My Perfect Pencil Skirt Project

  I’ve been sewing for over 30 years, and in that time I have developed some really lazy habits.  Around the age of 16, sewing became a way for me to build a trendy wardrobe on a very small budget.   It was also the beginning of my worst habit.  I would start a blouse on a Friday night and work all weekend so I would have a new blouse to wear on Monday morning for school.  They were big, oversized, men’s wear  shirts, that were worn with a tank, unbuttoned, belted, with the sleeves rolled up.  Most of the time my cuffs were never finished, but who knew anyway right?  The sleeves were rolled up.  So you would think an unfinished garment, put together half assed, would be my worst habit, but it’s not, it did however contribute to it. 
Large oversized shirts didn’t need fitting.  So I never learned how to fit myself properly.  I slowed down my construction process and honed my construction skills.  I never took the time to make sure  the garment would fit right.  It was always a big surprise at the end. 
So this is my back to basics project.  To teach myself the skills I should have learned long ago.  Because if the project at the end doesn’t fit perfectly, then I’ve missed the entire point of sewing my own clothes.
I’m starting my perfect pencil skirt off with a muslin.  My entire knowledge of muslin making came from this Oct/Nov issue 151 article in Threads Magazine “Muslin Refined” .
This is the basic pieces traced and cut out on my muslin.  I has been many, many years since I used transfer paper and a tracing wheel.  Didn’t the paper used to be more waxy?  This stuff was chalky and the slightest touched transferred rub marks.  At least this is just the muslin.

Close up of the dart markings.  In the past I’ve just used tailors tacks.

This is after I thread traced all the seam lines.  I also discovered something about my machine.

My guide is about 1/16” – 1/8” off.  Which doesn’t sound like much, but could lead to the skirts entire finished measurements being off by 1/2” – 1”.

I got as far as inserting the zipper last night.  I took the time to practice inserting it properly.  Zippers have always been the bane of my existence.  But basting it into place with 2 separate top stitching lines instead of trying to do the whole thing in 1 made a HUGE difference.  I think zippers can now be my friend.


Side seams tonight.then….The Fitting.

Project Updates and A New One In the Works

It’s been a while since I’ve posted.  I have good intentions, but one thing leads to another, (like chasing after a 14 month old) and my good intentions go right out the window. 
So here are the final pictures and thoughts about the Angel Devil costume.  Since his father and I have decided we didn’t want to post our son’s pictures all over the internet,  I used one where you can’t really see his face  .

This was pretty simple to assemble.  It was also the first time I did 90% of the construction  on my 4 thread serger.

This is the front …I stitched the 2 front sections together, then the 2 heart sections, then appliqued the heart to the front.  This was really stretchy fabric and a little tricky to applique with and onto.  Stabilizing it with Stitch and Tear made it a lot easier.


My next projects were father son matching  bowling shirts with tattoo flash fabric from Fresh Cut Fabrics.  For the baby’s shirt I bought this pattern from The Scientific Seamstress.  I think the photo of the little blonde boy on the front is what sold me.  This pattern is very well put together and gives the sewer a lot of options.  The construction technique for the contrast panels on the front  is simple, yet brilliant.

You strip piece the sections together, then cut your fronts out separately, aligning vertical markers on the pattern pieces with the seam lines.  I liked this technique so much I used it to construct daddy’s. 

I couldn’t find buttons I liked that would compliment the tattoo flash.  So I made covered buttons using the star pattern from the fabric.

Unfortunately I do not have a picture of father and son wearing them.
The next two projects will be for me.  A pencil skirt using Simplicity 5259 and a Dress from a vintage  1950’s Sundress pattern from McCall's.

Angel Devil Costume For My Little Angel

I first started this blog to just announce when I had listed things in my etsy shop.  After a life changing event, my son, I decided to document my projects, wether they end up in she shop or not.

So first on the list is my son's first halloween costume.  Originaly we were going to do Speed Racer complete with a Mach 5 walker.  After much searching for a sports car walker used (they are way too expensive new to be altered) we came up with an alternative. 

Pattened after this costume

I like this costume, but it's lacking one thing that is very important in Chicagoland in October.  The fabric looks thin and not very warm.   

So I figured I could alter this pattern Simplicity 2506

I'm planning on changing the velcro closure to a zipper, redraw the horns, skip the cape, and draft an angel and bat wing.  Well, Daddy will be drawing the angel and bat wings,.  If I have to draw them out, it will take twice as long.

My pile of supplies...all purchased from our local Joanns

 

I can already tell this is going to be a messy project.  The edges of the cuddle fleece are already shedding.  I opted for a premade halo.  I'll just remove the headband and attach it to the hood.  That's the plan anyway.



Yo Ho Yo Ho A Pirates Life For Me

My newest creation
http://www.etsy.com/view_listing.php?listing_id=25858130

Just Listed Tonight

Slowly but surly getting my little darlings listed in my shop after the very successful Beltane Craft Faire in Chicago. Many more items to come including my first tricorn being listed on etsy.

My classic Mad Hatter made from vintage forest green velvet. This time around I decided to change the style of my 10/6 tag.

http://www.etsy.com/view_listing.php?listing_id=25693186

Crafters, Artists and patrons of such. The Nineteen Hundred & One Presents: The Gothic Beltane Craft Faire Sunday, May 17, 2009 1901 W. Belmont Ave. (entrance on Wolcott), Chicago 1pm-6pm All Ages $1 suggested donation Over 15 of Chicago's Gothic Crafters & Artists including: Lady Helene's Flames, DollFaced Horrors, GiGi Deluxe, Natasha Blue, Gothic Art Chicago, Pink Sprout 13, Erin, Lucy Van Horn, Land Under Wave Jewelry, Cassandra Kimmel, The Little Toy Shop of Horrors, ~E~ & Many More. Coffee, Baked goods & Surprises. www.myspace.com/1901gothiccraftfair www.myspace.com/thenineteenhundredandone




I will be bringing several of my mini hats and lots of jewelry pieces...come check it out

"How To" Creat your own wallpaper motifs

This is my bathroom. The lovely pin up girl border around the room is simple and easy to do.
The stenciling is a different story lol.

Whats the secret to this? Laser photo copies. Yep It's as simple as that. You can go to any office supply store and create your own motifs on the $.50 color laser copiers.

Items you will need:

Photo copies of your choice

scissors or xacto knife

damp sponge

wallpaper paste...it is best to spend the extra $ for kitchen/bathroom wallpaper paste if your doing a bathroom or kitchen. You do not want all your hard work peeling off the wall from the humidity.

Liquitex matte varnish

1"-2" paint brush ..this really depends on the size of the designs

I painted borders on the wall around where I was going to apply my cut outs. I thought It would be a nice touch. I do not recommend applying them over dark paints, it can show through the paper.

1. Plan your designs and cut out your motifs

2. Wash your walls with a degreaser like TSP, to achieve good adhesion. You wouldn't want all your hard work to start peeling on you.

3. With your paintbrush, apply wallpaper paste to the back of the motif and to the wall where you plan to apply it. Apply your motif to the wall and using the damp sponge smooth it into place and work out any air bubbles. You can fiddle with them a bit, but don't rub too hard they may tear. Wipe off any excess paste as you go. The paste dries clear, but you don't want any large blobs. Continue around the room till you have them all applied.

4. Let them dry for a few hours. The time needed depends on your area and humidity level.

5. Apply the Liquitex matte varnish over just the motif. Its a great protective coat, and I find a necessary step. Some have used the varnish to apply their motifs. Which will work. But if you ever plan to redecorate you will have a heck of a time removing them.

6. Enjoy all your hard work.