My Big Bad Sewing thread

[Dee Dee Warren]

I figured I would just keep one thread for sewing. I bought some new patterns - and cut out all the tissue tonight - ugh -

[Dee Dee Warren]

Okay I am starting on a dress.

Here is the pattern

[attachment=1]

I am doing the long sleeve version which is the full picture on the right.

here is the fabric

[attachment=2]

I know it is a horrible picture - the fabric if barely off-white, but what is interesting about it is that it is vintage, the type of fabric is this raised dot pattern, from what I hear, they don't make it anymore, the new kind is "stamped" on dots, these are actually raised bumps.

Here is the cut-outs, you can see the fabric colour better there

[attachment=3]

[Dee Dee Warren]

Now for all you who are trying to figure out what size I am - pattern sizes are not regular clothing sizes (at least not in the US), pattern sizes are much larger than one's actual clothing size in US sizes.

[learning]

I think that material is called 'swiss dot' if I recall correctly, is it not? It has a nice airy look to it if it is.

[mossrose]

I was going to say that too, learning, "dotted Swiss", is how I remember it, and when I was little my Mom made some nice dresses for me out of it!

Where did you find the fabric, Dee Dee?

[Dee Dee Warren]

It is swiss dot, that is right. I got it from my sewing teacher who was clearing out her old collection. I only paid a dollar a yard for it.

[Dee Dee Warren]

Okay I started - got the basic bodice form and the skirt put together. Tonight I have to trim the seam allowance on the skirt pieces, and finish the seam. It is at these times I wish for a serger that does it all in one step. The trimming and finishing are the bulk of the sewing work. Then maybe I will have time to attach the bodice to the skirt - if I can get that done, I will be rocking.

[Dee Dee Warren]

Okay did the skirt seams. Now some of you may be thinking, what is she whining about, one skirt, two side seams. No, no, no, this is one of those fuller skirts that comes in pieces. I had six seams to do on an almost full lenght skirt. That is a chore. I also hemmed it and had to hand-sew as I did that invisible hem thing.

[Esther]

Sounds nice, Dee Dee. The style reminds me of a dress my Mom made for me in high school except that dress had five hundred million buttons in the back.

You're fast, btw!

[Dee Dee Warren]

This morning I attached the bodice to the skirt. With any attachments (bodice, sleeves, collar) I always hand-baste first - so that is an extra step. Tonight, but I have a lot to do with other stuff, I hope to install the zipper and put the trim around the waist - and perhaps start on the sleeves.

[Abigail]

I always hand-baste first - so that is an extra step.

...isn't basting what you do to the chicken before it goes in the oven?

[mossrose]

Abigail, basting also refers to a long stitch, either done by hand, or sewing machine, that is not meant to be a permanent part of the garment. It helps to hold the sleeve in place, for example, so you can make the gathers even, without using pins.

It's sounding like it's coming along really well, Dee Dee.

[Dee Dee Warren]

I'm done

I will post a pic later. I think though that it is not a good fit - you know how that is with patterns. It takes a while to find ones that are good fits and those are the keepers and repeaters. Like my Barbie shirt one. That was a good pattern.

Oh today I went through my bobbin collection - a periodic must-do. I had a few bobbin spools for which I no longer had a thread spool so I unwound those and got rid of the thread.

What is annoying is that my machine, which was NOT cheap, gave me plastic bobbins, yet all the extras I buy (who could LIVE with just three bobbins?) are metal. I hate plastic bobbins, but I can't bring myself to throw them away. What if I need them in a pinch right?

[mrsnacks]

Hi Dee Dee : I got my wife an older 830 record Bernina sewing machine in excellent condition a few weeks ago. From what I have heard , Bernina machines are the best . She was using a $150 low- end Brother machine for 2 years that was nothing but a frustrating experience for her. I finally did about 2-3 weeks research learning about machines, searching , and found an old sweet christian woman willing to part with her machine she bought in 1978. She needed some money and wasn't sewing anymore . So I picked it up and it was in excellent condition. Not a scratch . It is a gold mine . Anyway, my wife opened her gift a week ago and was thrilled. As an apologist for the faith, I would claim to know more about Bernina sewing machines than William Lane Craig and Greg Koukl put together. I may take a crack at sewing. It seems fun.

[Dee Dee Warren]

MrS - I bought a pricey Riccar which has done well for me but I do hear that Bernina's are excellent.