Six-piece spring collection sew-along (February - April)

[RuthieK]

Oops, accidentally cut out another shirt and not my jacket 

The spring weather is here and it's fun to be making spring clothing.

Elizabeth

Its nice isn't it. I took the extra cover off the bed and am not wearing my fleece indoors any more!
yesterday I wore a skirt and sandals but had to change later in the day.
Short sleeves are looking feasible.

[Ann]

How I wish it was spring here. -12C and snowing. 2" (5 cm) fell in the last 24 hours and the same expected today. Not thinking spring clothes yet.

Ann

[sdBev]

Ann

I completed my spring 6 pak about a week ago (more or less).  I knew I wouldn't be seeing spring for several weeks even as I was sewing.  But I wanted a "core" spring wardrobe ready when spring finally does arrive. 

It is warming here.  The temperatures are not dropping below zero any more.  Snow is melting.  Our last snow storm was less than a week ago.  To the South of me, Nebraska, just had another snow storm and we breathed a sigh of relief that it didn't reach us.  North Dakota on the other hand is already worried about floods.  But here in my little corner of South Dakota, we are still chilly not deep winter but not true spring.  I'm sewing jeans, which are year round wear.  I've found a skinny jean for stretch fabrics (Jalie 2908) that I've decided I really love and I'm working on finding a jeans pattern for non-stretch fabrics.  Though to tell the truth, I love the stretch. 

Anyway, who else is sewing their spring wardrobe?  We're going into the end of March, so spring is just around the corner.

[Remnant]

Finished my beaded top. He's a tickler. More on my blog.


Boy was that a pain! Wrong thread at first - and STILL might be the wrong thread choice. Wonking beading - just a matter of eye-hand coordination and learning to do hand-work a bit better, which will come with experience.  

Oh, and you know how annoying it is when facings won't stay put? I decided to add some pin-stitches with a bead to keep that baby in place.

Well, must run but must also say I love seeing everyone's plans coming to fruition.  

ETA: This leaves me one more top to complete for my 6-pack to be finished. Then on to the rest of my plans.

ETA (again): I posted URL's rather than photos. Oops.

[sdBev]

Remnant

I love it.  The beading is a beautiful touch and the idea of securing the facing with beading is ingenious!


ETA:  I'm pulling fabrics out of my stash thinking about a 'SUMMER 6 Piece Collection".  Yes, summer is coming.

[RuthieK]

Oh that's REALLY pretty! Very nicely done.

[ejvc]

Remnant - gorgeous!  You have a really good eye for what suits you, I have really enjoyed so many of your pieces and I'm glad you are sewing along with us.

My Spring 6-PAC stands as follows currently:

1 - blue stripy t-shirt  - DONE
2 - blue jeans - 95% complete, need buttonhole, hems, and belt loops
3 - silky grey/aqua/teal top - cut
4 - silver jacket - pattern and fabric to hand, need buttons
5 - red knit top - awaiting pattern, fabric to hand
6 - navy cardigan - have fabric, still considering pattern

Since I only started this month, this is really good progress for me.  I think I might have the first three done by the end of the month.

[RuthieK]

Elizabeth, it all sounds absolutely lovely!
I am looking forward to seeing the items as you make and post them.

[sdBev]

Elizabeth

you really are making unusual progress for you!  Very good!

[ejvc]

Bev, you made me laugh - but yes, it's excellent progress for me, and thanks to you and Ruthie for your encouragement.

So, I was working on my jeans again during Charlotte's bath tonight.  Belt loops - on.  Buttonhole -- I recalled that there was a way to do corded buttonholes on my machine.  So I made a couple of samples and before too long had a beautiful corded keyhole buttonhole (my machine makes great one-step buttonholes). To cord, you hook the cording thread over this little hook in the front of the buttonhole foot, and then you unhook it and pull the cord taut before you do the second side of the buttonhole.  So I start the buttonhole, get to the unhooking point, futz a little, and then continue - and my machine of the perfect and consistent buttonholes starts the first side of the buttonhole again!  ack!  Should mention this has NEVER happened before. So what could I do? I increased the stitch length so that the stitches wouldn't be so dense and then went on to the other side with the stitch length decreased again.  A bit lopsided but not as bad as I feared.  I cut the buttonhole and THEN I realised: I had done it on the WRONG END of the waistband.  Ie the belt loop is on the INNER tab.

So, I sewed the button on the inside of the waistband.  Fooey.  And they were such nice jeans too.  I guess I just won't wear things tucked in, or if I do I will wear a belt.

Evidently although I may be progressing, and I may have a PhD (or almost), I am still an idiot when it comes to sewing.  You know, inside I feel like I am a rather accomplished seamstress.  I am rather proud of my skill.  But I have to say this belief is not always borne out it what I make.

Hope you all have better luck with your current project!

[sdBev]

...: I had done it on the WRONG END of the waistband.  Ie the belt loop is on the INNER tab.
..

