Infinity Scarf

Here's a quick gift idea for a lady or even a man if modified.  Infinity scarves are very popular accessories right now, so you can't go wrong.  If you just want to make a regular scarf for a guy, it's basically the same, only don't stitch the two ends together like in the directions.  Instead, just begin on one end at the fold, stitch to the corner, pivot and sew the long side.  Leave an opening, though, to turn right side out. Continue stitching the long side and sew to next corner, pivot and sew other end to fold.  Press seams open. I press the seams while still together first, then open out seams and press flat. Lastly slip stitch the opening shut. Then you have a nice scarf for a guy.

Here's a link I found that explains how to make an Infinity Scarf.  You can always modify the dimensions if needed.  If you have a rotary cutter, mat and ruler it makes it very easy to cut the fabric to the desired length. Or just use a tape measure and measure down from one end to the length needed.  Measure along the end in several places across the width of the folded fabric and mark the length needed, then take a ruler or something with a straight edge to mark a straight line to cut your fabric.

These scarves stitch up very quickly. Here's the link with detailed directions for the infinity scarf:

http://www.simplicity.com/t-how-to-sew-infinity-scarf.aspx

Here's one I whipped up in no time:

This is a knit fabric, but you could use other types of fabrics.  The possibilities are endless.  And for a guy just pick a masculine looking fabric and just leave ends loose like I mentioned above.  You could even fringe the ends if you wanted.  Fleece would make nice scarves for these cold winter months!

Thanks for reading,
Marla

Coat for My Grand-Puppy

I finished a coat for my grand-puppy last week but hadn't posted any pictures.  I made Riley's coat out of blue rip-stop nylon for the fashion fabric and I had some blue fleece fabric for the lining.  The coat needed to be water resistant since my daughter and son-in-law and their dog, Riley, live in Oregon where it rains a lot.

The coat won't keep him completely dry but at least there won't be as much of him to dry off hopefully.

Here's a couple pictures.  I used my phone and the lighting distorted the color in one photo.  The coat is blue, not purple! ;)

Front View

Back View.  Pockets with white buttons. 

The coat has a couple pockets on the back if my daughter and son-in-law want to put some little treats inside or something else. The pattern calls for trim in the view I used but since this is supposed to be more of a rain coat I left the trim off.  I actually combined a couple views of the pattern.  Sewing this dog coat was not hard at all, but I found out it was a little more time consuming than I had anticipated.  I maybe spent 5-6 hours on it total, but not all at one time.

Now I just have to send it off along with some other presents.  My daughter has already seen pictures and knows about the coat.  Otherwise I would not be posting this till after Christmas! ;)

I hope to make a couple other gifts for Christmas if I have time.

Thanks for reading,
Marla

Coat for "Grand-puppy" and Some Lovely Linen

Now that I finally finished Tabitha, I'm on to making some Christmas gifts.  My daughter and son-in-law are living in Oregon where it rains a lot during the winter months.  They have a little dog, Riley.  They affectionately call him our "grand-puppy".  I picked up an adorable coat pattern for dogs last year and intended to make Riley a coat last Christmas.  That didn't happen but this year I intend to make the little guy a coat.

So I bought some bright blue rip-stop nylon.  I have on hand in my huge fabric stash some blue fleece that I will use for the lining that is a very close match.  Here is a picture of the pattern.  I'm going to make view B:

My daughter requested I make the coat in blue fabric and not red.  She didn't want Riley to look like Little Red Riding Hood.  

I have been receiving very enticing emails for months from an online fabric company called Fabrics-Store.com.  They sell very nice linen fabrics.  Last week I received an email that they had a "crazy sale" on their bleached softened medium weight linen.  I bought a "yard" for $1.00 plus shipping.  I say "yard" because I actually got much more than one yard.  And the fabric is 60 inches wide.  The fabric is very high quality!  Here is a picture, but it doesn't do the fabric justice:

I'm not sure what I will make with this linen but there is definitely enough for a skirt and maybe a vest; or depending on the pattern I might even manage to make a jacket with this lovely fabric.  I will definitely plan on purchasing more linen from this company sometime.

