See I've pretty much lost my desire to sew summer clothing. I feel like I have quite a bit of variety now. It doesn't help that for most of the summer I haven't worked Fridays. So only having four days to dress for work makes me feel as if I'm okay...definitely not how I felt last year this time.
However, I'm moving into another season of selfish sewing. Even though my daughter has sewing skills with four small children and a full time job, she really has no time. I've volunteered to sew for the girls for back to school. So I'm knee deep into planning and plotting about 10 pieces for each girl.
Then my daughter has a black tie event to attend and I offered to make her a black sequin mini dress for it...more unselfish sewing. It will be a good month before I get back to sewing for me...so no sewing posts yet.
Here's what I've been doing instead ~
One ~
Even though I've really tried not to buy any fabric, every once in awhile, a sale gets me and I buy a couple of yards. I should really learn NOT to open the emails from Fabric Mart. These jacquard pontes were just $4.40 per yard so I bought a few yards.
Two ~
I've bought a couple pair of jeans since the Labor Day weekend sales have started. I know that everyone is making their own but I'm not ready to do that yet. I'm not sure if I'm ever going to be ready but I'm learning not to say never concerning my sewing especially since my life has changed so much in the last couple of years.
I bought the jeans because I know in what direction I want my sewing to go this fall/winter. Since I already own so many sweaters, turtlenecks etc. from my former life that wore well last fall/winter, I want to add more vests, toppers and long dusters to my wardrobe. There will probably be a couple of tunics and button down shirts, and a dress or two added also. Now that I have a plan and I've started a list, I'm fine waiting until October to sew for me.
Three ~
I saw this technique on Pinterest - Sharpie Tie-Dying and I tried it out. Examples of it are here in my Pinterest folder.
All the supplies together with a cup to try my tie-dye samples
First sample - just some circles with the alcohol added
Using circles and squibbles for second sample
I need to experiment a little more but I think I'd like to try this on some white ponte I have for a funky tie-dye tunic for fall. Especially since I want to try some of the techniques I've pinned.
So these are some of the things I've been working on INSTEAD of actually sewing.
...as always more later!
If when you are not sewing, Carolyn your post, especially these just inspire me. I know I've said this quite often, but I love to cozy up in the morning with a cup of coffee and read your post :)..
ReplyDeleteYour blog and beautiful fabric selections got me hooked on fabricmart and their crazy awesome selection and prices. I have a hard time resisting sometimes, too!
ReplyDeleteFabric Mart is addictive isn't it? *LOL* About 70% of my fabric collection is from them. So I'm kinda hooked on the fabrics they sell!
DeleteI had to unsubscribe to the emails. The deals were way too tempting!
DeleteI have been reading your blog for a few years and love what you have to say. I am transitioning from a corporate wardrobe (my love) as well and you have shown me it can be done with lots is style. I have also taken up knitting lately and volunteered for some family sewing as well. Seems we are both close to the same place which is probably why your posts always seem to inspire and ring so true for me. I appreciate what you do. Thank you Pat e
ReplyDeletePlanning sewing IS sewing in my book.
ReplyDeleteI wish I had a grandmother who could sew me a black sequin mini. I could make a bra to go with :)
ReplyDeleteGod bless your for being able to make it a whole month with unselfish sewing.
I truely loved sewing for my 2 daughters especially when they were little (ages 2-12). My granddaughter is 14 and not interested in my sewing style so I do some sewing for my sister's granddaughters (ages 6 & 10). I find little girl sewing fantasy sewing as it lets my imagination go to new heights. Do you feel the same? Karen
ReplyDeleteKaren - I'm truly blessed because my granddaughters are thrilled that I'm going to sew for them which makes me very happy. We were facetiming earlier picking out fabrics and hopefully I will have a pair of leggings serged together for both of them to try on tomorrow!
DeleteOur ASG chapter has done dying with sharpies. We used silk scarves from Dharma Trading- which are just a few $ if you buy a lot. You can make it look like a watercolor painting. I didn't realize it would work on ponte. But I suppose if you can set the color, of course it will work. It is fun.
ReplyDeletePatricia - I never even thought about whether or not the sharpies would work on the ponte knit! It worked well though and I'm definitely going to use it on a top I want to make since it's a cool technique.
DeleteYou are a great mom and grandma! I hope you blog about the sequin make for your daughter. I have some sequin material and have never sewn on sequins so am a bit intimidated. Am glad to hear you are looking at more long dusters. I remember one that you sewed that looked fabulous on you!
ReplyDeleteRegarding the Sharpie technique - it works great on silk scarves, and for them it didn't matter what % our alcohol was. But for other fabric, the higher the percentage, the better the watercolor looking result. You may have to search a bit, but the 90% worked a charm. The dollar store only had 50%, some stores had like 70%. So find the 90% if you can.
ReplyDeleteAlso, the darker the color, the less it ran. Black, dark blue, and dark green didn't hardly do anything. The red and purple were so-so. All your center colors will do really well. Definitely experiment with the two end ones on each end.
