Announcing: June Capsule Contest

[Zoubida]

Kilts, I hear you. I try to loose weight since few months now and it only begins to show now. But meanwhile, I was also on clothes diet.

Good luck for your lining hunting. I find that sport quite interesting really. Love your latest choice of jacket by the way.

[Brenda]

Oh my! The different spaces we are in! And what a contest "pops"!!!

Since I last wrote of my capsule, I've changed my mind - about the yellow linen skirt. I'm thinking I'll make the skirt in the white cotton twill and play with embellishments along the seams, make the top of the yellow linen and maybe, if I have enough fabric left of the white, make another top - same or similar pattern...

And then the reality of work, and I realize I could/should make a scrubs capsule and make a "scrunch" for my stethoscope as an accessory, or a small change purse... have the fabric sitting here...

But I also need casual, non-work clothes, or clothes to wear literally to work, where I change into scrubs...

After tomorrow, I'm off for a few days and I suspect I'll cut a bunch of fabric and which ever gets sewn/finished first will be the JCC. Anyway I look at it, it's a win-win-win! And I highly doubt I'll be one of the first 30, as I'm not a fast sewer!

At least this keeps me focussed and cutting/sewing instead of just planning!

[Therese]

Zoubida - good decision! Sewing is supposed to be fun  and you want to be able to enjoy the process of working with those lovely fabrics, plus have the pleasure of knowing that you'll make some great pieces that you can wear for a long time -

I cut my first top out tonight - a simple short sleeve pullover top with a few nice details. It has a square neckline and three little vertical tucks in the center front neckline. I really like those kind of subtle touches, you know? The fabric is a light crepey polyester - grey with enough blue so that it goes with the blue stripe in my main fabric (which will be pants and a jacket).

I keep changing my mind too, but I think I have the general direction I'm working toward sort of settled (not to put too fine a point on it)...

Tomorrow night I'll sew it! Off to bed for me now 

t

[RuthieK]

I have managed to partly cut out the skirt and pants for my capsule in a not very exciting but very practical olive suiting fabric.
I also sorted through my miscellaneous bead stash and found some olive toned ones which I could use to make a necklace.
The next step will be to get bobbins wound and sewing machine and serger all threaded up in olive and ready to go for when the sewing mood and opportunity happens.
A red knit top and an ivory blouse will ring the changes a little, and a lined safari style jacket (probably made afterwards) will complete the look.

My sewing stuff is in one cupboard and on half of the computer desk whilst the house is on the market, and I keep having to put everything away when someone comes round to view. It does make it hard to get started if you have to spend 15 mins getting stuff out before you can do anything.

I had also been away at a family wedding several hundred miles away so I don't have anything currently pre-sewn. I'm hoping I can make all the items during June :-)

I might manage a storyboard and or fabric/pattern photos later, but am promising nothing LOL

[KayB]

@Zoubida,
I'm sorry to hear that you won't manage the contest, but as Therese pointed out already, sewing should be fun.

I made some progress with my skirt but can't finish it because I need a zipper, which I only get in a couple of days. Until then I could start with my second pieces.......

[ElaineMC]

I chatted with the fitness coach this morning and she told me "buy cheaper clothes and enjoy the melt-down". So I'll follow her advice except I'll make cheaper clothes and enjoy the melt-down.

Zoubida - could you still do a capsule with easier pieces as the Threads Article describes?  After all, you only need to make one piece to be able to vote, and we would love to have you sew along with us - even if it's not on your beautiful fabric.  I'm sure your "cheaper clothes" will still be worth seeing - you have such a good sense of fashion.

RuthieK's comment on winding bobbins & threading machines made me think I should plan what order I'm sewing as well as what to sew.   Maybe that's why my mojo has been so low.

Thank you ladies once again for all the inspiration!

