tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-45542340214202297272024-03-05T03:55:37.011-06:00Sewing on Pinsbreaking needles and ripping out seamsHeatherhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10477887672613694373noreply@blogger.comBlogger236125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4554234021420229727.post-44416390622572200532014-08-11T13:33:00.003-05:002014-08-11T13:39:51.079-05:00New Blog Goes Live!In July, I talked about how I feel like <a href="http://sewingonpins.blogspot.ca/2014/07/thoughts-on-blogging-poor-fits-and-new.html">this blog isn't a good fit anymore</a>. Well, it took a while of futzing, but I finally got new my blog started up!<br />
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While I'll be sad to leave Sewing on Pins behind, I feel a lot more free in my new space. There's a few posts over there already, and I have so many post ideas, I'm torn between crafting and blogging right now!<br />
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<a href="http://thingsimakeplusrocks.blogspot.ca/">Things I Make. Plus Rocks. </a></div>
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I had a hell of a time coming up with a name for my new space. Every single name I wanted was in use - usually by someone who made one single post 4 years ago and never again. :( I was stumped for a while, until a friend asked me what I wanted my blog to be about. My answer? <i>Things I Make. Plus Rocks.</i><br />
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Oh hey, that'd make a good blog name! Does what it says on the tin, after all.<br />
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Anyways, please have a gander over at my new blog, if you're interested in the things I make. And the occassional post on rocks. :) I think it's going to be a fun new place!Heatherhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10477887672613694373noreply@blogger.com7tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4554234021420229727.post-33818868696336224512014-07-15T14:58:00.001-05:002014-07-15T14:58:07.597-05:00Lazy Day<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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Lazy day = handsewing little details on <a href="http://sewingonpins.blogspot.ca/2014/06/burlap-wedding-favour-bags.html">wedding favour bags</a> with a cuppa tea, some chocolate, and Project Runway Season 6 marathon. Later on will be knitting in the sunny backyard.<br />
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Oh the life of rotational camp work. :)Heatherhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10477887672613694373noreply@blogger.com8tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4554234021420229727.post-29805439623330960402014-07-11T19:22:00.001-05:002014-07-11T19:22:51.639-05:00Thoughts on Blogging, Poor Fits, and a New Start<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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I love blogging. I love getting inspired by other people's projects, reading about their progress and setbacks, and solutions to overcome those set backs. I love seeing you all showing off the clothes you've created and your proud smiles. I love inspiring others with my own projects, sharing the disasters and getting feedback on how to fix them. I love sharing in this wonderful online community, making contacts and friends, and just being a part of this creative world.<br />
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Blogging keeps me going on projects that I sometimes would abandon, because I know that there are people out there curious to see how it turns out, and that makes me curious and excited to see a project to the end. Even if they get put on hold until I can stand looking at them (I'm looking at you, pants).<br />
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I'm sure a lot of you have noticed, but I'm just not blogging as much anymore. It's not that I'm not creating. There's barely a day that goes by where I'm not knitting or sewing or planning a new project or doing something creative with my hands. It makes me sad that I'm not sharing some of these fun projects.<br />
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I've been doing a lot of thinking about this, trying to work out what it is that keeps me from opening up this New Post window and excitedly sharing all of these projects, and I think I've worked out why. <br />
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Sewing on Pins was created when I was in grad school, doing a very technical and somewhat dry project. I loved it, but needed a creative outlet, and I happened to pick up sewing. The focus of the blog was to chronical my adventure through learning how to sew clothing, and it was a fantastic creative outlet and resource. I fell in love with sewing, the online sewing community, and all of the fantastically creative people in it.<br />
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But I'm no longer that Grad Student, focussed entirely on sewing or thesising. As I've moved on to a job I love, a new home, and a great relationship, I find that this blog just doesn't...fit anymore. <br />
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While I still sew, I also knit and crochet, I'm starting to embroider and garden, I love canning, I have plans to refinish furniture, and we're starting to do renovations on the house. These are all creative things I'd love to share on my blog, but Sewing on Pins doesn't feel like the right place for all that.<br />
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I know, I know, it's my blog and I can post what I want to (*sings* POST WHAT I WANT TO, POST WHAT I WANT TO! Haha sorry, couldn't help myself), but I can't help but feel off about it. This is blatently a Sewing Blog, and I can't help but feel guilty when I post on other topics. <br />
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So I think I'm going to start fresh. I don't have a new blog home set up yet, still working out some details (like what to call it) and whether to stick with blogger. When I do, I'll post a link to the new blog. I hope you'll be willing to follow me over there!<br />
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I know this is the right decision, because as soon as I made it, I suddenly had a flood of post ideas and the excitement to post that I've been missing the last couple years. Funny how a new start can bring inspiration all on it's own.<br />
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Oh, and I hope you've enjoyed pictures of my canoe garden! It's one of those projects I've been wanting to share, and I think it'll be one of the first posts at my new blog home! WOOO LOOK AT ME I'M GARDENING!!<br />
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<br />Heatherhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10477887672613694373noreply@blogger.com12tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4554234021420229727.post-9293812348033012062014-06-24T20:32:00.002-05:002014-06-24T20:32:13.712-05:00Burlap Wedding Favour BagsNO NOT MY WEDDING. My favourite cousin is getting married this summer, and I happily volunteered myself to make up her wedding favours!<br />
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She's planning on having a country wedding at my Grandma's country farm house. She showed me all of her plans when I was visiting in April, which involve a lot of burlap and candles and lace and haybails and all sorts of gorgeous ideas. And she's trying to do it all on a dime.<br />
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Her wedding favours will be a candy table, and people can fill up little fabric bags with which ever candies they'd like. It's a cute idea that I've seen before, and a ton of fun. Especially since everyone will be higher than a kite on sugar!<br />
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But their plan was to just get whatever fabric they could find and toss together these little bags. I looked at the mismatched bits of satin and cotton and polyester they'd gathered together, and I admit, made a bit of a face. It just wasn't going to match with the rest of the theme. <br />
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Since I really wanted to help out despite being so far away, I (of course) volunteered to take over this project. My cousin seemed more than happy to hand it off, especially after the ideas I tossed out.<br />
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Here's my first attempt at it! They're about 6.5"x5" in size. I'm going to walk you through how I made them. Just because. :) <br />
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I was able to source some free burlap in the form of coffee bean jute bags from a local coffee roaster. Which are soooo cool because they have all of this great graphics printed on them! I washed them a couple of times, dried them a couple of times (the second time to try to get rid of more of the fluff they generated after washing), and then spent most of today ironing out the plethora of wrinkles that set in.<br />
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It took a healthy dose of heat, steam, and a lot of arm muscle to press those damn wrinkles out! And holy crap is there a lot of fluff all over my sewing room now. <br />
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I <i>LOVE </i>the graphics! Seriously, I'm saving one of these bags to make up into a burlap messanger bag for myself. <br />
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Because these bags will be used to hold candy, I lined them with some tight-weaved but light-weight cotton. I'm actually considering using plastic instead for the next batch, which I didn't think about until just now. Actually, I might just include some plastic sandwich bags to go inside of them. Might be easier, on me and my sewing machine.<br />
