Thursday, June 27, 2013

Burda 06-2013 #110 - My June Burda Challenge!

b_0613_110_12b_0613_110_10

 

How much fun is this dress? It’s knit, it has ruching, it’s metallic. I knew when I saw this dress, I would have to make it.
b_0613_110_11

 

I made it without the sleeves obviously. And oops, you can see a tiny glimpse of my bright blur bra strap. Oops! The pattern went together smoothly as all Burda patterns do. This pattern started at a size 36 so I downsized it to a 34 like I always do. I thought there would be more drape on the crossover section on he bodice. When you look at the magazine model photo, it looks like it would be a bit loose and drapey but it’s not. I know it’s really hard to see the gathers. 
b_0613_110_1

 

 

Here’s a better picture to show the gathers.
b_0613_110_3b_0613_110_2b_0613_110_6

 

How much fun is this fabric? It’s from the swap meet. It looks kind of flashy but when I put on a sweater and flats, it looks good in the casual mis-matchy kind of way that is popular right now.
b_0613_110_4

 

Here you can see the side seams. They have clear elastic in them from the hem to the armpit. Since this dress relies on negative ease to fit, I knew those poor seams would take quite a bit of stress. This just helps to reinforce them.
b_0613_110_5

 

Here’s the bodice. The cross that goes under the top section is only a partial bodice piece.
b_0613_110_7

 

I know it’s hard to see but I outlined the partial cross part in red. Another interesting part of this pattern is that both the left and right side tops are finished with self-fabric facings that are just folded down.
b_0613_110_8b_0613_110_9

 

Kid photo-op! Love that girl!
photo2

 

And a crazy boy!
photos1

Tuesday, June 25, 2013

Two new (old!) machines!!

So you guys know that I seem to be a sewing machine magnet (my Necchi Bu Mira story here and Pfaff 230 story here). I acquired two more machines and I think they will fit into my flock of machines quite well.

The first is this 1970s Kenmore. It’s a straight stitch and zigzag machine with a few other stitches built-in. It’s not nearly as old as my Pfaff 230 and Nechhi Bu Mira but it’s still hefty. I set her up and she sews really well. I’m not sure if this is a nice machine or not. I need to do a bit of research. Do any of your guys know about this model?
rebel 002002

 

It’s the 158.13250 model. Made in Taiwan makes me a bit worried, I won’t lie.
rebel 003003

 

I love the other stitches too. I have been keeping my newer Viking Madison only because it does the blind hem stitch. I swear to you, that is all I’ve been doing with it for the past three years. This Kenmore does the same stitch plus the stretch stitch. Don’t get me wrong, my Viking Madison also does these stitches but I’ve grown to love these older machines and I have had some problems with my Madison not being strong enough to go through things and the tension on it always seems to need tweaking. This machine will also do buttonholes but I have two buttonholers for that.
rebel 004004

 

It comes with the booklet and I actually read it because I’m a nerd like that. I like reading manuals. See these short lines that a perpendicular to the seam guides? They are 5/8” corner marks. Bam. Really?? Duh, what a great idea! This way, you always know where to stop to turn a corner and get the perfect 5/8” corner seams. Okay, I can hear you right now laughing. Really Dawn, you’ve sewn for how many years and you’ve never seen this before? Uh, yea. This is a great idea and apparently, they had the idea in the 70s. Hmmmm. My newer Viking Madison doesn’t have it and my two older machines don’t even have seam guide markings.
rebel 0190191

 

See? Here are the directions.
rebel 016016


And see the blind hemming? Super excited about that!
rebel 020020

 

 

The other machine is the Viking Model 60 20. I believe it is also a 1970s machine? This one has not been tested because my gift-er forgot to give me the foot pedal that goes with it. I can spin the wheel and the dials seem to do the right things when I turn them.
rebel 008008

 

Anyone have one? Want to share information?
rebel 009009

 

rebel 015015

 

 

I do know this model uses cams that makes all these stitches available.
rebel 010010

 

Sadly, my cam-hole is empty. Say that quickly a few times. Go ahead. I know you are doing it in your head.
rebel 011011

 

I assume this is for bobbins? There is no way to disengage the engine like on all my other machines. Like I said, there is no foot pedal so I can’t try it out.
rebel 012012

 

I also got two bags of assorted stuff. Most of it is new in packages.
rebel 005005


 

I also have a huge bin of bobbins. I’ve have to figure out which bobbin is for which machine.
rebel 007007

 

 

Again, I’m super happy people know I love to sew!!!! Soon, I’ll have to start storing the machines instead of using them. I do have some sewing to show you, a dress! It’s also my June Burda Challenge.

 

I’ve been out of town which is why you haven’t “seen” me in a while. Some pictures from our trips below (gotta use those new cameras!). Feel free to skip this part!

123. 5

46

 

 

Every summer, I try to get a picture of the kids jumping in front of the Denali Park sign. I have yet to get all three in the air at the same time. My best is still only two out of three.
78

Friday, June 14, 2013

Another Swap Meet!

Eek! Can I just say that my ratio of yards sewn to yards bought is getting precariously low. One of my favorite places to go when we are in San Diego is the National City Swap Meet. Hello fabric! Hello trimmings!

I ended up with almost 40 yards of fabric and 30 yards of trim. All that for under $100. Um, yea. I’ll probably have to go on a fabric diet soon. Or, I just need to sew my tookus off. Everything I bought was knit. I bought several cotton blends and lots of stripes because I’m a stripe addict.

Hi, my name is Dawn and I’m addicted to sewing striped fabric. Hi is where y’all say, “Hi Dawn.”

swap2swap3swap4swap5

 

I also bought an oodle of fun ITY knits. I just can’t say no! I feel several wrap dresses in my future. I love those and they are so versatile (and classic)! Look at these fun border prints. I seemed to buy quite a bit of coral and turquoise too. I tried to stay away from purple and gray on purpose. Maybe I’m finally out of that phase for a while? 
swap8swap9swap10

 

Here’s what a typical vendor looks like at the swap meet. The remnants are on tarps on the ground in piles. My favorite vendors organize the piles by fabric content. Of course, as the day goes by, the piles get mixed up. This guy is my favorite vendor. His remnants are $1 or $2 per yard and his rolls of fabric (you can see them at the other end of the market) are $2 to $4 per yard. He gives you generous yards too.
swap11

 

All of this ITY fabric is from this vendor.
swap7

 

Smaller vendors are like this. This person only sold fabric as remnants in two or three yard chunks.
swap12

 

I bought lots of elastic too. Some of this is FOE (blue and black/silver), some is decorative elastic, some is just plain old black elastic and clear elastic. I think I bought 10 yards of clear elastic for $2. 
swap_1

 

Of course, be sure to feel the fabric and look it over for holes, stains, off-grain printing, etc. I have passed up lots of fabric in the years I have been going to this swap meet. Knowing how to speak a little Spanish would help out too. I know very little and I am able to fumble through.

Hopefully you guys will actually get to see a little sewing before I leave again next week!

Wednesday, June 5, 2013

San Diego Rock and Roll Half Marathon

I've been having fun!! Just keeping you guys updated so you don't think I've died. :) I did well in the race though I wish I had run it faster (Of course!). 



I'm posting via my iPhone so we'll see about the formatting.