Travelin' me-made and retro style!
Hello blogland! I write you from a cozy room in Buzzards Bay, MA. We departed Home in Minneapolis at the less-than-charming hour of 5am to make our way across the country for our friends Barry and Monica's wedding! Look up #baronica2014 on Instagram for some of their awesomeness.
I am excited to be able to share some images of my entirely me-made wardrobe for this trip! It will be the first time my mom will get to see this batch of dresses. I learned my love of sewing from my mama who taught me to sew on the machine she made my baby clothes on. I am so pumped to show her the latest.
I am excited to be able to share some images of my entirely me-made wardrobe for this trip! It will be the first time my mom will get to see this batch of dresses. I learned my love of sewing from my mama who taught me to sew on the machine she made my baby clothes on. I am so pumped to show her the latest.
In addition, I am traveling with my train case for the first time and hoping to garner some insights and tips for making the most of train case travel. I have been surprised by how much I can fit inside. I've also been pleased by how easy it is to reach in frequently to grab this or that while we made our way around Boston and toward the Cape. I'll be snapping photos and gathering tidbits to share. I'd love to hear your tips and tricks, too!
Getting over the hump, a little bit on motivation
I LOVE teaching. And, I LOVE sewing. Challenge is I don't love writing my syllabus. We are about to go off on vacation to Boston, Philadelphia and New Jersey and really, really need to get my syllabus finished and my first lecture ready to go. We come home only 3 days before classes start.
I have a whole heap of fabrics just screaming at my from the cutting table to become the next wonderful thing I get to wear and so I have given myself the mandate that all of my syllabus and first week of class materials need to be ready to print before I can get back to sewing.
So what do I do? Go buy more fabric, of course. My boss is an experienced pattern maker and we have a lunchtime pants-making chat set up this week. The first pair of pants I made were such an enormous, colossal failure that I decided I absolutely must seek out help.
Every review I have read about Butterick 5895 talks about success. Many sewers seem to have success right out of the envelope. A few needed minor tweaks. Only two reviewers have talked about them being bad in the first go. Even one of those lovely ladies just ate her words! Tasha of By Gum, By Golly looks fabulous in hers. I went to Joann's on my groceries trip today thinking I would just get what I needed to try making them.
I also found this beautiful ikat seersucker that was on sale for $7/yd and couldn't help myself. Why am I writing this blog instead of finishing my syllabus? Can't you see I am my own worst enemy! Oh, reader, encourage me to do what I need to so I can keep making fun frocks and things.
Wish me luck!
I have a whole heap of fabrics just screaming at my from the cutting table to become the next wonderful thing I get to wear and so I have given myself the mandate that all of my syllabus and first week of class materials need to be ready to print before I can get back to sewing.
So what do I do? Go buy more fabric, of course. My boss is an experienced pattern maker and we have a lunchtime pants-making chat set up this week. The first pair of pants I made were such an enormous, colossal failure that I decided I absolutely must seek out help.
Every review I have read about Butterick 5895 talks about success. Many sewers seem to have success right out of the envelope. A few needed minor tweaks. Only two reviewers have talked about them being bad in the first go. Even one of those lovely ladies just ate her words! Tasha of By Gum, By Golly looks fabulous in hers. I went to Joann's on my groceries trip today thinking I would just get what I needed to try making them.
I also found this beautiful ikat seersucker that was on sale for $7/yd and couldn't help myself. Why am I writing this blog instead of finishing my syllabus? Can't you see I am my own worst enemy! Oh, reader, encourage me to do what I need to so I can keep making fun frocks and things.
Wish me luck!
Is it truly awesome? And other vocabulary abuses.
I am a frequent user and abuser of the word "awesome". I try to inject more diversity into my daily vocabulary but I find that in my less conscientious moments I default to overuse of "awesome" to express excitement and satisfaction. I am a hypocrite.
Oh, but you can! I dislike to overuse of words when the overuse depletes the power and meaning of a word. When a friend or coworker asks a question and I am able to give an answer? "Thanks! Awesome!" Although I appreciate the vigor of the response I doubt much of what I do on a day to day basis or what I know is truly awesome.