Thanks for reading,

Marla

Presenting Tabitha

Well, I have some good news to share this afternoon!  Tabitha is done! Hallelujah!  I finished the muslins. The first one was for the fitted cover for Tabitha's perfect little body and one was for my not so perfect little body. Then I dressed Tabitha with her fitted cover, padded her in strategic areas until my muslin was filled out where needed.

Tabitha is actually a bit bigger than me but according to the directions I read in Threads Magazine by Kenneth King, it is good to pad a little more.  The padding may condense down some over time.  And it adds a little built-in ease when draping and fitting.

Here is my finished Tabitha.  Well, she's almost finished.  I should secure the muslin by hand stitching the neck, zippered back and armholes of my muslin to the padding as well as down the center front.  Since I don't plan to take the fitted muslin off Tabitha, I'm not in a big rush.  I don't plan to use this dress form for anyone else besides me. The only reason to take it off at this point would be if my weight changed drastically. If so, I would need to do this all over again!

Thanks for reading,

Marla

Tabitha Update

I finished draping Tabitha and then drafted a paper pattern from the fitted bodice front and back and skirt front and back muslin pieces.  Then I cut out some muslin from the pattern pieces and stitched it together.  I need to purchase a long separating zipper to install down the center back.

Then I will begin the process, with hopefully my dear husband's assistance, of making a fitted muslin of myself. Then I will pad out Tabitha where needed to fit my muslin.

I do need to tweak Tabitha's fitted muslin more yet as it needs to be very fitted to her.  But below is a picture of my progress along with a picture of our crazy cat, Eclipse, who thinks he has to inspect all my sewing projects.

Thanks for reading,

Marla

Muslin of Tabitha beginning to take shape.

My sewing inspector.

Draping Tabitha

I'm finally starting the process of making a fitted cover for Tabitha, my dress form.  I'm taking some online classes through Craftsy with Paul Gallo to learn how to drape fabric for fashion design.  I'm so excited to be learning this!  I also ordered a book called Draping for Fashion Design.

Once I am finished with the draping and making a cover for my dress form, I will then make a muslin to fit myself.  Then I will put that muslin on Tabitha and pad her out where necessary to be more my size.

Below are some pictures of the draping process and a picture of my latest book!

Thanks for reading,

Marla

Back Bodice Draped

Back Skirt Draped

My New Book on Draping

Front Bodice Draped

Tabitha Update

Just thought I'd check in here and give a quick update on the status of Tabitha, my dress form. She's waiting for her transformation.   I've been watching a couple online courses through Craftsy by Paul Gallo on fashion draping.  I'm going to make a muslin to fit Tabitha snugly using the draping method.  Then with some help from my hubby, I hope to make a fitted muslin of myself.  I will then pad out Tabitha to fit the muslin of myself.  It's going to be a long process but worth it in the end.  I hope to finally get started this next week if nothing unexpected happens.

I am very interested in learning more about fashion draping for dress design.  After I have Tabitha to my size I may try my hand at a simple bias cut dress as Paul Gallo instructed in his draping classes.

On a related note, I bought a tool called a pattern notcher that will aid in pattern making and marking the notches.  Notches are pattern instructions as Paul Gallo says.  I also bought a French Curve to help in drawing the curves for sleeves and hip areas.

I will try to post some pictures of Tabitha's progress once I FINALLY get started on her!

Thanks for reading,

Marla

I'm Still Here and Ready to Sew

Hi folks.  I can't believe it's been about two months since I last posted on this blog! Just a quick update without too many details, but looks like we are not moving at this point anyway.  It's a long story, but I've been unpacking my sewing things and trying to reorganize.  I haven't totally unpacked as each week brings new "excitement" in the housing situation.  But just about to throw in the towel on that.  And I'm ok with that.  I just want to get back to doing what I love...sewing.

I'm not sure I mentioned in another post, but I bought a dress form.  I hadn't even unpacked "her" yet other than a quick look because we thought we were moving.  Last week I pulled her out.  By the way, I named my dress form "Tabitha".  Tabitha, also known as Dorcas, was from the Bible and sewed clothing.

Tabitha came with a set of pads that I can use to make her more to my size.  It's called the Fabulous Fit system.  I need to take measurements and see if I can make Tabitha more like me.  We'll see how that goes one of these days.  If I'm not pleased with that, I may try another option.  A fitted muslin of myself (or another person) can be made and put on Tabitha.  Then just add padding.  I think Kenneth King had an article in one of the Threads Magazine about that.  Sounds like a great idea.

