May 7, 2012

Fun With Oil Cloth

I made this groovy wallet!  It's made with two pieces of oilcloth and a long hair elastic.  I rarely use cash anymore, so a few cards are all I need: ATM, ID, credit card, gym ID card, etc. Sewing with oil cloth is highly addictive.  It's the bright colors and the instant gratification that makes it fun.


I made six card slots by turning under the tops and top stitching. I used a jeans needle and engaged my machine's walking foot.
Then, starting with the top slot, I sewed the bottom so that my card would fit with just enough sticking out the top.  (These slots are 2.5 by 3 inches.) After I sewed three, I stitched all around the set and then did the other side the same way.  I used a piece of painter's tape to hold them in place.
I then attached the front yellow piece by sewing two lines down the middle between the slots.  Finally, I cut 1" wide strips for binding and just slapped them on there with a zig-zag stitch.

This doesn't have any interfacing, so it's just a tad soft at the corners.  I did make one with sew-in stiff interfacing, but I like this one much better.

When I find some more nice red elastic, I'm going to make another with a slot for bills.

Aug 2, 2011

Summery Outfit

Check out my kitty cat there on the left.  How he managed to fold his tail into the corner is anyone's guess.  He was in that box for hours!


Hey, here’s an entire outfit!  I made this skirt a couple of weekends ago out of a nice lightweight twill that’s a blend of linen and hemp. I got the last of the bolt at Stonemountain & Daughter a couple of years ago.  If you’re ever in Berkeley, California be sure to check them out.  What a wonderful world it would be if every fabric store were like this.  >sigh<


I underlined the back pieces of this with a very thin, cheap linen I had laying around.  This eliminates any see-through.  This is something I tend to do with skirts.   

You can’t see the groovy horizontal darts in the back or front when I’m wearing this longish top, but they’re there.  It also has a very wide facing that goes as low as the darts. No waistband equals extra comfort! Here's the line art.
The top is probably familiar to PatternReview.com readers.  A lot of people have reviewed it so I thought I’d give it a try.  I think it’s such an interesting design and I like the cut-in arm holes.  I lot of people didn’t, for some reason.  I think they don’t like their bare shoulders showing but I say: embrace the shoulders!  There is an invisible zipper up the back and the upper bodice is lined.  I had to lengthen the upper bodice about 3/8”and widen the back by about an inch.  Man, some of these patterns are so narrow sometimes.

I really like the front pleat.  Those tucks on the side aren't really darts they're, well, tucks, I guess.  This also has tucks in the back at the mid-shoulder.


Well, that's all I have for now.  I didn't end up doing that vintage blouse muslin last night.  I actually finished altering the Burda Style pants I made a couple of weeks ago.  Pix to follow!



Aug 1, 2011

Something Other Than a Skirt for a Change

 Okay, I admit it.  I made another skirt this weekend.  At least this is one I haven't made before.  And I made another skirt the weekend before that!  Yeah, yeah.  I'll get to them.  It's about 140 degrees outside so picture-taking is prohibited.  Actually, the one I plan to wear tomorrow goes with a top I'd like to show, so maybe I can catch a picture or two before the asbestos suit has to come out.

Even though I have a vintage dress pattern to sew for a friend's wedding in a month (and no muslin yet but, at least I have the fabric!),  I don't know if I can wait that long to make up one or both of these old beauties.
The good folks at Acme Notions wasted no time in sending me these.  They're just a tad larger than I need but, what can you do?

The neckline is a bit high on this Vogue, but I'm more drawn to the yellow version anyway.  I have some old, old lightweight green silk that my mother had leftover from something she made back in the early 60s.  This might just be the pattern I've waited 25 years for!  You know how you have a special fabric and FINALLY you find the perfect pattern for it?  This might just be that pattern.  The nifty notched hem is made by attaching a facing, which is much better than that extremely annoying method most patterns have you struggle with.  The back has a 6" zipper but, wouldn't it be nice if it had buttons instead?



Here's something sporty.  I mean -- the illustration says it all!  I like all three of these, although I might have to forgo the cutsey bow thing in the front, there.  Who knows?  I may not be able to resist.  That white one is my favorite. 


Can you believe this thing was once only 35 cents?  So few things cost less than a dollar that the little cents symbol isn't even on keyboards anymore! (Say that in an old lady voice.)

 

Jul 6, 2011

Worst Sewing Blogger Ever

Okay, here are the rest of the skirts I promised you.  I had no idea I was such a skirt fiend until the pattern companies started coming out with a whole bunch of 'em that I wanted to make.

First up is a New Look pattern that appears to be discontinued.  Sorry about that.  I don't even think I have this one anymore since I wasn't terribly thrilled about it.  Anyway, it has these nifty gores with a faced waist.

UPDATE!
This pattern is sitting in the discontinued pattern section on the Simplicitiy/New Look website.
It's New Look 6461.
Here's another New Look that's been around a long time.  I just looked it up on their website and it's still there: New Look 6843.  I faced the waist rather than putting in a waistband.  This is your standard straight skirt.  I made this out of a curtain (I guess) I bought at Goodwill.  I thought I'd sort of scored a find until I noticed, upon washing it, that the tag said "Pottery Barn".  Oh, well.  I keep expecting someone to say, "Hey! That looks just like the curtain in my grandmother's bedroom!"
I have since found a straightish skirt pattern from Vogue I LOVE so much better than this.  Stay tuned.  I have even taken pictures!  Believe it or not, this thing is underlined in silk organza.  Why I bothered, I couldn't tell you.



