Announcing: June Capsule Contest

[peachykeeeeen]

So I finally got around to taking a picture of the baby cargo pants (that were supposed to be shorts, but I digress).



I was going to try and get a picture of Drew wearing them, but decided to wait and really annoy him when I'm taking pictures for the final presentation

[ClaireC]

Jamie, those are darn cute and I'll bet Drew was cute as a button in them.

I've been working on a couple of UFOs instead of fitting patterns for the JCC.  The UFOs did get my long gone sewing mojo back and I'm really excited to get started.

It's scary to think what my house and laundry will look like by the end of June....2 online classes, JCC and the Great Coat Sew-along.  Oh well, I'll just bar the door and not let anyone in.   

[ElaineMC]

I have lost patience with the HP Seriously Stylin Jacket!    I know that the arm holes need to be decreased, but even before I tried that the side panel and the under arm piece of the 2-pieces sleeve didn't match up.  I am going to substitute another jacket.

Today I had my measurements taken for my new My Label software.  I think I will *quickly* make up my test/measurement verification garment, and then will use one of the jackets from the software for my JCC.  Learning new software will be quicker than figuring out how to fit the Seriously Stylin jacket. 

Here is the jacket I am thinking of - maybe without the belt:

-EMC

[marciae]

I like that jacket Elaine - will be anxious to see how you BML measurements do!

[ejvc]

today, I finished the three hour scarf featured on the cover of Threads No. 119

A few weeks ago I cut Vogue 8182 View B without the sleeves in a white crepe with a floral pattern of pinks, yellows, lime greens, red, etc. I'm thinking it will be my "before June" piece.

Hi Brenda - according to the above you'd have two "before June" pieces ? Or did I misread?

[Brenda]

The scarf isn't for the JCC.  It was an unfinished project from about 2 years ago! IF I do another one for the JCC, it will be in a different colour - probably yellow, and begun after June 1. No worries!

[ejvc]

OK everyone - we are up to 70 participants!  I want to see 70 finished capsules come June 30! :-)  Actually I can hardly believe how it's grown.  Just a couple of days until June now and the humming of happy sewing machines and the terrible sound of the seam rippers will be heard across the globe...

Elizabeth

[Jafael]

So I've got a pretty good storyboard going now. My selection of fabrics looks a little funky in the storyboard, but I swear the greens actually complement each other! Of course, I might still change my mind, too, since I'm not 100% certain of my patterns just yet. But for someone who has never done a storyboard before, I'm downright tickled with it!

[Zoubida]

Jafael, I usually don't like animal prints but that leopard chiffon looks great. Your capsule if fresh, feminine and dynamic.

[mardel]

Oh what a lovely capsule Jafael!  Everything looks so cool, pretty and feminine.  Congratulations on the story board too, it looks really nice and you should be tickled with it.

[ejvc]

Good morning everyone (except to our Australian sisters, where I just HAVE to say g'day)

I have received lots of lovely notes from the now 71 people who are officially in the JCC, and haven't had time to acknowledge them all.  I just wanted to post a little message to welcome the new participants and to acknowledge all the lurkers out there (hi lurkers!).  I don't care how late anyone joins, by the way.  If you can get done three co-ordinating items on June 30, and have a co-ordinating previously done item and an accessory, you can still enter on June 30 if you PM me :-)  Of course I will hate you for being able to sew so quickly, but that's another story.

My idea behind this contest was just to have some people to sew along with in June and also to try to keep going with my SWAP, which for reasons of a small infant and terrible fitting and planning problems did not really get off the ground.  However, it did motivate me to make a few things and that was a real bonus!

I am really looking forward to seeing each and every thing that comes out of this contest and I urge you all not to get discouraged if things don't work out as planned. 

My sewing plans are currently:

1 - a simple white linen skirt
2 - a print overblouse
3 - a simple cocoa linen skirt
4 - a cocoa velour tank, made previously (go me!)
5 - a belt (purchased or from the cocoa fabric)

note the use of the word *simple* -- I have no confidence that I will have any time!

Elizabeth

[Sharon]

I'll also want a write-up of the capsule, details of the patterns and fabrics etc, to be sent in with the photos.

Elizabeth, being new to web contests and before I get really worried, what sort of information are you after, is there a format to follow?

Thanks
Sharon

[kbenco]

G'day to you too Elizabeth. It does feel a bit strange to say this with the sun going down, but I will imagine I am in Europe..Pause for daydream.... Your plan sounds smart, stylish, and achievable. My babies and white skirts were not a good combination, Charlotte is obviously a more refined sort of child!.
I am frantically sewing clothes for my DD the younger, all of which are supposed to be finished in May so that I can start sewing for myself. I have one little blouse and a tank top/vest to go. I will find a brick to put on my other children's heads during June, no growing until July or else.
Karen,

[ruthc]

Hola sewing chicas!

