I'm Reading More Lately

As I've stated in several posts, I'm sewing less. And I'm okay with that because I create as I need now and it's enough.  So I've filled the sewing time with reading. If you're only here for the sewing tap out now. Cause I have lots of thoughts about the books I'm reading and how it's different now.

I believe the biggest difference is social media. Between BookTok and Bookstagram, I'm finding authors I never knew about. I've also changed the genre I'm reading. I was primarily a true crime, mystery/thriller, lifestyle, best seller novels reader. I've totally gone in the opposite direction.  Where before I maligned romance novels, now I'm chest deep in them.

I need the escapism they provide.  The world has been through so much in the last 3 years that escapism fare provides the perfect backdrop to the sh*tty things that we humans continue to inflict upon each other...without adding a global pandemic into the mix.

When I was younger romance novels were those little Harlequin Romance books with some bodice ripping, unbelievable characters and situations. Well things have changed in that genre. Not only are there a ton of new authors but the niches have changed too.  Fantasy Romance (vampires & werewolves & fairy lands), Magical Romance, Mafia Romance, LGBTQIA romance, Interracial Romance tales, Plus size Romance tales...it's enough to make your head spin.

There's also a ton of new authors with a myriad of writing styles, choosing to write about sex in a variety of ways. It's inspired a lot of conversations with my daughters. LOL!

Anyway, my reading has exploded.  I've read 63 books since January. I read when I commute, waiting for the doctor and dentist, and instead of spending evenings in front of the TV I'm curled up on the couch on weekends...pretty much all the dayum time.  One of my daughters said, I always have a book in hand now and that's true.

Who am I reading?  After 6 months of serious reading I've developed some favorites, Kennedy Ryan, Lucy Score, Talia Hibbert, TL Swan, Lauren Asher, Beverly Jackson, Brenda Jenkins and Taylor Jackson Reid. Though I have a few other new faves too. 

I follow quite a few bookstagrammers on IG as well as Oprah's book club, the Good Morning America book club, Amerie's book club and Reese Witherspoon's book club. I'm also on GoodReads with a small circle of friends. I like variety and it's nice to see so many books available and what my friends and others choose to read. 

Lastly, I purchase most of my books from either Amazon or Barnes & Noble, because there is nothing like walking into a bookstore and perusing what's there! Sort of like fabric shopping in a bricks & mortar store! I'm also reading off my Kindle App on my iPad which offers even more books!

That's what I'm doing instead of sewing. How about you?  Do you read?  If so, what genre do you like?  Any fave authors or books you'd like to share?

I promise more sewing content is coming because I've paired some patterns with fabric for a few new pieces to be sewn when I'm not reading! LOL!

...as always more later!

I'm a Camouflage Sewist

That's an intriguing title isn't it! Well what I mean is that when I learned to sew we "camouflaged" our "flaws" to give our garments a more perfect look. Now I know you're going what?  Aren't you out loud and proud about your body. The answer to that question is, "yes I am."

However, I also absolutely believe in a garment's silhouette.  Maybe it's my background in sewing or my college courses in design and silhouette. But to me silhouette is KING.  And a silhouette that covers a body part but enhances the garment is even KINGLIER to me.

I'm fat. I've gotten fatter due to health issues and the pandemic. I know I should do something about it but while I can still clothe myself and get amazing garments that are complimented in these streets, I'm gonna sew first!  

I have old lady fat arms and lately I've been sewing more sleeved rather than sleeveless garments. As an aside, I can also tell you that the Style Arc Nova will probably be worn with a short sleeve cropped sweater.

Anyways, I'm finding I like an interesting sleeve especially when it works with the dress design. It gives the garment a cleaner, more sophisticated look. 

Dress Length ~

My dresses are all maxi length these days to hide my swelling ankles. Some days they're fine and some days they look like extra tires around my ankles.  This swelling is due to the medication I'm on so they're here to stay and an inconvenience I can manage.  A maxi dress hides that and doesn't allow anyone to question why my circulation is doing weird things!

Waistline - what's that?  

Yeah mine has been gone for some time! So I sew garments that emphasize my bustline and make me feel fierce. I sew a lot of shirtdresses and the key to making them work for me is the "waistline" seam is raised on all of them. Even if I like a pattern and the waistline seam is lower, I shorten the bodice piece then add the amount back to the skirt.

Accessibility ~ 

Making pieces easy to get in and out of is very important to me. I've discussed this before because aging has made some things harder to do. So easily accessible clothing is necessary for my peace.

I've been sewing for 50+ years now. I've sewn through all the stages of my life.  Teenager, college student, young working woman, motherhood, wife, middle ages and now as I head into retirement. My body has changed with each stage of my life and I've adjusted my sewing to match it. This is why I think of myself as a Camouflage Sewist. I make my garments fit and enhance my body as I move through the stages of life.

