The Truth about Sizing in the Garment Industry

So your man asks, "What size do you wear"?, you respond, "Well, honey..it depends....sometimes it's a 12 sometimes it's a 3, sometimes it's an 8".  He then looks at you like you have 3 heads.  Click on the title above, or the "links to this post" link. This article tells all.


All the more reason for you to learn to sew so that you have your own unique wardrobe that only fits you!!!  And, yes it is less expensive to sew your own clothes. 

Lately I have been a little busy knitting. 

I'm a little rusty, but in these past few years I have gotten better.  

This particular sweater pattern has short raglan sleeves, and in a solid color.  

For this particular sweater I decided to vary it by

adding stripes on the bodice and on the sleeves.

   

 

Here's another - same pattern as above, but done in a different yarn.

  I love this yarn because it has so many colors.

While going through the computer folders of pictures I came across this one.  

It's one of my favorites from a few years ago of my son and his son CJ, Jr.  

It seems to be that they are having a very intense and intelligent conversation,

which doesn't surprise me because they both have what it takes.

Volunteering as a Sewing Instructor

For the past few months I have been volunteering at a local Boys and Girls Club - teaching sewing, and I am truly enjoying providing instruction to them, and they are so interested in sewing and making useful items for themselves and as gifts.  

Here are a couple of students starting on their individual quilts.  They were very excited to learn how to make a quilt.   We mostly work from donated fabrics, supplies,  and equipment - because our resources are limited.  If you have any items that these young people can utilize to hone their skills in sewing, please contact me.  They are in need of fabrics, patterns, thread, sewing machines, and notions. books, and DVDs.  Basically - any and everything that relates to sewing.

Here's the finished quilt.  Notice her beaming with pride!!!

  

Almost finished!!!

More cutting...all the fun of making a quilt, right?





Here's Danyelle cutting out her fabric.

 

Here's a layout of Danyelle's quilt...let the sewing begin!!!

This young lady started her quilt, and make a nice arrangement of the blocks.

She was't able to finish her quilt, I believe her family moved,

and it wasn't convenient for them to have her continue the class.

Knitting Socks

No pictures to share yet, but I am working on my 2nd pair of socks.  I am enjoying knitting socks, and trying my best not to buy more sock knitting patterns!!!  Help me, please.  LOL

Lena Horne

What a wonderful lady, may she rest in peace.

My grand daughter in her dress.

Here are a few pictures of a dress for my grand daughter. She loves the dress and receives many compliments on it, and even a couple of custom orders for dresses.  Of course with a hem like that I had to have her twirl a little bit.  Initially she saw the fabric while I was making a top for me and she said, "mmm...I'd like a dress out of that material".  So...I pretended not to pay attention and surprised her with the dress.

The fabric is a polyester jersey, and for the life of me I can't remember wehre I bought it online and I got it a a very good price - as I recall I purchased 5 yards because I like the design of the fabric. I used a New Look pattern that is at least a few years old.  I used a size 10, but used 1/4 inch seam allowances to allow for a larger size.  Hopefully the pattern is not out of print because she likes the style and wants another dress made with a different color scheme and design.

Knitting's a Privilege - Mo Rocca - Does It Again - (CBS Sunday Morning)

Mo Rocca eats crow, but learns the valuable art of knitting... as long as it he doesn't confuse it with crocheting.

Sewing Instruction

Today I just confirmed a sewing lesson for a young lady who wants to learn to sew. From what I understand she has absolutely no experience sewing and I am looking forward to teaching all I can.

I will have to remember to take my camera to get shots of the progress we make along the way. I'm excited!!!

Sewing Classes

Friday, March 5, 2010

UPDATE!!!

Whew...it take take me a while to get back here, please forgive my neglect.

For Valentines'
Day I knit a shrug for my dear daughter, and she loves it. It's a crimson color, and I must say, I like the color myself.

I'd like to make a couple more shrugs from this pattern it is comfy (now you know I tried it on while I was knitting it. One additional thing I have learned from knitting: check the website of the publiser of the pattern because many times there are corrections to the pattern.

Not much going on here.

I did make a blouse (knit top really), a few months ago, but don't recall posting pictures. Nope, I didn't even look back at the posts, LOL.

I also started a dress for my granddaughter and have it all sewn together but am having issues with the neckline and hem. When I was sewing the top I mention above I had the green print fabric out and she said, "Hmmm, I'd like ot have a dress out of this". Not hinting, just admiring the fabric. We do seem to have very similar tastes in fabric designs and prints.

