Nita Wrap Skirt Pattern Testing

Hey everyone, sorry it has been so long since I posted, I am a bad blogger.  I have been up to a ton of cool stuff.  First of which, I was selected by the amazing Beth at Sew DIY to test her newest pattern - the Nita Wrap Skirt.

This skirt was amazingly fun and fast to sew and I can't believe how quickly I finished it.  It is a simple wrap skirt that is offered in three lengths - mini, midi, and maxi.  I, of course, selected the mini.  I had some denim lying around that I purchased at Joann's a while back on a whim and a coupon and decided that it would be the best choice.  It turns out I don't love the denim at Joann's but I do love this pattern.

The whole thing start to finish took about 4 hours.  I avoided the button hole on the waistband and went with snaps.  Besides, I really wanted to try out my new Kam Snaps.  I had white in the machine from the wedding dress I was working on and decided some topstitching in white would be a neat element, and it turns out I really like it.  My husband thought it looked nice too.

My only issue is that I have not sewn for me in a bit and was a bit taken aback that I had to go up a size from what I thought.  Oh well, time to hit the gym I guess.

Super Fun Girls Coat on the Way

My niece is adorable and is just coming into her own in fashion terms.  I spoke to her about her birthday and Christmas presents this year (she has a December birthday) and we decided I would make her a present this year.  I was tasked to make a "super twirly cool coat".

So, off to find a pattern and go fabric shopping - since we all know I hate fabric shopping (NOT!!!).

I have decided to go with Vogue 9043, View B.  I was originally thinking View C (the long one) but when I found the perfect fabric and there was only two yards left, View B became the selection.  I also think it is more practical for an 8 year old.

In choosing the fabric, I had some parameters.  The birthday girl want pink or pink and blue.  The birthday girl's mommy wanted washable and something that won't show dirt in 5 minutes.  So a print was automatically my way to go.

My problem is that I love wool and I have no problem spending money on quality wool, but washable was one of my key requirements.  After a LOT of thinking, I decided to look into a faux fur and ended up selecting a minky fabric.  My plan is to underline with organza (poly for washability) to add body to the minky fabric and line with cotton flannel for warmth.  So here are the fabrics I selected:

Next step is to cut the muslin and do a fitting.  This is going to be fun!

Gotta Catch Em All - Pokemon!

For Halloween this year, I got out on the easy side.  This is my little Ash from Pokemon.  The shirt/jacket and gloves were all I had to make.  The shirt is made from a blue cotton twill and underlined with a heavier cotton twill to add more body so it would flow away from the body just like in the cartoon.  The pattern was created by altering a simple kids button down shirt.  I added the pockets (both fully functional of course) and made the sleeved from a faux linen fabric.  It is fully lined.

Ash has fingerless single finger gloves, but the fleece that I purchased was just too bulky for that with little hands, so I made them a simple thumb and fingerless mitten sort of glove.

All in all, the costume was a success.  EVERYONE knew who he was and he was thrilled with his costume.  I was originally hoping he would be able to wear it to the summer comic-cons, but the way he is growing, it may be going to his little brother for con wear.

Here are a few more poses, just for fun:

And since I don't want his little brother to be left out, this is Minecraft Steve in Diamon plated armor.  I made the armor from rubber floor tiles and hot glue.  Not my best work, but he loved it, so I win!

That 70's Skirt

This weekend I set out to do something unheard of - sew something simple!  I am also on a serious fabric buying diet right now, so stash diving it was.  I started by getting out my little big box of vintage patterns (I am a pattern addict too) and started on the search for a vintage design.  I found this  70's Marie Osmond wrap skirt and fell in love.

I went stash diving and found this lovely bottom weight Hawaiian print cotton blend. It has some stretch in it so there must by some nylon in it.  It is a sateen for sure though.  I have a ton of this stuff so I will be making a matching crop top soon. 

The pattern was already cut to a medium, which should have been my size, but it turned out too big.  I ended up removing 4" from the sides and bottom for a perfect overlap.  I left out the pocket since I felt it broke up the print too much.  I used simple black cotton bias binding all around.  The skirt is supposed to tie, but I hate ties so I used a hook and eye and snap for a closure.  A little vintage wood button from my stash finished off the waistband.

 

I had a lot of fun making this.  I think it took about three hours with little people interruptions and tea breaks.  I will for sure be making more versions of this pattern.  Up next is a leather mini version.

What do you think?

Teaching Practice: Mini iPad Carrier

My two sons, one 7 and one 5, have now become interested in sewing after watching me giving some sewing lessons last week. My oldest, Connor, has not wanted to really follow through except to request more made to order items and go fabric shopping for his stuff.  My youngest, Aidan, pretty much begged me to teach him about the basics of sewing.

I thought for a while about what project to give him where he would not lose interest and could help at the sewing machine.  My boys both received iPad mini's for Christmas and have the most amazing foam cases that are very protective but also very large.  So I thought an over the shoulder carry case might make traveling with his iPad nicer.