So what about you?  Has your body changed during your sewing journey?  Have you changed techniques, pattern types, views, etc. to make clothing work for you now?

This is the Question of the Day.  So talk back to me!

...as always more later!

Why I Shop Online

I'm a planner but I had to go to one of the big box stores because I needed some supplies in a hurry.  My projects are usually well thought out and everything acquired before I start. However, this project was a whim. See I'm allowing myself a little latitude with my sewing now to make it more enjoyable and less structured.

Anyway, because it was later in the day, my choices are Wal-Mart, Hobby Lobby or in my world the dreaded Joanns.  I avoid Wal-Mart like the plague because of the crowds. I'm still Covid shy around a lot of people especially people who are no longer required to wear a mask.  Hobby Lobby comes with so many moral dilemmas that I always feel so unclean after a visit. 

I decided to get over myself and try Joann's online site to see if I could get what I needed at the store closest to me.  I will say that Joann's online experience is why I shop online.  It was easy to do.  Clear about the stock in the store (which I was concerned about) and online, and check out was a breeze even with choosing the store option.  The follow up emails were on time and filled with information I needed.

So I bought the items and choose the pick up in store option. I knew I was going to need to go into the store because I wanted to "see" a few things before purchasing.

My daughter and I got there around 7pm which was perfect because the store wasn't that busy.  Remember my Covid shyness. I wore a mask but there were few people wearing them...my daughter included. This store didn't look like the ones I'd seen on social media.  The fabric selection was small and jammed in with the quilting and home dec fabrics in a corner of the store.  More space was definitely given to crafts and furniture stuff.

Also the service was uneven.  The cutting table person was so-so. We had to find her because she was talking with another sales person.  But the cashier was amazing.  Patient, informative on coupon codes - which ones could be used, and very pleasant.  It wasn't a horrid experience but it was nothing I would rave about and/or tell others to experience...and yes, I shared that with Joann's.

When I got home and laid my purchases out, it really gave me an understanding of why I shop online.

1. My selection online is vast and limitless.

I can literally buy from anywhere in the US, Canada, worldwide actually. I just have to be okay with waiting for it.

2.  I don't have to leave my home to do it.

Anytime, I feel the need I can surf the web for whatever I want. And Google is my friend...it sends me in a myriad of directions to find what I'm looking for.  I just have to make time to search.

3.  I don't have to deal with people.

With or without a mask, without their biases and bad day attitudes, the computer doesn't judge me, wonder if my credit card is stolen or not, or if I have enough credit to purchase my items...the computer just takes my information and processes it.  Now this is not to say I'm a fan of non-human interaction or AI, but sometimes not dealing with a human is worth it especially during these endemic times.

4.  I get to decide how quickly I want my purchase.

Do I want to spend extra on shipping to get it faster or not?  Is this shop so far away that no matter how fast the shipping choice, I will need to wait weeks for it. Am I supporting a small business or another big box store?

The caveat to this is that I have to plan my purchases. When I'm making a garment, I either have to have the supplies on hand or make time for them to arrive.  That's even true with my forays into the NYC Garment District.  While I work in the district, I still make a list before heading out to buy.  Even though there are a few stores no longer in business, the selection is vast, and I can spend my entire lunch hour looking at fabric, buttons or notions.

The experience at Joann's only made me long for my computer, phone, iPad even more.  I will continue to shop online and wait for the UPS, FedEx, or mailman to deliver my treasures.  How about you?  Do you shop online or in-person?  If so, why?  Also, do you have a local fabric store that you can shop at to help you get everything you need for your projects?  This is my Question of the Day, so talk back to me.

Also, if you're using ANONYMOUS would you mind leaving your name at the end of the post!  It helps if I'd like to reply to you.  THANKS!

...as always more later!

Sewing to Save Money

That title is a controversial subject in the Sewing Community.  Probably because the prevailing wisdom is that you do not save money sewing for yourself. So how did this become a thought expressed by many non-sewists.

That answer is easy, because in my generation, sewing did save you money.  Sewing machines were prevalent in all households and clothing and home goods were repaired until they couldn't be. Then and only then did you venture out to purchase new.  Clothing for both adults and children were altered to hand down or reuse...and since new clothing was expensive, it was cheaper to make your own instead of buying new.

Back when sewing was a part of every junior and high school curriculum and valued as a life skill, there were no H&Ms, no Century 21s, Walmart's, Amazon or any of the other current places where fast fashion is sold.  You either paid hard earned money for it, made it yourself or had it made for you.

