tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-60915864168384056192024-03-13T22:23:18.847-07:00The Sanguine SeamstressA blog about life for this mid-40s womanAnonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15601018176609010890noreply@blogger.comBlogger50125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6091586416838405619.post-8919166753516841922012-08-19T10:43:00.001-07:002012-08-20T04:01:49.123-07:00Been a Long TimeHello Friends! Yes, I'm still here. I've been in a very complicated escrow this summer and coupled with work, I've been extremely busy. I'm hoping that escrow will close this month and I will be able to get my home sorted out. Living in an apartment for the past seven months has been difficult at best. So, keep your fingers crossed for me.<br />
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15601018176609010890noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6091586416838405619.post-52290454301068219752012-06-01T11:38:00.000-07:002012-06-01T11:38:02.720-07:00Sergers<br />
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Hello, readers.</div>
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I was reading some of my favorite sewing blogs today and I came across Gertie’s post about her Bernina 1008.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I started to think about the machines I’ve had throughout my life and it reminded me of the difficulty I always seem to have with my little Brother 1034 serger.</div>
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I really like having the serger because I love the way it makes my garments look so finished.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It isn’t an overlock, sad to say, but it has served its purpose, for the most part.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It does have the tendency to jam though, and I’ve posted about this problem a few times in the past.</div>
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This last week as I was making the jacket for my boy, my serger once again jammed and no matter how many times I rethreaded all four threads, it still jammed up.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I really don’t want to take it to be repaired because that’s going to cost $100+.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Not only that, I’m finding that I really only use it to finish my seam edges and nothing else.</div>
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So, my question to you is this:<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>should I put the serger away for a while and experiment with other seam finishes (as I’ve been doing anyways) or should I fork out the greenbacks to get it serviced?</div>
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Decisions, decisions.</div>
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<a href="http://www.mylivesignature.com/" target="_blank"><img src="http://signatures.mylivesignature.com/54489/286/B663055537939B7F08D5683C058BD94D.png" style="background: none transparent scroll repeat 0% 0%; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; border-right: 0px; border-top: 0px;" /></a><br />Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15601018176609010890noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6091586416838405619.post-79489184596067194682012-05-30T10:54:00.000-07:002012-08-13T14:39:38.528-07:00The Boy's Jacket<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
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I’m using Simplicity 2292 for my son’s jacket.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It’s a very easy pattern but I can’t say that the directions are very good.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Things were going along swimmingly until I hit the sleeves.</div>
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The directions for the sleeves must be incorrect.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Stay with me here.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I followed the pattern to the letter.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I stitched up the sleeve seam, prepared the cuff, and just as I was going to attach the cuff, I realized that the sleeve opening was too small to fit in my machine.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I then realized that I should have attached the cuff prior to stitching the sleeve.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It would have made far more sense to do it this way as children’s clothing generally will not fit over the sewing machine.</div>
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Needless to say, I was frustrated because I attached twill tape to the outside of the sleeve which took some time and then spent more time trying to fix my serger that had decided to make trouble once again.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>As a result, I made no progress on the jacket last night.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Tonight, I will be recutting the sleeves and attaching the twill tape once again.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Before I stitch up the seams, I will attach the cuffs, then the seams and then attach the sleeves to the body.</div>
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Whew!</div>
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<a href="http://www.mylivesignature.com/" target="_blank"><img src="http://signatures.mylivesignature.com/54489/286/B663055537939B7F08D5683C058BD94D.png" style="background: none transparent scroll repeat 0% 0%; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; border-right: 0px; border-top: 0px;" /></a>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15601018176609010890noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6091586416838405619.post-9370286620486500042012-05-29T12:12:00.002-07:002012-05-29T12:12:34.028-07:00Sounds of Silence<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
Sorry for the silence, folks.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Been busy at work and at home. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We have put an offer on some property in wine country out here in Temecula and since it’s a short sale, it is dragging on forever.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We are tempted to begin looking again, as we haven’t heard much on it but it meets all our<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>wants so we are waiting for it.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It’s been two months.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Hopefully, it won’t be much longer.</div>
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In sewing news, I’ve been working on a jacket for my boy made out of some lovely gray flannel (I will post pictures later).<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It has turned out to be a very easy pattern and I can easily see myself making more of these. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I’ve also cut out the quilting fabric into 5” squares.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Next on that list is to cut white fabric sashing.</div>
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In addition to being busy at work, I’ve been busy changing my diet and exercising.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I’ve lost four pounds in about 3 weeks.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Not bad.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Of course, those blue Collette pants I made don’t fit anymore.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>They are too loose around the hips.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Oh, drat!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Maybe I will just take them apart and re-fit them to my new measurements.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I’m not posting pictures yet because I personally don’t see any change although my husband says he does.</div>
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Have a great day!<br />
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<a href="http://www.mylivesignature.com/" target="_blank"><img src="http://signatures.mylivesignature.com/54489/286/B663055537939B7F08D5683C058BD94D.png" style="background: none transparent scroll repeat 0% 0%; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; border-right: 0px; border-top: 0px;" /></a>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15601018176609010890noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6091586416838405619.post-66351964046723964662012-05-14T09:11:00.000-07:002012-05-14T09:11:18.778-07:00<br />
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I finally got my quilt back and it’s gorgeous!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I found rose-colored quilt binding at Joann’s and used it.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>My first binding and its ok.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><place w:st="on">Lot</place>’s of flaws in this first quilt but I love, love, love the stippling!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><br />
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While I was in Joann’s, I ran into a lady who was purchasing some quilting fabric and this is what she bought.<br />
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Yes, it was so gorgeous that I just had to get some, too. This will be my next quilt.</div>
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The next project will be working on a jacket for my little guy.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He’s growing out of all his jackets and in <state w:st="on"><place w:st="on">California</place></state>, we have these cool morning that require something light weight.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>This is a lovely charcoal flannel fabric that I think will work well.<br />
