Sewing Contest Bag (UPDATED)

29 Monday Sep 2014

Tags

cats, FESA 2014, sewing

As I’ve written here before, I’ve sewed since I was a little girl, but I haven’t made any clothes for myself in several years. Then, several months ago, I was looking at a catalog and saw a blouse I really liked and it occurred to me that I could easily make myself something similar. So I dug through my stash, made that blouse, and promptly got myself obsessed all over again with sewing clothes.

So, being a person who spends way too much time on the internet, I went searching for blogs about sewing and Facebook pages for pattern companies and sewing magazines. And found the brave new (to me) world of online sewing contests.

Hence this bag.

I’m sure it’s obvious that I did not take this picture. Ahem.

My wonderful partner, a REAL photographer (unlike me), was kind enough to take this with all his fancy gear and pretty it up in Photoshop for me. I’ve entered it into this BurdaStyle contest–grand prize a new serger.

Bags are really my thing, sewing wise, and they’re largely what I’ve been sewing while I’ve been away from sewing clothes. So when I saw the free Burda bag pattern for use in the contest, I knew that was the one I would make. I got out my box of velvets and satins, decided on a color scheme, and the design just seemed obvious to me. I let the idea cook in my head for a couple of days, but this just seemed right.

What I learned making this bag:

1. STRETCH VELOUR IS NOT YOUR FRIEND. Seriously. It WILL make you crazy. I was smart enough to underline the body of this with cotton broadcloth (best decision ever), but didn’t underline the black velour overlay. MISTAKE. Then combine that with slippery satin, a rotary cutter blade that isn’t super sharp, and a design that’s supposed to be very precise and YIKES. I was able to get the overlays to work on the one side, but what you can’t see in the picture is that there’s only the one layer of black velour on the back. With a lot of sweat, I was able to get that to match the front at the seams, but I could not get the satin to work. After the second attempt, I just laughed and resigned myself to a one-sided design.

2. I need to trust myself and my sewing skills. I always get unreasonably nervous when I do things differently than a pattern instructs, but I really need to stop worrying about that so much. I made several changes to this and all worked out well.

For example, I attached the top binding like quilt binding so that I could avoid flattening out the velour with machine stitching (and because it never turns out as neatly as hand sewing). And, since I knew my rotary cutting of the satin for the drawstrings hadn’t been perfect, I figured out what their final dimensions should be and sewed them to get that. That is, instead of sewing with a set seam allowance of 1/2″, I turned the strips of fabric over so the fold was at the 1/2″ marking on my sewing machine. That way I knew I’d get a finished width of 1/2″ on the drawstrings.

3. I need to do more hand work. I really liked doing all the hand sewing and beading on this; I find it to be very calming to my anxious brain. Not sure how I’m going to fit that into my other commitments, but I’m storing it away as something to work toward.

The Burda contest will be decided through online voting beginning October 1. If anybody likes the bag, I’d appreciate a vote for it very, very much. The link is here.

In the meantime, I’ve finally started work on one of my FESA projects, the green linen blouse. It was supposed to be a quick and easy project. YEAH RIGHT.

Even with Shelby’s assistance, this is going to be another challenging project.

BELATED 10/5 UPDATE: The submission period for the Burdastyle contest has been extended through 10/6. I’m guessing voting starts on the 7th, but the post doesn’t actually say. Anyway, here’s the link.

In other exciting STH contest news, I’ve entered the Fat Quarter Blouse in the Joann Sew Your Style Contest. Voting is going on now and ends 10/7. The site seems to allow multiple votes on some days and not others (don’t ask me, I just sew). The blouse, which I creatively named the Fat Quarter Blouse, shows up on the second page of entries (you have to scroll down to the bottom of the first page and click “load more.”) Votes are very, very appreciated. Thank you.

Fat Quarter Blouse

21 Sunday Sep 2014

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Fat Quarter Challenge, sewing

This blouse is the result of me being stubborn as hell and also being really in love with playing around with sewing ideas in my head.

I just recently got back into sewing clothes for myself after a hiatus of several years and, being me, it’s become my obsession. So I found this set of fat quarters and matching buttons in my stash and, instead of doing the sensible thing and using them for a quilt, I was determined to make them into a blouse. Because MATCHING BUTTONS, people. Obviously these fat quarters must be a blouse with MATCHING BUTTONS.

So I set them out in my sewing room and had a lot of fun kicking around ideas and searching for patterns that might work. I wanted to use as many of the fabrics as I could, but I was determined to avoid a patchwork-y “craft project” sort of look.

I wound up choosing BurdaStyle pattern 137. Since I’d never used a Burda pattern before, I made a muslin and I’m really glad I did–despite cutting the blouse a size bigger than I thought I needed based on my measurements, it was much too small. I increased the ease enough that I was able to eliminate the side zipper, while also shortening the length and the length of the sleeves.

To make the blouse, I pieced several of my fabrics and cut the bodice from the pieced fabric, then used a complementary fabric for the rest of the blouse. I used one button at the neckline and sewed the other three below the bodice as an accent.

