Saturday 31 August 2013

Tick tock .... time is approaching .... Scary September is almost here


It has been quite a challenging time for me already for me as I HAVE HAD NO BROADBAND!!!!!!! Over a week ago a AUSGRID (Electricity) worker was doing maintenance in the next suburb and did something that blew the whole grid and several suburbs lost electricity. That was fixed however something happened to my bigpond broadbrand and I have been without full on internet ever since. A technician is coming out on Tuesday and will hopefully fix it but until then I have had to acquire a small capacity dodo dongle to use so that I can still run my business (although it hasn't helped with using my wireless printers!!)

Consequently I haven't been blogging or reading many blogs as the capacity on my dongle has to be kept for work. (every now and then I have taken a peek - can't help myself!!)

I apologise if I normally comment on your posts but haven't been of late. I will try to catch up when broadband comes back.

As September is almost here I thought I would use a little dodo juice to remind us that Scary September is upon us...

I am so looking forward to stepping out of my comfort zone and absolutely thrilled that I will have company on the journey.

It is not to late to join in - if you want to just let me know and I will add you to the list of jumpers below. Likewise - if you are listed below and you want to change your challenge - let me know.

Here is what we are doing

Alison is hoping to tackle making her own bras in September (Wow – that really is a challenge)

Valerie is going to create a pants block - something that most sewists struggle with - good luck.

Kat is going to try to use more prints (Yes Kat – cross over to the dark side!!)

As it's been 30 years since Helen touched a buttonhole attachment or a zipper, she is going to tackle that (along with me!!!! I need to do that too)

Jackets and woven tops will be Towanda’s focus. She is also liking the idea of mixing prints. (Looking forward to seeing what you come up with)

Yeah – Anne will be sewing the same pattern as me (Vogue 8691 – Katherine Tilton) Yeah!! (It will be great to see what my sister comes up with – we can compare from across the ocean).

Carol is looking to step off the edge into "artsy" along with me. (It will be great to see all of the artsy pieces coming through)

Leonie has set quite a task for September. She is going to enter the PR Mini Wardrobe Competition - Also, 2 of her garments are going to contain very scary zips. (Good luck with both. I have entered in the past and like you, hadn’t got past the comment board. I shall watch with interest)

L is going to try a fitted woven blouse or bras. (I am scared of the fitted woven too – knits are so much more forgiving…… as for bras…. Now THAT is really scary)

Julie is either going for a fully coordinated wardrobe or to make her own corset (both equally scary – I will be cheering you on)

Louise is joining the mini wardrobe contest in Pattern Review. This is a massive challenge in itself. (I know - I have joined a couple and never succeeded - good luck Louise - I'm sure you will do it)


Nothy Lane is going for a coat or a bunch of buttondowns. (Wow – a coat is definitely a challenge – not sure what buttondowns are?? But I am sure that they are also scary. I will look forward to seeing what you end up doing)

Sue from Quilt, Sew, Sew Sue

Sue is also looking at the mini wardrobe contest. (Fantastic - looking forward to seeing your wardrobe done).



Maggie is drafting her own pant pattern – wow – and also going to alter  and complete a muslin from a Connie Crawford pant pattern. (Go Maggie).


Ruthie is going to try the very challenging task of making a jacket from boiled wool. (Got to check that out!)


KC from The Sewcratic Method

KC is on the road to making wearable pants (pjs not included) - good luck - looking forward to seeing them

becki-c from beccabeck stuff

Becki is another intrepid jumper who is tackling a whole wardrobe of 4 coordinated garments. Good luck - I am so looking forward to seeing these come to life.


The wonderful Marvita at Pattern Therapy is joining in to sew with sheer lightweight materials in a dress blouses (not knits) with french seams. Sounds beautiful. Marvita (along with Natalea) are hosting their own challenge at Sew Your Own Wardrobe For a Year! I have joined in – along with many others and am pleased to say no RTW clothes have crossed this threshold since.



Sarah Liz is joining in the fun and going to sew a slim leg jean or trouser using a stretch fabric. That will be great and very interested to see what you come up with .



     Juliette is tackling an Indie pattern for the first time - the Colette Chantilly – sounds great – looking    forward to seeing it finished.



      Tropical Threads is going to complete a properly finished bra. You are certainly braver than I!

shawntasews from http://shawntasews.wordpress.com/

Shawnta is tackling a whole lot of challenges including lining a jacket, dealing with light fabrics like chiffon with French Seams and creating a lining pattern for a dress. Wow - go girl.

Please check out their blogs and watch their progress. I will also be posting on progress - both my own and my fellow jumpers.

Of course my challenge is to make Vogue 8691 with zip.



BTW does anyone know where I can get a zip similar to the one on the top below?