(I am so cheerful today!)

I'll wind it up with Simplicity 2698, which is one of the Project Runway patterns and is still available.  I made it out of this groovy western cotton that I could not resist!  This is the only shirt I have that goes with it.  I feel just dorky enough in it that I don't wear it to work.  If only they knew....

This thing is the very definition of "comfortable"!





Muscle Man Techniques for Health and Vitality!

Believe it or don't, I've actually done quite a bit of sewing since you last heard from me.  But I just couldn't wait to share these exciting revelations from the world of physical fitness.  So let's dive in!
* * * * * 
Several long weeks ago, we showed the ladies all they need to know about stretching and dancing. But what about the gents? Not to worry! The expert staff at Snake Oil Sewing have put together a complete workout designed to turn you into the sleek sewists you deserve to be. Oh, I know what you’re thinking: “This is all well and good, but what’s in it for me?” To provide some inspiration, here are some photos of Wilbur Drillhaven’s amazing transformation. This could be you!


 
Because consulting Bernarr Macfadden’s seminal work Encyclopedia of Physical Culture (Volume II) was so successful in our last installment, we’ll turn to it again now to assist the men in the audience in Building a Powerful Physique. (A reminder: text in bold type is taken from the aforementioned authority.)



Let’s start out simple and learn about Tensing Exercises. The convenience of taking such exercise at any time, without removing the clothing, and even without being noticed when executing them in public, is well worth considering. That’s hard to disagree with, isn’t it? One should avoid the “tetanizing” tendencies of tensing the muscles for too long a time….Too, too true. When time is limited they will answer very well, and they are very convenient for warming up quickly for a bath. 
(A bath? Now that’s more like it!)
 
Here is a tensing exercise you can do in public! (Avoidance of security cameras is advised.)

I promised to introduce you to the real Mister Atlas. Well, that was just a gag to get you coming back for more. In real life, this handsome fellow is muscle definition exhibition master Albert Treloar. Guess what he’s doing? Tensing exercises!

  
We mustn’t forget the importance of strengthening the upper body as well. Here’s where you again get to enlist the help of a friend. Have your friend disrobe and lay on the floor. Then, with arms locked in the position shown, he should raise and lower you while you rest on his palms. You will want to raise your arms (this is where the upper body strength comes in handy) to maintain your balance. It’s easy and fun! By taking a step forward with the “off” leg, there will be less strain on the back and shoulder muscles….Practice makes perfect, and, as in learning anything else, one has to keep continually at the game to master it. (Another mouthful, there, Mr. M!)


Having trouble getting motivated? Here is Mr. Drillhaven, again, trying his level best to get off the level. It’s not easy, but what is easy that is truly worth having? It’s sad to say but, like many men, Wilbur had a skinny, chicken neck. He performed these simple exercises every morning and evening for fifteen short months. I think you’ll agree: the results speak for themselves!


Repeat until tired.

Perhaps there is nothing more unsightly or unwholesome to behold than a scrawny, undeveloped neck….If a long, thin and puny neck is distasteful to behold, it is no less so than one which is gross through the process of a heavily sagging double chin and the accumulation of other massive rolls of fat. There. I'm sorry to be brutal but it needed to be said. But just look at Wilbur now!


Now we should introduce vigorous motion into the routine. With a friend’s assistance, you can warm up with some leg lifts. Isn’t it nice that you don’t have to change out of your business attire for these exercises? You can do these right in your office! Just put on a little music, get yourself a spotter, and you’re ready to go.


Just be sure to put your legs back on straight when you’re done. That can’t be stressed enough.

Well, here’s an exercise full of motion and muscular energy. You may remember our portly forty-day fasting friend.  He appears here again to demonstrate the proper technique for Leap Frog. Don’t let the playful expression on his face fool you; this is a serious exercise and not for the weak-kneed! Leap frog is a good active game for boys, and naturally just as good for adults who are willing to forget their dignity for the sake of their health. I fear the danger to this man’s dignity lies more in his jumpsuit than in his leaping.

 
 
Okay, I promised to tell you all about cock fighting and that was no gag! The magnitude of the task that confronted the physical instructors and athletic directors engaged in this undertaking, demanded the most effective method of group instruction that could be devised – and this demand was promptly and adequately met [italics mine]. May you benefit from their dedication.

I present to you the game of Cock Fight, as illustrated by two strapping young volunteers. No equipment needed. Here’s how it works: a circle four feet in diameter is drawn upon the floor or ground. Two players standing on one leg, both hands grasping the other foot behind their backs, endeavor to make the other step outside of the ring or break his clasp upon the up-held foot, by shouldering each other. Do you think you could possibly attempt these maneuvers without an illustration? Of course not. So here it is! I appreciate the lovely, pastoral backdrop, don’t you?


Certainly, all of this strenuous activity is enough to for any man to work up quite a sweat. In case you haven’t before, consider the Heat Lamp Air Bath. (He sure looks happy for a guy wearing a diaper, doesn’t he?) 
 
 
Well, that does it for our introduction to health and vitality. In Part Two we'll introduce Bowling Pin Dancing and finally put an end to every man’s secret shame: how to hold one’s pants up while exercising. Join us again, won’t you?