Today in Jen's Sewing Room

Vogue 1245

noreply@blogger.com (Jenny) — Tue, 20 Sep 2011 18:47:00 +0000

This is an Alice + Olivia pattern, a variation on the traditional peasant top. I've done a review on it at Pattern Review, so you can read my thoughts on it there.

The blue is much more vibrant than what you see here. I did this in a soft rayon (60% off at Hancock's) but next time I think I'll use a crepe-de-chine. I just wanted it lighter and "floatier." It does drape beautifully, and feels wonderful!

I am disappointed that the fit is off for me. I kind of roughly fit it with the tissue to check for the waistline measurement, and it seemed fine. But in the finished product, it just sits way too high on my waist. I wanted it down more toward my hips -- so live and learn! It will fit Rose nicely, and the weight of it will be perfect for winter. I hope she'll love it!

It's been so nice to get back in the sewing room again! Next up is Vogue 1255, and I'll be interested to see just how much work all the ruffles are. This patter (1245) taught me that I definitely need to get a package of those metal bias tape makers. That would have made it SO much easier!

xoxox

Project Who-Knows-What-Way

noreply@blogger.com (Jenny) — Sat, 10 Sep 2011 15:22:00 +0000

If you're anything like me, you're a huge fan of Project Runway. I have a love/hate relationship with it, I must admit. But I love to see what the designers do creatively, within those ridiculous time limits, and how they stay on-trend with the fashions they create.

I follow a blog called "Made by Lex." Talk about beautiful fashion! She remakes thrifted garments, sews for her little girls, and creates new fashions all to sell in her Etsy shop. I especially love her scarves, which are hand-dyed. Beautiful!

Lately Lex has been participating in a contest called "Project Run and Play." It's a blogging version of Project Runway, except all the fashions are made for little girls. They're given a pattern, or a theme, and eight designers then create magic! There are 3 regular judges and one guest judge each week. And viewers can also vote for their favourites, although the judges have the final decision.

So even if you're not into kids clothing, this blog is worth a look. I think it is flat-out AMAZING to see what these designers are doing! Project Runway has nothing on them!

Speaking of which (and I'll try not to rant here) -- Project Runway is supposed to be about great design with some good tv mixed in. Thursday, September 8, 2011's show was just nothing but drama, drama, drama. We wanted someone "out" because of their attitude and ability to play well with others, not because of their designs. This show irritates me regularly for this very reason - they "auf" the nice ones and let the evil geniuses stay. But the show also usually amazes me, so there you go.

I also had a look at the new Spring 2012 collection from last season's winner, Gretchen Jones. Let me just say this: her main cheerleader, Nina Garcia, is probably denying she ever knew Gretchen. That is all.

So have a look at Project Run and Play and feast your eyes on great design for kids. It will brighten your day!

Giveaway!

noreply@blogger.com (Jenny) — Wed, 07 Sep 2011 17:51:00 +0000

Since I have a ton of aprons, I thought I'd give away the one I made in the YouTube tutorial!

To enter the giveaway, just go to the YouTube Giveaway Video and leave a comment. You can enter as many times as you like, live anywhere in the world, and the giveaway will end September 30.

Enjoy!

Apron Tutorial

noreply@blogger.com (Jenny) — Wed, 07 Sep 2011 17:48:00 +0000

I've been meaning to do a "Sew-Along" tutorial for awhile. Some of my YouTube subscribers had requested it, so here it is!

Ideas

noreply@blogger.com (Jenny) — Tue, 23 Aug 2011 14:03:00 +0000

Here's a refashion I'd like to try. I was looking for school clothes on Old Navy.com, and found this sweater:

I bet this wouldn't be that hard to do if you found the sweaters to combine. I'm heading to my local Goodwill today. Maybe I'll find something similar. I think it would also work with varying sizes of stripes, or using long-sleeved t-shirts. Whatcha think?