Here's a picture of Tabitha.  Her arms are lying on the floor beside her.  I need to pin them on to her and the Fabulous Fit system is sitting there too!

I think I need to make some clothes for this poor lady!

Thanks for reading,

Marla

Moving Forward

Hello everyone,
Just another update here.  Looks like we may be moving in a few short weeks.  My sewing is being packed away in preparation for the big move of nine miles!  As I've said to others, "It's not over till the fat lady sings!"  Or specifically until we sign all the massive piles of papers at closing!

So my sewing is on hold, much to my chagrin, until we get settled.

I'm sure I will be making some curtains and other things for our new home.  So my little heirloom dress will just have to wait till later...probably much later!

Oh, I almost forgot to let you know!  I entered my olive green jacket into Open Class at the county fair and got a champion.  The judge said everything looked great and she could find nothing wrong to comment about.  Well, I thought sure she would comment on a couple things including the bound buttonholes but guess I'm a perfectionist.  She said "Good job tackling a difficult buttonhole and that she didn't even like to make them!"  Whew, that made me feel good! :)

Thanks for reading,

Marla

Sewing on Hold

I thought I better check in just so you don't think I died and went to heaven yet.  I am having serious sewing withdrawal symptoms here!  We put our house on the market so I'm spending a lot of time keeping our house in order and clean.  If you've ever had a house on the market, you know it's supposed to look like you don't live there.  A very difficult task! 

Like many seamstresses when I sew my house goes to pot!  So sadly, my sewing machine is resting (actually probably suffocating) under it's cover.  :(

Hopefully, we will have some answers in the not so distant future on whether we will get our house sold this time and move to a new location.

I just want to sew!  My heirloom project is on hold and I already have several projects planned down the road.

If we move, I have a feeling I will be making curtains!

Thanks for reading.  I will try to touch base again sometime after we have some answers!

Marla

Learning Mode

I'm taking a break from my heirloom project for awhile.  Sometimes I need a break as much as I'm loving heirloom sewing.  

It seems the last year or two I've had an intense desire in my older years to learn more about sewing.  I did not have the opportunity to study this field when I was college age and online resources were not available at that time.  So now I am devouring all kinds of information.  I can't seem to get enough!  I have quite a few online courses through www.craftsy.com with some very renown fashion designers and seamstresses.  I have one through Susan Khalje that I especially love and also two by Kenneth King.  I just signed up for one by Janet Pray that teaches how to make a jacket with the Islander Sewing System.  And I have a DVD course by Kenneth King on fitting.  If that isn't enough I have DVDs on my TOL (top of the line) Janome machine and I have ten hours of embroidery digitizing lessons to view and absorb!  I have several other excellent courses to view yet on Craftsy!

If I ever get through all this training someday I should get some sort of degree or certification!  :)

I have two projects that I want to make after I finish my heirloom dress.  One will be a jacket following Janet Pray's method and then the other will be an all weather lined three quarter length coat with a hood.

That will be down the road because I simply have to finish that little heirloom dress first!

But that's on hold for another two or three weeks yet.  I will mention why perhaps later!  Let's just say I'm excited to see two very special people in my life soon! :)

Thanks for reading,

Marla

Heirloom Update

Between other sewing jobs and mundane housework my heirloom project is coming along slowly yet surely. I am working on the collar pieces.  I have decided to work on the pieces of the dress that involve handwork first before tackling the construction of the dress as a whole...if I'm making sense.

Both the collar and sleeves have faggoting stitches that attach the main piece to some bias trim.  Both the collar and sleeves are piped as well.  I made some piping out of royal blue baby check gingham.

Below I'm posting some pictures of the progress on the collar pieces:

 Here I'm making the piping.

 I snipped close to where the piping cord is sandwiched between the fabric to allow the piping trim to lay neatly around the collar and stitched with my piping foot.

 Here the trim and the main collar piece are pinned to some tracing paper ready for the faggoting stitch.

 I am new to this stitch but starting to get the hang of it. :)

Here is the first collar piece with the faggoting stitches completed.  Now on to the other collar piece!

