Summer Sewing... or is it canning?

My daughters finished these over the weekend....

Canning
This the season... and it has occupied much of this week... Blackberries, greengage plums and transparent apples.  The transparent apples are so wonderful for baking and applesauce.  And a tasty no-sugar added juice too!  The problem with transparent apples -- they have NO shelf life.  They are a soft and immediate use apple... so they are ripe - now they are applesauce!

The past few days have included multiple batches of apple sauce, apple juice, greengage plum jam, blackberry juice, blackberry jam, and chocolate blackberry jam.  

Oh but there are more apples... these are only the large apples from the other trees.  I don't know the varieties of these apples... but they have a longer "shelf" life... so they are headed home from the beach!  And I'll deal with them in September...  Probably more apple sauce and sliced frozen apples...

Garment Sewing

Here is the Burda Style Braided Neck Tank I made myself. Printed fabric is a poly-Lycra blend, solid fabric is a rayon-Lycra.  Instead of doing a full facing front & back, I cropped the pieces and made a shelf bra.  

And my sons second pair of pants. These still need the waist band sewn, and hemmed...

I really liked how these went together, but didn`t quite understand the instructions for the back pocket so ended up just  going on instinct! 

Quilting

I got 4 of my dresden plate blocks basted!  The fifth has been cut into an octagon and I`m adding the extra 1 inch strips to the cut edges.

My daughter commented the blue sheet I`ve been using all summer as a design wall is empty...  I am packing my sewing area... to move back to town...

Friday Night Sew In - Lots DONE!

I had a very productive Friday Sewing....

These are the projects I worked on

• Vest for youngest, using Ottobre Design 1/07 #22 sz 98 lengthened, with short sleeves
• Swim Bottoms for older daughter using Ottobre Downloaded Pattern
• Swim Top for my son using a hacked Ottobre Design  #3/10 35 sz 140
• Tshirt Remake for my husband (made it smaller), recut with KwikSew 
• Lycra Circle Skirt for me (self-calculated)
• Top for me using Ottobre Design 4/10  #29 sz 170
• Applied the binding to Quilt  #3

And an added bonus, in searching for some of the fabric I did do some cleaning of my sewing room.... A great productive Friday night!

Stash Report #5/2011

Stash Report week 5 / 2011 (Jan 24-30):
Used this Week: 3.2m
Used year to Date: 10.3m
Added this Week: 0
Added Year to Date: 4.5 meters
Net Used for 2011: 5.8

Project Completed:  I made myself a quick blanket and pillow case to take camping this past weekend.  They were great to have with my new sleeping bag!  

2011 UFO Challenge

My list for the UFO Challenge is posted here

January's UFO Progress

• Quilt top DONE!
• Backing DONE!
• Cut & Piece Binding DONE!
• Layer and Baste - to do
• Label - to do 
• Quilting - to do
• Binding - to do

February's UFO Progress

• Quilt top - to do
• Backing - to do
• Binding - to do
• Layer and Baste - to do
• Label - to do 
• Quilting - to do
• Binding - to do

Loveliness Dress (Ottobre 2/10 #16)

Loveliness Dress
Originally uploaded by l3designs

I needed a dress for my cousins wedding. I made this dress using a lightweight poly and lined it with a thicker weight poly (same fabric as the sash).

The dress has a side zipper, so I took out the centre back seam. I also changed the lining to remove the darts to take the bulk out of the waist.  I interfaced the bodice with some broadcloth as I didn't want to use fusible. I made a sash style belt instead of the one included in the pattern.

I made the following pattern modifications for fit:

• lengthened bodice (for a long torso)
• shortened above bust point on front
• shortened skirt (I'd lengthened the bodice...)
• tweaked dart fit

It is taunting me....

Fabric ready to cut out...

Loveliness Dress, Ottobre 2/10 #16
Its sitting on the table, the pattern is traced, altered and laying out ready to be cut. I will now go cut out my dress!

The only question is how to finish the seams. I think that has been what has delayed my cutting so far... I can't use french seams and insert an invisible zipper in the side seam... Guess I could serge them, but for dresses for the girls, I have started doing french seams and a hong kong finish on the centre back seam -- and really enjoying the process...

I've thought about just serging the seams, but would rather have nicely finished seams. So the fabric sits, holding me hostage -- I can't cut it out until I know what size seam allowance to cut...

I'd ask for suggestions... but realized I don't have any fabric to finish the edges to do Hong Kong Finishes. So I will serge! I think I will serge each piece separately and press open! So I will cut 1/2" seam allowances. Dilemma solved.

A new TNT Pattern

A new TNT Pattern
Originally uploaded by l3designs

OK this is my new TNT tshirt pattern! Ottobre 2/10 #9 without the ruffles on the sleeves!

Modifications on this version - bound neck and sleeve edges, changed neckline to a soft V shape.

