versatile - I've worn it with and without the t-shirt, depending on weather, and once I get my Pippi Longstocking leggings made, it will transition nicely into cooler weather too!</div>
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And the pockets! LOVE the big pockets!</div>
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Yes, it is indeed shorter in the back than in the front. (reverse mullet?) A bit odd, and if I made it again, I think I would even out the hem.</div>
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-Z6VcMOPM8HA/Vh7LB4eT0yI/AAAAAAAAIZU/aXy6t69V7tQ/s1600/IMG_0939.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-Z6VcMOPM8HA/Vh7LB4eT0yI/AAAAAAAAIZU/aXy6t69V7tQ/s320/IMG_0939.jpg" width="213" /></a></div>
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All in all, I love this pattern! Comfy to wear, great pockets, multi-seasonal, super fun options with color blocking... Marcy has done it again!</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjT-Hs34aiducoJW20YWFE9NjzqJP_43GL8AR26Eo8ZBzQ_hhelIjLb6XAySWTc2stMALB0eC6jPbkuhxtX50HCI5CmHmhyQxZV5CBYySRRp1lyeZ95gEuetwoQUgJqNsqR2ZDCTW68_vGJ/s1600/IMG_0935.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjT-Hs34aiducoJW20YWFE9NjzqJP_43GL8AR26Eo8ZBzQ_hhelIjLb6XAySWTc2stMALB0eC6jPbkuhxtX50HCI5CmHmhyQxZV5CBYySRRp1lyeZ95gEuetwoQUgJqNsqR2ZDCTW68_vGJ/s400/IMG_0935.jpg" width="266" /></a></div>
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Note the newly painted front door? AND new porch stain as well! Big Big BIG thanks to my fabulously generous friends who put hours and hours of work into making this happen while I wasn't feeling up to much of anything! I did do the door myself this month, after I started getting some pep back, but the whole project never would have been started if it weren't for some old friends (and old friends are best!!) who showed up with tools and time and muscles and got it all started. And it was a LOT of work!!!</div>
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Here's to more pep in our lives, fun sewing projects, and red front doors!</div>
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P.S. I'm adding this edit because I just had a grammar discussion with some friends. I thought about titling this post "Pippi Longstocking, Marcy Tilton, and I", but I ended up opting for the "Me" instead of the proper grammar - because I thought it sounded a bit on the pretentious side. Isn't that a little sad? Was I just being silly, and most of my readers would actually notice the error? What would you do? </div>
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<br />Unknownnoreply@blogger.com28tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4222007135907343863.post-21650144329142519922015-10-12T18:36:00.003-07:002015-10-13T11:19:40.645-07:00A year??? It's been A YEAR???<div style="text-align: center;">
:::Peeks out from under the covers to see if anyone still remembers me:::</div>
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A year of blogging absence - I suppose a bit of an explanation is in order.</div>
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I have been sewing - a bit, not as much as I would like - but mostly I've been resting, sleeping, talking to doctors, and healing after the shock of some health news sent me on a life-shifting journey. <br />
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The Story: 35 years ago - back in the dark ages - I was diagnosed with Hepatitis C (then called non-A non-B, since it was still such a new discovery). There was no cure, until some years later when a horrible combination of shots and drugs was offered, which killed some people, made others miserable, and cured a small percentage. Since I was firmly ensconced in "alternative" healing methods and healthy life practices by then, I didn't give the pharmaceutical option a second thought!<br />
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Fast forward to January of last year. I was feeling flat out sick, and nothing I was trying helped. I finally sought Western medical help, and after being poked and prodded and interviewed and scanned by numerous docs, I was given the news that I would be needing a liver transplant.<br />
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Time for research, research, research!!! Find people who've been there, done that. Scour the web. Find support groups. (There are, by the way, a LOT of support groups for people with HepC - it now kills more people annually than AIDS does, but there ARE cures now....so please, <b>get tested</b>!!!) The good news is that, right around the same time I started feeling so sick, the new drugs with a hugely successful cure rate were starting to be approved! More (good news!) about that to come...<br />
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Meanwhile, exhaustion forced me into early retirement and the finances dwindled, but my fabulous friends, along with years of spiritual practices and various healing modalities gave me everything I needed to maintain an Attitude of Gratitude. That gratefulness, and the joy of being alive (admittedly with an occasional relapse into the land of "I can't TAKE it anymore!! Stop the world and just let me OFF!!!"), keeps me going and lets me know everything will, indeed, be fine. Better than fine!<br />
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Above all, Gratitude. And laughter. And lightheartedness. And not taking any of this toooo seriously. And friends and supporters. And silliness. Did I mention laughter? That's the one thing that can always lift me when I start to choose a dark path (and those paths are there...along with the choice to take it, or not!)<br />
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It hasn't been easy writing this post - or rather, finding the time and energy and courage to write it. I'm just pounding it out right now, so that I can re-enter this fabulous blogging world and finally get some sewing posts up! And writing this wasn't even CLOSE to being as challenging as agreeing to set up this: <br />
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<a href="https://www.youcaring.com/jillian-brorby-390801/update/379484" target="_blank">You Caring Site</a></div>
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I was fairly quiet about all of this for some time, except for all of my fabulous friends. Agreeing to the You Caring fundraiser, then having the word spread through social media and blogs (thank you <a href="http://communingwithfabric.blogspot.com/2015/07/its-coat-its-accessory.html" target="_blank">shams!</a>) showed me, once again, that learning how to ask for help as well as being willing to receive it is a blessing of community that there are no words for! More tears. Of gratitude.<br />
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About those miracle drugs mentioned above - I was able to take them for a 12 week period, and after 35 long years, my body is now cleared of the HepC virus!!!! This is incredible - such great news, and such a shift, that I still haven't fully absorbed it!<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj3fGWkZIdjV6dGMB81G9ATD6_zbhaOSm8Vdv8BGnAu-jOCLNRZAbWTg4pdTDJHKECp8aMI5bZdYgpr0cHBRJ6hOfxttdZpyDzgqZnl1hu_00pkLyPn6HiBZ38BluPIY4H2a0-XCsqNSaML/s1600/Snoopy.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj3fGWkZIdjV6dGMB81G9ATD6_zbhaOSm8Vdv8BGnAu-jOCLNRZAbWTg4pdTDJHKECp8aMI5bZdYgpr0cHBRJ6hOfxttdZpyDzgqZnl1hu_00pkLyPn6HiBZ38BluPIY4H2a0-XCsqNSaML/s1600/Snoopy.jpg" /></a></div>
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This means I've been starting to feel better and have more energy, which means I'm playing the catch-up game with all of the neglected aspects of my life, including sewing and blogging!<br />
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Thanks to everyone for reading through this non-sewing post - I've so missed you all! I have a number of projects to post about - taking photos has seemed like way too much effort for some time, but I'm ready for it now, so look out blogging world, I'M BACK! <br />
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<br />Unknownnoreply@blogger.com68tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4222007135907343863.post-88939304726655197522014-10-15T17:55:00.002-07:002014-10-15T17:55:33.749-07:00Mini Wardrobe Challenge with No Rules! (My kinda challenge...)On a bit of an inspired whim, one of my local sewing groups decided to do a mini-wardrobe challenge. After some discussion about what rules to set, whether to have a "winner" & prizes, etc., we ended up deciding to hold a make-however-many-pieces-you-want-and-set-your-own-goals-and-we'll-just-support-each-other sort of event, because that's the kind of group we are. :-) My kind of contest!<br />
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I entered one Pattern Review mini-wardrobe contest a few years ago, and really appreciated it for a number of reasons:<br />
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<li>It helped settle my mind in a work-together wardrobe mode, as opposed to a closet full of orphans. </li>
<li>It was a stretch for me on several fronts, and I do appreciate stretching exercises.</li>
<li>The time pressure of having a finish date was a good experience - although I don't relish deadlines, I do tend to do well under pressure, and I proved that I could rise to the occasion on the sewing front if need be. (it is not, however, something that appeals to me on a regular basis)</li>
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So, with a vague goal in mind, I set about figuring out what I wanted to do. It actually ended up being easier than I thought it might be!<br />
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<u>My Wardrobe Planning Process</u><br />
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The State of My Mind in the Beginning Steps of Planning:</div>
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<u><br /></u>We had a supportive planning meeting, and the goals and reasons that people were doing their wardrobes were as varied and individual as the members of the group (and we are a delightfully motley crew!) Some wanted a specific travel wardrobe, some focused on expanding themselves out of their usual color-comfort zone, some wanted more work clothes, some wanted a good-fitting pair of trousers as a start. <br />
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<li>I need a new pair of jeans. I've made 2, which are both still serviceable (one fairly, one barely), but since jeans are probably my single most-worn clothing item, I'm definitely due for another pair! So that became my jump-off point, and once I made the decision, I didn't waver from it.</li>
<li>I also need more tops that actually <i>go with</i> jeans. I know, I know, virtually anything can go with jeans, but sometimes I just want a nice blouse or shirt that actually matches my jeans, and my closet just never seems to produce just what I'm looking for. Tons of T-shirts I have, but not much else.</li>
<li>The SF Bay Area is Jacket Central. You simply cannot have too many jackets if you live here, and my only navy blue jacket is old, funky, and made by someone else. My local charity gets that one.</li>
<li>Expanding on the navy goes-with-jeans concept, I've added a skirt and a sweater to the plan</li>
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I'm also planning on sewing entirely from stash (unless I need something to round out a piece). Or (as has already happened), I find myself short of some fabric I bought well over a year ago. And Oh lucky me - they STILL HAD IT!!!! (thank you <a href="http://piedmontfabrics.com/" target="_blank">Piedmont Fabrics!</a>)<br />
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The state of my mind had cleared up somewhat at this point:</div>
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(Biggify to see my brain at work a little more clearly)</div>
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You will notice some carefully selected (i.e., somewhat random) silk ties</div>
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scattered about - the thought is to maybe use some of them</div>
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as embellishments here and there....we'll see.....</div>
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The REALLY cool bit, at least in my mind, is that 4 of the 6 fabrics I'm using were pieces that I've just not had a clue what to do with, mainly because they were "too special to cut", so I was terrified to do anything at all - you know the syndrome ... right? I've already cut out 2 of those fabrics, and the Center for Patter Design Spiral blouse is all done except for the buttons and buttonholes, so I think I'm doing well!<br />
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I'm on a roll with the sewing now, thanks to finally finished the jumper project, and having the wonderful support of my fellow seamsters, so you should be hearing more from me in the coming weeks and months :)<br />
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How about you and your planning/sewing process? Do you sew well under the pressure of a deadline, or would you rather meander at your leisure? And does your sewing process match how you navigate the other aspects of your life? (these are the sort of musings that sometimes keep me awake at night...)<br />
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Unknownnoreply@blogger.com13tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4222007135907343863.post-83603199992968966012014-10-14T16:45:00.000-07:002014-10-14T16:45:04.600-07:00The Self-Drafted Wrap-Top Form-Fitted Jumper with Palazzo Pants (aka: Do Not Try This at Home)I admit that I'm a decidedly selfish seamstress for the most part, with the occasional project for others thrown in the mix, because, well, as a sewist, that's what's happens. Right? The most fun I have (usually) is making something for my darling niece Laurel. It helps that she's a huge fan of everything I make, and that she's super fun to collaborate with, with her own developing sense of style and willingness to step outside the box. And a shapely young body to boot.<br />
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For her 24th birthday and a going-away present (Nepal for 6+ months!), I wanted to make her something she could travel with....and the collaboration began.<br />
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She decided she wanted a jumper. No problem, says I. With palazzo pants. Can easily be done, I says. And a wrap top. Umm....OK. Tight. Very tight (show off said shapely, curvy body, after all). Knit wrap top, silky palazzo pants, body-hugging jumper.<br />
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Did I mention the tiny waist and the curvy hips that said jumper must fit over while donning?.....my darling Laurel, some of the requests you may be granted, but not all at once.<br />
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Off I go searching for a pattern to use as a jumping off point. There is no such pattern to be found (at least in my search). I wonder why? Undaunted, I carry on with a T. Gunn "make it work!" attitude. I used an existing wrap-front knit dress of hers and a complete set of measurements, found the fabric, grabbed my scissors, and the adventure began.<br />
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This was step one: a combination of all of the fabrics used:<br />
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I blogged the process that I used to create the 4-strand braid <a href="http://jillybejoyful.blogspot.com/2014/08/two-teasers-and-tutorial-for-flat-four.html" target="_blank">Here.</a><br />
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I have spared you all, dear readers, with the journey that I took creating the finished look. You may thank me for that, because who wants to commiserate with angst? The fact that she lives a couple of hundred miles away and we had a total of 3 fittings (plus one more, and then just one more, and then one final one before the final final final fitting). <br />
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There was a point towards the end when I realized that, if it didn't fit at all, it could magically turn the jumper into a pair of awesome palazzo pants, and I did start breathing more easily, knowing there was a simple save out there, just in case... But we all survived!<br />
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Since there were so many fits and starts, taking progress pictures really wasn't even an option without writing a book, and as you may have noticed, just getting a simple blog post written on a regular basis just ain't happening lately, so I'll just jump ahead to the final pictures:<br />
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The braided belt, the bamboo knit top, the knit under-belt thingy, </div>
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and the palazzo pants from a ploy silky:</div>
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Ready to Travel the World!:</div>
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Q3ZmVQucadE/VD2wUpICd3I/AAAAAAAAIMI/oMiDRns2MUs/s1600/IMG_0511.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Q3ZmVQucadE/VD2wUpICd3I/AAAAAAAAIMI/oMiDRns2MUs/s1600/IMG_0511.jpg" height="400" width="248" /></a></div>
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And/or dance the night away....</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiJLvLmoZIMso1u2FK_bQUqHMEFhQq1Tn9qW6tVu1sm96eczEm13lGAbZX7YAY77FNkcdnUJWgMgEdnqABKpAi31vwi3ZtMfj0ZczDrYf4440Ltl3m_G-jLzAR-VIVbCEoAI78bjw1kFZ-R/s1600/IMG_0512.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiJLvLmoZIMso1u2FK_bQUqHMEFhQq1Tn9qW6tVu1sm96eczEm13lGAbZX7YAY77FNkcdnUJWgMgEdnqABKpAi31vwi3ZtMfj0ZczDrYf4440Ltl3m_G-jLzAR-VIVbCEoAI78bjw1kFZ-R/s1600/IMG_0512.jpg" height="400" width="245" /></a></div>
