StuntSewingtag:,2008:/22008-11-02T18:30:39ZMovable Type Open Source 4.12some more happinesstag:stuntsewing.com,2008://2.712008-10-23T14:03:32Z2008-11-02T18:30:39Z Thank you, Khristal, for sharing your version of the FELIZ pattern. Both the dress and your daughter are darling! -C...Coriewww.banberryplace.comThank you, Khristal, for sharing your version of the FELIZ pattern. Both the dress and your daughter are darling!
-C]]>
SWM Tracing Patternstag:stuntsewing.com,2008://2.702008-10-20T18:55:29Z2008-10-20T19:22:47ZWhat do you do when you open up a European pattern for the first time. I'll admit, the first patterns I saw made this way were by Farbenmix and studioTANTRUM: Redondo - not too crazy and Zuma (a very easy...Coriewww.banberryplace.com
What do you do when you open up a European pattern for the first time. I'll admit, the first patterns I saw made this way were by Farbenmix and studioTANTRUM: Redondo - not too crazy and Zuma (a very easy trace) Paula; that was a little more intimidating, Olivia; more so. Then came OTTOBRE design. My eye popped completely out of my head! While I did appreciate the color coding, I think the first thing I said was "What the hell am I supposed to do with this?" I know I am not alone because I get emails on a regular basis asking me the same thing about this pattern or that one. So I thought I'd take a minute and put my thoughts on the subject 'out there'.
First if you've picked up a pattern that looks too tricky. Take out your handy dandy, trusty finger and find your line and follow it through; this is going to help you get a feel for where the line is going and to follow the right line when you are tracing. You might even want to consider getting a set of colored pens and do all one size one color or each pattern piece a different color.
What to trace onto? I use an interfacing product from Joann's, called patternease. It's about $1 per yard when they have their frequent 50% off sales. I like it because it's sturdy so it holds up to lots of use, it's transparent enough that tracing is easy and it drapes pretty well for mock fittings. Swedish Tracing Paper is a popular choice, freezer paper and tissue paper are also choices.
How to add seam allowances:
Again, there are lots of choices. I find that a pencil and a pen rubber banded together work just about right for my serging. I understand there is a cool olfa diddy that you can adjust to your preferred SA of the moment. In this case you would trace your pattern as is and then when your cutting out your fabric with your rotary cutter you get your SA addition like magic. **I really need to get one of these and give it a try** The very 'manual' way would be to go along your pattern line with a ruler and a pen making the new cutting line.
Adding seam allowances:
I add a seam allowance everywhere except the "fold" line and often the waistband or some other piece will say it doesn't need one. Otherwise if i sew the edge I figure it needs a SA. Now, I know there is debate on this one like "what about hems" while I know it's maybe not technically a seam; in that 2 different pieces of fabric are joining to become one, I think that I am sewing it, and folding it up, and I'd rather error on the side of getting to cut a little off or fold up a little more than end up too short.
Do you still have questions or do you have another way of doing these things? I'd love to hear from you!
-C
she hates ittag:stuntsewing.com,2008://2.692008-09-26T18:57:22Z2008-09-26T19:28:00ZThe littlest Miss wore that cute dress down there exactly 2 times. Whenever I produce it for the days' attire I get the scrunched up nose and the puckered up lips and she tells me how she wants the underdress...Coriewww.banberryplace.com
The littlest Miss wore that cute dress down there exactly 2 times. Whenever I produce it for the days' attire I get the scrunched up nose and the puckered up lips and she tells me how she wants the underdress on top and how while she does like the teddy bear she does not like having a HUMAN on the front of her dress.
I'm working on some skirts. Hers is put together already. But she sees Graces in the cut out stage and declares it to be the cutest fabwic ever. UGH! I proceed to get out her skirt. Again the scrunched up nose makes an appearance. Slowly, ever so slowly she decides it's cute enough if only she can choose the fabric for the skirt. Fabric which is in Graces skirt and in no way shape or form coordinates with hers.
These outfits, these LAGUNA skirts with ANTONIA shirts. They are the last ones I will agonize, scrutinize over fabric choices on my own. I'm resigned I have to bring in the 4 year old on the decision making. But it doesn't end there. If the littlest Miss gets to make those types of big decisions there is no way the 6 and 8 year olds will let it slide.
