Sunday, April 25, 2010
Fabric, fabric, fabric- too much?
I haven't sewn a garment in ages. I have stacks of fabrics just begging to be made into various things from t-tops to jeans to jackets to coats- well, you get my drift. But for now I am totally into making handbags, thanks to Richard at howtomakeadesignerhandbag.com. I love turning bits and pieces of fabric and hardware into lovely useable things. I recently read something in one of Linda Ghee's books about why she loves making bags rather than clothing. She stated that after years of sewing clothing for others she realized that she could use her design talents without having to worry about fit and doing alterations. Hallelujah! I totally agree. I can unleash my talents and not have to worry about the length, crotch depth, sleeve length, etc. I can pleat, ruffle, gather, embellish, and pipe to my heart's content! Voila! It makes total sense to me. Plus, if I am unsuccessful with a new design I haven't wasted yards of fabric- maybe half a yard at best. Perfect. I now find that my fabric-shopping forays see me coming home with lots of 1-yard cuts. The ladies at the cutting table must hate to see me coming...So yesterday I spent 2 hours slowly walking the aisles of fabrics at my local fabric store and brought home several goodies. I love that I am not constrained by anything except my imagination when it comes to buying fabrics for bags. I don't have to worry about how the fabric will launder- will it shrink, etc., since most of what I make isn't meant to be laundered, just carried and loved. Now this doesn't mean that I am out of the garment-sewing biz for good. I have a whole Summer wardrobe to attend to and I have at least 10 projects for my 2 daughters to get done. What I need is TIME! Plus, I inherited an old (and I mean old) farmhouse that needs to be totally renovated before it is liveable for me. Of course all I really need is a huge sewing space (can you say '17 sewing machines'?) and a huge kitchen. For me cooking is right up there with sewing. I could push a bed into a corner, arrange a couch and chair into a non-sewing space, and I would be happy- literally. Oh yes, and a bathroom with a tall-enough-for-me shower head. Mercy, I do need time...So, meanwhile, I keep honing my purse-making skills in hopes of making a business out of them one day. I know that I want to specialize in really lovely gems of purses for weddings, proms, special events, etc. What better way to use my sewing skills? Pictures of my latest sewing adventures soon- as soon as I find my camera under all the stacks of fabrics piled on my cutting table...
Sunday, March 14, 2010
For Richard- a video- my first!
I tried to explain what I was doing in words, but it didn't work so here is a video- or rather 3 short ones!http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AQ5x0bGcZo8
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uuXkDq8Zf_w
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fanCZ8vBkBI
More to come as I figure out if this is working or not, but so far, so good!
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uuXkDq8Zf_w
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fanCZ8vBkBI
More to come as I figure out if this is working or not, but so far, so good!
Saturday, March 13, 2010
Tuesday, February 16, 2010
Necessity is the Frank Zappa and the Mothers of Invention...
My co-workers have just discovered that I can "really" sew. I was approached by a lady at work with a look of desparation on her face: "June, I've done something terrible! I ruined 2 pairs of slacks trying to alter them myself!"
"Okay, what exactly did you do?" ( thinking, how bad could it be?)
"I cut them off and used glue to try and hem them and now they are too short!"
Gulp. Okay, do I want to tackle this?
"Okay, bring them to me tomorrow. Do you still have the pieces you cut off?"
Yes, she did. Oh boy, she was right- a BIG mess.
I have never ever faced a hem on a pair of pants, but here goes nothing! Eeek. Nothing ventured, nothing gained.
First, I took out the hem of the sliced-off pieces and trimmed the pieces down to a seams-width where I would be joined them back to the raw hem edge. I could use the serged edge of the hem-piece to save some time and trouble.
"Okay, what exactly did you do?" ( thinking, how bad could it be?)
"I cut them off and used glue to try and hem them and now they are too short!"
Gulp. Okay, do I want to tackle this?
"Okay, bring them to me tomorrow. Do you still have the pieces you cut off?"
Yes, she did. Oh boy, she was right- a BIG mess.
I have never ever faced a hem on a pair of pants, but here goes nothing! Eeek. Nothing ventured, nothing gained.
First, I took out the hem of the sliced-off pieces and trimmed the pieces down to a seams-width where I would be joined them back to the raw hem edge. I could use the serged edge of the hem-piece to save some time and trouble.
Next, I joined the pieces to the raw edge of the pants, trying to keep the hem-piece even. The bottom of the pants was so uneven that I had to ignore what was underneath- just keep the seam on top straight and smooth.
See what I started with? Notice the glue....
I joined the pieces together, easing the pieces to fit as best I could. Then I understitched so the facing would turn under more easily.
Friday, January 29, 2010
Raspberry Sorbet Purse
When I saw the raspberry and black fabric I just knew it would make a lovely purse. My purse-making efforts in the past were fairly rudimentary and I was a bit hesitant to tackle this pattern. I used McCalls 6045 and, as I am wont to do, make a few changes as the bag developed. I was frustrated by all the pieces since I always trace off my patterns onto pattern paper, saving the uncut pattern.
