Special Delivery

In the last few months the mail person has brought several well waited package to the door and none of them are fabric. Ok it's not just the mail person but the the amazon download monster too.
My sewing library seems to be getting bigger and betters as I stretch to go to the next level.

What is that level I'm not sure but I know it includes pattern making and new respect for fashion sketching and historical clothing.  The new titles that have made there way to my shelves are How Patterns Work by Assembil Books, The Complete Book of Sewing by Constance Talbot, Drawing Fashion by Bill Thames, Fashion Sketchbook by Bina Abling, Decorative Dressmaking by Sue Thompson, How To Design Your Own Clothes and Make Your Own Patterns by Claudia Ein,
Vintage Lingerie by Jill Salen, Pattern Cutting Made Easy by Gillian Holman, and last but not least Patternmaking for Fashion Design by Helen Joseph Armstrong. Trying to mind the budget it is so nice to find many of these titles used on Amazon.

Happy sewing until next time.

The Makings of a Great Skirt Sew Off

The weather this winter has been horrible. Snow, cold, snow, cold etc. Enough already!I really should not complain the cold had me looking for spring/summer skirts which lead me to Lutterloh 267-159-2007. This skirt had my mind moving and my yearn to play with fabric going. Never dreamed it would become a  huge disappointment for me. Three tries later we got to the point of one I might wear this summer but the verdict is still out on that with ten inches of snow still on the ground. On to the review.

Pattern: 
Lutterloh 267-159-2007 (supplement-pattern-year) 
Pattern Description: 
This is a mermaid skirt that would be used in conjunction with a sari or other ethnic type garment. Sorry don't have a better explanation.
Pattern Sizing:
Lutterloh is based on your bust and hip measurement. Your pattern is drafted out using these two measurements. So ideally if your bust and hip are 50cm to 140cm the system should work for you. 
Did it look like the photo/drawing on the pattern envelope once you were done sewing with it?.
Yes but in one fabric.
Were the instructions easy to follow?
Lutterloh has no instructions. I checked a few of my resources about fit.
What did you particularly like or dislike about the pattern?
I like the general shape of the pattern. What I disliked once it was made was that it had no darts or other helps to fit it properly.
Fabric Used:
This was a piece of poly mix of some sort I picked up in Jo Ann fabrics clearance section.
Pattern alterations or any design changes you made:
I drafted this pattern out a total of 2 times with 3 alliterations. The first was in a 122cm hip to try to create it as a wrap skirt. I ended up having to cut over 2 inches from the hem. the skirt was so large I had to remove my over lap and still take it in over 2 inches on each side seam. after much putzing with it I decide a need to re-draw the pattern. Second draft was done in a 120 hip. the ease was still huge 6cm in the waist and 4cm in the hip according to the patter paper. Once I sewed it up it still was about 6 inches to big in the waist so I took in each seam by about 1 inch. By this time I was very tired of playing with pattern and put the wearable muslin in my closet not taking it back out until today. 
Would you sew it again? Would you recommend it to others?
Yes to both questions. I’m determined to get the fit correct on this one. I have some wonderful bright summer tropical fabric waiting to be made into this skirt.
Conclusion: 
This one might end up in the waste basket.

When it comes to sewing the best 2 cents I can give is try something new. So I did. For the first time in a long time I drafted a pattern from scratch to use to compare to my other patterns and then I decided to to give my SureFit designs a try. My endeavor is to eventually remake the above skirt from scratch. In the mean time why not have a little fun making some new skirts and playing with different styles. This leads us to my first SureFit pencil skirt that I made with the aid of the dress kit  and the pencil skirt design sheet. There is nothing like learning a new system, but after making a quick skirt sloper this pencil skirt went together like a dream.