-EMC

[Karendee]

Zoubida,

There is nothing worse than pressure and you are under quite a bit at this time. Of course you must wait and sew your beautiful white fabrics when your weight stabilizes and you FEEL like sewing them. As someone on this post wisely said your sewing should be s challenge, not a stresser. Like the others, I will definitely await the making of the beautiful fabrics to include the rouleau detail. I have read quite a bit about that technique and would like to try it someday.

If you decide to do some simple knits or easy-to-sews, we'd love for you to join us; otherwise, join along as a spectator. That's fun, too.

Karen

[scottiesews]

I've finally got my JCC dress cut out, V8472.  I procrastinated so long in May that the dress I wanted to make then only got started the 31st!  I've finished it but need to re do the zip (I made a mess of it twice!) & let the side seams out a touch as I "thought" my measurements hadn't changed that much.  Wrong.  However it has been a useful learning curve in using a pattern.  I'll let you into a secret here.  I have used PMB for the last few years so altering patterns hasn't been a priority, following instructions hasn't been necessary as I've just done how it felt right to do & it's a long time since I used an ordinary zipper, I prefer invisible ones.  Now I could have made the dress without the instructions or the lapped zip & altered a PMB pattern to copy the design but ................  I start teaching in September & my students will be using patterns so I really need to get back up to speed with using them myself & that includes checking my measurements again!  I noted the needed alterations & applied them to the next pattern so this one should fit better.  Funny how the last Vogue I used in the same size, albeit a knit, I had to reduce two sizes to get it to fit how it should.
I can always fit other people, it's just me I struggle with!

[cherylc]

I still can't print. The process of fixing my computer goes like this: look on Craigslist, find a hard drive, call seller, seller has sold hard drive, repeat multiple times, find available hard drive, go over, discover seller doesn't know what kind of connection it has and has mis-described it, buy anyway, go to two stores looking for adaptors, and that's where we are. So, I started on a skirt with an existing pattern. I've got two of six gores cut out.


Zoubida, for what it's worth, I'm also making clothes that will fit me as I shrink. I've lost 30 lbs since I had my baby but I have 30 more to go. (And the baby weighed six pounds! I don't know what the other 44 pounds I gained was for. ) So, a skirt, a loose dress, and two loose tops with nursing access. And since my bust point changes over the course of the day, I'm thinking I might gather the fullness for bust shaping in the armhole instead of using darts, so there's no obvious bust point. I'll have to see how that works.

I'm getting a slow start, but at least I'm starting. I might sleep with the baby today, though, because I'm tired! He had a hard night, therefore, so did I. 

[Robin]

Zoubida, you made a very eloquent post and you are making the right decision to lighten the load for yourself.
We will enjoy seeing your work whenever you have the time.

[MaryPat]

I finished my first item. This is the accessory (obviously), made with the same sateen as the jacket and with an embroidered remnant from my local Fabricland. There will be some more pictures on my blog.
I used a pattern I made myself and quilted the sateen on the upper and lower edges. The lining is the same sateen and has a cell/pen/business card sized pocket. The straps have a grosgrain backing. The technique for finishing the top edge and adding the zipper was taken from a Coach portfolio bag I have and was much simpler than other things I have tried. I was trying not to purchase anything for it and so used a zipper I had. I really should have held out for a seperable or at least a longer dress weight zipper.

The white section is going to get dirty quickly. Does anyone have any advice on preventing this? I was wondering about using Varathane (polyurethane) on it.

Also, could someone please post the flickr info again?

[AnnRowley]

Congratulations MaryPat!  What a great bag.

I love the way you've finished the top - I'm going to make a bag too, but it's really still just in the thought process stage...


Link to JCC Flickr
Hope this is what you're looking for.

[ClaireC]

Oh my!!  I hear sewing machines whirling and scissors cutting through fabric.  My fabric is still sitting in it's just washed, but not pressed state.  I did finish a UFO skirt over the weekend.  Now that the skirt is out of the way I'm ready to roll.

I love the storyboards posted here.  I haven't created one, nor have I had a chance to get to the Flicker album to check out anything there. 