Thanks for reading my blog,

Marla

Back to my Heirloom Project

I had to take a break from working on my Summer Garden heirloom dress to do some embroidery work for a customer.  I need to learn more about digitizing designs and just recently found out I have a wonderful training DVD by Trevor Conquerwood with Sunset Stitches in Canada.  So I reviewed a few of the lessons on lettering.  There is about ten hours of lessons for me to watch someday!  I finished the lettering and embroidered the shirts and a jacket for my customer.  She was happy, so I'm happy! :)

While I'm talking about lessons, I just got a DVD set by Kenneth King on fitting called Smart Fitting.  So some more videos to watch in my spare time.

But right now, I hope to get back to work on my little dress.  I finished the smocking and embroidery and also the embroidery on the collar pieces.  Below is a picture of the embroidery for one of the collar pieces.  Now that the embroidery is done I'm ready to cut out the collar pieces.

I also cut some bias pieces out of royal blue baby check gingham that will be used for some trim on the dress.  I'll post pictures later showing the trim.

Thanks for reading along!

Marla

Progress on Summer Garden Dress

At last I am done with the smocking and embroidery for the shaped yoke area of my heirloom Summer Garden dress.

Now I'm ready to move on to some hand embroidery of the collar.

This project is moving slowly like my couture sewing for my jacket I made recently.  One thing is for sure.  Couture and heirloom sewing are not to be rushed.  But it's very rewarding, in my opinion, to learn these more advanced sewing techniques.

Here's a picture of my smocking and embroidery work on the yoke area:

Thanks for reading along.

Marla

Smocking Complete on Summer Garden Heirloom Dress

I just finished the smocking on my Summer Garden Heirloom Dress.  Next is some embroidery on the smocking.  I have to learn how to make bullions and cast-on stitch daisies.  My first hurdle will be learning the stitches without pricking my fingers with the needle! ;)

Here's a picture of the completed smocking.  It might look a little weird right now, but will look different once the embroidery is complete.

Another Smocking Update

Here's another quick update on my heirloom project.  It's going slowly but surely between work on our house.

Here's a picture of the right side of the bodice area of the dress.  I'm a little over halfway done with the smocking.  Once I complete the smocking there are bullion flowers to embroider in various places on the smocking.

I'm actually a little further along since I took this picture.  The two-step trellis row I'm working on here is complete and I have another two-step trellis row like it done in blue.

Thanks for reading,

Marla

Smocking Progress

Just a quick blog update.  Between working on our house for possible listing on market, I'm doing some smocking on my heirloom project.  I love smocking!

I have five rows completed so far.  The picture is the right side of smocking.  The green with a five step trellis stitch is on either side of the middle.  There will be some bullion roses eventually.  The middle section will actually be cut away.  Then I also I am again posting a photo of the project I hope to complete someday!

My Smocking

Summer Garden Heirloom Dress

Have a blessed Easter!

Marla

Pleating Done on Summer Garden Heirloom Dress

In my last post I mentioned that I was going to start an heirloom dress similar to one featured in Gail Doane's book, Sew Cute Couture, called Summer Garden.  I posted a picture of the dress featured in the book and also a picture of the fabric I selected.

I just finished pleating the skirt fabric with my Amanda Jane Pleater.  I have 18 rows of pleats.  The top and bottom rows are holding rows.  My next step will be to block the pleats to the specified size.

Below are a lot of pictures showing the process of pleating the fabric. I interfaced the area to be pleated as suggested in Gail's book.  It helped tremendously.  I marked a line 3/8" from the edge of the fabric and lined that up against the first groove of the pleater.  I have the fabric rolled on a dowel rod and inserted into back of pleater.  The rest of the explanation will be under the pictures.

Thanks for reading,

Marla

Beginning to pleat fabric.

Fabric is pleating nicely!

Just another picture as pleating continues.

Every so often the pleats have to be manually pulled off pleater needles.

Getting close to end.

The end is in sight!

Very close to being done!

Beginning to pull fabric from pleater needles.

Beginning to pull threads out of pleater needles.

Front side of fabric after pleated.

Threads on one end are tied together.