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Once I basted the fabric to the jute bag, I cut it into 15 inch wide strips. These strips were pressed in half length-wise, and the raw edges folded over and sewn down to create a draw string loop on the top of the bags.<br />
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Then I zig-zagged some lace just underneath the draw-string loop. <i>Finally </i>found a use for my vast collection of vintage and modern lace!<br /><br />
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Here's the other side. You can see the lining and the folded over tops for the draw-string.<br />
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Then I just folded the strip in half again, cut them into 5 inch wide bags, and zigzagged along both edges just below the draw-string loops.<br />
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Thread some lace and jute through the draw-string loops...<br /><br />
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And voila! Seven adorable favour bags finished...<br />
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...only another 200 to go. Sweet peanuts...<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>Plans and experiments for some non-burlap bags...</i></td></tr>
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Heatherhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10477887672613694373noreply@blogger.com7tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4554234021420229727.post-56646041117954956472014-06-19T02:36:00.003-05:002014-06-19T02:42:51.812-05:00Wardrobe Purge ProgressYou guys are awesome, reading all of my <a href="http://sewingonpins.blogspot.ca/2014/06/blathering-on-about-planned-purge.html">blatherings</a> on wardrobe purging and sharing your own stories! While emptying and ruthlessly purging my closet, I kept a lot of your advice about keeping some garments for the fabric (and in a few cases, buttons). I forsee a lot of new panties in my future!<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhQOEZf9vqJDCFeoOc2mTTdxOL2e6sVVVkIxgCvgkptojoO-CTBXjQ0E5XdWQ66Sp67wUXFxBtwIdoQ8ME8I6Z_NA8Iq2I0D4Yk0fndiREVYGjKN6GK0oXmpodlyTTfmcIcbmFVdQUa1w/s1600/IMG_3154.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhQOEZf9vqJDCFeoOc2mTTdxOL2e6sVVVkIxgCvgkptojoO-CTBXjQ0E5XdWQ66Sp67wUXFxBtwIdoQ8ME8I6Z_NA8Iq2I0D4Yk0fndiREVYGjKN6GK0oXmpodlyTTfmcIcbmFVdQUa1w/s1600/IMG_3154.JPG" height="294" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>These three piles are to be donated. Yes, there's a pair of fancy panties on the front pile. I bought them (for a ridiculous amount) and never ever wore them after trying them on at home. Yes, I washed them before adding to this pile. THE LAUNDRY I HAVE DONE TODAY, YE GODS.</i></td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>This pile is going in my reconstruction bin, mostly to scavange the fabrics for other projects. There are four me-mades in this pile. Also a bra with a hole in the rib strap. I'm keeping it to maybe incorporate into the swimming suit I'm hoping to make someday...</i></td></tr>
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I'm not completely done. I think I was a little too soft about some things, especially me-made makes. But I set up my new camera and tripod up in the living room and took (poorly) modeled shots of me in them garments, and it helped me really look at them as a useable (or not) garment and not a beloved make.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgyITVAgYED3B1Q1vjb77lxpsX2oSa0j0IWD-9pG_lbvCKH-_NFoMZPyYHJSQJQFTr2zEVWUFkMU-c2TP-e8ssc5ysd0-144ym6RHkMrN73HC-8vCHJuv6fhrprGUbeHOSP7RI6swi_eg/s1600/Gone.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgyITVAgYED3B1Q1vjb77lxpsX2oSa0j0IWD-9pG_lbvCKH-_NFoMZPyYHJSQJQFTr2zEVWUFkMU-c2TP-e8ssc5ysd0-144ym6RHkMrN73HC-8vCHJuv6fhrprGUbeHOSP7RI6swi_eg/s1600/Gone.jpg" height="320" width="204" /></a></div>
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The pictures above show some of the garments that I waffled on until I took the pictures. The upper left is a floral bag dress I bought at a thrift store ages ago. I do love it (it looks much better with a belt), but I just don't reach for it anymore. TIME TO GO.<br />
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The upper right is <a href="http://sewingonpins.blogspot.ca/2012/04/rtw-inspiration.html">this top</a>, which I really do adore, but the neckline in the front is too high and the front is finicky because of all the fabric in the back, and while I want to wear it, I never do. Scavanging the buttons, lace, and fabric (maybe?).<br />
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The bottom left is <a href="http://sewingonpins.blogspot.ca/2011/09/some-babbling-and-surprisingly-great.html">this top</a>. This photo (and the blog post I just dug up) <i>almost </i>convinced me to keep it, but it's just not a style I wear anymore. It's too office-y to me (probably because I always wore it to the office part of the Job From Hell), and that's just not my life anymore. Really fun pattern created by Tanit-Isis though (links in that blog post), and I'm so keeping the piece to be recycled. Or possibly to slip back into my closet OMG I HAVE A PROBLEM GIVING THESE AWAY.<br />
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Th bottom right is my cute little <a href="http://sewingonpins.blogspot.ca/2010/08/jaunty-jacket.html">Jaunty Jacket</a>, the last contribution to my <a href="http://sewingonpins.blogspot.ca/2010/08/wardrobe-contest-defeated.html">PR Wardrobe Contest 2010 entry</a>. While it's adorable and I love the corduroy, I only wore it through the Self-Stitched September right after the contest, a handful of times in the months afterward, and not a once since then. <br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhKClIVVMn6bMor8s74dr-666RuFHlE0bDAmF6Jz_X1GOiAbWo2AlUPAn1-Ouf3gLjVnr3FdqTKC67SQInX3NNnhKSMSX22P2GgVZSXJh9gokVyeSiFy608GKpRQM9PxQutNROpfdV1sA/s1600/IMG_3157.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhKClIVVMn6bMor8s74dr-666RuFHlE0bDAmF6Jz_X1GOiAbWo2AlUPAn1-Ouf3gLjVnr3FdqTKC67SQInX3NNnhKSMSX22P2GgVZSXJh9gokVyeSiFy608GKpRQM9PxQutNROpfdV1sA/s1600/IMG_3157.JPG" height="320" width="258" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>Looks so cute here! They're the Jaunty Jacket, the <a href="http://sewingonpins.blogspot.ca/2010/08/i-promise-no-more-of-this-coral-fabric.html">Petal Skirt</a>, and the <a href="http://sewingonpins.blogspot.ca/2010/07/sheety-blouse-or-blousy-sheet.html">Sheety Blouse</a>. I'm keeping the blouse for fabric and those lovely covered buttons.</i></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj_6J50hnjENS9ArVsfxrz_dbJ6-QB5N7kU8rdP9VGbE-lQtIB96rHwZEYT0TI98v7MkNWwufHD75ytX-8HP4V8a3Xn5P7489J9jEp98ge3edFUrPEDkMiFzsrq2Rl8mW1ZkduvtiHq0g/s1600/IMG_3162.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj_6J50hnjENS9ArVsfxrz_dbJ6-QB5N7kU8rdP9VGbE-lQtIB96rHwZEYT0TI98v7MkNWwufHD75ytX-8HP4V8a3Xn5P7489J9jEp98ge3edFUrPEDkMiFzsrq2Rl8mW1ZkduvtiHq0g/s1600/IMG_3162.JPG" height="320" width="181" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>So so not me anymore. And that skirt is still so annoying to wear. Why did I keep it for this long? Oh yeah, sentiment.</i></td></tr>
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In fact, I'm getting rid of my last three pieces from that wardrobe contest. ::sadface:: WHY IS THIS SO HARD. I tried the whole outfit on again, and it really showed how much my style has changed (I hate the whole look on me). Also how much weight I've put on. *ahem*<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjzev4Vp1WOyWHNNvD1GW4htS5C7nn7NHKgD0EK-PPH-yM6SPdP9q0hKw7zvKczdKuVA2gdJz1dHCZGIzcFemj5L2U-j4PhZShl8kAwFfm1HjLqm7dS9La5luOscB2nITY426jc6aw8fA/s1600/Saves.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjzev4Vp1WOyWHNNvD1GW4htS5C7nn7NHKgD0EK-PPH-yM6SPdP9q0hKw7zvKczdKuVA2gdJz1dHCZGIzcFemj5L2U-j4PhZShl8kAwFfm1HjLqm7dS9La5luOscB2nITY426jc6aw8fA/s1600/Saves.jpg" height="320" width="256" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>I hate posing for the camera.</i></td></tr>
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There are a few surprising saves though. Those three jackets were shoved into the very back of our awkwardly constructed closet, and I totally forgot about them. Annoying, because I was really lacking sprint jackets this year. So SAVE.<br />
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I'd fully planned to donate the red polka dot faux-wrap dress until I tried it on again and omg love. LOVE!!! Seriously, LOVE. It's going back into the closet (for now), but I really would like to replace it with something less polyester. I always forget how awesomely I rock faux-wrapped bodices.<br />
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I'd also planned to get rid of the green (thrifted) blouse, but it's just so...me. Funky weird fabric design, casual fit, 3/4 length sleeves, and a perfect length. It's going into my clothes cupboard now so I won't forget about it in my closet.<br />
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All told, I think I did a damn fine job...so far. My cupboard is looking much less packed and filled with clothes I'll actually wear, and I'm donating two garbage bags worth of garments (plus adding a bunch of fabric to my recon bin). But there's still a computer chair filled with closet stuff that I probably should've been more brutal with, and I kept a lot of tank tops I don't wear that often...<br />
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...may need to revisit those bits again...Heatherhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10477887672613694373noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4554234021420229727.post-43011347527690011522014-06-17T19:41:00.003-05:002014-06-17T19:41:57.778-05:00Blathering on about a Planned PurgeSo tomorrow is going to be The Big Purge.<br /><br />I've been planning this
for a while, but have been hesitating because of Reasons. See, I have a
closet and cupboard full of clothes, and yet, not that much to wear.
So much crap. So many ill-fitted garments. So many worn out pieces,
mismatched pieces, pieces that I hate.<br /><br />Why do I keep them all?