Most small towns had a local fabric store...not Walmart's. Where you went and purchased a pattern, fabric and notions to take home and make your garment.  Simplicity, McCalls & Vogue were the patterns offered. Simplicity was the easiest to use and Vogue Patterns more advanced with designer offerings. As an aside, I remember how proud I was when I purchased my first Vogue Pattern and the clerk at the store asking me if I was ready.  I was 17 at the time and it was Diane Von Furstenberg pattern. Back in those days, you could purchase fabric from the major department stores like Macy's and Marshall Fields...because as a young working woman I did!

For years, well into my middle age, sewing did save me money on clothing for me and my girls.  Yes, I did own a sewing machine (mid-range that I saved for) and a serger (a Christmas gift from my Father), a very small stash of fabric and patterns (because 99cent pattern sales hadn't been marketed yet) and a few notions. Dayum I remember when our local fabric/craft chain, The Rag Shop, put patterns on sale 2 for $5 and you could only buy 4 at a time.  I would make one purchase, go out to the car settle my stuff in and then head back in to buy 4 more.  That was big savings in those days!

And Lord when I found a Fabric Mart ad in the back of a Threads Magazine which I didn't subscribe to because it was too expensive an output for a year's subscription - well at least my ex-husband thought so!  So I bought them bimonthly as I could afford them. Anyway Fabric Mart had an ad for a mail subscription service where they sent you FREE fabric samples and the last page was the bargain page.  Yards of quality fabric for $1 a yard.  Y'all my work clothing came from those back page for YEARS!

All this to say that I understand where the thought comes from AND I do believe even now you can sew to save money. It's a lot smaller than what presently consumes our lives.  We didn't own a multitude of tools and honestly you don't need to.  You don't need several patterns from EVERY pattern collection that drops from the Big4 or several of the Indie patterns.  You don't need thread in every hue, yards of stabilizer in every weight, a multitude of pressing tools to create beautiful garments. You don't even need a collection of fabric to sew ~ yes, I'm pointing at myself with that one.

You need the basics:

- A good medium priced sewing machine and if you can afford it a medium priced serger

- A good pair of scissors or rotary cutter

- A good cutting mat IF you go the rotary cutter route

- 1 package of good hand sewing needles

- 1 multi package of sewing machine needles

- A tape measure, seam gauge, pkg. of multi purpose pins, pin cushion, some marking tools

- A package of basic thread (the collections they sell now)

- 4 spools each of black, grey, white serger thread

- A good sewing book and access to You-Tube for other sewing videos

- A couple of yards of fabric

Photo Credit:  The Sewing Korner

You can create quite comfortably this way.  I did for years minus the YouTube portion.  I had an Iron and Ironing board and got creative with towels and dowels (leftover from my Father's workshop) to use for pressing. I had no sewing room and kept my tools in a plastic bin (not even a sewing box because the plastic bin was cheaper) under a folding table that was put up in the corner of my dining room.  Everything was stored under that table and the sewing machines were covered so they weren't noticeable.  Probably why I can't bring myself to cover my machines now...but I digress.

All of this to say, that you can't sew to save money is a point of view.  Like many things in the Sewing Community...it's just a point of view...whether you agree or disagree.  BTW, I did write about this 11 years ago on the blog.  Linking to the blog post here if you want to see a cute picture of my youngest daughter. Interesting that this is still a discussion in the sewing community, though.

So thoughts?  Stories to share about how you learned to sew vs. how you sew now? Do you have a lot of tools or do you take a more sparse approach? Have you always had a sewing room? Finally do you need all the bells and whistles to create?  This is the Question of the Day so talk back to me...

...as always more later!

Do You Presew?

There hasn't been a "Question of the Day" posted in awhile so I thought it was time to have a good question to discuss.  See as I was choosing fabrics and matching patterns for my next cutting session, I started to ponder on this.  I realize that I think about the cutting and sewing process as I'm making my project choices.

To me my most successful projects are when I've thought out the pattern alterations, how I'm going to cut the fabric out and the sewing order BEFORE I've done a thing. I do a lot of "presewing" way before I ever get to my sewing machine to do any actual sewing. And as I was working through my next set of projects starting with making a "To Sew List", I wondered if anyone else presews?

Of course this leads to several more questions.

1. As previously discussed, do you cut one project at a time or do you make a cut pile?
2. If you make a cut pile, how many projects are normally in the cut pile?
3. When you're cutting out your project, do you compartmentalize the process?  You know only thinking about one task at a time?
4. Or do you visualize your project all the way to the end ~ again presewing?

As always, I'm interested in hearing/reading your and hope you will share them with me.  So talk back to me about the "Question of the Day - Do You Presew?"

...as always more later!

 

The Changeover has happened

Is it just me or does it seem as if more sewists are sewing with Indie Patterns?  Is this another off shoot of 2020 and how it's changed our lifestyles?  I know I've written about this topic before, quite a few times actually, but especially here. And some of the makes I've made recently and like most are made from an Indie Pattern.

