Back to sewing and my JCC.........Knit fabric book reviews

The last 2 posts were not sewing related unless you think of self-tanner as a way to wear/make more skirts and chocolate as a way to "grow" into another size, hence the need to make larger skirts. ;o)

Back to my JCC, which I've hardly started.
I did change the pattern for the cherries fabric. I realized the gathered skirt, combined with no longer having a small waist and not wearing a crinoline would just make me look BIG. I've now chosen Vogue 2267, which is a remake of a 1954 design. I will still have the vintage 50's dress, which I feel my cherry fabric was screaming for, without the added weight-gain of the gathered skirt. I also think the little jacket included is darn cute.

I also changed the skirt pattern I was using to Simplicity 4091, view F (teal skirt in the middle left). I still plan to use the denim fabric. This skirt I can wear on "Jeans Fridays" as an alternative to crawling into a pair of jeans on a hot summer day.

I need to go to the post office again this Saturday. Last Saturday my Knipmode magazine was waiting for me. This Saturday I should find the much sought after and coveted May Patrones issue waiting for me. (YEAH!!!)

I also purchased 2 knit sewing books last week from Amazon. The first was recommended by Ann (Gorgeous Things blog) Sew U Home Stretch and the second by Gigi (Behind the Seams blog) Designing and Patternmaking for Stretch Fabrics.
I am not a fan of Built by Wendy patterns from Simplicity as they are not my style, BUT this is a fantastic book for anyone wanting more information on sewing with knits. The book is intended for beginners and I feel it does a good job helping a beginner get their feet wet in the knit sewing arena. The one caveat is the author zeros in on using a serger. If you don't own a serger you may want to after reading this book. But (again with the "but") you can sew knits easily on your sewing maching using a stretch stitch. I've done it and lived to tell the tale. Just don't ask me about the "fun" I had ripping out every single seam in those pants since I was sewing challenged the day I made them. The book also comes with t-shirt and dress/skirt patterns to get you started, and I think the patterns are rather cute. I will probably try the t-shirt and maybe the dress, with the sleeves (lengthened).

+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++

This is my new favorite book. No, I do not intend to create patterns at this time in my life, but if you want invaluable information on stretch fabrics, pattern layout and beyond, grab this book. I learned a lot last night when I started reading. Basically, this is a textbook (and the price reflects that it's a texbook...OUCH!!). The material is well layed out and organized. I think the author, Keith Richardson, is a perfectionist and this is reflected in his writing style and explanations. He is not boring, but factual, and you will learn just about everything you need to know about knits from him.

Both of these books are available at http://www.amazon.com/. I know the textbook was in the FIT bookstore when I went to NYC, but I wasn't carrying it around with me through the city.

My computer is down/Fitting Class/Projects.....

Talk about an oxymoron. I write my computer is down, yet I'm typing a post. I brought my laptop home so I wouldn't be cut off from the world. I would have serious withdrawal if I had to go 3 days without reading blogs and sewing sites.

I'm working on my muslin for the fitting class I signed up for on PatternReview, but I cannot post pictures from my laptop. ;o( I hope DH fixes my computer soon. He's been working tons of hours lately. Of course there is the little matter that I've been complaining about my computer for the better part of a year and he chose to fix it not that I've started my class. ;o( He is truly a darling, sweet man so I cannot get too annoyed with him. He does feel sorry for me and is trying to fix it without reformatting the harddrive since it will take him *forever* to get me back on line if he reformats.

What I'm working on:
1. Fitting Class:
The shoulder template for this Vogue dress is too big for me. According to all measurements I need to start with a 12 in the shoulder. However, the template is too large and I have to take in the front and back by about an inch total (per Shannon who is a sewing Goddess).Here is the shoulder template before taking in the inch. Luckily I already had this picture posted in PR before my computer came to a crashing halt.

I plan to make the changes today and upload a picture to PR and here later today or tomorrow to show what the muslin looks like after the change. You're probably wondering how I will accomplish this feat since my computer is down...I'm going to upload the pictures onto a friends computer since I'm not allowed to upload anything onto my work issued laptop.

I still need to do a forward shoulder adjustment, but that is done after these changes are made.

2. Cut out the blouse in muslin from my defunct fitting class and muddle through the fitting of it. Actually, if I get it cut out then I can ask Shannon for help since our class still has 2-weeks left.

3. Sew up a UFO skirt which is too long, but I think will be OK for summer since it's red & white linen and very swishy.

4. Finish gathering supplies for the June Capsule considering the start date is right around the corner. Actually, I think I have just about all my supplies.