Ok...back to the subject at hand - the dress for her: First of all it's a poly-jersey - a funky geometric print. The colors are lime green, kelly green, and black on a white background. So...if I self face it, the colors will show through the white, if I use white jersey for a "collar", it will get dirty and show that ring around the collor. If I use black jersey it will just look too morbid for me. Afterall she's 10 years old. Decisions...decisions.

Anyone else have problems making decisions like this? I did look for green to match (either shade that would match), but noooo...no such color green in poly jersey. I of course I found cotton jersey, but anything other than white will fade. I don't like one part of a garment faded and the other part(s) retaining their color. So that's my story and I'm stickign to it.

I did also cut out a top for me the same pattern as the top I finished months ago, but in this green, black, and white fabric I mention above. Maybe this week or weekend I can have them both finished ready to present to the world, LOL.

Hopefully soon, I will take a few pics so that you can see...visuals are imparative, won't you agree?

What have you been sewing? Any new projects?

What brought these questions to mind was CBS Sunday Morning, just today. The feature talked aobut proscrastination, particularly filing your Income Tax Return.

So...what have I been sewing? What are some of my new projects?

Not much in the last few weeks. A few weeks I did manage to sew a knit top that I like and have worn a few times. Lots of polka dots and I've received numerous compliments on it. Two of my grandchildren were impressed that I had copied the pattern onto pattern paper, made pattern alterations, and completely sewn it together while babysitting them one Saturday afternoon. This is something I need to continue. I aspire to get more accomplished much like many of you out there, namely Trini Love of Life Happens to be Positive, Erica Bunker, and Carolyn. These are only three of many fantastic seamstresses out there.

Fondling fabric, cutting out patterns, and imagining this made up in that, or that made up in this, is all I have been doing lately, LOL. Decisions, decisions, decisions. JUST DO IT!!! Anyone else have those undecided moments? Gosh, what a dilemma!!! It's par for the course. Very rarely do I seem to shop for a specific pattern or fabric in order to sew up a particular garment. Why is that? Well...we shop and shop and shop, buying the fabrics and patterns that catch our eye. We will get these things sewn up one day...take your time because the "just right" combination has to be made up in our minds before we put that fabric under the presser foot!!!

I need help!!! I'm trying to find a "How-To"

Some months ago I came across a website that demonstrated how to convert a man's T-shirt into a woman's T-Shirt. There were very detailed instructions, and you virtually take the T-shirt apart and remake the t-shirt for a custom fit. A few weeks ago I found a nice sale on men's T-Shirts and bought a few, but surely don't care for the boxy fit.

If any of you know of this site or have a TNT (Tried and True) method of altering T-Shirts to fit women, please let us know with a post here on the blog.

After attending the Quilting and Crafts Show at the Pomona Fairplex, and other venues such as this I become more hyped and my creative juices start flowing even more. I assisted Pat and Jeannette man (womaned???) the ASG (American Sewing Guild) table and enjoyed my time there. Jeannette Swanson our President of the Los Angeles Chapter brought some of her creations she's decorated with paint sticks. They were priceless. Most of the visitors to the table received a demostration in from Jeanette, and I'm sure she has sparked a lot of interest. The sign up sheets for receiving more information about ASG were pretty hefty. If not yet, soon there will be even more members and participants in our meetings and seminars. That alone is exciting.

BTW, Jeannette teaches conducts classes in sewing and other crafts for the Santa Clarita Parks and Recreation Department.

It was a joy to see all of the vendors and well as visitors mingling and shopping. There are so many new innovations in the market it's unbelievable. Of course, I did a little shopping after seeing a couple of things that were irresistible. Naturally, that was fabric and patterns. We crafts people need our own stimulus package. Just imagine what damage we could to do our wallets with a personal stimulus package, I already have my wish list handy!!!

Pomona Quilt, Craft, and Sewing Festival

I will be attending this weekend, and spending part of the time tending the American Sewing Guild - Los Angeles (www.ASGLA.org) Chapter booth. I understand that we are right next to the Ladies' Restroom, so you surely can't miss us!!!

When you stop ASG-LA's by booth you will be able to meet many of our members and see many of the interesting things we learn, and what wonderful times we have when we attend classes, seminars and festivals. Please take time to stop by to get information regarding the organization, and you could even sign-up to be a member right then and there.

For more information regarding the Pomona Quilt, Craft and Sewing Festival this weekend located at the Pomona Fairgrounds - please visit:

http://www.rustybarn.com/2009-pomona-program.pdf