I'm still trying to get past the sewing burnout from a few months ago, but earlier this week I decided to check out a new little sewing machine shop (Sewing Solutions Hub) that opened near me after I saw an ad in one of those local coupon/ad magazines that come in the mail. It was a nice little store and they have machines, some quilting fabric, Gutermann thread, and my favorite Tulip brand handsewing needles (I grabbed a pack of needles). Glad to see some little places popping up to fill the void left by JoAnn closing.
Since I only spent about 15 minutes there, I figured I should head a couple blocks over to visit Not Your Mama's Quilt Store to say hi and tempt myself with their fabrics. (It is a dangerous store!) I wasn't able to leave without getting the lovely plaid fabric in the photo.
One of the employees remembered I have taught classes there in the past and asked if I would teach a quilted jacket class because she wants to make one. I actually fit a mockup sometime last year of the Grainline Studio Tamarack Jacket with plans to make one for myself. So I have been coming up with all kinds of ideas with teaching classes in mind - maybe that's the kick I need to get back to sewing. I'll share the crazy design I came up with yesterday once I've fleshed it out a bit more (I might need some help with color choices.)
How's life going for the rest of you?
I spent the day priming things for paint and then I remembered to shoot a quick video. #SewingStudioBuild
I started cutting all the edges while Janet was away yesterday morning. When she got back after lunch, she pulled out a roller and started filling in. I'll put a pic below in the comments. #SewingStudioBuild
We broke for lunch and then came back with a portal ac unit plugged in to an extention cord from the house. Can't wait until they finished hooking up all the electrical and we have the mini split cooling the room for us - it was stupid humid today! #SewingStudioBuild
Why do you have to be so pretty, brocade? I love you, but you are so fussy to work with!
#derbydress
I made a rub-off dress... the only change I made was to increase the width of the waistband from 2" to 3", which I am more-or-less satisfied with. I'd do a few things, construction-wise, differently next time, but this is an easy, comfortable dress.
The original is from Talbots.
It’s been awhile since I’ve had something to show, but I’m finally getting the pictures up! Both of these were from the Paloma pattern in the Itch to Stitch “Sew Beautiful” book. I did the top first to test the pattern, and tried to add some length to the sleeves, since 3/4 length only works here about 3 to 4 days of the year! I apparently underestimated the length I needed to add, but I had to cut crosswise even to add this much, so I couldn’t have done more.
For the dress, I did add more sleeve length (slightly overestimated this time). I also added ties to the neck and pockets, though in retrospect, I probably should have put them in higher. Based on the shirt, I’d thought putting them in the top part would be too high. So I inserted them in the first ruffle layer and it is maybe a bit too low.
Overall, though, I think this was a worthwhile pattern to play with.