Things that are truly awe-some:
-taking in the view from the rim of the Grand Canyon
-my last mountain-top sunrise when I lived in Lesotho
-hearing my boyfriend's daughter speak about her body without shame, guilt or fear
Things that rock, are very exciting, make me smile:
-delicious food
-waking up next to my dude every morning
-seeing dude's daughter accomplish a new skill or take a new risk
Here is a promise to myself to keep invigorating my linguistic skills and the depth of my vocabulary. Join me!
Things that are truly awe-some:
-taking in the view from the rim of the Grand Canyon
-my last mountain-top sunrise when I lived in Lesotho
-hearing my boyfriend's daughter speak about her body without shame, guilt or fear
Things that rock, are very exciting, make me smile:
-delicious food
-waking up next to my dude every morning
-seeing dude's daughter accomplish a new skill or take a new risk
Here is a promise to myself to keep invigorating my linguistic skills and the depth of my vocabulary. Join me!
The Batter Up! daydress
During my day off last week I was very happy to spend the whole day home and sewing. And doing laundry. And cleaning the cat's water fountain, etc, etc. Still, mainly, a sewing day!
After my most recent trip to SR Harris I had a really hard time deciding which of my new fabrics to start with. Looking through my box of trim I decided to make up this fun blue dot print with some extra wide rickrack trim from my stash. I went back and forth about it since it made me think of baseball right away. I love the kinda '40's, kinda '60's pop Deco feeling of it.
After my most recent trip to SR Harris I had a really hard time deciding which of my new fabrics to start with. Looking through my box of trim I decided to make up this fun blue dot print with some extra wide rickrack trim from my stash. I went back and forth about it since it made me think of baseball right away. I love the kinda '40's, kinda '60's pop Deco feeling of it.
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| I keep all of my TNT pattern pieces in their own envelopes. Separate bodice and bottom pieces. Mix and match heaven! I have a whole envelope of pocket pieces, too! |
I started out with my kimono sleeve bodice block and a basic gathered skirt (I use a tapered hip line instead of a straight rectangle to reduce bulk). I laid all of my bits out and just wasn't feeling it. So I scrapped the kimono sleeve bodice and instead opted for my newly modified Butterick 5748 bodice! I made this up as a test run for a dress I am wearing to a friend's wedding later this month. With the first try there was major neck gaping and the back is so low that I can only wear it with one bra that I own.
To eliminate the neck gape I followed the advice of berni and i . Her step-by-step was perfect for altering a one-piece bodice front with waist and bust darts. It's giving me the confidence to go back and fix some other patterns with similar problems. Don't fear the dart!
As a side note, I generally don't pre-wash my fabrics unless I am sure that the sizing is corn-based (I have an allergy). I find that most fabrics are so much easier to cut and fit in their fresh-off-the-bolt state. Plus, my ironing and pressing time is greatly reduced and my washing machine is saved the trouble of loose yarns tumbling around the center holding my towels and underpants hostage.
In the future I hope to share additional tidbits about organization, pattern tracing, storage and modifications. I love reading about other bloggers organization and tips and tricks.
Next up: pictures of the finished dress! And some Bakelite love.
Happy sewing!
Day off, new sewing space!
Ok, so it's not a totally new sewing space. We moved into our duplex
about 2 months ago and although we are settled in many ways I am still
getting used to the new space and it's quirks. We've just combined
households and finding just the right way to put each of our belongings
into the best use is the kind of challenge I love. Fortunately for us
both my boyfriend likes my flair for organization and design.
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| Here's the new layout! |
I really should have taken some before/after photos since there is an enormous red, sculptural chair that is now hidden away in our Enormous Closet. I was getting pretty frustrated with my workspace flow before. I have a small ironing board and it would have to be used on top of the worktable. The serger felt crammed in at the far end when the giant chair was in the place of the sewing machine. Now, I have usurped a bookshelf for my ironing station (and lego storage for the kiddo!) and we have a lot more open floor space. Woo! I keep other supplies tucked away in our Enormous Closet.
