Thinking of my Grandfather

Do people ever ask how you learned to sew?  So many answers swirl around my head, ranging from  "I still don't really know what I'm doing" to "uh, the internet" and "my grandma and my mom sewed, and I just grew up with it", but all that comes out is something mostly inarticulate that just hints at the edge of it.
Today I realized that after all this time, my grandpa was a big influence, too. 

Why is it only the left knees that wear out?

Growing up, my grandmother was an amazing seamstress.  Seamstress, I am not.  But SHE was.  Jackets, blouses, slacks, she made it all, and beautifully.  My grandfather, on the other hand, was known for his jeans.  They owned a shoe repair shop, and my grandfather had these enormous patching machines for sewing new soles onto leather shoes.  After retiring and selling the shop, he continued to work repairing and reselling machinery, and in my memory, always had at least one patching machine in the house.
He always worked in overalls, and when the knees wore through, he'd patch with pieces from other worn out pairs, sometimes replacing the entire front section of the legs.  Not because he couldn't afford new ones, but just because he liked to do it and could.  As we got older, the Franken-jeans became a family joke, and they still bring smiles when we get together.
I'm not at Franken-jeans yet, but THAT is what had me smiling today when I patched Ev's jeans. 

Waiting...

Waiting.  Just waiting.  No how many times I click to 'track package', it doesn't make it come any faster. 

Catching up + Lots of pictures of my fridge

 First up, the Mostly-Finished Tiramisu, aka "Tiramisu #2".  The first one is in the exact same stage as this one, but I discovered a hole in the fabric of waistband, and rather than do something boring like hemming it, I just stuck it in time-out and made another.  And wait for it...the new one needs hemming too.  I used some amazingly wonderful bamboo knit from Hart's, and was able to use only 1 3/4 yards, rather than the 2.5  listed on the envelope.  But, it's not like I needed to match stripes, so there you go.  I could have saved myself some time if I had actually read the sizing on the pattern--I assumed as a 34B, I would use the 35B size, but nope, WAY too big.  I sized down to a 30D, (not nearly as exciting as it might sound), and ended up taking out an inch on side seams, so I probably could have used a 30C. 

Pattern: Cake Tiramisu

Fabric: dark teal bamboo knit from Hart's fabric

Notions: clear elastic for underbust seam (to hold the gathering), fusible knit interfacing for shoulder seams

Cleverly turned sideways to minimize the
horizontal stripe effect.

 Next, Renfrew #9.  Seriously, I need to step away.  In my defense, this is my favorite to date.  And while I technically finished it and began wearing it over Winter Break, I've worn it once a week (at least) since completion.  The fabric is some cotton knit I picked up at Kaplan's over Thanksgiving weekend.    It is divine.  And no, I didn't step away and that brings me to...

See? Even dress forms can
appreciate accessories

Renfrew #10. Not much to say, except that this shirt was born out of spirit day desperation.  Have you ever looked in your closet and thought, "Good God, I can't wear that again or I'll poke my eye out?"  (Truly a first world problem, I know.)  This was made after bedtime the night before I needed a red shirt for work.  I had the fabric; I had the pattern: crisis averted.

Pattern: Sewaholic Renfrew

Fabric: striped knit from Kaplans, and red Laguna jersey from fabric.com

Notions: clear elastic to reinforce shoulder seams

Fourth: Christine Haynes Sassy Librarian Blouse.  Also finished over Winter Break, worn, washed, and terribly re-ironed since.  I used some Lisette cotton lawn and vintage buttons from the stash, as well as a small snap at the neck edge to hold the button placket flat. This looks much cuter on, so as it warms up, I'll get pictures in it.  At 20 degrees though, even with a sweater, that's just too hopeful.

dreadful ironing job



Pattern: Sassy Librarian Blouse

Fabric: Lisette cotton lawn from Joann's

Notions: lightweight interfacing, 6 vintage buttons, small snap

And 5, a total cheater inclusion, because this I finished last summer.  BUT, when I was ironing (badly) I pressed it, too, and decided I was pretty proud of it, and that it deserved photographing, too.  Burda Heidi Dress. Emerald green swiss dot, underlined with unbleached muslin, and lined with spring green cotton voile.  I made no adjustments, except in grading two sizes from the bust to the hips.  Oh, and I moved the front skirt pleats to match the top pleats.  I. Love. This. Dress. And again, as it warms up, I will wear it more often. 

Pattern: Burda Heidi dress

Fabric: Swiss dot cotton from Hancock's

Notions: muslin to underline, bright green invisible zip, yellow seam binding; interfacing, embroidery floss, and 3 hooks for belt

Thread chains a la fantastico.

I have to note that the belt took AS LONG AS the dress did to complete.  It is also underlined, and each strip is hand-tacked in place.  The instructions tell you to create the tubes, turn them inside out, place as desired, and top stitch in place, but clearly, that would be too easy.  I randomly braided six strips, slip stitched the ends, and at two-inch intervals tacked everything in place.  The belt closes with three hooks, and I used matching embroidery floss for thread chains for the eyes.  Because seriously? After all that work, I was NOT letting the silver eyes wink at people from my waist.





2013

Most proud of in 2012?



margaritas = accessorizing



1.  Gertie's bombshell dress,

That was new on so many levels.  For real.  Literally 3 months in the making, I was ordering stuff online I'd never even heard of.  The best part?  The spiral steel boning came in discrete brown packaging and was billed as something else on my credit card statement.  I didn't realize those could be considered questionable purchases...

However, that bodice wasn't going anywhere. 

2.  Ev's race car driver costume. 

I traced off some Carter's jammies for the pattern, and added a gusset.  AND, copied, flipped images and printed sponsors.  You'd be surprised what you find when you google 'Tony Kanaan rear view.' 



super cute rear view



Note: I do not look this svelte

3.  Wool coat

made from Simplicity 5415. View b, plus self- drafted patch pockets. (Those view A's were ginormous!)  It's not perfect, but I love it, and in the process, I fell in love with specialty interfacing.  Dorky,  I know.  I actually have no pictures of it or of me in it, but I swear, it was worn a lot until the real winter kicked in.  Just imagine typical Catholic school uniform green/navy plaid with 3/4 length sleeves and bias patch pockets. 

4.  These shorts 

which unfortunatly taught me to preshrink denim 3x.  And I wore them anyway, until the hook fell off and I never got around to repairing it.  I haven't given up though, I'm planning on hitting them again this coming summer.   In twill. With a button.

5. Plus, about 8 Renfews in the last month alone.  Seriously, I need to step away from the pattern.  They are so addictive! And I actually traced this pattern once I realized how much I was going to be making it.  Not only did I learn I like knits, I also learned which knits I like best of all.

As for next year? 

I don't know.  I know I want to sew pants; both the American and UK version, and I'd like to tackle fitting princess seams.  And maybe bound buttonholes, too, but only because they sound so risque.  I actually love my buttonholer attachment.   More shorts and knit tops, too for summer.  And that's it! 

Well, aside from all the other organization, financial, and self-improvement ones, that is.