Fifteen versions of the Deer & Doe Myosotis Dress

I've noticed that on Instagram there are way more Indie Patterns shared, at least in the sewists I follow, than Big 4. When Indie Patterns first showed up they had a casual lifestyle feel to them that didn't reflect my own life. As I've changed jobs and now due to a pandemic live at home for everything, my own wardrobe needs have changed. Needs that are being met more by the Indie Pattern designers than the Big 4.

Some days I even wonder if the Big 4 are going to survive?  There are now quite a few Indie Patterns for fat girls by fat girl designers AND quite a few of the Indie Pattern designers have sized their patterns up to larger sizes, 30+. Then there was that whole fiasco with the McCalls printing plant being shut down due to hackers which stopped EVERYONE from printing patterns!

Indie Patterns and PDF printing that seemed as if it would never be the mainstream seems to be all anyone talks about and uses now. I've even bought and had some PDF patterns printed and shipped to me.

So this is the first Question of the Day for 2021?  Have you noticed a change in your wardrobe due to the pandemic?  And if so, are you filling the need with items you're sewing from RTW, Big4 or Indie Patterns?

My sewing is changing too. This is what's on my cutting table right now...

Talk back to me!  Let me know how you ended your sewing in 2020 and how you're moving into 2021?

Also, thank you to everyone who responded to my last couple of posts! I know I've been posting erratically and so appreciate that y'all keep showing up!

...as always more later!

Are you buying patterns?

I'm asking because I haven't bought new patterns from either the Big 4 or the Indie Pattern companies in months. A little of it is the pandemic (cause I did want three of the new Simplicity patterns) and the fact that in my area all of the fabric stores are closed and I'm avoiding Walmart! Way too many people in Walmart for my comfort.

The other part is except for some Friday Pattern Company styles, there's been nothing I really wanted from the Big 4 or Indie pattern makers. I've been a faithful purchaser of patterns from the Big 4 for the last 40 years. So I own a TON of patterns. I even have a good collection of recent Indie patterns like FPC, Cashmerette, True Bias, Sew Liberated and Grainline Studio. I don't own any of the indie PDF pattern companies...cause PDF.

Never mind the vintage patterns (60s and 70s) I've collected, as well as, the older Indie Patterns, I bought in the 80s. There is a lot of pattern goodness stashed in the sewing cave.

While I understand why the pattern companies continue to churn out patterns, I'm not buying. One ~ because I no longer believe I'm their target customer. Two ~ because if I really look in the pattern collection I probably already own something like it. Now I know it seems if the online sewing community thrives on being able to use the same pattern you've sewn, however, this is no longer my journey.

My birthday is in a few days and I realized that I will be 70 in 9 years.  I need to rethink how I'm allocating my resources especially since my sewing cave is fully loaded. The pandemic has proven that to me. I need to settle into the items I've collected and use them. I possess the skills to make alterations to patterns so they look up-to-date. Then there are the hundreds of patterns I own that are still current but unused.

So I'm not buying new patterns.  Are you?  And if so, Indie or Big4 or a combination of both? The pandemic has really done a number on our ability to acquire supplies that we need to sew, so I'm wondering, are you buying patterns?  This is the Question of the Day so talk back to me.

New makes are up next on the blog, I promise! LOL!


...as always more later!

Sewing Shortcuts

As I was working on the dresses, I realize that I normally do a few things that make my sewing go faster.

Things like:
1. I wind two bobbins when I start a project.

2. I pull all the items I need to complete a project before I start - that means not only are fabric and pattern(s) chosen but notions (zipper/buttons/interfacing) and contrasting fabrics. 

3. I sew as many seams together as possible before I head to the iron.

4. When sewing on shank buttons, I thread 2 needles so I don't have to stop in the middle, especially when I'm sewing a large number of buttons onto the garment.

5.  Other buttons are sewn on by machine.

6.  I keep my basic colors of thread (white, black, brown, navy) in minimum 2 spools but I like to keep them stocked at 3-4 spools.

7.  I buy threads both sewing machine and serger on sale in larger spool sizes.

8.  I have a steam generator iron but it doesn't work in the sewing cave without blowing a fuse so I'm still ironing/pressing with my Rowenta. So before every big sew, I fill up all my water bottles so I don't have to keep going upstairs to have enough water to refill my iron.

Those are a few of the things I do to make sewing easier and a little faster when I start a project or a sewing binge.  How about you? What tricks do you have to make your sewing go a little faster?  This is the Question of the Day so talk back to me!

...as always more later!

Things I'm Grateful for during the Pandemic - Sewing Edition

A couple of days ago, I posted things I was grateful for to my IG account. I did this because I truly believe that things don't change in your situation until you change.  So while the president has decided that staying at home should end in about 2 weeks, I believe I will be here a little longer than that because the Governors of NY and NJ have different ideas.