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That’s all for now, dear readers.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>What<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>projects are you working on?</div>
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<a href="http://www.mylivesignature.com/" target="_blank"><img src="http://signatures.mylivesignature.com/54489/286/B663055537939B7F08D5683C058BD94D.png" style="background: none transparent scroll repeat 0% 0%; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; border-right: 0px; border-top: 0px;" /></a>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15601018176609010890noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6091586416838405619.post-50904832880271470812012-05-02T08:23:00.001-07:002012-05-02T08:23:20.032-07:00The Story of the Never-Ending Clover Pants<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
….can finally end!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I got my sewing machine back and finished them up and I love them!!</div>
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Don’t they look great?</div>
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With very little adjustment, the pants fit like a dream.</div>
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In fact, they were so easy to make and I’m so enthralled with my blue pair that I thought I would make a red pair, too!</div>
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If you haven't made a pair of Colette Patterns Clover Pants, I highly recommend you do. They are fabulous!</div>
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<a href="http://www.mylivesignature.com/" target="_blank"><img src="http://signatures.mylivesignature.com/54489/286/B663055537939B7F08D5683C058BD94D.png" style="background: none transparent scroll repeat 0% 0%; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; border-right: 0px; border-top: 0px;" /></a>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15601018176609010890noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6091586416838405619.post-61585692276433371362012-04-22T08:25:00.000-07:002012-04-22T08:25:40.283-07:00Clover pants - now the REAL never-ending story!<br />
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Hello, readers. Well, it happened. I was finishing up my clover pants, re-attaching the new waistband, feeling the love of finally being able to wear them when my sewing machine started making really funny noises. No warning, no problems. Just suddenly, as if it was revolting against my using it. So, I focused on trying to fix it, thinking there was a jam somewhere. The bobbin kept on getting knotted up and I couldn't figure it out. <br />
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Yesterday, I took it into the repair shop and they discovered that my bobbin casing kept shifting. No explanation as to why. But, the bad news is that my machine will be in the repair shop for at least a week.<br />
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So, my Clover pants, all pinned and ready to be finished lay on my sewing desk.<br />
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My frustration knew no bounds!<br />
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So, not wanting to waste any time, I decided I could prep future patterns. I got some new fabric from Fashion Fabrics Club. The red I want to use to make another pair of Clover pants. The other is more of a winter fabric that I won't be using yet.<br />
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I've decided I want to make Colette Jasmine top with some printed aqua rayon blend and I have some nice printed cotton to make another Sorbetto (sorry, I didn't take any pictures of them). I also have some white bull denim fabric for Simplicity 2562 that <a href="http://www.ericabunker.com/">Erica Bunker</a> inspired to me make. She made a pair using yellow bull denim. They look great!<br />
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So, for the most part, I'm in a holding pattern until I get my machine back. I'm hoping it doesn't cost too much nor take too long.<br />
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Do some sewing for me, ok?<br />
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<a href="http://www.mylivesignature.com/" target="_blank"><img src="http://signatures.mylivesignature.com/54489/286/B663055537939B7F08D5683C058BD94D.png" style="background: none transparent scroll repeat 0% 0%; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; border-right: 0px; border-top: 0px;" /></a>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15601018176609010890noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6091586416838405619.post-56729689921877317722012-04-19T08:22:00.000-07:002012-04-19T08:22:56.915-07:00Clover pants - the never-ending story<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">The Colette Clover pants are coming along fine.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>They are almost finished and fitting very well.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I’m finding that they are gaping just a tad away from the back but not enough to be bothersome.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I don’t tuck my tops into pants anymore so I’m not too worried.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>And, of course, that gaping might correct itself once I put in the zipper and finish the waistband.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">Sometimes it seems that way. Things are going well with them and I'm very excited to get them finished up.</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">I tried them on this morning but didn’t take any pictures because I had just gotten out of bed.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I didn’t think any of you really wanted to see me in all my morning glory. </div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><br />
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</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">I did make a mistake, though.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">I attached my waistband last night during my 30 minute sewing session and didn’t realize my mistake until I tried on the pants this morning. Turns out it the waistband wasn’t on the inside as I had thought but on the outside and would have shown.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>So, this morning, I quickly removed the waistband and will cut out another tonight and reattach.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I also plan on finishing up the pants since this happens to be my Friday.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I only have the zipper, the left side and the hemming.</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">I can definitely see myself making several pairs of this pattern.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>They are very quick and easy.</div><br />
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<a href="http://www.mylivesignature.com/" target="_blank"><img src="http://signatures.mylivesignature.com/54489/286/B663055537939B7F08D5683C058BD94D.png" style="background: none transparent scroll repeat 0% 0%; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; border-right: 0px; border-top: 0px;" /></a>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15601018176609010890noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6091586416838405619.post-61846497292754288582012-04-18T11:48:00.000-07:002012-04-18T11:48:12.935-07:00Classic FilmsDon't you just love classic movies? I know I do. In fact, one of my favorite past times is sewing while I watch whatever classic movie is on TCM. I don't get to do it often enough. Sometimes, I have to listen to a Disney cartoon so my toddler will be occupied and I can get my 20 minutes of sewing in. Bad mother, I know, but sometimes there's no other alternative. When he's tired of cutting old scraps of fabric, Disney movies come in handy.<br />
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But, I grew up watching classic movies. Channel 5 KTLA used to have a Saturday afternoon show hosted by Tom Hatten that showed Hollywood musicals and comedies. Tom Hatten would sit in a chair and much like TCM today, would give interesting insights into the people who made the movie and how it was made.<br />
I spend every Saturday afternoon in front of the TV watching Abbott & Costello, The Marx Brothers, Singing in the Rain, Easter Parade, and on and on and on. I loved the singing and dancing, the comedy, the filming - everything about it.<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-fujGJsFg0o8/T4dnPZfxNuI/AAAAAAAAAWk/lcDplztpIqk/s1600/Cyd_charisse_singing_in_the_rain.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="256px" qda="true" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-fujGJsFg0o8/T4dnPZfxNuI/AAAAAAAAAWk/lcDplztpIqk/s320/Cyd_charisse_singing_in_the_rain.jpg" width="320px" /></a></div><br />
My older sister took me to see Gone With the Wind for the first time at the local movie theater. It was still being re-released way back then. Many blockbusters were. Every Easter, we would watch Ben Hur or Ten Commandments. Every Christmas we watched all the classic Christmas movies. Needless to say, there was never a lack of classic movie watching my house.<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-G4isYP0fC6A/T4dobpFTquI/AAAAAAAAAW0/DPGoXJ2b968/s1600/gone_with_the_wind-11477.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320px" qda="true" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-G4isYP0fC6A/T4dobpFTquI/AAAAAAAAAW0/DPGoXJ2b968/s320/gone_with_the_wind-11477.jpg" width="213px" /></a></div>Last week was Doris Day's birthday and true to form, TCM launched a week of Doris Day films. One of my favorites is Love Me or Leave Me starring Doris Day and James Cagney. If you haven't seen it, I highly recommend you treat yourself to this fantastic movie. Doris Day has never looked so beautiful and her costumes are to die for....<br />