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...looking comfy and chic....</div>
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-Hv1KRknllwg/VD2wY4YXyDI/AAAAAAAAIMY/n7rQX7NeQX8/s1600/IMG_0514.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-Hv1KRknllwg/VD2wY4YXyDI/AAAAAAAAIMY/n7rQX7NeQX8/s1600/IMG_0514.jpg" height="400" width="266" /></a></div>
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Ready to stand on the mountain top and teach, and learn, </div>
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and experience the glories of the world!</div>
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-6oWSMHUU-gk/VD2wZ7mUhCI/AAAAAAAAIMg/8njdTYUjwdU/s1600/IMG_0516.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-6oWSMHUU-gk/VD2wZ7mUhCI/AAAAAAAAIMg/8njdTYUjwdU/s1600/IMG_0516.jpg" height="400" width="266" /></a></div>
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The Designer and the Recipient:</div>
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The Designer, the Recipient, and the Bug:</div>
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The final result was not constructed with perfection, but it fits, it's comfy, it should travel well, it can be dressed up or down, and best of all, Laurel loves it! So was it all worth it in the end?<br />
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You betcha!<br />
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Farewell my darling Laurel - wear it in good health and with a smile on your face, and return home from your adventures safely and filled with great stories! And maybe I'll see you next year in Kathmandu......Unknownnoreply@blogger.com33tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4222007135907343863.post-15381566759335849422014-09-04T09:58:00.003-07:002014-09-05T06:51:47.005-07:00The Invention of Wings<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-PjQbkFjVkHs/VAgiqI5EsYI/AAAAAAAAIGI/1VBYOx1mh8w/s1600/HarrietPowersBibleQuilt_1898.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-PjQbkFjVkHs/VAgiqI5EsYI/AAAAAAAAIGI/1VBYOx1mh8w/s1600/HarrietPowersBibleQuilt_1898.jpg" height="273" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">Story Quilt sewn by Harriet Powers, 1837-1910<br />On Display at the <a href="http://www.mfa.org/collections/object/pictorial-quilt-116166" target="_blank">Boston Museum of Fine Arts</a></span></td></tr>
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This post is a little bit about sewing - specifically hand sewing and quilting, but it's more about a book review (the sewing story is in the book). <br />
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I let go of my formerly voracious appetite for books some years ago (too many non-fiction studies got in the way of reading for the sheer pleasure of it, I fear!). One of the wonderful aspects of going through a drop in physical energy this past year has been a return of that appetite, and the plethora of excellent literary novels (my favorite genre) that's built up during my absence from fiction will hopefully sate me for some time to come!<br />
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I just finished the last page of "The Invention of Wings" by Sue Monk Kidd, and I'm compelled to write about it here for a couple of reasons. Fine hand sewing, millinery, and most of all quilt-making threads its way throughout the novel, and a couple of the quilts are actually major characters in the story. All of them were sewn by slaves in the 1800's.<br />
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Which leads to the other reason I want to encourage the reading of this book. It's an important book in that it tells the (thickly fictionalized) story of two of most famous American woman that you may have never heard of, Sarah and Angelina Grimké. They were well known (either deeply respected or despised) throughout the States in the late 1830's as leading and vocal abolitionists and women's rights advocates. Born into an upper class family of slave owners in Charleston, the sisters managed to find enemies in many areas of society, religion, and even in the Northern states, with their beliefs that women and slaves were people too, who deserved equality with white men. <i>(Have we come a long way yet, baby?)</i><br />
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The story is based on numerous factual events, with Kidd creating her story by fleshing out the personal lives and thoughts of Sarah and the slave girl she was given by her parents when she turned 11. There were only a few written known facts about Handful (the slave girl's) life, so her story is nearly all made up by Kidd, but the intertwining of the 2 girls' stories, along with Sarah's sister and other important people in their lives, makes this a book that anyone with even a remote interest in American history and some of the events and attitudes leading up to the Civil War would be well served by reading this book.<br />
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I appreciate the 'Author's Note' at the end, wherein Kidd differentiates the factual from what she made up. But then, I'm the sort of person whose first action after seeing a biographical movie is to look up what <i>really</i> happened.<br />
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Kidd states that one of the quilts in her story was based on the "story quilts" of Harriet Powers. There are 2 surviving quilts of Powers', the above pictured quilt in Boston, and the following quilt, apparently not currently on display, but it lives at the National Museum of American History<br />
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-1-YmvnjVh7M/VAgiqV7dP_I/AAAAAAAAIGA/WLUxFq9nLjY/s1600/PowersBibleQuilt_1886.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-1-YmvnjVh7M/VAgiqV7dP_I/AAAAAAAAIGA/WLUxFq9nLjY/s1600/PowersBibleQuilt_1886.jpg" height="340" width="400" /></a></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-pHfSb_B4cQs/VAgiqclKJoI/AAAAAAAAIF4/hiLgaeQGyHE/s1600/Harriet_Powers_1901.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-pHfSb_B4cQs/VAgiqclKJoI/AAAAAAAAIF4/hiLgaeQGyHE/s1600/Harriet_Powers_1901.png" height="320" width="186" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">Harriet Powers</span></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-0xWyiVUacKE/VAgiq90uqSI/AAAAAAAAIGE/ftqmDh1apOI/s1600/grimke%2Bsisters.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-0xWyiVUacKE/VAgiq90uqSI/AAAAAAAAIGE/ftqmDh1apOI/s1600/grimke%2Bsisters.jpg" height="248" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">The Sisters Grimké <br />Angelina on the left, Sarah on the right</span></td></tr>
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If you've read the book, let me know what you think - if you haven't, what are you waiting for? ;-) By the way, for other readers (I know there are a lot of you in the sewing world!), <a href="http://sunnygalstudio.blogspot.com/2014/07/can-you-recommend.html" target="_blank">Beth of Sunnygal Studios wrote a post recently asking for book recommendations</a> - if you're interested, check out the responses - lots of good suggestions! One of the fun followups to this is that we both happened to be at a sewing group meeting at the Berkeley Library shortly after her post, and after the sewing meeting, several of us hung out and talked about...no, not more sewing...books!<br />
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For now, here are a few more modern, extraordinary quilts for your viewing pleasure:</div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-iifYvSt8F7A/VAiVmV8HvII/AAAAAAAAIGg/DVgR3-CjGUE/s1600/IMG_2498.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-iifYvSt8F7A/VAiVmV8HvII/AAAAAAAAIGg/DVgR3-CjGUE/s1600/IMG_2498.JPG" height="316" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">Judith Roderick<br />Midnight in the Garden of Iris and Cats</span></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhr3QIhK1AQT0LSbV68Fjy4p50OYOtGxrKZ0ijqOYb5YYYvBekv6k_lVAxZBENexwWGO1WCB_890Pv7VhHscT9TTvL9v8Ygd0QC5C9mIBH77mSC4EiAr-zj54gPOp4gG9U0iTInjn9JGHaW/s1600/Timna+Tar+Endless+Chain.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhr3QIhK1AQT0LSbV68Fjy4p50OYOtGxrKZ0ijqOYb5YYYvBekv6k_lVAxZBENexwWGO1WCB_890Pv7VhHscT9TTvL9v8Ygd0QC5C9mIBH77mSC4EiAr-zj54gPOp4gG9U0iTInjn9JGHaW/s1600/Timna+Tar+Endless+Chain.jpg" height="372" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">Timna Tar<br />Endless Chain</span></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-bWque_TluO8/VAiWnB78CbI/AAAAAAAAIG8/czhIXILdkUs/s1600/Ellene%2BMashburn%2BPlace.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-bWque_TluO8/VAiWnB78CbI/AAAAAAAAIG8/czhIXILdkUs/s1600/Ellene%2BMashburn%2BPlace.JPG" height="400" width="300" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">Ellen Mashburn Place<br />Billy's Bluebirds</span></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-m4XcbY6fgMw/VAiXvHwUW9I/AAAAAAAAIHM/bvwou9jdYdo/s1600/weseetheyseesharon.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-m4XcbY6fgMw/VAiXvHwUW9I/AAAAAAAAIHM/bvwou9jdYdo/s1600/weseetheyseesharon.jpg" height="278" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">Sharon V. Rotz<br />We See They See</span></td></tr>
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Although I'm not a quilter, I have participated in a couple of group projects - a kayaking themed quilt with a group of fellow yakkers (back in the day....), and a beautiful square honoring a friend for the AIDS Quilt Project. Both projects were fabulously memorable!</div>
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If anyone knows of a local display of beautiful quilts, please let me know - I'm definitely up for some ooohing and aaahing over them!<br />
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Unknownnoreply@blogger.com11tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4222007135907343863.post-53308671045143217762014-09-01T18:53:00.002-07:002014-09-01T21:38:37.744-07:00A Self-Drafted Simple Top......Did I say Simple?Remember the teaser fabric from a post last month?<br />
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-n8gYREky89Q/VAUbRgPw09I/AAAAAAAAIDU/EMZPRi2-xDU/s1600/IMG_0287.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-n8gYREky89Q/VAUbRgPw09I/AAAAAAAAIDU/EMZPRi2-xDU/s1600/IMG_0287.JPG" height="266" width="400" /></a></div>
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Here's the finished project:<br />
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-15gU5oq1lag/VAUaiGbnJ5I/AAAAAAAAIBo/vVh9_Y8bTV4/s1600/IMG_0364.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-15gU5oq1lag/VAUaiGbnJ5I/AAAAAAAAIBo/vVh9_Y8bTV4/s1600/IMG_0364.jpg" height="400" width="266" /></a></div>
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Folded over, slice a neck line, rolled hem on the edges, & sew up the sides to make a butterfly-wing thingy sort of side seam.<br />
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Simple, right?<br />
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Right?<br />
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I was telling a sewing friend about the issues I encountered in the process, and we discussed the problems with self-drafting a piece. For me it's not so much about fit, or even figuring out how to do a step (although those DO present issues) - it's more about the sequence of when to do step 1, step 2, etc....<br />
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In this case I cut a boat neck slit for the neck - I had made a muslin to figure out the size & shape of the cut - no problems there. Then I got all wrapped up in how to do the binding and have it lay neatly at the corners where the neck line made a sharp V. When I finally figured out exactly how I wanted to do it, and started sewing it up (by machine) I panicked when it started the dreaded binding bunching...you know, those tiny little folds in a poorly made binding.... and realized I'd left out the Very Important Step of grading and clipping the curve.<br />
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:::sigh:::<br />
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If I'd been following a pattern - even one with minimal instructions that just said "bind the neckline" I would have clipped that seam, but because I was focused on something else...well...I ended up sticking my tailor points into the binding and clipping as I sewed. I do not recommend this, but at least it worked, and I have a nice flat neckline :).<br />
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I did a rolled hem on the side edges with my trusty vintage Singer 101 and the rolled hem foot. I'm fairly confident in my friendship with this foot by now, and ended up with a pretty nice finish there.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhcfhkxKHtpgv57waX7ytPycaDylOFde3vub7DQTPLpFVkdCLqcq2HKb-lCCs3xVy2TJPscC2Q_FY2AP5jjjBKF8PMelRcAlegmG8BV2LSEgml_itqewPsZaoiGfpuYn4WAY85sbcnn2jRZ/s1600/IMG_0385.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhcfhkxKHtpgv57waX7ytPycaDylOFde3vub7DQTPLpFVkdCLqcq2HKb-lCCs3xVy2TJPscC2Q_FY2AP5jjjBKF8PMelRcAlegmG8BV2LSEgml_itqewPsZaoiGfpuYn4WAY85sbcnn2jRZ/s1600/IMG_0385.JPG" height="266" width="400" /></a></div>
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For the side seams, I sewed a straight stitch from hemline to a point just high enough to hide any bra peek-a-booing, about 5" in from the rolled hem edges. The bottom hemline was the selvedge, front and back, so I let it be.<br />
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I probably cut a total of 6 sq. inches (give or take) from the neckline; otherwise every bit of the fabric was used!<br />
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-f5CvuKu2oxE/VAUaiS38oLI/AAAAAAAAIB0/dliJhUXLipI/s1600/IMG_0365.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-f5CvuKu2oxE/VAUaiS38oLI/AAAAAAAAIB0/dliJhUXLipI/s1600/IMG_0365.jpg" height="400" width="266" /></a></div>
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One of the most important parts of the process in the making of this top was enlisting the vision of sewing friends. A group of us got together with a topic of bringing a problem fabric to share and get help on - something we just didn't know what to do with. I knew I didn't want a scarf from this fabric (that would be too easy), and the collective creative minds of my sewist friends came up with the idea of this simple tunic top with the butterfly sides. They nailed it, don't you think? Very thankful that I'm in a community with so many helpful, creative, and talented sewing friends!<br />
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I leave you with today's fortune cookie. Because I like it. :)<br />
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<b>What are your issues and/or tips with self-drafting your own pieces? Or if you are a pro at it, what sort of guidance would you give those of us who venture there occasionally?</b><br />
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<b>Happy Labor Day, all, and I hope you all had a taste of what nature has to offer this weekend. :)</b><br />
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<br />Unknownnoreply@blogger.com28tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4222007135907343863.post-11775894665368399572014-08-25T01:06:00.001-07:002014-08-25T11:28:24.330-07:00Dressing for Yoga (not actually DO-ing it...)Yoga pants are a good start to a practice, yes? No? I <i>used </i>to practice yoga, once upon a time - semi-regularly, even, but now....well....how about if I just make a pair of yoga pants?<br />
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<a href="http://www.stylearc.com.au/stylearc/index.php?page=shop.product_details&flypage=flypage.tpl&product_id=461&category_id=2&option=com_virtuemart&Itemid=42" target="_blank">Style Arc's Becky Yoga pant</a><br />
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I have a number of Style Arc pants patterns, and absolutely love every pattern I've used! Mine are all size 10, which fit well before I lost a few pounds this year, so I wasn't too sure about the fit of the yoga pants. When I laid a well-used pair of yoga pants on the flat pattern, it looked like the 10 would be a good fit though, so I cut them exactly per the pattern (even though all of my other SA 10's are currently a little bit on the loose side)<br />
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Thank goodness I didn't order a smaller size! With the negative ease, coupled with a pretty sturdy and semi-stable knit, these pants are snug! Very snug. Snugger than I'm usually comfortable wearing, but with a long top they're great :::whew:::. They were actually a perfect fit when I first made them, but I've gained back a few of those pounds on my healing journey, so now...well, did I mention how very snug they are? A healthy dose of vanity makes me almost leery to post the pics, but here goes:<br />
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What I love about this pattern:<br />
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<li>The now-famous Style Arc fit. (weight loss & gain aside...)</li>
<li>Super quick & easy make!</li>
<li>One simple patch pocket, perfectly sized and placed.</li>
<li>Just the right amount of flare at the hemline.</li>
<li>Just the right width of the waistband.</li>
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What I dislike:</div>
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<li>Ummmm......nothing?</li>