Some of it's probably because of that whole 'I have nothing to wear, so
don't get rid of anything or else I'll be NAKED' thought. But I think
it's mostly because of sentimental reasons or value reasons. <br /><br />'I bought this top last year and have barely worn it - I can't toss it out! It's practically NEW.' <br /><br />'I've had this top for <i>years</i> and it's gotten me through many a crappy day.' <br /><br />'My Grandma gave it to me.' <br /><br />'I made this top when I first started sewing and I can't get rid of it!'<br /><br />And
so much more. I think another big part of it is that I really do want
to have a me-made wardrobe, and keep thinking that I'll just replace
garments with me-mades. Sadly, I both don't have time to replace
everything in the time span that I want, and <i>I don't actually replace anything.</i> I just add to the whole mess.<br /><br />So, purge.<br /><br />Honestly, I've done a bunch of clothes shopping lately (yes I know, fast fashion and cheap crap - <i>I know</i>,
but there's not many other options in the Yukon right now, and I need
clothes now), and I think even including camp clothes, I have more than
enough to just purge nearly everything older (and send to the local
Sally-Ann), and still get by. Hell, I'm making it work on what
little I wear out of my vast collection of crap. And it should give me a
chance to really look for the holes in my wardrobe, and work on filling
it as needed (hopefully with my own makes). <br /><br />My head and heart
are fighting about this already, and I'm going to be keeping a bunch of
sentimental pieces, I just know it (here's looking at you, dress in
which I defended my M.Sc.), but it's beyond necessary at this point. <br /><br />*sigh* Wish me luck!Heatherhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10477887672613694373noreply@blogger.com11tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4554234021420229727.post-47897857736952856422014-05-22T17:49:00.001-05:002014-05-22T17:49:22.480-05:00Me-Made Panties: a Trial RunYep, that's right, I spent a rare day in my sewing room. I've been itching to get in there for a while now, so you can probably imagine the contented smile on my face right now.<br />
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Sadly, only half of the last 5 hours was spent sewing. This morning was spent digging out my sewing room from the epic storm that seemed to blow through. Cripes, how does it wind up such a disaster without any sewing going on?! <br />
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Anywho, I MADE PANTIES!!<br />
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I've been wanting to make more of these suckers for a while. I'm still wearing two of the pairs I made back in 2010 since they're the most comfortable panties I own and I don't ever want to give them up! Yikes, that's a long time ago. Definitely time to make some new ones!<br />
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I'm not going to go into much detail about the construction or tracing the pattern, as they're very similar to how I did the last set and I added some <a href="http://sewingonpins.blogspot.ca/2010/07/pantified-tees.html">useful links in that post</a>. I did spend some time yesterday reading through Zoe's (of <a href="http://sozowhatdoyouknow.blogspot.co.uk/">So Zo...</a>) <a href="http://sozowhatdoyouknow.blogspot.co.uk/2012/12/free-downloadable-pdf-pattern-pants_4.html">series of blog posts</a> on making panties, and she has a free pattern available if you don't want to try tracing your own. Really helpful stuff!<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg3WGuwTRxYQiVcvSnAdCQGAI87_9R4uhoUWWuWX9-oCgBbkLLqES8Z5jgP5HoPrwiI1uk-zGcIMWqYHPAe7TU5x9xF7KABS9DXja-qc4S9Ucv4p-O0Vaowk83dkZHD_dh09TJtf01CJA/s1600/IMG_3016.png" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg3WGuwTRxYQiVcvSnAdCQGAI87_9R4uhoUWWuWX9-oCgBbkLLqES8Z5jgP5HoPrwiI1uk-zGcIMWqYHPAe7TU5x9xF7KABS9DXja-qc4S9Ucv4p-O0Vaowk83dkZHD_dh09TJtf01CJA/s1600/IMG_3016.png" height="240" width="320" /></a></div>
These were really just a trial run of the pattern I traced this afternoon from a pair of beloved-but-sadly-unwearable La Senza panties. This time I was smart and traced them onto some stiff muslin fabric to create a more durable pattern.<br />
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For the trial run, I cut up an old comfy-but-indescribably-unflattering top I originally found at a thrift shop and has been hanging out in my To-Be-Reconstructed Bin for years.<br />
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This was the first time I've sewn elastic like this, first stitching the elastic and fabric right sides together, then flipping the elastic under and using a three-stitch zig-zag overtop. Boy do I need practice keeping a straight zig-zagged seam on wiggly elastic! <br />
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All in all, I'm pretty pleased with them, other than the horrible job I did on the
elastic. And you can't really see once it's all said and done - at
least, not from the front. I've learned to use a light coloured thread when
using a light coloured elastic - boy does the underside look horrible.<br />
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The traced pattern turned out to be really comfortable! I love how odd the leg holes look flat, but they have good bum coverage because of it, yet doesn't dig into my legs in the front. Though one thing I'll need to remember in the future is to <i>tighten up the elastic as it goes over the bum area</i> of the leg holes. The elastic wound up a bit too loose in that area, and tightening it up should snug it up to my bum a bit more.<br />
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Things you all obviously need to know. You're welcome.<br />
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So yeah, I'd call these a success. Time to start cranking these suckers out, assembly-line style!<br />
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Have any of you converted to me-made panties yet? I sort of want to replace all of my current stock with them!Heatherhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10477887672613694373noreply@blogger.com9tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4554234021420229727.post-85373275452722192772014-05-19T21:27:00.001-05:002014-05-19T21:27:31.625-05:00Camp Knitting and Project PlottingBetween a trip to Manitoba, a busy rotation in camp, and a fantastic camping weekend in the middle of Nowhere, Yukon, I've been far away from the sewing (and knitting) community. Heh, I'll probably be popping into quite a few blogs in the coming days, making comments on all sorts of old posts as I catch up.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>Got one twist repeat finished on Saturday...</i></td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>...and completed (nearly) another repeat on Sunday. This photo was taken at 11:20 pm, btw, and in natural light too. I love living in the North.</i></td></tr>
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Inspired by <a href="http://www.myso-calledhandmadelife.com/2013/08/just-campy.html">Michelle</a>, I worked on my Just Beachy while sitting around the campfire. (I definitely did not get as far as she did during her camping trip!) It's definitely a project you park yourself to do, because there's so many balls of yarn to handle. This was great because my boyfriend kept refilling my drinks! Sadly, it meant sitting in the rain while I dropped down stitches to correct a cable twist direction. The Boyfriend and our Buddy were laughing pretty hard at that. Jerks.<br />
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I'm so happy to be back home now though, mostly because there's so many projects I want to work on. <br />
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My favourite cousin is getting married this summer, and I'm helping her out with her wedding favours. I'm sewing up a ton of little burlap, cotton, and lace bags. I have lots of ideas on how to make these up, so be prepared to see these in the coming weeks. So stoked to find a use for my vintage lace collection!<br />
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I'm also hoping to do some home dec stuff for around our house. I really want to put my person touch on our home. Although first I need to do some serious spring cleaning!<br />
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And part of that spring cleaning is going to include digging out all of my clothes and <i>getting rid of most of it.</i> Seriously, my closet is in dire shape, and I need to see what I need to replace (hopefully by sewing). We'll see. I may take you guys along for that ride. :) Heatherhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10477887672613694373noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4554234021420229727.post-54425920114360810912014-05-04T23:47:00.000-05:002014-05-04T23:47:14.034-05:00Finished Project: Eastwood CardiganSHE IS FINISHED!<br />
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Although sadly for the wrong season. Seriously, have you ever seen a sweater that screams <i><b>FALL!!! </b></i>half as much as this one does? I doubt you have!<br />
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That's okay, I love it anyways. Even if I have no idea what to wear with it. Might need to experiment with my closet when I get out of camp! Perfect timing too, because <i>hello spring cleaning!</i><br />
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The pattern is <a href="http://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/eastwood-cardigan">Eastwood Cardigan</a> by Allison Dykhuizen, knit up in size 40" (based on bust size) using Knit Picks Wool of the Andes Tweed in Autumn Heather and Prussian Heather colourways.<br />
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I didn't make any changes to the design, although I might consider lengthening the body a bit more if I were to make it again. It was <i>frighteningly </i>short in the back before I blocked it, and while it's much longer now, I think I'd like it another inch longer. But this is a knit, so it'll probably still lengthen with wear. <br />
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It's kind of hard to see the striping in some of these pics because my camera is a <i>utter prick</i>, but they were fun to do. You knit both front panels first, the pick up stitches along one side of a panel and knit side-to-side in stripes, and then pick up stitches for the pockets and sleeves. It only started to get boring when I got to the sleeves, and that's only because...well, <i>sleeves</i>. The only difficult part was detangling the two balls of yarn in use at all times! Oh, and seaming, because I had a heck of a time getting the second panel seamed onto the body. GRRRR! Need to practice that more.<br />