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Forgive the horrible picture. I took it with my phone during the movie. This particular dress is fabulous! All sequins and tassels. I was unable to find many pictures of this movie online. Perhaps I'm just looking in the wrong places. Trust me, you will be salivating<br />
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<a href="http://www.mylivesignature.com/" target="_blank"><img src="http://signatures.mylivesignature.com/54489/286/B663055537939B7F08D5683C058BD94D.png" style="background: none transparent scroll repeat 0% 0%; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; border-right: 0px; border-top: 0px;" /></a>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15601018176609010890noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6091586416838405619.post-70591682490274552062012-04-15T08:21:00.000-07:002012-04-15T08:21:21.886-07:00It Costs How Much??!!<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><br />
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</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">Hello, Friends.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Today I wanted to talk about sewing tools and how much they cost. Like most sewers, I’ve spent my fair share of money on my tools, fabrics, notions, etc., and have spent a small fortune.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It has been worth it though, and I’m glad I was in a position to afford it (although I’ve yet to come across a deal on yards of fabric for $2 that I read others all over the internet are finding!).<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>But, does price equal quality?</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">Last year, I decided to purchase a new sewing machine.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It’s a Janome and although I bought it on sale, it was still more than I’ve ever spent on a sewing machine before.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>My serger, a Brother 1034D was purchased on Amazon for less than $200.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I’ve been extremely happy with my Janome, the first non-Singer I’ve ever owned, as it has a whole lot of really neat features that have impressed me over the months.</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">Today, I was perusing the aisles of Joann’s during my lunch break today and I looked at pinking shears.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I’m not sure if I will buy a new pair as I already have a pair but, they acted up on my Clover pants pockets and things just haven’t been the same between us since.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>So, thinking I might have to replace them, I stopped to look at the scissors.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>As we all know, scissors aren’t cheap – well, at least <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">good</i> scissors aren’t cheap.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I’ve learned that, at least with sewing scissors, you get what you pay for.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Not yet ready to give up on my current pair of pinking shears, I didn’t linger too long and moved along to the next aisle.</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">On the next aisle, I saw the irons and began to invest some time in looking at the features of each iron.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Personally, I’ve never owned a top of the line iron.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I’ve usually stayed about mid-range or in some instances when it was an emergency, I bought a cheap iron to get me through.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>As I was looking at the irons, I saw the prices and just about had a heart attack!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Some of these irons were going for $199!!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>For that amount of money, the thing better make my dinner as well as perfectly iron my sewing projects.</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-pJkdcyj0hSg/T4Xx6g9SnrI/AAAAAAAAAWE/VEUu8kldzIM/s1600/trivet+2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="154px" qda="true" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-pJkdcyj0hSg/T4Xx6g9SnrI/AAAAAAAAAWE/VEUu8kldzIM/s320/trivet+2.jpg" width="320px" /></a></div> <span style="font-size: xx-small;">By the way, aren't these lovely trivets?</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">I’m sorry but, $199?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Really?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I just can’t envision any iron that works so well that it would be worth $199.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>What could it do that the other models at $79 didn’t do?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Nothing.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Would it last longer?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Maybe marginally longer. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I understand that better irons do their job better but $199 worth of better?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I don’t think so.</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">In closing, dear readers, am I crazy to think that is far too expensive for an iron?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Do you think this is a reasonable price for an iron?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Am I missing something?</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">Have a great day and keep on sewing!</div><br />
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<a href="http://www.mylivesignature.com/" target="_blank"><img src="http://signatures.mylivesignature.com/54489/286/B663055537939B7F08D5683C058BD94D.png" style="background: none transparent scroll repeat 0% 0%; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; border-right: 0px; border-top: 0px;" /></a>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15601018176609010890noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6091586416838405619.post-76589709405494124322012-04-12T09:59:00.000-07:002012-04-12T09:59:46.313-07:00Clover pants<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">Hi Friends!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It’s another rainy day here in <place w:st="on">Southern California</place> and I’m here to give you an update on my Clover project.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">So far, everything had gone smoothly.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I’ve been allotting about 20-30 minutes at the end of the day to sewing and I find that not only am I getting my sewing fix in, I’m making progress on my project.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Its slow going but progressing nonetheless.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>(Sometimes I think I should change the name of my blog to The Slow Sewist instead because it certainly would be a more accurate portrayal of my sewing style, heh).</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">I traced my pattern pieces and made the necessary adjustments.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I cut and marked my fabric and stay-stitched the waist bands, etc. (I used some leftover yellow fabric for one of the waistbands.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It will be facing the inside and won’t be showing.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It would have matched with the pocket fabric but you will see what happened with that)</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><br />
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</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">I moved onto the pockets.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I was going to serge the edges to keep them looking professional but my serger was acting up.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>After several attempts and yards of broken thread, I came to the conclusion that my serger must have been damaged in the move.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>One of the needles is hitting the needle plate and a new needle isn’t doing the trick.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I will need to take it in for adjustment, I think.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Drat!</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><br />
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</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">So, I figured I would just do a zigzag stitch around the edges.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-VD8R7hwUIao/T4WzWQ2i8wI/AAAAAAAAAVE/B6FOSw9OVCw/s1600/brown+pockets.bmp" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="239px" qda="true" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-VD8R7hwUIao/T4WzWQ2i8wI/AAAAAAAAAVE/B6FOSw9OVCw/s320/brown+pockets.bmp" width="320px" /></a></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><br />
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</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">But, the pockets turned out to be really wonky after that.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The fabric I used for the pockets is lining fabric and very light weight.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I don’t think it was happy with the zigzag stitching.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>*sigh*.</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><br />
