My scores for the 1/2 scale challenge

Yikes! I just got my 1/2 scale dressform, garments and scores back in the mail. OUCH! I really don't mind any of the scores about fashionable or creative. I don't feel especially strong in those areas. But the construction scores, 2.5 and 3, yup those sting a little. And I really don't get the comment. I don't ever want anything to look homemade, handmade? yes. But what does deconstructed mean? Should I have parts of the actual jeans in the finished garment? Like a button or raggedy hem? I like a neat, professional finished looking garment. Its a challenge I have in the reconstructed things I do make. When YOU purchase something recycled, do you want everyone to be able to tell when they look at it? Its why I started putting the seams on the outside. Sigh, I'll live. But I think my husband will tire of hearing about this tonight.

My Half Scale Challenge entry

There she is! I knew I wouldn't win, but I had so much fun. I'll do it again next year and maybe get fancier. The ball gowns won, of course. Next year's inspiration is '50 shades of red'. Look on my examiner.com page to see the other entries. Its not finalized yet, but I was told that contestants next year will be able to use their own dress form and won't have to spend money on a specific one. I didn't have one, so it was a good excuse to buy one. Not sure what the prizes were yet. I'll hopefully see it the Newsletter and I'll add it to my article.

My inspiration was Natalie Chanin of Alabama Chanin. I took her class on Craftsy, Hand-Embellishing Knit Fabric: Stenciling, Appliqué, Beading and Embroidery,  and bought her books and couldn't get her out of my head. It was awesome to work on the 1/2 scale because mistakes only used up a small amount of fabric and sewing time was minuscule.

Some pictures of my process, the self drafted skirt had a side zipper, 28 pieces and was on the bias. Cut from jean legs I got at a rummage sale. Jacket was from a half scale pattern and a pattern book for the sleeves. Rummage sale jean legs again. I was tempted to cover the whole thing with the rosettes, but I didn't. Self draped tank, in Alabama Chanin Style, all hand stitched, I used the stencil from the book and recycled t shirt.

Messy, messy, shop :/

It worked!

On my, this time it worked so well I have no idea what I did wrong. Only that it was VERY wrong! Excellent. I don't need to buy new equipment I can use what I have. Yippee!

Learning to post on youtube

I'm trying to do some sewing videos, because I already don't have enough to do, lol. I'm having trouble. My little video camera seems to be working, but for some reason only 19 seconds of my video will up load. I've even tried to upload at someone else's house in case its a satellite bandwidth thing, but so far its a no go :(
here is the video:

I will have to keep trying and figuring out. The actual video is a little over 4 minutes. Any suggestions welcome as I keep trying.

Angela Wolf's June 2014 Wardrobe Challenge

promotional photo from fashionsewingwithangelawolf.com

Did you see what the June contest is? Its all about fabrication! I think Angela may have some Alabama Chanin on the brain too. I love the swirl on the promo photo. I'm still cleaning the shop, but getting ready to put it all back together. I'm pretty sure I'm 10 bins lighter in fabric, whew!

ScanNCut by Brother

 Have you heard of the ScanNCut by Brother?
 
I just finished writing an article for examiner.com  and I really want to get one! I've thought about getting the cricut or other cutting machine, but they aren't really about sewing and fabric. I really can't picture myself getting into card making.

I can picture using this to put my kids art on to a tee shirt. The videos on youtube make it look easy. I could make stencils for doing the hand embroidery and denim appliques too.

Gotta get the shop cleaned up first. Have been sorting and purging all month.  Pretty soon I'll find my table and get back to making!

A Long Winter

 It was a long winter here in Michigan and elsewhere. And in spite of the 80 degree temps yesterday, we are back into the 50's today.

I wasn't able to spend much time in the shop because of the new baby and the low temps. It feels so good to be able to go out and play again.

Sewing refreshes my spirit and calms my nerves. It gives me a sense of accomplishment as well as some extra income.  I've got a lot to do. I have sorting and cleaning, my contest entry and lots of plans for denim.

In the meantime, I have been looking at my Alabama Chanin books. I made a cute boa! But alas not with hand sewing. I always change my mind at the last minute and opt for speed.

I also struggle with focus. I have much to do at home, and in spite of good advice early in my sewing career, have never managed to do just one thing. I write, I teach, I sew and on top of all my family responsibilities something gives. We must eat, but the house isn't always clean and the laundry gets done when we are out of everything! I am blessed to have an understanding husband and so many great opportunities. The examiner.com page gives me the opportunity to meet many interesting people. While I'm not really shy, I am a little insecure and have been surprised by the very positive response I receive when I use the title to help with an introduction.

I still like to sew for others when I can. It has to be someone I've known for a while because my family keeps me from meeting too sharp of deadlines now, but I still love the pre cut out repetition! Thanks for stopping by :) time to make dinner!

Burda Style in English!

I filled out an online form for a free trial of the new Burda Style Magazine in English. Just got my copy yesterday. Yippee! So many patterns and instructions and pdf downloads with instructions and information. I'm so excited about the Magazine. I tried it before in German, but its not quite the same. I need to narrow down my choices and make something for myself!

Angela's April Wardrobe Challenge

Have you been keeping up? I'm hoping to do some serging for the April Challenge.

 Love my overlocks. I have 4 home plus 2 industrial Artisans right now. The Juki's are my baby's, I got a lovely BabyLock in 2008 when I placed 2nd in PFF, and I have a New Home that I loaned out and it got trashed :(. I'm going to take it in and see if its repairable when I have extra cash. It would be nice to have one I can let kids try out for lessons.

By the way did you know that VHS shelves from defunct video stores are the perfect size for most commercial patterns?

Visit my examiner.com page for more info about the contest.

Dress Alteration

I'm always doing something. It is difficult to get it all posted here. I am making an effort :), but my pictures are a bit lazy.

I re did the waist and hem decoration on a First Communion dress for a friend's daughter. I am reminded of how much I dislike alterations. I would rather make it from scratch than alter. But it turned out good anyway.

Before:

 After:

 Had to pick the waistline apart, redo the zipper and do the hemming detail. Not difficult, I enjoy sewing when I'm doing, but I procrastinated on this because I just do that with alterations.

Its supposed to be 66'F today! Yippee!

My inspiration for the 1/2 Scale Challenge

 I have entered the 1/2 scale challenge for the 2014 American Sewing Expo in Novi, Michigan.

All images from Alabama Chanin and Natalie Chanin books

I fought it. I really did. But the truth is I find Natalie Chanin very inspirational right now. I was machine sewing letters on T shirts in 2012 and she has catapulted me forward with her embroidery and strained my brain with the thought of hand sewing EVERYTHING. 

After listening to Joi's class that comes with this American Sewing Expo contest, I threw together this board. I even tried to sketch. I'm not yet convinced that I can learn to sketch, but it has helped a lot to arrange my thoughts. I usually just think about it and it morphs while I'm doing. Now its solidifying in a different way. I don't think I'll do the whole thing by hand, but I'm considering doing beading (yikes!). 

I will be using upcycled denim and T shirts. I took Natalie's Online Sewing Class and will be using what I have learned there and in her books.