Announcing: June Capsule Competition 2 (JCC2) - Rules and discussion thread

[Janis]

I'm still sewing, but probably won't finish.  At least everything came together in the end.  I'll post pics when I'm done, even if it's after the deadline.

[RuthieK]

I've been doing other stuff in my life, work (a lot of work), spending time with DH, household stuff and church stuff. And I guess the sewing projects have just not been my top priority so I don't know whether I will get done for the end of the month.
As you know I sewed 4 items already but the print top and stripe skirt don't really work together too well.

I have a woven lime blouse in progress but I think that may be quite a few sewing sessions from being finished, so may not make the deadline.

Edited to add that I could probably have another orphan or purchased piece or something rearranged to make what I have sewn be enough but I can't quite get my head around it at the moment.

Thoughts?

[Jafael]

This month has been cruel, and denied me sewing time.  It's beginning to look very unlikely that I'll finish my garments in June. This makes me very sad, and a little grumpy with myself. So, for my own peace of mind, I've decided that I can extend my personal challenge into July. It still starts with a J so it still counts for my personal JCC, even if I'm not going to be able to have my own goods up for the contest submission date. (Does that make sense? It's awfully late.) They say you learn more from failures than from success, and I have learned something very important here. Preparation, and TNT patterns. Making muslins because everything has to be adjusted in order to fit is not conducive to success on such a fast paced sewing challenge. I have learned. I need to take some time to work the kinks out of a few patterns. I still plan to sew until the end, but at this point, it will be an accomplishment to finish my first blouse!

I cheer, applaud, and salute all of you who finished, are finishing, or are working hard to finish!

[Towanda]

I may or may not finish on time. I've been working way too many hours but I do love my job, running errands on the weekend and spending time with DH. Friday, I came home early ready to sew but my sewing room was in disarray. I had called DH and asked him to get a new air conditioner for this room. He got it and started to put in end when he discovered that it was too large for the window. He had to leave for work so the disaster was left sitting there.  I'm spoiled because I am used to being able to being able to walk in, sit down and sew.  I know the expression on my face was priceless when I walked in the room. DH is a jewel because we went and got a replacement one yesterday and now I am sitting in a cool room.

I was already behind because I am spending several days working on a maxi dress. Can plus-size women wear these dresses? The first draft for the bodice didn't work so I am trying a new draft. It was going okay until I broke a needle Thursday night. I just turned off the machine and went to bed.

So far three pieces are finished, two black gored skirts and a black princess seam top with cap sleeves. Hopefully, I can draft and cut out a white princess seam top today or will I stay sidetracked working on the maxi dress? Decisions, decisions.

[JennyAnne]

I'm getting there!  Today, I finished sewing up my knit top (after MANY mistakes and MUCH ripping - instead of keeping it simple, I added some lace to the neckline and kept stretching it out).  I just have the hand-sewing on my dress left to do, and I'm heading downstairs to work on that while watching a movie now since the kiddies are sleeping.  Oh, and I also want to shorten the purple top from my wardrobe.  I should be able to finish without neglecting two little boys too much.   

[sdBev]

I may or may not finish on time. ....
So far three pieces are finished, two black gored skirts and a black princess seam top with cap sleeves. Hopefully, I can draft and cut out a white princess seam top today or will I stay sidetracked working on the maxi dress? Decisions, decisions.

Towanda
All you have to make is one decision, do you want to finish the JCC on time?  If you do heed the advice of Jafael:

... They say you learn more from failures than from success, and I have learned something very important here. Preparation, and TNT patterns. Making muslins because everything has to be adjusted in order to fit is not conducive to success on such a fast paced sewing challenge.....

If however you love that maxi-dress and just got-to-have-it, then you want to jettison the JCC and concentrate on the maxi. 

So the decision you have to make, is  which one do you really want to do?

[CarolTrendall]

I'm almost done.  I finished the pink floraly blouse yesterday.  I'll handsew the buttons tonight in front of television.  I cut out the final blouse and will get that done by tonight, too.  My accessory is cut and ready to go.  I have long day on June 30 with the end of financial year stuff, but I am still on schedule to finish sewing by the end of the day tomorrow.  I think.  What is the deadline for posting completed pictures?

[Lisanne]

Congratulations and thanks to those of you who have finished or are on the 'final push'. 
And best wishes too to all of you who have taken part but are not finishing.
 It is such fun to see and hear about what you are making.