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</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-1BUcuv3nL9M/T4WziIHyQXI/AAAAAAAAAVM/WjZVPEgGu1M/s1600/pocket+close+up.bmp" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="239px" qda="true" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-1BUcuv3nL9M/T4WziIHyQXI/AAAAAAAAAVM/WjZVPEgGu1M/s320/pocket+close+up.bmp" width="320px" /></a></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">I decided to move on and cut new pockets out of some quilting fabric that I’ve had for years and I absolutely love. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Isn’t this pretty fabric?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It’s from a civil war collection (whose name I can’t remember) and I heard that they don’t make it anymore.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Anyhoo, it’s a little more substantial than the lining fabric and it looks good against the navy.</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-bE3Jw3W-F0c/T4W00FLgXWI/AAAAAAAAAVc/ebTWaZVeVmU/s1600/new+pockets.bmp" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="239px" qda="true" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-bE3Jw3W-F0c/T4W00FLgXWI/AAAAAAAAAVc/ebTWaZVeVmU/s320/new+pockets.bmp" width="320px" /></a></div><br />
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</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">Instead of zigzagging around the edges, I decided to use my pinking shears.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>But, low and behold, I had trouble with them, too!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>They kept on getting caught up in the fabric and weren’t being very helpful.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I haven’t had this problem with them before so I don’t understand what’s up with them.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>They weren’t cheap pinking shears.</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">I finally got the pockets sewn onto the waistband and the front waist of the pants.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Tonight I will be sewing the darts and the legs together and do a little fitting.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-PQiYESPSKHw/T4W0_XblqEI/AAAAAAAAAVs/dgkM3nXR29c/s1600/pockets.bmp" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="239px" qda="true" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-PQiYESPSKHw/T4W0_XblqEI/AAAAAAAAAVs/dgkM3nXR29c/s320/pockets.bmp" width="320px" /></a></div><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">Wish me luck!</div><br />
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<a href="http://www.mylivesignature.com/" target="_blank"><img src="http://signatures.mylivesignature.com/54489/286/B663055537939B7F08D5683C058BD94D.png" style="background: none transparent scroll repeat 0% 0%; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; border-right: 0px; border-top: 0px;" /></a>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15601018176609010890noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6091586416838405619.post-4695012078734470082012-04-10T16:29:00.000-07:002012-04-10T16:29:33.956-07:00Bags, bags and more bags<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-_dPC2sHYFpA/T34Ut7cND2I/AAAAAAAAAUc/3IEwMAArE2g/s1600/purses-wall-300x140.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" nda="true" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-_dPC2sHYFpA/T34Ut7cND2I/AAAAAAAAAUc/3IEwMAArE2g/s1600/purses-wall-300x140.jpg" /></a></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">Hello friends!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>There’s been something on my mind for quite some time and I’d like to talk about it.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Purses.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>They come in all shapes and sizes, all different colors and styles.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Some are beautiful and some are downright ugly.<br />
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Here is a picture of my dream purse but I cannot find it anywhere for less than $300.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>That’s too rich for my blood. (No, that's not me holding it. It's some other very lucky woman!)</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-duJpmgUSejY/T34WOZvdb_I/AAAAAAAAAUs/nsN_f_og_j4/s1600/dooney+and+bourke.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320px" nda="true" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-duJpmgUSejY/T34WOZvdb_I/AAAAAAAAAUs/nsN_f_og_j4/s320/dooney+and+bourke.jpg" width="213px" /></a></div></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">I have a real love/hate relationship with purses.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Because women’s clothing is all about looks, not about practicality and is mostly produced without pockets, I have to carry a purse just to carry my necessities, I.D., lipstick, nail file, etc.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I’ve whittled my necessities down to the point where I can have a small cross-body bag and it suits me perfectly. I must keep my hands free because I have a toddler that requires two hands.<br />
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</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-uWKBa07rNsQ/T34ZWX4HN-I/AAAAAAAAAU8/KZ9AVbY0GhA/s1600/cartoon+mother.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" nda="true" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-uWKBa07rNsQ/T34ZWX4HN-I/AAAAAAAAAU8/KZ9AVbY0GhA/s1600/cartoon+mother.jpg" /></a></div><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">Every month or so, I see a sewing magazine that inordinately has a front cover headline about purses.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Quick and easy purses!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Pretty and fabulous totes!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Purse projects for spring! The styles always change with the fashions and lately I’ve seen more patterns for clutches rather than purses. Tempted as I am to try them, I resist because none of them fit what I need – cross-body or – dare I say it? – fanny pack (on etsy).</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><br />
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</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-QMw8XPpiQM4/T34UvwGTh0I/AAAAAAAAAUk/9Z-hdszldis/s1600/ruffled+fanny+pack.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320px" nda="true" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-QMw8XPpiQM4/T34UvwGTh0I/AAAAAAAAAUk/9Z-hdszldis/s320/ruffled+fanny+pack.jpg" width="320px" /></a></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">The purses are usually pretty cute and use great fabric but I’ve never made a fabric purse. Sure, I’ve made some larger totes in neutral colors to be used at the beach or some other purpose.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>They looked fine but never quite cut the mustard for my taste. But, this one is really cute.<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Z5LwmFH0jOA/T34YnXM5WyI/AAAAAAAAAU0/vPuytHzUvDs/s1600/fabric+bag.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" nda="true" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Z5LwmFH0jOA/T34YnXM5WyI/AAAAAAAAAU0/vPuytHzUvDs/s1600/fabric+bag.jpg" /></a></div></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">So, I was wondering - do you like to sew purses?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>How have they turned out?</div><br />
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<a href="http://www.mylivesignature.com/" target="_blank"><img src="http://signatures.mylivesignature.com/54489/286/B663055537939B7F08D5683C058BD94D.png" style="background: none transparent scroll repeat 0% 0%; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; border-right: 0px; border-top: 0px;" /></a>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15601018176609010890noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6091586416838405619.post-64821295018096564462012-04-05T14:29:00.000-07:002012-04-05T14:29:40.473-07:00No More!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-3NUXSd39qJs/T34OOHo4WBI/AAAAAAAAAUM/V3qU9-rGbMw/s1600/SuperStock_2912H-59562.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320px" nda="true" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-3NUXSd39qJs/T34OOHo4WBI/AAAAAAAAAUM/V3qU9-rGbMw/s320/SuperStock_2912H-59562.jpg" width="256px" /></a></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">Hello friends!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Today I’m going to talk about something that I just recently had a revelation about – cheap clothing.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Now, granted, we all have different reasons for sewing.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Some of us (like me) just love it as a hobby and can’t have enough fabric in our stash.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Some of us sew because we like to have our clothes fit better.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Some of us sew because we can’t stand to buy the cheap clothing we find in department stores.</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">Until recently, I’ve sewn just for the sheer joy of it.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Although my time is limited, I stole a few minutes each week to work on some project that was taking me far too long to finish. I’ve always looked at sewing as just a hobby, nothing more. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I would spend more time shopping to nurse my fabric obsession than sewing.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I read blogs and magazines, all about sewing, to get my sewing fix. Every now and then I would sew something to keep my hobby alive. </div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">No more!</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">Lately, as I’ve done clothes shopping, I’ve really noticed how cheap all this clothing is.