Monday, April 26, 2010

IT'S BEEN AWHILE

Never again.  No contests or wardrobe plans for me.   It seems that I get less sewing done when I do one of these big plans, or even the mini wardrobe contest, or the latest lined jacket contest for that matter.  Sometimes I just don't want to sew what I've planned so I procrastinate.  So, no more.  That doesn't mean I won't make plans,  because I like to do that, but sewing is supposed to be a hobby and fun and having to complete it by a certain date or a precise list to sew is just not fun. 

This pair of pants and top were part of my original wardrobe plan.  They have been done for awhile except for the hems.  They sat here for at least 2 weeks waiting.  Why?  I just lost interest?   Who knows, but here they are.  If you remember I was inspired by Celine's minimalist silk top, but I made it in rayon lycra jersey that I had on hand, and is much more practical for my life.  The pants are a narrowed version of my tnt pants.  These are not a tnt version let me tell you!  If I narrow the hems this much I get wrinkles in the back leg because of my pancake ass.  I thought that I could fix it without a muslin.  Big mistake.  They are over fitted and do not feel good in back.  You know that phrase wearable muslin?  No such animal.  If I had made a muslin of these I would have fixed the problems ahead of time.  I really should know better.  The top is a version of Vogue 8497 that I cut apart to get the color blocks.  This is the pattern I used for my zebra print top.   I hadn't used it with the zig zag pieces, but rather, had put it together to get a one piece front and back.  Easy top, but maybe not my most flattering look.

As I am sure you've all noticed, I cut my hair.  It's the beginning of growing out my color.  I have been going gray since I was 18 and coloring it since I was 26.  A long time and I have had enough.  I really like the short hair, and boy is it easy! 

In other sewing, I've been making welt pocket samples for my jacket. (also sewing the green knit top from that wardrobe plan) The pockets are made over the butted together opening at the base of the dart. I made  4 double welt samples before I realized that they  wouldn't work for this jacket, or at least the way I was making them.  I needed to copy the dart and pocket opening onto muslin so that I had a facsimile of the jacket front.  Then I made  4 samples of single welt pockets (this is what the jacket actually calls for ) in a version from Claire Schaeffer's book Sew Any Set-In Pocket.  Burda's instructions are not useless, but too bulky with separate welts and pocket bags. In the method I'm using the upper pocket bag forms the welt.  It works, but I prefer marking the back side and sewing from there.  One, I don't have to remove the marks on the front and two,  I can mark it more accurately with a sharp pencil.  In the black jacket I'll use a white interfacing for the pocket stay so that I can see the marks.
Here's the last sample I made.  You'll notice that the side of the pocket is sewn into the side seam.  I'll make one or two more samples before I make the jacket.  Kathleen Fasanella says that 10 samples are the minimum for beginning to get muscle memory for a task.  I'd say that that's about right.  It seems like a lot, but I haven't made them all at once and it is actually kind of fun to realize that each one is not only better, but starting to feel good when I sew it, if that makes any sense.

23 comments:

  1. You look GREAT Nancy! That short style suits you so well, and the "minimalist" top is a perfect look for you as well.

    I'm with you on contests and deadlines. Sewing is a process, we're "designers" so there will be changes and contemplations along the way. For me that's where the true joy of creating is. And then, of course, there's that little thing called the finished garment- it's always nice when you actually want to wear it :))

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  2. That outfit looks great. You should try a hanger fix for this pants. I know what you mean about contests. The only ones I enter are those for which I happen to have made the right thing already. The hair looks great. I approve of the going grey idea.

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  3. Ditto what Claudine and Birgitte said. Lookin' good, Nancy!

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  4. You look wonderful Nancy, I especially love your top, you really suit it. I, like you started to get grey hair when I was 18 so I started to die it. I had enough when I got to about 40years old and I just left it, I couldn't keep up with it any longer. As long as my hair is kept short it isn't too bad but if it gets too long it looks really awful.

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  5. Definitely a good look for you, the hair especially. Pity about the pants.

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  6. From the distance of the computer the outfit looks great. The colour blocking of the black and white really suits you. Hair looks good too. I agree on the competitions too! Everytime I enter one I don't complete it..and that goes with sew alongs too...sigh.

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  7. Sorry to post twice but I was wondering are you still looking to create a stitch n bitch meeting? If you are please feel free to contact me because I am looking to start one myself. Thanks.

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  8. OMG I LOVE THAT TOP! I want something like that! Of course, I have sworn off any white that isn't cotton and bleachable since I tend to spill coffee on it or drop my red marking pen on it the SECOND I FRICKEN PUT IT ON. But that's just me.

    ...Then again my cleaner here is brilliant at stain removal...

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  9. I like the simplicity of this outfit. I have a bit of a fear of welt pockets. I may follow your example by making some samples before I wreck havoc on a garment.

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  10. That's a very stylish outfit! I'd like to copy it!

    I totally agree with your comments on SWAPs and wardrobes and deadlines. I like the concept, but I doubt that I could carry it out for the same reasons you mention.

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  11. Yea, bravo, a really great look! I love the bi-colour top, and the short hairdo is very youthful.

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  12. Great pants, but I just *adore* the shirt. I mean, love love love. I think you really nailed the Celine look.

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  13. It sounds like you've been BUSY. I like your top and I love your hair. I think the short cut looks flattering on you. I am 38 with a lot of grey hair. I look forward to giving up the hair colour battle, but I am not ready just yet!

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  14. 10 samples.. Sounds about right. I'll keep that in mind now, every time I work on a sample I'll hear that whispered over my shoulder. When I made two dozen bound buttonholes perfectly I didn't manage to make them nicely on my jacket...

    I like going grey gracefully. Lovely.

    Second the opinion of Burda and their bulky pockets.

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  15. Oh, I love that you're growing out your hair! And, I think the short cut is very sharp. My mom started coloring at 22. So far, I just have two grays on my head. But, it's always startling to me when I see them!

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  16. I love that colour block top - simple but stunning. Great new haircut too!

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  17. I like the top--it's got a casual elegance to it. I admire your commitment to sewing samples!

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  18. I like the outfit and the new 'do. Sorry the pants fit didn't work out for you (although it looks good from here). What do you do with projects that are wearable but not totally pleasing - do you donate them or wear them anyway?
    I like the wardrobe contests because they actually inspire me to sew more and plan things that go together - and even though I've never actually finished all the pieces, the pieces I DID complete ended up being my favorites.

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  19. I'm digging the haircut! And I like the Celine-inspired top - that was the Patrones 276 one, right?

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  20. Clean, classic lines in black and white are your style. This outfit looks terrific on you. Too bad the pants are uncomfortable.

    I don't do well with contests, either. For me, it takes sewing out of the hobby/enjoyable realm and makes it work.

    I've colored my hair for many years also, and it is gray underneath the red. I can't seem to muster up the courage to let it return to natural just yet. But, I will in time. I like your short bob!

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  21. Love, love, love your short haircut! I like your "minimalist" top too...in fact, I may copy you and I already have the pattern.

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  22. Yeah, for turning gray! I let it go back in '94. I get more comments on it than I can count. You'll love it.

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