Let's start with the pattern. I recall reading some time ago that Simplicity and New Look patterns are no longer available in Canada. Is this correct? That seems weird, from a business point of view. Why would they stop? In any case, you know I really like New Look patterns, and this one is one of my favorites - despite the hideous version on the pattern envelope. Not sure what prompted me to buy it one day but I am glad I did and have used it several times, will certainly more to come.
I found a new copy for 25 cents at a rummage sale so if you are in Canada I want one of you to have this pattern.
Here is the blouse I first made from this pattern. I wear it all the time but that could be due to the luscious floaty silk.
Giveaway # 2: Frixon marking pens (2 sets)
As I have mentioned previous years there is a very old-timey store in Honolulu (Fisher) that is just shelves and shelves of stationery supplies, office stuff, pens, pencils, notebooks, everything that you could ever think of. And most of it is on the shelf, like the pens. Not in the packages...you can buy just 1 pen! and you can test them out. You can get every color Sharpie marker or 20 of just purple! Is it a bit silly to love office products? I know I am not alone, from the most gorgeous Italian paper and stationery palaces in Italy to the Japanese dollar store in my nearby mall, I love to check out stationery stores and always seem to find something. So now when I go to Fisher I stock up on these Frixon pens.
Which are erasable on paper, and disappear with heat or ironing. Warning - as we have all probably read, the marks can come back in the cold, but come on - for sewing use them for marking INSIDE the seam allowance and you will not have a problem!
So I will give away 2 sets, a color Frixon pen and something new, a pink highlighter Frixon pen. Which I tried out and is really cool - makes a slightly thicker line and is easy to see.
So, the catch....I would love for you to answer a question. Now that I am teaching classes on a variety of topics I find that the things people want to learn, or fixate on, or can't get the hang of are all over the place. Obviously everyone is different but let me know what you find most challenging when sewing - other than fit. Like what technique is most troublesome and why. What part of the project you fear tackling, or what construction do you avoid because you just can't deal.
Please leave a comment and let me know your sewing dilemma, and then I will draw names sometime next week. Canadians - I might have to do this again with a nice Simplicity coat pattern - there are a lot of good ones and it really boggles my mind that they are not sold there. Plus I am feeling very warmly towards Canada lately, our sensible neighbor to the north.
Thanks to all for reading and commenting - I've been blogging now for seven years and I still really like doing it. I have a lot of sewing in the works for the next few months so stay tuned.
Happy weekend sewing, Beth
By the way - this weekend I will be teaching my Weekend Jacket Intensive class at Hello Stitch Studio in Berkeley. We're putting another Jacket Weekend on the calendar in December so if you couldn't make this session look out for the next.
For the class I am sewing up some examples, here's what I have started and I am really liking it. The wool fabric is from Stone Mountain. Not sure where this coat will end up, maybe a friend or one of the ladies at the studio might like it - we'll see. Or I could selfishly keep it but I am reaching maximum coat storage around here 😊
What do I avoid or I am scared of? Buttonholes, drafting linings, I've never done a jacket with sleeve heads, french darts... and collars are a bit hit and miss.
ReplyDeleteI would love to win the Frixon marking pens!
ReplyDeleteFor me: the lining. I guess made all the mistakes that is possible to make ...
Beth, I still struggle with zippers. I want to learn how to put them in tote bags
ReplyDeleteI wish I lived in or near Berkeley so I could attend one of your classes! As it is zippers are still my sticking point! One day " spot on" the next not so good:(
ReplyDeleteI have no idea where to find Simplicity or New Look patterns here in Canada. Sometimes I can find them on Amazon.
ReplyDeleteAs for what I find difficult, it's keeping my serger from shifting the layers. I also seem to have forgotten how to put in standard zippers in centred and lap openings. These never used to be a problem until I started using invisible zippers.
I forgot to mention that I'm having difficulty locating Frixion pens here too. I need to go look at Staples a little more carefully before I give up.
ReplyDeleteI'm in BC and I find them in Wal Marr stationary
DeleteStaples doesn't have them, Walmart does, and I have seen them at Superstore too.
DeleteGetting v-neck bands fitted in properly. No matter how much I trim, stitch carefully, whatnot they just don't look all that great.
ReplyDeleteI had a sewing friend in Canada that I would periodically buy and ship S/NL patterns for. There was a dispute on pricing between Simplicity and the distributor causing Simplicity to pull out. From what I heard.