As ever I am the mercy of various international postal systems before I can begin sewing anything.  That and being too lazy to drive the hour up to Ikea to get fabric to make the manly baby sling.
So I still have trouser pattern but no fabric and shirt fabric and no pattern. 
Add to that the fact it is Canario day today and so a public holiday then goodness knows when it all might get here.  Though I have an Ikea visit scheduled for Wednesday.

As I was mulling all this over my cup of tea this morning I imagined all 70 something of us poised, sewing machines at the ready to start sewing on Monday morning.
I wondered what our soundtrack would be.  Would it be  Ride of the Valkeries as we attacked our sewing or would it be more Flight of the Bumblebee to show us all busy busy working away.  I think at this point my sewing soundtrack would be Busy Doing Nothing (the Bing Crosby version - wasn´t it from Brigadoon?)

Jafael I love the green fabric for your dress and the little vest is very cute, it all looks very fresh for summer.
Jamie / Peachykeen - super cute lil fella cargo pants.

[Ann]

I am not joining in though I wanted to. Just too darn busy at school doing everything alone. Staff issues. I am excited to watch your progress and will be following along during June. June is almost here and I bet each of you are really excited.

Ann

[Karendee]

Ruth,

You are such a wit! I get such a hoot from your posts.

To all JCC participants:

It's almost time to get started, and I'm off to a slow start. I've found out something about me. I find it hard to make a final decision. Not about what to wear each day, but about this contest. It reminds me of when I make my packing list of clothing for a trip. I change my mind 100 times. Anyway, with a whole month in which to sew one  garment, I have only cut out my teal silk top. I am frozen in space, unable to actually sew it for some reason. All my "new" sewing/fitting knowledge, types of thread, prehandling fabrics---it's just swamped my mind. Prior to your good influence, I got a pattern, about my RTW size, added a bunch to the underarm seam, added length, used Coat & C poly/cotton thread, didn't preshrink fabric or interfacing (except linen), and had an unwearable garment that would reside in my closet till GoodWill Day. No wonder all my sewing was fiber arts.

Now with your excellent influence, I'm frozen in space. Hoping all of my FBA and upper back additions etc. with make a wearable garment. Perhaps that excuse needs to "go out the window" as I proceed. So, today is the day that I actually thread my machine with my cotton thread for silk and sew the adjusted seams into a beautiful garment. I am armed with a bunch of new sewing toys, about 20 new sewing books, hundreds of $ work of beautiful fabrics and June is almost here for my debut.

So to all of you, good luck. I hope your plans bring you lots of sewing and wearing pleasure. When I begin, I'll feel like a winner! Thanks to Eliz and ANn for making this JCC possible.

Karen

[Jafael]

I am just so excited about having this little sew along. I rarely make anything for myself, and I would undoubtedly finish nothing, even if I started it, without the motivation of this challenge. I'm so excited about seeing everyone's progress! I keep clicking on blog links and am loving it!

Thanks Zoubida, Mardel, and ruthc for the comments on my capsule! It really made my day!

I want to wish everyone lots of luck, and successful sewing. Especially those of you who have the least time! And thanks Elizabeth for throwing this shindig!

[LisaB]

Jamie, those little cargo pants are adorable!

Elaine, I like the jacket pattern you've chosen and can't wait to see what you do with it.

Jafael, congrats on doing a storyboard. At this point, I don't think I'll be spending any more time trying to put one together. I'd better use what little free time I have to actually work on my capsule.  

Elizabeth, I like your emphasis on simple. I sure hope you can squeeze in the time in June to complete your capsule.

Ruth, I enjoyed your post. I hope fabric and patterns meet up soon at your place!

I've been trying to get a simple knit top done (not for JCC) and just have hems to do yet. I really wanted to have that top out of the way before I started my JCC sewing, but it's taken so long that I didn't get to take advantage of the one-garment-can-be-made-in-May rule. Oh well. We press on!

Lisa

[meauxily]

Count me in! thanks!  This will get me going on a needed summer wardrobe.

Meaux

[meauxily]

I have a gorgeous fabric I want to use for a skirt--mainly cream, reds, orange and a little black.  Is that allowed or is that a "black" fabric?  I plan to make tangerine and cream color tops.

