First Fabric ~
I bought fabric. Well of course I did! *LOL* But continuing with my goals of 2019, I'm documenting all of my purchases here.
This first one was the deal of the day at Fabric Mart. It was $1.99 per yard and I bought it to see if it would make a pair of PJs. While I love the piece that showed up it is a little too sheer for pjs. I'm sure I have something else on the shelves that will work instead. I think I will use this for a summer dress/shirtdress.
The next three were Premium Member offers - linen/cotton blends for $5.99 per yard. I might not buy a lot of the regular deals but send me a Premium Member deal and I'm all over that! I used this type of fabric in my first Katie dress last summer. So when the email came through announcing the fabric sale, I showed some restraint and only added three pieces to the collection. The pieces currently aren't on the site but I will let you know when they show up.
Then there's this piece from Emmaonesock that I just had to have...
...and do you know that EOS has your entire buying history online? I found out tonight that I've been buying from them since 2005! And they have a listing by year of each piece of fabric I purchased from them.
That's how I found out that my Isaac Mizrahi shirt fabric was NOT from Fabric.com but from EOS. I've updated my blog post to reflect that fact. Also three of the pieces pictured above are still on my shelves...*sigh* And there are two twinsets made from Burda 8869 using fabric purchased from EOS that are still in my closet. The knit at the top (partially cut off) was made into this twinset and another twinset using the Jones NY bordered medallion print. I made a dozen of these twinsets in a variety of fabrics. I've sewn ALOT of garments!!! Thank goodness most of them have been memorialized here on the blog because they're no longer in my wardrobe.
Vogue Pattern Magazine ~
I'm sure all of us know that the McCalls Pattern Company and Simplicity Patterns was bought by CSS Industries a couple of years ago. Well besides good friends losing their jobs, now CSS Industries has decided to stop publishing the magazine. I found out on Ann's (Gorgeous Fabrics) Instagram post.
There was no notification given to subscribers. If you have a subscription and want your money refunded, you will have to contact them. I spent 20 minutes on the phone today, waiting for someone from Customer Service to speak to me and refund me my $25. One more thing, the refund is by check and the very curt rep could not tell me when the check would be cut and mailed.
If you want to contact customer service, here's the number 833.260.3378. Call and take the time to get your refund. BTW, I'm a little perturbed with this company right now and will be a lot more discriminating on sharing my dollars with them. Thanks Ann & tcsewhat for the information about this!
When did we stop using buttons and buttonholes?
I'm starting to think there's something wrong with me that I want a cardigan to close over me and to be secured with some buttons and buttonholes. I hate putting a heavier coat over one of these type cardis because it slides around and gets caught up in the layers.
This isn't just happening with sewing patterns. I've noticed it in RTW too! I mean the way the garment is photographed makes it look all cool and sexy...but am I the only person that has difficulty wearing them? So am I missing something? Can someone explain this look?
BTW, this isn't a condemnation of any pattern or RTW line. I'm just wondering why this is a popular look!
Pattern Giveaway ~
Finally, don't forget to enter the giveaway to win one of two pdf copies of the Dover Jacket from Blue Dot Patterns. Leave a comment on the last blog post. You have until Friday, February 22nd at 11:59pm EST.
I haven't been sewing much lately because I'm trying to finish up the last of the crocheted blankets for the grandkids. Three down and one more to go! That's what's been going on in my world...
...as always more later!
I miss the buttons also.
ReplyDeleteI was also sorry to hear about Vogue Patterns but not really surprised. I think most if not all of print media is having a hard time.
ReplyDeletePeter - I know print is having challenges now but I think of it in terms of jobs. How many more people now lose their job because CSS didn't try harder or come up with an alternate solution. Never mind the sucky customer service aspect...
DeleteI recently received a renewal notice from Vogue Patterns Magazine and tried to renew online but couldn't find a place to do that....so sent an email to them on how to renew online and got no reply....now I know why. I will miss the magazine.
ReplyDeleteI see why you HAD to have the piece from Emmaonesock. It is yummy.
ReplyDeleteThis is the first I am hearing about the Vogue Patterns magazine. Thanks for the heads up! Also, I love your fabric choices!
ReplyDeleteThe loss of buttons and buttonholes, and I am going out on a limb, are the result of fast fashion. Saves the manufacturer money and teaches the buying public fit doesn’t matter.
ReplyDeleteR - never thought about the fit aspect of it. To me wearing things without a button/buttonhole or some type of closure is just uncomfortable. Thank goodness I can sew!
DeleteTrends are now more important than fit AND comfort. I will be holding onto every button I have, because they will soon become novelties. I guess it is one more sign of the times.
DeleteI like buttons too, but in my climate they aren't usually actually missed so I can get buy. If I *had* to stay warm, though, I would want closures on everything.
ReplyDeleteSince it's snowing as I type this and we have about 3" on the ground already, yeah I need things to close! *LOL*
DeleteThanks for the info about the vogue mag. I knew it was discontinued - I didn't know I had to request a refund! I called - but they're closed today because of the storm. I did send an inquiry but will follow up with another phone call tomorrow.
ReplyDeleteThanks
Marcia
Marcia - get the feeling that the only way they're issuing refunds is by calling the customer service line. So I would definitely call tomorrow. If I don't have a refund in a month, I will be calling again.