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But look at those nearly-jogless stripes! Seriously, I didn't do anything special to get that. AHA so proud!<br />
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Probably the best part is the pockets. And also the ribbing, which just makes me happy to look at. <br />
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Love the neckline, especially at the back!<br />
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I don't know if it's the most flattering garment on me that I've ever made. Those panels add bulk to my hips and draws you eyes right to them, making me look even hippier than I am (and I'm happily hippy to begin with). Even when I wrap up the front, the pockets add a lot of bulk to the high hips and makes me look wider. But you know what? <b><i> </i></b><br />
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<b><i>I don't care one bit!</i></b> This sweater is the best fitting one I've made to date, looks fantastic, and is so comfy it's like wearing a blanket with pockets! And I managed to knit it in 12 weeks, thanks to the Holla Knits KAL I've mentioned a few times before. I even won a free pattern of my choice from the <a href="http://www.ravelry.com/patterns/sources/holla-knits/patterns">Holla Knits line-up</a>. I picked <a href="http://www.hollaknits.com/blog/store/products/just-beachy-knitting-pattern-by-emma-welford/">Just Beachy</a> by Emma Welford.<br />
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Which, of course, I cast on immediately.<br />
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And I thought two balls of yarn was annoying to work with. <i>Let's try three balls at once!</i> ::headdesk::Heatherhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10477887672613694373noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4554234021420229727.post-66211331697999664082014-04-30T01:28:00.003-05:002014-04-30T01:28:58.747-05:00Yarn and WIPs and Seduction (Oh My!)Long time no blog! Aha yeah, it's been a crazy and stressful month. Luckily, knitting has kept me sane. Mostly. Remember that KAL <a href="http://sewingonpins.blogspot.ca/2014/02/holla-knits-kal.html">I told you about a while ago</a>? Where I'm trying to knit a sweater in 12 weeks?<br />
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I FINISHED IT!! It's blocking right now, and I'm hoping it'll be done by tomorrow so I can take photos before returning to camp on Thursday. The KAL is finished on Friday, so talk about cutting it to the last minute!<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>Blocking!</i></td></tr>
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I loved knitting this sweater, but boy am I glad to be finished. I've been itching to start something else, on my own time, without a time limit. I've caught myself cruising through dozens of patterns instead of knitting my cardigan, so obviously I'm ready to move onto something else. Heck, I've <i>bought </i>yarn to make 2 or 3 other projects, and they've been whispering to me ever since, trying to lure me away with their softness and delightful difference from my exclusive 3 month project.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>This is Classic Elite's Mountaintop Vail, a fingering weight alpaca and bamboo yarn I've bought to make <a href="http://www.hollaknits.com/blog/store/products/cafe-au-lait-knitting-pattern-by-kirsten-singer/">this gorgeous cardigan</a>. Yes, I have another cardigan planned. Don't ask me silly questions like "why?!?!", look at the pattern and you'll see why!</i></td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>I bought this gorgeous wool/alpaca/silk worsted weight yarn at our brand new yarn shop, and I'm going to make <a href="http://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/veron">this shawl/scarf </a>out of it. Actually, I'm planning on starting this tomorrow. This yarn is yummy, SO YUMMY.</i></td></tr>
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Yarn can be horribly seductive.<br />
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Anywho, I'm mostly just babbling to give an update. Believe it or not, but I have done some sewing. Remember that top I hinted at in my <a href="http://sewingonpins.blogspot.ca/2014/03/procrastination-thy-name-is-liberty.html">last post</a>? Yeah, it's nearly done. Been nearly done for over a month now. All that's needed is a sleeve hemmed, and maybe a bit of shaping added to the front. Uh...I'll probably get to that when I get home next time. <br />
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Maybe...Heatherhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10477887672613694373noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4554234021420229727.post-49258905067561073602014-03-28T13:02:00.000-05:002014-03-28T13:02:18.988-05:00Procrastination, Thy Name is LibertyI should be knitting the three projects I really need to finish in the next month. But I'm frustrated by all three projects (especially the toddler sweater I need to restart for the third time.<br />
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So instead, let's play with some gorgeous Liberty of London fabric I ordered from <a href="http://www.hyggeligt.ca/">Hyggeligt Fabrics</a> and a TNT shirt pattern!Heatherhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10477887672613694373noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4554234021420229727.post-3938370906009392662014-03-27T12:11:00.000-05:002014-03-27T12:11:59.683-05:00Introducing Genie Singer!<a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/barebear_sews/13449003875" title="Singer 354 Genie by Heather, on Flickr"><img alt="Singer 354 Genie" height="375" src="https://farm4.staticflickr.com/3684/13449003875_51c639fd69.jpg" width="500" /></a><br />
Hello again! I'm back from camp and have a fun find to share with you all. Isn't she a beauty! <br />
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I found her at a normally ridiculously overpriced consignment shop in town. The place is packed to the gills with tonnes of overpriced (and often broken) furniture and all sorts of do-dads and treasures. I literally tripped over one of three sewing machines tucked in the back, and after disregarding the other two, found this little girl!<br />
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<a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/barebear_sews/13449383724" title="Singer 354 Genie by Heather, on Flickr"><img alt="Singer 354 Genie" height="375" src="https://farm8.staticflickr.com/7042/13449383724_c2d8c973ae.jpg" width="500" /></a><br />
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And it not only worked (so far as I could test at the shop without any fabric and thread), but it was only priced at $45! I had to get her to repeat it because I thought she must've for sure meant $145. But nope. I bought it on the spot and brought her home to clean up.<br />
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<a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/barebear_sews/13449016145" title="Singer 354 Genie by Heather, on Flickr"><img alt="Singer 354 Genie" height="375" src="https://farm8.staticflickr.com/7042/13449016145_73049c58d0.jpg" width="500" /></a><br />
She's a Singer Genie Model 354, made around 1974 in France. There's been some great write up's on her, in particular <a href="http://www.sallyannk.com/2013/12/singer-genie-354.html">Sally Ann's review</a> and even Peter of Male Pattern Boldness, who owned one before he started blogging (see his <a href="https://plus.google.com/photos/101177577152766699680/albums/5413410913030935649?banner=pwa">pic series here</a>).<br />
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<br />I'm not ashamed to admit it took me about 10 minutes to figure out how to open her:<br />
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<a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/barebear_sews/13449126473" title="Singer 354 Genie by Heather, on Flickr"><img alt="Singer 354 Genie" height="375" src="https://farm8.staticflickr.com/7145/13449126473_4b06a710e3.jpg" width="500" /></a><br />
<a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/barebear_sews/13449013175" title="Singer 354 Genie by Heather, on Flickr"><img alt="Singer 354 Genie" height="375" src="https://farm8.staticflickr.com/7357/13449013175_e1393f4fa9.jpg" width="500" /></a><br />
<a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/barebear_sews/13449378394" title="Singer 354 Genie by Heather, on Flickr"><img alt="Singer 354 Genie" height="375" src="https://farm4.staticflickr.com/3831/13449378394_1f11a625b4.jpg" width="500" /></a><br />
Sneaky! And even sneakier is where the cable and pedal is hidden:<br />
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<a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/barebear_sews/13449005975" title="Singer 354 Genie by Heather, on Flickr"><img alt="Singer 354 Genie" height="375" src="https://farm8.staticflickr.com/7340/13449005975_a7ffe0d163.jpg" width="500" /></a><br />
<a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/barebear_sews/13449004225" title="Singer 354 Genie by Heather, on Flickr"><img alt="Singer 354 Genie" height="375" src="https://farm3.staticflickr.com/2919/13449004225_0c33f9ed15.jpg" width="500" /></a><br />
Apparently not a few people have gotten good deals on these because the seller thought the cable was missing!<br />
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<a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/barebear_sews/13449116333" title="Singer 354 Genie by Heather, on Flickr"><img alt="Singer 354 Genie" height="375" src="https://farm8.staticflickr.com/7429/13449116333_28fa498d3b.jpg" width="500" /></a><br />
Despite first impressions, she's the same size as Maggie Kenmore! I really thought she was smaller. She's definitely lighter, being made of plastic instead of metal. Definitely more transportable than Maggie. BTW, I've named her Genie Singer. I know, bask in my creativity.<br />
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<a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/barebear_sews/13449365424" title="Singer 354 Genie by Heather, on Flickr"><img alt="Singer 354 Genie" height="375" src="https://farm8.staticflickr.com/7315/13449365424_3904218521.jpg" width="500" /></a><br />
As you can see above, there's a bit of damage on the faceplate itself.