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I’ve shopped at Kohl’s, JC Penney’s, Coldwater Creek, <place w:st="on"><city w:st="on">Chico</city></place>’s, etc., and I find the same thing over and over again – the fabric is cheap, the sewing is standard, and there’s nothing in these pieces of clothing that stand out as well-made.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Why do I want to spend my hard-earned money on this junk?? </div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">I know some of you may be saying “DUH!” but for me, this realization is fairly new.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Well, not really new but let’s say that it just sunk in. </div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">Yes, I’ve always known that the clothing I was buying was substandard and not being able to afford couture shops, I just settled for what I could afford.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>But I tell you, this past week as I was window shopping during my lunch hour, I couldn’t find anything that I would actually buy. As I looked through the racks of clothing, <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I knew that the t-shirt I’d buy would shrink to be too short on me in the first wash.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I knew that the slacks I purchased would rip at the seams.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I knew the fabrics would fade and that the clothing would end up looking like a rumpled mess.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I also knew that I wouldn’t fork out the cash to dry clean them. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It was all so cheaply made and the fabric was such low quality that I couldn’t help but think to myself, “Why would I bother to buy this junk when I can make it so much better myself?”</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><br />
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</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-UagrLwAIcQo/T34OWUujDQI/AAAAAAAAAUU/D2g-yZepaGA/s1600/130-318%257EEthel-Lucy-Posters.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320px" nda="true" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-UagrLwAIcQo/T34OWUujDQI/AAAAAAAAAUU/D2g-yZepaGA/s320/130-318%257EEthel-Lucy-Posters.jpg" width="251px" /></a></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">Not anymore!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I’m done spending my money on crap.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I’m frustrated but this realization is born out of my frustration, really.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">My hobby is no longer just a hobby to do in my spare time.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It’s a means to create higher quality clothing that fits better and lasts longer.</div><br />
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<a href="http://www.mylivesignature.com/" target="_blank"><img src="http://signatures.mylivesignature.com/54489/286/B663055537939B7F08D5683C058BD94D.png" style="background: none transparent scroll repeat 0% 0%; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; border-right: 0px; border-top: 0px;" /></a>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15601018176609010890noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6091586416838405619.post-87894053896834135012012-04-01T11:43:00.000-07:002012-04-01T11:43:37.711-07:00How the quilt is coming along.....I got around to making up the backing to my quilt yesterday. I picked stripes which wasn't a very good idea since I'm horrible at trying to match up stripes. I think I might have to read up on how to make a quilt backing. The ones I've made in the past were whole - extra wide fabric - so, I didn't have to do any piecing to make the backing the correct size.<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-jywqoVx9PfY/T3ifmNx25sI/AAAAAAAAAT8/6NdzsYbBpgQ/s1600/photo.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" dea="true" height="320px" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-jywqoVx9PfY/T3ifmNx25sI/AAAAAAAAAT8/6NdzsYbBpgQ/s320/photo.JPG" width="239px" /></a></div><br />
It's very pretty and should look quite nice when I get it done. I will have to add binding which I wasn't really wanting to do. I will be using the turquoise fabric I got for the border (as I'm not going to make a border). I should have enough but first things first. Get it to the quilter!<br />
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I got a book recommendation from a local quilt shop called <a href="http://www.amazon.com/Start-Quilting-Alex-Anderson-Everything/dp/1571208127/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1333305494&sr=8-1">Start Quilting with Alex Anderson</a> and it is a very easy to use book. Even with my limited quilting experience, I could easily make two or three quilts in this book. Problem is, I find that most quilting books focus on making the blocks and very few discuss how to make the baking. It kind of seems like a no-brainer but I tell you, its a lot more difficult than it looks. Perhaps its because I'm challenged in math and having to figure out how to make two yards of 45" fabric fit onto a 51" x 62" quilt. But, I managed to muddle through it even though the stripes aren't matched up well. <br />
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Anyhoo, I suppose it's time to go on YouTube and look up making quilt backings. <br />
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Have a great day and keep on sewing!<br />
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<a href="http://www.mylivesignature.com/" target="_blank"><img src="http://signatures.mylivesignature.com/54489/286/B663055537939B7F08D5683C058BD94D.png" style="background: none transparent scroll repeat 0% 0%; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; border-right: 0px; border-top: 0px;" /></a>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15601018176609010890noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6091586416838405619.post-15318231571679505632012-03-29T16:42:00.000-07:002012-03-29T16:42:46.999-07:00Clover pantsI have started to work on my Clover pants but I haven't taken any pictures. Frankly, I'm not sure I should. I've read a few blogs out there who claim to not be interested in reading about the actual process of sewing. They are only interested in seeing the finished product.<br />
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At any rate, I'm using a lovely navy blue stretch twill and they are coming along nicely. I will post as soon as I have them completed. <br />
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I've also found a quilter to quilt my quilt. Hmmm. Say that three times fast. I have to put together the backing so I will be finishing that up this weekend. <br />
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In the meantime, I've been watching Mad Men (who hasn't??) and loving all the fashion. I can't say I'm a big fan of Megan's wardrobe although this dress was a lot of fun:<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-TwVvsvchvh0/T3TwJUGI3nI/AAAAAAAAAT0/WC7EBqChPnI/s1600/0329megan-mad-men-zou-bisou-bisou_fa.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" dea="true" height="302px" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-TwVvsvchvh0/T3TwJUGI3nI/AAAAAAAAAT0/WC7EBqChPnI/s320/0329megan-mad-men-zou-bisou-bisou_fa.jpg" width="320px" /></a></div><a href="http://www.google.com/imgres?imgurl=http://www.glamour.com/fashion/blogs/slaves-to-fashion/2012/03/28/0329megan-mad-men-zou-bisou-bisou_fa.jpg&imgrefurl=http://www.glamour.com/fashion/blogs/slaves-to-fashion/2012/03/jessica-par-aka-mad-mens-megan.html&usg=__oNYPtsw5K8lv6rj39olsPIKOfXA=&h=424&w=448&sz=56&hl=en&start=5&sig2=0A85c3u-FiXAHrBzgdxnlw&zoom=1&tbnid=ruQ6wXILKoLNrM:&tbnh=120&tbnw=127&ei=8u90T8SGEMPgiAKvr6ioDg&prev=/search%3Fq%3Dmegan%2Bin%2Bmad%2Bmen%26um%3D1%26hl%3Den%26sa%3DN%26rls%3Dcom.microsoft:*%26tbm%3Disch&um=1&itbs=1">source</a><br />
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I much prefer Peggy's wardrobe although we didn't see much of her clothing this episode. I think this is my favorite.<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.styleabaad.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/02/madmen2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" dea="true" height="216px" src="http://www.styleabaad.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/02/madmen2.jpg" width="320px" /></a></div><a href="http://source/">source</a><br />
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*sigh* I love this show.Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15601018176609010890noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6091586416838405619.post-87941201519948871112012-03-18T10:38:00.000-07:002012-03-18T10:38:17.434-07:00What I did on my St. Patricks Day...I worked on my quilt. The storm that's blowing through Southern California has given me a little time to work on it.<br />
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Some of my squares came out looking great!<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-DZhGl_d2I3g/T2YaDNYz_6I/AAAAAAAAAS8/Dr9xyfp9piA/s1600/photo+2+.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img aea="true" border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-DZhGl_d2I3g/T2YaDNYz_6I/AAAAAAAAAS8/Dr9xyfp9piA/s1600/photo+2+.JPG" /></a></div><br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-E5Pzm1Sinkg/T2YaKQqxlFI/AAAAAAAAATc/z6pl2h1tsEc/s1600/photo+7+.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img aea="true" border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-E5Pzm1Sinkg/T2YaKQqxlFI/AAAAAAAAATc/z6pl2h1tsEc/s1600/photo+7+.JPG" /></a></div><br />
Some of them came out looking wonky...<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-jn4UFuSMnao/T2YaMpeb3MI/AAAAAAAAATk/CuUwPW0hCVQ/s1600/photo+8+.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img aea="true" border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-jn4UFuSMnao/T2YaMpeb3MI/AAAAAAAAATk/CuUwPW0hCVQ/s1600/photo+8+.JPG" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-gUWrNA23g7k/T2YaBB-uvlI/AAAAAAAAAS0/W3tRAyaLJCo/s1600/photo+1+.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img aea="true" border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-gUWrNA23g7k/T2YaBB-uvlI/AAAAAAAAAS0/W3tRAyaLJCo/s1600/photo+1+.JPG" /></a></div><br />
