Sunday…we picked pears …and more pears

Monday… I taught sewing and thought about the pears.

Saturday…we played with Charlie and I ignored the pears.

Sunday…I quit!!!! Yes, you do still see pears in the background (another 15 pounds or so).

75 Pounds of Pears = 12 quarts canned pears + 8 pints canned pears + 5 pints pear butter + 4 half-pints pear preserves + 1 pint pear preserves + 15 pounds left over pears

Some Chapter Headings:
Minutes to Organize
Fast Fashion Elements
Serging, the Ultimate Time Saver
Super-Quick Knits
Elastics–Fast and Fun to Sew
Needle Know-How and Feet Smarts
Begin to Sew

I liked:

• The idea that I don’t have to spend a whole day to do some worthwhile sewing.
• The tip about using a recipe card file to keep track of alterations for yourself and others you sew for.
• That she writes out this tip (I knew this, but I’m not sure how I knew it, so seeing it in writing was reassuring that I was doing it correctly): “When you are sewing together 2 fabric pieces of different lengths, stitch with the longer layer down (next to the feed dogs of the sewing machine) and the shorter layer up (next to the presser foot). The feed dogs will gently and evenly ease the longer layer to meet the shorter layer.” (page 25)
• The great introduction to a serger.
• The “Seams Great Elastic Casing” ( I wish I’d used this on this dress.)
• Her “Favorite Gathering Method” (page 133) that uses a zig–zag stitch rather than 2 rows of basting stitches.

My dislikes:

• Some of the fashion ideas are a little dated.
• Her centered zipper instructions (pages 35-36) didn’t work for me.

Conclusion:
This book works to dispel the notion that “I have no time to sew”. As she points out in her introduction, so much of sewing is the prep and the pressing, rather then the actual time stitching a seam. With that in mind, it becomes easy to take a project and break down into smaller steps that fit much better into a crazy, busy lifestyle.

On a side note, McCalls patterns are now offering some “10,20,30 to Sew” patterns that are supposed to have Zieman’s tips include in the instructions. I haven’t looked at them, but I’d be interested in knowing if they break the project down into smaller steps like the book suggests.

Would I buy it for myself? I probably would have never chosen it for myself, simply because the book screams 1990! However, I grabbed it off Mom’s shelf on a lazy weekend at her house and discovered the tips. I still haven’t returned it. Oops!

Would I buy the book for a beginner? I think a beginner could benefit from this book, particularly if she is having trouble finding the time to start and finish her new projects. Plus, the elastics and serger chapters are great for trying new techniques.

Some Chapter Headings:
Types of Applique
Stitch Maneuvers
Applique Designs
Fancy Closures-Not Just Buttons

I liked:

• The clothing patterns included with this book: a girls’ jumper, a boys’ suit, and an apron.
• A great supply list that explains why you need all those things, like stabilizer and interfacings.
• The very detailed (at first glance primitive, but actually quite informative) diagrams in the “Stitch Maneuver” chapter that instruct you as you begin to applique, turn inward or outward curves, form corners and stitch points.
• The “Little Red Riding Hood” applique design.

My dislikes:

• While some of the designs are very cute, others are quite dated (think things we wore in the 70s!).
• I found the boys’ suit to run very small.
• No instructions for sewing snap tape into the crotch of the boys’ suit.

Conclusion:
First, this book is a bargain, when you consider all that it contains. Just purchasing a girls
jumper and a boys’ suit pattern could run you upwards of $20. Plus, you get all the applique designs and how-tos.

Second, if you can sew, you can applique and this book is detailed enough to show you how. Even if you don’t love these designs, you can take this information and make your own designs.

Would I buy it for myself? I already did–several years ago, when I wanted to reproduce similar designs to those I’d seen at a local upscale children’s boutique. While I don’t refer to the book often anymore, it was invaluable while I was learning to applique.

Would I buy it for a beginner sewer? This book would better serve an advanced beginner.

Vogue has published their early Fall patterns. Here are the two that caught my attention.

I’ve been browsing. Here are a two pieces that could translate into something perfect for this fall…

From the runway:

I like the sleeves. I like the belt. I like the cord. I wonder if this pattern would work.

I like this top. I like the sleeves. I like the texture. I like the idea of pairing it with a Hollywood waist.

Both of these are from this designer. I’m hoping to have a fall plan soon. I’ll post when I do.