Me, organizing my patterns, live and in person:
Thursday, June 14, 2012
Working with Chiffon and Sheer Fabrics
Best tutorial I've seen on working with chiffon, especially when it comes to rolled hems. It's in Spanish, but there's a translation. It's worth a look.
http://pacoperaltarovira.blogspot.com/2012/01/tejidos-transparentes-tutorial-costura.html
http://pacoperaltarovira.blogspot.com/2012/01/tejidos-transparentes-tutorial-costura.html
Wednesday, June 13, 2012
Speaking of Organizing Patterns . . .
Gah, this is taking for-EVER!
Apparently I am obsessed with sewing patterns. I mean, I knew I had a lot of patterns, but good grief! I've been through 425 manila envelopes so far. I just got 200 more, which hopefully will be enough. I have 7 fat binders full of pattern envelopes and 3 big file drawers full.
I like this method (even though it's taking forever!) I have seen it a couple of times on blogs and videos. This is Mimi Goodwin's preferred method, and I think I saw Whitney do it as well. You take the actual pattern tissue and instruction sheets, and file them in a 6.5 x 9.5 manila envelope. Label it with the pattern company and the number, and then file it. Place the actual pattern envelope (the one with the pictures) into a page protector and put it in a binder. This way you can easily flip through the binder and find what you want, and then go to the file drawer and grab your pattern.
I did this sort of thing years ago, but a bit differently. I copied the front of each pattern and put it in a binder, then filed the actual pattern in a box. You could do the same thing these days by scanning the pattern and then printing. You'd use less space in the binder and probably wouldn't need a page protector for each one. You could also scan/copy both sides of the envelope -- but that's a lot of paper. I think I like the method I'm using better simply because I can pull the pattern envelope out and look at the back. This gives me yardage, recommended fabrics, etc.
If you don't have a billion patterns, you can always do what Whitney did and file the entire pattern, tissue and all, in a page protector in an envelope.
Anyway, here are some photos of the process. Wish me luck on the rest. I think I need another cup of coffee --
The binders Stragglers
The amazing file cabinet built by my father-in-law
Apparently I am obsessed with sewing patterns. I mean, I knew I had a lot of patterns, but good grief! I've been through 425 manila envelopes so far. I just got 200 more, which hopefully will be enough. I have 7 fat binders full of pattern envelopes and 3 big file drawers full.
I like this method (even though it's taking forever!) I have seen it a couple of times on blogs and videos. This is Mimi Goodwin's preferred method, and I think I saw Whitney do it as well. You take the actual pattern tissue and instruction sheets, and file them in a 6.5 x 9.5 manila envelope. Label it with the pattern company and the number, and then file it. Place the actual pattern envelope (the one with the pictures) into a page protector and put it in a binder. This way you can easily flip through the binder and find what you want, and then go to the file drawer and grab your pattern.
I did this sort of thing years ago, but a bit differently. I copied the front of each pattern and put it in a binder, then filed the actual pattern in a box. You could do the same thing these days by scanning the pattern and then printing. You'd use less space in the binder and probably wouldn't need a page protector for each one. You could also scan/copy both sides of the envelope -- but that's a lot of paper. I think I like the method I'm using better simply because I can pull the pattern envelope out and look at the back. This gives me yardage, recommended fabrics, etc.
If you don't have a billion patterns, you can always do what Whitney did and file the entire pattern, tissue and all, in a page protector in an envelope.
Anyway, here are some photos of the process. Wish me luck on the rest. I think I need another cup of coffee --
The box I have yet to do
Four drawers full! Time to stop buying patterns already!
Monday, June 11, 2012
Back at it.
OK, all graduated, sewing room is finally set up, and I've already been in there stitching away! It is wonderful to get back to the thing that keeps me sane. I've been disappearing for days on end, coming out for only another glass of water or Diet Root Beer (my new obsession).