Angela Kane

noreply@blogger.com (Jenny) — Sun, 21 Aug 2011 23:09:00 +0000

My newest obsession on YouTube: Angela Kane

I've already learned 4-5 things from her -- mainly about basting and reducing bulk in seams. I find this amazing as I've been sewing for 40+ years.

You'll also love the way she speaks and instructs. She's very concise.

Enjoy!

xoxoxox

Buh-bye.

noreply@blogger.com (Jenny) — Sat, 13 Aug 2011 19:02:00 +0000

Oh no no no, not to this blog! But to my sewing room - my studio - it's been wonderful, but now it's time to dismantle and temporarily say goodbye to the big table and the big setup.

Operative word in that sentence: TEMPORARILY.

We are moving, but we don't know where. In the interim, my youngest daughter and I will be in a much smaller house. It's slightly bigger than the one we owned when my husband and I married (that one was 900 square feet!). But I have always managed to have some sort of a sewing room, and I will continue to do so.

The small house has a spare bedroom, so I'll just set up my machine in there. It's amazing how much you can accomplish in a small space. So many folks have just a machine and a kitchen table, and everything has to be put away when you're done. You have to be really determined to do projects in a setup like that, and I have the utmost respect for those that can do it. It's really difficult to stop and start and have to reconstruct your workspace as well as your project. Those of you who work that way are committed! You deserve medals to pin on your beautiful projects!

I'm going to continue to work on projects until the absolute last minute. School is starting, kids are leaving, and I'm in my last semester of an associate degree in Interior Design. It will be busy.

Yeah, like it's ever not busy.

And yet amid all that, I am quite sure someone will need a new dress, or top, or at the very least will need something hemmed or repaired. And I will be right there with my machine, at the ready.

So on to new projects! Right now I'm working on a slouchy t-shirt dress, similar to this one:

How cute is that? I've done a couple of muslins now, and can't seem to get the sleeves right. I'm about ready to resort to a pattern. Old habits die hard! Any suggestions - please let me know. They are solicited and appreciated!

I will keep you posted - this is such an adorable dress that I will probably make one for Emma as well (who has been LOUDLY requesting one). They're perfect for a college girl who wants to look a little more "done" than just jeans, or even pajama pants!

(I do not EVEN want to know if my kid wears pajama pants to school. I would die of embarrassment. And especially if they happened to mention that their mom could sew. . . ai yi yi. . . )

I'm also TRYING -- gah this is so hard it is akin to impossible! -- to edit a video tutorial on how to make an apron. My iMovie stops and starts, I'm a perfectionist, yada yada yada. I WILL get it done. If people can sew without an entire studio, surely I can accomplish this!

More to come soon!

xoxoxox

p.s. Project Runway - seriously, Fallene went home? What the heck! I thought she deserved much more of a second chance than that other guy. Can't even remember his name, that's how much he impressed me!

Cool!

noreply@blogger.com (Jenny) — Tue, 19 Jul 2011 04:41:00 +0000

I think I might just try this. Not sewing -- but definitely a cool craft:

DIY Wrap Bracelet

These are so cute and the tutorial looks super easy.

They adapted the tutorial from this site:

Ornamentea

Everyday Wrapped Bracelet

Let me know if you try this. They are so cute, I might talk one of the girls into doing them. I think Makaela Babydoll would love them.

xoxoxoxox

New Blog Site

noreply@blogger.com (Jenny) — Mon, 18 Jul 2011 16:13:00 +0000

I found this site recently and subscribed via email - I've been thoroughly enjoying the ideas and projects they post. Have a look at their blog --

FaveCrafts

And their website -- FaveCrafts

And here's an example of one of their cute projects - a reusable coupon envelope! I am what many would call an "extreme couponer," and I just made one of these for myself. It's much handier than using endless paper envelopes to store receipts and a few coupons in my purse:

And here's the full tutorial if you'd like to make one: Reusable Coupon Envelope

Fave Crafts doesn't just have endless craft and sewing tutorials, they also have e-books that are free! They are definitely worth checking out. You can also subscribe via email or RSS feed. Enjoy!

xoxoxoxox

Oh So Much Better.

noreply@blogger.com (Jenny) — Thu, 07 Jul 2011 04:38:00 +0000

I have been busy.