Now, with the sewing space on its way to glory I have a couple of other things that need resolving. I'm pumped to hang these wine boxes for some additional storage/keeping junk off the workspace over my sewing machine. It'll be great to be able to keep thread and bobbins close at hand without having them on the work surface! Other items include: additional light for sewing machine area (perhaps), additional thread rack for overflow (absolutely!), hairpin legs for the worktable (when I can stop myself from blowing my candy money on Bakelite...rrrrright.)
For now, I am off to spend the day with my stepdaughter. This will be her first time coming thrifting and antiquing with me. On the lookout for: Bakelite bangles, quilted hosiery boxes, end tables and cloth napkins. Future post on our day of spoils and also my approach to antiquing and thrifting, for sure!
A day to play
It's been a quiet week at work. The sort that finds me reaching out to coworkers to see what I can help with and compiling mental checklists of all the things I would like to get done at home. So I am super excited to be taking a personal day tomorrow!
On my to-do list:
-SEW!
-Work on the Butterick 5748 for a friend's wedding
-cut out fabric for two other dresses
-draft pockets/trim plans for the two dresses
-antique mall?
-in Hopkins, Antiques on Main
-look for: bakelite, cloth napkins, satin organizers! Like these:
I have seen a bunch of folks storing bangles this way and I truly love it!
Happy almost Friday!
Great fabric in Minnesota
When I moved to Minnesota I really did not know where to go for good fabric. I knew there were a number of Jo-Ann stores in the metro but Ho-Ann is not my usual cup of tea. So you can certainly see why I was super excited to start learning about the less commercial options available! Two places in particular have become my regular stomping grounds: S.R. Harris and Crafty Planet.
S.R. H
arris is an enormous, 30,000sq.ft. warehouse fill in every square inch with all manner of apparel and home fabrics and cut rate prices. Their typical set up is to offer 50% off of all shelf prices with occasional additional sales on specific categories (linen, silks, upholstery, etc). I had lived here more than 2 years before I went the first time. I has little knowledge of what I was getting myself into. I spent HOURS there. I know now to set a budget (usually about $100) for a visit and to go in with my little book of swatches and a plan. Otherwise I'll just go bonkers. These two fun projects came from quilting cottons I found there.
Crafty Planet is a small, independently-owned fabric and yarn store that specializes in all manner of sweet, novelty prints and unique quilting weight cottons. I got my stepdaughter this amazing KABOOM fabric for a circle skirt of her own! They are a little on the spendy side but it does my heart good to support local businesses that support our enthusiastic maker/sewist community around these parts. If you happen to be in Minnesota I strongly encourage you to hit these spots up. It'll stoke your stitching fire!
Been awhile, been a-sewin'
I have a hard time keeping up with blog posts. This year I started teaching college in addition to my full time work as a fabric engineer. I have wanted to teach for a long time and the fulfillment of that goal, at least in a small way, has been absolutely amazing. It's energizing and exhausting. Humbling and ego-boosting. It's a head trip. Perhaps I will write about my classes more in depth in the future.
Today I am mostly itching to write about my shift in personal style and how I've been using it to spur my sewing to newer, more productive and more rewarding heights. My Mom taught me about sewing at a fairly young age and I was not so thrilled. I remember getting my first sewing kit when I was 8 years old. It has a pink and white fabric lid that doubled as a pin cushion. My cousin D got one, too and I was thrilled to play with all of its little parts but not keen on using them to any productive end. It's kind of frustratingly hilarious to compare that to where I have taken my education and landed in my career. In high school I started getting more into it, making very simple skirts and pants, altering clothing I already had to be new and different. Often times driven by my urge to go club dancing and have a new, fun outfit every time.