I used drapery-weight fabrics and backed them with fusible fleece. I used a fusible mid-weight interfacing to give the lining a bit of body. The pattern called for inside pockets on both sides but I decided I wanted a zippered pocket on one side. However, once I sewed around the zipper opening and turned the fabric in I loved the way it looked without a zipper- it looks like a beautiful bound buttonhole! So, I left it that way- no zipper. I love using piping but the cording I used was a little stiff, I think. Had I not had an industrial straight-stitch machine I don't think Old Bernie could have handled all the thicknesses. My topstitching is a bit wonky and after the fact I wish I had used a better-matching thread! I was anxious to try my hand using rings and buckles so I changed the strap. Instead of being one piece with the gusset I used O-rings, a buckle, and grommets. I made a few kerfluffles with the altered design but I have it worked out for the next one. Live and learn! Is isn't perfect but when I sent my daughter a picture of it she loved it and now it is hers. "Raspberry Sorbet"- perfect name, don't you think?
I used drapery-weight fabrics and backed them with fusible fleece. I used a fusible mid-weight interfacing to give the lining a bit of body. The pattern called for inside pockets on both sides but I decided I wanted a zippered pocket on one side. However, once I sewed around the zipper opening and turned the fabric in I loved the way it looked without a zipper- it looks like a beautiful bound buttonhole! So, I left it that way- no zipper. I love using piping but the cording I used was a little stiff, I think. Had I not had an industrial straight-stitch machine I don't think Old Bernie could have handled all the thicknesses. My topstitching is a bit wonky and after the fact I wish I had used a better-matching thread! I was anxious to try my hand using rings and buckles so I changed the strap. Instead of being one piece with the gusset I used O-rings, a buckle, and grommets. I made a few kerfluffles with the altered design but I have it worked out for the next one. Live and learn! Is isn't perfect but when I sent my daughter a picture of it she loved it and now it is hers. "Raspberry Sorbet"- perfect name, don't you think?
Hippolyta Can Sew!
Yes, I can!
So who am I, and why "Hippolyta"? I am a 50+ sewist who has been creating with needle and thread for over 40 years. Hippolyta was the Queen of the Amazons and since I am rather queenish and rather Amazonish I use the name with pride! I have been six-feet-and-a-smile tall since I was 12 years old so I have always had difficulty finding clothing that fit properly. My mom was tall with 3 tall daughters so she made all our clothes. It was thanks to watching her that I learned the basics of sewing. As a young wife with a limited budget and 3 small children I used the trial-and-error method to learn to make all of our clothing- including shirts for my husband. Over the years I have learned a thing or two about sewing- some from reading, some from practice. It was my dream to one day have my own line of clothing for tall, plus-size women ( like me) and in the 90's I made that dream come true. I had been doing contract sewing, making everything from a line of knitwear to horse "slinkies" to costumes and when the time was right I began "Amazon Designs." I loved creating clothing for women in the US as well as in other countries. In 2002 my marriage ended and I returned to school, graduating in 2005 with a degree in Radiography. Talk about a change of career! I put my sewing interests on hold until the past few months, but now I am back with a renewed sewing fever. It is amazing how things have changed in the sewing world in the past few years. Most of the brick-and-mortar fabric stores are gone but the internet world has opened a whole new world of fabric opportunities. I miss being able to walk through aisles of fabrics and getting my creative juices flowing from feeling the farics, seeing how they drape, and imagining how I could use them. Such is life. I was beginning to feel like I was a relic of the past when it came to sewing until I found communities online that share my passion. I am renewed!
So, in addition to my cooking blog (Hippolyta Can Cook!) I am starting this one for my sewing. This will be a place where I can share my creations, tips, and random thoughts with the world.
Stay tuned!
So who am I, and why "Hippolyta"? I am a 50+ sewist who has been creating with needle and thread for over 40 years. Hippolyta was the Queen of the Amazons and since I am rather queenish and rather Amazonish I use the name with pride! I have been six-feet-and-a-smile tall since I was 12 years old so I have always had difficulty finding clothing that fit properly. My mom was tall with 3 tall daughters so she made all our clothes. It was thanks to watching her that I learned the basics of sewing. As a young wife with a limited budget and 3 small children I used the trial-and-error method to learn to make all of our clothing- including shirts for my husband. Over the years I have learned a thing or two about sewing- some from reading, some from practice. It was my dream to one day have my own line of clothing for tall, plus-size women ( like me) and in the 90's I made that dream come true. I had been doing contract sewing, making everything from a line of knitwear to horse "slinkies" to costumes and when the time was right I began "Amazon Designs." I loved creating clothing for women in the US as well as in other countries. In 2002 my marriage ended and I returned to school, graduating in 2005 with a degree in Radiography. Talk about a change of career! I put my sewing interests on hold until the past few months, but now I am back with a renewed sewing fever. It is amazing how things have changed in the sewing world in the past few years. Most of the brick-and-mortar fabric stores are gone but the internet world has opened a whole new world of fabric opportunities. I miss being able to walk through aisles of fabrics and getting my creative juices flowing from feeling the farics, seeing how they drape, and imagining how I could use them. Such is life. I was beginning to feel like I was a relic of the past when it came to sewing until I found communities online that share my passion. I am renewed!
So, in addition to my cooking blog (Hippolyta Can Cook!) I am starting this one for my sewing. This will be a place where I can share my creations, tips, and random thoughts with the world.
Stay tuned!
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