I'm sure now that life will never be less complicated.
happinesstag:stuntsewing.com,2008://2.682008-09-06T00:34:13Z2008-09-06T00:39:32Z I've got nothin' but happiness. School is back in session and I;m running more than ever, but there's always room for a little more love and happiness. This little one has cried all summer long. She would just burst...Coriewww.banberryplace.com
I've got nothin' but happiness. School is back in session and I;m running more than ever, but there's always room for a little more love and happiness.
This little one has cried all summer long. She would just burst out of the blue. "I don't want it to be your birthday, I don't want to go to school." This is her in her special 1st day of school dress at school, meeting her teacher.
]]>
SwM Feliztag:stuntsewing.com,2008://2.672008-09-05T03:22:49Z2008-11-02T18:32:16ZFeliz really makes me happy! I didn't photograph as I sewed on this one but did make 3 dresses for 3 very different girls and I want to share a couple of tips/tricks and what-have-you that will, hopefully, make your...Coriewww.banberryplace.com
Feliz really makes me happy!
I didn't photograph as I sewed on this one but did make 3 dresses for 3 very different girls and I want to share a couple of tips/tricks and what-have-you that will, hopefully, make your sewing experience one to write home about!
I want to talk a little about adding the elastic to the sash pieces and then inserting them. Take 3-4 inches of 1" elastic and stitch to the inside edge of your sash piece, now sew this elastic into the seams just like the instructions/sewing guide show you to do with the sash. In addition to making this a fabulous trick for dressing/undressing this also allows you to cinch up the sides making an even more perfect fit if you happen to have a twiggy girl.
Now the back elastic, the first FELIZ I made was for a twiggy 4 year old and I pulled the elastic tight but there's no way to test if it's tight enough until you're all put together. I didn't pull it all the stinking way, super tight and it wasn't right. Seam Ripper to the rescue. I got that elastic pulled about as tight as it would go and it changed the entire fit of the dress. For the record, I also have a more solidly built daughter and followed the same super cinched back elastic and it fits beautifully!
What else... you need the back facing pieces even if your not adding buttons because this is what is going to hold your back elastic in.
Oh yeah, if your not going to use the side facing pieces you'll want to add a little larger seam allowance to those overdress pieces. I usually add just enough for my serger to use up but when I didn't use the facing pieces and needed to 'finish' those edges it used up more seam allowance fabric than I had allotted.
Seriously, this dress brings a smile to my face every time one of my girls wears it and what makes me even more happy is that it make them smile and twirl about and THAT is what really matters at this house.
The cute little ruffled sleeve addition on Grace's is thanks to the Quiara sleeve pattern piece, just cut a little narrowly and gathered.
Pictures forthcoming, they are on a different computer :-)
-C
]]>
this is not a testtag:stuntsewing.com,2008://2.662008-08-04T23:51:41Z2008-08-04T23:56:45ZWe interrupt regularly scheduled blog posts for this important announcement. Corie has been completely absorbed in a new book http://www.usatoday.com/life/books/news/2008-08-03-breaking-dawn-sales_N.htm She is almost done and will then be able to resume all of her standard duties. Please standby for some...Coriewww.banberryplace.com
We interrupt regularly scheduled blog posts for this important announcement.
Corie has been completely absorbed in a new book
http://www.usatoday.com/life/books/news/2008-08-03-breaking-dawn-sales_N.htm
She is almost done and will then be able to resume all of her standard duties. Please standby for some exciting news in the next few days.
SwM Zuma and Antoniatag:stuntsewing.com,2008://2.652008-08-04T22:25:04Z2008-08-04T22:45:33ZHere are some pictures. I know I know, could I possibly be any slower in getting these uploaded? Please see my previous post about crippling my computer add to that, well this and that, and there's my excuse ;-) i...Coriewww.banberryplace.com
i love it! 4 teeth missing.
pattern: farbenmix anotnia
fabric: kiwi stripe orange, girlie pink, and stash fabric
pattern: studioTANTRUM Zuma
fabric: trouser flower stretch twill, small flowers orange
farbenmix ribbon on pocket
breaking out in song
]]>
SwM Antoniatag:stuntsewing.com,2008://2.642008-07-27T00:02:54Z2008-07-30T00:08:51ZI did a lot of seam ripping on this pattern. Let me start off saying that I have the German copy of this pattern but the English sewing guide. AND I am an instruction follower. I know that a shirt...Coriewww.banberryplace.com
First the sewing guide mentions that it runs small. The pattern itself says that it is a snug fitting tee. I measured and found that I did NOT need to go up a size. This fits a lot like ZOE, I really like it!