I'm also organising my patterns, and it is taking awhile. I've already been through almost 200 small manila envelopes, and I'm probably only half done. It's ok, though -- some people collect coins, others figurines, some fine china, and me, well, I collect patterns. I love going through and seeing them all. I have a dream of sewing through the lot of them, and either giving away what I make or selling each one on Etsy along with the pattern. We'll see if that ever happens -- it would likely take me the rest of my life to do it!
I've finished a simple shirt, a very cute sundress I had in my "to do" pile (from about 4 years ago), and I've cut out a pair of shorts for Makaela. I've hemmed a couple of skirts and currently I'm working on a Butterick pattern that Makaela was going to make . . .
How is it that I'm such an avid sewer and yet none of my girls have picked this up? You'd think out of five, I'd at least have one. I suppose it's easier these days when you can get Mama to do it. And I'm glad to -- I do love to sew!
Here is a wonderful, basic tutorial I found some time ago. I can't remember if I've posted it before. Even if I have, it's still great information about the way a sewing machine works. Enjoy!
I'm also organising my patterns, and it is taking awhile. I've already been through almost 200 small manila envelopes, and I'm probably only half done. It's ok, though -- some people collect coins, others figurines, some fine china, and me, well, I collect patterns. I love going through and seeing them all. I have a dream of sewing through the lot of them, and either giving away what I make or selling each one on Etsy along with the pattern. We'll see if that ever happens -- it would likely take me the rest of my life to do it!
I've finished a simple shirt, a very cute sundress I had in my "to do" pile (from about 4 years ago), and I've cut out a pair of shorts for Makaela. I've hemmed a couple of skirts and currently I'm working on a Butterick pattern that Makaela was going to make . . .
How is it that I'm such an avid sewer and yet none of my girls have picked this up? You'd think out of five, I'd at least have one. I suppose it's easier these days when you can get Mama to do it. And I'm glad to -- I do love to sew!
Here is a wonderful, basic tutorial I found some time ago. I can't remember if I've posted it before. Even if I have, it's still great information about the way a sewing machine works. Enjoy!
Tuesday, May 1, 2012
Maxi Dress Tutorial - Love This One!
Today is my first day of --
1. No school. I graduate in 10 days!
2. No traveling. I spent the previous 10 days with my two sets kids, who are 3 hours and 10 hours away. Now I'm back home with the youngest and my Hunk O Man.
3. No deadlines!
4. No phone calls to make!
5. No worries!
So I'm catching up on all my YouTube subscriptions. I found this adorable maxi-dress and thought I'd share it. Let me know if you try it. I think I might. I also have another tutorial coming for a sheet --
1. No school. I graduate in 10 days!
2. No traveling. I spent the previous 10 days with my two sets kids, who are 3 hours and 10 hours away. Now I'm back home with the youngest and my Hunk O Man.
3. No deadlines!
4. No phone calls to make!
5. No worries!
So I'm catching up on all my YouTube subscriptions. I found this adorable maxi-dress and thought I'd share it. Let me know if you try it. I think I might. I also have another tutorial coming for a sheet --
Trudy Does It Again
I love Trudy from HotPatterns. They have some great stuff, a nice selection of patterns and often a free one you can download from Fabric.com.
Here's her latest tutorial, and I think it's invaluable. She has some refinements on lengthening a t-shirt pattern into a dress, and also some tips on going from sleeves to sleeveless.
Also, check out the very cool dress she's wearing. I told her I think it would also look fabulous chopped up even more, maybe twice more down the front. And you know, Trudy is all about fabulous.
Enjoy -- hope you learn as much as I did!
Here's her latest tutorial, and I think it's invaluable. She has some refinements on lengthening a t-shirt pattern into a dress, and also some tips on going from sleeves to sleeveless.
Also, check out the very cool dress she's wearing. I told her I think it would also look fabulous chopped up even more, maybe twice more down the front. And you know, Trudy is all about fabulous.
Enjoy -- hope you learn as much as I did!
Monday, April 16, 2012
Handy Little Thingy
I happened to click on one of the ads that run along the side of my facebook page, and found this! Incredibly helpful resource that you can just print off and keep handy:
Thanks, Fabrics-Store.com!
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