These days my style is a bit different. I realized awhile ago that I've been dressing very dark. I told myself it was an easy solution to my work wardrobe (business dress was required at the time). I dressed almost exclusively in black for work and them "mixed it up" on the weekends with black t-shirts and blue jeans. As my work and personal life has taken a major uptick in the chaos field I looked at my wardrobe again and it dawned on me that black wasn't easy, it was giving in. I was hiding. Black clothes are slimming. They match everything. You don't have to think about the style of things so much. It's just shapes. I looked more pulled together without having to work at it. I started hating my closet and having to get dressed for work. Which is most unfortunate since my job is still pretty cool (even with the chaos) and I get a tickle every time I walk into our giant building. Something had to give. So I decided to go backwards. To when I was happier with my body, felt more balance in my life and was excited to get dressed each day.
I've gone back to vintage and vintage-inspired clothing. Circle skirts, striped tops, buttons, belts, red lips, bold eyelashes, pearls and bead necklaces galore. Dresses and skirts make me feel fun! Instead of like I am just trying to get through the day. It sounds a little superficial to say it that way, however, I have found that it makes a big difference. My boyfriend has commented that he sees a change. I walk into my closet each evening (I find it best to choose my outfits before bed) and I am excited. I am excited to put together a new outfit. I am excited to put it on each morning.
Before coming to MN I sewed. A lot. It was my zen. I would get the urge and before I knew it it would be 3am and I would be entirely engrossed in what I was making. I am recharged. The 3am part may not be the best... there's nothing quite like a sewing hangover! But, I fall in love with my machine and my ability and my family history every time I sit down with it again.
The latest project is the blouse from Simplicity 4047, the 1950's retro wardrobe, now out of print, but which I have had for nearly ten years. I made the skirt once upon a time and remember wanting the pattern since it had so many useful, functional daily-wear pieces (it includes a swing jacket, pencil skirt with 2 length options, blouse and capri pants). I took a risk and decided to make the blouse from a reverse-print slub jersey I had on hand and it is going really well! I can't wait to post a picture. I had been worried that the fabric wouldn't have a retro or vintage feel but it looks amazing in the silhouette and brings some much need lightness to my wardrobe. I am very excited to wear it year round and have started thinking this pattern was destined for knits (though the envelope says nothing about them!) More soon! xoxo Sarah
Today I am mostly itching to write about my shift in personal style and how I've been using it to spur my sewing to newer, more productive and more rewarding heights. My Mom taught me about sewing at a fairly young age and I was not so thrilled. I remember getting my first sewing kit when I was 8 years old. It has a pink and white fabric lid that doubled as a pin cushion. My cousin D got one, too and I was thrilled to play with all of its little parts but not keen on using them to any productive end. It's kind of frustratingly hilarious to compare that to where I have taken my education and landed in my career. In high school I started getting more into it, making very simple skirts and pants, altering clothing I already had to be new and different. Often times driven by my urge to go club dancing and have a new, fun outfit every time.
These days my style is a bit different. I realized awhile ago that I've been dressing very dark. I told myself it was an easy solution to my work wardrobe (business dress was required at the time). I dressed almost exclusively in black for work and them "mixed it up" on the weekends with black t-shirts and blue jeans. As my work and personal life has taken a major uptick in the chaos field I looked at my wardrobe again and it dawned on me that black wasn't easy, it was giving in. I was hiding. Black clothes are slimming. They match everything. You don't have to think about the style of things so much. It's just shapes. I looked more pulled together without having to work at it. I started hating my closet and having to get dressed for work. Which is most unfortunate since my job is still pretty cool (even with the chaos) and I get a tickle every time I walk into our giant building. Something had to give. So I decided to go backwards. To when I was happier with my body, felt more balance in my life and was excited to get dressed each day.
I've gone back to vintage and vintage-inspired clothing. Circle skirts, striped tops, buttons, belts, red lips, bold eyelashes, pearls and bead necklaces galore. Dresses and skirts make me feel fun! Instead of like I am just trying to get through the day. It sounds a little superficial to say it that way, however, I have found that it makes a big difference. My boyfriend has commented that he sees a change. I walk into my closet each evening (I find it best to choose my outfits before bed) and I am excited. I am excited to put together a new outfit. I am excited to put it on each morning.
