Passing time...

And so another week has passed. I've spent the past week cutting out my new patterns. I see that some people lay the pattern on the fabric and cut them both at the same time, but that doesn't seem natural to me. I like to have the patterns already cut out so I can arrange and pin them on the fabric so I can make optimum use of it.

I haven't received that cool sewing machine I won yet, Mimi is such a dear, she's having the machine cleaned and oiled before sending it out to me. Basically Janome is getting a physical and full work up before moving on to her new home. So in the meantime I've been keeping busy deciding what my first project will be, and I've learned a few things along the way.

The right tools are important:

Scissors, pins, weights and tape (for modifying the patterns for those of us who are short waisted).

The wood blocks were left over from a project the Mister was working on. They are great paper weights, better than upsetting the fam by grabbing all the remotes.

I learned a few things about choosing the right scissors too. The pink Fiskars below left are awesome. The hand fits perfectly in the grips without squishing and the blades cut like a hot knife through buttah. Really, buttah.  Problem - the handles are big and it really distorts the fabric, that's already distorted by the pins, when you're cutting.

The scissors above right I bought because of the funky shaped handles and colour. It turns out that these are the better ones for cutting fabric. The profile is slim and low to the mat, problem - it doesn't cut as well as the pink Fiskars. But we will make due...

And chalk. I love how this makes me feel like I know what I'm doing. I have the pencils, but I really like the feel of the chalk in my hand.

And on a non-sewing note. I bought a plant from the Home Depot a couple years ago because I liked the look of it, and now it has bloomed. The flower is pretty, in a sort of invasion of the body snatchers alien bursting out of the dog's stomach kinda way.

See what I mean?!?

Thank you for tuning in....

Angie

Happy Monday all

The patterns were delivered on Saturday, and I must say I'm loving the idea of on-line pattern shopping. Going to JoAnn's for their pattern sale is usually nice, but I was disappointed the last few times, with the patterns not being in the drawer and them not have a Vogue book at all. The $15 membership fee for ClubBMV was well worth it for me, although you don't need to be a member to shop on there site, and like I mentioned before, the 15% savings paid for a good portion of the shipping cost. This is what I ordered:

I can't wait to make the B5469 with a nice summer weight fabric. Of course I'll have to learn how to do lining first. I can see this project taking me about a week or so, including taking apart and putting back together again. Maybe I'll just plan on wearing it next summer, lol.

M5329 will make another nice summer jacket that could be worn into fall. We'll have to wait and see how long it takes for me to build up my skills.

A nice through back style for summer

Mimi G and Erica B (another great sewer that Mimi mentioned on her blog that I now follow) made this Donna Karan top. The style seems simple, it is made from one piece of fabric, but in cutting the pattern out (a tedious task I do with all my patterns) it looked really complicated. The style is nice, but I will probably be putting that one off. Yes, I'm intimidated. And I'm not afraid to say it...lol.

So back I go to the cutting out of the patterns. Have a wonderful night and thanks for tuning in,
Angie

Happy Thursday + Yeay me

It is a happy, happy Thursday. Let me just say OOH. MYY. GAAWD. I absolutely cannot believe I was so lucky as to be chosen in Mimi G's (just learned linking) fabulous Janome giveaway. Thank you Mimi and the random.org website. I can't wait to get it and start sewing (I'm hoping some of her skill will magically transfer to me - it could happen).

Still working on carving out that corner. Will post pics when it's somewhat presentable.


Smooches,
Angie