November 19, 2017

#BLOGLIKECRAZY 19: WHY SHE SEWS & WHY SHE BLOGS ABOUT IT (part 3)...

...thank you so much for following along with me on this 30 day challenge.  I do so hope that you are enjoying this series! If you'll remember, back in April of this year I revived my Annual Tops That Pop Sewing-A-Long.  I hadn't featured a sewalong since 2013, but had enjoyed hosting them so much in the past that I figured it was high time to give it life once again.  I had many wonderful contributors, and Vanessa Thomas was one of them. But be assured, tops aren't the only things she sews.  Vanessa is a marvelous seamstress so I thought you'd like to hear WHY SHE SEWS & BLOGS ABOUT IT...



Why do I sew?

I sew because I LOVE it!  It is my oasis in the middle of the weighty responsibilities of adulthood, lol!  There is something magical that happens when I enter my "sewing closet" and shut the door behind me--dreams are fulfilled, creative juices flow, and time goes by the wayside.  Above all, when I open the door and come out of that closet, I am peaceful, recharged, and radiant with glee!! Oh the joy of making!


 Why do you blog about it?
At first I wanted a place to keep track of what I've made, since I was mainly sewing for my children.  However, over time, I began to see the amazing community of those who sew!! I was inspired by their garments, and encouraged by their feedback.  As a result, I started creating my own personal goals that have enriched my sewing journey today.



Vanessa
...
Vanessa has a wonderful blog called  SEW FILLED TO THE BRIM that warrants looking in at.  There you can find out more about WHY SHE SEWS & BLOGS ABOUT IT...

November 18, 2017

#BLOGLIKECRAZY 18: I WANT IT ALL PANTS CONSTRUCTION...

...it may seem I'm all over the place - #bloglikecrazy, pants construction, my Fall Sweet 16 challenge that I set for myself.  Well I guess I am all over the place, but it's my attempt to complete what I've started and meet my goals.  In my sewing world my goals overlap at times.

Sometimes the length of time it takes me to complete a project truly amazes me.  I actually started working on Vogue 9032 twelve days ago.  I am a slow sewer, I am easily distracted by the "Shiny" and the fact that I work 8 hours or more each day.  Sometimes there is NO SEWING at all for me during the week because the evenings go by so darned fast.  Most evenings my mind is still so focused on happenings of the work day, or the next day, that I cannot wrap my mind around pattern adjustments, cutting or sewing.

Last weekend I constructed the pants front:  pocket construction and zipper installation.  I found that I was not happy with the topstitching of the front fly, and had planned on removing it and starting over.  I am usually 99% accurate with zipper installation, but this one was just a little bit off.  I removed the zipper entirely and started from scratch.


Zipper application #1
Zipper application #2

As it turned out the thread color and the curved area were the cause of my total unhappiness with zipper #1.

As of this writing the pants have been totally basted for try on, and final fitting adjustments have been made.  All seams are pressed, and the project is ready for the waistband application.  I'd continue to sew this afternoon, but there's a bit of housekeeping that is chronically nagging in my head.  Maybe construction will continue tomorrow...

November 17, 2017

#BLOGLIKECRAZY 17: WHY SHE SEWS & WHY SHE BLOGS ABOUT IT (part 2)...

...short or long, you know I love a blog series and  have posted a few here.  So as a continuation of yesterday's post I reached out to several people who "SEW & BLOG ABOUT IT" and asked them for help in this series.  As I've mentioned before, the sewing community is so very sharing.

I won't even dare say just how many blogs I frequent; but there are quite a few.  Really, looking in and reading other sewing blogs adds to my knowledge bank, and gives me lots and lots of sewing inspiration.  It seems that I am always find new ones, and it is so nice and refreshing to get new points of views about this craft.

Have you ever seen a CAT IN A WARDROBE?  Well, if not, you are in for a treat!  Ever time I visit Eli there I get visions of Yoshino Cherry Blossoms dancing in my head!  She is so talented, and her garments are crafted works of art.  Here she tells you why she SEWS & BLOGS ABOUT IT...



Why do you sew?
I really love creating things with my own hands! I enjoy sewing, knitting, and making jewelry. Concentrating to make something is fun, and lets me meditate and heal my mind.

Why do you blog about it?
I want to improve both my sewing and English skills. However, I prefer to interact with people through my blog rather than improving those skills.

Eli
...

Please drop in to visit Eli at CATWARDROBE,  and and make sure you check out that fabulous Isaac Mizrahi plaid coat she made last winter; and the beautiful sleeves on the coat she's already made this year. It really made me swoon...

November 16, 2017

#BLOGLIKECRAZY 16: WHY I SEW & WHY I BLOG ABOUT IT (part 1)...

...
WHY DO I SEW?
as you know the name of my blog is Faye's Sewing Adventure, but have you noticed that I also have a sub-title:  "A Co-Creator with Him".  I have a deep seeded need to create something - something with my own hands.  Basically I believe that God, the Creator,  created EVERYTHING, and that He created me in His own image. What that statement means to me is that since I am created in His image - I MUST CREATE!

For years I owned and worked in my own beauty salon, and I created many beautiful hairstyles for my customers.  I was happy in that capacity because I was working with my hands day in and day out - creating..  But after I decided that it was time for me to move on to another occupation I felt strange and lost.  It was at that time that I started searching for something else to create, with my hands.  If you will read my profile you will find out exactly how that search lead me back to sewing.

I love to sew!  It is my creative expression of self.  It helps me DE-STRESS, and it allowss me to continue learning new things.  I love to learn; whether it's a new technique, new fitting method or something about a new fabric. Just call me "Ever Learning Linda"!

