Oh Lutterloh

This weekend I decided to see if the "golden rule" really works. So I took a stab at one of my seemingly simple Lutterloh patterns circa late 1960's. According to the golden rule, you only need your bust and hip measurements in centimeters to draft a pattern from the models included in their pattern book and this can all be done in less than one hour. Yet, eventhough I followed the directions explicitly and even watched the video again, I still had a bit of trouble. Now it may be that I was nursing an adult beverage during the process, but I don't think so. I even pulled out some of my pattern construction books for reference, because for unknown reasons the pattern did not trace out perfectly like the model.

In any case, I had to make some adjustments to the pattern, mainly to the bodice. My next step is to make a muslin of this pattern before I cut it out really. I think that I am going to use a black linen for my actual garment fabric and detail it with some heavy white topstitching.

A little knitting therapy

No sewing for me tonight. I have been sewing almost everyday for the last couple of weeks, but tonight my commute home was horrible because it is raining cats and dogs. It took me 1 hour and 20 minutes to get home tonight and it was bumper to bumper traffic in torrential rain. So I decided to just work on a sweater that I started this weekend and watch Project Runway. The sweater I am making is called the Extra Easy, Extra Fabulous Sweater. It is a free pattern on the Lionbrand.com website. I am using Wool-ease thick and quick yarn in navy.

BWOF 9-2007-101B

Hooray!! My first BWOF garment is done! I made blouse 101B from the September 2007 issue. There are actually two versions of the blouse (A & B), but I have to tell you that I have no idea what the difference is and the instructions don't appear to give any clues either. So if anyone knows please tell me. I thought the tracing of the pattern was easy so don't be scaarred! I traced the pattern in a size 40 based on the measurement chart listed, but I should of gone with a size 38, because the top is a little big. If I had used the smaller size it would of been okay, because knits stretch. Also the neckline is lower than I thought it would be, so I went back and read the description of the blouse and it says it has a plunging neckline and feminine tie collar. Duh! Anyway, I am not interested in showing all of my goods so I will have to wear a cami with it. Overall, it was a very good experience and I completed resolution #5 of my 2008 Sewing Resolutions. Now I have decisions to make. Which pattern will I trace next? I am going to have to go back through the issues that I have again, but I am thinking either a jacket or another blouse.

Mom's Travel SWAP done!!!

At last I have finished the travel wardrobe pieces that I said I would make for my mother and in doing so I fulfilled resolution #1 of my 2008 Sewing Resolutions. Everything is already in a box to be mailed on Tuesday. Just for a recap I used 3 different patterns: Butterick patterns 3532, 5948 and an out of print Simplicity pattern (9260) and 3 different fabrics to make 2 skirts, 1 pair of pants, 1 dress, 1 jacket and 2 tops for a total of 12 different looks. Count them. Now I can sew for me!!!

Cutting frenzy

I have finished everything that I am sewing for my mother except for the jacket which still needs buttons and to be hemmed. I plan to post her outfits tomorrow. This afternoon I decided to cut out another pattern while watching a Lifetime Network movie and somehow got into a cutting frenzy. Of course I really did not need to do so, but cutting out fabric is my least favorite thing to do so when the mood hits me I really need to go with it. It may all seem kind of haphazard, but everything I cut out either goes with something that I already have or coordinates with some other fabric that I have and plan to make later. So I cut out the following pattterns:

New look 6654 (Views A & E) in a navy blue woven fabric. It is actually the same fabric that that I am using for my Mom's SWAP. I bought 10 yards!!!

Simplicity 4020 (view c) pullover knit top in a mustard and black knit.

Vogue 8414 misses's dress and jacket in a black stretch cotton rayon and black and white tweed for the jacket.

McCalls 5430 (view C) in a dark blue denim fabric. I am going to use this skirt to coordinate with some of the stuff that I will make later for Spring.

A little bit of Spring

Yesterday the sun was shining and it was windy, but still warm so I decided to go out and before I knew it I ended up at Joann's. Now mind you I do not need anymore fabric, but I could not resist this fabric. I immediately had an eye lock on it the moment I walked into the store. I think it was the green in the print. I really am finding myself really attracted to green lately. Anyway, I have decided to make a dress out of it (McCall's 5516, view B). I have some blue lightweight linen that I have had in my stash for at least three years that I am going to use with it and if I have enough fabric left I think that try to make another Built by Wendy top, but in a different style.

Of course I will not start any of this nor my BWOF top until I finish all of the items that I am making for my mother. That would be 2 skirts, 1 pair of pants, 1 dress, 1 jacket and 2 tops to be exact. I have completed 2 skirts, the pants and one top, so I am well on my way. Yet, I have to say that I am finding it a little hard to sew for someone who is not physically here. Normally when I sew for myself I constantly try on whatever I am making to make sure it fits, but I don't have that option right now. I just have her measurements to guide me, which I hope is enough.

