Archive | June, 2011

Again With the Rebecca Bra

25 Jun IMGP9811

Argh. As I suspected in my last bra post, I did in fact trace and sew the wrong size bra. I made a 70F when I should have started with a 70G. Boooo! In fairness, different websites put me in different European size bras.

I was suspicious because I didn’t have the coverage I wanted. When I went to compare pattern pieces, I saw I wrote ’70F’ on the pattern. Doh!

I also added an uneeded seam allowance to the bridge. This made the bridge way wide. So, my hot pink muslin really was just a muslin. In addition, I didn’t have enough coverage in this version because it was an F cup.

For my second go- round I sewed the bra in Summerset’s Twilight Blue. I’m putting peer pressure on her for a deep chocolate brown. It’s the only color I can wear under light colored tops.

The color is beautiful. I was hoping to use a lesser loved color of the 5+ kits I own, but there isn’t one. I really quite like them all!

If you can belive it, I made this bra from trace  to finish on Friday night while watching My Big Fat Gypsy Wedding and Say  Yes to the Dress: Big Bliss. I started around 7 or 8 p.m. and even stopped to mix up a mojito and have my Friday night phone date with Trena. We talk most nights, but we have a standing Friday Night Phone Date. I looked at the clock when I was done and it was just after midnight. So, yes. It’s possible to sew a bra in four hours.

My techniques were better on this version. And I’m quite proud of my finishing.

But, it’s still not sewn totally correct. I have a few mistakes and several tweaks I still need to make.

The back is riding up. And, I think it’s because the band is still too big on me. This is not a new problem!

When I in college I wore a 36 band. I went down to a 34 two years ago and was sized into a 32 recently. All this despite weighing 15 lbs more than I did when I was wearing a 36!

My cup runneth over in the hot pink F cup. But, it’s not quite snug enough in the G. I accidentally stretched out the lace during pressing and fitting. But, I have made a slight adjustment to the upper bust pattern (taking out 1/8 – 1/4 inch). Hopefully that will work.

I’m also reducing the width of the bridge by 1/4 inch. Not quite sure how to address the band. But, I’m going to post on the lingerie sew along blog with photos on my persons. Hopefully I can get some feedback. Oh, I also need to reposition the bands. I kind of have narrow shoulders and forget that this is why I don’t like spaghetti straps!

There’s a bra making class in Baltimore this October. If I can’t get the hang of this in my next two, I’ll sign up for it. But, I’m really pretty happy with this!

Snoop Shopping My Inverted Pleat Skirt and Sewing Kits at Forever 21??

24 Jun

I went to Banana Republic yesterday at lunch with Liz to pick up a birthday gift card for my boss. While there, I spotted an inverted pleat skirt in seersucker. It’s very similar to the denim one I recently completed. It’s not on the website and was on sale in the store for about $43.

Poor Liz. She gets to be my default model these days. The skirt  has the center inverted pleat, and them one pleat on each side of that (no front darts). They top stitched the waistline with a wide colored ribbon. Plus, the skirt is lined inside.

I am still intrigued by this skirt! Thier’s is an A-line like mine. But, it does not have the same degree of flair out that I don’t like in mine. I think the trick is to make the skirt even longer to pull down the flair (last night Trena told me it’s still a little short for our mid 30s eyes) and in a lighter weight material.

So, I’ll be taking another stab at this soon.

While out, I discovered a travel sewing kit at Forever 21.  I usually pretend to be shopping for my niece when I go there. Anytime I send Trena a photo of something I’ve tried on, she tells me to take it off, put it down and leave the store.

I guess they know you’ll need to repair your own clothes if you buy from them. I keep a very good repair kit in the office that gets more use from colleagues than I care to admit. But, I thought this was nice also. And, surprisingly sold there.

It retails for $7.98 in the store and between $10 and $15 online.

This one comes with buttons, snaps, safety pins.

I think the box said it was meant for travel. I’m not sure. The store manager got pretty salty that I was taking photos of merchandise :) That being said, Liz pointed out that I didn’t have a plastic factory to start making my own.