5. Finish gathering supplies for the Great Coat Sew-along. The start date is also June 1st, but we'll be spending the month fitting our muslins. I have my fabric which is a gorgeous red wool I got from EOS a couple of years ago. I ordered Kashi lining and heavy-weight muslin. Now, to decide which pattern. Uh oh....I can hear Carolyn's voice......"just make a decision and stick to it".... I'm getting there Carolyn. I've narrowed it down to 2-3 patterns. ;o)

June capsule-advice from sewing friends (thank you!!)

Carolyn and Gwen, thank you for taking the time to encourage me and yes, "kick by butt". I'm now rapidly narrowing the choices for my capsule. How can I not make my choices when you have both taken time from your busy day to read my blog and encourage me??? Big cyber (((HUGS))) to both of you. DH was happy to hear that my sewing friends were pushing me along to get something done. My comments are in red below.

I'm going to paste both comments here so I can readily find them since your advice was excellent!!

Carolyn's message:
First, when you make a choice...stick with it...no changing your mind...no second guessing...stick with it! You can always sew something with the other fabrics later! And you will be so thrilled to be sewing and accomplishing something!Second, my advice on the outfits and fabric...

1. Use the white cherries fabric for the vintage dress. It will be whimsical and different and can be dressed up or down to make it a very wearable piece in your wardrobe.
The reason I was stuck on the dress is the retro dress could never be worn at work, but that doesn't really matter since I have a boatload of work clothes. Something dressy and whimsical for play would be fun. And I'll have a costume ready for Halloween when I start to look really silly wearing it for everyday. ;o) I do have a perfect pair of retro looking shoes for this dress, but I think I'll hang onto them for the Halloween costume idea and I'll wear cute strappy sandals with the dress.

2. Use the white eyelet cotton for a trendy little jacket - I like the McCalls one but you choose. This will allow it to go with the dress but with the next top and bottom piece.
You heard me....I love the 1st McCall jacket pattern. And of course this girly-girl loves the view with the ruffle around the neck. Even though I have 3 white jackets, I don't have a cute, eyelet one. So the eyelet it is!!!

3. Use one of the red/white pieces for the top. I like the Butterick one.
I like the Butterick one also. I really like the wrap view, but I may end up looking like a square wearing it. This I'm still giving thought to. But I will use the red with white polka dots as the fabric exactly matches a pair of platforms I own.

4. Use the denim for a skirt or a pair of trousers.
You were definitely looking over my shoulder yesterday when I pulled out the piece of yummy stretch denim I bought from Gorgeous Fabrics. My intention was to make jeans with the piece, but I have many pairs of jeans, so a skirt it will be. This might be a chance to use a Hotpatterns skirt pattern.

You have great choices, pick one if necessary by putting the numbers in a hat! :) You have come up with a great combo of fabric and patterns! If you consider the choices I've suggested, you will end up with a very wearable, work or play friendly grouping of pieces. I'm taking your advice and I fully expect to have a fun play capsule out of this. Gee, do you think I should tackle all the UFOs in my sewingroom???? LOL!!!!

You can do this Claire - I know you can!!!! :)
Thank you Carolyn. I'm always amazed at the number of items that fly out of your sewingroom, with seemingly little effort. Now I'm waiting to see your shirtdress, which you will rock!!!!!

Gwen's comment:
Wow - no wonder you have a difficult time choosing! Those are ALL great patterns and very cute fabrics! There are probably hundreds of combinations that would work beautifully! Would it help if you just acknowledged that there isn't a single right answer here? And there's probably not a wrong answer either - whatever you do is going to be beautiful and fun! So, I second Carolyn's advice - just make a choice and stick with it. :)I can't wait to watch your outfits come together! :)--Gwen
Gwen, you're a sweetie...thank you!!!! You are definitely an inspiration after you jumped in and made that beautiful wedding gown, even though you weren't sure you were up to it when you offered. Talk about pressure........

WARNING!!! This is a very, very long post....................

Is there anyone as undecided as I am in making a decision about what to sew? I seem to get hung up on the process all the way through. I can buy RTW without blinking an eye. I know what looks good on me, what fabrics I like, what goes together, but when it comes to sewing I freeze. This is how I end up stockpiling fabrics and patterns without sewing much of anything. I'm going to try to change this and unfreeze myself. Carolyn left a message stating she was going to be all over me like white on rice to be sure I work on this capsule. Thank you Carolyn, that's just what I need....keep kicking my butt!!!!

I think I've narrowed the fabrics down for my capsule. Of course I changed my mind about a 100 times and I may change it 100 more times before June 1st. Sigh....I don't pay attention to "signs", but I have to think all this indecision has *something* to do with being born a Libra.