Next Heirloom Project

I have made a decision on what to make next!  I'm going with a sweet little dress called Summer Garden.  The dress is from a book I have called Sew Cute Couture by Gail Doane.  I happen to have some floral print cotton fabric that I plan to use.  I will need to get fabric for the collar, gingham fabric for the trims, buttons and embroidery supplies.  But I think this will be such a cute project to learn more about heirloom sewing.

I have a feeling this will be a challenge and who knows how long this project will take since we may put our house on the market in the near future!  Thankfully, I can take a lot of the work with me as there is plenty of smocking and hand embroidery to be done.

Summer Garden Dress

:  

Floral Cotton Print

Thanks for reading,

Marla

Completed Jacket

I finished my jacket almost two weeks ago, so thought I had better post pictures.  I may possibly enter my jacket in our county's fair this summer.

It's not looking very positive to get much sewing done anytime soon because we are seriously considering putting our house on the market again.  We tried selling nearly three years ago, but the housing market was horrible.  Realtors say things are improving, so we may try again! So instead of sewing, I'm packing up things to make our house look like we don't live here!  Right.

I'm even cleaning and organizing my sewing room which needed done anyway!  I hope if we list our house, we find one right away, get moved and settled so I can get back to sewing!

Anyway, readers, not looking like I'll be posting much for awhile unless I can sew between showings should we list our house!

Here's my jacket below.  It's hanging on a hanger, but fits nicely.  There are a few modifications I would make if I make this jacket again.  I would take out some ease in the sleeve cap and lengthen the sleeve as it's three quarter length.  I would modify the lining a little too if I lined the next jacket.  But overall I'm satisfied.

Jacket Front

Jacket Back

Thanks for reading!

Marla

Building Sewing Library

I'm taking a little time out from sewing today to do some necessary chores around the house, but just had to update my blog to talk about some of the books I've acquired recently.

I'm very excited that I just acquired two books by Susan Khalje, who is renowned in the couture sewing/ fashion industry.  I became acquainted with her recently when I signed up for an online class of hers called The Couture Dress on the Craftsy website.  I purchased her books, Bridal Couture, which is no longer in print, and Linen and Cotton.  I'm looking forward to using these books as I learn more about couture sewing.

I'm using the book Easy Guide to Sewing Linings by Connie Long as I finish up my jacket.  I'm inserting the lining now.

Recently my mother gave me two books she had.  Both are by Reader's Digest.  One is the Complete Guide to Sewing, and the other is the Complete Guide to Needlework.  These are older books as well, but can still be obtained online through Ebay, Amazon and other online bookstores.

I also purchased The Complete Book of Sewing by Talbot and Stevenson and Vogue Sewing by Harper and Row.

I have quite a few other books on heirloom sewing as well.

I believe I'm done building my sewing library for awhile.  Otherwise, I will have to get another bookshelf.

Below is a photo of the inside of my jacket.  I am ready to attach the sleeve lining next.  Then I need to make some thread carriers to hold the hem in place at the bottom of the jacket and sew on the buttons.  Then I will finally be done with this jacket!



I'm not good at taking pictures and this was taken with my iPhone.  The lining is really darker than this picture shows.

Update on Vogue 8480 Jacket

I'm almost ready to begin lining my jacket.  For the most part I'm pleased with how it's turning out.  Being the perfectionist that I am when it comes to sewing, I'm not totally satisfied with my bound buttonholes.  I've not made many of those.  It takes lots of practice and I just wanted to get on to the next step!   I haven't added the buttons yet.

The sleeve area is not to my satisfaction either.  From some reviews I saw on www.patternreview.com others making this pattern have noted the same issues.

If I ever make this pattern again, I will make some adjustments to the fullness of the the sleeve cap.  There's a couple other things I might change on the sleeve. It's cropped and flared.  I believe I would lengthen it and maybe narrow it somewhat.

But I love the rest of the look of the jacket.  It has lots of topstitching.

I'm hoping after I launder and press this jacket some of my concerns about the sleeves will be resolved.

Here's a picture of my jacket so far.  It's hanging from a hanger so that affects the look.  It does seem to fit nicely.

Communion Table Runners

I had some time this weekend to make table runners for our communion table at church.  As mentioned in my last post, I bought a tablecloth from Bed Bath and Beyond.  I cut it to the size needed plus the hem allowances.  I added lace purchased from Jo Ann to the ends.  I love the lace!