My plan is to start with my dress (cherry print fabric), then move onto the skirt.  I'm a bit up in the air about which jacket and top to use for the JCC.  Sewing the dress and skirt first will not only give me more time to make the decision, but I can determine which jacket/tops will look good with the skirt/dress.

MaryPat, I love your handbag. The colors "work" perfectly together.  I would consider spraying with something like Scotchguard to keep the bag clean and to make it easier to clean if something gets on it.

My leather came in from a Canadian supplier and it's wonderful and soft.  I'm considering making a handbag to match my JCC, but the bag will be dependent on how much time I have.

[peachykeeeeen]

MaryPat, that bag is gorgeous! I was going to suggest Scotchguard, but looks like someone beat me to it! That embroidered fabric is really pretty.

Zoubida, like everyone else I'm sad I won't get to see your gorgeous fabrics all sewn up...at least not right now. I'm sure we'll all get to see those gorgeous fabrics soon enough. Congratulations on the weight loss!!

I'm glad I'm not the only one who hasn't made too much progress so far. I have two shirts cut out and the shorts to finish still, so we'll see how well I do. If I find myself running out of time I might just make this a baby capsule and finish hubby's stuff later on. We'll see how it works out...

Ok, off to a meeting.

[Maja]

I haven't done anything yet. I haven't even decided on the 4 patterns 

I have my Business English Certificate exam tomorrow morning (wish me luck), and since I don't have to go to work later, I'll devote my afternoon/evening to planning my capsule. 

MaryPat, what a wonderful bag!

[Karendee]

MaryPat,

Your purse is adorable. You are truly talented. And I like hearing of the progress (or lack of) by you posters.

My first garment is a Bermuda blue teal dupioni silk Now top (Jacket) by Sewing Workshop. It's going together well, except for a few mishaps that were my fault. I incorrectly made a french seam on the shoulder, but kept it that way as really won't be seen. In addition,  I made a FBA and rounded back adjustment that I really didn't need with this pattern. So, I think I'll reduce the size via the side seams. That seems to be the easiest way. Then, after sewing on the silk, I realized that the quality is not adequate for an unlined top. So, that's where I am.

But I am enjoying this so much and hope the rest of you are.

Karend

[BeeBee]

I will likely finish my second skirt this evening.  I put the zipper in last night (and many thanks to the now forgotten person's name who mentioned they use their pintuck foot for invisible zippers), so all I lack tonight is the waistband and button/button hole.  I'm a little worried about the button hole because of the fabric texture, but I'll use interfacing on the back so it may be ok.  Lining goes in with the waist band.  Hemming will come along soon.  I really want to use my machine hemming foot in the worst kind of way, so maybe here?  Or maybe not....
And in keeping with my resolutions, there will be no JCC sewing until I do my one item of alterations.   .  I found more, so while I completed one last night, my pile isn't any smaller - though I did add a wearable pair of slacks.

[rebells]

Merrypat, I love your bag.  Someday I will have to join in on one of these sew alongs.

[ejvc]

Hey, I got time to sew today!  An unusually long nap meant I finished the collar on my blouse!  BeeBee, you are scaring me with your productivity.  Mary Pat, love the bag!

I have a question regarding construction.  The blouse I'm making is in a very thin cotton, and I've been using French seams for the first time.  It has kimono sleeves, and it occurs to me that I can't use a french seam on a curved seam.  Is that right?  What do people recommend as a finish for a thin cotton on a curved seam?

Blouse is Burda 02/2008 101B:

[BeeBee]

BeeBee, you are scaring me with your productivity.

Yeah, zippers fear me too.   But I'm doing really simple stuff - seriously, you'll be underwhelmed by the lack of complexity - and I have no babies to contend with.  Even DH is out of town for a couple of days.

[lesliek]

Wow, when you're away for a week or so you miss a ton of stuff here!  Everybody's stuff looks so great.  Love that bag, MaryPat.  Also--love your capsule title!