As I was hemming my Simplicity Flame Topper, I realized that I had quite a few things to be grateful for sewing wise.  So this is the Sewing Edition of my IG post.

I'm grateful for ~

Broadly I'm grateful for a fully stocked sewing cave, specifically...
1. All the fabric I've bought and stored over the years
2. Notions and buttons bought and stored
3. That I'm obsessive about thread colors and have stored all the colors
4. My Wawak thread chart that I've used to buy all the colors
5. Working sewing machines and sergers
6. That the electricity is still working so I can sew away
7. That the internet is on so I can write blog posts and communicate with my sewing friends.
8. For my pattern stash - cause I own a lot of patterns so can make whatever my mind dreams up
9. For Amazon that's still delivering - yeah I ordered some sewing related products the other day.
10. I'm especially grateful for all of you continuing to read my blog and conversate with me and others!

But mostly I'm grateful that I'm still here, still able to sew, in good health and practicing #sewstayhome.

So tell me...what are you grateful for...sewing edition! This is the Question of the Day...so talk back to me!


...as always more later!  

Do You Appreciate the Garments You've Made?

I wore this little topper a lot this summer.  While we did get a heatwave in late July/early August, the warm weather took it's time arriving.  It also seemed to disappear all too quickly...making light layers needed earlier and longer.  However, as many times as I've grabbed this topper this summer, I've yet to make another one.

The Little Somthing Jacket

I was wearing it the other day and looked down at my sleeve hems. There was three rows of stitching to hold the hem down. Honestly, I was impressed that I took the time to make sure the hem was stable and it laid correctly.

I have to say this little topper is full of amazing construction details. I'm proud that it's worn often and has held up to the wearings. Has this ever happened to you? Have you ever worn an older garment you've made and noticed a technique or pattern match that you did and had forgotten about?  Did the attention to detail inspire you or make you proud?

This is the Question of the Day so talk back to me!

...as always more later!

Do you have a Back Up Sewing Machine?

I strongly believe in having a back up sewing machine. I've had one for years. When I had a mid-range sewing machine, I'd keep the older machine I upgraded. So if/when something happened to my new sewing machine, I would have something to sew on while my machine went to the shop. 

Luckily, I've never had one die on me. I'm just not revisiting that time my apartment burned and I lost both my sewing machine and serger...probably when having a back up became really important to me...because I didn't sew for months!

Recently my back up machine has been living in PA because I'm lazy and don't want to carry it back and forth to Sew Camp on public transportation. So when my 8900 QCP started having challenges, I panicked. The back up was hours away if something was seriously wrong with my baby.

At the time I started looking at the Janome Skyline series. Then I took my sewing machine to be serviced at this amazing repair shop, Paramus Sewing Center. I breathed a sigh of relief when they fixed it right away. However, the machine I was looking at went on sale over the Labor Day weekend for a good price and I bought it.

It's the Skyline 3 - the lowest number and most basic of the series. However, it has all of the features I want in a back up machine...and it's a Janome. I'm just not into changing brands especially since I really like the Janome brand. My last three machines have been Janomes.

I've already taken it for a test drive and the stitch quality is exactly what I've come to expect on a Janome. There are some differences between this one and my 8900 - the workspace is smaller, there's no light underneath and there are way fewer stitches. But it does make an automatic buttonhole. I really like how they've improved loading the bobbin and winding it. It comes with a number of feet that I use constantly and if I want a few more I can always purchase them off Amazon.

BTW, I'm not hyping these sewing machines and I'm NOT encouraging you to purchase one. I just like sewing on these TOL machines which is my preference.  If you bond with another machine by all means, purchase what you love...whether it be vintage, mid-range, industrial or another brand.  

Now while I really want to upgrade to the Janome 9450, I've planned a trip to London in 2020 and want that way more than a new expensive sewing machine. Well right now that is! LOL! I'm thrilled that I have a new back up machine to pair with my main one. I don't handle not having a sewing machine well and this means I don't have to go without.

So this is the Question of the Day.  Do you have a back up machine? Is it of the same quality as your main sewing machine? Or is it lower in the series? Is it even in the same sewing machine family? If you don't have a back up machine why? Is it because you haven't considered owning on? Or what?

Talk back to me because this is the Question of the Day and I'm really interested in your answers.

...as always more later!

Do You Sharpen Your Scissors

My "Question of the Day" is 'Do you sharpen your scissors?'

The reason I ask is because I was on Amazon looking at Kai Scissors.  Scissors that I'd looked at on Wawak before scoping out the cheapest price point on Amazon. I realized then that when my scissors are dull...I just buy more. SERIOUSLY.  And the really whack part of this is that I bought one of those scissor sharpeners and used it about three times.