I am working through the UFO pile.

Emma made herself a purse, made her own pattern, and hijacked my machine. So I went back to the little Pfaff 262 and remembered just how much I love it! It purrs, there is a lot more control, and the stitch is beautiful. I finished a refashion and now have a new dress (success)!

I'm working on a tutorial video; it has become clear to me that I am decidedly not a video editor. This is hard! I just want to sew!

So I'm sewing. But right now I have to edit video. Seeya.

xoxoxox

Fail Part Deux.

noreply@blogger.com (Jenny) — Sun, 19 Jun 2011 20:20:00 +0000

I thought I'd give you some evidence of the fails.

1. FAIL. The "I'll Just Throw This Together" sundress:

2. The Vintage Vogue that doesn't fit:

3. The 20-Hour Sundress That Looks Like Crap:

4. A shift dress that I really like, but needs revamping - help me with ideas, my sewing sisters!

All these failures! But I am resolved to put on my faithful sewing sweatshirt (about 20 years old, created and given to me by my sister):

Roll up my sleeves,

And get going on some successes like this one!

Thrifted Liz Claiborne skirt, shorted and bias hem added:

Any suggestions, especially on that shift dress, are welcomed! Bring it on!

xoxoxoxox

Fail.

noreply@blogger.com (Jenny) — Sun, 19 Jun 2011 18:13:00 +0000

OK, I hate to admit this. But I hate it even more when it happens.

Fail. Fail, fail, fail. The last 3 things I've made were failures. They were all dresses. One was a simple tubular maxi-dress for Mia that is too full and too short -- and the fabric was a NIGHTMARE with which to work. It was one of those "I'll just throw this together" things that should have easily worked. It did not.

The second was a vintage Vogue that has pintucks, which I had to tear out and redo, and then it didn't fit because I didn't try it on before I got into it (I did check the measurement on the pattern, but there you go -- always make a muslin!). It may end up fitting one of the girls, possibly Emma. It remains a question as to whether she'd wear it. It's not really her style.

The last dress had gaping armholes, which I fixed after taking the entire bodice apart, lining and all and taking it in. I compared it to the armholes on a sundress I already have and copied that. But the thing just looks (if you'll excuse the expression) like crap! And after probably 20 hours of sewing! It's the pattern. I just can't pull off box pleats under an empire waistline.

Sigh. Sometimes it just goes in waves like this. My body has changed dramatically from the days when I'd just make a size 10 and it always fit. I don't have the patience to make a muslin -- except why not when it takes me at least that long when it doesn't fit? Arghhh! Ack! The frustration of it all!

I say to myself often, "I don't want to fight the world today." I don't want to fight my sewing room either, since it's supposed to be fun. I just want to make a simple sundress for myself THAT FITS.

I'm going to give it another try today. Here is why: there was one success amid the failures. It was shortening a thrifted denim skirt. I made a bias binding out of the leftovers, and sewed that onto the hem. It turned out nicely. I am wearing it right now.

I don't know if I can salvage the last sundress, on which I worked until about 2AM, but I am going to try and keep the skirt. If not, well, we all know what Scarlett said --

"Tomorrow is another day."

xoxoxoxox

Dip-Dyed Shorts

noreply@blogger.com (Jenny) — Sat, 18 Jun 2011 00:22:00 +0000

Yet another cute find! These shorts are just what I'd like to be wearing this summer, especially since I constantly wear denim, white, and khaki. Great tutorial -- and be sure to bookmark the site, because it has some terrific ideas and tutorials.

Enjoy!