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No matter what I did, they would line up. Luckily, there are more that turned out correctly than wonky and since this is my third quilt in about 20 years, I'm not too distressed if it isn't perfect. I'm not entering it in a county fair or anything like that. It seems that apparel sewing is a little more forgiving. Quilting takes more precision. <br />
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The quilt has turned out to be a bit small, though. I wanted it to be more blanket size but it's closer to lap-blanket size. I got some matching kona cotton for a border to enlarge the quilt somewhat...<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-ipmu2Q4f1e4/T2YaGfDXw3I/AAAAAAAAATM/8PJA2HcHbvs/s1600/photo+4+.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img aea="true" border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-ipmu2Q4f1e4/T2YaGfDXw3I/AAAAAAAAATM/8PJA2HcHbvs/s1600/photo+4+.JPG" /></a></div><br />
<br />
...but, I'm angsting to get to my <a href="http://www.colettepatterns.com/shop/clover">Colette Clover pants</a> that I've put off for far too long and adding more to the quilt will take longer - but not that much longer.<br />
<br />
I think Sanguine needs to learn to enjoy the process instead of rushing to get to the end product.<br />
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The quilt is looking fine and it will be a warm addition to my house, regardless of the size. <br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-VIr8kc9GaHk/T2YaIe7maqI/AAAAAAAAATU/xTJHt_yhiU4/s1600/photo+5+.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img aea="true" border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-VIr8kc9GaHk/T2YaIe7maqI/AAAAAAAAATU/xTJHt_yhiU4/s1600/photo+5+.JPG" /></a></div><br />
<br />
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Have a great day and keep on sewing!<br />
<a href="http://www.mylivesignature.com/" target="_blank"><img src="http://signatures.mylivesignature.com/54489/286/B663055537939B7F08D5683C058BD94D.png" style="background: none transparent scroll repeat 0% 0%; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; border-right: 0px; border-top: 0px;" /></a>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15601018176609010890noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6091586416838405619.post-40372375318562632682012-03-10T07:18:00.001-08:002012-03-10T07:26:49.104-08:00Quilt Making, Gift Giving, Freinds GatheringAnd so begins the journey to <a href="http://temeculaquiltco.com/index2.html">Temecula Quilt Company</a>, a fabulous little quilt shop in Temecula, CA. Owner, Sheryl Johnson opened her shop in March, 2007 and has made this place a meeting ground for classes, fabrics, and friends for the past five years. You can see her blog <a href="http://temeculaquiltco.blogspot.com/">here.</a><br />
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<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-u0IKCl-6cy0/T1tulpn0kCI/AAAAAAAAASs/7V366lze5do/s1600/photo+4.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-u0IKCl-6cy0/T1tulpn0kCI/AAAAAAAAASs/7V366lze5do/s1600/photo+4.JPG" yda="true" /></a></div><br />
The shop is decorated in a lovely turn-of-the-century-turns-modern-day store.<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-O-XmJ83y1tE/T1tudIq0BVI/AAAAAAAAASU/P4iFusy-srY/s1600/photo+1.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-O-XmJ83y1tE/T1tudIq0BVI/AAAAAAAAASU/P4iFusy-srY/s1600/photo+1.JPG" yda="true" /></a></div><br />
<br />
Many gorgeous quilts are on display.<br />
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<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-qJlV2Y_lO-8/T1tujATkRmI/AAAAAAAAASk/kNrHFeKT1fo/s1600/photo+3.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-qJlV2Y_lO-8/T1tujATkRmI/AAAAAAAAASk/kNrHFeKT1fo/s1600/photo+3.JPG" yda="true" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-kCoaI8bL35Q/T1tufgZ13CI/AAAAAAAAASc/fluo4KZZ3w4/s1600/photo+2.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-kCoaI8bL35Q/T1tufgZ13CI/AAAAAAAAASc/fluo4KZZ3w4/s1600/photo+2.JPG" yda="true" /></a></div><br />
I have to say, I'm becoming fascinated with quilts and quilting. I just love the way they look and feel. I could watch quilting for hours. In fact, I'm looking at some of my fabric stash to see what fabrics I can use for quilting.<br />
<br />
I spent the other night piecing together my blocks for my hodge-podge quilt. It looks like it's going to be a nice size, although I don't know how large yet. It should be about a twin size blanket. I'm going today to look for some nice backing fabric for it. Pictures to come!<br />
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Have a great day and keep on sewing!<br />
<br />
<a href="http://www.mylivesignature.com/" target="_blank"><img src="http://signatures.mylivesignature.com/54489/286/B663055537939B7F08D5683C058BD94D.png" style="background: none transparent scroll repeat 0% 0%; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; border-right: 0px; border-top: 0px;" /></a>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15601018176609010890noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6091586416838405619.post-67586830949986592762012-03-05T19:25:00.004-08:002012-03-05T19:32:55.136-08:00<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Yes, Sanguine has been absent from the blogosphere of late. It turns out that relocating to a different state and transferring to a new job takes waaayyy too much time away from sewing and blogging. This is not a good start for a new blogger but drat the luck, life just gets in the way! Things are not settled down yet but Sanguine has decided to take the bull by the horns and control this demon! Some of it has been the fact that I want to sew and blog and some of it has been the fact that I <i>need</i> to sew and blog. Go figure!</span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I did finally find time to buy some clearance Lisette fabric at JoAnn's. These were $6/yard and I have been coveting them relentlessly over the past year. I just couldn't bring myself to spending the $12 - 14.99/yard for them. Then, using coupons from my JoAnn's iphone app and my 10% off card, I was in the money - er ….fabric, I mean.</span><br />
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<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-jCc0qAMHie8/T1WBRcsfC3I/AAAAAAAAARs/AwxPTgmsJVY/s1600/IMG_2182.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-jCc0qAMHie8/T1WBRcsfC3I/AAAAAAAAARs/AwxPTgmsJVY/s320/IMG_2182.JPG" uda="true" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
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</div><div><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I've moved back to the lovely Temecula Valley in Southern California but, one thing I had forgotten was that it's cold here! Well, cold for someone who has lived in Arizona for the past nine years. Anything under 70 degrees and I'm looking for my heavy coat. One of the things about Southern California is that you always need to dress in layers because the weather could be cold in the morning, warm mid day, blustery in the afternoon and cold again in the evening. Layers are an essential component of life in California. But, I discovered that I didn't have any decent warm blankets. I'd be sitting on the couch at the end of the day and I was absolutely freezing. I'd cover myself with my thin fleece lap blankets but they fell woefully short of keeping me warm. Turning on the heater was my only recourse. Hence, it was time to pull out all my fabric scraps and quilt kits in my stash and begin to </span><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">make a quilt for those cool February evenings.</span></div><br />
<div></div><div></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-g5hblNMjRI8/T1WDggPyDdI/AAAAAAAAASM/Ge6duPp0-aM/s1600/temecula-wineries-real-estate-for-sale.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-g5hblNMjRI8/T1WDggPyDdI/AAAAAAAAASM/Ge6duPp0-aM/s320/temecula-wineries-real-estate-for-sale.jpg" uda="true" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div></div><div><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Now, I've only made two quilts in my life - one was from a kit I bought and I still use it for my son. The other was for my Dad to keep him warm in the hospital before hie died. Both were easy, quick and fun but I never really considered myself a quilter. I still don't. I prefer apparel sewing. </span><br />
</div><div></div><div><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Then again, any reason to go fabric shopping, right?</span><br />
</div><div></div><div><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Well, this is what I'm going to start with. I bought this kit three years ago and never made the quilt. The directions tell me to put all the squares in a big paper bag, shake them up, and just grab and sew without any thought to pattern. Simple enough, right?</span><br />
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</div><div></div><div></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-hyDt-K62bcc/T1WB_yK1fmI/AAAAAAAAAR0/zsxOXwom6LE/s1600/IMG_2203.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-hyDt-K62bcc/T1WB_yK1fmI/AAAAAAAAAR0/zsxOXwom6LE/s320/IMG_2203.JPG" uda="true" width="320" /></a></div><div></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-4R3IS-5XyG4/T1WCDtp6ROI/AAAAAAAAAR8/0h3J6Mf1fYU/s1600/IMG_2204.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-4R3IS-5XyG4/T1WCDtp6ROI/AAAAAAAAAR8/0h3J6Mf1fYU/s320/IMG_2204.JPG" uda="true" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div></div><div><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I have some fabric that I absolutely love left over from the quilt I made for my dad. I'm going to cut those down and add them in. They may not really match the theme but I love the fabric too much to leave them sitting in my scraps pile. </span><br />