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There's really not a lot more to say. This is, simply put, a simple and perfect yoga pant. I'll make it again in a fabric with more give, which should give a slightly looser fit, and I'll probably make it again after that. And again. It's that perfect!</div>
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A note about the shoes I'm wearing - I went on a bit of a shoe-buying binge last January, and in order to bring an order up to the free shipping category, I added these <u><a href="http://www.gravitypope.com/shoes/product/23937-camper-21884-001-" target="_blank">Campers</a> .</u> The link goes to gravitypope, and they still have this style! By the way, if you keep your eye out, you can occasionally find a coupon sale for gravitypope, which will discount even the sale prices further - that's what I did & actually got a reasonable price.</div>
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Campers is a brand I've never had before, but it got great reviews, and for good reason! Reeeeeally comfortable right out of the box. And better than that, check out the motif!!! Love love love!!!!<br />
(pardon the garden dust - I could have cleaned them up before taking the pics, but...well... I didn't.)</div>
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Maybe I'll go do a little yoga. </div>
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Tomorrow.</div>
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Sun salutations in the morning, anyone?<br />
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P.S. For those who are wondering, I slept right through last night's 'quake, and nary a picture on the walls budged a bit. I do know a few people north of the immediate Bay Area who experienced some damage and would appreciate some positive thoughts coming their way, but we've experienced far worse than this...and survived quite nicely :).</div>
Unknownnoreply@blogger.com13tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4222007135907343863.post-87725625160434446952014-08-23T20:29:00.000-07:002014-08-24T00:29:47.030-07:00Center For Pattern Design - Spiraling In Control!The intrigue of the Center for Pattern Design's creativity absolutely captivates me! When Sandra Ericson spoke at Canada College's Artistry In Fashion event last year I was hooked! I bought 3 patterns, all inspired by Cristobal Balenciaga (a genius!). <br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">My first make was the CB Bolero, <a href="http://jillybejoyful.blogspot.com/2013/10/balenciaga-ericson-cb-bolero-winner.html" target="_blank"><b>blogged here</b></a>. I have mixed feelings about this one, only because it's a little dressy for me, and also a little fidgity, so it doesn't really get that much wear. The CB Spiral Blouse, however, is another matter - totally wearable, and in spite of the unusual design, it has a lot of possible ways to change it up. Buttoned & closed, no buttons & open, drapey or stiffer fabric, collar, no collar, long or short sleeves - shams even made a <a href="http://communingwithfabric.blogspot.com/2013/03/cb-spiral-top-in-knit.html" target="_blank"><b>knit top</b></a> from it! </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">One of the amazing aspects of Ericson's designs - her focus, really - is that she uses as few pattern pieces as possible & puts the seaming together in totally unique and ingenious ways. The spiral top has one pattern piece, and if your fabric is wide enough, you can cut the entire top from ONE piece of fabric - rather mind-boggling, if you ask me! I would take a pic of the pattern piece, but I have vague memories of someone getting in hot water for doing that, and I don't think it's fair or appropriate to the designer anyway. Just trust me, it's impossible to imagine the finished product from the flat pattern piece without instructions - at least my brain certainly doesn't work that way! The first time through I really stretched my mind muscles just figuring out how to put it together WITH instructions!</span><br />
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The description from the pattern: <i>"This full scale pattern is fashioned after one demonstrated by Salvador who managed Monsieur Balenciaga’s tailoring atelier during the Golden Age of Couture in the mid-20th Century. It is a single bias-cut pattern piece which comprises the front, back and spiral sleeve of an easy fitting top. The back hangs in a cowl at the hip and there are no side or shoulder seams. It may be worn open or closed in front. Fits 8 - 16 with adjustments. <br />This pattern is is appropriate for intermediate or advanced skills."</i><br />
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The pattern itself comes in one size (Medium), and adjustments are made along 2 lines marked on the pattern piece. A muslin is recommended, since it's hard to tell how it will fit just looking at the pattern piece. The entire top is cut on the bias, so even if you have the sizing down in one fabric, another fabric may behave differently with a bias cut.<br />
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Step one is figuring out the layout of the pattern on your fabric. With short sleeves, you might be able to use one solid piece of fabric. With long sleeves, you probably will need a center back seam - it took me a bit of maneuvering to match things up & still fit it onto my (JUST big enough) piece of fabric! In fact, Step #1 of the pattern instructions say, and I quote, "Study the pattern diagram carefully...."</div>
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Uh huh.</div>
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Instructions are fairly minimal. To give you an idea, the last 2 steps are </div>
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4. "Finish hems as you wish." and </div>
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5. "Finish CF closure as desired."</div>
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Be forewarned. </div>
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Construction Notes: Mark the dot at the underarm carefully (once you've figured out just where the underarm is...seriously, it does not make immediate sense!) This dot you need. The notches and other dots are handy more for placement guidelines than for exact seam matching. These pics may (or may not) help:</div>
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Matching the dots (tailor tacked with red thread) at underarm:</div>
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Biggify the pic and note that the notches do NOT match up.</div>
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This doesn't matter - as you sew the seam, just let the fabric come together where it wants to,</div>
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you can trim the bottom of the sleeve later.</div>
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The fabric I used was a yummy silk charmeuse, which worked great for this pattern. I also used a thin cotton for my toile, which turned into a wearable piece (sorry, no pics of that one). I've seen it made up in a number of different fabrics; the choice is very versatile! The pattern calls for "softly woven wools, silks or cottons; wool or silk crepe, crepe-backed satin, silk velvet, georgette or chiffon, medium weight rayons and novelty fabrics with bias elasticity." LOTS of choice here!</div>
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Here's how the center back comes together:</div>
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I decided to use double buttons and a single buttonhole with a bar tack in the center.</div>
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I started with a machine made bar tack, but ended up doing it by hand:</div>
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The finished piece:</div>
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The wind blew my collar into odd positions. I'm way too lazy to redo another photo shoot, and if that's how it's going to lie, then so be it! </div>
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I've already worn this one several times, and will likely make another version or 2 of it. Love the fabric, love the design - thumbs way up for this pattern!</div>
Unknownnoreply@blogger.com15tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4222007135907343863.post-14698551801326992302014-08-18T16:14:00.003-07:002014-08-18T17:58:44.983-07:00Two Teasers and a Tutorial for a Flat Four-Strand Fabric BraidI do have a few more finished objects to blog, but new projects are just more exciting, so if you can kindly bear with me through some teasers for what's coming up, I'll get to those FO's soon. er or later....<br />
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Ignore the Teaser at the Top:</div>
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First up, I'm mixing four fabrics for a birthday present piece for my darling niece, who is SO much fun to sew for! For one thing, she loves my work (play). For another, she's a fabulous collaborator who comes up with some great ideas. She wanted me to incorporate some braiding in her present, a technique I used on a previous piece for her. <br />
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I wanted to do a flat, four-strand braid, and had a bit of a hard time finding a tutorial for this that was both easy, and had a good-looking finished project, so I thought I might as well create my own tutorial.<br />
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First I created 4 tubes, using this handy-dandy little bodkinish sort of tool (does it have an actual name? Anyone?)<br />
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The end has a loop and a pointed thingy on a hinge</div>
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(thingy is a valid technical term - you all know that, right?)</div>
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I cut my strips of fabric 1" wide, then folded and sewed the long edges for 1/4"+ tubes.</div>
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After sewing, I trimmed the excess seam allowance.</div>
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I used a combo of knits and wovens - the 2 knits were super easy to turn; </div>
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the batik (a quilting cotton) - not so much.</div>
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The polyester slinky was also a bit of a problem because the edges frayed so badly!</div>
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I cut all of the fabrics on either the cross or straight grain, depending on the stability of the fabric.</div>
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I didn't have enough of any of the fabrics to cut them on the bias, but I really didn't want too much stretch in the finished piece (a braid, as shown below) anyway.</div>
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In most cases, I would recommend cutting the tube fabric on the bias.</div>
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After sewing the seam of the tube, I cut one end in a point and added some Fray Check to it.</div>
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-CRRilchhznY/U_J7hMEDgEI/AAAAAAAAH0o/Bg_Zn3tNnsI/s1600/IMG_0281.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-CRRilchhznY/U_J7hMEDgEI/AAAAAAAAH0o/Bg_Zn3tNnsI/s1600/IMG_0281.JPG" height="266" width="400" /></a></div>
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You then push the bodkin thingy into the tube, and push the point through the fabric, </div>
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about 1/4" from the tip of the fabric point.</div>
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With the knits, this is easy. </div>
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With the wovens, I ended up snipping a teensy tiny hole in the fabric in order to push the metal point through.</div>
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Then you pull the fabric all the way through the inside of the tube, </div>
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praying that the point of the bodkin won't lose its grip before you're done. </div>
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Praying does not always work.</div>
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<u><b>Constructing the Braid</b></u><br />
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Sew the 4 tubes together at one end, and pin them to a pinnable surface.</div>
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I've labeled them 1-4, from left to right.</div>
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As you weave, the position of the tubes will change, </div>
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but the numbering of the tubes will always remain at 1-4, left to right.</div>
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Bring Tube #4 over #3</div>
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-jVJ4kuPgYkE/U_J7nIyLbfI/AAAAAAAAH1Q/q6igZ_Oq8d0/s1600/IMG_0291.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-jVJ4kuPgYkE/U_J7nIyLbfI/AAAAAAAAH1Q/q6igZ_Oq8d0/s1600/IMG_0291.JPG" height="266" width="400" /></a></div>
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Bring #1 UNDER #2, and OVER #3 (the new #3)</div>
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I find it easier to treat this as one move, rather than 2,<br />
because you're really only moving one of the tubes.</div>
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-ORFbiTZ1s38/U_J7oLhKThI/AAAAAAAAH1Y/Hidy3kQHAvM/s1600/IMG_0292.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-ORFbiTZ1s38/U_J7oLhKThI/AAAAAAAAH1Y/Hidy3kQHAvM/s1600/IMG_0292.JPG" height="266" width="400" /></a></div>
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And that's it!!!</div>
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Really.</div>
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All you do now is keep repeating the above 2 moves.</div>
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The new #4 goes over the new #3</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiBslnv2FIwlVCU15RWEqJVue14p1EtrSGxRfUDA3e7-rDQOwHZJNkLMNZswT_zt8pzE07lp4E0BAj-vFgqDIs0PJCfk7vEarQxVbCKskOOdJ-ixiGPlikWYbnVA1geZULy7mk1b1qYSTFQ/s1600/IMG_0293.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiBslnv2FIwlVCU15RWEqJVue14p1EtrSGxRfUDA3e7-rDQOwHZJNkLMNZswT_zt8pzE07lp4E0BAj-vFgqDIs0PJCfk7vEarQxVbCKskOOdJ-ixiGPlikWYbnVA1geZULy7mk1b1qYSTFQ/s1600/IMG_0293.JPG" height="266" width="400" /></a></div>
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#1 goes under #2 and over #3</div>
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Keep repeating this sequence,</div>
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and be sure to keep the tubes flat as you weave - don't fold them over so that the bottom becomes the top - the bottom of the tube (i.e., the part that is touching the table...or in this case the ironing board, will always stay on the bottom.</div>
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-rt78x2vkO_k/U_J7rAcQc7I/AAAAAAAAH1w/5KzMfQT86pM/s1600/IMG_0295.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-rt78x2vkO_k/U_J7rAcQc7I/AAAAAAAAH1w/5KzMfQT86pM/s1600/IMG_0295.JPG" height="266" width="400" /></a></div>
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-hGC4ye-HAv0/U_J7r5Hj2WI/AAAAAAAAH14/__-Q7XQXRMQ/s1600/IMG_0296.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-hGC4ye-HAv0/U_J7r5Hj2WI/AAAAAAAAH14/__-Q7XQXRMQ/s1600/IMG_0296.JPG" height="266" width="400" /></a></div>
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And when you run out of tubing or have reached your desired length, you're done!</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh9T8ffIdHYgV1osbSxVH6g_jI8mIS2HADVs8eiM0Uxa1E1mmDok7yhOnQTOvJiRsLhfioDbArNVvB-ZrbsmmArQOT_BOiSqcLfnNOmpqOylmkjItpZGE15MMmu72eSnSmwiyZDp8pOFTVu/s1600/IMG_0297.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh9T8ffIdHYgV1osbSxVH6g_jI8mIS2HADVs8eiM0Uxa1E1mmDok7yhOnQTOvJiRsLhfioDbArNVvB-ZrbsmmArQOT_BOiSqcLfnNOmpqOylmkjItpZGE15MMmu72eSnSmwiyZDp8pOFTVu/s1600/IMG_0297.jpg" height="400" width="266" /></a></div>
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I had NOT reached my desired length, so I had to add more tubes. I folded under one end of the woven fabrics and inserted the other end inside the folded tube. For the knits, I didn't bother folding under a hem; I just used fray check. I didn't worry too much about appearance of the joined tubes, so instead of hand sewing them, I just attached them with a sturdy zig zag.</div>
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The semi-finished pieces:</div>
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-BpslisqP2SM/U_J7wF0gbuI/AAAAAAAAH2Y/rH4hlCos0k0/s1600/IMG_0303.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-BpslisqP2SM/U_J7wF0gbuI/AAAAAAAAH2Y/rH4hlCos0k0/s1600/IMG_0303.jpg" height="400" width="266" /></a></div>
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It may take awhile before the reveal, since the recipient doesn't live nearby, so fittings will be few and far between. I will say one thing - this is a totally self-drafted piece, creating something that isn't even remotely like anything I've made before, and if a pattern for something close to it exists, I haven't found it. So wish me luck!</div>
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Back to the Teaser at the Top:</div>
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-fxLqRStihpQ/U_J7jex2yHI/AAAAAAAAH04/wIJ3zrVwavc/s1600/IMG_0287.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-fxLqRStihpQ/U_J7jex2yHI/AAAAAAAAH04/wIJ3zrVwavc/s1600/IMG_0287.JPG" height="266" width="400" /></a></div>