Now I don't throw my duller scissors out. They migrate. I use them to cut out wrapping paper, or put them in that kitchen catch all drawer, or in the craft box the grandkids use when they come over. I even keep a pair for just paper cutting in the sewing cave.  I know I should be having them sharpened but honestly since I don't go to the craft store, I have no idea where else I can get them sharpened...y'know besides that scissor sharpener I own. Which has been discontinued...mmmmmm.

Anyway, I love the Kai Scissors depicted above and I really WANT another pair...especially since they're just $14.39 for a pair from Amazon...when they're $22 at Wawak. As I sit here debating whether I need a new pair or should just try sharpening the old pair, I thought I would ask y'all.

So, do you have your scissors sharpened?  And if so, where?  Finally does it cost more than the $14.39 it's gonna cost me to buy a new pair of Kai Scissors.  Talk back to me because inquiring minds and all that...

...as always more later!

Do you shop around?

Hey everyone!  I'm in the mood to fabric shop and it's all due to the fact that my birthday is this month and all of the birthday discounts are falling into my mailbox. Let me stop here and say I don't usually make a big deal about my birthday online. My family and friends know when it is and celebrate me and that's enough. All that to say, I'm not telling when it is so don't ask! *LOL*

Back to the point of this post - I'm looking at a variety of online fabric shops scoping out what I want to use my discount(s) and birthday money on. I was looking at a new to me online site and realized they were selling one of my favorite fabric brands ~ Telio. While the price they're charging per yard isn't exorbitant, I thought I wonder what sewandsew is selling it for. So I moseyed on over and found it's a few dollars cheaper on their website. 

I'm deliberately leaving names off because this post isn't to shame or disparage any online fabric stores. The point of this post is to ask if you shop around online and compare prices? I do this constantly...but then I love to shop for fabric online and I know a bunch of sewists don't. I'm always amazed at sewists who only have "the fleece craft store" near them that don't shop online. Yes, I've heard all the arguments about the need to touch it. I just think you're limiting yourself by not being willing to see what the interwebs hold for you.

Aside from that, the Question of the Day is, "Do you shop around for fabrics" and one more "Do you comparison shop for sewing tools and sewing machines online, too?" I'm really curious so leave a comment below whether you do or don't.

BTW, I am buying fabric from both places...just one is getting a larger order because their price per yard is quite a bit cheaper!

...and here is my latest Dover Jacket so far...

...as always more later!

Do you sew fast?

I know, I know you think I mean do you finish garments quickly!  But nope not talking about that.

I'm asking, "Do you run your sewing machine on the fastest setting?" See my sewing machine has a slow, medium and fast setting on it. I've set mine to sew almost as fast as my machine can go. I've sewn with it on this setting for the last 3-4 years.

Just recently I moved it back to the medium setting. I've started sewing slower to get more control over my projects as they go under the needle. I'd never thought about it before. I just wanted to sew as fast as my machine would go to get to the end of the project. However, when I was applying the lace on my Black Ponte Jacket, I had to slow down to be more accurate.

By slowing down I noticed that I gained so much more control over my project and my sewing machine. It made me wonder why was I speeding through garments before?  Didn't I realize the power of accuracy I was giving up?

So here's the "Question of the Day?" Is your machine set at it's fastest sewing speed?  If not, what setting is it set at? And if you sew really fast, are you accurate? Do you feel like you could be more accurate if you changed your sewing machine setting?

Me, I've changed the setting on my sewing machine. I've slowed down. I've gained some more control and I'm seeing better results in my finished garments.

Talk back to me...cause I'm really interested!

...as always more later!

Do you?

Do you cut out a pile of garments to be sewn and then sew from the pile?

It was something I tried back in my early 20s.  I cut out a large pile of garments. Before I got to the bottom of the pile, I was totally turned off and didn't want to sew the garments. It probably didn't help that I did it during the summer when I was working. By fall I had to change living arrangements and my job so the things I cut had lost their appeal.  

Fabric & patterns were more precious to me then (having less disposable income) so I was majorly disappointed when the fabric sat unused and eventually got thrown away because I was no longer that size.

I developed a policy never to cut out piles of garments again. Basically I've lived the cut one, sew one policy for decades. However, earlier this summer, I cut out four projects and managed to sew my way through all of them. I was bitchin' by the end of the pile but I did get them all sewn.

It made me look at and think about my sewing differently. See I always have sooooooo many projects on my to-sew list. Then there are the ideas that float in and out that never make it to my list but tickle me creatively. A couple of weeks ago I was drowning in sewing ideas. There were so many projects demanding my attention. I needed to do something more about it then just write them on a list. 