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</div><div></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-MoqbFngfgCM/T1WCGr0iNKI/AAAAAAAAASE/iiJOt77pQoM/s1600/IMG_2205.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-MoqbFngfgCM/T1WCGr0iNKI/AAAAAAAAASE/iiJOt77pQoM/s320/IMG_2205.JPG" uda="true" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div></div><div></div><div></div><div><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">This quilt is supposed to be a hodge-podge anyways. I don't have the backing yet nor the batting but that will come in time. I don't want to quilt it myself because I don't really know how to yet so I just might hire someone with a long arm quilting machine to do it for me - if it isn't too expensive.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">So, tell me friends. Do you ever find yourself sewing things out of necessity rather than pleasure? Did you like doing it or did you find it to be more of a chore? Or, do you even care <i>what</i> you sew, just as long as you <i>can</i> sew?</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Have a great day and keep on sewing.</span></div><br />
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<br />
<a href="http://www.mylivesignature.com/" target="_blank"><img src="http://signatures.mylivesignature.com/54489/286/B663055537939B7F08D5683C058BD94D.png" style="background: none transparent scroll repeat 0% 0%; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; border-right: 0px; border-top: 0px;" /></a><br />
<div></div><div></div>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15601018176609010890noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6091586416838405619.post-80891391663428349562011-11-28T06:19:00.000-08:002011-11-28T06:19:58.144-08:00Post ThanksgivingHappy Monday, everyone! I hope you all had a wonderful holiday. I just came back into town yesterday after a marvelous vacation in Southern California with my family. The weather was gorgeous and the crowds at Disneyland plentiful.<br />
<br />
I came home yesterday to find that my two Colette Patterns had arrived.<br />
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<img alt="" height="435px" src="http://www.colettepatterns.com/images/shop/1019/cp1019-02-med.jpg?1322421080" width="290px" /><br />
<a href="http://www.colettepatterns.com/shop/clover">Clover</a><br />
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<img alt="" height="435px" src="http://www.colettepatterns.com/images/shop/1018/cp1018-06-med.jpg?1322421080" width="290px" /><br />
<a href="http://www.colettepatterns.com/shop/jasmine">Jasmine</a><br />
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Wow! I must say that these are the nicest patterns I've ever seen! The Big 4 could certainly learn a thing or two from <a href="http://www.colettepatterns.com/">Colette</a>. Rather than coming in a paper envelope with tissue paper patterns, these came in a sort of "book" for the instructions and tucked in the back flap was the pattern printed on higher quality paper than the Big 4 use for theirs. I actually feel I'm getting something for my money.<br />
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I think I will make the Clover pants first. I have tons of fabric at home I can use. I think I also have fabric I can use for the Jasmine top, too but I have to look at the fabric recommendations first before I make my final decision on those.<br />
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Stay tuned to see which fabrics I use. Have a great day and keep on sewing!<br />
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<a href="http://www.mylivesignature.com/" target="_blank"><img src="http://signatures.mylivesignature.com/54489/286/B663055537939B7F08D5683C058BD94D.png" style="background: none transparent scroll repeat 0% 0%; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; border-right: 0px; border-top: 0px;" /></a>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15601018176609010890noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6091586416838405619.post-43661124936909552732011-11-18T07:30:00.000-08:002011-11-18T07:30:47.056-08:00Colette PatternsI just bought my first two <a href="http://www.colettepatterns.com/shop/separates">Colette Patterns</a> and I'm really excited. I've been eying these patterns for quite some time and I thoroughly enjoyed making the Sorbet and I wear it constantly. It was so easy and it turned out great. I got the Clover pants and the Jasmine top. Links to the patterns are below the pictures.<br />
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<img alt="" height="435px" src="http://www.colettepatterns.com/images/shop/1019/cp1019-02-med.jpg?1321496176" width="290px" /><br />
<a href="http://www.colettepatterns.com/shop/clover">clover</a><br />
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<img alt="" height="435px" src="http://www.colettepatterns.com/images/shop/1018/cp1018-06-med.jpg?1321496176" width="290px" /><br />
<a href="http://www.colettepatterns.com/shop/jasmine">jasmine</a><br />
<br />
These pants might just replace my Vogue cigarette pants but we'll see. I really like that the pants have a pocket. Pockets are very important to me.<br />
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On other fronts, I'm determined to do some sewing this weekend although, the coming holiday may very well throw that idea out the window. I don't have much to do other than clean the house and do laundry, as I'm not cooking this Thanksgiving. Whew! But, it will be an uneventful weekend with plenty of sewing time. I might just give my husband's boxers a second go.<br />
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Have a great day and keep on sewing!<br />
<br />
<br />
<a href="http://www.mylivesignature.com/" target="_blank"><img src="http://signatures.mylivesignature.com/54489/286/B663055537939B7F08D5683C058BD94D.png" style="background: none transparent scroll repeat 0% 0%; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; border-right: 0px; border-top: 0px;" /></a>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15601018176609010890noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6091586416838405619.post-74502443819912482612011-11-15T07:27:00.000-08:002011-11-15T07:27:25.317-08:00Vogue 1264<img alt="V1264" border="0" height="475px" src="http://voguepatterns.mccall.com/filebin/images/product_images/Full/V1264.jpg" title="V1264" width="450px" /><br />
<br />
I'm wanting to begin making these cigarette pants but I fear I've purchased the wrong size. In RTW, I wear a size 12-13. In sewing, I usually wear a size 14. <br />
<br />
I pulled out this pattern over the weekend to finally begin and looking on the pattern pieces, the finished measurements of size 14 are 10 inches smaller than my measurements!! Even the waistband is considerably smaller. I can't imagine that I'll have to cut a size 22 - and in the process have to buy another pattern. <br />
<br />
This comes as one of my biggest obstacles in sewing - getting the right fit. I take some quick measurements before every project because goodness knows, the older I get, the more I'm changing. I match them up to the pattern and even estimate the finished pattern measurements before I cut. Lately however, I've been relying on the printed finished measurements on the pattern pieces to guide me. So far, I've been fairly fortunate. <br />
<br />
This pattern though, has really thrown me for a loop.<br />
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I hate the idea of making muslin's because I like more instant gratification but I fear I will have to do it in this case. I really don't want to buy another pattern and if I need a bigger size, it would be too much work to just re-trace a larger size from this pattern. <br />
<br />
So, muslin it is. I don't have any muslin fabric so I will have to stop at Goodwill and see if they have a cheap sheet I can use as a muslin.<br />
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Wish me luck!<br />
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<br />
<a href="http://www.mylivesignature.com/" target="_blank"><img src="http://signatures.mylivesignature.com/54489/286/B663055537939B7F08D5683C058BD94D.png" style="background: none transparent scroll repeat 0% 0%; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; border-right: 0px; border-top: 0px;" /></a>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15601018176609010890noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6091586416838405619.post-53779080405878198722011-11-14T09:15:00.000-08:002011-11-14T09:15:47.691-08:00Kwik Sew boxer shortsYes, yes, I know. I'm just now finishing up from the Male Pattern Boldness Men's Boxer Short Sew Along <a href="http://malepatternboldness.blogspot.com/2011/09/mpb-mens-boxers-sew-along.html">here</a> and I'm seriously disappointed with mine. My waistband is uneven (see top of picture - one side is nicely gathered but the other, *sigh*) but that isn't the worst of it. Take a look:<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-YgtvHS2vXzY/Tr_9kZh-E7I/AAAAAAAAARU/7aDbti0RpBI/s1600/IMG_2036.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213px" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-YgtvHS2vXzY/Tr_9kZh-E7I/AAAAAAAAARU/7aDbti0RpBI/s320/IMG_2036.JPG" width="320px" /></a></div><br />
<br />
The flaps veer out when they should be one on top of the other, correct? In addition, there isn't anything on the instructions to finish the right bottom flap and I didn't realize it until it was too late to do anything about it.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-k5jGXy9yF9I/Tr_98ztTVAI/AAAAAAAAARc/7vK0d7cnhi0/s1600/IMG_2037.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213px" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-k5jGXy9yF9I/Tr_98ztTVAI/AAAAAAAAARc/7vK0d7cnhi0/s320/IMG_2037.JPG" width="320px" /></a></div><br />
