With the move into a new house came the need to change a few things. One glaring change was with the chairs in the breakfast room. The wallpaper has ivory, green and poppy red; the chairs are oak, but had really ugly taupe seat covers. I've disliked them ever since we bought the furniture, but we've been in "moving limbo" for the last six months, not knowing what we would be buying or what the rooms would need. Now that we're officially in the new digs, I decided to use up some darker red geometric and cover the chair cushions. It looks LOTS better....photos to follow:)
I've also been in need of some new personal clothing. I'm in the process of what will be a significant weight loss (doctor's orders, so I know this will happen), and I'm leery of making too many things that will require future alteration. Here is the plan as it stands right now:
Two pair of one-seam pants, in khaki and black. These will last through about 30 pounds. I use a draw-cord elastic instead of the recommended sport elastic; as I lose weight, I can pull up the cord. The drape of the pants will be fine if I use a softer fabric.
Several colorful long-sleeve tees, in patterns if possible. I'll fit these fairly snug right now, and they'll be more comfortable as the pounds are shed. Prints hide the picky fit issues for awhile. Besides, tees are easy to run up on the machine; you get a lot of bang for the buck.
A few really beautiful shirts, which can later be used as 'shirt jackets'. This will pull things together and make things look like outfits. I don't want to invest time in fitted jackets until I'm within 15 pounds of the goal. I do not like to alter jackets.
Two skirts. I'm using a four-gore elastic waist pattern for both. I can use the drawcord elastic for these, too. One is complete; it's black "peachskin crepe", which is an inexpensive but very drapey fabric. The second fabric is still up for decision.
There are about half a dozen really nice sweaters in the closet that will work with all of this, and by spring, I'll be ready for a whole new wardrobe:)
Wednesday, September 26, 2007
Thursday, September 6, 2007
Farewell
To the man who wanted opera to be for the masses....
The glorious high c...
The ebullience, the energy, and the presence.
Farewell.
Friday, August 17, 2007
Sunday, July 22, 2007
Streamlining
The jersey work has begun in earnest. It took awhile to redraft the pattern for these to meet the needs of the players. Then I had to do a good bit of math to adjust the draft to streamline the production of the jerseys, from cut to finish.
My first step was to analyze the pattern, and see what could be done to make it easier to cut. The yoke piece and the side panel were tesselated so that I could make one cut instead of two. The front and back panels were adjusted so that they could be cut from one length of fabric (conserving fabric in the process.)
I did a mockup and tried it on ds, who happens to have a set of football shoulder pads in his room.
The sleeves were too long. WAY too long. We decided to cut about half of the current sleeve length off, so that the end of the sleeve would fall just beyond the shoulder pad end. This is a safety issue as well as comfort; long sleeves can be pulled by opposing players to accomplish a tackle. We also determined that the neckline needed to be drafted slightly smaller for the same reason; a loose neckline can be grabbed by the opposition! This needed to be balanced with the need to fit over our largest head size; therefore, instead of making the opening smaller, we chose to make the ribbing in the neckline tighter.
So, after making all the jersey design changes, I set out to cut. By making the tesselating pieces, I was able to cut my cutting time almost in half! Careful planning of pieces, and a redesign of the larger fronts and backs, cut the amount of fabric needed by 25 percent.
The final step in the equation was to create a detailed stitching outline and instructions for the next time I have to do this (next year).
Then, to sew. I have finished 1/4 of the necessary sewing work, a total of 15 jerseys, in two days. 15 more jerseys are about halfway finished, and the remaining 30 have three of the seven pattern pieces cut. I should be finished by the weekend!
And then......
The big news is a new house, with a big, we're talking huge, sewing room! Moving day should be August 3.
My first step was to analyze the pattern, and see what could be done to make it easier to cut. The yoke piece and the side panel were tesselated so that I could make one cut instead of two. The front and back panels were adjusted so that they could be cut from one length of fabric (conserving fabric in the process.)
I did a mockup and tried it on ds, who happens to have a set of football shoulder pads in his room.
The sleeves were too long. WAY too long. We decided to cut about half of the current sleeve length off, so that the end of the sleeve would fall just beyond the shoulder pad end. This is a safety issue as well as comfort; long sleeves can be pulled by opposing players to accomplish a tackle. We also determined that the neckline needed to be drafted slightly smaller for the same reason; a loose neckline can be grabbed by the opposition! This needed to be balanced with the need to fit over our largest head size; therefore, instead of making the opening smaller, we chose to make the ribbing in the neckline tighter.
So, after making all the jersey design changes, I set out to cut. By making the tesselating pieces, I was able to cut my cutting time almost in half! Careful planning of pieces, and a redesign of the larger fronts and backs, cut the amount of fabric needed by 25 percent.
The final step in the equation was to create a detailed stitching outline and instructions for the next time I have to do this (next year).
Then, to sew. I have finished 1/4 of the necessary sewing work, a total of 15 jerseys, in two days. 15 more jerseys are about halfway finished, and the remaining 30 have three of the seven pattern pieces cut. I should be finished by the weekend!
And then......
The big news is a new house, with a big, we're talking huge, sewing room! Moving day should be August 3.
Friday, July 6, 2007
Art or Craft....or both?
Do you sew for art, or for craft? Perhaps for both?