The needle seems to be moving into the slot fine, so I'm not sure how
this happened. I gave Genie a good cleaning and oiling. She was actually in pretty good shape, a bit of fluff in the feed dogs and a bit of old grease. Took me less than 10 minutes, and only that because I had to figure out how to remove the faceplate. And then I realized it's been a really long time since I've cleaned and oiled poor neglected Maggie. THAT took me nearly an hour, she was in a shameful state. I apologized profusely to her, but considering that I then immediately put her away to play with Genie, I'm sure she'll never forgive me. Poor thing.<br />
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<a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/barebear_sews/13449109163" title="Singer 354 Genie by Heather, on Flickr"><img alt="Singer 354 Genie" height="375" src="https://farm8.staticflickr.com/7178/13449109163_9e196c5003.jpg" width="500" /></a><br />
Off the hop, I'm having trouble with straight stitching with Genie. The stitch lines are looking a little drunk, but I suspect that it's more of a tension issue than anything else. But what I really wanted to try was all of her zigzag options. Look at them all:<br />
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<a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/barebear_sews/13449122163" title="Singer 354 Genie by Heather, on Flickr"><img alt="Singer 354 Genie" height="375" src="https://farm8.staticflickr.com/7182/13449122163_921bec3241.jpg" width="500" /></a><br />
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Maggie can only do the standard zigzag (and then do some fancy stitches that Genie can't do, so she's still a few up on Genie). Genie can do the standard zigzag, a blindstitch, a funky heart monitor-like zigzag which is apparently better for sewing elastic, satin-stitch, and a <i>multi-stitch zigzag</i> - which I've coveted in other machines! And boy do these stitches look gorgeous (although again, the multi-stitch zigzags look a big drunk because of my wonky straight stitch).<br />
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<iframe allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="375" mozallowfullscreen="" msallowfullscreen="" oallowfullscreen="" src="https://www.flickr.com/photos/barebear_sews/13448998035/in/photostream/player/" webkitallowfullscreen="" width="500"></iframe><br />
<a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/barebear_sews/13449110023" title="Singer 354 Genie by Heather, on Flickr"><img alt="Singer 354 Genie" height="500" src="https://farm6.staticflickr.com/5268/13449110023_93d916c03f.jpg" width="375" /></a><br />
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I'm pretty excited about them!<br />
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<a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/barebear_sews/13449366294" title="Singer 354 Genie by Heather, on Flickr"><img alt="Singer 354 Genie" height="375" src="https://farm4.staticflickr.com/3717/13449366294_6d65bb9dfa.jpg" width="500" /></a><br />
It didn't come with the originally included accessory bag, nor the manual. Luckily you can either order a paper manual or download a free PDF version of it <a href="http://www.singerco.com/accessories/instruction-manuals">here</a> at the Singer website. I'm also really lucky because many of the feet I use most often on Maggie will fit on Genie. I liked to pick up the lifter piece that allows the faceplate to be raised above the feeddogs for free-motion sewing (the feed dogs on it don't drop down), but honestly, I can do that on Maggie, and I'm happier with her straight stitching.<br />
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<a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/barebear_sews/13449010245" title="Singer 354 Genie by Heather, on Flickr"><img alt="Singer 354 Genie" height="375" src="https://farm3.staticflickr.com/2878/13449010245_574e9f4346.jpg" width="500" /></a><br />
Genie does have a drop-in bobbin set-up and uses smaller plastic bobbins, but luckily I was able to find them at Wally-World, so that's less hassel than I thought it'd be.<br />
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Anywho, that was a looong blog post, but I'm pretty stoked about the new addition to my sewing room (if you couldn't tell). I'm planning on spending the day sewing, so I'm going to get on that. Two things though:<br />
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<ol>
<li>I know my photos are bigger than usual. Flickr has changed thing (again), and this is how they're showing up on here. I might have to switch to a different photo hosting site, because I'm unhappy with the process right now, but we'll see. </li>
<li>Does anyone have any suggestions for fixing Genie's straight stitches? I'm going to play with tension and stitch length, but input from you smart folks would be appreciated!</li>
</ol>
Happy sewing all! Heatherhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10477887672613694373noreply@blogger.com9tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4554234021420229727.post-71783425073991079832014-03-04T21:59:00.004-06:002014-03-04T22:02:03.452-06:00Oh Look - A Top Completed in One Day. Who'd a Thunk.Will do a proper post tomorrow once I get some better pics, but I couldn't resist sharing tonight. SO HAPPY! Why yes, I did manage to get my Tonic Tee done today!<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>No make-up, a bit crazy-eyed, but the t-shirt is done. Can I haz a TNT? Why yes I can!</i></td></tr>
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I absolutely adore it. It's the perfect t-shirt! And now I'm going to go try to snuggle with the Neglected Boyfriend. He's come to bug me 3 times in the last hour, so I think he wants attention.Heatherhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10477887672613694373noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4554234021420229727.post-4048750917549596742014-03-04T15:09:00.001-06:002014-03-04T15:09:27.498-06:00One More Top for Sewcation?<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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No idea if I'll get this done before I leave for camp on Thursday, but it's worth a shot. Make up for my horrible showing during my supposively 3 day Sewcation, during which I only got the <a href="http://sewingonpins.blogspot.ca/2014/03/finished-project-simplicity-2594-top.html">one top</a> finished. *sigh* At least it was a successful garment?<br />
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Anyways, I'm piecing together the SBCC Tonic Tee PDF pattern (<a href="http://sewingonpins.blogspot.ca/2014/02/sew-grateful-sharing-resources-day.html">this one</a>), and I'm already liking it. All the pages butt up together, instead of having to overlap, and it's making for a much quicker taping job! Lets see how the rest of it goes.Heatherhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10477887672613694373noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4554234021420229727.post-49441085279023271982014-03-02T20:54:00.001-06:002014-03-02T20:56:42.039-06:00Finished Project (!!!!): Simplicity 2594 Top<span id="goog_1692396036"></span><span id="goog_1692396037"></span><br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>I am so sorry about how washed out some of these pics are. My camera is a dick and hates any and all lighting conditions. And me.</i></td></tr>
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I apparently cut this top out a while ago, but I forgot about it until I was cleaning my sewing room on Friday, and found it all ready to go. Since it was a perfect top for layering under cardigans (remember? one of the type of garments needed in my <a href="http://sewingonpins.blogspot.ca/2014/02/tentative-wardrobe-planning.html">wardrobe brainstorm</a>), I thought it'd be a good first project for my Sewcation.<br />
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Which took me the whole weekend to finish. *facepalm*<br />
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Here's the basics:<br />
<b>Pattern:</b> <a href="http://www.simplicity.com/p-1552-misses-tops.aspx#t-0">Simplicity 2594</a>, view E. <br />
<b>Size:</b> I cut size 16, two sizes smaller than my body measurements. This garment has <i>7 inches of ease</i>.<br />
<b>Fabric:</b> Lightweight 100% polyester I bought who the heck knows when.<br />
<b>Alterations:</b> NO FBA! <i>So much ease</i>. It appears that I did draft out some of the drape in the back. Thanks Past Heather, I appreciate that!<br />
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I made up this pattern a couple of years ago, in view B. I still have that top, and while I do wear it now and then, it's not a go to top because the cowl <i>annoys the living crap outta me</i>. But I like the loose fit of it, so I guess I thought view E would be a good choice.<br />
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I like the loose back, although I'm glad I took out some of the upper back fullness. Not sure how bad the fabric-eating-armpits really are (stupid camera and it's hatred of all lighting conditions - even the low diffused light like above), but I don't really care. It's comfortable with a high mobility range.<br />
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This pattern has some gorgeous details that I didn't notice as much in my black polkadot version. Like these gorgeous pleats at the front shoulder yoke.<br />
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And the back gathers below the yoke. Which I totally should've put more effort into, but oh well.<br />
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I topstitched all of the seams, whether the instructions said to or not, because polyester will not hold a press at all. Or not in my experience anyways. The only exception was the neckline. It's faced with a piece of interfaced self-fabric. When I went to topstitch, I realized that I love the look of it without the stitches. Not sure how it's going to hold up long term, but the understitching is holding for now. We'll see how it handles repeated washings.<br />
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I french-seamed the side seams and did a pseudo-rolled hem at the bottom. For the sleeve openings, I decided to attempt a hand-rolled seam (with visible stitches. The first one, at the top, looks like crap. I decided to run a line of machine stitches along one of the turning lines 1/8" from the edge. Since the fabric is so thin, the stitches pulled too much, creating the horrible crinkling you can see above. The bottom picture was done without the line of machine stitches, and it looks so much better. Plus my handstitching improved with the practice.<br />
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I spent a very peaceful couple of hours this morning, lounging on the couch handsewing while the Boyfriend kept refilling my coffee. :)<br />