DeleteWow! The Vogue magazine is a bit of a surprise to me. I didn't have a subscription, but I always saw it in craft stores and book stores, so I assumed it was doing well. Also, your fabric selections are so pretty! I also fell into the fabric buying trap recently... I would be ashamed except the pieces are so pretty! I'm waiting for my Fabric Mart order to arrive (shipping is always much longer to the other side of the country), but I also got some of the linen/cotton blends, in a different print. I'm super excited to see it when it arrives, it seems like such a cool fabric!
ReplyDeleteHonestly, the hand is so so when they arrive, kinda coarse. But once they go through the prewashing process they are much better. Just thought you should know that since I was initally disappointed with the first set - then washed and dried them and my opinion changed. Oh and use a color catcher in the prewash process. Some of my last batch gave off a lot of dye.
DeleteSpeaking of RTW not having buttons. Have you noticed the poor selection of buttons in the fabric stores. I am so glad I have a very large stash of buttons, because they are my go to buttons because the stores have nothing in colors and most are plastic (cheap looking)
ReplyDeleteShoediva60 - honestly I’m spoiled since I have access to the NYC Garment District. I can still find all kinds of buttons.
DeleteI think the reason for no closure is it is cheaper for the garment makers. Less fabric in the width, no closures, and less man hours for the sewing. I totally agree with you on them. It annoys me as I am walking along and they flap open. I will use a decorative pin as a closure. Jean
ReplyDeleteIt is not just RTW. A lot of coat and jacket patterns have no buttons or closures of any kind. Given that you only put them on if itis cold out it makes no kind of sense to me at all.
ReplyDeleteYes! Open cardigans and I do not get along! I ended up adding a button to a "waterfall" cardigan just to be able to make it close. I definitely think its a trend and weather issue. At 20degF, I need my jackets to all cozy up together properly :)
ReplyDeleteI almost bought that stripey rayon! When the Premium member email offer came in I chose one of the linen prints, and then they often trick me into buying more fabric than I need (or even want, sometimes) because I feel like I have to buy more pieces to make the price of shipping worth it. So I'm glad that I didn't buy it since you say it's sheer. (But it was only 1.99 ... maybe I should have anyway!!) (I have a problem :))
ReplyDeleteCoralee - I will see you in a couple of weeks. I will share some with you since I now only need enough for a blouse/shirt.
DeleteVery disappointing about Vogue Patterns Magazine. I went to look at CSS Industries, and they describe themselves as a "portfolio" company with a whole swathe of different craft things that they are into. I think it indicates that they are interested in "shareholder value" to the detriment of customer value. I think we will find the offerings and the attention to detail in the big 4 brand patterns deteriorating as things move forward. I used to subscribe to Vogue Patterns magazine, but decided to stop after I took my Threads subscription digital only a few years back because I was living overseas. But sad to see it go and also to feel that the historic options of McCalls, Vogue, Butterick, Simplicity are now a single monolithic company. I feel like your experience asking for a refund will be what we all will feel about the quality of product and service at that company. (SIGH), On the other hand, Emma One Sock . . . that's a place you feel like they know you and really care about you as a customer. Pam
ReplyDeleteWell now I'm sad. I was thinking of subscribing.
ReplyDeleteI totally agree with you on these no-button cardigans. RTW is like that, patterns are like that, even a lot of KNITTING patterns are like that. It may just be the trend of the moment, but I am a cynic and I strongly suspect that RTW is just trying to save money, and the pattern people of both sewing and knitting are catering to some weird notion that facings and buttonholes are haaaard (cue whiny voice) and to sell more patterns they are eliminating the 'hard' bits so they can call the patterns easy.
The problem is that in order to hang properly, the fronts need to be re-drafted so they hang right and most patterns have not been redrafted, just the placket or button band removed. Therefore, the hem edge pulls back and toward the side, and the mid chest sortof crawls toward your arms. If you don't tug it all back into place every three seconds, you end up with your gut and boobs sticking out and it appears that your sweater is three sizes too small. Belt it and all you'll have is a belt with a sweater front crawling away from the center front. I call it the Tom Kitten look. https://en.wikisource.org/wiki/The_Tale_of_Tom_Kitten#/media/File:Tom_kitten_cover_detail.png
It isn't a good look on anyone but the skinniest of minis, and even they have some gaposis.
I got a heavy knit RTW cardigan with the one-button idea. Tugged at it all day, then bought a zipper and put that right up the front. Worked a charm, and now it's a favorite.
I don't often button my sweaters- except when I put on my coat. Buttons help keep it on place under the outer coat layer. If I button a cardigan, its just the 1 top button. But that said, I would rather a cardigan that buttons in the front, even if I don't button it. With the current open trend and bands not meeting or overlapping at CF, the sweater flies open when I walk. irritating. So I won't be making too many more of these.
ReplyDeleteI was reading your thoughts on the no button cardigans, nodding along and misread
ReplyDelete"Can someone explain this look?" as "Can anyone escape this look?"
I am not sure either is possible...but I sure will try!
WOW ... Lovely fabric Carolyn! And I am just finding out about the magazines. I had to personally order the last one for memory sake :( FIESTA ANYHOW :)
ReplyDeleteThe great thing about sewing is that we are free to add or omit buttons and buttonholes as we see fit!
ReplyDeleteSitting down and catching up - buttons and buttonholes - no idea really. I add them, but rarely do them up - but I want the option. g
ReplyDelete