Before coming to MN I sewed. A lot. It was my zen. I would get the urge and before I knew it it would be 3am and I would be entirely engrossed in what I was making. I am recharged. The 3am part may not be the best... there's nothing quite like a sewing hangover! But, I fall in love with my machine and my ability and my family history every time I sit down with it again.
The latest project is the blouse from Simplicity 4047, the 1950's retro wardrobe, now out of print, but which I have had for nearly ten years. I made the skirt once upon a time and remember wanting the pattern since it had so many useful, functional daily-wear pieces (it includes a swing jacket, pencil skirt with 2 length options, blouse and capri pants). I took a risk and decided to make the blouse from a reverse-print slub jersey I had on hand and it is going really well! I can't wait to post a picture. I had been worried that the fabric wouldn't have a retro or vintage feel but it looks amazing in the silhouette and brings some much need lightness to my wardrobe. I am very excited to wear it year round and have started thinking this pattern was destined for knits (though the envelope says nothing about them!) More soon! xoxo Sarah
little starbursts.
I'm torn between sharing frustrations about work and sharing some of the bizarre highlights of what has become my life of late. So, perhaps a little of both.
Work: There are a bunch of pregnant ladies at work right now and I have been flipping out about what will happen when they all go out on maternity leave at THE SAME TIME! We are already down some folks on our team and the idea makes my tummy flip.
Outside of work: I started teaching at a local university. I kind of can't believe it. I got out of class the first night and texted my Dude with, "I just taught COLLEGE!!!" I floated home in a warm, happy bubble. Last night was our 2nd class and I started getting the anxious tickles, the kind that make me feel like I screwed up. There is a woman in my class who makes me feel like she is mad all the time. Almost every contribution she has made in class had made me wonder if she is mad at me. 2 classes are not enough to be able to tell. Seriously, I am teaching a college class. I know that parts of it will make me flip out with self-imposed expectations (every time I percieve I've made a mistake, for instance). And other parts will make me insanely tickled. Overall, it's SO MUCH WORK! And so far, the thrill is the strongest part.
Outside of work: I started teaching at a local university. I kind of can't believe it. I got out of class the first night and texted my Dude with, "I just taught COLLEGE!!!" I floated home in a warm, happy bubble. Last night was our 2nd class and I started getting the anxious tickles, the kind that make me feel like I screwed up. There is a woman in my class who makes me feel like she is mad all the time. Almost every contribution she has made in class had made me wonder if she is mad at me. 2 classes are not enough to be able to tell. Seriously, I am teaching a college class. I know that parts of it will make me flip out with self-imposed expectations (every time I percieve I've made a mistake, for instance). And other parts will make me insanely tickled. Overall, it's SO MUCH WORK! And so far, the thrill is the strongest part.
Balancing act.
How do you balance social etiquette, socializing and diet restrictions. With some things, like food intolerances, it is very straight forward: eat this, feel like crap. But keeping track of every item I eat (which I do) and being able to plan ahead for every social occasion is frustrating. I find myself being very reasonable in each setting, except that the frequency of each dalliance is the problem.
How do you limit the social interactions? How do you build the bridges to have people want to support you instead of get frustrated by your constant refusals?
I've cut way back on my calorie intake. I've tracked what a "normal" day was like before I started hitting the gym hardcore and using MyFitnessPal and I feel like I should be seeing an improvement faster than I am. I know that it is normal to make a sort of exchange of fat and muscle as you begin "losing weight" but I don't see it in my clothes. This is super frustrating.
So, I look at the possible areas where I am still slipping up and thus, the paragraph above. What do you do? Who could I partner with to better understand the effect of my intake and output?
Ultimately, I know that I am getting fitter. My skin texture is better. I feel my muscle tone improving. My energy is better. But I want it all. I want to be a better shape for my height. I want to have a healthy height/weight ratio. I want to wear smaller pants and feel even better nekkid.
What to do!??!?!