Wow, I've been neglecting this blog. I need to get a habit going...
So, update on the sugar free jams. It came out pretty good, actually. The
first taste is a bit of a shock because its not nearly as sweet as you would
expect. But, after that it was fine, good with peanut butter and toast. The
color is not as pretty as I would like. It seemed to go to a dull reddish brown
really quickly. This bothers me. I haven't tried making any of my other sugar
free jams yet because of it. Does this mean its going to spoil faster? I just
don't know. Maybe freezer jam would work better?
Now, on to the real reason for posting today. I'm starting a new journey and
I would like to record the results here. I spent two Saturdays recently going
through my boxes of sewing and craft supplies. Boy, what a mess! I ended up
tossing an entire box of old patterns and a few pieces of fabric that was never
going to see a sewing machine anyway. But when I was done I had all of my good
patterns and fabric sorted and identified.
I have an app for my iPad that is sewing related. It is called
Sewing KitHD. It is first of all a place to inventory all of your supplies. It records
where they are stored, how much you have, etc. and there's a place to store
pictures as well. Its very thorough. But the part I like best is that there's a
place to plan and store projects and potential projects (they call it
inspirations). As I went through all of this stuff, I entered it into the app
and identified several projects that I could start on.
The only problem with this is: I gave up sewing for myself a long time ago
because I can never get anything to fit and look right on me. I'm old and fat
and lumpy and everything seems to come out looking like a Goodwill Store
reject. This really bugs me because the things I make for other people don't
look like that. I think that I need to learn more about fitting and altering
patterns.
I've scoured the city looking for a class but to no avail. So, I started
looking on the internet. I found a few possibilities right away (don't you love
the internet?). The first thing I found was a forum called Artisan's Square. I
started reading some of their threads. These women are amazing! I could learn
so much from them. But the neatest thing I found there was a challenge.
They call it SWAP (Sewing with a Plan?—not sure,
but that made the most sense to me.)
The
challenge is already completed of course, but it was such a great one that I’ve
decided I’m going to take it on.
It should
not only improve my sewing skills immensely, but I should end up with a great
basic wardrobe for work.
So here’s the challenge:
(link to site here)
Out of the following list, choose 7 items and then pick four of those to make twice:
(I underlined my seven choices, and then starred the ones I will do twice)
×Button-down
shirt with collar
×Blouse
or shirt (collar optional)
T-Shirt
×Vest
Overshirt
×Dress
Jeans
Trousers
Shorts or Capris
Skirt
Jacket (meaning windbreaker, hoodie, car coat, etc)
Coat (suit or sport coat)
Overcoat or Raincoat
Bathing Suit and coverup
You end up with a total of
11 garments that should work well together and mix and match.
This was a hard choice.
I will probably eventually end up making all
or most of the items.
But for now, this
is the list.
So now, I need to start making plans.
I think I’ve identified most of the patterns I plan to use.
I will post them here as I get pictures
saved, etc.
As for fabric, I want to use
mostly what’s already in my stash.
Most
of the fabrics there are pink. Don’t ask me how—I like pink but its not a color
I usually choose, especially for myself.
But there it is.
I have a lot of
good quality pink in my stash, so maybe its time to add it to my closet.
I look good in pink, so that is not an issue.
The color scheme therefore, will be pink and black.
I have a great floral chiffon in a
monochromatic pink scheme that I will use for the palette.
The style I like and look best in is
classic.
I also like adding just a touch
of the feminine or the dramatic for giggles.
I think dramatic works best for me, but I do like a feminine look.
I have to be really careful with that,
though, because lace and ruffles are not good on me.
Next issue:
Find some way to learn
better pattern fitting.
Another search of the internet (I
do love the internet!), yielded a
pattern fitting system called
Sure-Fit Designs.
I’ve been watching some of their videos and have come to the conclusion
that this is going to be the best way for me.
Their materials seem well planned and well-explained.
It comes with a video, patterns, tools and
only costs $41.00.
I’m going to start
with their dress fitting pack, then when I’m ready to move on, we’ll go to
shirts and pants.
And lastly, the plan of attack:
1.
Identify
patterns and fabric
2.
Make a storyboard outlining patterns and fabric
3.
Get measurements
4.
Purchase fitting system pattern
5.
Purchase some muslin and tracing paper for fitting
purposes
6.
Draw slopers
7.
Purchase any additional fabric and notions needed
8.
Start Sewing:
a.
Blouses
b.
Dresses
c.
Shirts
d.
Vests
e.
Skirt
f.
Trousers
g.
coat
In the original challenge, they had from December through April to complete
the project.
This journey is going to
take me a lot longer.
I’m thinking one
year from now is a reasonable deadline.
So, by August 11, 2013:
New pink
and black wardrobe done!