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There's not a lot of shaping to this garment, and I probably should've taken out a bit of width around the waist (yes, even going down two sizes, this was a little too baggy). But I like the looseness, especially since it's offset by the clingy nature of this very light polyester.<br />
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And of course, since this was meant to be a layering top, I'll be hiding all of those pretty details under my cardigans. Hehe oops.<br />
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Well, I may just wear this top on it's own this summer, because it is awfully pretty! Did I mention that I adore it? So so comfortable (despite the staticy cling), and so so adorable. Seriously, I need to find some really lightweight cotton to make some more. Although I really do want figure out how the lengthen the sleeves without sewing a rectangle to them. Don't like drop sleeves. Heatherhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10477887672613694373noreply@blogger.com14tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4554234021420229727.post-43403702083170229332014-03-01T18:44:00.000-06:002014-03-01T18:44:52.879-06:00Sewcation Procratination<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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I declared this weekend a Sewcation, and planned to spend as much time as possible in my sewing room. I even stocked up on a few bottles of wine! Sounds like a dream eh, and I've been looking forward to it all week.<br />
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SO WHY HAVE I BEEN AVOIDING THE ROOM LIKE IT CONTAINS A FLEET OF ZOMBIES?! I even have this pretty top all cut out and ready to sew, that's been sitting in the bottom of a basic for who knows how long.<br />
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Does anyone else procrastinate from sewing when you dedicate a chunk of time to do it? Or is sewing only for times when you need to procrastinate from something else? <br />
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LOOK I'M EVEN DOING IT NOW. Sitting in my sewing room, blogging instead of sewing. ARGH GET UR BUTT IN FRONT OF THAT MACHINE MISSY!Heatherhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10477887672613694373noreply@blogger.com8tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4554234021420229727.post-72123569441863694782014-02-28T00:58:00.002-06:002014-02-28T00:59:29.894-06:00Sew Grateful: Sewing Project Day<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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Hello there you lovely sewing community you! Look, I have another Sew Grateful post, again written up on the wrong day for most of you! But it's still the 27th here, so nah nah nah nah naaaah nah.<br />
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What's lined up for today, you ask? <br />
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<i><b style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 20px;">Thursday the 27th February: </b><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 20px;">Sew
Grateful Sewing Project Day. Showcase your latest sewing project.
Whether it's a project using up that pattern that was a present from
someone or that you won in a giveaway or using a tutorial someone has
prepared, or even a project inspired by someone in the sewing
community... the possibilities are nearly endless!</span></i><br style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 20px;" /><br />
*sigh* I don't really have anything sewn up - and certainly not recently - that lands in that criteria. Not really, anyways. But I have a little tutorial to share with you all for a very simple and fun project: A Garter!<br />
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See, we just had <a href="http://www.yukonrendezvous.com/">Rendezvous</a>, our winter festival that celebrated it's 50th anniversary this year! It was a ton of fun, filled with wacky contests (chain saw chuck, one dog pull, flour packing, axe throw, dog howling, etc), beautiful snow scultpures, Rendezvous Queen and Sourdough Sam, and the Keystone Cops locking up any man who doesn't have a beard and woman who doesn't have a garter. It's dangerous business, running around Rendezvous unprepared.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/jimbob_malone/6823781212/">Photo Credit</a></i></td></tr>
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Seriously, they'll lock you up until you or someone else bails you out with a donation to charity! And yes, you can get them to lock up your friends if you bribe the Kops.<br />
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Anywho, this meant that I needed a garter, and quick. I nearly bought one at our local fabric shop, but they were just too small for my *ahem* slightly larger than average (I guess) thighs. They wouldn't fit! So I bought some lace and ribbon, and made my own.<br />
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Instead of burying the tutorial in this post, I've written up a separate post, which you can find <a href="http://sewingonpins.blogspot.ca/2014/02/homemade-garter-tutorial.html">here</a>. It was fun to get into the spirit of Rendezvous and avoid some jailtime (the boyfriend would probably abandon me, the jerk). I have some lofty plans for next year though. <br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i><a href="http://www.yukonrendezvous.com/">Photo Credit</a></i></td></tr>
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Because so many people dress up in garb from the gold rush, and there were some spectacular turn of the century dresses worn around at different events. I think I need to make one for myself next year!<br />
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And honestly, based on one of her recent posts and many others on her blog, Leila from <a href="http://threedresses.org/2014/02/19/in-costume-steampunk-weekend/">Three Dresses Project</a> is going to be a <i>huge</i> inspiration on that project!<br />
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Thank you all for being so inspiring, be it from blogging your sewing adventures, reviewing patterns on Pattern Review, or simply by being so awesome in your comments and suggestions here and elsewhere. You're all what makes this sewing community so (sew?) spectacular!<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>You're all so supportive! :)</i></td></tr>
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Heatherhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10477887672613694373noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4554234021420229727.post-8650965750274803282014-02-28T00:56:00.002-06:002014-02-28T01:00:45.181-06:00Homemade Garter Tutorial<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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For reasons <a href="http://sewingonpins.blogspot.ca/2014/02/sew-grateful-sewing-project-day.html">mentioned here</a>, I had the fun opportunity to sew up a garter! And it was so much easier than I expected. Still, some people were surprised when I said I'd made it myself, so I thought I'd throw together a very quick and dirty tutorial on how to sew one.<br />
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Please forgive the powerpoint pictures. IF IT'S GOOD ENOUGH FOR MY M.Sc. THESIS*, IT'S GOOD ENOUGH FOR THIS BLOG. I ain't no fancy photoshopper or photo editor!<br />
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Anywho, here's what you need:<br />
<ul>
<li>1/4 inch elastic - length needed to snugly fit around your thigh (where you want the garter) stretched out tight. </li>
<li>~3/4 m wide lace - mine was ~2.5 inches wide.</li>
<li>~3/4 m ribbon - mine was 5/8 inch wide.</li>
<li>Matching thread. </li>
</ul>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>Legend for my upcoming awesome Powerpoint figures</i></td></tr>
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<u><b>STEP 1: Attaching Elastic to the Lace</b></u><br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>Look at that sweet elastic and lace drawing! Stretch that elastic as much as possible as you sew. Don't worry if you have excess lace.</i></td></tr>
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Sew elastic to the middle of the lace using a zigzag stitch, stretching out the elastic as far as possible as you sew. I just eyeballed this - it's not really noticeable if you go off-centre once it's all scrunched up.<br />
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I found it easiest to control the lace and elastic if I held both ends as it passes through the machine. Make sure to backstitch at the beginning and end to solidify the stitch!<br />
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<u><b>STEP 2: Sewing on the Ribbon</b></u><br />
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This part is a little tricky. Tack the ribbon to the lace at one end with the elastic sandwiched between the two. I recommend having the lace on top and the ribbon on the bottom. You could have the ribbon on top, but I found it easier to see if the elastic was covered when looking through the lace.<br />
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Most normal people would probably pin this. I eyeballed it. What can I say, I'm lazy. <br />
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With the elastic and lace part stretched as far as possible, sew along one side of the ribbon through the lace using a straight stitch, catching just outside the elastic if possible. (Don't worry if you sew through the elastic, just make sure it's stretched out.) Sew to the end of the elastic, and backstitch.<br />
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Repeat on the other side of the ribbon. The set up for these two rows are fiddly, but it gets easier once you start sewing.<br />
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The above photo is the underside of the garter. See how the elastic is zigzag stitched to the lace, and the ribbon is straight stitched to the lace, sandwiching the elastic.<br />
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<u><b>STEP 3: Snip and Seam</b></u> <br />
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This part is easy. Snip off the excess lace and ribbon, where the elastic ends...<br />
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...then line up the ends, wrong sides together, and stitch a straight-stitch seam up the side. I backstitched over the elastic portion a few times to give the seam more strength.<br />
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Snip your threads, trim your seam (if needed), and you're done! Easy peasy. Wear your gorgeous hot little garter with pride and proudly flaunt that you made it yourself. Brace yourself with demands to make everyone else one.<br />
