Category Archives: Being Creative

Fostering creativity through sewing and other hobbies

Being Creative, Everything Else

The great grey vest

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100_8335

Simplicity 2443

First you need to know that I.heart.Cynthia.Rowley.

Next you need to know that I can never never never never never afford her stuff.

Thankfully, Simplicity is trying to help.

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I bought this pattern because I loved the jacket. But…

Simplicity patterns fit me crummily (is that a word?).

So, I decided to make the vest first, sort of like a muslin.

But…it fit so well and looked so cute that I finished the details and miles and miles and miles of topstitching and…

wore it on the first day of school!

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My review on PR is here.

Being Creative, Everything Else

Learning to Sew? My Must-Haves

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—Updated May 11, 2014

Sewing Supplies

If you walk into any fabric store, you can be completely overwhelmed by all the “stuff” you can use when you sew. But, I think you really only need a few important tools to get started:

  • A sewing machine with its manual. I’ve talked before about the importance of your manual. As for your machine–it doesn’t have to be fancy or computerized or even new, but it should be clean. If you have been gifted a machine, it’s probably worth your time to have it serviced. In Shreveport, I recommend Shreveport Sewing Center. (I don’t get anything from mentioning them, I just think they are extremely helpful!)
  • Dressmakers’ Shears. You want shears as opposed to scissors. Shears have an angled blade that allow you to keep them close to the table as you cut. If you are left-handed, splurge on the left-handed shears. Trust me.
  • A Seam Ripper. Yes, you will make mistakes. We all do. Just embrace it and have fun.
  • Fabric Marking Tools. This includes chalks, tracing wheels and paper, and pencils.
  • Measuring Tape.
  • Ruler. I like my clear, plastic 18 x 2 ruler the best.
  • Iron and a good pressing surface.
  • Pins. I like the longer ones, but that’s just my opinion.
  • Needles, both for your machine and hand sewing.
  • Fabric and Thread. Personally, I’d recommend you start with a woven cotton, much like those sold in the quilting sections of fabric stores. I find these the easiest to work. You can get started with a good all-purpose thread.

I like to purchase my sewing notions on sale.  Hancock’s, Hobby Lobby, and JoAnn’s always have something on sale–or least a 40% off coupon.  If you are taking one of my sewing classes and you don’t have time to shop, you can also purchase here and I’ll bring them to to class.

There you go. Just a few notions to get you started.

Being Creative, Everything Else

Fall Sewing, Part 1 (AKA Boy, I’m glad we didn’t use her favorite fabric first)

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100_8253

Simplicity 2436

We saw this dress made up and displayed at one of our local fabric chains. The Big Girl loved it. Maybe because it was bright purple cord.
We brought the pattern home and decided to give it a go. I only had 2 pieces of corduroy in my stash and she didn’t love either of them, but I convinced the BG that we were “just practicing” so she had to pick from the fabrics I had. (Now, I have a huge stash, but since we only need warm clothes about 3 days a year, I just don’t keep a lot of warm fabrics on hand.)

I sure am glad we didn’t go buy any fabric just yet because the fit is just weird for my tall, skinny, almost-9 year old. I cut an 8. She’s really slim. Unfortunately, I just went with the numbers on the back of the pattern envelope and didn’t actually measure the pattern pieces. While my BG is very slim, her shoulders are too wide for this dress (at least in an 8). Also, it needs more length. My finished length was about 1 1/2 inches shorter than the envelope listed. I don’t know how it happened because I used all the recommendations for seam allowances and hems and such.

On a positive note, the pattern was easy to follow. It made up quickly. And—my fashion-designer-wannabe loves all the detail variations.

Next time, I’ll cut a 10 and maybe add a little more to the length. I think I’d prefer an invisible zip. Also, I think I’ll use bias tape to finish the neckline rather than the facings the pattern includes.

And—I’m sure there will be a next time. Actually 2 more times. I’d like to see this made up in a cotton with a crazy rock-star type appliqué and, of course, we need to make it in purple cord!

You can see my review on PR here.

Being Creative, Everything Else

July in a nutshell

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Hi there.

Yep, it has been a while.

We been enjoying the summer with a little swimming, a little gardening, a little reading, a little canning, and a whole lot of sewing.

There have been:

26 hours of sewing classes
44 hours of instruction if you count the time each student was here
6 pillowcases
3 little girls’ skirts
1 pair of sleep shorts
3 aprons (2 that I made)
1 messenger bag
3 shopping bags
1 Estelle bag
4 Wonder Wallets
1 little girl’s purse
87% of Lila Tueller’s Bohemian Bag (Note: Wow. Not a quick project. There’s some piecing and some quilting and some raveling and some lining and some binding…Mine still lacks the straps.)

Wow. That’s a lot of numbers. Here are a few pictures to go along with those numbers.

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Anyway, we have about 2 1/2 weeks left until school starts with a trip and lots more sewing planned. I’ve got another girls’ class in a week and, all of the sudden, the orders for LSU and Saints fans have picked way up. Must be 35 days until kick-off for the Tigers and 41 days until the Saints start the NFL season, but really, who’s counting!