Pattern: 
This pattern was drafted using the SureFit Designs dress kit and downloadable pencil skirt fashion leaflet.
Pattern Description: 
Pencil skirt with back slight, darted waist, waist band and back zipper.
Pattern Sizing:
I used my measurements to create the pattern. With SureFit’s dress kit it teaches you how to use your body measurements to get a good fit to start out with.
Did it look like the photo/drawing on the pattern envelope once you were done sewing with it?.
Yes
Were the instructions easy to follow?
Yes the instruction used to draft the skirt were easy to follow. I checked a few of my resources about fit only to make sure I was not seeing anything that I need to fix.
What did you particularly like or dislike about the pattern?
I wanted a blank canvas to work with to create other skirts. This simple pencil skirt will work great as a starting point. The waist may have been taken in to far but that maybe a measurement mistake on my part.
Fabric Used:
A denim remnant found at my local Goodwill.
Pattern alterations or any design changes you made:
I first drafted out my skirt sloper to address any fit issues. I found on my slipper that my waist and hips were too big so I had my daughter remeasure me. I then drafted a new copy of the sloper. Next I adjusted the this pattern to be a pencil skirt according to the fashion leaflet. trying on the pencil skirt mid way through construction I thought I saw some pooling in the back under my bum but after having my son take the pictures I don't seem to see it any more.
Would you sew it again? Would you recommend it to others?
Yes to both questions. This may become a TNT skirt to use to create other skirts and designs from.
Conclusion: 

This is a good wardrobe builder.

Let the skirt sew off continue. 
If you are wondering what books I might consult when sewing and fitting something new it would be Easy Guide to Sewing, Fit For Real People, Fitting and Pattern Alterations, and A Guide to Fashion Sewing.

Nothing Wrong With a Little Curve

With my newest sewing adventure I was playing with the idea of curves. I read that woman with an O or rectangle shape meed to find the way to give the illusion of a shape. Nothing sleeks of feminine curves like the appearance of hips and a small waist. On a plus sizes body the illusion of being fit may be hard but seams going in the correct place may help. This wonderful Lutterloh pattern seemed to be made to help with both of these goals. This six paneled side zipped tulip skirt is one hot number for work or play. I made mine up in denim for a comfy weekend look.

Pattern: 
Lutterloh 274-139-2009 (supplement-pattern-year) 
Pattern Description: 
This is a basic 6 panel skirt with tulip hem.
Pattern Sizing:
Lutterloh is based on your bust and hip measurement. Your pattern is drafted out using these two measurements. So ideally if your bust and hip are 50cm to 140cm the system should work for you. 
Did it look like the photo/drawing on the pattern envelope once you were done sewing with it?.
Yes
Were the instructions easy to follow?
Lutterloh has no instructions. Using A Guide to Fashion Sewing by Connie Amaden-Crawford I was able to create very nice flat-felt seams making my inside look nearly as nice as the out side. Two side seams were ironed flat and serge finished so I was able to put in a side zipper.
What did you particularly like or dislike about the pattern?
I liked that this pattern because the silhouette gives a wonderful curvy illusion that is very feminine. 
Fabric Used:
Dark denim with a slight stretch that was in my stash. This fabric was a goodwill find.
Pattern alterations or any design changes you made:
The size I traced this out in gave me a waist that was 14 cm smaller than what I needed. I wanted the skirt to fit me snug so I added 1 cm to each seam at the waist and blended back into the hip. This should have fit me snug as that is still 2 cm smaller than I need but it some how was a bit big. Thankfully I do not feel the need to pull it up every 5 minutes like have with some store bought ones lately.
Would you sew it again? Would you recommend it to others?
Yes to both questions. I have a friend that has asked me to create this skirt for her.
Conclusion: 

This is a nice basic skirt making it a great choices to build the basics in my wardrobe.

I'm back and off to a skirting start

Wow it feels good to be back checking all my blogger friends projects and reading about new sewing ideas. I had no Idea I had missed so much.  In fall I decided to take at least this year off of my education endeavors and enjoy a little bit of relaxed learning. It did not take long to realize most of the shows I am drawn to on the tv are creative minded and when I started hanging out online at Sure Fit Designs Learning Center, Pattern Review, Esty and many others it became quiet obvious I need to make the trek to the storage areas and get out my sewing books and fabric. Ok several pieces of fabric came out.