Langham Pink and Bra Progress

23 Jun

Ugh. I had a whole blog post written about 11 last night and it disappeared just as I went to hit print. Grrr. I was just too tired to re-create it. The good thing is, I realized it was too long and will split it into a few different posts.

Here’s the current state of the Rebecca bra from Sewy I’m working on. I’d say this is about four hours worth of work. There are a few things I’ve already done wrong

  • Don’t need powernet in the upper bust (was copying my RTW bra)
  • Need tulle / stable fabric at least in center front 
  • Bottom band not wide enough for my elastic

This is really a muslin. I don’t read German. I’ve gathered from some reviews online things I should have done. But, again. This is a muslin. It’ll all sort itself out.

Sigrid has warned me that I won’t love the fit the first time around. I’m sewing the 70G in one of Summerset’s Hook and Wires kits. Hmmm, for some reason I thought I was sewing the F cup (I’m using the equivalent DDD underwire). But, when I just ran the European converter, I see that I should be making the G. Meh. I’ll figure it out when I’m done! I find converting European bra sizing like converting temperatures. I just cannot wrap my mind around Celsius. I just spend all my time when traveling converting the temperature. I should tell you about the time I tried to roast chicken at my parents’ house in Panama and I didn’t realize the temps were in Celsius. Not Fahrenheit. Oh. Well, I guess I just told you. Needless to say, it burned.

I'm really annoying. I'm constantly on my Blackberry when working.

Right. So, one of the reasons I was tired was working several evenings at a conference. Right after they left, we had / have an international tourism convention with an evening reception. Not that I’m complaining because it’s been fun. But, I’m just pooped. I was almost relieved when I didn’t get to go to the U2 stadium concert last night. Almost.

A great little gift I picked up  at the convention is this Langham Pink OPI nail polish. Langham Hotels are known for their signature pink. You can only buy the polish at the hotel. Or beg their reps at meeting and business planner conventions to give you a bottle after explaining your affinity for both pink and nail polish. Such a great marketing tool!!

You can see here how the polish matches their business cards and luggage tags.

No Sewing. Exciting New Pattern.

20 Jun

 I had gradiose dreams of sewing  up a skirt this weekend. But, the US Conference of Mayor’s took up a lot of my time.  I did wear the skirt on Friday night and decided that it needs to be taken in some.

Saturday night there was an event at Ft. McHenry, birthplace of the Star Spangled Banner. Liz and I were getting for the fireworks.  Those sparklers smelled *acrid*. And, burned out in like 45 seconds. You can see the blue volunteer shirt in tucked into my bag. I just wore it over my dress until I was off the clock. hee hee.

Later there was a lot of goofing off in the photobooth at an afterparty. Some of you may remember Mr. Hunkle.

Tonight is the last night of the Conference and then back to the grind!

In sewing news, my Sewy bra pattern is here! I have to give a big thanks to a PR member. I wasn’t able to make the order from Germany because of the website. GlobalMom happened to be in Germany at the time I posted on the PR Board. She ordered the pattern for me and shipped it from the States when she got home. Awesome, right?!

This is the Rebecca pattern. The directions are all in German, but the photos are super clear. I’m really excited because it’s just like my favorite $60 bra and is my size exactly. No mixing and matching. No sizing up. Just straight up my size.

This is definitely my next project.

No Jeans Allowed. Burda 2/2011 #120 Inverted Pleat Skirt (Again)

17 Jun IMGP9607

Baltimore is currently hosting the US Conference of Mayors. That means we have 100s of mayors from around the country in our city this weekend. I’m working several events. I had a series of cute dresses picked out (a new H & M opened downtown and I cleaned up on their opening day specials. I’m talking $10 and $15 lined dresses). But, learned that we had to wear sponsored t-shirts when working. Pooh. And, in the same email was told, ‘No dolling up your shirts‘. Apparently, the word had gotten out on me. Lest you think I’m paranoid, the author of the e-mail came to me and said, ‘That means you.’