I'm also going for a neutral colour scheme this this time:  beige and brown.  So boring.  It's a real switch for me but what I was doing before wasn't working so well, and you know what they say about people who keep making the same bad choices over and over again....  

Anyway, I'm going to focus on a summer work wardrobe and try to make stuff I really will wear in my very casual work environment.  I'm calling it "Gotta Work All Summer" because I've already used up all my holidays.  Not as clever as MaryPat's, "The Only Tan I'll Get This Summer", but it's a good reminder (not to use up all your holidays in the first five months of the year!!)

I've got all my patterns and fabric chosen: two tops, two bottoms and a bag.  Two of the patterns are TNT and the others I need to test again.  I'm hoping to have a couple of good sewing days this weekend.  I'm also hoping to have some techie help (my DSD) to finally post my storyboard!  I know there's been lots of good help about that here...but I don't even know how to get my photos from the camera to the computer.  Oh the shame!

Happy sewing!

Leslie

[Karendee]

Elizabeth,

The pattern I'm using for my silk top also has french seams for the curved underarm seams. It mentions clipping and I think it works. Hopefully, it does. The blouse is adorable; congratulations on finding time to sew the collar today.

Karendee

[Zoubida]

I chatted with the fitness coach this morning and she told me "buy cheaper clothes and enjoy the melt-down". So I'll follow her advice except I'll make cheaper clothes and enjoy the melt-down.

Zoubida - could you still do a capsule with easier pieces as the Threads Article describes?  After all, you only need to make one piece to be able to vote, and we would love to have you sew along with us - even if it's not on your beautiful fabric.  I'm sure your "cheaper clothes" will still be worth seeing - you have such a good sense of fashion.
(...)

(...)
Zoubida, for what it's worth, I'm also making clothes that will fit me as I shrink. I've lost 30 lbs since I had my baby but I have 30 more to go. (And the baby weighed six pounds! I don't know what the other 44 pounds I gained was for. ) So, a skirt, a loose dress, and two loose tops with nursing access. And since my bust point changes over the course of the day, I'm thinking I might gather the fullness for bust shaping in the armhole instead of using darts, so there's no obvious bust point. I'll have to see how that works.
(...)

You got me thinking Elaine and Cheryl. May be I can sew loose fitting, simple, straightforward clothes. Nothing fancy, just comfortably loose and comfortably simple to fit and sew.

I have tons of patterns to look through and ONE full hour in front of me before leaving for a soccer practise I could use to select four which will respect the above requirements.

Be back maybe later tonight with a new loose-fitting, easy capsule. I will still make the one I elaborated earlier last month.

Elizabeth, please don't remove my name from the list yet. Not yet. Thanks.

[Karendee]

Z,

Welcome back! You know you couldn't stay away from the JCC Gang. Seriously, you will need some comfortable clothes during this time of weight loss. Many patterns have elastic waist and can be drawn in as you lose. Anyway, I'm glad you're out from under the huge commitment and are thinking about a simple, easy-to-sew capsule.

Karend

[CarolTrendall]

Well I've tried posting my story board and I seem to be too stupid to make it work, so here is a description.  I live in the subtropics (Byron Bay, NSW, Australia) in a beachside town where things are pretty casual.  I'm calling my capsule Tropical Winter, which just proves I have no imagination.

I am using a rust coloured fine wale corduroy to make a skirt using Vogue 8426.  To go with this I am making a short swing jacket using BWOF 9/2007 106.  I am lining the jacket with a rust and goldy orange floral satin.  Using the same satin I am making a dress using Go Patterns 4001, which I saw reviewed in Threads magazine and it looks interesting (and will go with the jacket).  I'm also making a wrap top BWOF  1/2008 116 in a muted paisely jersey in rust, gold, brown and orange to wear with the jacket and skirt.  I'm still undecided about the acccessory as it needs to match the paisley jersey and the orangy gold satin dress.  I may do a small clutch purse or I may make a necklace, but then I started to look at some 60's style oversized caps that might work ...