This question has been on my mind lately. I have seen evidence of both in my own sewing. Sewing for "art" indicates a desire to reflect my personality in the finished product. A manifestation in fabric of my thoughts, feelings, state of mind. Art sewing, for me, will often be done with reckless abandon, foregoing all the standard rules and methods that are taught for construction. I'll throw together fabrics, slash pattern pieces, move things around, and embellish until my mood wanes.
Sewing for "craft" is when my perfectionist-side kicks in. I'm not talking about "crafty"; rather, this is when the craft of sewing as a fine skill takes over. I'll fuss over every thread, tying them off and knotting them and pulling them between the layers of fabric. Stitches will be counted, yes, counted, in specific areas so that symmetry will be precise. I've even been known to count the threads from the selvedge so that the grainline will be perfect....but only when I'm in the "craft" mood.
Most of the time, however, sewing is a combination of both. I want to reflect my personality, yes, but I want the construction to be as fine in quality as possible....within limits. If this is for every day wear, to be donned for visits to the grocery store or to take the dog for a walk, I'm not going to count threads. Precise sewing methods are generally saved for special garments. But I do want things to look good, and to last.
How do we balance art and craft in our sewing? We have to decide where we will fight our fabric battles. Is this garment worth hand stitching three rows of hemming stitches? Will I wear this more than once? Am I looking for a classic piece that will live in my closet for years? If I use fusible interfacing instead of sewn-in interfacing, will it shorten the life of my garment? Will it matter?
For me, a garment that will be worn almost daily...for instance, a pair of black pants....will be sewn with great care. Yes, three rows of hemming stitches (I'm rough on hems). The grainline must be just so....the fabric treated with care. I want to wear these and never have to worry about resewing the button, or fuss with scratchy inner seam allowance edges.
But for something that will be worn once...or twice.....such attention to detail seems superfluous. I'd rather make those one-wear pieces more artsy, with the excuse that my artistic soul needs to be fed. Yes, I'll do good work...but it won't be at a perfectionist level.
Do YOU sew for art, or for craft?
This question has been on my mind lately. I have seen evidence of both in my own sewing. Sewing for "art" indicates a desire to reflect my personality in the finished product. A manifestation in fabric of my thoughts, feelings, state of mind. Art sewing, for me, will often be done with reckless abandon, foregoing all the standard rules and methods that are taught for construction. I'll throw together fabrics, slash pattern pieces, move things around, and embellish until my mood wanes.
Sewing for "craft" is when my perfectionist-side kicks in. I'm not talking about "crafty"; rather, this is when the craft of sewing as a fine skill takes over. I'll fuss over every thread, tying them off and knotting them and pulling them between the layers of fabric. Stitches will be counted, yes, counted, in specific areas so that symmetry will be precise. I've even been known to count the threads from the selvedge so that the grainline will be perfect....but only when I'm in the "craft" mood.
Most of the time, however, sewing is a combination of both. I want to reflect my personality, yes, but I want the construction to be as fine in quality as possible....within limits. If this is for every day wear, to be donned for visits to the grocery store or to take the dog for a walk, I'm not going to count threads. Precise sewing methods are generally saved for special garments. But I do want things to look good, and to last.
How do we balance art and craft in our sewing? We have to decide where we will fight our fabric battles. Is this garment worth hand stitching three rows of hemming stitches? Will I wear this more than once? Am I looking for a classic piece that will live in my closet for years? If I use fusible interfacing instead of sewn-in interfacing, will it shorten the life of my garment? Will it matter?
For me, a garment that will be worn almost daily...for instance, a pair of black pants....will be sewn with great care. Yes, three rows of hemming stitches (I'm rough on hems). The grainline must be just so....the fabric treated with care. I want to wear these and never have to worry about resewing the button, or fuss with scratchy inner seam allowance edges.
But for something that will be worn once...or twice.....such attention to detail seems superfluous. I'd rather make those one-wear pieces more artsy, with the excuse that my artistic soul needs to be fed. Yes, I'll do good work...but it won't be at a perfectionist level.
Do YOU sew for art, or for craft?
Sunday, June 24, 2007
Evidence of coming things
The fabric for the football jerseys has arrived.
The first order of business was to make a prototype of the desired design. Our previous jersey was fine for a beginning, but could stand some improvement in certain areas. After sketching and conferring with assorted players and coaches, we settled on a simple raglan sleeve design with elastic at the sleeve. The prototype is on the left above.
Well, even the best plans need refinement. After trying the jersey on a player while he was wearing shoulder pads, we discovered that the raglan will work fine in the back, but it tends to clog up under the pads in front.
Back to the drawing board!
Tuesday, June 5, 2007
And so the season ends...and another begins
With two sons and a coach in my life, I spend a lot of time on bleachers. This year, baseball season has been great fun! My youngest son's team placed 2nd in the county. I'm proudest of the fact that he has learned base-running this year.
Our next phase will be football. Spring practice has already begun, and with it comes the measuring and preparing for making jerseys. I'll be working on those through the month of June. Football jerseys are not rocket science to make, and I enjoy contributing to the team in this way.
In the meantime, I have some personal sewing to complete. I finished making a long-ish jeans-jacket-coat from stretch cotton poplin with a novelty print. I also made some new jeans. Today I'm planning to work on a wrap top which is a copy of an Anthropologie top I've been admiring. Hopefully, everything will be done in time for an out of town trip this weekend...nothing like a new wardrobe to lift the spirits!
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