I didn't try it on ponte, but tried it on several other things. For our experiments we ironed the fabric to freezer paper (to provide stiffness to draw on), and then drew with sharpies and sprayed alcohol on them with a spray bottle. Cotton, felt, t-shirt knit, heavier silk, heavier cotton. The scarf silk had the best result, but the rest were interesting too. Felt was boring - not much watercolor effect, but I think you'd almost have to dip it or soak it.
For my silk scarves, the color rubbed off (onto skin, other clothing, hands, etc.) until I heat set it. I'm not sure how you'd do that (or if you'd need to) with ponte. I'm looking forward to a full report! ;)
Can't wait to see all your un-selfish sewing. Your daughter is a lucky lady!
I teach in an arts based preschool. I have done the sharpies with young children over a coffee can with handkerchiefs, old sheets, anything that would fit over the top of the can. We used pipettes (eye droppers) to put drop the rubbing alcohol onto the fabric. It is amazing what they choose to draw and combine on the fabric! We've utilized the fabric as tops they have made and make pillows that they get to stuff! They are proud of the end result.
ReplyDeleteEspecially when I took my machine in and let them "drive" it. They got to run the foot pedal while I guided. I hope some of them caught the sewing bug!
I will have to check out the sharpie tie-dye looks like a great technique.
ReplyDeleteI'm planning some fall sewing also, mainly tops and that transition from summer into fall for work.
Cannot wait to see your grand daughter's school clothes :)
ReplyDeleteLucky you to have a daughter who actually wants you to make children's clothes. I can't wait to see what you make !
ReplyDeleteThose ponte knits are really nice.
ReplyDeleteI'm gonna have to give FabricMart a try. I'm so scared to buy fabric online. I can't wait to see all the clothes you make for your grandkids. Your family is so blessed to have you.
ReplyDeleteOlivia - the thing about Fabric Mart is that you can return fabrics you don't like. Also, the quality is better or just as good as what you're finding at Joann's. You should give them a try!
DeleteI loved sewing for my kids. I still love sewing for my kids. I have a set of light blocking curtains to wrap up for my college son (he didn't take the machine with him to the frat, worried he'd just be 'the sewing guy'. Fool! That guy is the cool guy!) And a stack of shirts for the other (who I let shop my stash. Which makes me the nicest mom in town).
ReplyDeleteSo which jeans are you finding that fit you? I can either sew a pair or take a pair apart to fit me. Same amount of labor (tho the RTW fabric is a little better for stretch). The waistband alteration in the newest Threads is my standard rebuild.
I found some on HSN with the elastic waist that I had to take the back waist in but to me that's very little effort and I've bought some from The Avenue and Jessica London. Again, only needing to make adjustments to the waist but two darts in the back waist to get some wearable bottoms is worth it to me! But my standards for jeans fit is probably different from the rest of the population, too!
DeleteOh I love the tie dye method, the samples on your Pinterest board are very nice, I might have to try this if so I'll credit you as my inspiration.
ReplyDeleteThat's the nice thing about belonging to a community of sewists...there's always something to share. Some commonality that exists between us. I've been sewing for others for the last couple of projects. I've gotten bored with sewing for myself. There's not much else that I really need...so unselfish sewing it is. I know your daughter appreciates your help with the grands!! I've made a few things for our granddaughter but have not yet made her any dresses! Soon and very soon. Thanks for the post. Feels good to relate. Friday's off during the summer??? Pretty sweet!!! Take care!!!
ReplyDeleteVery good idea!!!
ReplyDeleteVery interesting about the Sharpie painting !! I too am doing selfless sewing at the moment but have a few things to blog about but can't seem to make myself get photos taken Always enjoy reading your thoughts and plans Carolyn !
ReplyDeleteSewing for your grands will make for a great diversion from selfish sewing. Will they be all dresses or pull-on-pants, and tops too. I love using my sharpies for drawing onfabric.. definitely do it.
ReplyDeleteSheila - I'm making leggings and skinny jeans (that's what Sunday's fitting was about), t-shirts, dresses (both t-shirt and regular) and a cardigan or two for each. The BurdaStyle has a pattern for a hoodie but I don't know if I can handle searching for the pattern pieces especially since looking for the jeans/leggings pieces about did me in!!!
DeleteThanks for the tips on both the Sharpie dyeing and shopping Fabric Mart. Have to try them both! Hope you will write about sewing your daughter's sequined dress (sounds interesting!) and your grand-babies' clothes as well. Love your blog!
ReplyDeleteI will blog about my daughters dress, as well as the granddaughter's clothing...modeled shots because they love to get their pictures taken.
DeleteCan't wait to see the result with Sharpie Tie-Dying! I might be doing this soon myself :)
ReplyDeleteI love planning - almost as much as I love sewing! It gives me inspiration to hear about others' sewing plans.
ReplyDeleteOoooh, I love your dyeing experiments! It's fun to sew for other people too, though there is a bit more pressure to get it all perfect. Sewing for children is the most fun out of everything though! xx :)
ReplyDelete