Thanks,
Meaux 

[peachykeeeeen]

Thanks for the kind words on my cargo shorts. Now if only you all have the same nice things to say when you see my adult garments!  

I was determined that yesterday was going to be the day I started sewing hubby's cargo shorts (his before June item) and then the dog ran away!! More specifically, our next door neighbor (who has decided he doesn't want to be friendly to anyone) and his mom (who lives down the street but pays all of her adult son's bills) opened our back gate and let our dog and the babysitter's dog out!! My husband's morning appointment got cancelled so he and the babysitter (who is a good friend of ours) went to breakfast and I was at work. 10 hours later the dog catcher found our dog about 4 miles away (well, a 4-mile drive, but if you cut across a couple of fields it's only 1 mile), but the two got separated when the dog catcher pulled up so the other dog is still out there. We don't have a *fingers crossed* smiley, or else I'd use that.   Wyatt (our beloved hunting dog) got a bath and a vet visit today - he's "thrilled"  

So I might not have a pre-June garment for hubby, which is really OK in the grand scheme of things. I'll probably end up purchasing the accessories since I'm behind one garment now. I'm hoping they find Hal (the babysitter's dog) today and then I can spend tonight and all day tomorrow finishing up hubby's shorts and come Sunday morning I'll be ready to tackle shirts! We know the general vicinity that the dog was last seen, so hopefully he hasn't strayed too far away.

[ruthc]

BEWARE - OBVIOUS JOKE AHEAD!!!

So Peachy - your sewing song could be "who let the dogs out" woof woof.
I´m more of a cat person, they are far to lazy to stray far from a comfy or otherwise surface to sleep on and the food bowl.

Hope babysitters dog turns up safe and yours fogives for the bath and vet.

[Maja]

I've chosen the fabrics for my capsule:



bottom row: off-white stretch cotton - pants
top row: all knits - tops
 
I think these work quite nice together, don't they? Or is there too much red?
I haven't decided on the patterns and the accessory yet, though.

I'm really excited about doing this contest.

[Karendee]

Maja,

IMO, not too much red at all. This is a lovely selection of fabrics and will really stretch a wardrobe. As I think about it, I think 3 tops and 1 pr.pants is a good combo. I didn't select that, but I might change and copy you. The grouping is so "tight" and each choice will obviously go with the pants fabric. Great job.

Karen

[ClaireC]

Maja, Since I've been on a red kick lately no way do I think that you're using too much red.  In fact I really like those fabrics.  Have you decided on patterns?

Elaine, I too like the jacket pattern.  I'm so disappointed that the HP pattern isn't working out.  Since these patterns are inspired by designer clothing I do wonder if the original garment had lower armholes?  This is the way we wore our jackets in the 80's and that HP jacket does appear to have an 80's flavor (to me anyway).

Jafael, Congrats on putting together a storyboard.  I keep forgetting that I should do this.

Elizabeth, just keep thinking simple and 10 minutes of sewing at a time and you'll probably get through all 4 pieces.

Ruth, add me to your list of those who love reading your posts and enjoys your sence of humor.  ;o)

Only a couple more days to go.  Is everyone ready?

[ejvc]

I have a gorgeous fabric I want to use for a skirt--mainly cream, reds, orange and a little black.  Is that allowed or is that a "black" fabric?  I plan to make tangerine and cream color tops.

Thanks,
Meaux 

Sorry, no black is the rule.  But you know what, make the skirt on the side, why not?  You can start today if you want.  just doesn't count for the JCC.

Elizabeth

[cherylc]

Hi all,
Maja, I love your fabrics. Where did you get the spotted red knit?  I love it.

So far, all I've done is to clean the sewing room so I can sew in there. I think I've accomplished that. My husband is working on fixing my computer so that I can print the patterns. I may have to re-think the Burdastyle decision if we can't get that computer working. Also, I can't transfer the photos for my storyboard until it works.

I'm making a dress, two tops and a skirt. Or that's the current plan. I would like to make a handbag and I have some leather, but I don't know if that is going to work. (I might be repeating myself here.)

There doesn't seem to be any worry that I'll get too much done before June 1st. I hope I'll be able to start on June 1st. 

[Zoubida]

Maja, wonderful fabric choice and I don't think it is too much red at all.

I'm not ready at all but I'm not stressed neither. I have to work tomorrow (6:00 AM sharp at the office, so I can finish ASAP and bring son to soccer at 10:00 AM). I also need to go back to Saint-Hubert Street for the embellishments on Sunday. By the way, I'll take my camera and hopefully will have permission to take pics of my favorite fabric stores.

