Finished my Purse!

I've made a purse to match my 6-PAC and finished it just this morning.  But I guess I'd better back up a bit.  I haven't said anything about the 6-PAC yet. 

After finding the challenge for the SWAP I mentioned earlier, I joined the Sewing forum website I was talking about.  They steered me to a different challenge that's not quite so involved.  They call it the 6-PAC.  Originally it meant 6 Piece Autumn Collection, but now they do one every season.  I decided to do it instead for this first time.

I'm using black and pink for my color scheme.  Usually, the idea is to do a 3-piece wardrober type bit in a neutral color--pants, skirt, jacket--or a dress, and then finish it out with blouses and other items to coordinate.  I've chosen not to do pants as I already have a lot of black pants.  So far, I've made a black skirt, a pink floral blouse, a pink jacket, a black jersey shell, and a black jersey cardigan.  Unfortunately, I don't like the cardigan and so I gave it to my daughter.  She loves it though, so not a waste of time.  I've got two more pieces of pink fabric that I want to make blouses out of and I think I want to redo the cardigan.  I've found a pattern for a waterfall jacket that I really like.  I also have a long duster-style jacket that I started a long time ago and never finished.  I'm going to finish it as well, so this is going to turn out a little more than a 6-pac, but should be a great shot in the arm to my wardrobe.

From the leftovers of the duster and the pink jacket, I've made tote-style purse.  I like the way it turned out.  Its not perfect, but I've learned a lot of lessons from it, so again, not a waste of time.  In fact, I like it enough to use it.

One of the things I learned is the value of basting your layers together.  I had to sew the bottom corner seams three times each because I kept missing the outer fabric layer. 

So, here's the finished product.  You can't see it, but there's a tassel hanging from the little flower on the closure tab.

One of the things I learned: How to put in purse feet. As you can see, they're not perfectly straight. The ones on the left need to come in a little.








The outside purse is sewn to the inside section to make pockets. The one in the back is big enough to hold my iPad.

 

  Closeup of the closure tab inside, showing the magnetic snap closure, another of the things I learned how to do. 

 side view showing the tassel on the closure.

This pocket turned out especially small.  I could barely squeeze my gloves into it.

Sure Fit Update

Well, I've had my Sure-Fit Designs kit for a couple of weeks now.  I got a muslin made and, for the most part, it fits very well.  It was a bit confusing to draw; the bust darts still aren't right.  I need to shorten the side bust dart, first of all.  Then there was this chunk of space above the dart and under the sleeve where there wasn't enough fabric--not sure what I did there, but that's got to be figured out and redrawn and then I still have all of the skirt fitting to do.

I'm not sure it was worth the $100 I spent on it.  At the same time I was doing this, I found the website for Silhouette Patterns.  She has a lot of free webcasts (once every two weeks going back a couple of years, I think).  They are very informative.  I believe I've learned more about pattern fitting from watching her (did I mention they were FREE) webcasts than I have from the Sure Fit Kit. 

Between the two, however, I was able to adjust some patterns that I already had and actually make them fit.  (This is a first in decades!) So far, I've made a jacket and two tops.  I intend to make another jacket/cardigan, two more tops, and a dress.  I have several other pieces of fabric I intend to sew up, but I'm not quite sure what I'm going to make with those yet.

As soon as I have pictures, I will post them here.  Since today is Labor Day, I have one more day off and I'm going to put it to use sewing.  I think I'll get on that cardigan today. Then maybe the blouses.

Got my Sure-Fit Designs Fitting System

Sure-Fit Designs

Alright.  First off, I have to say that it cost considerably more than $41.00.  In order to use the kit properly, you also have to buy tracing paper and the "design stylus".  And the DVD is separate, not part of the kit as I thought.  So, really, the cost was $99.50.  But I paid it, although reluctantly.

Now that I have it though, I believe it is going to be one of the best purchases I ever made.  I have about half of my sloper drafted out.  I still need to do the skirt back and the sleeve.  It has been an interesting couple of days working with this. 

First of all, I had my 19-year-old, non-sewing, daughter help me take the measurements.  She'd never done it before and all of her measurements turned out wrong.  I think she didn't realize that there's an extra bit at the beginning of the tape that you need to disregard.  I got to drawing out the pattern and everything was looking soooo big!  So I started remeasuring myself and found that everything was about an inch too big.  So I had to redraft the bodice front.  Twice. 

I also had trouble with the shoulder to bust apex measurement.  Every time I took it I got a different number.  I finally managed to get 11 inches 3 times, so I went with that.  I had to extend the waist length considerably.  I always thought that I was short-waisted, but I had to add a good 4 inches at the waist!  You should see the fitting dart--it looks like its almost 2 feet long!  (I'm sure that's an exageration, but you get the drift.)

So today's plan is to finish drafting out the master pattern and get the cutting out done.  I may have time to start sewing the muslin, but I'm not sure.  We'll have to see how the day goes.

But I can see where this is going to be a valuable investment for me, if I can get a good sloper drawn.  The instructions that come with the set show you how to draft patterns for any kind of variation you might want.  Since I've been sewing for so long (a good 40 years now!), I can see how they work and I'm getting really excited about this.  Patterns that actually fit when I'm done.  What a concept!  I've been surfing the net for clothing designs that I like and would like to try.  I'm saving them all on my iPad so I have them handy when I'm ready to start sewing.

All in all, a good experience so far.  I'll post results after I get the muslin done.

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!