Here's a picture of the table runners folded:

Maybe I will get back to work on that jacket this week!

Thanks for following along,

Marla

Table Runners

I'm taking a break (again) from working on my jacket to make a couple table runners for our church's communion table.  As I suspected it's hard to find fabric for tablecloths at our local Jo Ann store.  Since the only other options (besides online) is Wal-Mart or Hobby Lobby, I decided to buy a nice white tablecloth.  I will be able to get several table runners out of that!  I did purchase some very pretty lace at Jo Ann to sew on the ends.

Our preacher wanted white and lace but no fancy embroidery.  The tablecloth has a small pattern.  I believe it will be simple yet elegant looking.  It should look very nice at the front of the church for communion.

Things have been busy here, so I don't get to sew everyday like I want, but hoping to forge ahead on that jacket very soon!

I am ready to get that done and start on some type of heirloom clothing.  I haven't decided if I will make something for a baby, child or a lady!

So much to learn about couture and heirloom sewing.  I love challenges, so looking forward to learning new techniques!

Thanks for reading along!

Marla

Bound to Happen

After much debate, I finally came to the conclusion to make bound buttonholes for my jacket.  Hence, my title of my blog post today!

I haven't made bound buttonholes for a long time, so I had to review the steps.  Now I remember why I don't make them as a general rule!  They are time consuming.

Here's a picture from the front side of the jacket.  The "lips" of the buttonholes are basted shut.  I have drawn placement lines which can be seen in the photo.  Those will wash out later.  The buttonholes need to be basted shut until the facing is attached.

Now that I have this part of the jacket completed, I'm hoping the rest of the project goes more quickly. My next hurdle is the lining.  I drafted a lining from my pattern pieces and the lining fabric is cut and ready to be sewn.  But first onto the sleeves!

Thanks for reading,

Marla

Work in Progress on Jacket Continues

My jacket is coming along slowly but surely!  I spent some time figuring out how to line this unlined jacket with the help of some reviews on www.patternreview.com and also an excellent book called Easy Guide to Sewing Linings by Connie Long.  That book is no longer in print, but can be downloaded onto your computer for a reasonable price.  The book can be purchased for a pretty penny online at sites such as Ebay or Amazon as well as some online bookstores.

I hope to get more accomplished today now that I have a better feel for what to do as far as the lining.  Still debating on what type of buttonholes.  I'm kicking around the idea of bound buttonholes, but may just use one of the fancy buttonhole stitches on my fancy Janome 12000.

Here's the front and back sides of my jacket so far:

Front of jacket.

Back of jacket.  Don't worry...that's the camera flash, not a bleached out spot!  I'm so good at taking pictures! ;)

Thanks for following along,

Marla

Back In the Sewing Room Again

It's been awhile since I did some serious sewing.  Life sometimes gets in the way. Since Christmas I've done a few sewing jobs for some customers and hemmed several athletic pants for me for some physical therapy on my injured knee.  Yes, I hurt my knee and so I've been hobbling around.

I told my husband if needed he would just have to move my sewing room upstairs on the main floor. (I don't think he was too thrilled about that idea.  Me neither!)  My sewing room is down in our finished basement.  I love our basement, but my knee doesn't.  Thankfully, with physical therapy, I think it's getting better.  One of these days I'm going to be running down the stairs to my beloved sewing room!

But if all goes well, tomorrow I plan to get back to working on this jacket that is taking way too long, in my opinion.  It's been a learning process.  I'm really benefiting from some Craftsy online classes such as Susan Khalje's The Couture Dress.  

I'm still debating on some things as I begin constructing this jacket.  Mainly, I'm trying to decide whether to line it.  I have lining fabric so I may go ahead and go for it. I'm also debating on a few details like the buttonholes.  I might do some welt buttonholes.

Besides working on this jacket, I'm gathering more materials to one day make another heirloom dress.  I have been drooling over some books by Country Bumpkin.  I received two in the mail the other day and anxiously anticipating the arrival of some others.  They are from Country Bumpkin's A-Z series.  I love these books!

I will try to post some pictures one of these days of that jacket as it progresses.

Thanks for reading my rambling post!

Marla