The Tie That Binds

Another Birthday Present Finished!

One more project down!  This is for my 20something niece -- hope she likes it!  It's self-drafted.  Top band is from a suede skin purchased from Fabric Mart.  Inside is silk dupioni and has zippered pocket and key fob.  I experimented with more hardware this time than I usually use and I think it adds a lot to the bag.  On the handle, when I folded the fabric over the ring, I closed it with bronze rivets rather than stitching.  Fun project!

Stay safe this last summer weekend!

Slan

Special Presents!

I have a long 'to do' list before I work on something for myself, but I am making progress!  I am seeing my great nieces and nephew on Wednesday, and I don't get to see the girls very often as they live in Pittsburgh, so, of course, it was time to come up with something special.  And, I couldn't have something for the girls without including Dan.

The bags are small wrist purses with pleated fronts and their initials on the bands (Molly and Hannah).  The flowers are two yo-yo's sewn on top of each other and joined with a vintage black button.  They're attached to pin backs so they can take them off the purse if they want.

I have a new favorite construction for zippers and lining.  The zippers are done using a zipper 'sandwich' - lay the lining down right side up, place the zipper down next also right side up and place the outer fabric down last, wrong side up.  Stitch.  You then fold the lining down and you have a complete side.  Most instructions will call for you to topstitch, but I am not always a fan of top stitching, especially on a dressier bag.  So, in order to keep the fabric from catching in the zipper, I press well away from the zipper and I understitch the lining side only.

Do the same with the other side.  Then open it all out and stitch the bag pieces together and the lining pieces together, leaving an opening in the lining to turn.  (Make sure you open the zipper before you start stitching!)

Dan has a special pencil case (lining is plastic).  The embroidery design is from Embroidery Library and I thought their digitizing was beautiful, right down to the faded paper look of the crayon wrappers.

I have about 4 more things to plow through and then I get to sew for me!

Slan

Preparing To Sew......

A very talented and creative friend posted this on my wall yesterday.
I just had to share it with my sewing friends!

Finished Jacket

My first Cynthia Guffey jacket is finished.  I have to say, I did enjoy working on it.  It was not a quick project, but it  was not difficult either.  It involved a lot of steps and a lot of handsewing, but I enjoyed the process and I like the result.

A couple of things I may do differently.  I think it would look lovely in a material with a better drape.  I don't mind a boxy shape, so this doesn't bother me a lot, but I do think it would look better with a softer fabric.  This is a one size fits most and I made it up exactly as is.  There are multiple lines for alteration and I think that next time I may shorten the distance between the shoulder and the dropped shoulder seam.  I think the seam is a bit low in the back.  I also think that I could have eliminated some fabric in the back by taking it in about an inch or so.

I love the detail in the band.  It closes easily and looks nice both open and closed.  

 

 The lining is put in entirely by hand with small whipstitches.  I've shown some detail below.

I will definitely make this again for the fall in a wool or knit.

More Jacket Progress

New Jacket In Progress

This is a jacket pattern I picked up at the Worcester Expo.  It's by Cynthia Guffey, and what you see here is a work in progress.  It still has a lower section that needs to be added.  Additionally, there is an inset band with slots that a fabric belt is worked through.  The instructions look complete, but intimidating, so as you can see, I chose to do this instead!

I've had the fabric for a long time and it seems to be a linen/cotton mix.  It is also a cross weave as it is predominantly light pink/mauve, but with taupe fibers in it.  Cynthia makes most of her jackets in hand woven raw silk and she interfaces each piece in addition to lining them.  I followed her example and am interfacing my pieces with wonderful Pro Sheer Elegance from Pam at Off The Cuff.  I'm going to hold off judgement until I'm finished, but I am thinking that I would like this better in a softer fabric -- maybe a boucle that will drape better.  I do like the way the pattern is drafted so that, even though it is a drop sleeve, there is a definitely a little bit of shaping built in at the shoulder so it falls nicely.

The pattern is a 'one size can be altered for most' and alteration lines are clearly marked.  Next time, I think that I may shorten the distance from the shoulder to the dropped shoulder seam by just a bit, but again I'll wait until it's all finished to see.  I'm top-stitching most seams as I go along in a light brown thread.  I'm putting two strands of thread through the needle and stitching at 4.0. 

I don't have a lot of free time this weekend and am trying to take this one slow, but I hope to finish it within the week.  By the way, the scarf is an unexpected match -- it's a piece of obi silk that I purchased on e-bay.  I have simply done a zig zag stitch on the grain and pulled fibers to create a short fringe.  Have a great weekend!

Slan