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This is a GAWjuss cut of silk charmeuse - a remnant that I have less than a yard of, 54" wide. One of my sewing groups recently had a little brain-storming session where people brought fabrics that had them stumped as to what to create with them. My wonderfully creative friends came up with JUST the thing for this piece. Stay tuned for the solution... (what do you think you would do with it?)</div>
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Meanwhile, Happy Creating!</div>
Unknownnoreply@blogger.com20tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4222007135907343863.post-88787824922497404882014-07-31T00:29:00.000-07:002014-07-31T10:10:19.286-07:00Urban Burp and the Vintage Chenille<span style="font-family: inherit;"><a href="http://www.urbanburp.com/" target="_blank">Urban Burp</a>. How can you not be totally intrigued by a store called Urban Burp??? Yes, it's real, and yes, it is indeed intriguing! Especially if you love vintage fabrics (the real stuff, or the wannabe home deco stuff). <span style="background-color: white; line-height: 24px;"> </span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">Electra Skilandat, the owner, says this about the name: The fabric will produce "an 'emotional burp' of recognition because, inevitably, it was used in a curtain or couch in a family home and carries a wealth of memory. All that emotion has been shoved down into the lower chakras and all of a sudden it takes one piece of fabric to bring you back to that place." <span style="background-color: transparent;">How charming is that?</span> And of course, any store owner who references chakras has my attention already ;-)</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">Urban Burp used to have a store front in San Francisco, near the legendary <a href="http://www.citylights.com/" target="_blank">City Lights</a> bookstore. Rising rents forced them out, and they moved in to a warehouse in Point Richmond, not that far from my house (how thoughtful of them!) I didn't really frequent them a lot, because most of the fabrics are home dec, not to mention pricey for the real stuff! But they had a moving sale a few months ago, which </span><span style="font-family: inherit;">I HAD to go check out, of course. I'm pretty sure I went a tad bit over budget, which was really zero, but hey...you know how it is with fabric..., and of course there were a few pieces I just couldn't resist...</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">I think this one is a newer fabric, but I love the retro look and colors.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">I may use it as cushion covers and machine covers in my sewing room.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">Maybe.</span></div>
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-So8x7TC2VSs/U9iI1TNgE4I/AAAAAAAAHx8/6ACPDk5gxjA/s1600/IMG_0187.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-So8x7TC2VSs/U9iI1TNgE4I/AAAAAAAAHx8/6ACPDk5gxjA/s1600/IMG_0187.JPG" height="266" width="400" /></a></div>
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This is a linen gauze from the 60's. </div>
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No CLUE what I'm going to do with it, but something made me adopt it anyway...</div>
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-QZUo_AhElsI/U9iI2ZFyxKI/AAAAAAAAHyI/ZC-JAcCXgg8/s1600/IMG_0189.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-QZUo_AhElsI/U9iI2ZFyxKI/AAAAAAAAHyI/ZC-JAcCXgg8/s1600/IMG_0189.JPG" height="266" width="400" /></a></div>
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A few smaller mid-century sample cuts that I just couldn't resist-</div>
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Memories of Melmac (remember Melmac???):</div>
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-O-kvBRynD6E/U9iIy7QBHFI/AAAAAAAAHx0/DqvFTKVf4sM/s1600/IMG_0185.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-O-kvBRynD6E/U9iIy7QBHFI/AAAAAAAAHx0/DqvFTKVf4sM/s1600/IMG_0185.JPG" height="266" width="400" /></a></div>
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SO Hawaiian:</div>
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-nJxnnOr6AGU/U9iIy-U9J9I/AAAAAAAAHxw/AIysQnoaX4g/s1600/IMG_0184.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-nJxnnOr6AGU/U9iIy-U9J9I/AAAAAAAAHxw/AIysQnoaX4g/s1600/IMG_0184.JPG" height="266" width="400" /></a></div>
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And my favorite fave - oh how I wish they'd had a bigger cut of this!</div>
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Oh yes, and the referenced Chenille Bedspread! (twin size):</div>
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-lEsIu7kzWGU/U9HjjJN_SnI/AAAAAAAAHwg/EQvOJGLvc0g/s1600/IMG_3997.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-lEsIu7kzWGU/U9HjjJN_SnI/AAAAAAAAHwg/EQvOJGLvc0g/s1600/IMG_3997.JPG" height="400" width="300" /></a></div>
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-4zvqwr7iM-I/U9Hjjs2VtyI/AAAAAAAAHyg/ZCoF0AbugLQ/s1600/IMG_3998.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-4zvqwr7iM-I/U9Hjjs2VtyI/AAAAAAAAHyg/ZCoF0AbugLQ/s1600/IMG_3998.JPG" height="376" width="400" /></a></div>
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<div style="text-align: left;">
I knew immediately that this spread wanted to be on my body as a robe! It has served its time as a bedspread, proven by the worn - almost threadbare in spots - body of the fabric. The chenille was still in excellent shape though. The color wasn't going to work for me - sort of a sickly, faded pale yellow, so off to <a href="http://www.dharmatrading.com/" target="_blank">Dharma Trading</a> I went, and came home with a Wedgewood Blue Dharma Trading Fiber Reactive Dye. It was perfect. :)</div>
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Being a vintage bedspread, of course it needed a vintage pattern, and I had just the thing in stash, I think from a pile of patterns that was given to me by a friend who helped clear out the estate of a sweet lil ole lady sewing (don't you just love those sorts of estates?)</div>
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-BGASPc3TpC8/U9HjjN8Y0DI/AAAAAAAAHwc/35d9wQTXZak/s1600/IMG_0160.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-BGASPc3TpC8/U9HjjN8Y0DI/AAAAAAAAHwc/35d9wQTXZak/s1600/IMG_0160.JPG" height="400" width="266" /></a></div>
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I laid the bedspread out on the kitchen floor & played with one of my favorite challenges - trying to fit pattern pieces on a patterned fabric in an attempt to match up all of the bits. I did it, but just barely!</div>
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The finished robe, just right for transitional fall/spring coolness:<br />
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Because of the thin, worn areas, it really needed a lining, </div>
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and I found just the thing at Stonemountain and Daughter :)</div>
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It's a nice soft cotton, yummy against the skin - can't say the same for the chenille, which </div>
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had that vintage cotton rough feel to it (I do like my fabric to feel really nice against the skin)</div>
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I tried and tried to like some of vintage stash buttons with this,</div>
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but I just didn't have anything that worked.</div>
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I got these cheapies at JoAnn's, but I'll be keeping an eye open for something I like better.</div>
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Because, well, Buttons!</div>
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Cuddling up in just-right-warmth :)</div>
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Do not look at the little stain in front.</div>
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Don't look, I said!</div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">(It's egg yolk - it will wash out!)</td></tr>
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Do you love vintage fabrics, even though, like me, you don't really make vintage clothes? Although I do totally love some of the features of vintage clothing, collars especially. By vintage I mean 30's and 40's, NOT 60's and 70's! I mean really, hello? Vintage is BEFORE I was born, not AFTER! Right? Although I do swoon over some (some) of the mid-century designs in fabric and furnishings, but clothing? Not so much...<br />
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While we're on the subject, I see that Urban Burp will have a booth at the Alameda Antiques by the Bay this Sunday, August 3. I <i>could</i> be maybe possibly talked in to a little visit there, if anyone is interested.... just tossing it out there...Unknownnoreply@blogger.com13tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4222007135907343863.post-7455069293752251672014-07-29T22:08:00.000-07:002014-07-30T13:35:22.474-07:00I. Love. This. Shirt.It isn't that there's anything super fancy or outrageously unusual about it...well, not by my standards, anyway. It's just unique enough to stand on its own nicely. The seaming, hemline and collar are just different enough to stand out. I don't really know just what it is, but I'm not alone in loving. this. shirt! It took me long enough - the pattern's been in my stash for several years, but when I finally made it up I really got the popularity of it!<br />
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It's the Sewing Workshop's Liberty Shirt. It's been around for ages, and has been raved about by numerous people who like the same sort of clothes that I do. (and some whose taste is completely different than mine, as well!) People made it and loved it and made it again when it first came out (before my time!), and they're STILL making it and loving it and making it again! There's just something about it. The collar looks good worn up or down or lopsided. The seaming and topstitching can be underplayed or fancy-stitched. The cut of the hemline is flattering on a number of different figure types. It's just funky enough to funk up even more, or it can showcase an elegant fabric and go out on the town. It can be a shirt or a jacket. It can be be conservative or ... not.<br />
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Yup. I love. this. shirt! <br />
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I used up some more of my Batik Butik fabric (I think it manages to reproduce in the back of its stash drawer - you just don't know what happens back there sometimes!), and mixed it up a bit with a rayon polka dot that paired nicely with the ginkgo leaves.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi2aVeeKCXU5YFbpK7_2UebFzksu35THwqqubBvnS2gY1ehXhbFXDFrl5SQfWE3W6f5GVX3HMHrAFMTiR0Zl5a1GPbXJNrE_x5dGIHCvGNBjdnLugvDvyHNOqssGW83gfYh6siXBNyQrZDv/s1600/IMG_0106.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi2aVeeKCXU5YFbpK7_2UebFzksu35THwqqubBvnS2gY1ehXhbFXDFrl5SQfWE3W6f5GVX3HMHrAFMTiR0Zl5a1GPbXJNrE_x5dGIHCvGNBjdnLugvDvyHNOqssGW83gfYh6siXBNyQrZDv/s1600/IMG_0106.jpg" height="400" width="266" /></a></div>
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The pattern description says this: "Shirt or jacket has diagonal side seams angled to the front, soft stand-up collar, and set-in sleeves with vent openings. Asymmetric front and back deep hems with mitered corners. Front topstitching detail and five-button closure." The line drawing leaves a bit to the imagination as far as the look of the finished piece, but the illustration is pretty close:<br />
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-xtqh4j-pb5s/U9h0hetttpI/AAAAAAAAHxI/eaklFAAhRlU/s1600/Liberty_Shirt_.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-xtqh4j-pb5s/U9h0hetttpI/AAAAAAAAHxI/eaklFAAhRlU/s1600/Liberty_Shirt_.jpg" height="400" width="400" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgvLA_HwDj3qVh-pT3eQbQ-2zk2CuDJ77mgBdQRZOW26tmymE31Dgc9linWEQjCF2cdCATSBKorKKr5s1W6e7BoJYtY5ghBEoNyfb6e_PvDwYcb8KVga5Q0VH-aJb73RrlzbZ5hg8dA5uld/s1600/liberty-shirtline.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgvLA_HwDj3qVh-pT3eQbQ-2zk2CuDJ77mgBdQRZOW26tmymE31Dgc9linWEQjCF2cdCATSBKorKKr5s1W6e7BoJYtY5ghBEoNyfb6e_PvDwYcb8KVga5Q0VH-aJb73RrlzbZ5hg8dA5uld/s1600/liberty-shirtline.jpg" height="400" width="400" /></a></div>
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Here's the collar with the lapel folded out:</div>
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Buttoned up to the top:</div>
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Side view, with a good sense of the uneven hemline:</div>
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Par to the course for SW patterns, the measurements put me partly in a Medium, partly in a Small, and I cut an XSmall, which was a pretty good fit (with a narrow shoulder adjustment; normal for me).<br />
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Bear with me as I catch up on the last 7 months of sewing, because I don't remember a lot of the construction details! What I do remember about this one is that the instructions are excellent (as with most SW patterns), and it went together very smoothly and easily.<br />
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Will I make this one again? You betcha! Thumbs way up :)Unknownnoreply@blogger.com33tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4222007135907343863.post-59499142673438640122014-07-24T21:54:00.002-07:002014-07-24T23:06:59.693-07:00Making it Work! Skirt. Transformed.<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-vJ2PvjEuk_s/U9Hi3VJIO2I/AAAAAAAAHvg/e5beonSj8Y8/s1600/IMG_0150.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-vJ2PvjEuk_s/U9Hi3VJIO2I/AAAAAAAAHvg/e5beonSj8Y8/s1600/IMG_0150.jpg" height="320" width="309" /></a></div>
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I loved it. I really did. But.... it didn't love me. I'm talking about the Koos Skirt, <b><a href="http://jillybejoyful.blogspot.com/2013/12/a-gypsy-skirt-koos-vogue-2971.html" target="_blank">Vogue 2971, blogged about here</a>. </b>I loved (and still do!) the fabric, the colors, the combination, the design, the downright FUN-ness of it all! But.....it didn't love me.<br />
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In spite of the fact that I had cut 4" off the length, all that fabric flowing around my ankles just did NOT work in activities like walking up & down stairs, and the bell-shape at the hemline kept getting caught in shoes, and in the end it was just all too much.<br />
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Packing for a hot summer get-away, I needed something that would help me beat the heat - like a sundress. So while playing with what I had, I pulled this skirt over my boobs and said to self, "AHA!!!! It's not a skirt, it's a sundress!!!" It did need straps though, both to make it bra-friendly and to keep it secure (something I can't really rely on B-cup boobs to do)<br />
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A quick draft of something in between a sleeveless top and straps should be an easy fix, she says to self....<br />
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Did I mention that I put a completely unnecessary zipper in the skirt? Sandwiched between two layers of fabric and sewn in VERY sturdily? I thought I could just leave the zip in place, but that would be a little too shoddy, so out came the ripper. A couple of hours of ripping & resewing the seam, an hour or so of drafting the top, some head-scratching time of trying out just how to attach the new top neatly, some adjustments here & there, and a couple of days later (well, that's what it SEEMED like) I finally had a piece that has even MORE fun-ness than the skirt! <br />
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I wore it on my hot get-away, and again while delighting in some rare warm Bay Area weather the past few days, and I've been happily gathering the compliments. :) <br />
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SO comfy, and I'll get a lot more wear out of it as a dress</div>
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(as long as I can find some warm weather to hang out in!)</div>
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-3lUMuooKQ8Q/U8uJ4YXIkdI/AAAAAAAAHtU/yBDnYjqdHCc/s1600/IMG_0144.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-3lUMuooKQ8Q/U8uJ4YXIkdI/AAAAAAAAHtU/yBDnYjqdHCc/s1600/IMG_0144.jpg" height="400" width="266" /></a></div>
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Showcasing the FUN-ness :)</div>
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-PJLStHMg3dc/U8uJ74lOZhI/AAAAAAAAHts/VGIRtqTOWKU/s1600/IMG_0145.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-PJLStHMg3dc/U8uJ74lOZhI/AAAAAAAAHts/VGIRtqTOWKU/s1600/IMG_0145.jpg" height="400" width="266" /></a></div>
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Which is ready-made for twirling :)</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhYjscsfF5gXihDh9S_Mh0_0X3KOWyvvUQHtfsHP5KK8Bq9tOiPwJKPUfATTc7CD_qDGw1PbRnOmMBPRkw8iTWUlPQxXKU6RZzaezpTEY3wppuvxNVJpvihy7n9Er8O-j_f5xEh4ZbVhPb4/s1600/IMG_0162.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhYjscsfF5gXihDh9S_Mh0_0X3KOWyvvUQHtfsHP5KK8Bq9tOiPwJKPUfATTc7CD_qDGw1PbRnOmMBPRkw8iTWUlPQxXKU6RZzaezpTEY3wppuvxNVJpvihy7n9Er8O-j_f5xEh4ZbVhPb4/s1600/IMG_0162.jpg" height="400" width="266" /></a></div>
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I had more of the Batik Boutique fabric, which was perfect for the straps:</div>
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-BPseBTcW-5U/U9HeMKQ4maI/AAAAAAAAHu0/VcjobgHyPRg/s1600/IMG_0168.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-BPseBTcW-5U/U9HeMKQ4maI/AAAAAAAAHu0/VcjobgHyPRg/s1600/IMG_0168.jpg" height="400" width="266" /></a></div>
