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 :/

Getting to Know Your Sewing Machine

Lots of people tell me they want to sew, but they don't know how to use their machine. I can relate! It took me forever to learn that it mattered which way the bobbin went in on the machine. But once I figured that out I was off and sewing. I recommend this video class.




Claudia Miller goes over threading, bobbin winding and insertion, and many other little details to get you sewing.  And best of all the class is free! Its free to register there, too. But you do have to set up a free account. There are many other free classes in other crafty topics, but I haven't looked at them. 

Once you "buy" the free class it is yours to watch as often as you need. Plus, you can ask questions and get help as you go along. You can have your machine next to the computer and go through it with her, pausing if you need to.

If you are looking for a sewing book to get you going successfully, I recommend  The New Complete Guide to Sewing: Step-by-Step Techniques for Making Clothes and Home Accessories Updated Edition with All-New Projects and Simplicity Patterns (Reader's Digest). Take a look at the used books for a better price.

Sewing is such an enjoyable hobby for me, I want everyone to be successful! 

My Craftsy Class

I had a little trouble getting my pattern for my Craftsy Class, the pattern got lost in the mail the first time they sent it. But, as always, their customer service was spectacular and I got a new one in 2 weeks. I haven't looked at my class for a while, I've been making things for my shop. I'm so happy I can do the class on my own time!

Anyway the pattern is Vogue V1263. The Donna Karan Collection.

I really like it, it is something I can actually wear when I make it.  I'm pretty sure I have enough of a knit for my first test jacket, but I'm not sure yet what fabric I will use for the finished embellished garment. Maybe something like this: Organic Cotton Jersey Knit Chocolate Brown 

If you haven't tried Craftsy yet, they are having a Summer Sale right now, It would be a good time to give them a whirl.

May 18, 2013 is Free Class Day!

 

Have you had the opportunity to look at Craftsy yet? Today you can try out a class, up to a 39.99 value for free! This deal is open to new members only. I'm taking the Hand-Embelishing Knit Fabric Class and I am learning a lot! 

**edit November 30, 2013, the graphic in this ad updates with each new sale! If you see it here its still current ;) 

Hand Stitching a Dragonfly

I'm just playing around while I'm watching my Craftsy Class. This scarf is made from some leftovers from a t shirt quilt I made.  I'm thinking I'm going to machine stitch it into half the width. And maybe add a small trim to the edges.

 I'm not sure if my stitches are a tad bit tight, I need to squint at some of the stitches on the videos.

And because the back is important too :)

 
 I'm really enjoying the class. Wow, what a lot of work goes into each garment!

Great online community

Am I the last person to hear about Craftsy?  They are an online community that offers video classes, workshops, patterns and projects. You pay a small fee (or try a free one) and you are able to permanently access the class. It can be viewed by you as often as needed, and you can save it until you have the time to work on the project. If you get stuck you can ask for help from the Instructor. They aren't just a sewing community, but have knitting, crochet and other craft choices. (but sewing is the important one, right?) 

I've taken a look at the Free Quick and Easy Bags course that the banner above leads to and so far watched half of it.  She does some things differently than I would (and the way she uses pins makes me cringe!) BUT, I have quite a bit of experience working with young and beginning sewers and I know she is trying to engage beginner sewers.  I firmly believe that successful projects are needed to grow skills and give new sewers the confidence to keep sewing. 

It IS a good first project and things can be refined later, when the desire for more knowledge starts to grow.