New patterns to try

Late Autumn has been a very busy time for us. Deer hunting and the processing of the meat, family and friends coming and going, and of course, cold weather setting in with fewer trips to the big city, and then the Thanksgiving and Christmas activities add up to little extra time. So, I haven't been able to do as much research and sewing and blogging as I would like.

This is the time of year to bring out the heavy cottons, wools, and corduroys. The layers of tops, sweaters, and jackets are practical. It is easier to take off a layer than to find something to help you get warmer, especially when the weather changes quickly or even if you have to be in some cold buildings. Some friends keep their houses cooler than I am used to and so I tend to wear more layers when visiting. I especially like to wear the cotton leggings and knee socks as well as pantalettes for warmth.

I have found a few patterns to try. I have done some shopping online and am looking forward to some sewing when the snowy weather gets really bad. A lot of the pattern books have such limited styles (and imaginations). They have been putting out a lot of very fitted, short, skimpy looks. There are some that are soft and feminine and several that need the neckline raised (after all--skin has been showing for a long time now and we need new styles and something else to look at!)

I will post the new patterns soon.

I am also working on some quick table runners for Christmas presents and will try to post pictures of them.

What a merry time to sew!

Fantastic and simple bag to make.

I found this neat website while looking for the free Buttercup Bag pattern by Rae. She has a really cute bag pattern free. There are so many fabrics out there to make some wonderful and fun bags. She also carries other patterns of her design and you can buy the Buttercup Bag pattern with some options.

Fall dress idea

Fall colors are beautiful. Leaves take on such marvelously bright colors and spark the air with a fresh feel and look for the Autumn season. It is quite cheery when the sun shines--even when it is cold, foggy and even rainy, there is a lift one gets from seeing the yellows, reds, and oranges contrasted against the dark trunks and stems and fading greens of Fall.



A friend and I were shopping and she proceded to tell me her plan of making a very simple dress of a fall color, brown, and then making an apron with the Fall-Thanksgiving motifs on it for wearing the combination on the many occasions that arise this time of year.


Now is the time to purchase Fall fabrics at the various sales. I try to catch some of the sales from either JoAnn's or Hancocks. I hope to make some for the girls unless we find time for them to make up their own combination Fall dress-apron set.

The idea is based around using Simplicity 5189 for the dress using a heavier fabric for the cooler months paired with Simplicity 5201 and she suggested making the bias trim out of the same fabric as the dress.

Fall Fashion 2010

Some interesting looks for Fall. These were taken from the site listed below. I would use discretion when viewing the site, especially if there are any children who are watching.

The following have a lot of flow to them and look like a fun outfit. Winter with a bit of fluff.

Bohemian Rhapsody
"Beyond these, Anna Sui (seen here), Diane von Furstenberg, Marchesa, and Vera Wang all indulged in an artier take on boho with tons of froth, flou, frills, layers, and pretty much anything that will flutter in a light breeze. " From "Top Fall Trends from New York Fashion Week"

Easy Summer Blouse

This has become a favorite pattern this summer. It fits nicely and is very comfortable to wear. It doesn't take much fabric and is pretty quick to cut out and sew up. For a size 12 I purchased 1 1/2 yards of 44" wide fabric and I made the blouse style in the photo, view C. Two different methods of laying out the pattern on the fabric made it possible to use less fabric than called for. I used a size 12 so it might not work on other sizes. Size 12 required 1 3/4 yards of 44-45 inch fabric. When I laid out my pattern I pinned the front facing to the bodice front so I could cut it all out in one piece. To do this , measure and mark the 5/8 inch seam allowance on the facing as well as the bodice where the two are sewn together. Then pin the pieces together at the 5/8 inch mark, laying one right on top of the other. Sometimes I just tape them together as I like to make my front facings this way. This should give you one pattern piece for the front. If you want to make a copy of this piece just trace around the pieces and put in the pattern markings. That way you won't have to have the pinning and taping to deal with.

The other method I used was to cut out the front first. Then I opened the remaining fabric and folded over enough to just cut out the back on the fold. What was left I used to cut out the sleeves and collar. If you are using a one-way design you will have to cut out each sleeve separately, making sure all pieces go the same way. Otherwise just fold the remaining fabric in half crosswise and lay out the sleeves and collar.

I am just catching up on some summer sewing and am realizing the fall season will be here in two and a half weeks. This pattern has longer sleeves and I have some fall fabrics I want to use for cooler weather wear.

Sew for now........ Happy Sewing!

Tuesday Tip

Another favorite is the Gingher 4" lightweight embroidery scissors. When I make buttonholes I use a seam ripper and these scissors. They are lightweight and easy to handle. I poke the seam ripper in the middle of the buttonhole and then very carefully cut towards the stitching at each of the tacked ends of the buttonhole. The points of the scissors are small and narrow and make it easy to clip those delicate places. These work best on lighterweight fabrics.

I notice that the picture from the Gingher website has "gingher ITALY" stamped on it. Mine says "gingher TAIWAN".

I have an old seam ripper and noticed that Gingher has a new ergonomically styled one. I haven't tried that yet. I do like to have a seam ripper that won't allow my fingers to slip forward if I get in a tough spot. I have found slipping fingers can to be hazardous as the seam ripper will cut fabric with ease and the result is difficult to repair.

Do any of you have any favorite tools that you would like to share how useful they have been?

Tuesday Tip

I have found when clipping curves that a very sturdy pair of scissors is the best thing. I have been clipping curves for a very long time with a variety of scissors--from small to large. I have finally found a pair that work best for me. They are the craft scissors that FISKARS puts out. They have a very sharp point and yet heavy duty enough blades the won't separate when put to task in heavy fabrics. I try to go slow and steady and start with a small amount of fabric when doing the heavy curves. They are the best I have found so far. The Micro-Tip (R) is what makes them most useful.