I just bought the Helen Armstrong Patternmaking book. You would think that it would already be in my sewing library, right? Well it isn't and I'm just picking it up. I've been reading some of my favorite sewing bloggers and they make all these detailed alterations and I wanna do that too. Also, I have ideas for how I want to change up my TNT pattern but I'm not sure exactly how to proceed and I'm hoping that the book will help me achieve the looks I'm seeing in my head...even tho' my eyes glazed over at the first portion of the book that's all about dart manipulation. *sigh*The fabric I bought arrived yesterday and today. I'm now awash in fabric and I'm like a pig in slop! Yes!!! I have to tell you that if you didn't get some of the $2.50 a yard rayon challis from Fabric Mart you are missing out. I only bought two pieces but they are fantastic...and of course the pieces from my new man "Sawyer Brook" said in a whispery sigh...are just as wonderful as I thought they would be. I can't wait to sew these up! Trust me they will be making an appearance here sooner rather than later!
I went to the Garment District today during lunchtime. I needed some elastic and notions...picked them up at Daytona Trimmings. It was dead in there...I'm hoping that this doesn't mean anything...*sigh* I'm really hoping that it's just summertime.I'm calling August - "Repeat August." Why? Because I've been sewing so much this summer that I end up wearing at least one or two new things every week. And I have a lot of clothes, some things that I made last summer I haven't worn yet this summer...so since I'm working on my 6pac wardrobe during the month of August...this plan should work allowing me to wear all of the newly made pieces in September. Speaking of September, even tho' I'm not taking my normal 10 day vacation around Labor Day...I will be off for five days so there will be some sewing going on then.
Want to know my guilty TV pleasure? I'm in love with the show, "Ice Loves Coco" on E! Seriously, I love that show and hate when I miss an episode...tho' they play the heck out of the repeats so I can usually catch up. I didn't think I would like it, cause I'm not a big reality show watcher...Dancing with the Stars and American Idol being about all I can handle...and I don't understand the Kardashians or those other people who have "shows" on E!, Vh1 or BET. I've even stopped watching Project Runway...scandalous I know! Can I say it again ~ I LOVE Ice Loves Coco! It makes me laugh soooooo hard!
Finally, I'm going to work on the pea green linen dress this weekend. Its all cut out and waiting to be worked on and it needs to be finished so that I can finally wear the floral jacket.
I'm glad tomorrow is Friday...this has been a seriously l-oooooooo-ng week!
...as always, more later!
I know what you mean about those reality shows. I don't watch them either, nor do I watch Project Runway. That challis looks pretty. I came so close to hopping on a bus to come up to the garment district tomorrow because I need some silk dupioni. But alas, the buses I want are sold out. I should not wait til the last minute to realize I don't have what I need!
ReplyDeleteI did sorta watch Project Runway tonight but it was so unbelievably bad that I don't think I can watch it this reason. I envy you being able to go to the garment district to shop at lunch!! Looking foward to seeing your green linen dress. Green is my fav!!
ReplyDeleteOh I'm with you on the loooong week. I'm so glad it's over. I think I'll head to the studio right after I walk the dogs tomorrow - rather than sit with the laptop.
ReplyDeleteI might go look at the challis - what would I do with it? g
I took a class using the new pattern making book you purchased. It was the advanced class and I hadn't taken the fist one! Once I figured out the dart manipulation, the rest came. So stick with it and do the exercises first using the half or quarter scale pattern pieces at the back of the book. Just photo copy some. I'm certain you will catch on quickly and you'll be so happy with your new skill!
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ReplyDeleteWhen I took pattern drafting years ago, that was our textbook. Though I used the first edition and I think they are several editions past that now. It's a good book.
ReplyDeleteI hear you on the looong week. I've cut out and prepared a jacket this week, so I'm ready for some serious sewing this weekend, if my kids allow it. ;)
By the way, I really enjoyed the two Project Runway shows tonight. I think it will be a good season.
