Thursday, June 25, 2015

Recycled Tshirts into a shirt for me!


I've been meaning to make this t shirt from Butterick and Connie Crawford for quite a while.  I'm working on using my coverstitch on the BabyLock so this was good practice.

I goofed on the shoulder and caught part of the pattern from one of the shirts, but I'll wear it anyway!

I lengthened the sleeves to 3/4 length and changed the neck to a V.  I made view B. Its a little difficult to tell from the pattern envelope, but view A is very fitted, B is kinda and C is even less. I chose B because I'm a little thick around the middle after 4 babies.

I'll make the V a little deeper next time and adjust the shoulder a bit, I have a broad back, but I'm very pleased with the results.







Thursday, June 18, 2015

Getting all the machines up and running

I rented industrial space and have been looking for piecework and making my denim.  I'm bringing everything over slowly and getting it all set up to maximize space and keep it from becoming too cluttered too fast.

Having this space is so enjoyable, I wish I would have done it sooner! I thought I wanted to only work at home. It is nice for many reasons, but the most glaring one is that I don't think about wanting to sew when I'm doing chores and stuff. I know when I get to the shop I'll have the time!

Work is coming in slowly, and my denim is selling slowly. I'm hoping to get a shirt gig.  I may have messed it up a little. I really wanted a great sew only order like I had years ago in Milford, but this could be a cut and sew.  I just need to get my hands on one so I can show them my professional sewing.  Supposed to be this week. I'm trying to be patient!

My Artisan overlocks are waiting on parts, but I've got the Babylock set up for a coverstitch and, just in case, I finally got the buttonhole attachment on the Singer 403A.





It feels great to be sewing again.

Sunday, June 7, 2015

Deconstructing denim and Pfaff 138

I've been recycling denim for a few years now. My brain loves the different blues together! I'm creating things that I like and people are buying what I'm making. What a crazy concept!

Its a good feeling getting these ideas out of my head. I can't really explain it. I've had this rug idea for a couple years, but didn't have the Pfaff 138 running. I can't even remember for sure when I bought it! Has to be at least 6 years. It was a fabulous deal on craigslist, $250.00. I needed the umph of an industrial type machine and the huge zigzag. It isn't very big yet only 10" x 25". Mary pointed out that it will be crazy heavy when its done, but I'm making it anyway. Not sure yet how big, we'll see!





Here is some other recycled denim I've been working on. A poncho and a tunic.