If sewing the yoke version make sure you are placing the yoke with the correct sides on the front piece. They will not go all the way down the entire sleeve opening, try as you might ;-)
On the neck binding I folded it long sides together and then stitched it to the neck opening, I didn't get as much stretch in the binding as I would have like. In the end I had to take off the front piece (I had marked my tracing as 110/116 when it was really a 98/104) The little bit of extra fabric coupled with the neck binding not stitched together let there be just enough stretch that it fits nicely.
This is a great shirt and I'm glad I traced all 3 girls' sizes. I will definitely be making more of these :-) ]]>
SwM Binding and ....tag:stuntsewing.com,2008://2.632008-07-26T23:24:11Z2008-09-01T15:04:58ZFirst let me say the the binding went well, delightfully well! I used this cutting technique and although I didn't end up with one long strip of fabric, just the right size for ironing and sewing, I did end up...Coriewww.banberryplace.com
cutting technique and although I didn't end up with one long strip of fabric, just the right size for ironing and sewing, I did end up with 2. Which, for this project was perfect, seeing that Zuma pants happen to have 2 legs and all. I guess I need to practice to see where I went wrong so that when it's a skirt and not pants I'll be all set.
This little do-dad, is [insert your own favorite word]! Can't live without it, no-sir-ee. It's a binding maker tool. I found this one at Hancock fabrics and it was under $5 so it's not going to set you back to much. I wasn't sure the width I'd need so I bought the 1" and the 1/2". The 1" is what I've used so far, I don't forsee much use for the smaller width for the type of sewing I do.
The pocket tripped me up a bit. I got the pocket put together, but didn't finish the top edge of it. I want to say that it's not in the instructions but that may or may not be correct. I've had some heat and bond that I've never used and felt like this was a great time to try it out - one finished edge, no un-picking! The other suggestion I have is to use a pencil and the pocket piece to mark on your pant leg your sewing line. I also added the ribbon to the pocket flap, but my package of grommets has gone missing. I know I've had little hands help find them a new location, so once they're found I'll add them to the pocket flap and report back :-)
-placing the pocket
-Can you see the sewing line?
-Stitching on the pocket flap
Other than that it went pretty smoothly... Sew the inside leg seams then the crotch seam. Decide which way you want to wrap it and how tightly you want it wrapped. I stay stitched the wrapped up waist to keep everything together and then added the waist band.
Done! I must say that I am in love with this twill! Although it's hot enough to have used a poplin I think I prefer the hang of the twill.]]>
Ding and Dongtag:stuntsewing.com,2008://2.622008-07-25T20:49:24Z2008-07-25T21:26:07ZYesterday I had a surprise visit, this is what came from that doorbell ringing; The new Ottobre magazine plus some back issues. FELIZ in ENGLISH yippee! SOLANA in ENGLISH Yes, these are the same pants that we thought we would...Coriewww.banberryplace.com
Ottobre magazine plus some back issues.
FELIZ in ENGLISH yippee!
SOLANA in ENGLISH Yes, these are the same pants that we thought we would have about a year ago. Better late than never right ;-) We still have a small stock of this pattern in German that are discounted, if you don't mind translating.
some German FARBENMIX patterns.