Think spring should be the key word around here. Geez with the outside temperature colder than in the arctic and the endless feeling of being trapped inside why not a little thought of fun spring skirts? Some how my brain says that does not computer and here in the first of my skirt sew off skirts is Lutterloh 262-246-2011 (supplement-pattern-year) from my kit.

Pattern: 

Lutterloh 282-246-2011 (supplement-pattern-year) 

Pattern Description: 

This is a basic dart less skirt with two side slits. In their picture the slights are embellished with button holes and buttons.

Pattern Sizing:

Lutterloh is based on your bust and hip measurement. Your pattern is drafted out using these two measurements. So ideally if your bust and hip are 50cm to 140cm the system should work for you. 

Did it look like the photo/drawing on the pattern envelope once you were done sewing with it?.

Yes here is the link to the drawing.

Were the instructions easy to follow?

Lutterloh has no instructions. I checked my Easy Guide to Sewing book a couple times to make sure I was attaching the zipper and waistband by a good method.

What did you particularly like or dislike about the pattern?

I liked that this pattern was a simple skirt but not your ordinary work appropriate business pencil skirt. The pattern hugs in at the waist and gives plenty of room in the hips.

Fabric Used:

Dark charcoal corduroy that was in my stash. It may have come originally from fabric.com or Hancock’s

Pattern alterations or any design changes you made:

The size I traced this out in gave me a waist that was 11 cm smaller than what I needed. I wanted the skirt to fit me snug so I added 2.5cm to the side seams at the waist and blended back into the hip. This is the first skirt I have made in years that I did not add elastic to the waist. SurprisingLy I still have plenty of room in the waist area, but I do not feel the need to pull it up every 5 minutes like have with some store bought ones lately.

Would you sew it again? Would you recommend it to others?

Yes to both questions. I think a denim one is working it’s way in my mind.

Conclusion:

This is a nice basic skirt. That makes it a great choice to build the basics in my wardrobe.

On a side note looking at my shelf in these photos and some fitting issues I have had lately I am wondering what shape I have. Any one have any ideas?

Off to figure out what is next. Have a sewtastic day!

Holiday Break From School

Well my break from school is almost done and I have done no sewing. As close as I got to it was to page through my Luterloh, and look at cute fashions on a few sites. With the exception of the last four days it seemed more important to just relaxed and enjoy time with the family. With the last four days I decided to draw and enjoy a little time trying to learn Manga and Chibi drawing. So please laugh, and enjoy my trials and errors. The experience has been fun and I think maybe something I will continue to do to relax and release stress. Ah a digital design student that is rediscovering her love for drawing and is a bit rusty. Well new term starts Monday so my sewing just might have to wait until next break.

Checking In.

It's been a little time since I have blogged. Life has been really crazy since I started my pursuit to get my Digital Design degree in the summer of 2011. I am well into my program and now have a three week winter break. Today I found myself on the Lutterloh site looking at the last 4 quarters worth of patterns.  Any way think the sewing bug might hit me once I get the house clean and Christmas set up. In the mean time here are a few pictures from my first drawing class I've taken in many years. No artist yet but find it as enjoyable as sewing.  Hope you all have a safe and enjoyable Holiday season.

These two hut pictures where part of a quick mock up project. We were only to spend about 7 to 10 minutes on each picture.

 This picture was a 15 to 30 minute drawing project. My subject was my eldest daughter. Could never get her mouth right.

These are 3 of my 3 minute quick sketches. The were recognized in class as being good examples. To me they were just fun to do.

Overwhelmed

The hum of the serge and sewing machine have not been heard here all week. Between dealings with home life and the thought that I'm really returning to college with class starting next week I've found myself a bit overwhelmed. And than to add on top of that the idea that it might be time for a new computer. Well you get the picture. So instead of sewing this week I've done a little digging through my patterns and fabric. Maybe next week I'll sew. But this week my mind is filled with the question PC or Mac? Which do you prefer and why? I'm going back to school for Digital Design so a great computer with great graphics is on the top of my to do list. Happy sewing until next time.