The fabric is a beautiful rayon-lyrca knit I found at my local Fabricland in the $4 clearance section when it was on 50% off! I picked up 1m, and have enough left over for a camisole and panties...

Kwik Sew 2723

To test out the shorts pattern for KS 2723 I traced, then cut them out in the same fabric as the PJ top I recently made myself.

I generally find that kwiksew patterns tend to run about 1 size larger than the envelope suggests based on measurements. These ended up being a good fit, even if I got the grain different between the top and bottoms for this PJ set... Oh well I wasn't planning on wearing them outside of the house. They are a great set of PJs, if a little warm for the summer.

Tshirt Remake

Original Top - April 2009
From My Sewing and Crafting

In January 2009 I made the following top, but didn't post a photo until I finished my jeans in April 2009 - Jeans.

And this past week I remade the shirt into something that would fit now. I used Ottobre 2/10 #9 and did add about 1.5" more ease at CF as I needed it to get it to fit onto the older tshirt, and then I gathered it into the neckline.
I also lowered the sleeve cap and shortened the upper bodice between high bust and the shoulder.

New Top -- August 2010

My daughters are sewing & crafting today...

My 4yo wanted to sew her dolly a dress and then so did the 7yo. The 7yo is also trying to crochet today.

Closeup
Originally uploaded by l3designs

Here is a closeup of the neckline and sleeve edging for my recently finished Katherine top.

Sewing for me: Ottobre 2/10 #2

Ottobre 2/10 #2
Originally uploaded by leahholland

My new Capris! These were simple to put together... I did change them a bit as I didn't want to pull out the stitching.

Note to self: READ the instructions WHILE making them, not just the day before. I forgot about putting the size zipper in, and used the 5 thread stitch on my serger to do the side seams! Oops!

So I changed them to be pull-on by changing the waist to be a casing. I do need to open it again and take out some of the elastic....

Alterations - the only alteration I did was take in the CF seam 1/4" and CB seam 1" at the waist and taper to the crotch seam.... (and change the width of the waistband to fit my elastic, and decreased the length & shape to go with the above alterations)

Next time I make these -- I will put the zipper in, and I will have to change the waistband.

New Ottobre Issue

od2-10-18-top
Originally uploaded by leahholland

I was going to try the cowl neck top from the new Ottobre, but the fabric I wanted to use was an old top that had a low neckline so I didn't have enough length. Since pattern #18 used the same front and back pieces I just cut out the other pattern.

Its simple to sew, but I will probably bind the arms & neckline if I were to make it again. Clear elastic & I don't agree... so I pulled it out.... I used my coverstitch and I'm not 100% happy with it - but its great from a distance, made out of an old tshirt so if it only lasts this summer, it will be fine.


Cowl Neck Top
I also wanted to try the Cowl Neck top from Hot Patterns that is for free download at fabric.com. After printing out the 22 pages and figuring out how to assemble them... this was actually painful as the labelling is so close to the edge that my printer cut it off! And I had to hunt down the size chart on the Hot Patterns website....

Fabric used is a light weight poly-lycra with a slight horizontal stripe in the knit. I am not terribly interested in tops with bands over my hips so I skipped the ribbing at the waist.

This top went together very quickly and is a nice lightweight top for the summer, or great for layering in the winter....



I have traced and cut out two other items from Ottobre 2/10 and have almost completed another pair of Jazz pants from 5/08 in capri length.

More Sewing for me -- Some essentials

Fleece TopA cozy fleece top for me....




Nightgown -- Ottobre Designs 5/09 #1

Nightgown
Originally uploaded by leahholland

Using the instructions at otttobredesign.blogspot.com... I made this nightgown out of an old nightshirt. I used FOE for the back neckline, ruffle elastic along the front section and old bra straps off of a discarded bra.

Planning for Spring/Summer

I have started planning my sewing for Spring and Summer for me. I have chosen some patterns... now to dig through looking for fabric. I think I can make most of these from stash....

A new PJ Top

A new PJ Top
Originally uploaded by leahholland

To go with my PJ pants I made last week.... Ottobre Designs 5/09 #1.

I used FOE instead of binding the upper edges. This is fast to make! And For the most part I like the fit. The fit is good as long as I'm wearing a pushup bra... when I take the bra off, there is way too much fabric in the top for my (new) smaller size.... So I'm trying another one, with the bodice top seam lowered an inch.

First Sewing for ME in the New Year!

Jazz-ottobre02-2008-05
Originally uploaded by leahholland

Jazz-ottobre02-2008-05

Ottobre 02/2008 #5 Jazz Pants

I am in desperate need of new PJ pants and thought these looked like a great pair to try. I'd made this pattern a year ago (in a different size) and like them for the most part, although didn't like the waistband...

Today I made these in a size 40 in light grey rib knit, with the only alteration being the waistband and shortening the leg length 1".