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* I'm serious, I created most of my M.Sc. thesis figures and diagrams in Powerpoint. It's a point of pride for me.Heatherhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10477887672613694373noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4554234021420229727.post-52851069997236293752014-02-26T23:35:00.000-06:002014-02-28T00:59:17.417-06:00Sew Grateful: Sharing Resources Day<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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Came across this on <a href="http://sewessentiallysew.blogspot.ca/">Sew Essentially Sew</a>'s blog today - what a great idea! I'm coming in late to this, but I adore our lovely little online sewing community, and I want to give back. I might play catch-up, or I might just continue on from here and maybe do the Day 1 (Giveaway Day) later on, once I get organized. Either way, I'll at least start with today's topic. <br />
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Even if it's tomorrow for most of you.<br />
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<i><b style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 20px;">Wednesday the 26th February: </b><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 20px;">Sharing Resources Day.</span><b style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 20px;"> </b><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 20px;">Share a free pattern, share some vintage sewing resources, share a tutorial or share some great sewing resource links!</span></i><br />
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This past rotation in camp, I was procrastinating on Debbie's Blog (<a href="http://stitchesandseams.blogspot.ca/">Stitches and Seams</a>) enjoying some very informative entries, and I came across her post about <a href="http://www.sbccpatterns.com/">SBCC Patterns</a>. In particular, their free t-shirt pattern, the <a href="http://www.sbccpatterns.com/shop/sb322-tonic-t-shirt/">Tonic Tee</a>.<br />
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It's a basic knit t-shirt pattern that comes in sizes XXS-L and XL-3XL. While they charge $10 for a paper copy, they're offering the PDF version for free! <br />
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All honesty here, I haven't tried it yet. But I've got it all printed out, and it's in the list of Things-To-Sew in my upcoming Sewcation, so I'll let you guys know how I feel about it when I get to it. Debbie did sew this though, so go check out <a href="http://stitchesandseams.blogspot.ca/2013/12/sbcc-tonic-tee.html">her post about the pattern</a>! She even includes some helpful advice for attaching the neck binding (which I'll be stalking excessively this weekend).<br />
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Guys, SBCC Patterns have a bunch of really cute patterns, and I'm interested in their <a href="http://www.sbccpatterns.com/shop/sb309/">Mimosa Blouse</a> and possibly the <a href="http://www.sbccpatterns.com/shop/sb300-empire-waist-blouse/">Empire Waist Blouse</a>. (*psst* Debbie <i>also </i><a href="http://stitchesandseams.blogspot.ca/2013/12/sbcc-mimosa.html">made</a> the <a href="http://stitchesandseams.blogspot.ca/2013/12/modeled-mimosa.html">Mimosa</a>, and it's <i>adorable</i>!)<br />
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So that's my "free pattern" share. Not sure if that's exactly what was meant for this day, but I've been excited to try this out and share with you all, so why not a little early! <br />
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...Hopefully it's a decent pattern and I haven't shared something awful with you all...<br />
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NAH. Debbie seemed to approve, and that means a lot in my books!Heatherhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10477887672613694373noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4554234021420229727.post-22861550364454412232014-02-22T18:37:00.000-06:002014-02-22T18:38:23.392-06:00Holla Knits KAL<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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I keep trying to write this post, but it's been like pulling teeth. There are 3 other drafts saved in blogger. Oops. SHALL WE TRY AGAIN.<br />
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So a while back, I came across <a href="http://hollaknits.com/Holla_Knits!.html">Holla Knits</a>, a site dedicated to providing fun, stylish and very wearable knit and crochet patterns. I enjoyed cruising through their patterns, but none really called to me. Well, maybe the <a href="http://www.hollaknits.com/blog/store/products/henri-knitting-pattern-by-ann-leachman/">Henri</a>. But in general, they didn't really seem to be my style.<br />
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But I kept coming across them, on Ravelry and on various knitting blogs. And every time I came across their patterns, my eye would linger longer and longer.<br />
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Then the Holla Knits KAL (knit-along) was announced, and I looked through the patterns again. And all of a sudden, I could see it. I could see these patterns in my wardrobe. I loved the Henri, but as I said <span id="goog_293308"></span><a href="https://www.blogger.com/">last post<span id="goog_293309"></span></a>, I'm a cardigan girl. But then I looked closer at the <a href="http://www.hollaknits.com/blog/store/products/eastwood-cardigan-knitting-pattern-by-allyson-dykhuizen/">Eastwood Cardigan</a>.<br />
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Hello there, tweedy stripy cozy drappy front cardigan with POCKETS, you're <i>gorgeous.</i> And I happened to have some yarn already in stash that was destined for something stripy anyways.<br />
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Yessir! KAL project is a go!<br />
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I'm knitting a size 40 using Knit Picks Wool of the Andes Tweed. I picked up the brown during KP's sale a while back (I think I paid about $1.70/ball), and the blue a month or so later to pair with the brown. I love the colours together, but I sort of wish I'd used the blue for the front panels. Oh well.<br />
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The KAL started on Feb 3rd, and I cast on that morning. Got the first panel done in time to leave for camp on the 6th, and managed to knit the second panel while in camp.<br />
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Yesterday, I picked up all the 50 bajillion stitches along the side to start the stripes, and I'm about to separate out the right armhole. Between the textured panels and the stripes, this pattern is just flying off the needles! I think I'm going to be done this cardigan well within the 3 month KAL. Heck, maybe I'll have time to make up a bunch of the accessories included in the KAL!<br />
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Heatherhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10477887672613694373noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4554234021420229727.post-49023914299146759592014-02-19T16:10:00.000-06:002014-02-20T08:24:48.628-06:00Tentative Wardrobe BrainstormingDuring this rotation in camp, I've been idly thinking of my current wardrobe - the things I need and the things I want, and what image I want to put forward.<br />
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I used to love the idea of the casual professional look - cute skirts and neat blouses, nice jackets to layer over-top, and kitten-heels. But that's just not practical with my life right now, and I've felt a little disconnected from my wardrobe ever since moving to the Yukon.<br />
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See, everything is more...casual...up here. You don't really see many people booting around in skirts and dresses, and it's not really practical for most people's lifestyle. Not practical for the lifestyle I'm starting to live. Don't get me wrong, I still like a good skirt or dress (i.e. my Tiramisu - perfection!) for coffee with friends or a day wandering downtown. But in general, this is very much a practical jeans and t-shirt kind of place. Or at least, the parts of it that I live in. Plus my boyfriend lives in the tattered carharts he wears to work, the ones with the caulking and paint and perpectual cloud of sawdust. I feel overdressed in my pj's next to him somedays.<br />
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And there's the fact that I spend half of the month in a mining camp (well, most of the time). It's not practical to have two different types of wardrobe - one for in-camp and one for in-town, and I think I'd feel a little spastic if I tried to dress drastically different 2 weeks at a time. I need stuff that can transition between the two - practical, hard-wearing and not-at-all-cleavagey for in camp, but stuff that'll still look decent for booting around town, chilling with friends, and the occassional road-trip around the territory.<br />
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Basically, I think I need good basics that can work in camp, but that I can accessorize for in-town (think scarves, non-camp cardis, etc.). And I really need pants. <br />
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With all this in mind, I've put together...not so much a wardrobe plan but a wardrobe brainstorm. Inspirations, things that I'm working on, things that I need, textiles that I have, things that I have that are working, and the things that I need to tie some of these things together. <br />
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Here's the basic rundown of where I want to direct my wardrobe toward:<br />
<ul>
<li>I am definitely a cardigan girl. I like to layer things, and cardis are great for this. NEED MORE CARDIS.</li>
<li>That said, I need things to go <i>underneath</i> the cardis. T-shirts, tank tops, simple garments that are light-weight, but have a touch of interest on their own. Basic tops for under more inticate cardigans, colourful (possibly small-print floral and other cute prints) for under basic cardis, etc.</li>
<li>PANTS OMG I NEED PANTS.</li>
<li>I'd still like to include a good basic skirt or two. Because sometimes you just need to wear one. I really like the simplicity of Cake's Hummingbird skirt. </li>
<li>Same goes with dresses. I LOVE my Tiramisu. I wouldn't mind something similar with a more simple bodice - perhaps a Hummingmisu dress?</li>
<li>And of course, accessories. I have a few scarf ideas flowing through my head, and lots of yarn to do it. Nothing too lacy and fancy, but some pieces that have some cute design details or textural features. I love wearing scarves, I just don't have many that I like enough. Possibly I need to knit up that pretty skein of yarn in the middle, since hello colour inspiration! Also, I want a new hobo bag for tossing my wallet, kobo, books, notebooks, and my latest knit projects into for my afternoons sitting in coffee shops like an unemployed bum. </li>
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And that's about as organized as I'm going to get right now. I'm hoping (oho, please don't hold me to this) to finish my pants this time out! Our plans for my second weekend out of camp has fallen through, so maybe I need to declare a sewcation over a few days? <br />
