M6553

Peace!!!!

The God and I went out with 2 of my friends. He doesn't have friends here without me, yet. We don't really have a lot of couple friends. We both have these social yet anti-social tendencies. Plus for some reason, in our Culture functional relationships are not the norm. Who knows.... But we had a double date with married friends of mine. These friends are really important to me. We became friends when I 1st moved to GA. They had been friends with me and my late husband. Then they were church friends. I had a lot of those. But when I left that particular church and started to attend another... I lost all the friends I had there. You know those friends who claimed to be ride or die friends... This couple remained close. When I left the church all together, they still remained my friends. I adore these people. But... I guess I found their limits. Since the God and I have been together they have become distant... Oh well. They invited us to attend something and we went.

The biggest thing that keeps me from going out, is I don't have a lot of going out clothes. the clothes I acquire are work clothes. Now my job is very casual, and there is very little I cannot wear so my limitations usually have to do with 3/4ths. I don't club. So when I "go out" it's usually to some function. See? this is getting more and more convoluted. Every summer I get a going out dress. Since when I do go somewhere it will always be with different people. I can wear the dress over and over again. My idea of a perfect "going out" dress is one that will shift from day to evening. Since I will get the most use out of something I can also wear to work. M6553 fit the bill.

I have had the pattern for some time now. I bought it when it 1st came out. It's a loose fitting dress and on big girls loose fitting is synonymous to sloppy. I don't do sloppy. I bought the fabric 2 years ago to make a shirt dress. Where shirt dresses have their place... that place is not on my back. My clothes need to be just a tad edgy. But I have seen so many versions of M6553 that I had to give it a shot. I'm glad I did.




Pattern Description: Misses Dress and belt

Pattern Sizing: 14-22 (I cut 22)

Did it look like the photo/drawing on the pattern envelope once you were done sewing with it?
YES!!!

Were the instructions easy to follow?
Yes and no. Essentially they were but the instructions about where to place the belt vent was not there. I read them and re-read them. Folk have pics with them put in so I had to guess. I wish I had put it in higher. I still can but I wish to have done it the way I wanted up front.

What did you particularly like or dislike about the pattern?
I was surprised that something so loose fitting would work for me
I didn't like the lack of vent instructions


Fabric Used: Blue rayon. I don't like fabric that frays like this. Enough said

Yardage: 3 yards

Pattern alterations or any design changes you made:
I lengthened it an inch. I need for my knees to be covered. It kind of worked and kind of didn't. Everything lined up except the front piece. I am certain that I lengthened it an inch like I did the other pieces but it was exactly an inch short. That's why my knees are out. I don't know if it was supposed to be like that. ALSO.... I lost a pattern piece for the back yoke. I re-drew based on the directions and the pattern pieces that were there. I don't know what to say about that.

Would you sew it again? Would you recommend it to others?
Yes and Yes. I applied and interviewed for a ptj. And if I get it, i will be required to wear black. I found 3 yards of black fabric in my stash, I will use that to make another one but this time in a smaller size.

But my question is how many of this dress can one have in one's wardrobe?

Conclusion:
I really like it.



Peace

What's Going On...

Peace Y'all!

Tonight starts the newest installation of Project Runway!!! Woo Hoo!

I have been all over the Lifetime website learning what I can about the new designers. I already have my favorites. Just to make the cut is amazing. I know I couldn't do it.

My only PR rant is its a bit predictable. The basic challenge is how fast can one make a couture dress. It used to be way more fun, but I suppose that's hard to keep up. But I still find it a solid show. It's helpful to see how much drama goes in making garments from people who do this for a living. If they never did those challenges with car parts or candy or whatever, I'd still watch.

I will be sitting there with my popcorn and grape soda. I will route for the self taught home sewers and/or the Black people. Hey! It is what it is.

Who is going to be watching?

I have some sewing plans of my own. KiKi is not 100% She is more like 62%. I need a new bobbin case. This I know. And she is has this funny smell. It smells like alcoholic oil. It might be from what the maintenance people did. IDK.... I have a 60 day warrantee on it so I'm a ride this out to see what gives.