Pattern Review's Best Patterns of 2007

My Built by Wendy Simplicity 3835 top was featured on Pattern review's Best patterns of 2007!!! I am so excited. I absolutely love this top. This is such a great pattern. I recommend it to every one. It will go great with jeans or a simple skirt. It is such an easy and quick top to make that you just have to make it! I plan to make a jean skirt to go with it for my Spring/Summer wardrobe.

UFO done

I finished my Simplicity 9630 pants suit all except for the sleeve hem , which I will do while I am watching TV this weekend. Overall it was very easy to sew. The jacket is lined, collarless and has a tie belt and the pants have a side zipper and tie waistband. I made the pants super long so I can wear them with my sandal heels. I always have a hard time finding RTW pants that are long enough, so when I sew pants I always make them super long. I used a lavendar/lilac linen blend fabric for this suit, so I will probably use it for my spring wardrobe.

This is the close up. I really like the overall look of the suit.
........ and finally my crazy dog Lola who was very interested in my dressform and suit.

Bummer

In the mail today I got a letter from Sew Stylish magazine. The letter states: Unfortunately, economic realities and marketplace conditions make it impossible for us to continue publishing Sew Stylish as a subscription-based publication. Our last issue will be December, 2007 (Winter). As a result, we are no longer taking subscriptiuon orders for Sew Stylish and are returning your original order request and check. I love this magazine, but I ususally buy it from the bookstore. However, last month I finally decided that I was going to just subscribe to it. So I finally subscribe and now the magazine is kaput!!

UFO progress

I really did not get as much done this weekend as I wanted to, but I did progress. I finished my Simplicity dress minus the hem. However I still have much to do on my Simplicity suit. I still need to add a zipper, the waistband to the pants and hem them. Then I need to add the lining to the jacket, make the belt, add the collar and facing and then hem the sleeves and bottom of the jacket. My goal is to wrap it up this week so I can start sewing my Mom's pieces and my BWOF blouse. Wish me luck.

Questions & Answers

Pirouette asked where did I get my designer's hip and crotch curves from? I got my Designer's curves and Tailor's curves from Design to Fit Patterns. The designer's curve is for above the waist and the tailor's curves are for below the waist. I haven't used them yet, as you can tell because they are still in the package, but I am planning on using them when I sew my Lutterloh patterns. Cidell asked about the weights that I use to cut out patterns. The pattern weights that I use are called O-weights and they come in a package of four. I really like them because they have little prongs on the bottom to grip your fabric and they are pretty heavy. I bought them years ago at Joann Fabrics. I don't think that they carry them any more, because I haven't seen them in the store for a while, however you can order them from Baer Fabrics. Kasizzle asked where did I get my butcher block paper from? I bought it from Smart & Final, which is a warehouse store. I think that I paid $24 bucks for 1000 feet. Can you believe that?

In a tracing mood

It was pouring rain today, so I decided to pull out all of my pattern making supplies that I have been accumulating in preparation to start making and tracing patterns. My supplies include a 1000 foot roll of white butcher block paper, a set of french curves, a pattern notcher, 2 B-oleyar designer's curves, a tracing wheel, a quickline ruler, a quarter inch seam guide and 2 different compasses that I am going to try to use to make my seam allowance.

Then I decided to trace the BWOF #101B blouse from the September 2007 issue as my first BWOF pattern. It should be a piece of cake right? It took me all of 1 hour to trace and add the seam line. Cidell was right. It was really quite easy. There was no need for the compass. Instead, I ended up using my quickline ruler to make the seam line because it has a 5/8 in marking. My newly traced pattern is all ready to be cut. I am using a rayon spandex knit in deep teal for the fabric. I am so excited!!!!

Unfinished Projects the saga continues

I am really trying to wrap up my unfinished projects and sew new stuff as well. I have a lot of patterns that are completely cut that I haven't worked on yet. I chose two patterns that I cut out probably 6 months ago or maybe even longer, to start working on today. I was going to make Simplicity 9630 (views A & F) last summer. The fabric that I am using is a lavender linen mix. I think that Simplicity 9630 will mix well with Vogue 2817 that I also cut out in a black linen for last summer, but never made. I will use both of them for my Spring/Summer wardrobe. My second unfinished project is a dress. I actually don't remember what possessed me to cut out Simplicity 5049 (view B) in a silver/grey crepe back satin of all things, but I am going to finish both of them to free up some of my sewing pins. If I don't like the dress then I will turn it into a top. I have had the patterns so long that both of them are out of print now.

New dog walking outfit

I finished McCalls 4261 last night. I just needed to add the zipper to the jacket. This was a pretty easy pattern to make, so it really does not take as long to make as I took. Anyway now I have something to walk my dog in that doesn't make me look like a bum.