The jacket is cut out and the body sewn together.  I plan to spend some time this weekend as it is a long weekend here.  I'm really glad I joined this list as I'm already feeling inspired by everyone's plans.  It's great to sew along with others, too, I've never done that before.  In fact, I don't know anyone who can even thread a needle! 

Incidentally, does anyone know where I might be able to lay my hands on a pattern for a men's safari suit?

Thanks again,
Carol

[CarolTrendall]

I've managed to get a picture of my fabrics on the Flickr page!

[kiltsnquilts]

Hey Zoubida, welcome back!    Great idea to do a simple JCC - elasticated to shrink with you!!

MaryPat, lovely bag! 

BeeBee, two items already?   

Looking forward to doing some work on mine later tonight

[Em]

I love reading about what everyone is doing!

Zoubida--Congratulations  on your weight loss!  If you want to make skirts/pants that can be altered to fit a shrinking waistline, but that have a little more style than elastic waists, you could always try raised waisted pants/skirts.  I'm in the process of losing the last of 10 extra pounds that I've been carrying around for a while, and am finding it uber easy to alter my raised waist skirts and pants to fit the smaller me.

Carol--If the Big 4 and Indies don't have any, you could always try ebay for a vintage or OOP men's safari jacket pattern. I just searched ebay and found 2 OOP patterns in the collectibles/patterns/men section. 

LeslieK--Beige and brown don't sound boring, at all!  They're classic colors and you'll be able to wear lots of colorful accessories with your B&B capsule!  Not boring at all!   

Elizabeth--Cute cute blouse!!!  A curved seam?  Hmm...if the Hong Kong finish won't work, and you don't want to serge, you could always resort to the vintage finish of pinked seams.  It's not a couture finish, but it looks neat and will probably keep the seam edge from unravelling.  Hopefully, someone else will come along with a couture finish for curved seams.  I'd love to learn about it, too!

Mary Pat--Your bag is just adorable!  I love it! 

No sewing here, yet because sewing-wise, I'm working on a couple of other projects.  But right after they're done, I'm starting on my capsule!  Can't wait!!!

Em

[BeeBee]

I did finish skirt #2 tonight, except hemming and everyone knows that doesn't count.  I need some more skirt hooks, there just isn't enough room on the waist band for a button, so I'll do that when I hem. 
Tomorrow, I can start sewn top. (top #1 is RTW unless I get some real extra time and energy).  It's cut and marked, so should go together quickly.  I'm going to be out of town for the weekend thru mid week, then DH will be gone for the NEXT weekend, so I may try something radical, like a jacket or vest - I have enough skirt fabric left for a vest.  I can't JCC it, though, as it doesn't go with skirt #1.  But I could use it as a tailored garment in the PR Adv Beg which I keep changing my mind on.   Not whether to do it, but what to do.  And it would be cute with the skirt, or jeans or navy slacks, etc. 
Well, I'm off to soak in the tub for a few, hopefully it will stop raining soon and I can take the dog out for one quick break - and my hair will be wet so it won't matter.

[LauraM]

Now that I have received good news re: DD Christine (see Prayers requested in Chatter), and I can finally let my shoulders "down" - they've been "up" since May 7, - I can concentrate on my JCC capsule. 

I think I have all the patterns picked out, and I have two fabrics picked out.  After work tomorrow I will finalize my selection, and hopefully get a storyboard or at least pics on the Flickr site.

I am so excited to be taking part in this contest (just being able to particpate with all you wonderful sewists is reward enough), and I've signed up for the Adv. Beginner and Stash contest over at PR.  Oh, and I'm also doing Marji's coat sew along. 

I'm going to have a busy 2 months, but I'm so excited to be particpating with a joyous heart.

Off to catch up on posts................

[miranda]

Hi everyone

I've been having a lovely time reading everyone else's exciting plans!

