Some of my new pattern tools. A screw punch and pattern notcher from here.
Recommended by FI. I really need that see-thru plastic ruler, but it will have to wait.
My new bag, I love, love, love it!
It is on Etsy!
Saturday, July 18, 2009
Style #61002 - Pattern on Manilla Paper
I've remade another pattern on Manilla File Folders. This one is bigger so I had to tape some together. I can't believe how much easier it is to have them this way!
Some of my new pattern tools. A screw punch and pattern notcher from here.
Recommended by FI. I really need that see-thru plastic ruler, but it will have to wait.
My new bag, I love, love, love it!
It is on Etsy!
Some of my new pattern tools. A screw punch and pattern notcher from here.
Recommended by FI. I really need that see-thru plastic ruler, but it will have to wait.
My new bag, I love, love, love it!
It is on Etsy!
Monday, July 13, 2009
My Babylock Evolve
Remember my Evolve from last years PFF challenge? (And by the way, in case you were wondering, I did not send in an entry for this years contest, maybe next year....) Well I finally gave it a try. Hey! Its only been 9 months!
Anyway, the machine came with a video that shows how to thread it. It is definately appreciated. I'm not sure I could have figured it out without it. The machine works great! I had some piecework that needed a coverstitch.
My machine and sample coverstitch.
What a beautiful stitch! I'd like to have the clear foot and I definately need more practice lining up the stitch on the round, but the machine is amazing. No problems with the tensions, the machine does all the work. Its not an industrial machine, and feels kinda slow to me, but I think I read it will go 1200 stitches per minute.
So with the contest last year I've tried the wide overlock stitch, rolled hem and now the coverstitch. All stitches look great and no problems with any of the different weights of fabric.
Anyway, the machine came with a video that shows how to thread it. It is definately appreciated. I'm not sure I could have figured it out without it. The machine works great! I had some piecework that needed a coverstitch.
My machine and sample coverstitch.
What a beautiful stitch! I'd like to have the clear foot and I definately need more practice lining up the stitch on the round, but the machine is amazing. No problems with the tensions, the machine does all the work. Its not an industrial machine, and feels kinda slow to me, but I think I read it will go 1200 stitches per minute.
So with the contest last year I've tried the wide overlock stitch, rolled hem and now the coverstitch. All stitches look great and no problems with any of the different weights of fabric.
Wednesday, July 8, 2009
Making Motivation
I've been reading FI and I decided to practice and update some of my tote patterns. I'm issuing style numbers, making production patterns with color coding and I will be making a direction card after I streamline the sewing (again).
In order to motivate myself, (I'm a procrastinator, I finished sewing about 5 things before I started getting paid to sew) I signed up for a tent at a local festival this September. Only problem is I have NOTHING to put in the booth. (OK I have a dozen things, but it feels like nothing)
Here is what my original pattern looked like.
Here is what the new color coded, labeled and separate pattern pieces look like. (I have the blue in pencil because I don't have a blue pen yet)
traced out on jeans
Here is a finished bag from the new pattern on manilla paper. It isn't perfect and I skipped the pocket, but it is much easier having everything ready.
It makes me crazy seeing what a difference it makes to have each piece separate and labeled. It took forever to make the patterns, but I was doing it every time I made a new bag! I was redoing the placement for the handles and pocket every time. And I didn't even have a strap pattern just a measurement written on the shell piece! Now I can just go thru all the pieces and I'm ready to sew, before I had to remember which ones I reused for lining and interfacing (and they aren't supposed to be the same size anyway!). The harder paper makes a huge difference too. I haven't purchased a roll yet, I'm just using manilla file folders.
My style number is 61001. I have chosen 6 for accessories because I like the way it sounds. I have 5 numbers because I am prone to excess, plus I am considering using the second number to differentiate between recycled,recycled patchwork,and just plain fabric. Even though I'm not using a different pattern, the work and cost for each of the different styles would be notable for customer ordering or inventory. The last three numbers are for numbering the 999 bag patterns I plan on making (ha ha!).
An example:
recycled denim
recycled patchwork denim (different size bag)
fabric
I also need to make a direction card, as the link explains, it is necessary for sewing production. In my case I'm lame for not having done it sooner because my memory is good, but I rarely sew it in the most efficient order when I haven't touched it in a while. That is my next task.
In order to motivate myself, (I'm a procrastinator, I finished sewing about 5 things before I started getting paid to sew) I signed up for a tent at a local festival this September. Only problem is I have NOTHING to put in the booth. (OK I have a dozen things, but it feels like nothing)
Here is what my original pattern looked like.
Here is what the new color coded, labeled and separate pattern pieces look like. (I have the blue in pencil because I don't have a blue pen yet)
traced out on jeans
Here is a finished bag from the new pattern on manilla paper. It isn't perfect and I skipped the pocket, but it is much easier having everything ready.
It makes me crazy seeing what a difference it makes to have each piece separate and labeled. It took forever to make the patterns, but I was doing it every time I made a new bag! I was redoing the placement for the handles and pocket every time. And I didn't even have a strap pattern just a measurement written on the shell piece! Now I can just go thru all the pieces and I'm ready to sew, before I had to remember which ones I reused for lining and interfacing (and they aren't supposed to be the same size anyway!). The harder paper makes a huge difference too. I haven't purchased a roll yet, I'm just using manilla file folders.
My style number is 61001. I have chosen 6 for accessories because I like the way it sounds. I have 5 numbers because I am prone to excess, plus I am considering using the second number to differentiate between recycled,recycled patchwork,and just plain fabric. Even though I'm not using a different pattern, the work and cost for each of the different styles would be notable for customer ordering or inventory. The last three numbers are for numbering the 999 bag patterns I plan on making (ha ha!).
An example:
recycled denim
recycled patchwork denim (different size bag)
fabric
I also need to make a direction card, as the link explains, it is necessary for sewing production. In my case I'm lame for not having done it sooner because my memory is good, but I rarely sew it in the most efficient order when I haven't touched it in a while. That is my next task.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)