So one evening I headed to the sewing cave and pulled fabric and placed them with patterns. The next evening I pulled notions and trims to go with each project. Even making a list of a few items that I needed to purchase from Pacific Trimmings. Though in actuality, after searching the notions stash, I found everything but two things which made me happy...so very happy that I'd shopped the stash first. 

Now that I'm working in the garment district again, I find it's so easy to head to M&J or Joyce Trimmings or Pacific Trimmings that I'm neglecting the very LARGE notions stash I own. I'm glad I looked before I bought this time!

Then I started cutting. Most of what I'd paired with fabric was TNT patterns...items I'd sewn before with success. Each cut garment was paired with it's notion and pattern, then piled on the cutting table. I'm presently sewing my way through the pile. Instead of the angst I thought I would feel so far I'm not bored with the pile. Then again I'm still in the beginning stages of sewing the pile so we will see how I feel as I near the bottom of it. Though I am encouraged since I'm only working Monday of Thanksgiving Week and then it's four weeks until Christmas Break, so I have plenty of sewing time coming up.

This brings me to my "Question of the Day."  Do you pre-cut piles of fabric/garments to sew?  If you do, how many do you cut at a time?  Do you do it seasonally?  Have you been successful with this type of sewing? Also, do you worry about ending up with UFO's? If you don't, why not?  Do you have the same concerns I use to have?  Or do you just prefer the one off sewing? 

This is the Question of the Day, so talk back to me. I'm really interested in hearing your answers to the questions. Oh and here is a good place to say, that I understand why you read my blog on a reader (i.e. bloglovin') but I don't check my account there often, so if you leave a comment or ask a question I probably won't see it.

There are finished garments up next on the blog because pics are being taken tomorrow.

...as always more later!

Are you a Big 4 or Indie Sewist?

This is a constant conversation in the sewing community.  At times it can be as polarizing a conversation as whether we call ourselves sewers or sewists. There are zealots on both sides of the divide - some sewists swear by an indie pattern for directions, trends, patterns that highlight their lifestyle, easy downloads vs. the Big4 where there's always the "ease" conversation, lack of clarity in the instructions, sizing, etc.

So let's talk about this. First lets define Indie patterns and Big4 patterns ~ the Big4 are Simplicity, Vogue, McCalls & Butterick and I would even throw in Kwik Sew here since they are all owned by CSSI. For this discussion we're just not going to talk about the fact that all of those pattern companies mentioned are now under one umbrella.

Indies are anything that doesn't fall under that umbrella. I understand that since there are so many new indie pattern designers on the market, we sometimes forget that they stand on the shoulders of the indie designers that came before them. Many who are still designing.

If you will allow me a minute, I would like to pay homage to one of my favorite indie designers who has passed on...

Fred Bloebaum who designed LaFred Patterns 

Fred didn't produce a lot of patterns but they were basics with an interesting twist that could be sewn over and over again.  Actually an entire wardrobe could be made from her patterns by choosing your fabrics carefully.

So this is the Question of the Day.  Do you prefer Indie Patterns or the Big4 and why? If Indie, what are your favorite pattern lines?  They don't have to be the newest, brightest and shinest ones to qualify. I mean if you're a Loes Hinse woman for example, speak up and let us know why. Or if you prefer one of the newer indie designers like True Bias, let us know and why? Finally, if you're like me and sew primarily the Big4, tell us why.  Truly I want to know!

This is the Question of the Day so thanks for talking back to me!

...as always more later!

Destashing...

As noted in the Baltimore DeStash blog post, I gave away 45.5 yards and as a I rumbled through my fabric collection, I realized that I was ready to let go of quite a bit more of my collection.

There are several reasons for this:
1. I've run out of storage space.
2. My daughter who has always eagerly anticipated getting my fabric collection looked at me a couple of weeks ago and told me that this was too much for her to handle getting rid of...what?!
3. I've admitted to myself that I'm NEVAH going back to Corporate America especially since I love my day job and hope to retire from this amazing workplace.

So while I only donated 45.5 yards to Baltimore Destash, I made arrangements with someone from a local high school to donate 150 yards of my "corporate fabrics." I did make sure to include some knits, poly blends and shirtings, fabrics young people would like to sew.

The bags sitting in the dining room waiting to leave!

 

One of the fabric shelves rearranged and with room on them!

Honestly this was a larger task than I'd anticipated. While I thought I would be ruthless going through the shelves, I was actually more attached to some of the fabrics than I realized. *sigh* So initially it took a lot to comprehend that even though it's beautiful fabric and I love it...it needed to go. As I said, I love my fabric collection but it's supposed to be a resource that I use and am inspired by...not just a place for fabric to come and die.  