For the moment I'm thinking of a retro 50's, summery, cotton capsule. After taking a good look at my closet I decided that I have enough navy, tan, beige and white for main colors. I have a ton of black also, but that is taboo for this capsule. ;o) One of the colors that is in short supply in my closet is red. (yellow is also in short supply, but I'm in a red mood) I did buy a red shirtdress recently and I love it. I also hit Ebay an bought a couple of pair of red shoes. Now I must add to my red palette. I also bought a red, patent handbag, but I'd like to make my accessory, if possible.

I'll post a storyboard when I make my decisions on patterns. I'm narrowing it down, but I'm not quite there yet.

These are the fabrics up for consideration: (of course they weren't in my stash. Thank goodness the prices for the cotton fabrics were more than reasonable on Ebay)

Cherries on white: 50's style sundress. Probably a modern pattern with a 50's "flavor".

Red polka dots on white and white polka dots on red: I'm torn between a flippy skirt and an A-line. I want to use both fabrics in the skirt. This decision will be made when I determine which jacket and top pattern I'll use.

Red fabric: possibly a jacket. I don't have a red jacket. I already own several white jackets and a couple of denim and several navy jackets.

White swiss cotton or a white eyelet cotton (not pictured, as I already have these in my stash): a top of some sort. This will have to be something that can be worn with the dress to comply with the rules of the contest.

Navy or denim: I still need to work these into the capsule.

Dress patterns under consideration are:

I'm totally in love with the Retro '57 pattern. I love the neckline and the full skirt. But if I make it, I'll feel like I have to put some type of crinoline under it. I really dislike the look of a big skirt just hanging there, without the support of a full slip. It reminds me of taking an 80's jacket and removing the shoulder pads, without altering the shoulders, in the hopes that one could get away with wearing it....not!! Although, (light bulb moment) I have an evening skirt which is underlined in tulle to give it body. Hmmm....maybe underlining in tulle and stiffening in the hem would keep it from just hanging there, then I wouldn't have to feel silly in a big, puffy crinoline. I'll have to give that some more thought.

Skirt patterns under consideration are:

Jacket Patterns under consideration are:

Top patterns under consideration:

Four piece capsule contest at Stitchers Guild

I popped over to Carolyn's blog and what do I see..... a post about a small, 4-piece capsule contest being held at S.G during the month of June. Hmmmm....only 4 pieces and I'll allowed to get one item made in May. How could I not enter. I have no delusions of grandeur about winning, but I'm looking for motivation to get me off my butt!!!! Since I'm committing myself here and at SG, I will have to make something...anything. There's so much talent over on S.G and I can't wait to see what everyone puts together.

I'm dying for more navy in my wardrobe, so I think I'll do a navy, white & pink capsule. Now to work out what patterns and fabrics. I do have 5 yeards of navy linen just purchased from Fabric.com. Now to tie in the pink and white. I know what my accessory will be....pink handbag. I found an alligator embossed soft pink leather. It's not the gorgeous pink of the original handbag, but it'll do. I could use more red also, but since red would clash with my bag...pink it is.

These are the rules posted by Elizabeth (ejvc) who is sponsoring the contest. I'm sending her a big cyber ((((HUG)))) for doing this.

1. The capsule will consist of four garments and one accessory (purse, belt, headband, jewellery, etc). One of the garments must be a top, one must be a bottom, all the tops must co-ordinate with all the bottoms and the accessory must co-ordinate with them all.

2. One of the items can be purchased and one can be made before June.

3. All the other items must be sewn, knitted, crafted etc during June.

4. Twist: no black items. (I personally have more than enough black in my wardrobe and will happily sew a different color.)

5. Everyone who tells me they want to enter the contest and makes at least one item can vote on the winner.

6. At the end of the contest people can send me photos and I'll post them in sets on Flickr. We should have four photos - one showing all the garments (composite or hanging or whatever) and three of the wearer modelling the items. No flat photos of the clothes please.

I will stump up the equivalent of 50USD to be paid into a PayPal account, or in gift certificates to a retailer of your choice, to the winner (caveat - it needs to be a retailer who will take UK credit cards). I'm thinking fabric or pattern purchases, fitting books, more accessories, etc. would be great ways to spend the money, but whatever...

Then Elizabeth explained further:

You can purchase any one of your four items or the accessory, and any one of the four+accessory can be made before June. So if, like me, you are relatively slow, you could take one item you've already made (say for your ill-fated Timmel SWAP, ahem), buy another one, and only have three to make in June. If you make the accessory, you'd need to make 2 garments + accessory in June.

To restate, any of these combos would be valid:

• four items + 1 accessory, all made in June
• three items + 1 accessory, all made in June, +1 item made earlier.
• two items + 1 accessory, all made in June, +1 item made earlier, + 1 item purchased.
• three items, all made in June, +1 item made earlier, + 1 accessory purchased

Let the games begin............................ ;o)