From p.s. I made this:

Petal Skirt Tutorial

noreply@blogger.com (Jenny) — Fri, 17 Jun 2011 15:41:00 +0000

What an adorable skirt! SO cute!

I just found this by accident -- such a great idea, and unbelievably cheap. You use a bag of artificial rose petals from the Dollar Store, as well as a thrifted t-shirt (or one you already own).

I've linked the photo to the instruction page -- but in case that doesn't work, try this: Petal Skirt

If you try it, let me know what you think! Enjoy!

Aprons

noreply@blogger.com (Jenny) — Wed, 01 Jun 2011 16:28:00 +0000

I haven't made aprons in a long time -- I've been too busy finishing my education. But I ran across some photos of the ones I used to do, and what fond memories they brought! I thought I'd make a video of them to try and inspire myself to make more. They were fun and easy --

Enjoy!

Quick Fixes

noreply@blogger.com (Jenny) — Wed, 01 Jun 2011 07:19:00 +0000

Another new tutorial, just some quick alteration fixes for things that don't fit exactly like you want. Enjoy!

Invisible Zip Tutorial

noreply@blogger.com (Jenny) — Tue, 31 May 2011 02:09:00 +0000

Here's another great tutorial I found on installing an invisible zip. I always have trouble figuring out which is the right and which is the wrong side -- Bellajean makes it so easy! Enjoy!

More How To on YouTube

noreply@blogger.com (Jenny) — Sun, 22 May 2011 05:18:00 +0000

This is hands down the best tutorial I've seen on threading a machine. Have a look, and be sure to subscribe to With Wendy on Youtube!

xoxox

LBD, Sort of.

noreply@blogger.com (Jenny) — Sun, 10 Apr 2011 21:40:00 +0000

Problem: Barbie is going out to dinner with the prom kids and has nothing to wear.

Solution #1: Buy a cocktail dress.

Solution #2: Wear one of the several prom-ish dresses from our current stash of about 10.

Solution #3: I surprise her with something gorgeous.

Needless to say, we went with solution #3. I found a dress online which I copied, using fabric from my stash and a bracelet from Claire's. On Wednesday, we had a photo and a pile of fabric. On Saturday, we had this -- at total cost of $18.50 for the bracelet:

(she's the one in the middle)

Necessity and living in a small town are both the mothers of invention, especially when it comes to bling. I had just enough fabric to cut it on the bias, and it draped beautifully.

I wish we had better photos of the back. It was asymmetrical and balanced the one-shoulder thing perfectly.

Of course, this kid could wear a feed sack and still look amazing --

OK, that was fun. Now on to the summer sundresses and a how-to tutorial --

p.s. Here's a shot of the dress I copied:

Just click on it to purchase it from Prom Girl.com

Hangin' Ten

noreply@blogger.com (Jenny) — Mon, 04 Apr 2011 20:11:00 +0000

Everybody do this, cause it's genius!

by Jen from Epbot and Cake Wrecks.

You should definitely check out Cake Wrecks as well!

Enjoy!

xoxoxoxox

Inspiration All Around

noreply@blogger.com (Jenny) — Fri, 11 Mar 2011 20:22:00 +0000

Holy cow this woman is a genius! Genius, genius, genius!

Have you heard of her yet? She's been on tv. Her name is Marissa Lynch and she has this blog:

New Dress A Day

Here's a taste -- from this:


A New Dress A Day

To this!

A New Dress A Day - Nora

Seriously-- go there now and check her out! She's amazing!

xoxoxoxox

More Free Stuff

noreply@blogger.com (Jenny) — Fri, 04 Mar 2011 18:16:00 +0000

Kwik-Sew also has free downloads, as I've just discovered. Have a look:

Kwik-Sew Projects

Enjoy!

xoxoxox

Sew Stylish Spring 2011

noreply@blogger.com (Jenny) — Sat, 26 Feb 2011 18:28:00 +0000

I picked up the new spring 2011 edition of "Sew Stylish" at my local Sam's Club. It's published by Threads (Taunton Press) -- and they're dependably good when it comes to sewing magazines. I've also checked out "Quick Stuff to Sew" but never been nearly as impressed as I have been with "Sew Stylish."