[RuthieK]

Elizabeth can you confirm when we can sew until and when we can take and send the photos.
I am going to need Tuesday evening to finish my blouse off but may struggle to do photos that day too.....

[ejvc]

Hi,

You can sew until the end of June 30.  By July 7th (one week later) I need to receive photos.  I will put them up as soon as I can after than. I will then leave two weeks for voting.  Sound good?

Elizabeth

[JennyAnne]

Woohoo!  I was leaving myself the 30th for pictures.  I have a whole extra day now (during nap and after bedtime, at least) for all this hand-sewing...

[RuthieK]

Hi,

You can sew until the end of June 30.  By July 7th (one week later) I need to receive photos.  I will put them up as soon as I can after than. I will then leave two weeks for voting.  Sound good?

Elizabeth

Elizabeth you are fantastic! Today's our wedding anniversary and DH proposed going to a film (we often don't do anything much) and I obviously want to spend that time with him, but was secretly thinking 'bummer what about the JCC deadline, I want to sew'.
So I think its just about doable to finihs the sewing on tuesday evening - and the bits I can manage today:-)
PHEW!

[Morzel]

Happy anniversary, Ruthie! Enjoy your evening out. 

[zora]

I am not sure I am going to finish on time 
I have mended my orphan (little problems I hadn't seen when I chose it) and I finished my accessory and a fabulous top but the pants are a problem. The pattern had real errors, the pattern pieces didn't fit together and I am still working on the fit of the waist and some wrinkles caused by the front pockets. Wish I could show you pictures but my digi cam just decided to throw a fit and it wants new batteries

[Susan in Saint John]

I'm not sure if this is the correct spot to post this or not. 

I'm wondering if there are any the plans are for July.  I am sorry to have missed participating in in the June Capsule Competion because I was away.  I am impress by what those who are participating are accomplishing--including those who have "officially" dropped out.

Do I understand correctly that there is a plan for a Wardrobe in a Week in August?

These contests/sew alongs make me think and sometimes get me sewing too.  Thank you to the organizers!

[CarolTrendall]

Thank you Elizabeth!  With the end of the financial year here in Australia, I won't finish work until late, then I have to race home and put the collar on my last blouse as well as line my cap.  Having a few days for pictures is a big relief!  I've taken some very bad and hasty pictures this morning to show you my progress, such that it is.  I've used cute little leaf shaped buttons that you can't see in this picture.

I think I will be sewing until midnight tonight!

[scarletthread]

http://home-and-garden.webshots.com/album/572706223mrRgKD?vhost=home-and-garden

I'm done and pics are sent.  I can't begin to describe the feeling of looking into my drawer and seeing it full of nice, new clothing for after baby arrives in 6 weeks.  Not sure if this is ok, but I've included my webshots album link because I have more detail pics for those interested in my morphing.

There is still time to get those garments completed so sew!!!

[Morzel]

Scarletthread- great pictures! I really appreciate the detail photos, as these are really nice nursing tops! I think I got the Simplicity pattern (too lazy to look now), and the floral shirt with the ribbon is such a great idea! Thank you.

[JennyAnne]

Scarletthread:  Beautiful nursing tops!  The best thing is they really don't look like nursing tops - just cute shirts.  I wish I had some!  You'll be all set when this baby comes. 

[Carla]

Such lovely things coming out of this contest.  I am particularly enjoying seeing the pretty pregnancy and nursing clothes, having 8 grandchildren myself and watching my daughters use these types of items. 

I think the one tip I have for you ladies having babies is that not only do they mess up their own clothes, they mess up yours, too!  You might find you need more tops than you think.  How well I remember a day when our youngest was quite small and nursing.  I got dressed up to go house-hunting with realtors and by the time I made it to the realtor's office I had been spat on, wet on and my daughter had suffered a diaper leak onto my clothes.  The havoc a small baby can wreak on YOUR things is amazing!

 

[KathrynT]

Scarletthread, what beautiful tops in lovely colours with ingenious openings!

[ejvc]

Last day of sewing, my friends!  Consider yourselves encouraged.  I personally will FINISH a garment tonight, so help me.

Elizabeth

[RuthieK]

I am going to try to finish my shirt this evening  - might need to keep going until midnight!
Photos the next day.
Then next week am getting the sewing room decorated which I am very excited about!