Additionally, I must give credit to my Great-Grand Mother (Jessie), and my Aunt (Willie Mae) who both sewed. I looked on and watch and watched them create until one day they FINALLY  HAD to let me sit at the sewing machine!

WHY DO I BLOG ABOUT IT?
There are three reasons why I blog about my sewing adventures:
FIRST: My blog is a journal of sorts that helps me keep track of my projects and progress.  I have really grown since I started sewing again back in 2006.   I've been blogging for 10 years now, and I still need to look back for information about specific patterns or techniques.  I just love the search feature on my blog; it assists me in finding what I need.

SECONDLY:  Blogging has CONNECTED me to the WORLD WIDE sewing community.  I have met (virtually) hundreds of people who sew; some of whom I have really grown to know quite well.  It has put me in touch with people who not only sew, but love to share information about their craft..  This community has actually fostered my growth by coming to my aid when I find myself in sewing dilemmas; and have encouraged me to work at mastering my craft.  The are the largest group of cheerleaders I've ever seen.

THIRDLY:  Blogging also allows me to flex my writing muscle..  I might not be the best writer, but I am able to write about what I love, and I do so want to become better at it.

So with that readers, can you tell me why you sew and/or blog about it???

 

November 15, 2017

#BLOGLIKECRAZY 15: WORK WEAR WEDNESDAY...

...it's been a while since I've done a WWW post.  It's rare that my outfit of the day doesn't include at least one piece that is made by me.  In fact, on the few occasions when I do wear 100% RTW I get this funny little guilty feeling. Does that ever happen to you???

In Georgia chilly weather equals morning temperatures in the range of 30's, 40's or even 50's (I tend to be cold natured - physically)  Temps like this dictate wearing some type of cardigan, sweater, jacket or coat.  This morning it was 44 degrees and I needed to pull out some type of topper.

I can't believe it's been so long since I made this jacket - January 2014
or since I made my first Colette Mable skirt (though none of mine are quite this short) - October 2014

It was such a pleasure wearing this me-made ensemble today.  I am still in love with this jacket and the construction work put into it.  The padstitched peter pan collar, which (should I dare say) has the perfect turn of cloth, the bound buttonholes that I still can't believe "I" made,  even the buttons that I think were a perfect selection, and the crepe back satin lining that gives the jacket such a luxurious feel.  It was a great Work Wear Wednesday...

November 14, 2017

#BLOGLIKECRAZY 14: MY SMALL HOMAGE TO NANCY ZIEMAN...

...the sewing world has lost one of it's greats!  I saw one of Nancy's videos just a little while ago in which she announced her full retirement.  I couldn't help being saddened today when I heard of her passing, and I feel compelled to speak of the impact that her contributions made to my life.  I've watched her PBS shows when offered in my area and always enjoyed them.  And just yesterday I wrote about the excellent customer service I received from the company that still bares her name.

I have not one, but five of her books in my resource library:




This one being my favorite and must used
Although I still have not gotten a full understanding of the " Pivot and Slide" method of pattern alteration, I've fully embarrassed "Slash and Spread".  Nancy's explanation of choosing the correct bodice pattern size really help me determine that I needed to use a smaller size through my neck, shoulder and bust areas. This information has saved me much anguish and fabric.  It made the difference in me making a well fitting bodice (top, or dress) (knit or woven) and me ending up with a garment that never gets worn.  That to me is priceless!

So rest in piece Nancy Zieman, you will truly be missed and the information that you shared will go down in history!!!


November 13, 2017

#BLOGLIKECRAZY 13 - BOBBINS, BOBBINS: HOW MANY ARE ENOUGH...

...if you are anything like me, you own loads of bobbins.  Class 15, Class 15J, Class 66, plastic, or metal, etc., etc.  Some machines require a specific type of bobbin, while others are interchangeable.

My most used machine is a Baby Lock Sophia 2 that will run perfectly with bobbins for other brands. However, although the bobbins look similar they are not fully created equal.  Off brands do not trigger the low bobbin indicator on this machine.  As you know, I am spoiled rotten by the bells and whistles of my electronic machine.  The low bobbin indicator gets on my nerves (oh yes it does); buy I do not want to do without that feature.

There is something very convenient about having an empty bobbin at your disposal.  But that seems to never be the case in my sewing room.  I find myself unwinding a bobbin just to be able to rewind it with the color thread that I need for a project.  This brings to mind the question:  How many bobbins are enough???

Wound bobbins in the back are ones I already owned.  Those in the front are from a new shipment that arrived today.
I order bobbins from Nancy's Notions because I get the same number of bobbins for $5.00 less than at the local Baby Lock Dealer.  I placed an order for 40 bobbins on October 13th; the shipment arrived today!

When I checked the tracking number this is the information that I received:  Your parcel was delivered to you on October 21st.  When I checked it again the same day it said:  We responded to your question, do you want us to give you the same information again.  By this time I was really upset so I called Nancy's the very next day.  When I explained my situation, I was told that orders are delivered by USPS and delivery notifications mean that parcels are placed at or near your mailbox. "What The What"!!!  So that means that my bobbins were delivered to a mailbox near mine.  "Who on my street has my bobbins?"

Long story short, Nancy made my order good. Thank you Nancy! Now I won't hesitate to shop with you again...

November 12, 2017

#BLOGLIKECRAZY 12: I WANT IT ALL - PANTS CONSTRUCTION...

... I was able to start construction of my pants today: the two piece back, the three piece pocket bag, pocket construction and installing the zipper.
Pocket stitched, trimmed and understitched
Pocket topstitched

Pocket lining and Inset


I am not totally satisfied with the zipper topstitching so I will probably unpick and reinstall the zipper tomorrow.


Paying Homage to Black Pattern Designers...

...for years February has been set aside as a special time to learn about and recognize accomplishments of African Americans and other peopl...