Right. We’re also not allowed to wear jeans and khakis were suggested. So… I don’t own khakis. I own two solid colored skirts and they are knits. My black pants are wool and dressy. My summer pants are linen and blue– I don’t want to look like a smurf. So, I quickly (and QUICKLY) sewed up my second version of the inverted pleat skirt after work this week. Luckily, I had it cut out from the week before. The first version is here.

Now, it *is* denim. But, they said no jeans. I think that makes it safe, don’t you? This time, I added the welt pockets to the front and back in a fun seersucker.

I still piped the inside waistband facing and used pocketing for the front pockets. Because the deim is stretch, I also used interfacing along the zipper opening and twill tape along the waistband.

Oh, and of course, I added two inches in length. Still too short for the office (not that I’d wear denim there) but long enough to wear in public. BTW, I gave the first skirt to a girl at the office who is a good three to five inches shorter than me. There was quite a bit of ‘What were you thinking’ from the peanut gallery when I pulled the skirt out.

Now that I’m in version two, I actually don’t like this style for me. It’s too A-line. I think I’m not a fan of sharp A-lines.  I straightened out the side seam quite a bit and deepened the front pleat to accommodate for my full thighs. But, still — visually it widens me. Part of it is the stiffer fabric, much of it is personal preference. I’ve also figured out why I don’t love making skirts. The difference between my waist and thighs is so big (over 10 inches) , that I always have to take in and let out.

Meaning, my waist is small compared to my lower body (like a size 36 in Burda), but to grade to my lower thigh (size 42 in Burda), I have to increase the hip. Then, I find myself with way too much hip curve. So, I’m straightening that out and taking in the waist all the while hoping I made the thighs big enough so it won’t pull across the front. Not the hardest thing in the world to do, but a little more time consuming than just ‘whipping up a skirt’.

Hmm, and this could still be a smidge smaller in the waist. I can see that it’s dropping a touch in the back because it’s a little loose. I also overaccomodated a bit too much for my full seat and there’s some extra fabric back there. But, it’ll do for tonight and tomorrow. And, will be great for the summer!

** The top is Burda 2-2009-118

AG Doll: It’s a Wrap, Take 2

16 Jun

I made a second version of the It’s a Wrap Dress for my niece’s American Girl Doll. This fabric was originally aprons for friends. I found the remnants of it when digging around for some age appropriate for a doll and and nine year old.

This time, I added an inch to the right wrap piece. It wasn’t drafted the same length as the back.  Which resulted in my having to shorten the dress all around the first time. It was so short in my first version, you can see the doll leg joints. This one, comes to her knees.

So, now, the doll can sit without flashing her good china. No need to take after me, huh? Speaking of that skirt, version two is almost done. I just need to sew in pocket bags.

This fabric does not want to fray as easily as the denim!! It’s a cotton stretch. I’m going to have to tackle that in front of a movie. Or just straight up hem it.

I’m all out of ‘youthful’ fabric. So, I’m stuck for a bit until I can make it to the fabric store.

A Little Local Quilting and Some Italian Influence

15 Jun

A few weeks ago I attended the 100th anniversary of Baltimore’s Bromo Seltzer Tower. The structure was built in 1911 as sort of an advertisement for the Alka Seltzer like supplement. The seltzer is no longer made.  From Wikipedia: The tower is patterned on the Palazzo Vecchio in Florence, Italy, it is listed on the National Register of Historic Places.

I wish I knew that when I was in Florence! I’m going to have to see if I have any good photos to compare.

Once, the building had a replica blue bottle on top. But, those pesky Fire Marshalls said it needed to come down.

Now, the building is home to artist studios. To celebrate the anniversary, the Baltimore Office of Promotion and Arts solicited quilt blocks from the crafty community. Somehow, all of this escaped me :)

Here are photos of the finished quilt blocks. All represent something about the Tower or Baltimore. The piecing and quilting was done by the woman in the above photo on the right. I didn’t even know she knew how to quilt and I work with her on a regular basis!

Not that I think I actually could have done an applique quilt block. I mean, really. I’ve been working on my Single Girl Quilt for two years!!

After Two Years We’re Back!