What a lucky day! It was in fact dubbed by sewing day. It turned out to be a pattern day. TOMORROW or tonight after the play will be 'sewing day'. All pre-ordered patterns were collected by the post-man this morning. If you're nearby maybe you'll get yours tomorrow but for sure next week :-)
I've got some SwM to post but it'll have to wait just a smidge.]]>
trims and more trimstag:stuntsewing.com,2008://2.612008-07-19T00:06:06Z2008-07-19T00:23:23ZOne of the fun things we did in Utah was spend time with our family. And when I say family, I mean fAm-o-lEE. Let's see; there's my mom and sis #3, we invaded their basement for the duration. Sister #2,...Coriewww.banberryplace.com
Jackson scored a huge bowling trophy of my Grandpa's, Olivia got a porcelin betty boop baby and Grace and Maiah left with plastic farm animals. My grandma lightened her load a smidge. I think everyone was happy.]]>
SwM Zuma 1tag:stuntsewing.com,2008://2.602008-07-17T13:51:02Z2008-07-18T03:01:11ZTracing Zuma is about as easy as pie. Really, if you are new to pattern tracing this is a good first trace. You'll feel all accomplished and stuff. A note about size selection. I think the sizing runs spot on,...Coriewww.banberryplace.com
Next, I'll cut out the fabric. A FABULOUS summer weight stretch twill. With a great small print, very lightweight, poplin for the binding. Have you discovered the small 28mm rotary cutter yet? For cutting patterns/fabric with tight curves this notion is "brill". I don't pin. I lay the fabric out, put the pattern on top and use tuna cans to hold everything in place. I've heard of some people using special pattern weights or even big nuts from the hardware store, but I have tuna on hand, so that's what I use.
Cut 2 fronts and 2 backs along with the waist band and pocket pieces, if desired, for regular Zuma's. If you're getting all fancy and want a pair of reversible pants cut 4 fronts and 4 backs.
Actual sewing - coming soon :-)
]]>
Sew with Metag:stuntsewing.com,2008://2.592008-07-14T17:40:42Z2008-07-14T17:53:41Z Sew with me is something to help me climb the hurdle of trying something new and actually completing in in a timely manner. Let me digress. Totes, yes totes would be an excellent Mother's Day gift for the 3...Coriewww.banberryplace.com
banberryPLACE flickr group before August 18th. The lucky winner will receive 3 yards of fabric!
Let's get started!
-C
]]>
whata triptag:stuntsewing.com,2008://2.582008-07-14T16:55:23Z2008-07-18T03:16:13ZWhat a great vacation! First, spending a bunch of time with the family, in the mountains (even trekking through some snow), collecting building materials for our fairy house at Grammies. Miley Cyrus, the Blue Man group and one of the...Coriewww.banberryplace.com
banberryPLACE flickr group before August 18th. The lucky winner will receive 3 yards of fabric!]]>
It's a road triptag:stuntsewing.com,2008://2.572008-06-23T05:35:49Z2008-06-23T05:41:28ZFair warning: There are no images in the post because I was under strict instructions that there were to be no distractions while driving. Desert, oil pumps, windmills, Indian Reservations, then the awe inspiring Southern Utah; time to think. Terry...Coriewww.banberryplace.com
Diary of a Wimpy Kid”. Things got really “funky junky” when Olivia asked why we were broke, too broke to buy those crystal light powder packs to make flavored water, priced at a whopping .39 each. Everyone picked out their own special flavor; which led to a large amount of water intake and a forced stop on the side of the Interstate to pee. We ended the day playing go fish, reading books and arranging 5 people into 2 Queen beds. There’s nothing quite like a Road Trip!
We finished Diary and started Island of the Blue Dolphin. Talk about nostalgia; Island was one of my favorites as a kid. Another roadside picnic, strangers telling me how nice it is to see a family with well mannered kids, and time to think. Lots of thinking, reflecting and projecting. 12 hours on the road and we were all ready for a stop. If you ever find yourself in a small town deciding between the National franchised hotel and the Local Inn, which is claiming to have the best rooms in town, my suggestion would be to go for the Franchise. In general I try to buy ‘local’ and ‘indy’ and I wish I could leave the cookie cutter ‘burbs, with the HOA telling me that my grass is too long or too dead or has too much dog poop on it, behind. However, IF we really had the best room in town, I can’t imagine what the other 2 hotels’ rooms could have possibly been like.
Ahhh, day 3. We’ve reached the 4th and final state in our 3 day adventure. Everyone’s happy. Grace is master train spotter, Maiah is all about the horses. Jackson is totally into The Hobbit audiobook. Olivia is so excited to see her cousins that she can hardly sit still. We’ve taken to accessorizing our meal toys and seeing how rainbowish we can make our baby wipes. Lucky for everyone the long day yesterday means today we can climb out of the van by 2 today! Hip Hip Horray
]]>
Thank you, Khristal, for sharing your version of the FELIZ pattern. Both the dress and your daughter are darling!