For the waistband, I just used a 4" strip of fabric with 1.25" wide elastic in it and attached it. If I'd been thinking I would have just raised the waistband and serged on the elastic.

I think the fit is great, they are comfy and will work well as PJ pants. I am going to try them in a heavier weight fabric for some workout pants too!

Back home and sewing....

Last weekend I spent time with my brother before heading off to help my dad & his wife, my uncle and my aunt & her husband clean up my grandmother's house. I was given the task of going through my grandmother's sewing stuff. I threw out many partly completed sewing projects and recycled some patterns and magazines. I did send some completed but not hemmed items to charity donation along with some Threads magazines and some assorted unused patterns and notions. Unfortunately due to the remote location of the house, and time frame for emptying the house, more of the magazines could not be given to others who sew.

These tags were my great grandmother's - I have her Elna sewing machine from the 1970s (although its not working).... I did keep some patterns, fabric, and notions for myself and might get one of the Husqvarna sewing machines. My aunt currently has the older one and is deciding which machine she wants to keep. I left most of the fabrics, sorted in drawers or buckets so my aunt could decide what to do with them. I also left my aunt with an assortment of patterns, notions and other supplies as well as the knitting machine.



Quilting


Since I got home I've had a chance to get back into sewing again. I did complete some more squares for the Quilt Along.



Sewing for Me
I also found an OOP Burda 6157 pattern for panties, slips, teddies, camisole and tap pants at my grandmothers and decided to try it out with fabric & lace I brought home with me. I'm guessing the beige is a nylon-lycra and the lace is a 6" wide stretch lace. Before I started working with the lace it felt fine - not too aged, but as I worked along it seemed very rubbery. I may cut out the lace after a washing or two... I'm not sure its going to work.




Pattern Description:
Slip, Teddy, Camisole, Shorts and Panties

Pattern Sizing:
European Sizes 34 - 48

Older Burda pattern without seam allowances - remember to add them.

Did it look like the photo/drawing on the pattern envelope once you were done sewing with it?
Yes. I made view D - and it looks the similar to the drawing but I'm not sure whether I should have used stretch lace (I did) or regular lace....

Were the instructions easy to follow?
They were easy to follow, but brief and missing some information. I didn't follow their elastic application method - but applied in two steps. I'm glad I've made panties before because there was no recommendations about elastic lengths - more below...

What did you particularly like or dislike about the pattern?
I disliked the brief list of notions required and fabric suggestions. I'm guessing the panties were to be made in the silky knits listed on the instructions as I'm not sure they'd fit properly in a woven. And requirements for the lace was listed at "12cm (4 1/2") laced edging or band: 0.6m (3/4yd)" From this I'd guess they were using regular lace not stretch lace - I used stretch lace and they are a little large in the front, and the seams pull.

I also disliked that the elastic lengthens for the legs and waist were not included. The leg elastic is only applied to the front/crotch section and back not to the lace/side front piece. I measured the pattern pieces and subtracted 2" for the back of the panties. Because of the stretch lace, the side seams pull to the back when wearing. For the waist - I truly guessed on a measurement... I think I chose well, although may be able to make it slightly shorter next time.

I like the construction order - went together quickly.

Fabric Used:
Beige Nylon - Lycra and stretch lace
(ignore the grey crotch lining piece as I couldn't find any other light colours and these were just a muslin)

Pattern Alterations or any design changes you made:
Used stretch-lace because I figured that was what was needed... but think regular lace would be better as it might fit properly.

Would you sew it again? Would you recommend it to others?
Yes I will make these again. The front-side piece will need to be made shorter or with regular lace for a better fit. I might try both.

I would probably make the crotch lining the same size as the front piece instead of seaming it.

Conclusion:
The other items look to be in wovens (camisole, tap pants, teddy and slip) and I may make them at some point.

The panties are a great start and are drafted quite well even if the notions/fabrics listed on the pattern are hard to understand.

New Skirts & other sewing

I just finished Ottobre 02/08 #20, made with two back panels & back waistbands to make it non-maternity. I skipped the ties at the side seams... The fabric is linen - blue is leftover from a sling I made as a gift - so it has centre seams as it was a really narrow left over. The print is from a long dress that is too big with a failed zipper so I couldn't give it to anyone else...





I also altered a skirt (Ottobre 2/06 #10) I made last year taking out 4.25" from the side seam. This included removing one pocket and reinserting it, and straightening the side zipper and partially reinserting it too. The front waistband was completely removed and has a centre front seam to take out the extra fabric. It is now a little tight on the waistband, but I hope that will disappear soon...


As I will be going on vacation soon, I did an extra few blocks for the Quilt Along as I will be away from a sewing machine. I am going to help my Dad and Aunt clean up my grandmother's house - so even though I may find some of my grandmother's sewing things, I won't have time to sew.


And for a few July Birthdays - here is the gift for my Dad - a handprint quilt.





And some paintings for my brother, from the kids.