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Okay, back to work. I might be procrastinating from finishing up stuff on my last day in camp. Hehe oops.Heatherhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10477887672613694373noreply@blogger.com13tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4554234021420229727.post-865199615446075402014-01-28T20:13:00.003-06:002014-01-28T20:16:26.145-06:00Baggy Too Loose Cardigan to Cute Semi-Fitted Sweater<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>POLKADOTS!!!</i></td></tr>
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Back in August or September, I found this adorable cardigan at a local consignment shop. Despite how the Boyfriend feels about them (and boy does he have <i>strong feeling</i> about them), I adore polkadots! What person in their right mind doesn't?! So of course, I had to bring it home with me, to damn with how it fit.<br />
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And boy did it not fit. I guess it wasn't <i>too</i> bad, but bad enough that I proceeded to not wear it at all (despite the polkadots). See how thrilled I look? It was too wide across the shoulders, too wide across the body, and the armpits were about 2-3 inches away from mine when I stretched my arms out. And it looked awful unbuttoned. What's a sewist to do?!<br />
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Obviously shove it under the sewing machine and hope for the best. So I did just that, right before leaving for camp again in January*, marking out how much and where I wanted to take it in, and then sewing it up. Well, one side of it, anyways. And then abandoned it in last-minute work preparations. <br />
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First thing I did on getting home last week was trim my seam allowance from the one side...<br />
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...then taking a page from <a href="http://lladybird.com/2014/01/21/completed-leopard-skinnies/">Lauren</a> method of transfering aterations from one pant leg to the other, I folded the cardigan in half and traced out the seam allowance, then sewed 1/4 inch away from that line. Easy peasy. A bit of trimming and I was done!<br />
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Well, other than a bit of quick handsewing to close up the front so that it went from cardigan to sweater. This is the one time I prefer a sweater to a cardigan. <br />
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And Voila! A nearly instant (if you ignore the months I dithered over this) sweater that I've barely taken off since fixing! Look! The armpits are actually close to mine! Much better. <br /><br />
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Also, remind me to <i>never wear my hair up ever again! </i>YEASH that's not a good look on me. (And no, I'm not fishing for compliments - at least, not on my hair! lol)<br /><br />
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* <i>Oh yeah, did I forget to mention that? The silly mine called be back, again. This time as a production geologist in a more essential (and less expendable) position, so here's to hoping that I don't get laid off from them a third time. But if I do, at least I'm an old hat at it? lol</i>Heatherhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10477887672613694373noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4554234021420229727.post-70594738088691256942014-01-27T20:16:00.000-06:002014-01-27T21:34:17.358-06:00Pants: V2.2 - Nearly There!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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Alright, I'm <strike>not</strike> going to babble <strike>much</strike> a lot apparently. <strike>Or at least, I'll try not to.</strike> I think I've gone about as far as I'm going to with these pants for now. I am so sick of looking at my butt in photos. There's no waistband attached yet, but I was just trying to get the pattern into useable shape. My next step is to trim down seam allowances, rip these apart and trace off the pattern, then resew them.<br />
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But not today. Oh goodness, not today.<br />
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NOTE: I did a bunch more alterations on the left leg (on right side above) to narrow up the pants from WHY SO DAMN WIDE to wearable. Instead of trying to duplicate this on the other leg, I'm just going to deal with it when I recut these, and try to remember which leg to trace off for the pattern.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>Sorry for the crummy photo - the inner-most seamlines are the real ones.</i></td></tr>
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Considering that I took off a total of 3 inches of width (which, might I remind you, is doubled, so actually <i><b>6 inches of width cripes</b></i>), it shouldn't be hard to figure that one out. But this is me, so...<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>Snipped off bit of fabric shows you just how much I lowered and scooped out the crotch seam. Don't know if it made any amount of different, other than adding more greys to my hair. WHATEVER CROTCH CURVE I'LL DEAL WITH YOU MORE LATER.</i></td></tr>
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I spent all day yesterday, futzing with the blasted crotch curve. SO TIRED OF LOOKING AT WRINKLY BUMS OMG. I gave up.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>Here's my bum. Be glad this is the only one I'm posting. You're welcome.</i></td></tr>
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It fits about the same as my RTW - which isn't great, but I'm tired of bums that aren't my boyfriend's. I suspect half the problem here is that I've *ahem* put on a bit of weight since <a href="http://sewingonpins.blogspot.ca/2013/04/pants-v21-getting-better.html">last April</a>, and they're a bit...tight. I'm going to add about 1/8th inch to the seam allowance when I resew these, just to take them from obscenely tight to (hopefully) snug. And I think I need to slap some patch pockets on those cheeks, because wow that's a lot of denimed bum.<br />
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Front is looking wrinkly, but this mostly because there's no waist band and oh dear god are they tight across the hips. I like them tight though. So obviously I'll need to hike them up with a good waistband. That little wite line in the second photo shows where I want the bottom of the 2.25 inch waistband to go. Thereabouts, anyways. And yeah wow, need to take out that side seam at the hips a bit.<br />
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Anyways, I've babbled way too much about these. Here is where they stand. Will do more tweaks when I resew this. Tomorrow though, I'm going to tell you about that sweater I'm wearing!Heatherhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10477887672613694373noreply@blogger.com7tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4554234021420229727.post-51218831888493697142014-01-26T15:03:00.002-06:002014-01-26T15:03:35.497-06:00I Declare Today a Sewing Day!<br />
Now, will I work on these pants:<br />
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Or work on the Hummingbird skirt I've been wanting for ages and that Stacie has recently <a href="http://www.staciethinksshecan.com/2014/01/winter-hummingbird.html">made</a> (<a href="http://www.staciethinksshecan.com/2014/01/more-hummingbird.html">twice</a>) and resparked my interest in?<br />
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Or some other random pattern that catches my interest? I GUESS WE'LL SEE!!Heatherhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10477887672613694373noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4554234021420229727.post-39008096099331297762014-01-24T19:44:00.001-06:002014-01-24T19:44:30.764-06:00A Year in Temps - A Conceptual Knitting ProjectWelp, my plan for today was to sew, but I should've known better, especially considering a doctor's appointment this morning and a dinner party to bake a pie for this evening. No matter, I'll spend today sewing instead. I'm itching to get back to <a href="http://sewingonpins.blogspot.ca/2013/04/pants-v21-getting-better.html">those pants I was working on last spring</a>.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>My colours, from coldest on the left to hotest on the right, with temps ranging from -40C to +30C.</i></td></tr>
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I started another knitting project last night, one I've been itching to do for a while. It's a bit of conceptual knitting, where you knit a scarf with different yarn colours representing daily temperatures for a year. <a href="http://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/my-year-in-temperatures--scarf-"> Someone started this last year over at Ravelry</a>, and there are now 100's of these scarves popping up in the projects section! So many people were diligent and recorded the temps each day, and knitted their line or two of stitches in the corresponding colours. Others chose to download the temps for the year they wanted and knit it all in one go.<br />
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I'll be in the latter catagory. I decided to knit a scarf representing the temps for the very first calender year I've spent in Whitehorse! Maybe I should've started on the day I arrived in the city, but I thought doing one for 2013 would be fun.<br />
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It's funny, I've just finished knitting January (between the white sections), and I distinctly remember the warm spell we got mid-month (shown in the purple), with temps around 7-8C (or average daily temp of 2C - I'm doing averages), and I remember the blisterly cold spell we got near the end of the month (that dark blue and black section), with temps around -42C. I think this is going to be a very fun knit!<br />
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I just sort of wish I'd made it a bit wider. Not going to go back to reknit, as it'll be around 9 feet long as it is, and that just means I can wind it around my neck more. I'm also hoping that blocking will open up the ribbing a bit more.<br />
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Anywho, I hope I finish this project quickly (other than sewing in over 350 ends - and I'm not even exaggerating), because I've signed up for a Knit Along (KAL) over at <a href="http://hollaknits.com/Holla_Knits!.html">Holla Knits</a> - making up the <a href="http://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/eastwood-cardigan">Eastwood Cardigan</a> with another haul of yarn I recently bought at Knit Picks. Because I needed another knitting project. <br />
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Along with the 5 or 6 I have on the go...and the 3 or 4 I probably should be knitting instead...*ahem*Heatherhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10477887672613694373noreply@blogger.com6