Lunch Break At Curran Designer Fabrics

Truly, Curran Designer Fabrics in McLean, Va is one of my all time favorite fabric store in the area.  Terry Bertholf, the owner has been in the fashion business for over 30 years.  When you walk into her store, Terri and her staff always offer to lend a hand and give advice if wanted.

English Bull Dog Yoga

This is my baby Q.  The poor little guy is waiting as patiently as he can for me to stop sewing and pay attention to him!   Do you think he is looking a little bored?  This is a rare moment, as usually he is up to his bull dog antics such as endless pestering and slobbering until I finally relent or playfully attack my foot as I press the sewing machine peddle. 

Equisite Fabrics

Oh my goodness... I am inspired.  This is a piece of 100% silk that I found at Equisite Fabrics, a high end fabric shop  located in The Shops at Georgetown Park.  For an incredible fabric experience, this is a must.  I have decided to push myself even harder on my next project, and design a 100% Melissa design.   My plan is to use this fabric and see what I can come up with.

Sewing Machine Repair

Have you ever gone into a repair shop and felt that you had been taken advantage of?  I am venturing to guess that at some point, we all have.  I had that same distressing feeling yesterday when I walked into a sewing machine repair shop and the technician walked out and without even acknowledging me or my poor machine, stated loudly and abruptly that the cost of repair started at $98.00 not including parts!  I have to say that I was somewhat annoyed and dismayed.  I was expecting him to ask me a few questions about what was happening... or even just glance in the direction of my little machine that sat helplessly on his counter.  Needless to say, I left the shop with my disabled machine and made the 20 minute commute out to the store where the machine was purchased... Sew Special Studio in Woodbridge, VA.  Two wonderful sales women walked out of the studio from the back of the store and immediately began looking at my machine and diagnosing the problem.  They ordered the part (a new bobbin case) and said they would call when it came in and I could pay for it then!  Then one of the women suggested I simply file the bobbin case edge that looked slightly damaged to see if that helped.  I went home, filed the bobbin case, and wala!  Success!  How wonderful it is to have a sewing shop with experienced seamstresses and great customer service!

Design & Make Your Own Bikini

I plan to make a top too, but thought I would share my results with the bottoms.  The easiest way to do this project is to use a pair of your existing bathing suit bottoms or panties that you like and fit well.  This is what I did, and then cut them at the side seams.  Mine had elastic along the edges so I simply stretched the bottoms across a piece of card board and pinned them down along the elastic lines.  At this point, you can trace a pattern and make any design modifications you want.  I like doing it this way because you are ensured a perfect fit and one that you already like!! 

This is the pattern I came up with.  Pretty basic, but it's my first try and I was going for the basic.  You will also want to make an additional piece for the crotch lining. 

This elastic was easy to work with.  Make sure as you sew that you do not stretch the fabric or the elastic.  Start by pinning the crotch lining to the panties and then you can begin applying the elastic.  I used a zig zag stitch.  Your machine may have a specialized zig zag for stretch fabric and you could do this as well.  This is actually what I did because I don't own a serger. 

Pellon Has Found A Place in My Life

I am not a big fan of fusable interfacing.  I have actually banned it from my sewing area.  Unless someone can convince me why I should have it without giving me the arguement that it is quicker and easier to use, I will probably rarely have a need for it.  However, I have found a great use for one of Pellon's products.  I was out yesterday looking for some tracing paper or the like to make my next pattern.  While milling about in Joanna's, I came across the Pellon Easy Pattern (Non-Woven) Tracing Paper.  It's similar feeling to fusable interfacing, but it has a slightly glossy backing which you can easily draw on.  It's other attributes are:  it's light weight, see through, inexpensive, and durable.

Do we really need Muslin?

I really love this Vogue pattern!   I made this blouse from a quality pima cotton and it has cuff links that I purchased from Thomas Pink.  The pattern is a Today's Fit by Sandra Betzina, V7903.


Today though, I ask this question... do we really need to use muslin?  I was at the fabric store this evening to purchase a piece of muslin for an upcoming project.  A piece of 48" wide muslin was $4.98 per yard.  The 108" wide muslin was $14.98!  I am designing my first sun dress and I plan to cut the skirt on the bias.  This is going to require a fair amount of wide fabric.  As I stood in disgust at the thought of spending $30 just to make a prototype, I caught a glimpse of the remnant fabric department.  $2.98 per yard for anything!  The decision was made very quickly.  I bought a piece of basic non stretchy fabric and I will be making my sample prototype from this instead. 

Garment Reproduction... Finally Finished!

I never realized how difficult it would be to take these pictures and show the detail of the garment lines and the fabric. 
This is the best it gets with my little BlackBerry.

I sewed the hook and eyes onto binding strips and then embedded them against the vest facing. 

Fully lined vest with seams encased in seam binding.

This is the original.