I had some errands to run and we stopped at Hancock Fabrics armed with coupons and Aidan selected all of his own fabrics, a faux fur for the interior and a polar fleece for the exterior.  He also selected some wide polyester webbing in a fantastic rainbow color scheme.  He is a very outgoing child and I honestly could not influence him on his choices.  We actually had a little tisk at the store because he found an organza print he wanted very badly but I had to explain it would be a poor choice for a case and he finally caved in and agreed to look at heavier weight fabrics.  He also selected some happy face buttons to add as trim.

To make the case, we measured the iPad in its case and added 2 inches to width and length to account for the depth of the case and to make it easier for him to insert and remove the iPad.  Using the fold of the fabric as the bottom, I cut a rectangle piece in both fabrics.  The faux fur became the interior lining while the polar fleece became the exterior.

After cutting the pieces, I pinned them right sides together and sat my son at the machine.  Using a half inch seam allowance, I held the fabric and his hands and he pushed the pedal very slowly.  He was so excited that he was actually using the machine!  We had a lot of fun sewing the four straight seams.

After we had two fully sewn pouches, I took over on the sewing and Aidan helped do some pinning.  First, I measured the webbing length and tacked to the right side of the lining.  Since we needed to use his button somehow, I used the last of the webbing as a flip closure.  We worked on attaching the lining to the exterior, I did the sewing on that one.  We flipped it right side out and top stitched the opening all around for extra security.  Aidan helped to hand sew the buttons and the case was complete.

Aidan has been using his new carry case for a week now and it is holding up nicely.  He proudly tells people, whether they wanted to know or not, that it was his design and he helped to make.  It makes me very proud and happy to his face when people complement him on his good work.

My Definition of Couture

Couture.  Words that bring to mind incredible fashion houses such as Chanel and Dior. Most people associate this word with expensive and seemingly unattainable garments and jewelry, but what does it all really mean?  How can I create something couture?

Let's start with some definitions that Google has been so generous as to provide.

Couture - defined as the design and manufacture of fashionable clothes to a client's specific requirements and measurements.

So according to this definition, most of us sewists pretty much are couture sewists.  We make clothing specifically to fit one client, either another or ourselves, to certain requirements and measurements.  But there is more to this story than just sewing to order.  Let's look at an industry many people can relate to, food.

In restaurants we have many types of chefs and many types of food.  The chef making food in the back at Applebee's is a chef, they make food to order and make changes per a customer request (e.x.: no onions on that salad).  But is that chef really making something spectacular.  What methods of cooking does the chef use? Is there frozen sauces just being warmed up and things mixed together?

Now move up to a local chef making their own recipes at their own restaurant using traditional or special techniques.  Truly creating something new and delicious.  Paying strict detail to how everything tastes and each and every plate that leaves that kitchen.  That chef may not be Michelin award winning or even well known, but if they make spectacular food created with love and attention to detail.  A chef that chops fresh vegetables every morning by hand and makes everything from scratch.  That is my alteration of couture.

Couture is the finest of sewing.  To me couture is about accuracy, technique, attention to detail, and effort.  It is about getting the perfect fit and always striving for perfection in my garment.  It is not using the serger or other special machines, but creating everything possible with the highest of accuracy using my own two hands for the ultimate in perfection, or as close as I can get.

For me couture is alive inside of me.  When I decide to create a couture garment, it means I start with careful planning.  I will cut the pattern on the seamlines and make a muslin designed to be altered and keep working it for the perfect fit.  I will then select fabric, sometimes many layers of fabric.  I will have at lease an outer fashion fabric, an underlining, and a lining.  I spend as much money as I can budget for the best materials - I love silk and wool.  This is a garment I will be touching a lot, so I want to enjoy the experience of hand stitching it.

After I have the perfect fit and cut my fabrics, I will hand baste everything.  I will check the fit over and over at each step, making minute adjustments during the entire process.  Once the basted pieces are perfect, I will sew the seams using a straight stitch and press out as I go.  The edges will be hand overcast when needed and all seams that will not be lined will be finished for beauty both inside and out of the garment.

The linings will be attached by hand so they are just exactly as I want them.  Each and every stitch made by hand will add to beauty and experience of creating the garment.

In my family, the women have been seamstresses for generations, out of necessity and the love of sewing.  My grandma taught me to sew and told me stories of her childhood dresses my great grandma created for her, often with only a sloper to work from, with exquisite finishes like French seams and fashion fabric bindings from the leftover bits of the outside garment.  

In so many ways, couture for me reminds me of the way people created garments many years ago - with fine craftsmanship and love.  I believe all sewists can become couture sewists.  

I do admit, I do not sew couture all of time.  We all have times we just want to make something fast and feel the rush of a completed piece.  But next time you have something special to create, think about using couture techniques.  I will be making tutorials on cutting, sewing and other couture techniques as the year moves forward.

So, what is your definition of couture?  I would love to hear your thoughts on the much debated topic.

Inspirational Blog: OMG That Dress

I am always looking for new inspiration and often times turn to the wonderful world of fashion history.  I follow many blogs on historical fashion, but my favorite by far is the Tumblr blog OMG That Dress.  Here you will find hours (yes, have some time as you will get addicted) of amazing fashion from many eras.  Posts go up hourly on many days, so add it to your Bloglovin or your Tumblr for sure.

Visit OMG That Dress