-C]]>
I've got nothin' but happiness. School is back in session and I;m running more than ever, but there's always room for a little more love and happiness.
This little one has cried all summer long. She would just burst out of the blue. "I don't want it to be your birthday, I don't want to go to school." This is her in her special 1st day of school dress at school, meeting her teacher.
]]>
I want to talk a little about adding the elastic to the sash pieces and then inserting them. Take 3-4 inches of 1" elastic and stitch to the inside edge of your sash piece, now sew this elastic into the seams just like the instructions/sewing guide show you to do with the sash. In addition to making this a fabulous trick for dressing/undressing this also allows you to cinch up the sides making an even more perfect fit if you happen to have a twiggy girl.
Now the back elastic, the first FELIZ I made was for a twiggy 4 year old and I pulled the elastic tight but there's no way to test if it's tight enough until you're all put together. I didn't pull it all the stinking way, super tight and it wasn't right. Seam Ripper to the rescue. I got that elastic pulled about as tight as it would go and it changed the entire fit of the dress. For the record, I also have a more solidly built daughter and followed the same super cinched back elastic and it fits beautifully!
What else... you need the back facing pieces even if your not adding buttons because this is what is going to hold your back elastic in.
Oh yeah, if your not going to use the side facing pieces you'll want to add a little larger seam allowance to those overdress pieces. I usually add just enough for my serger to use up but when I didn't use the facing pieces and needed to 'finish' those edges it used up more seam allowance fabric than I had allotted.
Seriously, this dress brings a smile to my face every time one of my girls wears it and what makes me even more happy is that it make them smile and twirl about and THAT is what really matters at this house.
The cute little ruffled sleeve addition on Grace's is thanks to the Quiara sleeve pattern piece, just cut a little narrowly and gathered.
Pictures forthcoming, they are on a different computer :-)
-C
]]>
pattern: farbenmix anotnia
fabric: kiwi stripe orange, girlie pink, and stash fabric
pattern: studioTANTRUM Zuma
fabric: trouser flower stretch twill, small flowers orange
farbenmix ribbon on pocket
breaking out in song
]]>
On the neck binding I folded it long sides together and then stitched it to the neck opening, I didn't get as much stretch in the binding as I would have like. In the end I had to take off the front piece (I had marked my tracing as 110/116 when it was really a 98/104) The little bit of extra fabric coupled with the neck binding not stitched together let there be just enough stretch that it fits nicely.
This is a great shirt and I'm glad I traced all 3 girls' sizes. I will definitely be making more of these :-) ]]>
The pocket tripped me up a bit. I got the pocket put together, but didn't finish the top edge of it. I want to say that it's not in the instructions but that may or may not be correct. I've had some heat and bond that I've never used and felt like this was a great time to try it out - one finished edge, no un-picking! The other suggestion I have is to use a pencil and the pocket piece to mark on your pant leg your sewing line. I also added the ribbon to the pocket flap, but my package of grommets has gone missing. I know I've had little hands help find them a new location, so once they're found I'll add them to the pocket flap and report back :-)
-placing the pocket
-Can you see the sewing line?
-Stitching on the pocket flap
Other than that it went pretty smoothly... Sew the inside leg seams then the crotch seam. Decide which way you want to wrap it and how tightly you want it wrapped. I stay stitched the wrapped up waist to keep everything together and then added the waist band.
Done! I must say that I am in love with this twill! Although it's hot enough to have used a poplin I think I prefer the hang of the twill.]]>
SOLANA in ENGLISH Yes, these are the same pants that we thought we would have about a year ago. Better late than never right ;-) We still have a small stock of this pattern in German that are discounted, if you don't mind translating.
some German FARBENMIX patterns.
What a lucky day! It was in fact dubbed by sewing day. It turned out to be a pattern day. TOMORROW or tonight after the play will be 'sewing day'. All pre-ordered patterns were collected by the post-man this morning. If you're nearby maybe you'll get yours tomorrow but for sure next week :-)
I've got some SwM to post but it'll have to wait just a smidge.]]>
Cut 2 fronts and 2 backs along with the waist band and pocket pieces, if desired, for regular Zuma's. If you're getting all fancy and want a pair of reversible pants cut 4 fronts and 4 backs.
Actual sewing - coming soon :-)
]]>