Monday, July 11, 2005
Has it been so long?
I have been away from posting too long. But I/We have been sewing up a storm!
As you can see by the project door , we have been busy.
We did costume touch-ups for Shanghied in Astoria (purple satin insets and lace trim on 5 can-can dancers tops, bias tape trim for "Jakko" and "Enio's" vests, and took in the waist band on "Rosie's" skirt). For ourselves we have sewn six skirts, five shirts, one purse and worked as sewing consultant for daughter # 3's new skirt and poncho.
We are doing so much, I just keep getting caught up in the process and forget to take pictures of what we are sewing. I start out so good too...
Here are the project photos we took of the "Stripey Purse"
Gather all materials 
Iron
Layout pattern 
Attach interfacing
Finished purse.
See, I do start out pretty good, but then the picture taking takes a backseat to the creative process.
I think Bree did a great job on this "Stripey Purse". She must think so too, because she is using it right now. And she has plans ( and more importantly, the fabric) to make more of these cuties.
The aformentioned "Bestest Friend in the Whole Wide World", has arrived all safe and sound and loves her newly painted guitar enough to actually learn to play the bass line of "Smoke on the Water". Getting her to pose for a photo of her and the finished guitar.... well, shall we say not yet. But I am working on her.
Now here is a handy tool/ gadget for you"make" and try out for yourself.
I was with my then future son-in-law helping him pick out a suit or two for his honeymoon. When it was time for the fitting, the lady tailor at the Men's Warehouse pulled out this funky looking metal thing and had him put his heel on the base, then she marked a line on the back of the pants leg. That's it. Hummmm? The suit came in and the pants were the right length. No pins... no measuring tape... no gauges? Where did she get that thingy? How did it work? Well I looked all over for that thingy. I asked all around and no one could tell me
a. how does it work. b. where to get it. or c. what is it?
The Men's Warehouse acted like it was some kind of national secret. So, I figured it out myself.... then I found a common household item that would work as replacement, it's not as pretty as the one she had but for about two dollars you can have one too!
TA DA!
The Hem Master
Ok, ok, it started out as a cheapie metal book end. But with your help it can be transformed into your very own Hem Master.
Here are the tools you will need for the transformation:
1. metal book end
2. a tape measure you know is accurate
3. a sharpie marker or paint pen
Here are the steps you will need to take to complete the transformation:
1. Set the lowly metal book end on a flat surface. ie your table
2. Measure the height of your lowly metal book end.
3. Write with your sharpie marker/ paint pen, the height in inches on your new Hem Master.
My Hem Master is 5" tall.
Now... Using your new Hem Master.
1. Place flat base of Hem Master under the heel of person who has on the now too long pants. The too long pants do NOT have to be in-side-out.
2. Mark a chalk line on pants leg at the top the Hem Master as pictured below. Be sure to mark both pant legs.
3. ADD: together the Hem (+fold over if you are using one) + Hem Master height = x
x is now the length you will measure and mark for the cut-off line.
Example: 2" hem + 1/2" fold over + 5" Hem Master. = 7 1/2" so x = 7 1/2 "
3 a. If you have a serger and you are not going to need to fold over, just omit the fold over step.
ADD: Hem + Hem Master height = x
Example: 2" hem + 5" Hem Master = 7" so x = 7"
4. Measure from chalk mark toward existing hem and mark at 7( 1/2)" (Rip out old hem if it is in the way. Press.) Cut off excess fabric, (fold up 1/2" in, press,) fold up 2",press, and then hem using your prefered method.
Yeah, I know Nasa won't be calling me asking for permisson to use my Hem Master. And you do still have to do the math, measure, mark, press, pen and sew, but if you have ever been on your knees trying to pin mark an in-side-out pair of pants while a wiggley person is standing on a chair or bar stool you will apperciate the Hem Master.
Give it a try and see what you think. Let me know.
Happy Sewing!
As you can see by the project door , we have been busy.We did costume touch-ups for Shanghied in Astoria (purple satin insets and lace trim on 5 can-can dancers tops, bias tape trim for "Jakko" and "Enio's" vests, and took in the waist band on "Rosie's" skirt). For ourselves we have sewn six skirts, five shirts, one purse and worked as sewing consultant for daughter # 3's new skirt and poncho.
We are doing so much, I just keep getting caught up in the process and forget to take pictures of what we are sewing. I start out so good too...
Here are the project photos we took of the "Stripey Purse"
Gather all materials Iron Layout pattern Attach interfacingFinished purse.
See, I do start out pretty good, but then the picture taking takes a backseat to the creative process.
I think Bree did a great job on this "Stripey Purse". She must think so too, because she is using it right now. And she has plans ( and more importantly, the fabric) to make more of these cuties.
The aformentioned "Bestest Friend in the Whole Wide World", has arrived all safe and sound and loves her newly painted guitar enough to actually learn to play the bass line of "Smoke on the Water". Getting her to pose for a photo of her and the finished guitar.... well, shall we say not yet. But I am working on her.
Now here is a handy tool/ gadget for you"make" and try out for yourself.
I was with my then future son-in-law helping him pick out a suit or two for his honeymoon. When it was time for the fitting, the lady tailor at the Men's Warehouse pulled out this funky looking metal thing and had him put his heel on the base, then she marked a line on the back of the pants leg. That's it. Hummmm? The suit came in and the pants were the right length. No pins... no measuring tape... no gauges? Where did she get that thingy? How did it work? Well I looked all over for that thingy. I asked all around and no one could tell me
a. how does it work. b. where to get it. or c. what is it?
The Men's Warehouse acted like it was some kind of national secret. So, I figured it out myself.... then I found a common household item that would work as replacement, it's not as pretty as the one she had but for about two dollars you can have one too!
TA DA!
The Hem Master
Ok, ok, it started out as a cheapie metal book end. But with your help it can be transformed into your very own Hem Master.
Here are the tools you will need for the transformation:
1. metal book end
2. a tape measure you know is accurate
3. a sharpie marker or paint pen
Here are the steps you will need to take to complete the transformation:
1. Set the lowly metal book end on a flat surface. ie your table
2. Measure the height of your lowly metal book end.
3. Write with your sharpie marker/ paint pen, the height in inches on your new Hem Master.
My Hem Master is 5" tall.
Now... Using your new Hem Master.
1. Place flat base of Hem Master under the heel of person who has on the now too long pants. The too long pants do NOT have to be in-side-out.
2. Mark a chalk line on pants leg at the top the Hem Master as pictured below. Be sure to mark both pant legs.
3. ADD: together the Hem (+fold over if you are using one) + Hem Master height = x
x is now the length you will measure and mark for the cut-off line.
Example: 2" hem + 1/2" fold over + 5" Hem Master. = 7 1/2" so x = 7 1/2 "
3 a. If you have a serger and you are not going to need to fold over, just omit the fold over step.
ADD: Hem + Hem Master height = x
Example: 2" hem + 5" Hem Master = 7" so x = 7"
4. Measure from chalk mark toward existing hem and mark at 7( 1/2)" (Rip out old hem if it is in the way. Press.) Cut off excess fabric, (fold up 1/2" in, press,) fold up 2",press, and then hem using your prefered method.
Yeah, I know Nasa won't be calling me asking for permisson to use my Hem Master. And you do still have to do the math, measure, mark, press, pen and sew, but if you have ever been on your knees trying to pin mark an in-side-out pair of pants while a wiggley person is standing on a chair or bar stool you will apperciate the Hem Master.
Give it a try and see what you think. Let me know.
Happy Sewing!