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I was even able to sort of match the top to the skirt, </div>
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so that the pattern flowed as if I meant to do it that way from the beginning ;-)</div>
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And, just for fun: </div>
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The above was a shot taken at my friends' import & art store, Shiva Moon, in Nevada City (the heat wave destination). They don't have a website (Hey, Jagdish & Simone, Why NOT????), but do visit their wonderfully eclectic store on Main Street if you're up in Nevada City :)<br />
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Here's to transformations and Making It Work!<br />
<br />Unknownnoreply@blogger.com36tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4222007135907343863.post-42126964607091312762014-07-17T23:40:00.001-07:002014-07-20T23:00:41.317-07:00Wool Gauze, Silk Screening, and a Really Long Vest.One of the reasons I sew is for the ability to create one-of-a-kind, "it's so ME" garments. My own sense of "this is ME" style has evolved since I started sewing (and is still evolving!)...but that's really another post. If you've followed my blog for any length of time, you know that one of the ways I make a garment uniquely me is by adding little (and sometimes not so little) embellishments, including silk screening.<br />
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I love love LOVE <a href="http://www.marcytilton.com/index.php?cid=92" target="_blank"><b>Marcy Tilton's silk screens</b></a>, and I'm slowly adding to my collection of her wonderfilled, creative pieces.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-skhwSbIYORo/U8itiEb3w4I/AAAAAAAAHo8/E_qP0yDni0U/s1600/IMG_0130.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-skhwSbIYORo/U8itiEb3w4I/AAAAAAAAHo8/E_qP0yDni0U/s1600/IMG_0130.JPG" height="400" width="266" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">Marcy Tilton's "Chi" - one of my faves!</span></td></tr>
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My process in embellishing a garment often goes something like this:<br />
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1. Choose pattern & fabric & make garment (this is really 12 or 17 or 39 steps, not including all of the actually sewing steps, but we're only talking embellishment here...)<br />
2. Realize that it needs a little something extra.<br />
3. Think about options and play with them (buttons? Fabric pieces? Painting? Silk Screen? Hardware? Something totally off the wall?)<br />
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Unless a garment is a super simple, straightforward, no changes other than fit piece, (like, say, a simple pair of knit pants) I have an utter INability to visualize the finished piece before I start. I do admire people who can do that, but it ain't me! It's the same with decorating my home, getting dressed to go out, even planning my day. I just don't have the gene that allows me to be that organized with my planning, and I've accepted the fact that I'm just a go-with-the-flow kinda gal. I am, however, very punctual, and if I make a promise to do something or be somewhere, I'll do it and be there! I just don't make promises I can't keep ;-)<br />
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But - let's get back to the juicy stuff - the garment! Sandra Betzina's vest, Vogue 1375. <br />
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-n1AAhztAFyg/U8hbtYdF9II/AAAAAAAAHog/DwRyWy9rozE/s1600/V1375.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-n1AAhztAFyg/U8hbtYdF9II/AAAAAAAAHog/DwRyWy9rozE/s1600/V1375.jpg" height="320" width="303" /></a></div>
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I saw Sandra's vest in person when she presented at PR Weekend San Francisco, and fell thoroughly in love with the fabric she used - a wool gauze from <a href="http://www.stonemountainfabric.com/" target="_blank"><b>Stonemountain and Daughter</b></a>. I loved the fabric so much that I hightailed it to Stonemountain <i>first</i> thing the following morning (ensuring that I would beat any other PR fabricaholics) and bought <i>ALL</i> they had - which wasn't really <i>that</i> much, really it wasn't.... To my credit, I did share the yardage with 2 other friends - 'cause in the end, that's how I roll ;-)<br />
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I also liked the striped edging Sandra used, and I happened to have something similar in my stash (Oh, how I love shopping my stash!!!) What I did NOT like about her version was the shoulder edging. I call it the "gladiator look", and even with my narrow shoulders, it's just not for me. True to form (see paragraph above), I made up everything else before deciding on how I was going to deal with the armscye edging.<br />
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I made Version A in a size B. Note the pleating and the asymmetric hemline on A - Version B is a simpler design.<br />
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-Z4kDZfZaMYw/U8izDFbEZvI/AAAAAAAAHpc/xyHVITxLqK8/s1600/V1375.gif" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-Z4kDZfZaMYw/U8izDFbEZvI/AAAAAAAAHpc/xyHVITxLqK8/s1600/V1375.gif" height="264" width="640" /></a></div>
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Here's my finished pleating:<br />
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-d8hjdGkqqik/U8XVRN1NH6I/AAAAAAAAHm0/6nACrVJFGrQ/s1600/IMG_0118.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-d8hjdGkqqik/U8XVRN1NH6I/AAAAAAAAHm0/6nACrVJFGrQ/s1600/IMG_0118.jpg" height="400" width="266" /></a></div>
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Both of my fabrics were VERY fray-prone! Adding stabilizer at the armscye was crucial in this fabric, and probably a good idea no matter what fabric you use.<br />
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-3AhNe97dlr0/U8XVV8fNhhI/AAAAAAAAHn4/WUTKv8OasZ0/s1600/IMG_4004.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-3AhNe97dlr0/U8XVV8fNhhI/AAAAAAAAHn4/WUTKv8OasZ0/s1600/IMG_4004.JPG" height="300" width="400" /></a></div>
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Once everything else was constructed, I decided to use the selvedge of the edging fabric for the armhole edging:<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiYUW5oL8npU7Fj8cJSSdwyFJf0quSm-pyC6mwsxQ2Ql_5dy7LKAlHEsaFwavQ1dQ7BI_XFk4sxabILV2ZcrvL6s8h82MT900FuE2iukg1SdkFHg-KuGGNoo8sAEkU-fi5SznuzzX78OroB/s1600/IMG_0131.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiYUW5oL8npU7Fj8cJSSdwyFJf0quSm-pyC6mwsxQ2Ql_5dy7LKAlHEsaFwavQ1dQ7BI_XFk4sxabILV2ZcrvL6s8h82MT900FuE2iukg1SdkFHg-KuGGNoo8sAEkU-fi5SznuzzX78OroB/s1600/IMG_0131.JPG" height="266" width="400" /></a></div>
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After that, it was time to play with the silk screening! I had already made some test prints on my fabric (which is what I usually do) I placed the test pieces on various spots of the garment until I had the placement I wanted, and then plunged in and printed directly on the finished piece. Some people think this is bold and a little crazy, and I have indeed made some "mistakes", but as with anything in sewing, my attitude is that almost ANYthing can be turned into a creative opportunity, and I just pretend that I <i>meant</i> to do that (I learned that trick from my cats...if you've lived with cats, you know exactly what I mean!)</div>
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-2Ele37nuiXw/U8i8jHxtTNI/AAAAAAAAHqU/N5Yr3cHw4W8/s1600/stumble.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-2Ele37nuiXw/U8i8jHxtTNI/AAAAAAAAHqU/N5Yr3cHw4W8/s1600/stumble.jpeg" height="175" width="400" /></a></div>
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The finished piece is fun, and I'm definitely finding places to wear it!</div>
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-JqhFy7qQ3AU/U8XVT3Me4iI/AAAAAAAAHn0/inOpbEn8SSE/s1600/IMG_0121.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-JqhFy7qQ3AU/U8XVT3Me4iI/AAAAAAAAHn0/inOpbEn8SSE/s1600/IMG_0121.jpg" height="320" width="213" /></a></div>
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-AlnskZa2a-0/U8XVTuDBxqI/AAAAAAAAHnQ/mCWhUU4Eh5g/s1600/IMG_0122.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-AlnskZa2a-0/U8XVTuDBxqI/AAAAAAAAHnQ/mCWhUU4Eh5g/s1600/IMG_0122.jpg" height="400" width="266" /></a></div>
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You can see how sheer the wool gauze is here:</div>
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Q9ISF2oRib0/U8XVRbfgs_I/AAAAAAAAHm4/udHd7E9PsEI/s1600/IMG_0119.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Q9ISF2oRib0/U8XVRbfgs_I/AAAAAAAAHm4/udHd7E9PsEI/s1600/IMG_0119.jpg" height="400" width="266" /></a></div>
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I used Marcy's "Riffle" silk screen on the front:</div>
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-7QqE4Gvrt2c/U8XVTexxWuI/AAAAAAAAHnE/NLUPsj-OHlU/s1600/IMG_0120.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-7QqE4Gvrt2c/U8XVTexxWuI/AAAAAAAAHnE/NLUPsj-OHlU/s1600/IMG_0120.jpg" height="400" width="266" /></a></div>
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Oh! I almost forgot to mention! <a href="http://www.powersewing.com/" target="_blank">Sandra B</a> was at the recent <a href="http://www.britexfabrics.com/" target="_blank"><b>Britex</b></a> event where some of our favorite bloggers presented some short but fabulous talks! I was wearing this vest, and Sandra zipped up to me during a break to see if it was her pattern or "a really good copy". She's always a hoot, and one of our local treasures :). I was delighted that she got to see my version!</div>
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I know I've asked this before, but I'm always curious to hear what folks have to say... what is your process in getting to the final version of a garment? Are you able to see the finished piece in your mind before you start? Or do you stumble merrily along and let it evolve as you play with the garment? Or maybe some other approach?</div>
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Happy Creating!</div>
Unknownnoreply@blogger.com34tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4222007135907343863.post-9835230587098095292014-07-15T16:46:00.003-07:002014-07-18T18:07:11.961-07:00Linen! I Love Me Some Linen!<span style="font-family: inherit;">Pre-Post Paragraph - A big, yummy, heart-felt </span><span style="color: red; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><b><i>THANK YOU</i></b></span><span style="font-family: inherit;"> to everyone for the warm welcomes in my previous post - y'all loaded me up with lovingness to spare. :) Your comments really warmed up the cockles of my heart! What a great reminder of why I appreciate this whole community of delightful sewistas so much! </span><br />
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-_0wMKUInZbs/U8W6UgwNrAI/AAAAAAAAHl4/d2Ndsvm2xfk/s1600/heartcockles.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-_0wMKUInZbs/U8W6UgwNrAI/AAAAAAAAHl4/d2Ndsvm2xfk/s1600/heartcockles.jpg" height="320" width="247" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">And now, on to my most recent make! (</span>In my effort to catch up on all of the belated blog posts, I decided to start from the most recent and work backwards. My brain just wraps around that concept better than starting from way back when - somehow this seems less overwhelming, and makes sense to me...) <br />
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">Linen...the super soft, yummy-like-butter, tightly woven (and usually pricey!) sort of linen is one of my favorite fabrics, both to wear and to work with (yes, wrinkles and all!). I also happen to love lilies, so when a pattern calls itself the </span><b style="font-family: inherit;">"<a href="http://www.tessuti-shop.com/products/lily-linen-dress-pattern" target="_blank">Tesutti Lily Linen Dress</a>"</b><span style="font-family: inherit;">, how could I possibly resist???</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">The description is apt: "<span style="background-color: white; color: #666666; line-height: 19.200000762939453px;">very figure flattering, comfortable and cool to wear and can be dressed up or down" </span><span style="background-color: white; color: #666666; line-height: 19.200000762939453px;">It's a simple shift, but the shoulder shaping, curve along the sides, unique twist and angle of the pockets, and the pleating along the bottom hem all take it that step above and make it special.</span></span><br />
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<span style="background-color: white; color: #666666; line-height: 19.200000762939453px;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Although the pattern describes itself for intermediate or advanced sewers, it's really a pretty quick and easy make. The pockets have some tricky bits, but there is a <a href="http://tessuti.blogspot.com.au/2012/11/step-by-step-lily-linen-dress-pocket.html" target="_blank"><b>tips section on the Tesutti blog</b></a> that walks you through the process very nicely. </span></span><br />
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<span style="background-color: white; color: #666666; line-height: 19.200000762939453px;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">The fabric was a gift from one of my sewing group fabric swatch/show & tell gatherings. (And allow me to take a moment to give major thanks that I live in an area that allows me to be part of several amazingly awesome sewing groups! SO grateful for that!) I cut a Small, straight off the pattern (no muslin, no adjustments - that was brave & trusting for me, especially since my fabric was irreplaceable!) I was, however, just a little short on fabric, and in spite of shortening the skirt by 2", and the sleeves by another 2", this happened (in two spots, since I cut the fabric on the fold):</span></span><br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgrH0xhVpzRur4Yc3vSxk6tMfJoRUoGVk6QNeSdlsBM5WV0gvBW0ECsY5AXi6cunV2_WiMxjbCJCMGu4lAjRtNKocMwFcBd9Bd_Cclyi39jzSmYoh5DitxpjZ2znBxLJ25eEVCpYJuFhNN-/s1600/IMG_0077.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgrH0xhVpzRur4Yc3vSxk6tMfJoRUoGVk6QNeSdlsBM5WV0gvBW0ECsY5AXi6cunV2_WiMxjbCJCMGu4lAjRtNKocMwFcBd9Bd_Cclyi39jzSmYoh5DitxpjZ2znBxLJ25eEVCpYJuFhNN-/s1600/IMG_0077.JPG" height="266" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;">Oops.</span></td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">I debated as to shortening it by another inch or repairing it, and decided to go with the repair.</span><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-haEEDECMZ2I/U8RsVb9YtfI/AAAAAAAAHlg/QZaxQqM_ZIY/s1600/IMG_0129.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-haEEDECMZ2I/U8RsVb9YtfI/AAAAAAAAHlg/QZaxQqM_ZIY/s1600/IMG_0129.JPG" height="266" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;">Not too noticeable :)</span></td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;"> It's sooooo comfy to wear!</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">Yeah, wrinkles and all. I had been wearing it all day when this pic was taken.</span></div>
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-DXdwrscMcyI/U8nEF2cKzSI/AAAAAAAAHq4/sOGnNwhmEpE/s1600/IMG_0138.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-DXdwrscMcyI/U8nEF2cKzSI/AAAAAAAAHq4/sOGnNwhmEpE/s1600/IMG_0138.jpg" height="400" width="266" /></a></div>
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-sb4BtkYZMvg/U8nEFyoA-OI/AAAAAAAAHq8/tIEyYhIz22I/s1600/IMG_0136.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-sb4BtkYZMvg/U8nEFyoA-OI/AAAAAAAAHq8/tIEyYhIz22I/s1600/IMG_0136.jpg" height="400" width="266" /></a></div>
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The only fit issue I had was in the armscye. I didn't even realize until I had the sleeves set in that the cap sits over the shoulder, with the seam being much closer to the neck than most patterns - the dress is actually designed this way. </div>
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I just had a brain fart when I tried it on for fit before setting the sleeves in. </div>
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That happens. (You've had it happen too, right? Say "Yes.")</div>
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I do like the look of the sleeve caps, but need to make some adjustments in the front of the armscye for a really comfy fit. </div>
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The cut is perfect as is for me for a sleeveless dress, and the pattern does lend itself well to a sleeveless option.</div>
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-sEXkrvZFZQU/U8RsVONCUDI/AAAAAAAAHlU/QbuXuMAgK6E/s1600/IMG_0126.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-sEXkrvZFZQU/U8RsVONCUDI/AAAAAAAAHlU/QbuXuMAgK6E/s1600/IMG_0126.jpg" height="400" width="266" /></a></div>
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Here is the pleating at the hemline - four sections of gathers. Subtle, but JUST the right amount to make a nice line.</div>
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-MbxcmTnjIrY/U8RsVi2Vq7I/AAAAAAAAHlk/4qLJBdx3OEo/s1600/IMG_0128.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-MbxcmTnjIrY/U8RsVi2Vq7I/AAAAAAAAHlk/4qLJBdx3OEo/s1600/IMG_0128.JPG" height="266" width="400" /></a></div>
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Showing the unusual twist in the pocket detailing:</div>