<br />
Another problem is the bottom seam. They are uneven! The front is much narrower than the back. So, how is it the manufacturer could make such a blunder?? (Heh, yes, I'm sure I cut the same size, front and back)<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-Bv7eCisRCiM/Tr_-HkQg6RI/AAAAAAAAARk/Le_ycwi5Jqw/s1600/IMG_2039.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213px" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-Bv7eCisRCiM/Tr_-HkQg6RI/AAAAAAAAARk/Le_ycwi5Jqw/s320/IMG_2039.JPG" width="320px" /></a></div><br />
<br />
<br />
These have turned out so horrible that I will need to start all over. I suppose I shouldn't be too disappointed because that means another trip to the fabric store to get more elastic. But, I really liked this fabric, as did my husband, and I really don't know where I went wrong.<br />
<br />
So, I picked out the elastic and will try again with another bit of fabric I had. Wish me luck!<br />
<br />
<br />
<a href="http://www.mylivesignature.com/" target="_blank"><img src="http://signatures.mylivesignature.com/54489/286/B663055537939B7F08D5683C058BD94D.png" style="border-bottom-width: 0px! important; border-left-width: 0px! important; border-right-width: 0px! important; border-top-width: 0px! important;" /></a>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15601018176609010890noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6091586416838405619.post-23565188349520796182011-11-13T09:21:00.000-08:002011-11-13T09:21:13.977-08:00Gone with the Wind - for boys!We are in the middle of potty training my little guy and because the weather has gotten considerably colder, he is wearing pants. The potty training is hit and miss but like most boys, he forgets he needs to go and has an accident on his clothing. Because of this, we have been changing his pants at least twice a day and have gone through all his clean clothes in one weekend. So, I decided it was time to make some easy pull on pants for him. Oh, I feel so Scarlett O'Hara!<br />
<br />
Out of an old pair of curtains made from this great olive twill:<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/--_6L9FAgWwg/Tr_7OAAOneI/AAAAAAAAAQ0/62nWptACs2c/s1600/IMG_2035.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/--_6L9FAgWwg/Tr_7OAAOneI/AAAAAAAAAQ0/62nWptACs2c/s320/IMG_2035.JPG" width="213" /></a></div><br />
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They are a little long but I don't care. They work.<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-h-IM5aC6ANk/Tr_7ZHpoDmI/AAAAAAAAAQ8/ncJXq4msIIY/s1600/IMG_2028.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-h-IM5aC6ANk/Tr_7ZHpoDmI/AAAAAAAAAQ8/ncJXq4msIIY/s320/IMG_2028.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><br />
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<br />
It was already hemmed so I didn't need to do that step. <br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-_aiBmsgwdrU/Tr_7_AK43qI/AAAAAAAAARM/m_dFqTgHSFo/s1600/IMG_2033.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-_aiBmsgwdrU/Tr_7_AK43qI/AAAAAAAAARM/m_dFqTgHSFo/s320/IMG_2033.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><br />
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I was going to make more pairs for him out of old jeans that we don't - ahem, er, um - fit into anymore but I put those aside to try and complete the boxers for my husband. So far, I'm not happy with them. More on that next post.<br />
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So, whaddya think?<br />
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Have a great day and keep on sewing!<br />
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<a href="http://www.mylivesignature.com/" target="_blank"><img src="http://signatures.mylivesignature.com/54489/286/B663055537939B7F08D5683C058BD94D.png" style="border: 0px currentColor !important;" /></a>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15601018176609010890noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6091586416838405619.post-1890348855582664792011-11-10T07:27:00.000-08:002011-11-10T07:40:24.857-08:00Sewing Book Review<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Hello, everyone.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I’ve been so busy lately and then came down with a bad cold, I haven’t had much time to blog.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Yet, I did receive something in the mail from Amazon that I’m happy to share with you.</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">As I’ve written before, I’ve been looking for sewing classes to take but haven’t really found anything that works with my schedule or sewing level.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>In my search, I came across a certification program through <a href="http://www.paccprofessionals.org/">Association for Sewing & Design Professionals</a> that I thought looked pretty interesting.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Although I do not feel I am a good enough seamstress to take a certification course, I did download the book list required for the program.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Many of the books were ones I already had by authors we’ve all heard of – Susan Khalje, Claire Shaeffer, etc. – but, I found a book I hadn’t heard of yet.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It’s called <a href="http://www.amazon.com/Dressmaking-Step---Step-Leila-Aitken/dp/0806906286/ref=sr_1_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1320937476&sr=1-1">Dressmaking: A Step-by-Step Course by Leila Aitken</a> .</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;"><a href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/images/0806906286/ref=dp_image_0?ie=UTF8&n=283155&s=books" target="AmazonHelp"><img alt="Dressmaking: A Step-By-Step Course" border="0" height="300px" id="prodImage" src="http://ecx.images-amazon.com/images/I/41sitapRA-L._SL500_AA300_.jpg" width="300px" /></a></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">When the book arrived, I noticed it was a little outdated with many of the pictures from the 1980s but I think it is a great little book for beginners.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The pictures are clear and the directions simple.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>There isn’t too much information, which can be nice for a beginner. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> The book</span> doesn’t talk too much about fitting or tailoring clothing but it *is* about dressmaking so it isn’t bogged down with tutorials on sewing pillows or stuffed animals, which is also nice (I personally pass up many sewing books because they are filled with cute crafty projects - but I'm really not interested in making pillows too often, and how many fabric satchels can you have? heh). </span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">I believe though, that I really need to think about buying any more sewing books. I have an entire library of books with the same sewing information and Dressmaking is just one more.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Granted, I’m a book lover and I always feel that one book may talk about the same steps but say it in such a way that it’s different and thus, something I didn’t understand before suddenly becomes clear. </span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>As an intermediate seamstress, I found <a href="http://www.amazon.com/Sewing-Revised-Updated-Knitting-Magazine/dp/1933027002/ref=sr_1_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1320938313&sr=1-1">Vogue Sewing Revised and Updated</a> to be far more encompassing and thorough however, <em>Dressmaking</em> is geared more towards a beginner.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">That's all for now. We are expecting rain in Phoenix this weekend and I have my sewing project all ready to begin.</span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">Have a great day and keep on sewing!</span></span></div><br />
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<img src="http://signatures.mylivesignature.com/54489/286/B663055537939B7F08D5683C058BD94D.png" style="background: none transparent scroll repeat 0% 0%; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; border-right: 0px; border-top: 0px;" />Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15601018176609010890noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6091586416838405619.post-63834401146056436792011-10-24T12:12:00.000-07:002011-10-24T12:12:18.736-07:00New BackgroundI'm trying to make my blog look a little more interesting so I played around with some blog backgrounds. Now, from my years in business school, I know I should probably have something a little more plain - for marketing purposes. The simpler, the better. However, this is a creative blog, not a business blog and I wanted to use a little more color. I tend to be very traditional so I'm trying to step outside the box and do something different. Of course, this may very well change over the course of the next few months so please, bear with me.<br />
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Another weekend flew by and I didn't get any sewing done. *Sigh* Sometimes I wonder when I will get to sew. I thought I might be able to do a little in the evenings but I'm busy every night this week and I have guests coming in from out of town over the weekend. Oh, well.<br />
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<a href="http://www.mylivesignature.com/" target="_blank"><img src="http://signatures.mylivesignature.com/54489/286/B663055537939B7F08D5683C058BD94D.png" style="border-bottom-width: 0px! important; border-left-width: 0px! important; border-right-width: 0px! important; border-top-width: 0px! important;" /></a>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15601018176609010890noreply@blogger.com1