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