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-x27QP0ouxSc/U8RjvNGiSVI/AAAAAAAAHk8/x7cpwEGLHnw/s1600/IMG_0105.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-x27QP0ouxSc/U8RjvNGiSVI/AAAAAAAAHk8/x7cpwEGLHnw/s1600/IMG_0105.jpg" height="320" width="213" /></a></div>
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The fabric, and the design, allow for a bit of lovely movement:</div>
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-Mvtjnhqg5TI/U8RjtLcJ3TI/AAAAAAAAHko/TbeGGsUw96o/s1600/IMG_0096.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-Mvtjnhqg5TI/U8RjtLcJ3TI/AAAAAAAAHko/TbeGGsUw96o/s1600/IMG_0096.jpg" height="400" width="266" /></a></div>
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<span style="background-color: white; color: #666666; line-height: 19.200000762939453px;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></span>
I'm really liking this pattern! Linen is the perfect fabric for it, but a nice cotton with just the right combo of drape and crispness, or a cotton-linen blend, would also be fabulous. It's very well-drafted, and the instructions are detailed and easy to follow. You can download it ($10) or get a paper version ($25) - mine is from the download so I don't know what the pattern paper is like.<br />
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Bottom Line: Thumbs way up!<br />
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Unknownnoreply@blogger.com29tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4222007135907343863.post-75922825147351463422014-07-14T13:31:00.000-07:002014-07-14T19:35:57.282-07:00A Partially Personal Post (and a welcome back to me!)<br />
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Oh my gosh where DOES one begin after over half a year's (!) absence from the blogosphere?<br />
Ummm......I'm back?!?<br />
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-4noWIRS6YRA/U8Q6RvzHK2I/AAAAAAAAHkE/6ND-58ghOno/s1600/wherewasi.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-4noWIRS6YRA/U8Q6RvzHK2I/AAAAAAAAHkE/6ND-58ghOno/s1600/wherewasi.jpg" height="240" width="320" /></a></div>
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It seems that Living Life got in the way of blogging about the Sewing Life, which has been rather minimal anyway. The bottom line is that life has mostly been about healing lately. Some mystery health "stuff" left me exhausted during the first few months of the year. Having been "uninsurable"my entire adult life due to a pre-existing "condition", coupled with some rather negative experiences with AMA type medicine in my early 20's, I really haven't been used to seeing western doctors for anything that couldn't be taken care by "alternative" methods, diet, and self-care.<br />
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It finally became evident that whatever was going on was going to take more than that. To the rescue....Obamacare! Politics aside, I ended up being one of those people who has benefitted BIG time from the new insurance laws! Thank you O for (quite literally) saving my life (along with my tangible assets) Forever grateful... And I am on the path to healing :)<br />
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I've also lost some weight (I hope those pounds were found in a new home where they're appreciated), so I have a bit of clothes altering to catch up on, along with the <i>need</i> (and we do all know that yes, of COURSE it's a NEED!) to sew new clothes!<br />
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I am grateful<br />
I am blessed<br />
I am joyful<br />
and.......<br />
I have so many blog posts to catch up on! I have been sewing a bit, so here's a tiny taste of what's upcoming (and yes, I do promise that catch-up posts really will be happening!):<br />
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Here's to being surrounded by an abundance of healing angels, good health insurance, and the energy to SEW! Unknownnoreply@blogger.com42tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4222007135907343863.post-81808429837124190592013-12-31T19:29:00.002-08:002013-12-31T22:57:40.434-08:0011 Months of 2013<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
I hadn't intended a yearly wrap-up this year, but I've really been enjoying reading the wrap-ups around blogland, and when I saw <a href="http://handmadebycarolyn.blogspot.com.au/2013/12/2013-retrospective.html" target="_blank">Caroline's version</a> of a fave from each month, it spoke to me, so here are my monthly faves for 2013:</div>
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<a href="http://jillybejoyful.blogspot.com/2013/01/my-not-so-little-not-so-black-dress.html" target="_blank">January - The Dress!</a></div>
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(and, of course, The Pose!)</div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-XB_xntFNpKw/UO92KrM6VGI/AAAAAAAAFWA/FwFZPLYp8qE/s1600/IMG_2366_3.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-XB_xntFNpKw/UO92KrM6VGI/AAAAAAAAFWA/FwFZPLYp8qE/s400/IMG_2366_3.JPG" width="300" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Lynn Mizono - Vogue 1312</td></tr>
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<a href="http://jillybejoyful.blogspot.com/2013/02/jalie-vs-jilly-jeans-that-is.html" target="_blank">February - Jilly Jeans</a></div>
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Note: The Jilly Jeans are on the left, and look MUCH better now,</div>
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after a few months of wearing & shrinking and staining and....you know,<br />
the stuff that jeans are supposed to do. :)</div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://http//jillybejoyful.blogspot.com/2013/02/jalie-vs-jilly-jeans-that-is.html" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" target="”_blank”"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-Iv8M5Vbcr_4/USqCGcQkumI/AAAAAAAAFl0/h7_44gKXrb0/s400/JeansFront.jpg" width="300" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Style Arc Jilly Jeans</td></tr>
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<a href="http://jillybejoyful.blogspot.com/2013/04/babys-birthday-book.html" target="_blank">March: Baby's Birthday Book!</a></div>
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A labor of (LOTS of) love :)</div>
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-OfeuArHjjjg/UViKkn3jN6I/AAAAAAAAF24/IGCdjR_PKLY/s1600/IMG_2756.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="247" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-OfeuArHjjjg/UViKkn3jN6I/AAAAAAAAF24/IGCdjR_PKLY/s400/IMG_2756.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
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<a href="http://jillybejoyful.blogspot.com/2013/04/tilton-top-2-and-vintage-kimono.html" target="_blank">April had a lot of wonderfulness, but I really like </a></div>
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<a href="http://jillybejoyful.blogspot.com/2013/04/tilton-top-2-and-vintage-kimono.html" target="_blank">(and get a LOT of wear from) both of my Marcy Tilton jackets :)</a></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-X0-s00nTMb4/UV-DDlkz1XI/AAAAAAAAGAE/3vK3g587HwI/s1600/marcy+8088.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" target="”_blank”"><img border="0" height="480" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-X0-s00nTMb4/UV-DDlkz1XI/AAAAAAAAGAE/3vK3g587HwI/s640/marcy+8088.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Marcy Tilton Vogue 8088</td></tr>
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<a href="http://jillybejoyful.blogspot.com/2013/05/nineteen-easy-pieces.html" target="_blank">May - Another Tilton, Katherine this time!</a></div>
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(My first of 2, and I have to say I like the second version equally as well)</div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiSQMsou42bG46cjD31OpZ3v7VQMJCu3xCtZ9JQc-x_Z06sI66O3VHikLTqt60wBaiCYOaI45PX0uE6Kzxfx-Pqtq2IoqLd6p60J8iTqzQfGFQ_lhu_hh5Jrm84rOPYgn2ZWWBnYaGUHpiH/s1600/k+tilton+dress2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" target="”_blank”"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiSQMsou42bG46cjD31OpZ3v7VQMJCu3xCtZ9JQc-x_Z06sI66O3VHikLTqt60wBaiCYOaI45PX0uE6Kzxfx-Pqtq2IoqLd6p60J8iTqzQfGFQ_lhu_hh5Jrm84rOPYgn2ZWWBnYaGUHpiH/s400/k+tilton+dress2.jpg" width="300" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Katherine Tilton - Butterick 5881</td></tr>
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<a href="http://jillybejoyful.blogspot.com/2013/06/a-scarf-bag-and-graduation.html" target="_blank">June: This is my fave mainly because of the Wabi-Sabi Workshop I took,</a> </div>
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<a href="http://jillybejoyful.blogspot.com/2013/06/a-scarf-bag-and-graduation.html" target="_blank">which taught me how to do this fabulous technique!</a></div>
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<a href="http://jillybejoyful.blogspot.com/2013/07/the-sisters-tilton-and-their-fabulous.html" target="_blank">July: My fave because the Tilton Sisters Craftsy Class I took</a></div>
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<a href="http://jillybejoyful.blogspot.com/2013/07/the-sisters-tilton-and-their-fabulous.html" target="_blank">taught me the confidence to get a good fit on every T-shirt pattern I've come across since!</a></div>
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Plus I happen to love this top ;-)</div>
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-UVPWlN3cq74/UdEetT53dkI/AAAAAAAAGq8/Xo7b_Dcik6w/s1600/IMG_3427.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;" target="”_blank”"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-UVPWlN3cq74/UdEetT53dkI/AAAAAAAAGq8/Xo7b_Dcik6w/s400/IMG_3427.JPG" width="300" /></a></div>
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<a href="http://jillybejoyful.blogspot.com/2013/09/look-ma-no-muslin.html" target="_blank">August was a wash, but</a></div>
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<a href="http://jillybejoyful.blogspot.com/2013/09/look-ma-no-muslin.html" target="_blank">September gave me yet another Tilton Fave!</a></div>
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(Honestly, I wasn't crazy about this one at first, but it's ended up getting</div>
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a LOT of wearing rotation!)</div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Katherine Tilton Vogue 8817</td></tr>
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<a href="http://jillybejoyful.blogspot.com/2013/10/my-asiancowboybetzina-duster.html" target="_blank">October - I had fun with this one!</a></div>
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<a href="http://jillybejoyful.blogspot.com/2013/10/my-asiancowboybetzina-duster.html" target="_blank">My Asian Cowboy version of Sandra Betzina's Duster</a></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-vad5eOq_dXk/UmiFfnmRpOI/AAAAAAAAHME/0VHGWXbaa4E/s1600/IMG_3744.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" target="”_blank”"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-vad5eOq_dXk/UmiFfnmRpOI/AAAAAAAAHME/0VHGWXbaa4E/s400/IMG_3744.JPG" width="276" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Sandra Betzina Vogue 1356</td></tr>
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<a href="http://jillybejoyful.blogspot.com/2013/11/tunic-love.html" target="_blank">November - Already getting a LOT of wear!</a></div>
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<a href="http://jillybejoyful.blogspot.com/2013/11/tunic-love.html" target="_blank">Love love love this one!</a></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEihXBa4ZJQ81HgD4zKO8QFPKyU5QlgwFlXnwxf3clVn9AlxWHPqq5ATZJLDEdgKe2NVNJssspVTgHY_Eo2_G3F0hE2tATHbCHHlcFOGGzaNREf-6agnXM9SWy0CnQSKP4RExgjCjrpCh6Sm/s1600/IMG_3807.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" target="”_blank”"><img border="0" height="360" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEihXBa4ZJQ81HgD4zKO8QFPKyU5QlgwFlXnwxf3clVn9AlxWHPqq5ATZJLDEdgKe2NVNJssspVTgHY_Eo2_G3F0hE2tATHbCHHlcFOGGzaNREf-6agnXM9SWy0CnQSKP4RExgjCjrpCh6Sm/s400/IMG_3807.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Vogue 8962</td></tr>
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<a href="http://jillybejoyful.blogspot.com/2013/12/a-gypsy-skirt-koos-vogue-2971.html" target="_blank">December - And the most recent make (except for Version #2, almost finished)</a></div>
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<a href="http://jillybejoyful.blogspot.com/2013/12/a-gypsy-skirt-koos-vogue-2971.html" target="_blank">Koos, Koos, Koos!</a></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-I6gvKA4XRfU/Ur9ePjHE6ZI/AAAAAAAAHbg/MILqGdRctvU/s1600/IMG_3943.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" target="”_blank”"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-I6gvKA4XRfU/Ur9ePjHE6ZI/AAAAAAAAHbg/MILqGdRctvU/s400/IMG_3943.JPG" width="300" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Koos Van den Akker Vogue 2971</td></tr>
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Clearly there's a lot of Tilton love this past year, with nearly all of my fave patterns coming out of Vogue, with a couple of self-drafted and a Style Arc tossed in. <br />
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<b><span style="color: blue;">Here's to a 2014 filled with an abundance of blessings for us all. I take a moment to thank each and every one of my blogland friends - posters and readers and commenters and sewists - you mean so much to me, and I really appreciate your presence in my life :)</span></b>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com27tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4222007135907343863.post-77370145455598429812013-12-28T16:50:00.001-08:002013-12-31T15:24:04.995-08:00A Gypsy Skirt! (Koos Vogue 2971)Over a month since my last post, yikes! I admit it, I really haven't been sewing much, until I got caught up in some holiday makes (which I was going to write about, but I <i>still</i> haven't seen some of the recipients so I can't post the pics yet...)<br />
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But that's OK, because I'm back in the sewing room, and I finished a selfish sewing project, which I LOVE!!!!<br />
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-mckwKrxVEZE/Ur9eKw2Fa_I/AAAAAAAAHbM/Zd0LKdzm0EM/s1600/IMG_3932.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-mckwKrxVEZE/Ur9eKw2Fa_I/AAAAAAAAHbM/Zd0LKdzm0EM/s400/IMG_3932.JPG" width="300" /></a></div>
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It's the now Out Of Print Koos Ven den Akker skirt and top pattern, Vogue 2971<br />
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-_2qAhCSGyhY/Ur9jsFTx2qI/AAAAAAAAHcU/HZQX8nBv4UU/s1600/V2971.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-_2qAhCSGyhY/Ur9jsFTx2qI/AAAAAAAAHcU/HZQX8nBv4UU/s320/V2971.jpg" width="303" /></a></div>
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I do love me some Koos - probably my all time favorite (and most worn!) make is my Koos Jacket, blogged <a href="http://jillybejoyful.blogspot.com/search/label/Koos%20V1277" target="_blank">here</a><br />
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-s-mU8Rdey0s/TxECk0SMyDI/AAAAAAAADRs/LbuIeZDVPB8/s1600/IMG_0658.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-s-mU8Rdey0s/TxECk0SMyDI/AAAAAAAADRs/LbuIeZDVPB8/s320/IMG_0658.JPG" width="240" /></a></div>
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His crazy fabric mixes and unusual shapes may not be everyone's cup of tea, but I think the man's a genius in the way he manages to put together mind-bogglingly unusual shapes and make it all work!<br />
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The shapes in this skirt definitely fall into the category of non-intuitive mind-benders. I did some head-scratching several times during the make, trying to figure out how it all went together, but it was a fun exercise from beginning to end, starting with choosing the fabrics to mix. <br />
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While playing at Fabrix with ReAnn during her recent visit, I found this unusual fabric, and thought it would be a perfect base for this skirt. I had no idea how much fabric the pattern called for, so I only got a yard (thankfully, the Fabrix cutter gave me a VERY generous yard - almost 1-1/2 yards, in fact....and I NEEDED it!) The pattern actually calls for 2-5/8 yards for the main body of the skirt, but with a bit of creative piecing, and cutting a couple of the pieces from a different fabric, I made it work. (:::whew:::!)<br />
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-hy8jjM3vBW8/Ur9eGLbSSnI/AAAAAAAAHak/tJ9u_qOQuJ4/s1600/IMG_3926.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-hy8jjM3vBW8/Ur9eGLbSSnI/AAAAAAAAHak/tJ9u_qOQuJ4/s320/IMG_3926.JPG" width="240" /></a></div>
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<b>Sizing</b>: The body measurements/sizing that Vogue calls for are ridiculous. Although my waist measurement of 30" calls for a size 16, I measured the waistband for a size 8 at 35" (not accounting for elastic 'shrinkage'), which seemed safe, given the fact that there is a zipper at center back and elastic in the rest of the waistband. Also, the yoke flares out a LOT right below the waistband. In the end, I could have gone down to a size 6 (the smallest size), and STILL would not have needed the zipper! I did install the zip, but the skirt slips over my hips without even needing to use it.<br />