Obviously, it was your turn to make me laugh

Nice save though.

[ejvc]

X-posted from jeans thread, here they are, see more views there:



PS also making rather good progress on the next shirt.  The body is assembled and the facing pinned in.  I am using my SERGER to do the seaming, it's a silk-blend charmeuse and the serger is great with it!  Which is nice because it's a pain in the butt to work with otherwise.

[sdBev]

..  I am using my SERGER to do the seaming, it's a silk-blend charmeuse and the serger is great with it!  Which is nice because it's a pain in the butt to work with otherwise.

Yeah, that nice big foot dominates most fabrics; makes most of them easy to work with.  I confess, probably shouldn't do so to you, but after I know my patterns fit I change the SA's to 1/4" so that I can just serge everything together in a flash.  I know I've got that knife on the side, but other than trimming a few threads, it's more trouble than help.

[RuthieK]

I'm hoping there will be a summer sew along also? (Though the stuff I plan to sew will be very year round basics - trousers, knit tops etc)
I basically want to do another SWAP in May/June and was hoping for some company.
I have been acquiring stuff in black, red and white which just screams 'work capsule' to me.
http://ruthieksews1.blogspot.com/2010/03/planning-next-swap.html

[ejvc]

Yep, the summer sew-along will run May-July.  You are a fiend with sewing, Ruthie!

Elizabeth

[RuthieK]

I seem to be very capsule bound, but since it works I am going with it.
Ie lots of TNTs, the same shapes over and over in different fabrics.
About 3/4s of which work out.

Hand stitched Chanel inspired jacket, which takes months - not so much.
I would like to make simple jackets, but am stuck with fitting issues which I have not yet cracked. Once I have though I shall be doing simple cardigan jackets over and over.

[Janis]

I've been watching your sew-along, wishing I were a part of it.  You are all doing such wonderful work. 

I really struggle with "capsules", but also have a closet full of orphans.  Consequently, I'm waiting patiently for the summer sew-along.  I already have 3 pieces planned.  I'm going to stick with two colors, since I think it's the color thing that has me puzzled, and I need to make baby steps.

So, carry on because I can't wait to see all of the final pieces together (like Ruthie, you will post them that way, right?).  I need the inspiration .

Janis

[Hen]

I am also looking forward to the summer sew-along. I was one of the first to post a storyboard for the SWAP , but was busy making clothes for our wedding and honeymoon-trip and now my paranimf-dress.
Good thing (sewing-wise) is that my husband is not here in May and June, so that I can declare the living room a sewing room and spread all my sewing stuff in our small appartment for two months.

Janis, another baby step could be to make one item to pair with each orphan.

[Sewshopper]

Janis, summer before last, I sewed for orphan's in my closet.  I was really amazed at how much just a few pieces extended my wardrobe.  It was a very worthwhile effort.  So good luck.
Karleene

[ejvc]

A collection that also focuses on bringing in orphans would be useful, for sure.  I've now made a few semi-orphans.  I seem to sew for a lifestyle I don't actually possess -- one in which business attire is necessary.  Oh well.  My jeans and t-shirt for this spring collection are getting a lot of wear.

So I was really excited because I bought the pattern for that Rachel Comey pattern, V1170:


And I have a beautiful Liberty silk to sew it in (for my fantasy life...).  But somehow I ordered size 4-10 instead of the larger 12-20 so it is useless to me.  Do you think they will exchange it?

My next shirt is almost ready too!  And April isn't even here!

Elizabeth

[Janis]

I seem to sew for a lifestyle I don't actually possess -- one in which business attire is necessary. 

Elizabeth

  That is sooooo me!  Even when I am working, it's not in the business world!  A wool suit and a silk blouse are not necessarily in harmony with wiping snotty noses and sitting on the floor.  When am I going to figure that out?

[Remnant]

Finished. I wouldn't win any prizes if this were a judged SWAP because not all of my things can be worn with the rest. Or maybe it's that they don't particularly look good together due to stylistic issues. But my 6-pack is done.

And now I move onto more sewing....odds-n-ends that have already been chosen and have patterns. But I do want to make sure I look at tweaking and embellishing before I dig in and start cutting. Slowing down my production has increased my creativity.

But it's odd. I need to attend a funeral this week. The weather is warming up but I'll still need a sweater - and with all these clothes I've made, I've chosen to wear my brown silk voil skirt with an off-white RTW stretch-silky top I got at Kohl's last week and RTW off-white cardigan that I've had for a couple of years. The classic look is what looked best for this - the other tops I made were either too casual - or didn't quite suit. For example, the top with the bow - as I feared, I don't have a sweater or jacket that this looks good with. I would have loved to have worn it but the weather will need to be warm with no need for a sweater.

Anyway, I was playing with the Netpaint program ( that I think it was Kathryn who recommended) and came up with this: all headless because I didn't like any of my faces. haha Need to stop taking pics just out of the shower!