I don't have a storyboard as such, but I do have plans, so I thought I'd share:

*(Navy denim) Jeans - McCalls M5142 (this is a TNT, so should be a fairly easy garment)
(Navy denim) Skirt - Kwik-Sew 3093 (I have this one cut out, but after cutting out I realised that I may have mis-measured and so whether or not it will end up in the actual JCC or not is yet to be determined)
(White French terry) crossover top - Kwik-Sew 2694
(Blue silk jersey) top from Simplicity 4076 - view yet to be determined as the fabric has a fade line down it and also a run in it
(purple silk jersey) top from Simplicity 4076 - view also yet to be determined as the fabric has a fade line down it, but thankfully no run!

So, it will end up being four of that selection (actually, will make the other garments as well, but not necessarily in June!)

[lucindamaria]

well, I've decided on the fabric anyway. I'm going to make the most boring capsule! (perhaps a special award for the most boring?) Mine will be white silk denim---quite nice in person, but doesn't look like anything in a photo. Doing a Lutterloh TNT jacket, pants, and shell. And then something fun to go with them all! Quick and dirty---my favorite type of sewing/knitting.

Photos and storyboard perhaps tomorrow. Today I needed to do long put-off yard work!

Some much fun to see what everyone is doing. This is the first time I've participated in the on-line sewing community. Great fun.

Jeannie

[heatherbelle]

Well, I was about to throw in the towel on this contest because I have toothache and my daughter's 5th birthday party to organise but reading this board has perked me up.

Laura, I am so happy to hear your joyful news. I was thinking of you after reading the "Prayers Requested" thread.

Elizabeth, love the line drawing of that shirt - my " "Reader's Digest Complete Guide to Sewing" has something called a mock french seam which is apparently suitable for curved areas but I don't have the book with me at the moment (I am at work and should GET BACK to work...).

MaryPat, I really like your bag - it looks very professional!

Zoubida, what a good idea to sew simpler items - after all, you need something to wear!

Miranda, I am a great fan of the Simplicity 4076 scoopneck top with the gathers, I have made it three times now including once for my SWAP. I haven't tried the other views. I have just amended my storyboard for this contest to include another version of it with some great cotton lycra print I bought off TradeMe (which is like the New Zealand version of eBay). I decided that the Jalie hooded jacket was going to be too much for me at the moment. Here is my revised storyboard, I've added it to the Flickr group as well:

However, I am still having trouble finding the elusive dark teal/dark slate blue corduroy for the trousers - fingers crossed and keep looking! A dark teal/dark slate blue velvet-like or moleskin-type fabric would be good too but that is even less likely!
Sorry about the long post, I should add that I have made what I hoped would be a wearable muslin of the Jalie 2682 top but it is not! The underbust seam needs to come down at least an inch, probably two, and the upper arm is too tight! I am going to compare the sleeve from my TNT Burda top which I should have done to start with. The underbust seam looks horrendous because it is far too high and also it is too bulky and has gone wavy. I think I can make the right changes to get onto the sage merino version now though.

That's all from me. Happy sewing everybody.

[Knitmaverick]

I finally finished a storyboard of sorts.  The line drawings are accurate but the color of the fabrics is way off. (They really do go together her in my sewing room.)  I have acquired respect for all of you that take such great pictures of your fabrics and projects - it isn't easy.  I have my fabric hanging from my shelves in my sewing room trying to get some type of inspiration as to what should be sewn out of which fabric.  The safari type jacket from the wool or the dupioni...will the dress be better in the more fragile fabric? and on and on it goes.  I named mine B-O-R-I-N-G-G-G-G-G, but then read the thread ahead of someone saying hers was boring so I may need to be Boring 2.

jayjay

[Jafael]

Help! I've stalled out! My first item has hit a snag and I need to fuss out some fitting issues, and I've been avoiding it. This is what I do. But I don't have TIME to avoid for days and weeks on end, because June here is only so long, and my first piece is just that, FIRST, which means I have four more behind it!

I just need a kick in the pants!