The challenges of sewing

I have been working on two jackets.  One is has a build up collar and the other is part of a Chanel sew along.  I have learned that PMB 4 and PMB 5 are not the same for me.  The neck on PMB 5 was way to large for my neck.  The opening of the build up collar required some modification but it is now wearable. 

My Chanel sew along has presented with some interesting challenges.  I am using a boucle of unknown fabric content.  I originally thought it was wool and Cashmere but as I have watch it grow I believe it might be alpaca or Llama.  I have spent the evening do as Tim Gunn would says:  "Make it work."]

A cold day in PA

It has been cold and windy here in PA today.  I have been busy sewing over this last week.  I thought today would be a good day to bring my sewing adventures up to date. 
 

I have been working with pattern master boutique for about two years now and have gotten blouses and jackets down.  My first jacket this year was a jacket.  I top stitched the seams and added a lining.  I had an issue with the length of the sleeves and I ended up adding a cuff which has become a design element.

My most recent project was two silk shirts.  Again designed from PMB 5.  This shirt features a build up collar and shoulder princess sleeves.

My last project was to design a pattern for an 18" doll.  My friend was looking for a pattern to fit and Alexandria doll.  I printed that pattern and made up a sample.  This was what I came up with.





It has been forever since I posted on my blog. I have been sewing and learning how to use Pattern soft ware. I have been working my real estate job, my working on one of my apartments and living life. Some many things happen and time seems to pass by so quickly. Right now I am working on multiple projects.

I am making table clothes for my church that just moved into a new building. I have made several silk and knit blouses and last I am doing a Chanel jacket sew along which has been a lot of fun.

In October I rescued about 2,000 yards of beautiful fabric from an estate sale head for the rag mad. My house looked like a messy fabric store for a while. The upside of this activity was the opportunity to provide quality fabrics to the local 4-h groups, several schools and sewing guild friends. Some of the fabric was sold and the money went to the 4-h groups to purchase sewing items. The down side was my messy house and exhaustion from looking at all that beautiful fabric and the sewing that went on in my mind.

Claire Shaeffer's Custom Couture

This jacket is made from pattern V8428, Clair Shaeffer's Custom Couture. I made this jacket out of a brocade fabric content unknown. It was from my stash and the hand of the fabric seemed perfect for this jacket. Unfortunately I did not have enough fabric to make the bias tubing so I used a button. I loved making this jacket and the way it fits.

Claire's instructions were detailed and fun to read. Some special features use in construction included: collar and lapel padding. The collar is hand stitched. She uses many of the special techniques that I learned years ago that have seemed to become lost techniques.

Tomorrow I will be starting on my first pattern from my PMB4 program.

Simplicity Thread collection.

After a long summer I am back to sewing. My mom had been in a nursing home and other family concerns occupied time. Now these issues have been resolved and I have been able to get back to sewing. This fall I purchased PMB4. The first thing I did was make a sloper. I used the sloper to make a coat. I wished I had used it on the jacket.

This jacket if Simplicity 3962 Threads Magazine Collection. I love the Jacket. My only problem with this jacket was the sleeves. It is a lined jacket but there was no ease in the lining pattern and the jacket lack some movement that would be nice to have. The grading of the arm whole was not the best either. I find the arm hole just a little tight. Had I made the sloper soon I would have been able to adjust for the lack of ease.

This coat is Simplicity 4403 Threads Collection. I used the sloper to get and good fit and am very pleased with the results. The only thing that I need to remember to adjust is the length of the sleeve. I have long arms. The picture on the right is after I completed sewing the coat but I had not pressed the coat or put the buttons on.