My favorite sewing book? Well at least a good one.
Okay. I just finished the first of several drafts of the ASG newsletter that I write and I included this book in the book review section:
This is the ’sewing’ book about fit I turn to again and again. It has lots of photos showing different fit problems and how to fix them on the paper pattern and a great discussion on ‘how to read the wrinkles’. From some reviews I’ve read I guess this book was originally issued under another title and was reissued in the 1980s. Yeah, the clothes in the book my not be to your liking (yes they are dated), but the technique of fitting are great. I would recomend this book to anyone who wants to refine their fitting.
So, its late and I’m tired. Tired. Tired. Tired.
Cat Attack!
I wasn’t going to post ANYTHING about my cats, but I kept getting asked about them so here they are:
This is Darby II. No matter what I lay out on my cutting table the cats like to roll all over it. There are many flat comfortable surfaces through out the house, but my cutting table is the cat magnet!
This is my other cat, Fitzwilliam. I was tracing off a Marfy pattern and he, of course, needed to help, too.
Fitzwilliam is the older of the two and is a certifiable lap cat. He loves to curl up and sit in your lap and take a snooze. Darby, on the other hand, doesn’t mind being petted, but would rather chase a mouse, look for spiders or leap from one piece of furniture to the other. They were indoor/outdoor cats until a pack of coyotes made their home in our backyard – so now they are indoor cats. It was a little adjustment for them to stay indoors (more for me then them) but we are all living harmously now – except when they walk across my computer keyboard. And finally, after all is said and done. The cats take a nap.
Whittier City Banner Project
Well, here it is. For all of those who were waiting- Okay, maybe no one was, but it is done and turned in to the city. Let me give you a little background. The city sponsors a banner project where those who are chosen get a banner and the opportunity to paint their design. Not being an artist. Not being a designer. Not being a painter – I thought, why don’t I apply! So I did and I was picked! Looking forward to seeing it hanging along Mar Vista Street! On the 24th is the banner reception at the city and I am looking forward to seeing everybody elses banner, too.
Back up and Running!
My computer went down on Saturday (03/7th) and is just now, finally fixed. I was attacked by a VIRUS and, of course, had no idea how to remedy the situation, so I turned to my one and only DH for help. He got the computer back up and running and now I have re-entered the 21st Century! I’m thrilled. Truly, I am! But, back to sewing and life . . .
Exhausted! But successful!
I hate the feeling of having too many things to do and not enough time to do them. I try to schedule my time so that I get ample rest, eat well and have the on-going opportunity to be creative – sewing! However, this past month – February – has been a blur of requirments to get STUFF done; however, I did take a to day sewing workshop, which was a two hour drive (round trip from my house) on two of the rainest days of the year! The class was a pressure cooker. What was the workshop, you may ask? It was learning to make bras!
The class was sponsored by the ASG-Los Angeles Chapter and the instructors were Ann and Deb from Needlenook Fabrics of Kansas. I was a dismal failure at this whole endeavor: Ann had to sew the last few steps of my bra since I did it wrong. Believe me- my frustration level was HIGH!
But, I came home and cut and sewed another bra. The second one took me probably a week to finish, but I got it done and most importantly: It fits! This is the most comfortable bra to wear. After putting my sewn bra on I hadn’t realized how uncomfortable store bought bras truly are. I am eager to sew some more and if you ever have the opportunity to take this workshop- do it! I had never sewn with these stretchy fabrics before nor used these techniques, so I learned a lot. Yes, the workshop was expensive $200 for ASG members, but for that price you get the pattern -customed fitted to you and enough material for three bras- is worth it. Ann and Deb, of Needlenook Fabrics, won’t let you leave the workshop until one bra is done – so yes, I was the LAST person there. But I wore my newly sewn bra home and have shown it to many fellow sewers encouraging them to step out of the box and try something new. Ultimately, it was a great workshop. Look to the ASGLA website (ASGLA.org) for next year’s dates for the Bra Workshop.
My next project is a street banner for the city- I applied for the program and was accepted! Although, at the time I applied I hadn’t realized how large the banners are! I have some serious painting to do. And, then once my banner is done – due to the city on March 13th - I will be on to my project for the ASG Creative Contest for the ASG Convention in July.
