However, class started last Thursday again. I altered and
cut out Simplicity 2594. I needed to grade pattern from an 18 at bust to a 22
at hips. I've decided to make view A of Simplicity 2594 (the green and white diagonal stripe top left on pattern envelope) in a pink polyester type fabric. View A is longer so I won't need to add so much extra length. I'm not planning at this stage to add the belt but may do when I finish it if it looks as if it needs it. I have already altered pattern and cut out, grading from an 18 at bust to 22 at hip. I'm a real pear. I did have to lower waistline position to match mine, which effectively lengthened pattern overall by 1".
Front and back are cut on the bias in this pattern which has a loose draped
neck. This picture is view C, which I will do for my Mum. My fabric is a pink polyester type, I think.
My mother loves these necklines and my plan is to do the
shorter length (view B- the main picture)for her in a fabric she gave me. She can no longer sew due to
her eyesight and gave me a number of notions and a bit of fabric. The one I
have chosen to make the top for her just doesn't suit my colouring but is exactly her.
She also gave me a fabric
in purple floral and this is so not her! I see that a part of the fabric is hemmed
all around; it is in 2 pieces - I wonder if she was planning some home dec? No,
I can't see where it would fit in. There is a fair bit of this fabric so I need
to decide what I can do with it.
My serger/overlocker has (nearly) been pronounced defunct!
The printed circuit board (PCB) has a fault and these are normally replaced
rather than repaired even though it could simply be a loose connection. The
dealer I went to for the repair has been incredibly slow - promised 7 - 10 days
and it has now been 3 weeks. He is trying to get a price for the PCB but feels
I would be better in any case with a new serger with guarantee as the price
would be higher than I had initially okayed. I'm not happy with this dealer. I
had been considering a Pfaff coverlocker but feel his service has not been good
- doesn't phone when he promises etc and it is clear they are under great
stress at present. They do Pfaff, Brother, Juki, Janome, and Toyota. The Toyota
jeans machine might work for DH's leather?
My husband wants to sew some leather and my sewing tutor
suggested getting a reconditioned mechanical Bernina from another slightly less
local dealer. We went, they didn't have one, but in summary DH was very
impressed with Bernina (and the dealer) and has offered to get me a Bernina
overlocker (not a coverlocker as dealer advised against this) AND upgraded
sewing machine - the 750QE - for my big birthday coming up. The dealer has good
reviews from other people. On the basis that people say choose your dealer,
then the machine, he seems the one to go for. The dealer I bought my current
Brother from (who is also a Viking agent which is why I went there in the first
place - my original Viking 6690 died) is okay. I go there for a monthly sewing
class - tomorrow night - but they largely deal with quilting, hiring in a
dressmaking tutor once a month. We are going to the Bernina agent on Friday for
a play and demo of the machines. I must say DH is more keen than I am - I think
the 750QE is overkill! I do want to have my machines so that they can have
interchangeable feet etc and that is not currently the case with a Brother and
a portable Viking (bought to use the feet from my previous Viking but I don't
really like it - just too light weight, really). I bought the current Brother Innov
-is 350SE when I wasn't sure whether I would take to dressmaking. However, it
has been providing problems with sewing over seams where stitch length alters
and a few issues with catching. Rather frustrating and I'm happy to upgrade -
but this far? I'm not a quilter.
Any thoughts?
The monthly sewing tutor is doing an additional all-day
class this weekend to make a skirt and I'm going along to that. I haven't quite
decided on my fabric etc. It's using McCall's 3830. I'm going to do view C -
the knee length one.
I recently visited Linton Fabrics in Carlisle as I'd heard
so much about them from the sewing community. Their fabrics are pretty pricy
but I bought some remnants and also 2 x 1 metre skirt lengths. They have a
large check though and the sewing tutor advised against this for the skirt, so
they won't do. I washed one of the cotton mix fabrics and found that was a bad
idea! There was a great deal of unravelling! I won't post picture yet.
I haven't carried on with the knits I was doing because of
the lack of a serger. I've enjoyed the experience of working with them, though.
I have enough of the fabric from my grey dress left over to make a skirt, and
am wondering whether I could use that on Saturday. I'll ask tomorrow night.
That would increase the versatility of the dress and jacket. I'll have to think about a suitable top though.
Tomorrow night, I believe we are starting to make some
trousers. I'm looking forward to that but I'm taking muslin rather than a fashion
fabric. I will have quite a few modifications to make to the pattern - I have
tried pants muslins before but gave up as it was so difficult on my own. This
should be good.
On a last note - my mother has bought me a 3 day sewing
break for my birthday. I will be having individual tuition! It's a bit away
from home so I'll be staying in a hotel for 2 nights. I originally hoped to
take her class on finishing techniques, but I'm also going to be making a
jacket! The tutor chose a jacket pattern from my selection and yesterday I
bought the fabric - 100% pure wool. This is the most expensive fabric I have bought as yet. I still need to buy the trimmings and I want to line it. I'm looking forward to this.
When I went to the fabric shop, I also bought a metre of
purple cotton jersey to make a tee shirt, using Wendy Mullin's (Built by Wendy) Sew U Home Stretch book but that will have to wait until I
have a working overlocker.
So, not much sewing but a lot of thinking about it and preparing
for it!!
Anne
Some sewing weeks are like that - lots of behind the scenes work. I hope you enjoy your sewing tuition over the three days - I had to teach myself, nothing much like that available here:). I have a Bernina overlocker, just a basic machine, 700D. Not sure what would be best for your DH - I would suggest something robust if he wants to sew leather, and something for you - that way you can all do what you like with the feet you like :) But that is an ideal world!
ReplyDeleteP.S. I have that pattern as well, not yet made up. It is rather pretty, so hope it works out for you.
DeleteThanks, Sarah Liz. I continued with top on Thursday. No major problems with it. I'm going to keep that to the Thursday class for the moment at least. No Sewing at home yet. The dealer I put my overlocker into has been highly unsatisfactory. 4 weeks in he doesn't know whether the part is even available far less being able to give a price. He really doesn't want to have anything to do with my machine, we feel, so we're going to pick it up next week, unfixed. The overlocker is usable, it's the display which is causing problems. We've looked at some replacements.
ReplyDeleteAnne! I have finally done my Liebster Award work. thank you sew much for nominating me. I do spend a lot of time in prep, then sew up a storm.
ReplyDeleteIf I were sewing leather, I would get an old mechanical Singer like a 301.
I just purchased one on eBay for $165.00 just to make buttonholes.
My mother is twirling in her cannister knowing that I sold the original black Singer and had to buy a used one...oh well., gives her something to think about. thanks again for the nomination.
Besos, susan
I must look at your answers. I find the stories so interesting. Long story short, I've just got a new sewing machine, a Bernina, and it looks as though it will sew leather fine. I've nearly completed a dress for my daughter (will finally blog about it next week possibly) and it sewed through several layers of denim some of which was also ruffled, without a problem. Gorgeous! I love it, even though it has fewer bells and whistles. I might protect it and go the old mechanism route anyway ...
ReplyDelete