Simplicity Summer 2011

I feel like I'm behind in my pattern shopping. Check out the new ones from Simplicity! Here are my picks:


The new Suede Says line continues to bring fresh styles.


Skirts!
 

I'm so happy to see another Amazing Fit dress.

Houston, We Have A Muslin - Kwik Sew 3740

After getting frustrated with B5454 and weeks of meetings that kept me away from my sewing time, I needed a quick win. I decided to revisit Kwik Sew 3740.  Here's where I was. Here's where I am now:

The pros:

• It doesn't look half bad
• Nancy Zieman, at least for this top, has solved my swayback issue
• I did an FBA correctly (how much do I love Pattern Fitting with Confidence?)

The cons:

• You can sorta tell on Ruby, but the shoulders are too big. I never thought I had narrow shoulders. This also happened with the Butterick dress.
• (Ignore the stain on the front)
• The top is too long
• I padded a new dress form today, so ingore the wrinkles across the butt. The form isn't and exact match to me. Also, I don't know if I'd wear the shirt out once I shorten it, the wrinkles may go away.
• I wish the cowl seam would stay hidden better. I think I'd like more body in the cowl too.
• The biggie - what's up with my seams?

The fabric is an ITY jersey. I'm using an 75/11 ballpoint needle and C&C's fine thread. The stitch is a stretch knit overlock stitch for open knits and jerseys. I used an overcast foot, but the fabric still wanted to tunnel. My tension is set at 3. I pressed and top-pressed.  

Well, this is still good for the grocery store (maybe) and Saturday's around the house. I'm going to try another muslin in a rayon-spandex knit.

In Love with Vogue

The new Vogue summer collection is available!!  I found a lot of must-haves for future purchases. I am getting better about my purchases; to date, I've only gotten one from my favs in the spring collection. If it's not something I feel like I must have now and have the skill to sew, it stays on the list for a later date. Well, let's get to it.

How hot is this??!!!



I think this is my favorite.



I feel like I've seen this before, but it's still a cutie.



I want this as a top! If I had the legs for it, I'd rock it as a dress. Where can I find that fabric?


 
Love this!
 

 
I even like one of the vintage patterns.
 

 
Quite a few Easy Vogues made the cut. This dress is Custom Fit.


 
Easy breezy for summer.


 
How sweet is the tunic and it's Custom Fit?!!

 
Custom Fit! Love the neckline.


 
Custom Fit!



The tank view is the one I'll be rocking.

Book Review: Power Sewing

I figured I should review this before the new Power Sewing Toolbox books arrive in the mail. For years, I thought this was a book about sewing shortcuts -- things to help you sew faster. There are some of those tips. This book is really a collection of tips to give you professional results, make things easier and ideas to spark your creativity.

The book doesn't waist any time getting to the good stuff. Chapter 1, Power Shopping gets right to the point. There's helpful info on interfacing, what to do if you run short on fabric and the sizing differences between the major brands. I'm a little confused here, because Fit for Real People: Sew Great Clothes Using ANY Pattern (Sewing for Real People series), makes some opposite claims.  I haven't sewn with all the brands yet to figure out which book is correct.

The book is organized by garment type:

• Vests
• Pants
• Skirts
• Dresses
• Jackets

Even if you don't plan to make those particular garments, sometimes the tips will work for other clothing. For instance, I'm not a vest person, but the bias and piping information in the vest chapter can be used on sleeveless blouses or dresses. The "Anatomy of" section at the beginning of each chapter gives the construction order of the garment.

The pants chapter is my favorite. Sandra Betzina's zipper techniques are favored by many.  I love the waistband options too.  

This is the only place, aside from the Web, where I've seen info on how and why you should hang bias. The rest of the skirts chapter touches on wrap skirts, underlining (including couture), zippers, godets, yolks, waistbands and hems. But wait, there's more -- including how to line a knit skirt.

The dresses chapter will take away any fears about invisible zippers. Here is also where she covers necklines and collars. Easing sleeves is also in this chapter. (She prefers sewing with the sleeve on the bottom and letting the feed dogs help with the easing.) I got a little confused about her instructions for reducing sleeve cap ease.

Jackets is the longest chapter. It covers 29 topics related to jacket construction! My favorites are Better Buttonholes and Weighted Hems. (I'll work my way up to a Chanel jacket one day.)

This is a wonderful, but not complete general sewing reference book. It will not take the place of books like New Complete Guide to Sewing (Readers Digest) or The Complete Book of Sewing. Theres's a mix of beginner and advanced techniques, so there's something for everyone.  Everything is broken down into easy-to-understand steps.