Figures

     I'm calling this post "Figures" for a couple of reasons.  One, it would figure that I get the coat together enough to try it on and it's too big.  I guess when I cut it out originally, years ago I admit shamefully, I was a size or two bigger.  Two, since I've had some changes in my figure, I've had to make some alterations.
 

 First, I took the two back seams in 1/2".   Then, I took in the side seams and a portion of the sleeve 1 5/8" until I was 13 1/2" away from the end of the sleeve.  I tapered the seam down to 5/8".  This took some of the bulk out of the coat. 

I traipse upstairs to try it on; I don't have a mirror downstairs, unfortunately.  It looked pretty good in the back, side seams, and arms.  But, the pockets were now too low.  Seriously??!! 

This would not be a big deal if this fabric wasn't fleece...and if it wasn't a pocket...which I stitched and double stitched near the opening to make sure it was secure.  The thread sinks down in fleece which makes it hard to find and rip without putting a hole in your fabric.  So, I had to take my time and use my sharpest seam ripper.


I got the pockets off and raised each one 1 1/4".  Upstairs I go, again.  All good, right?  Wrong!  Something still doesn't look right.  I look at it and look at it and realize...it's the neckline...it's too low.  I ask my husband what he thinks and he said it was fine.  I should have figured, everything looks fine to him.  I don't like it so I'm trying to study this pattern to see where the first button is on the model. 

I really can't see it, but it looks like the coat falls open right at her bust line.  On me, the coat opening would be about two inches below my bust line.

It doesn't look too low in this picture, but it does in person.  So, I decided to take those shoulder seams in about 3/4".  I also needed to cut out the bulk from the seams I took in, but I couldn't find my scissors.  Hubby had them...AGAIN!  Figures!

Fabric Has Arrived!

  
My fabric has arrived for the wrap I'm going to make.  Here's a sneak peek:

The fabric

The wrap

I threw it in the washer on gentle cycle.  I always preshrink before cutting the fabric.  While I wait, I decided to take a look at the coat I started making a couple of weekends ago.  Remember, I am Sometimes a Seamstress...but I don't think I mentioned most times a Teacher, so I had stuff to do.  I have a little free time today, so I get to sew.  Yay! 
    
     Ok, so I am making McCalls M4673, which is a reversible coat. My coat will be charcoal grey and red.  I had gotten as far as cutting out the front and back pieces of the charcoal and red, along with the hood in charcoal.  I also made the red pockets.  I decided to put my sorority symbols on it to give it some interest.  Much in the same way I put the button on the grey side.  The pattern does not call for these additions.  

So far, things are coming along nicely.

     The red fabric was a little hard to cut today.  I think my husband used my scissors for something other than cutting fabric.  Shame on him!  Once I sharpened the scissors, they worked much better.

      While I was cutting out the pieces, I was thinking about the sewing shows I used to watch.  I loved Sandra Betzina.  I would watch "Sew Perfect" on HGTV and have taped many of the episodes.  I learned a lot about sewing from Sandra Betzina.  I also learned a lot from my husband's Aunt Lizzie, who showed me how to alter clothes and gave me some tips on how to make my sewing go faster.  She always encouraged me and she would be happy to know I'm sewing again.  I'll have to give her a call.  Hi, Aunt Liz!

Whatever happened to the sewing and craft line up on HGTV?

I have all of the pieces for the coat cut out and this is my leftover fabric.  Now, what am I going to do with this?  


Next on the agenda,  putting the coat together.  Whoo hooooo!

While I Wait

Ok, so I ordered the fabric for this wrap I want to make.

I am using a camel polar fleece I found at fabricmartfabrics.com.  I like this site because there is a wide variety of fabrics, they have good prices, and the descriptions of the fabrics are thorough enough for you to make an informed decision about what you are buying.



While I waited for the fabric to come in, I decided to look through my stash of fabric and unfinished projects.  I have seven big plastic bins of fabric and unfinished projects.  Ugh!  I can't believe I let it get this bad.  Anyway, I ran across this pattern.

I have already cut out most of the pieces.  So I finished cutting pieces today and began putting it together.  I got as far as reinforcing the button holes and constructing the pockets, which took a while because I wanted to take my time.  Remember?  I'm beginning again with no stress.  The pattern calls for a plain pocket but I decided to add a button.

I think that looks cuter.  








This coat is reversible, so it's going to be interesting when I get to the buttons.  I read the directions, but I don't really get it until I start executing them.  Guess I'm a hands-on learner.  This is a pretty easy pattern and the only thing that looks a little scary are the buttons and buttonholes.  The reverse side is going to be red.  It looks like I when I bought fabric for this coat, I didn't get enough and went back to get more.  It also looks like when I got more, I got more of a slightly different fleece.  Ha!  Maybe that's why I put this project away.  I contemplated going to JoAnn fabrics to try and find fleece that matched exactly.  But I am determined to get rid of some of this stash and my husband said it matches well enough, so I'm just gonna make the coat. 

Stay tuned!

The Beginning...again

    I'm embarking on a new adventure!  Well, sort of.  See, I used to own a business called Sew Kreative.  I did some dressmaking, embroidery, monogramming, and taught some sewing classes.  But even before that, the business was called HomeScapes and I made window treatments, curtains, and bravely tried some re-upholstery and slipcovers.  At the final stages of the business, I even did some contract sewing.  Boy, was that crazy.  Here's some of my work:

     Anyway, the issue is that I am also a teacher and in case you didn't know, teaching is very time consuming.  I was using the sewing as a way to relieve stress, at first.  A few friends suggested the business, so I thought I'd give it a try.  Things were fine...when business was slow.  But when it picked up, I was in trouble.  The thing that I was using to relieve stress became the source of it.  I had to make a choice.  Either I could quit teaching and work on the sewing and teaching sewing classes full time or I could stay in my fifth grade classroom and continue trying to save the world.  I chose the latter.
   For some reason, though, I gave up sewing altogether.  It was like I was mad at it.  Ha!  That's funny when I say, excuse me, write it out loud, but it's true.  Why did you betray me, sewing?!  I loved you and I was faithful!
    I closed my little shop, brought everything home and told myself that I would sew occasionally for myself.  Well, that didn't happen.  I instead spent time on Pintrest secretly admiring other people's sewing projects and getting sewing tips in between looking at stuff for school.  While scanning Pintrest, I always found things I could have made myself.  A friend and I used to say that at craft shows, too.  We had the talent, just didn't have the time.
  Well, to make a long story short, the need to sew has been growing in me for 2 years and now that I have more time and now that I have seen one more thing I could have made myself, today is the final straw.  I will sew something.  I think I will start with a series of Things I See That I Could've Made Myself.  Here's today's inspiration:

Stay Tuned!