Best scissors for deconstructing jeans

I'm a big fan of Fiskars spring loaded scissors. I use their Micro tip 5" blades instead of clippies for cutting thread at the sewing machine. I once had a customer that did a fake flat felled seam on boiled wool. Each pass with the sewing machine meant a trim on the seam, followed by another stitching line.  I got good at using them and can't sew without them now. They do get dull quicker than I would like them to.

At last year's Sewing Expo in Novi, MI I purchased the above spring loaded 7" heavy duty power shears from the Kai booth. I noticed them when I was saying hello to an amazing sewer, Rosebud. I meant them to replace the small 5" blades that I use, but their blunt tip makes this not a good trade off.  (I won a pair of Kai shears in the 2008 PFF and those things have never been dull.)  They are very heavy duty and perfect for deconstructing denim. I've got a system for taking them apart and with any other scissors, I'm in danger of cutting myself because they slip at the thick parts if I go too fast. These cut through the whole pant like butter.

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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!