ReplyDeleteI've thought about getting that book many times - it's quite an investment isn't it, so please let us know what you think of it.
ReplyDeleteHappy you like your fabric from Sawyer Brook! I love the quality of their fabrics. I do not watch reality shows either, but I do watch Project Runway. Just watching all those sewing machines working, the fabrics, the tools, the workroom, makes my heart flutter! As for the rest of the drama on the show, well it just makes me laugh! ~ Valerie
ReplyDeleteI succumbed to the rayon challis from FabricMart, too . . . just too good of a deal to pass up. (and I like Ice & Coco, too!)
ReplyDeleteI bought a used copy of that book and while I appreciate how much I might learn from it, I've never actually drafted or altered a pattern using it. I keep thinking I will though...just as soon as I make that elusive bodice sloper.
ReplyDeleteI, too, enjoy Ice T loves CoCo...I think he is super sexy bad boy! I don't think I could give up PR!!! Last night's two episodes were great! I didn't agree with the one that elinated though. I also have the Armstrong book, and it has some very useful information & instructions!
ReplyDeleteYou enabler you! I went and bought the last 5 yards of the animal print challis. For that price I can get a dress and a skirt out of that.
ReplyDeleteI've been thinking about getting the Armstrong book for quite awhile, let us know what you think.
Oh goody goody! I bought some of the Challis, too, but it hasn't arrived yet.
ReplyDeleteIt IS quiet in the Garment District this week! But I'm telling myself it's because it's summer, FIT and Parsons are not in semester, etc... right?
I picked up a used copy of the 1st edition of Armstrong a few years back and I'm wondering if there is enough new material to justify springing on the 5th edition. Mine is full of great examples of just how pattern manipulation works, but many of the 80's designs are high comedy.Also wondering if you are the one who got the last 5 yards of the turquoise challis overprinted in forest and rust- I had it in my order, but got a OOS note the next day.Cheers if it was you- I couldn't be trumped by anyone nicer.
ReplyDeleteThis is a great book! It is the text book we use in school. The only problem I have with the book is the countless typos and errors with the figures they show. Some of the pictures or numbers do not match with the text. Sometimes this is very confusing. Also for your other readers out there, because I know you already got the 5th ed., the 4th edition is pretty much the same text book, but drafting examples/alterations are shown in black and red instead of black and blue(5th ed.) This is easier on the eyes IMO because the blue is really hard to discern from the black.
ReplyDeleteHave fun drafting! Check out the sleeve and collar sections! Great ways to change up the TNT dress!
I think I am going to invest in that book real soon. I just got an amazon gift card. Guilty pleasure? Mine is "Swamp People". I really enjoy watching this show which takes place deep in the bayous of Louisiana. The people are good, very hard working and family is everything. Reality doesn't get much better than that! Oh, did I tell you they cook incredible looking food?
ReplyDeleteYou will love that book, and spend many hours with it, I am sure. I plan to read mine, cover to cover.
ReplyDeleteI watched Project Runway for the first time last night and I'm a smidge disappointed not to read your opinion. I enjoyed it, but I have no past shows to compare them to. Also, I don't have any other reality shows to compare them to either since the only ones I've seen were the last few of the season of Dancing with the Stars with Emmitt Smith, and it seems like a completely different style of show. I've been tempted by that book, too.
ReplyDelete"I went to the Garment District today during lunchtime." Sigh, I'm so jealous...! ;)
ReplyDeleteI bought the Armstrong book and hope someday to have the skills to use a lot of the information. I dip into it from time to time just for inspiration! I watched Project Runway and feel like it will be a fairly good season. No Christian Sirianos or Laura Bennetts there this year, though.
ReplyDeleteI have my original edition from the 70s. My first MAJOR book investment. I didn't really understand it then, but I think it would make more sense to me today.
ReplyDeleteI've been disappointed in Project Runway since it's move to Lifetime, but I thought the first episode of Season 9 was excellent and it looks very promising this season!