Did I tell you I'm the easily-sidetracked kind ? 

[kbenco]

Maja I love your fabrics. I particularly like the middle knit. Where is it from? I think your outfits will look terrific, and not at all too red. Will the tops be layered over each other? On my monitor the shades of red all seem to co-ordinate very well.

Zoubinda - can you hand sew at soccer, or is it too risky with your beautiful cream fabrics outdoors? Looking at your wonderful pattern choices I imagine there will be plenty of hand sewing for trims etc.

Ruth, I think something soothing and classical for the early stages, saving Ride of the Valkeries for June 29 or so, but at my house it is more likely to be the theme from Inspector Gadget, which is giving someone trouble before the piano exam, (emoticon with fingers in ears)
Karen, who has not made her before June item either, and is not likely to!

[Zoubida]

Karen, I'll try to be carefull with the creamy white and will certainly hand-sew on the side of the soccer field. I can always use my voice to cheer up the boys.

[kiltsnquilts]

Here in NZ it is Saturday morning and only 1 day until I can start on my JCC - ha ha, just thought, does that mean we get more sewing time than our sewing friends who live further away??!!  Is that cheating??!!  

Mind you, being able to start tomorrow is a laugh in itself - our bathroom is still not finished, I will probably be painting tomorrow!  We hope to start tiling tomorrow which may be a one man (DH!) job so I may get some time later in the day to sew!  I have been inspired by my fabrics but still haven't made a start - I had such good intentions too! I did plan to make a before June item - too late now  

Karendee - I feel your concerns!!    I would consider myself an experienced sewist but am haivng serious doubts about my ability to make anything that will fit me!!!  It has been so long since I made anything other than a quick cotton summer skirt - all my sewing lately has been quilts which don't require any fitting lol!!  Still, I will take a deep breath and bite the bullet - it will be great to have the support of everyone - I am sure I will need it!    I too know that I will feel a great sense of achievement at the end of the month - even if I don't managed to finish!

So, I will sit and plan today and hope to sew tomorrow - just got my lining for my green silk skirt and tweed jacket to buy - and probably loads of notions I have forgotten!!!

Happy sewing all  

[kbenco]

Kilts I think it is only cheating if you do not plan to finish in your own time zone as well! My theory is pick a time zone - yours or theirs, and stick to it. I am planning to start on the USA date, as I know I will like the extra hours at the pointy end.
Karen

[Karendee]

Kilts,

Thanks for the empathy concerning my feelings  of lethargy. I think we'll both get started, catch our stride, and make some lovely garments. You notice how positive I sound? I am really anxious to see your silk fabric made; I just really love that combination of colors in the silk weave.

I'm not sure about the time zone issue, I probably would start with the earliest one and end at the latest.

Happy Sewing to all.

Karendee

[LyndaG]

HI Kilts
I have just joined and I am from Titirangi in Auckland.  Where are you from.  Love the colours you have chosen.  I would love to do some sewing for June but too busy and then  I am off to USA in July for 2 weeks in the school holidays with 46 teenage girls.  There are 6 other adults going as well.  It is going to be interesting, particularly when the 7 of us sleep in the same room - I know that one snores and one of the others said she talks in her sleep.  I will need earplugs or a stiff brandy to get me off to sleep.  I am already on the lookout for fabric shops and have had some great replies to my query of the ones in New York a week or so ago.  We are going to Chicago - 26 hours from the time we leave, we go via Sydney and then LA and then Chicago.  I have to be mad.  Then we go to Boston, New York, Pennsylvannia (Quilting and Amish), Wasington, LA and then home.  Good luck with your sewing capsule.
LyndaG

[Robin]

Oh my LyndaG, that sounds like a real marathon of a trip!  Very exciting.
Karendee and kilts, I am rooting for you with the fitting challenges.  I enjoy sewing my own clothes now that I have a few TNTs, so keep wrestling with those patterns til you get what you want.  It is worth every bit of effort!
Maja, when I see a fabric grouping like yours, I just want to ignore mine and take your idea!  It really looks beautiful to have some similarity in colors with a little variety in the prints.  They really go together.

My JCC will probably be a sad little capsule of quickie garments.  The reason is because I've got my mojo all worked up over some Home Dec projects.  I picked up swatches today for curtains and I am determined to dress some windows.
Plus, I am doing the Great Coat Sewalong with Marji.

You guys are funny with your time zone stuff.  I am always jealous that the NZ and Aussie ladies are ahead of us.  It is hard for me to understand how it's already tomorrow for you, but still today for me. Well, I guess that means I can say g'day and my timing is about right, eh?