[Remnant]

Elizabeth - JEANS! Wonderful. Anyone who can sew jeans is my hero. (Channel jacket's too!) I've yet to make a pair of slacks much less jeans!

How disappointing about ordering the wrong size pattern. Pooh!

Oh, I know I haven't yet commented on that white skirt you posted for me....I've been debating it. While I love the skirt, I'm not sure about the horizontal seam. I have tummy issues - taking a medication for pain that sometimes rebels in my stomach and I get badly bloated for several weeks at a time. I just think that horizontal seam would outline my "bloat!" KWIM? Still, thinking - - - -

After switching my winter for summer clothing this morning, I realize that my wardrobe needs are two-fold: classic looks and hippy-looks. I am sooo much more comfy in my everyday hippy long floppy skirts and easy tops, but I need a selection of classics to wear to events and family stuff. I have too much inbetween things that aren't getting too much use - they look nice, and if I were to have an office job, I'd wear them, but I just don't wear them on a daily basis.

So part of what I'm going to be doing before rushing in to cut out more patterns is to make sure it's something that I'll wear, not merely something that will hang in my closet to admire.

I'm over 50. I think I have earned the right to be a tad eccentric. Just a tad. (But not to funerals.)

[ejvc]

Lisa - I happen to like your collection quite a lot.  See what you think as time goes on.  I keep hoping I will learn from the past.

Regarding the skirt, you are wise to be careful with it, I think.  I picked it because I have a relatively flat tummy.  I'll have a look at my Otto pattern sheets and see if I see something.  What about a safari-style with cargo pockets?  Normally if you have tummy pooch you get nice legs in exchange -- the pockets would draw the attention down?  It's a style I absolutely cannot wear, is why I suggest it :-)

Elizabeth

[sammie_s]

I'm over 50. I think I have earned the right to be a tad eccentric. Just a tad. (But not to funerals.)

   I love this philosophy.   Sounds just like something that would have come from my Gran's mouth! 

[ejvc]

Have finished piece number three, my silk print shirt, will post as soon as I find my camera cable!.  Jacket pattern now all cut and altered. 

[ejvc]

Fuzzy picture, better to come tomorrow.  My husband says it's the nicest thing I've ever made.  What does he know.  But I like it a lot.

[RuthieK]

Oh what a lovely blouse Elizabeth. I can see why you are pleased and DH is impressed.

[Ann]

Elizabeth, what a lovely blouse. It looks great on you.

I lived in a fairytale business world also - I taught K-1 for many years. I wore skirts, suits, silk blouses; you name it, I probably wore it. I wore jeans one year as we were on the rodeo circuit and I often left school to go to a rodeo for DD to compete in. It was my best year ever. I could virtually do things with the kids. When I became a principal, I thought I had to dress super nice and it seems jeans fits the bill also. Seen men admin come in shorts and t-shirts in the fall and late spring. What the heck, my jeans look good on me compared to that.

Ann

[ejvc]

Thank you!  Ruthie, it's almost a Ruthie blouse isn't it?  I thought of you while making it.  And it has teal and lime in it.  You can see it in person at the weekend this summer.  Ann, I have nothing but respect for those who teach school - and I love jeans too :-)

Elizabeth

[Karendee]

Elizabeth,

Your floral blouse looks quite spring-like and lovely.

Karen

[marciae]

Elizabeth,

Your floral blouse looks quite spring-like and lovely.

Karen

And I agree!!

[ejvc]

Thanks everybody! I tell you, I am on a roll!  I cut and sewed another top today, apart from hems.  It's a super super stretchy knit (4-way stretch, thin, drapey) and would have been impossible without my serger and its differential feed.  I  my serger.  The pattern is a Very Easy Vogue one, 8634.  I made this version, and even in red! 



I am afraid of the hems, since even with my walking foot my regular machine has been - well, inconsistent would be charitable.  It's like I set the machine to "random" stitch length. I need to find my stabilisers  (and then work out how to use them).

Hopefully tomorrow I will get down to the basement storage to bring up my jacket fabric!

[sdBev]

..I am afraid of the hems, since even with my walking foot my regular machine has been - well, inconsistent would be charitable.  It's like I set the machine to "random" stitch length. I need to find my stabilisers  (and then work out how to use them)....

Elizabeth

this is one of those places I like to use Steam-a-Seam.  Recently, though, I'm stretching the hem at some point and then SAS-ing it into place.  I have to wash the garment and rip everything out to fix it.  Just be careful when using SAS.  It used to be absolutely fool proof for me.  I'm not sure exactly where or how I'm stretching the hem.  It looks find until I'm all done.  Then I notice that my hem is fluted.

[RuthieK]

Elizabeth, have you got a ballpoint or stretch needle in the sewing machine?
I find I get much better results on hem with the ballpoint needle.
Then a slightly longer stitch length, a nice deep hem and a press afterwards seems to work reasonably well.