My family reunion is the weekend of 8/2. I need a dress for the banquet. I have yellow fabric and red fabric. If I use the yellow it will be S2588 the floral version on the cover. If I use the red it will be M5972 the b version. I have to bar tend at the reunion so I need to be comfortable... Long story. I also have M6533 qued to make.

At some point, summer sewing must cease. It is mid July and eventually I will want to start fall sewing. But it won't get cool here until November. I really shouldn't be concerned, but you know how it is....



Peace

KiKi Lives!!!!! & NL 6463

Peace.

Clearly I was premature with the death report. So many of y'all were so kind during my bereavement. I took her to 2 different repair people and called a bunch more. No one wanted to touch her. Said she was too old. I have been making plans to get another machine. I was even ready to move on one of these new-fangled sewing/embroidery machines. I had a conversation with an older woman who I knew sewed and lived in the city. I was Building with her because I knew she had multiple machines and I was wanting her to give me one. I'm not proud, but I was desperate. Or at least sell me one. What she did give me was some advice and a phone number. I called this man and he said that he could fix KiKi. Really?

So I took KiKi over to http://www.atlantasewing.net/. I had seen that place before. It's near a thrift shop I frequent. But it also sells and services vacuum cleaners. That's why I never thought to take her there. I was told if I got her there early enough, I could get her back the same day. I took off work to do this. The repair man took 1 look at the machine and told me what was wrong with it. And he was right. I have mixed feelings about this... On one hand, I am super excited to have my baby back working just like she did before. On the other hand it cost $80. I could have bought a new machine for $80. See my conundrum? And it's not like anything was broken or repaired. He said it was "gunked up." That $80 bucks caused me to be overdrawn in my checking account AND I got a ticket (for an out brake light, that requires me to go to court) behind the repair. I feel some type of way.

Well.... I got some sewing done on Saturday. I made 4 garments in 8 hours. I had a lot of pent up mojo inside. These garments came out quick too. I finished the patriotic dress, I made 2 skirts and a top. They weren't really that hard. Most were patterns I have made before. The only pattern I hadn't sewn before is NL6463. Let me tell you something... That is a very easy pattern. So easy I'm ashamed to review it.

I used the rest of a Wal-Mart fabric from which I made a blouse. I had always planned to make a skirt to match. Everything went together so easily that I was finished with this skirt in 40 minutes from cut to hem. Seriously. I wanted a skirt with some flounce at the bottom. This fabric is supper bold. I wasn't sure if I wanted it all over so that's why I chose to make separates. the skirt was super easy I mean SUPER easy. I added 3" to it... and that is where the drama begins...

The finished waist dimension for this skirt say that for the size 18, which is the largest size, it should be 34". Well my waist is 43". Don't judge me.... Seems like I should have added 9" to the skirt right? Right? had I been a newbie sewist I would have. But since I have a bit of wear under the hood, I measured the pattern directly. I only needed to add 3" vs the 9" the pattern would have had me add. That is a pisser right there. This is why newbies quit sewing. But other than that it was a very easy and satisfying pattern to whip up.



So back to this machine thing..... I have always serviced my own machine. I'm a continue to do so. $80 is a lot of money. Think about this... I could have bought a brand new machine for $90! And since I have been handling my business for all these years, I'm going to continue to do my own maintenance. I'm still getting more machines. Definitely a cheap back up for when KiKi has to go to the doctor. Let's face it. She is 30. There will be more problems. I probably need a new bobbin case. I want to get into embroidery. The issue is do I get a combo embroidery/sewing machine or an embroidery only machine and a sewing only machine? Either way, I'm still getting a cheap basic machine; but it will need to be brand spanking new. So many issues......



Peace

RIP KiKi....

Peace.

I have not been sewing. I was in the middle of making a new patriotic dress (a dress to be worn on Memorial Day, 4th of July, Labor day and any other day where I need to rep the USA) and my baby of 30 years slowly just gave up the ghost and died. She died doing what she loved.

I got KiKi, my Kenmore Ultrastitch in 1984. My mother bought it for me for my 8th grade graduation. It's the only machine I have ever owned. Everything I have ever made came through that machine. I'm not sure I can sew on another machine. I tried to have her fixed but the repair man said he didn't have parts for her. Sniff..... Pour some liquor out.