[JennyAnne]

Here is a horrible mirror photo of my knit top, but at least it gives you an idea.


and here is a closeup of the neck edge.  I embellished it with a little lace and by turning the hem to the outside.


Still working on hemming my dress...

[zora]

Great top JennyAnne!

I didn't give up yet, there's still some time till midnight 

[RuthieK]

Right now a sleeveless blouse seems like a great idea.
For one its boiling hot and two I am having great trouble getting a huge sleeve into a tiny armhole.
I gathered the exess and it just looked crazy.

Its a shame as the sleeves are made up complete with beautifully top stitched cuffs and everything.
Maybe its time for a coffee and then I'll come back and look at it again.

Its 9:10pm here :-(

[JennyAnne]

Woohoo!  I finished at 10:10pm.  No sweat!   
Now, if the kiddos will just cooperate with synchronized naps tomorrow, I can do my photo shoot.

[ejvc]

I hear you on the sleeveless thing, Ruthie.  I have NOT finished my top as 1) it's wool and I can't bear it and 2) we had 10 lbs of gooseberries in the fridge (from our allotment and HUGE, some of them, like the size of ping-pong balls practically), and my husband said it was jam tonight or he throws them out.  So I've been making jam for several hours.  On the hottest day of the year.  We have been taking frequent cooling-off breaks and he went out and bought ice cream, so all is not lost.

I hate when sleeves don't co-operate.  You could increase your seam allowance on the sleeve and see if that helps.  Not very scientific I know, but it might work.

[RuthieK]

Sleeves are in, I decided a slight gathered look is OK and echoes the bust gathering.
Have also made all the buttonholes, so just handsewing the buttons now and I'm done.

[RuthieK]

OK here's the shirt finished with buttons on and everything. I finished about 11pm, but its taken a few mins to take, adjust and upload the photo.

[CarolTrendall]

I finished last night, took bad pictures this morning and then left my camera on the bathroom bench when I came to work this morning!  Will post when I get home.  I must say that because I was sewing late into the night last night, my last blouse is definitely NOT my finest work! 

[Susan in Saint John]

Remember that just because you're using a commercial pattern it doesn't mean that it's completely free of errors.  I did a course with Judy Barlup http://uniquetechniques.com/ a few years ago called "proofing the pattern".  Basically, you check that the seams are the same length--if not, is there supposed to be ease or is there an error?  You check that the facings fit.  [She has a repetroir of pattern tweaks to make garments go together better too.]  Judy has written some articles for Threads magazine and I think one of them may be on this subject.

Home sewing patterns can have more ease than necessary/appropriate in the sleeve caps.  This may be what happened to Ruthie's blouse.  It's a good idea to measure the armhole and the sleeve cap to see how much ease you're dealing with.  If it's more than 1" (2.5 cm) you may want to take some out of the sleeve pattern.  Some fabrics ease better than others.  If your fabric doesn't ease well, you need to reduce the sleeve cap ease.

[CarolTrendall]

I just made two blouses back to back from the same pattern with slightly different weight cotton fabrics.  The first one was easy:  the sleeves eased with, well, ease.  The second (the one I finished late last night) didn't.  I spent a lot of time unpicking and resetting the sleeves.  I've made this same pattern five times and so far never had a problem with the sleeves.  I think the fabric must have way more to do with ease than I had appreciated in the past.

[RuthieK]

Well I'm not happy with the sleeves but there was a deadline so I just had to go for it is as.
As sewing time is now over I will do the contest photos showing the shirt as it is, and then when its done I will spend some time removing the sleeve, trimming the sleeve cap a little and reinserting it.

Jenni helped me make a muslin of this and we made the armhole neater but the sleeve wider in some places (I have chunky arms) which I am sure has not helped things, plus this is 100% cotton with no stretch or give whatsever - quite dense - pinholes and unpicked basting show.

A kind person left quite a comprehensive note on my blog of resources to consult. I do have the Sandra Betzina book already, so I will have another go after the contest to make the sleeves look nicer.

[ejvc]

CONGRATULATONS!!!!!!! to those who have finished.  You now have a week to get me the photos!  I'm really pleased with everything I see so far. 

My favourite thing to see are the accessories, I think, because we are mostly garment sewers, so it takes us a bit out of our comfort zone.  I absolutely love the pin I made!

Elizabeth