I look forward to seeing the steps we all take

Saturday 10 August 2013

Abby in Teal and another TNT

I sewed this Abby cardigan back during the fabulous sewing weekend away but wanted to photograph  it when I made a dress out of the gorgeous "Carolyn" fabric. It is hard to see in the photos but it really has some lovely teal colours in it that can be picked up with the cardi. Originally I wanted to sew a jacket to match like Carolyn's but hey - I had this lovely teal fabric and I do like a long cardi on me.










I can't capture the beauty of this fabric in pictures. I tried both indoor and outdoor but the colours don't show as they should. They don't come out very vibrant.

Not much in the way of new to me techniques to talk of here. Both dress and Cardi are tried and true - but I really love the look of these ones and received unsolicitations  from some colleagues. Not on any one item but an overall - you look lovely today (makes you think - what do I normally look like?).

As I said - not much in the way of techniques. Am I getting lazy? I used to love to finish my posts with what I have learnt. It occurs to me that "Scary September" marks the beginning of my 3rd year of sewing. I started sewing in October 2011 and had thought I had learnt a lot - but now I feel that I am floating in the shallow end of the beginners pool - hence Scary September.

Carolyn also wrote a thought provoking post recently starting with:

Do you ever think the good results you achieve are more luck than skill? Do you ever question whether you've actually got the goods or that you’re skating on a wing and a prayer?

In thinking about my skill I think I am becoming proficient in some of the entry level skills but really need to stretch myself. I will still sew my TNT's (especially the dress) and some will be simple but I want to incorporate some more advanced beginner techniques in making my TNT dresses.

In thinking about challenging myself and stepping out of the comfort zone, Scary September will start my year of challenges. I have made a list skills and where I think they rate on the skill level board. I am also going to rate myself 1 being - done it but only just to 3 being comfortable doing the skill. This way I know what I still need to practice.

Please - all you talented, experienced sewists out there, have I missed a vital skill? Have I imagined one harder than it is and placed it in the incorrect category - or will some be harder than I thought and need to be re-categorized ? Is there some basic beginner skill I have missed that I really should learn before moving on. There is something to be said for diving in to fearless sewing - but that is more likely to spook me. I like steps. Looking at the list - I have a long way to go.

Please note - this list is for me to "tick off" as I learn a new skill and for that purpose only. I am not that stuck on what skill LEVEL I am at - rather what skills I still need to learn and how I should progress. Also to help me to stop avoiding things - like zips and buttons. I have more sewing phobias than you can poke a stick at. To progress past my lovely knit TNTs I need to push.

I have also gone nowhere near expert / couture in my skill list. I think that takes a life time of sewing and I only started sewing at age 49. Wouldn't even know what skills are there anyway! I don't aspire to be an expert - just to fill my wardrobe with great clothes that don't look like Harriet Homemaker has done them.

As I started this blog to track my progress, once I have the list finalised I will put it on a separate page so I can tick off as I learn.

Level
Skill
Rating 1 - 3
Beginner
Sew straight and curved seams (funny how long it took me to master this!!)
3
Beginner
Elastic waist pants and skirts
2
Beginner
Set flat sleeve
3
Beginner
Sew blind hem
2
Beginner
Sew narrow hem
1
Beginner
Sew simple shift dress
3
Beginner
Sewing lapped zips
2
Advanced Beginner
Sew bindings for neck and armholes including attaching knit bands and internal bias for wovens
1
Advanced Beginner
Set sleeve in armhole
2
Advanced Beginner
Buttons and automatic button holes

Advanced Beginner
invisible zip

Advanced Beginner
Simple collar
1
Advanced Beginner
using stud embellishments

Advanced Beginner
In seam pockets

Advanced Beginner
Patch pockets

Advanced Beginner
Modify patterns for fit
1
Advanced Beginner
Do a full bust adjustment
2
Intermediate
Lining with zipper

Intermediate
Collars with collar stand

Intermediate
Lining with facings

Intermediate
Felled seams

Intermediate
Modify patterns for design

Intermediate
Sew cuffs and plackards

Intermediate
Sew looped buttonholes

Intermediate
Flap pocket

Advanced
Sew with all types of fabrics

Advanced
Lined jacket

Advanced
Piping

Advanced
Jeans

Advanced
Welted pockets

Advanced
Bound pockets

Advanced
Sew most items without instructions

Advanced
Comfortable making any pattern

Advanced
Feel comfortable using fabrics not recommended on the pattern envelope

Advanced
Have a broad knowledge of interfacings, underlinings, interlinings and linings

Advanced
Can do Hong Kong finishes and French seams

Advanced
Sew Bound buttonholes


What have I learnt today?

That I still have a lot to learn.