We know this isn't the end of me sewing. I will have to get another. Unbeknownst to me the God was planning to buy me a ridiculously expensive machine that does more than I know how to do for my Born day. But... my Born day is in November and he has only saved $200 towards that machine that costs $1000.

I have been doing the Knowledge to differnet types of machines and I think I want this one....
She makes 600 stitches. It has everything KiKi had and more. It does some embroidery, but it isn't an embroidery machine. The reviews are way better than the other machine the God was going to buy. I'm excited. But I don't have the $$$ to buy right now. It costs more than $200. You see... I live close to my paycheck. All my mad $$ comes from my side gig which includes sewing that I can't do because I don't have a machine! I am a notary and have considered raising my fees to $20... Think someone will pay that? LOL!!!! I'm not waiting until November.

My mother said she would give me some $ for a new machine, and said I need to get another machine like KiKi. Mommie said if my next machine lasts another 30 years, chances are I won't be sewing when I'm 72. LOL! But I don't like taking money from other people and that includes my parents. I'm grown. I behave that way. I need to find a spare machine from somewhere. I have been to thrift stores. Those machines don't work and/or they don't have all the pieces. I have been to Craigslist and yard sales but folks want to sell their used stuff like it was new. I am in a bit of a conundrum.

But I have learned valuable lessons from this experience (otherwise why have them)... I have often wondered why people have several machines. I figured they didn't get the one they wanted. I only have 1 car. Why do you need a bunch? But now I see you need a spare in case something goes wrong with one, you're not out of business... like I am. I think I will get a dedicated embroidery machine next. And I'm on the fence about wanting/needing a serger. They so don't look user friendly.

Anyway. Just wanted to let you know why I went ghost.



Peace

A Wearble Wadder

Peace!

I’m suffering from repeated brain farts today. So if this seems a bit disjointed…. You know why.

Anybody on Sew Much Talent? Well… For the March challenge folks were supposed to try a pattern from a company they have never sewn before. I chose Burda 7349. I have never truly been moved by a Burda pattern before. I see other folks sewing with them. I look at them as much as the other companies. They were just never my taste; coupled with the fact that they rarely go on sale makes them unattractive to me.

I like linen. Who doesn’t? Summer is linen season. Last summer I made a tangerine jacket that I have been getting some good wear out of. But I am ashamed to take it off because of the naked raw and unraveling seams. I neither lined it nor did anything to finish it off. Looks nice outside but the inside is horrible. This year, my linen plan was to either learn how to finish it off or make things that you wouldn’t see the inside of. So that is what I attempted to do with this jacket. I used French seams to join the upper and lower parts of the jacket. The problem is… I didn’t make them well. They leak a bit. It’s not super noticeable because of the print. I’m not surprised since this is my 1st attempt. I also covered some of the exposed seam on the inside with bias tape. I am not ashamed to take this jacket off. But I should be.

I liked the pattern, (Burda 7349) actually for the skirt. But I didn’t make the skirt. I made the jacket. Now this is where I screwed up. I have read that Burda does not do seam allowances. I didn’t quite understand what that meant. I don’t perceive seam allowances so I didn’t get what this meant even after cutting the pattern. I don’t know why I didn’t do a muslin for that reason alone. But I didn’t. Instead, I cut into $12/yard linen that the 7 bought for me. SMDH…. And guess what? It didn’t fit when I got done. The sleeves were too tight and the bodice sides acted like they were mad at each other and REFUSED to come together over Cocoa and Puff. Luckily there was enough left over from my 3.25 yd purchase to make a pencil skirt that I have worn the hell out of already. I had 2 choices: (1) fix the jacket or (2) take it apart and make something else. I just couldn’t waste fabric like that. And though the linen skirt was nice, it wasn’t worth $36+tax. I decided to persevere even though I picked out a top jic….

Problem #1: There was a 6” gap in the front.
I opened the side seams and put in a 4” insert on both sides.

Problem #2: The sleeves were too tight from the shoulder through the bicep
I cut the insert to have an additional 5” triangle at the top of it. I’m certain there is a word for it, but I don’t know one.