First bag of donated fabrics

Now I know some of you have never understood the collection and why it was necessary to my creative well-being. I'm sure you're also thinking you were right about me having too much but in all honesty, the bulk of the collection is going nowhere. I'm just pruning and making it more usable for me and future sews, sorta like what a good plant owner does to their plants. I'm also determined that I can access all of the fabric that presently lives here which I was unable to do before losing the 200+ yards from the collection.  As I type that I totally understand that this is the amount of fabric in some sewists stashes.

Second bag of donated fabrics - including some 

beige/brown fabrics not shown

While I was determined to get some of my fabric piles from behind the cutting table onto the shelves that didn't happen. I did gain a lot of space on the shelves but not an entire shelf as I had envisioned.  I've had denim sitting in a corner on a box that I would rather have shelved, so I know what I have. While that didn't happen, I think I've found another portion of the cave that I can clean up and move the denim. Now to take some precious sewing time to make it happen.

Last pile of fabrics before bagging

I wanted a shirting space since I'm inspired to sew more shirts and shirtdresses now. I would like those pieces to be more visible and not scattered across the shelves. I did manage to accomplish that!

Included in the donation bags are some ITY knits because I'm admitting that I truly hate ITY knits on my plus size body and am donating quite a bit of them.  See this is about knowing who I am at this stage of my life and doing something about it...hahahahaha!

My challenge going forward is not to add huge amounts of fabric to the collection. I need to seriously use what I have on hand because there is some beautiful fabric on the shelves. Now I'm not saying that I won't buy pieces, I'm just not buying because it's pretty, because I'm emotional (mad, sad, stressed out), because there's space on the shelves for more or just because. 

I want my fabric buying to be as strategic as it's been in the last 18 months, things that I want in my wardrobe now...not in the future. So not only am I pruning the collection but I'm changing my buying habits too. My goal is for the collection to be a third to half less of it's present size by the time I retire. Long term goals yes but still in line with this post I wrote several years ago. 

Here are my monthly fabric in/out totals for June and July:

June:
Fabric in 35 yards
Fabric out 53.5 yards
As of June I had 16 more yards out than in 

July:
Fabric in 13 yards
Fabric out 169.5 yards (153 yds donated + 16.5 yds sewn)
Total yards out for July = 156.5

Finally I'm 172.5 yards more out than in for the year - thank goodness for that donation! I've given away 200 yards of fabric this year and am looking at another local high school to make another donation too. One of the things I loved in high school was the fabric pile that was donated for when I didn't have money to buy fabric. Hopefully I can provide that for another budding sewist.

Now I just need a couple months of no fabric in with only fabric out stats and I will feel like I'm truly accomplishing my goal of sewing down the collection. Here's hoping I can accomplish that since I truly love fabric sooooooooo much!

BTW, I'm also letting go of about 30 pairs of heels that I couldn't release earlier too.  I wear heels to church only so I just need some basic pairs. Plus my sneaker collection needs somewhere to rest besides my bedroom floor...life changes, y'know. 

So how about you? As your life changes does your fabric or pattern collection? Do you hold onto fabric or patterns that you're no longer sewing? Have you thought about donating these to others?  This is my Question of the Day...so talk back to me and tell me your thoughts!

...as always more later!

Do you ever feel like you don't sew enough?

I pose the question because if you're on Social Media (Instagram, Facebook, Blogs) it seems as if garment after garment passes our screens (phone, iPad, Computer) with different sewists turning out these amazing pieces in the blink of an eye!

Now I'm a pretty quick sewist but I do go through my dry spells.  Times when my mind thinks about sewing but I'm just not motivated to go through the act of actually constructing a garment. I also think I'm a pretty productive sewist but even I sometimes wonder how the other sewists get all of that sewing done.

I'm sure that I'm not alone with these thoughts. Especially since sewing is no longer a solitary thing. You make a garment now and you can discuss all the ins and outs of the pattern/fabric in a Facebook Group or ask a question on Instagram and get instanteous reactions.

So the Question of the Day is, "Do you ever feel like you don't sew enough?"  This can be compared to other sewists, your fabric collection, the new pattern collection releases, etc.

Talk back to me because this is the Question of the Day!

...as always more later!

Do your patterns talk to you?

I'm going to admit mine do!  When I take the tissue out of the pattern envelope (old school I know! but we are not discussing how much I dislike PDF patterns this go round!) I hear gentle whisperings. Do you?

I recently opened a new pattern - Simplicity 8302 - coming to the blog soon - and it whispered so sweetly to me. See based upon the pattern cover photos and the fabric I'd chosen, I had one idea of a dress to make. But once I started cutting out the pattern pieces a totally different version came into view.

A version that I swear was softly sung into my ear. It penetrated my brain and lit a spark in the creativity center of my brain. 

So I wanna know, do your patterns talk to you?  Is it only me?  Does it only happen with paper patterns or can you get this auditory sensation with pdf patterns too?

Talk back to me because this is my Question of the Day!

...as always more later!