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<b>Length:</b> Measuring the pattern pieces for length had the skirt brushing the floor with my short legs (surprise!), so I shortened it by 4". How lucky was I to discover that Sharon had already figured out the calculations for a 4" shortening, which she detailed on her blog post <a href="http://communingwithfabric.blogspot.com/2013/11/mixed-print-challenge-koos-style.html" target="_blank">here</a>. Now, let's be real here....her detail-oriented brain figured out that the back section needed to be shortened by 3-7/8" in order to match up precisely with the front. In my world, that's "about 4 inches". That's why she's a tech writer and I am not. ;-)<br />
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And while we're on the subject of (im)precision, I won't bore you with some of the ridiculous mistakes I made in the layout and cutting! As I mentioned, I did some piecing on the back and lower front piece. This involved adding a center back seam. However, instead of sewing that seam up the center back, I sewed it along a side seam. Did I mention that these pattern pieces are NOT intuitively put together? <br />
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One more admission: (This admission might actually help someone who is as foggy-brained as I was when I was cutting) - the applique piece is supposed to be cut <b>on the bias</b>. You know, the piece that has all those raw edges that would fray to smithereens if it was NOT cut on the bias? See that grain line mark in the center of the applique pattern piece? I didn't. And I even sewed it on, including a couple of the applique lines in the center of the piece, before I realized my mistake. Rip-rip, re-cut, re-sew, no problem ::::rolleyes:::: I'm REALLY happy that I took the time to unsew it and cut a new piece, because the rayon I used for it happens to be quite fray-prone!<br />
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-9_J1HCLlMh4/Ur9eDs4nXFI/AAAAAAAAHaY/XwnvkppoLj4/s1600/IMG_3922.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-9_J1HCLlMh4/Ur9eDs4nXFI/AAAAAAAAHaY/XwnvkppoLj4/s320/IMG_3922.JPG" width="240" /></a></div>
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You can see where I shortened the applique piece in the above shot; I shortened the front skirt piece in the lower part of the pattern, as shown below: NOTE: Try to preserve ALL of the dots and notches, because they are IMPORTANT when you're putting everything together! Marks that last, like tailor tacks, are highly recommended!</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjlaOggdI6lZEbOuSWeCCYlQQ33R-bU3BOAWEvSDVYYvPLvJlaOCJVnIAU8s6Xr8CQtIgrpS57m1xJiOinsusoeUzMZbAyVIJpRkGXTRqluk65vKVbN1I87RjVTQETpPCI1gHXL3WJShCvC/s1600/IMG_3921.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjlaOggdI6lZEbOuSWeCCYlQQ33R-bU3BOAWEvSDVYYvPLvJlaOCJVnIAU8s6Xr8CQtIgrpS57m1xJiOinsusoeUzMZbAyVIJpRkGXTRqluk65vKVbN1I87RjVTQETpPCI1gHXL3WJShCvC/s320/IMG_3921.JPG" width="240" /></a></div>
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The back & lower front piece is trickier to figure out (this is where Sharon's calculations were very helpful). This is shortened along the longest line of the pattern piece, as shown below. (NOTE: If, like me, you have a shorter length of fabric and are going to piece together this section, the CB seam is along the SHORTER edge at the top of the picture. I'm sure you wouldn't do what I did, and piece it along the longer edge :::sigh:::). Yes, this skirt piece is VERY long! But it all makes sense in the end. <br />
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Once I finally got all the pieces cut, the FUN began! And really, this skirt Is. That. Much. Fun! to make :). <br />
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Once you've sewn the front yoke to the front skirt, you add the applique piece, then sew it down with a dozen plus lines of stitching. I marked them with my much-used and appreciated <a href="http://www.amazon.com/Clover-Style-Chaco-Liner-White/dp/B0016ZZOEK/ref=pd_sim_ac_5" target="_blank">Clover Chaco marking "pen"</a>, because the marks brush off very easily.<br />
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After sewing the pocket on to the side pieces, you attach the side pieces to the back/lower front section. This is where all of your markings are REALLY important in matching the pieces up! I went a bit nuts trying to decipher this, thinking I had surely made a mistake somewhere along the line! As soon as I had it all placed correctly, of course it made perfect sense and my markings lined up exactly.<br />
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Maybe this will help someone who could get as easily befuddled as I did - the edge that has the pocket sewn on lines up with the shortest edge of the back skirt piece. I kept trying to match my seams on the wrong edges, and the markings would <i>almost </i>line up. <i>Almost. </i>Again, maybe it was just me, but this skirt is SO not intuitive!!!<br />
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-jznIWnJFfAw/Ur9eHjBWUeI/AAAAAAAAHaw/_ba__ZYV3x0/s1600/IMG_3928.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-jznIWnJFfAw/Ur9eHjBWUeI/AAAAAAAAHaw/_ba__ZYV3x0/s320/IMG_3928.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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(NOTE: Both the pocket and the side pieces would use the same fabric as the skirt back if you followed the pattern layout - above you can see that I used the black batik fabric for the sides, and the butterfly applique fabric for the pocket. Otherwise all of this section would be the circles-and-stripes fabric)<br />
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Done at last and ready to wear!!! The curvy bits snaking down the front were made using some of the fabric I used during the Tilton Sisters Craftsy class, so it was the perfect pairing with this skirt. The weather needs to warm up a bit before I'll get to wear it as much as I'd like to.<br />
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The Sassy Look:</div>
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And the Sweet Look:</div>
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Back View:</div>
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Showing off the unusual shaping:</div>
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-c2N-uvr8XkA/Ur9eMbQIm3I/AAAAAAAAHbU/wAobdLSdPIU/s1600/IMG_3936.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-c2N-uvr8XkA/Ur9eMbQIm3I/AAAAAAAAHbU/wAobdLSdPIU/s320/IMG_3936.JPG" width="240" /></a></div>
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Close-up of the applique piece, sliced between the stitching lines:</div>
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The side rectangle (which would use the circle-stripe fabric</div>
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if you followed the pattern):</div>
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-QuWLqeCu4hY/Ur9eS6ISqnI/AAAAAAAAHb8/xTIY0smxqKg/s1600/IMG_3947.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-QuWLqeCu4hY/Ur9eS6ISqnI/AAAAAAAAHb8/xTIY0smxqKg/s320/IMG_3947.JPG" width="240" /></a></div>
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A twirling shot to close with:</div>
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Have I mentioned how much I LOVE this skirt? So much, in fact, that I've already started cutting out a version using some more winter/fall weight fabrics. Now that I have the head-scratchers figured out, it should just be fun from start to finish.<br />
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Oh, and it's GREAT to be back in the sewing room, and active in blog-world again :)Unknownnoreply@blogger.com40tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4222007135907343863.post-19295399295332372482013-11-13T18:40:00.001-08:002013-11-13T18:40:23.874-08:00The By Guess and By Golly Fitting Method (DK Skinny Pants)I've been avoiding the dreaded "skinny pants" patterns for ages. Besides my short stubby legs, there's this memory of my go-to casual attire in the dark ages of fashion, the long baggy sweater over leggings. So comfortable, and so bad! It's become clear that skinny pants are an actual gap in my wardrobe though, especially since all of my old RTW yoga-type pants are way past the shouldn't-be-worn-in-public phase.<br />
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The <i>only</i> skinny pant I'll wear though <i>must</i> have a bit of flare at the ankle - no peg legs for me, period. Don't even try to argue the (questionable) merits! So when I saw the fabulous seaming details on the new Donna Karan skinny pant (Vogue 1378), I couldn't get it in my cart fast enough! No side seams! Shaping details! A cool slit at the bottom that gives them that bit of flare I want/need/love! Yes! <br />
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Luckily, shams sewed these up and posted her review just before I was getting ready to make mine, and <a href="http://communingwithfabric.blogspot.com/2013/11/skinny-pant-goodness-vogue-1378.html" target="_blank">the tips in her post</a> about fabric choice and the length of the pants (along with a phone call from me begging for advice!) were so invaluable that I'm going to repeat the info here, along with my own discoveries.<br />
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<ul>
<li>The suggested fabric is Rayon Spandex or Cotton Spandex. What they don't say - anywhere! - (unless you pick up the concept by reading through the pattern instructions ahead of time) is that nearly all of the seaming has exposed raw edges and topstitching - and there is a LOT of seaming! Unless you like the curly/rolled edges look, I suggest a much more substantial fabric, like a ponte/doubleknit.</li>
<li>See how tall and lean the envelope model is? That's the body this pattern is designed for. I am not tall and lean; in fact, my legs are not only short relative to my torso, but my thighs and knees have never, ever, been referred to as lean or skinny. Ever. If you are 5'6" or taller, and you have skinny legs, this pattern is designed for you. Otherwise, be prepared to make adjustments. (More on this later)</li>
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My measurements put me in a size 14. I'm so used to buying the smaller sizes in nearly everything, and that's what I automatically did with this pattern. The smaller pattern grouping tops out at a 12, but instead of making a muslin (since I didn't have any ponte-type muslin fabric) I decided to go ahead and cut a 12 out of my good ponte.</div>
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oops.</div>
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<ul>
<li>The only way to figure out how well these pants will fit is to make them. Start to finish. When you're done - all finished - THEN you get to try them on and see if they fit! (chant along with me "muslin, muslin, muslin...."</li>
<li>Wait. There is an alternative. You can sew a bit, baste a bit, unpick a bit, baste some more, unpick some more, sew some more, baste a bit, unpick some, then get to the point where you can actually baste a somewhat finished piece, say "Uh oh...", unpick a bunch, and THEN sew it up, all the while following the "By Guess and By Golly" method of fitting. Hereinafter known as ByGABGyMOF. This is what I did.</li>
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Luckily, It worked out in the end.</div>
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However, I don't recommend it.</div>
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Let's back up a bit. I was prepared for the pattern being too long, so I laid out all of the pattern pieces and taped them together to get the lay of the land. Let's call it my version of the muslin. After taping the pieces together (and it's drafted beautifully, btw), and holding the paper next to my body, it looked like the legs were going to be about 5" too long. Chopping the 5" off at the hemline would mean losing too much of the interesting detail of the opening slit at the bottom, so I really wanted to take off at least a portion of that in the leg.</div>
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That's an interesting assortment of seams, no? Note the ruler just below the marked crotch line. This was the only logical place I saw to shorten the pants. I shortened by 2" at this spot, and figured I could cut 3" off at the bottom without losing too much detail</div>
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Here are the pattern pieces after folding out 2":</div>
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And after smoothing out the edges:</div>
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I knew I would risk my pieces not matching up so nicely (remember that most of these seams are overlapped and topstitched, with only one seam, plus the crotch seam, stitched normally), but this is where I started invoking the ByGABGyMOF.<br />
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You start sewing at the bottom, by piecing together the two pieces that form the slit at the ankle. Sorry, it can be really hard to show black stitching on black fabric - it's way cool though, trust me!<br />
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And I love the way it flares while being worn -</div>
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it's really an unusual touch!</div>
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Onward to the ByGABGyMOF issues.... I continued with the piecing and lapping and topstitching, bearing in mind the distinct possibility that these pants were going to end up being way. too. tight, and wondering how in heck I was going to adjust for that, if necessary, since there are NO vertical seams in the legs - they ALL run at an angle! When I was finally able to pin and baste an entire leg together it was clear - all too clear - that these pants, in a size 12, were NOT going to work on my thighs and knees! (have I mentioned that my Mom had the beautiful shapely legs in the family, and my Dad had the short stubby muscular legs? And which leg genes I inherited?) This began the unpicking session. The first of several. <br />
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Luckily, it was a gorgeous sunny day, and I was able to do all of the reverse sewing on the sunny front porch :).<br />
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Overlapping the seams with a much smaller seam allowance ended up working quite well. The pieces still fit together well enough, it just took a fair amount of ByGABGyMOF'ing to make it all work.<br />
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And then, to top it off, I had to take the seaming along the midriff IN by well over an inch to make it fit between my waist & crotch! So I probably needed a size 10 here (or maybe even an 8), and a size 14 (or maybe 16) from thighs to calves.<br />
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Bottom line re: fit? Methinks Donna Karan does not draft for my body type!<br />
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The good news: After all is said and done, I actually REALLY LIKE THESE PANTS!!!! I still need to figure out how to get a good fit from waist to crotch, but that's my issue, and is true with ALL pants on me. I'm dying to take a class with Lynda Maynard, but the timing just hasn't worked out so far - it will happen!<br />
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Again, it's really hard to see the details on black pants, but here are a few shots. Skinny Pants! AND animal print! On me??? Really? So not my usual style, but you know what? I will wear this out in public!<br />
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I seriously think these pants give the illusion that I have long legs! Well, normal size legs, at least...</div>
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Of course, a shoe with a bit of a heel really helps.....</div>
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You can maybe see some of the seam detailing on the upper legs here:</div>
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The positives in this design make it almost worth trying again, and now that I have a good idea of what I need to do, I think that with a little patience I could end up with a great fitting pair of skinny pants!<br />
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My bottom line advice for others who want to make these?<br />
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<ul>
<li>Have skinny legs</li>
<li>Be tall</li>
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But if you don't fit in the above category,</div>
<ul>
<li>Use sturdy, doubleknit, non-fray fabric</li>
<li>Make a muslin</li>
<li>And always.....have fun!</li>
</ul>
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Unknownnoreply@blogger.com31tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4222007135907343863.post-27104972068053099712013-11-12T16:58:00.000-08:002013-11-12T16:58:03.220-08:00Tunic Love! My short legs leave me with a tendency to usually avoid the whole tunic thing, but I've now made 2 tunics in the last few months, and I love them both! The <a href="http://jillybejoyful.blogspot.com/2013/09/look-ma-no-muslin.html" target="_blank">first light-weight piece</a> got a LOT of wear during the warmer months, and now I have a cold-weather piece that promises to be in wearing rotation just as much, if not more! I made it on Sunday, wore it all day Monday; here it is Tuesday, and guess what? Yup...wearing it again. :)<br />
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This is the first pattern I finished in my new batch of Vogue patterns - V8962. I had said that I hoped the shaping of the seams would work with my body, and I'm happy to report that it lived up to my hopes! <br />
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If Vogue had not shown this piece made up in these dramatic black & white stripes:<br />