I’m pretty happy with the fit on this, though I think the sleeves could stand to be shortened a bit more because of the stiffness of the cotton, and the slit at the neckline is a little longer than I’m comfortable with. It reminds me a bit of an artist’s smock, so what I might do about the peekaboo problem is to wear the blouse over a turtleneck when it gets cold here. I may also make this again in a fabric with more drape; it’s really a pretty style, I think. I have to say, though, that I’m glad I didn’t try any Burda patterns when I was a n00b sewer, or I probably would have given up sewing then and there. The instructions were largely useless.

It wasn’t until after I had this well underway that I learned about the Fat Quarter Challenge. Ha! Yep, great minds. I do recommend taking up the challenge if you like quilting cottons and lots of color; this was a really fun exercise in creativity.

STH

Random Bits

17 Wednesday Sep 2014

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atheism, cats, cooking, feminism, sewing

Busy day here, with many things I want to get done before we leave for Portland tomorrow. Doing my best to push through, despite my arthritis and other pain slowing me down today. Sigh.

Pooh, Laundry Assistant Bear, hard at work.

So, some random stuff:

— If you’re interested at all in atheism as a movement, you should definitely read this excellent article about atheism’s sexism problem. There’s a widening split in the movement, with some really smart, brave feminists on one side, and MRAs, libertarian trolls, rape apologists, and other assorted asshats on the other. And, much to my disappointment, some big names are allying themselves with the asshats, including Richard Dawkins and Sam Harris. Luckily, we have allies like Greta Christina, PZ Myers and Rebecca Watson on the feminist side. And when I get discouraged, I re-read this essay by Laurie Penny.

— In a more pleasant vein, my last two dinners have been killer, and, hey, all hail to people who write kick-ass recipes. First was this recipe for Maple-Mustard Chicken Thighs; I was reading the reviews (I came there from the Cooking Light magazine site and I have not had good luck with their recipes) and one of them mentioned that the marinade would probably be great with pork. A light bulb went off in my head and I couldn’t get the pork loin out of my freezer and into that marinade fast enough.

Last night’s dinner was this Garlic Butter Mushroom Risotto. Because we only do brown rice in my house (seriously, I have never in my life cooked white rice), I used that and my homemade chicken stock. NOM. I also sauteed some sliced chicken breast and fresh green beans with the shrooms (just used regular button shrooms). Looking forward to making this again later in the fall as cold-weather comfort food. Many of our favorite recipes come from that site and she’s come up with another winner.

— To do: will post soon on the project I’m working on for a Burda contest. I also have a fat quarter project to post about.

STH

Fall Essentials Sew-Along

12 Friday Sep 2014

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Tags

FESA 2014, sewing

I’ve been thinking fall thoughts lately. Well, it really started in the HEAT of August–I started longing for some cool fall weather. Then I saw a reference to the Fall Essentials Sew-Along and thought this might be a good way to connect with the online sewing community (which I am new to) and motivate myself to get some fall sewing done.

Because I’m difficult that way, I am bending the rules to fit what I really need/want to get done. My goals for the Sew-Along are to try to use exclusively fabrics from my stash and patterns that I already own (I expect some notions will have to be purchased, especially zippers, but I’m also going to try to use stash buttons), make some warm, layer-able clothes that are also professional-looking, and learn how to make pants for my rather unusual shape (and finally give up on crappy RTW pants that don’t fit me!)

So here’s my FESA plan (apologies for the crappy photos; I’m in a bit of a hurry):

1. Fashionable Foundations for Frosty Weather

This is where the pants come in. I’ve got two patterns I’m going to try. First is this Colette slim pants pattern (I won it from Sew News magazine! Which I am inordinately excited about!! All the exclamation points!!!)

The striped fabric is what I’m going to have to use for my muslin, as it’s the only stretch fabric in my stash (yeah, I don’t get it either, but there it is).

I also have this Sandra Betzina pattern from Butterick; I’ve already made the blouse and that fit me well, so I thought I might take a chance with the pants.

The nasty cream cord is for the muslin, the nice black cord is for the for-reals pants.

2. Chic Chemises for Cool Climates

First in line is this Butterick pattern which I think has some really nice detailing. The fabric is a green linen-rayon with a lovely drape. Not sure if I’m going to keep the slit in the sleeves–might be a bit chilly for here.

Next is a fleece pullover, which is a major wardrobe staple for me in the winter (have I mentioned it gets cold here?) View E is what I have in mind for this fleece.

And here’s where I bend the rules. I started a fleece cycling jersey for my partner last winter, then got insanely busy and didn’t finish it before the weather warmed up. I need to finish that ASAP so that I know he’s warm and cozy out on his bike.

3. Fabulous Frocks

I’m really looking forward to this one. This fabric is (I think) a poly-rayon blend that I’ve had for years and it just has a gorgeous drape and beautiful weight to it. And that color! I’ve been so enjoying just looking at the fabric sitting in my sewing room these past few weeks while I pondered what to do with it. I really like the long jumper in this pattern, and it should be so cozy worn over a turtleneck and tights. I expect the fitting to be tricky, though.

More rule-bending on this one. My sister gave me this rather shapeless dress after giving up on trying to fit it. I don’t blame her one bit, as the fit on it is just weird (I think it was a Pavelka pattern, FWIW). I want to try to re-cut it using this pattern. It’ll be a bit of a challenge, but I just love the fabric and buttons and don’t want to give up on them.