So here's what I loved --

1. The new runway fashions they note in "Fabric Lab" on pg. 12. I could watch runway shows all day long, but I can never remember what it was that I really liked. This helps immensely. No wonder I really like Anna Sui -- the denim jumper from her show is adorable!

2. The article on Cath Kidston was great, particularly because I picked up a book by her recently called ""In Print." She has a wonderful website! Check it out here: Cath Kidston

3. Hide a Zipper Inside a Pocket. Good to know, nice reference for later.

4. Quilt-Fabric Fashion. There were a few things in this that helped me, and I have to say that I love working with this kind of fabric -- because it's predictable! The section on underlining was great.

5. The twisted cowl tank is so pretty -- and I already have a Hot Patterns version of this. What interested me here was the way the construction was done. There is also a pattern in the back, in case I want to use that.

6. "Snap to It" -- what a great idea! I loved this! So many ways to change up a dress, skirt, shirt, sleeves -- I am forever pulling things in to give them shape. This was just wonderful, giving a new way to do just that with snaps.

7. Remakes -- I love the flouncy tank. So pretty, although I think I would do a different neckline. And since I've made some scarf-necked cardigans lately, the one they showed was cute and easy.

8. Although I probably will never get time to do it, the Leather and Chain bracelet is a very cute idea. It looks easy enough for me - a non-jewelry crafty person - to accomplish.

Lastly, I have to say that I have an infinite appreciation for the way these folks always give a little photo of the inspiration for the project. This is usually straight off the runway, very now, very on trend. I pay attention to what's in shops now, but this is so much more helpful when it comes to keeping up.

No matter what your level of sewing expertise, you'd do well to pick this one up. Let me know if you do one of their projects! I'd love to hear about it!

xoxoxoxoxo

Spring Colors

noreply@blogger.com (Jenny) — Mon, 21 Feb 2011 16:06:00 +0000

One of the nicest things about where I live is that spring always comes early. And the sky is generally clear and sunny! I grew up in southwest Ohio, in contrary, undependable weather that generally involves gray skies. Spring comes in late March and isn't warm -- it's that damp cold that chills you to the bone. I have to laugh at the years when I was young and taken with all things British. I used to say that I'd love England and Ireland. Now I think I was just crazy -- the weather there is usually grey and damp! Proof once again that being cool isn't usually practical.

And in turn, the reason I've been in my sewing room more and more lately has been simply this: I have no spring colors in my wardrobe! I have summer clothing, which is bright and happy. But nothing really from the fall/winter/still cold outside stuff that is light. When it's sunny, I like to wear light colors. Not bright so much, but light -- I love pastel pinks and blues and yellows. I look good in those colors as well, so it's no wonder that I like to wear them.

This makes for a win-win situation -- I am forced to get into my sewing room and create things I love. That's what brings me back to sewing time and time again -- I love to create things that are beautiful. And pretty clothing just makes you feel pretty and good and happy. I'm all for anything that will make me feel happy -- it makes life so much easier! And easier for those around you!

So today I'll be down there creating yet something else -- maybe a pink jacket, maybe a cardigan, maybe I'll cut out that gorgeous pink shantung I got for a dress for Mia. Whatever it is, you can be sure that it will be in a light, bright color that screams spring.

What are you making right now?

xoxoxoxox

More Free Downloadable Patterns

noreply@blogger.com (Jenny) — Wed, 16 Feb 2011 23:34:00 +0000

Turns out Simplicity has free patterns too! Available for download --

http://www.simplicity.com/t-free-sewing-projects.aspx

Also, here's a FABULOUS site for patterns for everything. Definitely worth checking out:

http://www.angelfire.com/planet/mcshelpsite/sewingstuff/freepatterns.html