So that’s how I got the jacket to fit. Which I knew would work. I learned to sew because I had to accommodate the girls. Because I’m short, I could always take length off a garment for fabric. That was an old trick. Plus the fabric is printed. Printed fabric hides a multitude of flaws. That’s one of the reasons I chose it.

I also ironed small strips of interfacing along the periphery of the jacket and the sleeve opening. I rolled them twice before sewing them down. I am hoping that that will keep the fraying down to a minimum. So… what do you think?


I do not know how to smile for these pics....

Pattern Description: Jacket with angled front section seams and slightly flared, pointed hemline.


Pattern Sizing: 8-20 (I cut a 20)


Did it look like the photo/drawing on the pattern envelope once you were done sewing with it? Yes


Were the instructions easy to follow? Yes. There are elbow darts. WTH is an elbow dart for? I googled it and got no clarity!


What did you particularly like or dislike about the pattern?
The concept of no seam allowance still makes no sense to me….

Fabric Used: printed linen


Pattern alterations or any design changes you made: I hade to open up the sleeves and sides


Would you sew it again? Would you recommend it to others? No and no. Anybody want it? I’ll send it to you. Be mindful it’s cut


Conclusion: I don’t’ like it. But I will wear it. Does that make sense? I like this jacket enough to wear it now that it’s finished, but I could have made something similar and equally as satisfying out of other patterns I already own.


Peace

Follow my blog with Bloglovin

Phyllis' NL 6130.... again

Peace.

I call this shirt the “Phyllis” shirt. My friend wanted a white blouse to be a judo referee in. So we went to Hancocks and got a pattern, fabric and buttons. Why did she decide that she didn’t want a white blouse anymore? She said I could keep the fabric. I did! And do you know what??? I don’t own a white blouse. I must be the only person. You would think since I work in a professional environment that I would. I’ve tried to make them before but they always turn into wadders. Since I’m top heavy, I don’t normally wear white on top; especially since I stopped ushering. I have always been told it will make Cocoa and Puff look even bigger. But they can’t be hidden.

I have done this shirt 4 times now. And I am still not satisfied with the fit. The 1st time I made the sleeveless version it in a black knit. The 2nd time I made it with the fuller sleeves in tweed. The 3rd time I made it again the full sleeved version in black knit and this last… and I mean last… time I made it with cap sleeves (I hate the cap sleeves) in a white cotton with absolutely no give. In my 4 attempts with this pattern I have never quite gotten it right and frankly, I have no desire to keep trying.

All of the knit versions were made right out of the package. I can usually wear NL patterns right out of the package with minor adjustments. But these tops fit funny across the waist. They don’t come in correct and they lift completely over my boobs when I raise my arm. The tweed version only fits when I wear a full body shaper. The God calls it my bathing suit. LOL! So when I made this one, I did a FBA that added 6” to the top. I figured since it fit out of the package in tweed, 6” should be fine to accommodate these 40J’s. I did a muslin too. But…. The muslin fabric had a bit of stretch to it. I look and feel like a sausage and I know it. What I don’t understand is why people keep telling me I look nice. Am I so busted in my regular life that folks feel like they have to lie to me????

Anywho…. Here is my review…..

They look like 2 hogs fighting each other....

Pattern Description:
Misses' Sportswear. Misses' peplum top with neckline and sleeve variations, slim pants, pencil skirt and tie belt.


Pattern Sizing:
8-18

Did it look like the photo/drawing on the pattern envelope once you were done sewing with it?
Yeah sure


Were the instructions easy to follow?
Actually I did follow instructions, because I didn’t quite understand how to make the cap sleeves.

What did you particularly like or dislike about the pattern?
It just isn’t the right pattern for me. I am NOT satisfied with any of my versions. Although I wear all of them, I’m not satisfied with any of them. And I don't like these cap sleeves. Not because I don't like cap sleeves. I do. I don't like THESE cap sleeves

Fabric Used:
Cotton


Pattern alterations or any design changes you made:
A 6” FBA… and it still wasn’t enough! Maybe if I release the darts in the back it will fit better?


Would you sew it again? Would you recommend it to others?
No and no. I know other folks are having more success with this pattern than I am. IDK… maybe I’ll get the Vogue 8815

Conclusion:
I’m done with this….



Peace