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I'm sure I would have skipped right over the pattern envelope. I admit that I often rely on the vision of others who can see the potential in some of these cover drawings, because my eyes glaze over when I see colors and postures like these!:<br />
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The good news on the fitting front is that I'm still giddy over the successful concept of using a basic TNT (Tried 'n True) pattern! Once again, I just laid my own front, back, and sleeve pattern pieces over the pieces from the new pattern, made my adjustments, and was able to sew up a perfect fit without a muslin! It still amazes me that it doesn't matter how different the seaming might be on a different pattern - in this case, a back yoke, and seams that angle from the underarm towards the center front, the TNT was so easy to make the adjustments with!<br />
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Now, if I can create a TNT for knit pants with the same results... but that's another journey...<br />
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The neckline on this pattern is very wide, (especially with my narrow shoulders) and deeper than I wanted, so I made the whole neckline quite a bit smaller. Curiously, the sleeves were way bigger than the envelope made them appear to be - I actually narrowed them quite a lot (very unusual for me, since I'm often doing a full upper arm adjustment!)<br />
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I graded out to a size 14 at the waist and hips, and kept the length as is. I think the back is a bit long on me, but I'm OK with it. (the back is several inches longer than the front)<br />
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The fabric I used is a fairly substantial yummy-feeling ponte from Stonemountain and Daughter, with a minimum of stretch. I had a serious fabric shortage - the recommended yardage with the cowl was 2 yards, and I had a shade over 1-1/2, but by shortening the cowl width-wise by about 2" (which was actually necessary because of the narrowed neckline), and by piecing on a bit of black ponte to the underside of the cowl, I was able to squeeze it all in. I love being able to use nearly every scrap of fabric!<br />
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Showing the cowl with black fabric pieced on:</div>
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The fabric shortage meant that I wasn't able to match up the stripes on the front seams at all. It wouldn't have been possible to match them all the way, given the uneven widths & 3-color stripes, but I would have preferred a slightly closer match. At least I was able get the sleeve stripes somewhat matched up to the body :)<br />
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You may have noticed the curly edge on the cowl - this was a little bit of fun that I tossed in near the end! The drape of the cowl was fine as is, but I decided to play with adding some shaping at the folded edge of the cowl and see what it looked like. I used some moldable plastic that I got from Lyla Messenger at Artistry in Fashion last year. Unfortunately, it isn't listed on her web site, and I don't have any details on it - I'll add more info and a link if I can find it (anyone?). I sewed a seam about1/4" from the folded edge of the cowl, slipped the plastic inside it, and anchored it in place with a zig zag stitch - it gives some fun options for shaping the cowl!<br />
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The finished piece:<br />
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Overall, I really like this pattern! It was super easy to sew, and I think that the shaping of the side/front seams is a bit more body-flattering than a lot of the angled tunics that are so popular. If I make it again I might change the cowl shape, but I call this one a winner!<br />
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The pants I'm wearing are the new Donna Karan skinny pants - they'll be next on the blogging agenda :)Unknownnoreply@blogger.com45tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4222007135907343863.post-6210272938579991572013-10-30T16:30:00.001-07:002013-10-30T21:08:23.722-07:00Patterns and PillowcasesI don't usually post about new pattern releases, since so many others beat me to it anyway, and do such a good job of it, but Vogue stepped up to the plate this time, so I renewed my Club BMV Membership and sent off my order.<br />
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Normally I order 3 patterns at a time - shipping for my address is $4.00 for 3, 8.00 for 6, and my frugal self thinks that $4.00 shipping is plenty. Plus, I really REALLY don't <i>need </i>more than 3 patterns at a time, especially given the number of unsewn patterns I already have. Stash-aholics (patterns & fabric alike) please feel free to join me in one. big. collective. <i><b>::::sigh::::</b></i><br />
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In fact, I had every intention of only ordering 3 this time. Here are my top 3:<br />
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Marcy Titlton's V8954. I REALLY <strike>like</strike> love love LOVE the way Marcy has styled the collar on <a href="http://marcytiltonblog.blogspot.com/2013/10/inside-vogue-8954-asymmetrical-pieced.html" target="_blank">her Blog Post</a> - cannot WAIT to try this pattern out! Note: she also includes a number of very helpful-looking hints in her post. I love a practical vest with some visual twists - this one looks like it has endless potential!<br />
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Donna Karan's V1378. These pants could be JUST the slim-pant pattern I've been waiting for! I hope that the reality of how these might fit and flatter lives up to my vision of shaping perfection! I've never joined the legions of those who love crossover tops and dresses, so I'l probably pass on the top.<br />
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V8962 (Very Easy) I like the shaping and seaming on this one. It might give just the sort of shaping at the hipline (for those of us.....you know....) that might actually make for a more flattering fit. Especially if you have hips that ....you know... AND you're short!</div>
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After giving considerable thought to that extra shipping charge (not to mention the pattern charge - hey, what can I say? If you've followed my blog for any length of time you know that I do have frugal leanings!), I ended up adding my next 3 choices:</div>
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The other Marcy Tilton, V8966: The hats are very cute, and I like the scarf, although it doesn't look like something that needs an actual pattern to figure out. Still, the hats ARE cute....</div>
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Koos van den Akker V1377. The likelihood of me making THIS coat is slim, very slim, but I'm a sucker for his artistic details, and I can often find some gem that's worth using in his patterns!<br />
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<span style="color: blue;"><b>And Hey! Vogue!!! How about actually using some of Mr. van den Akker's construction methods in your patterns, instead of making up your own (less effective, more work-intensive) techniques?!?! Vogue???</b></span><br />
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And finally, Sandra Betzina's V1375 made the cut. I hope it's not just the black & grey stripes that are calling out to me.... I do think a long sleeveless vest could be highly wearable, although this one will need some tweaking to work on my body.</div>
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I'm excited! Now....finding the time and energy to sew them all up.... :D<br />
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And then there are pillowcases!<br />
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At the end of our <a href="http://jillybejoyful.blogspot.com/2013/10/babes-in-fabricland.html" target="_blank">fabric sharing soiree last weekend</a> there were a few unclaimed cuts of cotton that gave me a little "aha!" moment. I've been wanting to join in <a href="http://rhondabuss.blogspot.com/search/label/Mary%20Bridge" target="_blank">Rhonda's Pillowcase making project</a> (900!!! pillowcases benefitting Mary Bridge Hospital) for some time, and this was just the impetus I needed. Although I only used 2 fabrics that came from the delightfully generous Lori's stash, most of what I used was actually given to me, so it was exceptionally wonderful to be able to pass on the gifts in the form of something useful :) <br />
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I know that Rhonda is nearly at her goal of 900 cases (if she isn't there already!), but quilt shops all over have some form of donation connections for pillowcases, blankets, etc., so I'm betting many of us don't actually need to send items like this off in the mail. Animal shelters as well - bedding for the critters is often needed. I'm lucky to have a local fabric store <a href="http://www.stonemountainfabric.com/" target="_blank">(Stonemountain & Daughter)</a> that has a box by the front door to drop off all of your scraps - shoppers can go through the box & pick out what they want, & the rest of it is used for various projects. I encourage you to find a use for your leftovers, and please think twice before throwing any of it in the trash!<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-dMuxR8sblWA/UnGVz-wsH_I/AAAAAAAAHRE/7oLztxgDIMI/s1600/lobster-dog.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="327" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-dMuxR8sblWA/UnGVz-wsH_I/AAAAAAAAHRE/7oLztxgDIMI/s400/lobster-dog.jpeg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">I admit that I'm not much of a fan of dressing up animals, <br />but this pic I could NOT resist!!!!! :D</span></td></tr>
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<b><span style="color: red; font-size: large;">Have a Safe and Happy Halloween, all!</span></b></div>
<br />Unknownnoreply@blogger.com25tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4222007135907343863.post-76625964997970647022013-10-27T13:44:00.001-07:002013-10-27T15:04:15.861-07:00BABES in Fabricland....Yesterday I had the pleasure of gathering with yet another group of fabulous local (and semi-local) sewing friends - my delightful group of BABES (Bay Area Bash Expressly for Sewists). Not that we ever <i>need </i>an excuse to get together, but we had a good one - long-term BABES member <a href="http://monkeyroom.blogspot.com/" target="_blank">Lori, who blogs at Monkeyroom</a> was back home for a short visit after 2 years in Germany, so we made sure to gather the troops while she was here.<br />
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Little did we know just how much we were going to benefit from this visit! But more about that later...<br />
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A number of us attended the always-loaded-with-inspiration <a href="http://jillybejoyful.blogspot.com/2013/10/artistry-in-fashion-2013.html" target="_blank">Artistry in Fashion</a> this year and have been working on patterns we got from <a href="http://www.centerforpatterndesign.com/" target="_blank">Sandra Ericson of Center for Pattern Design</a>. We showed our finished (and semi-finished) pieces, and, in true opinionated sewing form, both dissed and praised her unique style and pattern-making techniques (I'm definitely on the prone-to-praise end of the scale, but then the 3 patterns I bought from her were carefully curated by me, and involved as much trying on of finished pieces as I could manage!) I shared my experiences with the <a href="http://jillybejoyful.blogspot.com/2013/10/balenciaga-ericson-cb-bolero-winner.html" target="_blank">CB Bolero</a> and the Spiral Blouse (coming soon to a blog near you....). The lovely Lisa was wearing her muslin of the Spiral Blouse, Vicki showed a highly wearable "muslin" of the Spiral Coat, Heather modeled several versions of the Pyramid Dress (which has the most amazingly unique pattern pieces I've ever seen....you really need to SEE it to understand it....no wait, even seeing it won't help you understand it.....). There were a few wadders involved - I admit that FITTING Ericson's unusual designs is not the easiest sewing task to master; luckily the bias drape of many of her garments solves a myriad of potential fitting issues.<br />
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Here are shots of a couple of the CPD pieces:<br />
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Vicki's gorgeous closure on the Spiral Coat:</div>
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Lisa having fun with bright shiny objects -</div>
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I think her Spiral Blouse muslin is awesome!</div>
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Georgene, of the inactive but still amazing blog <a href="http://thesewingdivas.wordpress.com/" target="_blank">Sewing Divas</a>, showed her progress on the 3-years-in-the-making-during-her-spare-time Chanel Jacket (and it's looking good!!)<br />
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Wendy, Rose, and Vicki had all attended the Education of the Textile Arts Sew Expo the week before (if I can learn to say & remember that mouthful, it sounds like an event worth attending next year!) Wendy showed samples of some techniques she learned from Jan Bones at one of the many workshops given during the Expo. Wendy, btw, is very knowledgabe with her sewing techniques already, but she felt that she really got a lot out of the workshops she attended. It sounds like a great venue!<br />
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Lori brought her beautiful dress - <a href="http://monkeyroom.blogspot.com/2013/10/i-trendy.html" target="_blank">shown here on her blog</a> - and the yummiest scarf that she wove herself - I have weaving envy! There were a few other show and tells, and oh, did I mention a tableful of deliciously delectable goodies that we munched on? Like....all day long? I should remember to take pictures of the food tables at some of these events. Sewists can Cook!<br />
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There were a few other show & tells...<br />
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and then....<br />
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the Fabric Feeding Frenzy Fun began....<br />
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In the interest of preserving the privacy of a certain Fabricaholic, I won't name any names. But in order to clear out some of her (apparently rather large) stash before returning to Germany, one of us brought Four. Large. Tubs. of fabulous fabric in the desparate hope that some of it would find new homes.<br />
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This is what happened:<br />
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Jennifer and Wendy begin with Polite Fabric Inspection: </div>
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Fabric Tugging Ensues</div>
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Mine. No, Mine. No no....MINE!:</div>
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The pile grows larger while people politely pet and eye</div>
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certain cuts, waiting to see if someone else wants it more....</div>
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The Unnamed Fabricaholic gazes at the stash, </div>
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wondering if she's <i>really</i> ready to let that piece go, </div>
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while Irene reaches for a goodie that has caught her eye.</div>
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<a href="http://needlespinsthorns.blogspot.com/" target="_blank">Rose of Needles, Pins, Thorns</a> inspects all sides of a beautiful bit of brightness,</div>
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while Georgene and Lisa fondle other goodies:</div>
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Rose's smile indicates that this one is definitely coming home with her!</div>
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Hands reach for that last bit of </div>
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unclaimed fabric.... </div>
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with absolutely unprecedented results, the above tiny piles were ALL that was left of the stash-sharing-giveaway! This speaks to the quality of Lori's stash (oops, did I just give her name away??? My bad....) The bad news...sort of...is that we always send off our unclaimed fabric & notions to a school in the Philippines, and we usually have a LOT to give. This time...yeah...not so much.</div>
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I was really happy to help out the cause of clearing Lori's stash. And help I did. A lot. I thought I was doing so well with the large bag of fabric I brought to give away...but I went home with nearly twice as much:</div>
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Not only that, but check out those labeled cards with fabric content and amount! I feel so righteous when I actually manage to do that when I bring new fabric home....maybe this will help inspire me to be a little more conscious?</div>
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Yeah....doubt it.</div>
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Thanks Lori, for your gracious generosity, and thanks to all my bodacious BABES buddies for a fantastic day! :)</div>
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Unknownnoreply@blogger.com13