Off the Clock

You may remember my Rosie tee that I tried to frankenstitch last month. Well I picked up the sad remains again last week and literally had it wadded up holding it over the garbage pail when I had a change of heart. At first I thought maybe I could salvage a tank top out of it. There was not enough fabric left for sleeves or even to be long enough. It would be great if I were 30 years younger and could get away with a shorty top. Once I brought it back to the sewing room I had an epiphany - what if I could match a colour from the pic and make sleeves in that! Off to the fabric store I went. I had my heart set on the yellow but couldn't find a good match in a solid when I ran across this yellow camo. It was perfect! I used New Look 6735 again and had literally just enough fabric for the bodice as long as I was ok with using the camo to get the length. There wasn't even anything to cut off on the sides in a couple of places as I laid out the pattern. This would have been ...

Looks like an old typewriter under there! It turns out I'm not getting Phoebe (the new Pfaff) this week. I heard from my dealer (doesn't that sound illicit?!) on Monday and not only is the Pfaff Ambition 1.5 backordered but it is discontinued. Apparently it is being replaced by the Ambition 2.0 - more stitches, bigger motor, more money. So to accommodate those that are on backorder they are filling those orders with the 2.0 at no extra charge. Go me! :) The downside is he says it will take another 2 - 3 weeks for the new machines to come in. I'm just hoping that doesn't translate into 2 - 3 months. Fortunately I still have my old mechanical Betty (the White) to play with while waiting. I want to save my stash of knits for when Phoebe gets here but I have some cute fabric leftovers my mom gave me that would make covers for the machines. Last night I made this cover for Sergio. I quilted the front and back simply to try it. I had just ordered a whole bunch of new fe...

At the recommendation of some folks on sewing.patternreview.com  I decided to try New Look 6735.  After the narrow shoulders on Butterick 5215 I was a little nervous about the shoulders on this one. I measured and thought they would be plenty wide, then realized there is a centre seam in the back that would take up some of that width. In the end I made it as it came out of the envelope with the only adjustment being to add an inch to the length at the waist. Overall I am much happier with this pattern than the Butterick. I think the shoulders fit me perfectly.  This pattern has easing at the bust which makes for a better fit. I may even increase that easing a bit in the next version I make. With the 1" length adjustment it is a good length. Initially I was thinking I would need to also add an inch to the hemline but looking at the pic I think it's good where it's at.  I didn't adjust the scoop neckline at all this time around. I don't have enough recent e...

In other news I bought the Craftsy class on making designer jeans from Angela Wolf. I have to say I love her style (pics are screenshots from her video). In particular I love the modern take on the twin sets she wears. I am trying to figure out if she is wearing a tank, a sleeveless tee or a regular tee underneath. I can't see a witness mark on her sleeve for something underneath, so my best guess is at least sleeveless. Or maybe it is not two separate pieces but a "cheater" with two fronts and one back. I have looked on her website for a pattern but come up empty. Regardless this is definitely going into my idea bank. EDITED TO ADD: I sent Angela Wolf a message asking the above questions. She was gracious enough to reply: "The tops underneath are tanks - I use my ruched-t pattern and leave the sleeves off. The over knit tops are new designs I have been testing for future patterns (hopefully in my lifetime :)) I love these! The don't wrinkle and I can she...