14 Jun

Trena and I did a podcast over the weekend. I know, it’s been two full years since we’ve recorded one. According to our last entry we podcasted because we were so excited over the June 2009 Burda that we had to talk. Maybe it’s just been two years since we were blown away.

I can’t embedd the player here on WordPress. But, you can go to Podbean and use the pop up player or download.

In this episode we discuss both the May and June 2011 Burdas, changes to the website and magazine and what we’re working on now. It should automatically upload to iTunes. You can stream above or go directly to our Podbean site.

If you are on iTunes, please leave a comment / review there. We have six from about two years ago. And, we’re vain.

 

 

 

 

 

AG Doll: It’s a Wrap. Take 1

13 Jun

I thought I might actually get a few doll clothes made this weekend while I wait (not so patiently) for my SIL to send me Naya’s measurements. I figured I could make Naya two matching outfits and maybe a five new doll clothes. I spent Friday night on one of the top five worst dates of my adult life. Like, I contemplated leaving $20 at the bar and making a mad dash to my car when he was in the men’s room.  Instead, I stayed to the end and spent $40. Why? Because when the bill came he said, ‘You’ve got it this time, right?” I should have just bolted when I had the chance.

Saturday, Trena came up and redeemed my horrid Friday night with pizza and ice cream. Sunday she and I did a 25 mile bike ride for Tour Dem Parks, Hon! I did not die. I came close to faking a minor heart condition to get a ride back to the start but worried I wouldn’t be able to prove it. But, I survived. She on the other hand looked like we’d just taken a ten minute stroll around the lake. That girl is indestructible.  My Blackberry is not. I sweat so much it stopped working. She seems to think I’ll do 36 miles with her next year. Ha!

I finally got around to working on the doll clothes Sunday evening when my brother cam by to install two ceiling fans (I don’t have central air). Thanks to you guys I was able to find some really cute patterns! I was absolutely motivated in dress selection by cute factor. I know it’s a doll and she’s nine. But, if I’m going to sew doll clothes, I want to like them.

I picked the ‘It’s a Wrap Dress’ by Ardently Admire. For $3.99 I downloaded it  from the Liberty Jane Clothing website. I think that’s a great price for the downloadable convenience.

Don’t panic. I didn’t buy myself an American Girl doll. Liz loaned me one of her four. I got a couple of funny looks leaving work on Friday!

This is ‘Addy’. Addy’s hair was kind of a mess, so I did in fact re-do it into a bun. I can’t pick on Liz for not cornrowing Addy’s hair when I can barely do the same. I started to get on her for the doll’s hair being crazy. But, she reminded me she hadn’t played with Addy in 15 years.

I used pre-purchased piping to brighten up the dress. It was looking a little prison matronly without the color.  This fabric was meant to be a summer suit for me. Still could be. This hardly takes any material.

Ummm, fringe was easy. I did use a pin to loosen some of the threads.

I don’t have much to say other than I thought the dress was really cute. I have another cut out in a different  fabric and think I can honestly sew these in an hour. That is gratification at it’s best.

I’ve got about three weeks to make the clothes. So, I’m hoping to make the doll clothes this week and work on her dresses next.

Pinterest: My Newest Obsession

10 Jun

I can’t stay off of my Pinterest! It’s an awesome website that permantly catalouges images and links from websites for you. Unlike saving to your Flickr or Photobucket, you don’t have to download the photo and re-upload it. Or, for some sites like Burda without a JPG URL, it will capture the photo from the page for you.

I’ve got several mood board going right now including garments I want to make, patterns I’m digging, bicycle accoutrements, and hats. It’s *addictive*. It was also great for cataloging all the American Girl stuff you guys were pointing me to. I’ve got a slew of images saved on my hard drive that I can’t wait to upload and catalouge. Ooooh! Maybe I can even use this to save my pattern collection?

Pinterest lets you organize and share all the beautiful things you find on the web. Peope use pinboards to plan their weddings, decorate their homes, and organize their favorite recipes.

It’s conveniently and visually all in one place. You can follow your friends and like minded people and see what they are Pinning or creating new boards for.

If you’re not familar with Pinterest, check it out!

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