ReplyDeleteThat fabric is so gorgeous.
This comment has been removed by the author.
ReplyDeleteButtonholes...I find it difficult to make them look nice and cleanly done.
ReplyDeleteI've sewn for a long time, but I always quail at the thought of putting a buttonhole in the stand of a shirt collar.
ReplyDeleteI have heard that Simplicity can't be sold in Canada, because they don't have the instructions in both English and French. Canada is a stickler for the two language requirement.
ReplyDeleteNot sure about the English/French issue, but the pricing agreement issue happened with our largest fabric store franchise and now we can't get Simplicity patterns there. I will sometimes purchase them online.
ReplyDeleteBarb
I struggle serging knit seam allowances. Getting them to lay flat and not stretch out.
ReplyDeleteI'm jealous that you can go get patterns for so cheap at joanns when they're on sale.
Love your blog!
I already own that pattern but wouldn't mind trying the Frixion pens.
ReplyDeleteMy sewing issue is getting collar bands to look nice. Not the ends that meet up with the front of the blouse at the button band, but around the neck. If I topstitch from the outside, the inside stitching is all over the place and sometimes I don't catch it to the neckline of the blouse at all. If I try to press the seam allowance on the collar band down first, it never meets up correctly. It's just all over the place. I originally learned to handsew the collar band down on the inside and it is the only way I can do it neatly. I would love to be able to sew them down neatly by machine. Hope this makes sense.
Thank you so much for the give-away to us Canadians!
ReplyDeleteThe two things I have a problem with is getting an invisible zipper inserted so it really is invisible, and getting bust darts properly placed with no bubble at the end.
I, too, enjoy your blog!
Honestly, the part I fear the most is the cutting of pattern pieces: layout and cutting out and cut pattern pieces. Deciding if this pattern and this material really go together; Not smoothing out a wrinkle (especially on the underlayer) and distorting the layout; missing a piece (especially with pattern tetris OR doing two pieces from the same fabric in one cutting session), distorting the fabric as I pin the pattern pieces down; floaty fabric clinging to my hand and distorting; a cut piece sliding under the next piece I'm cutting; clipping my notches in too far; distorting a bias edge immediately after cutting; not adding the seam allowance when I am supposed to...That's on top of My fear of cutting into the fabric in the first place...
ReplyDeleteOnce it's cut and the sewing begins, the die has been cast
I love reading your blog and I live in Western Canada. Setting in sleeves is my biggest challenge. I hate setting in sleeves -- sewing collars is a close second. I love the look of handmade shirts so both of these sewing shortcomings are frustrating. Simplicity and New Look are owned by a U.K. company and some time ago (about 3 1/2 years ago, I think), they stopped printing French instructions on their patterns. All products sold in Canada must have bilingual labelling. At first, there was a rumour that Simplicity had dramatically increased their pricing and that the main fabric chain in Canada (Fabricland which is similar to a Joann's or Hancock's) had a dispute with Simplicity due to the price increase and would no longer carry their patterns. It was later disclosed that due to cost, Simplicity didn't want to print the patterns in two languages; although, I believe they do have Spanish instructions on their patterns. Simplicity's horrible website does offer shipping to Canada but it is ridiculously expensive. I buy the Simplicity and New Look patterns from Pattern Review when they go on sale.
ReplyDeleteI wonder if you would consider doing some on line classes for those of us who do not live in your area. I would like to perfect sewing on a collar band without the bulk at the center fronts. I have learned much on your blog and wish I could attend your classes.
ReplyDeleteThank you
Marie
A challenge for me is a front placket on a top - like the top in the New Look pattern you posted.
ReplyDeleteI'm in Canada and can confirm that we don't get New Look or Simplicity patterns here, for the reasons "unknown" states above. I must confess though that at first I was a little upset when we couldn't get them here anymore, I don't really miss them. With McCalls/Vogue/Butterick and all the independent pattern makers, I really have more patterns than I can use! (Although I may have just picked up a package at the post office that has a few patterns in it. *ahem*) Despite all that I'd love to win the pens/pattern bundle. :)
ReplyDeleteMy problem is collars. My collar bands look fine - but the entire collar always looks so bulky to me (maybe it's as simple as using the wrong interfacing? I have three kinds, but tend to use the heaviest kind because I want the collar to be crisp looking).
And thanks - we Canadians are feeling quite sensible just lately. :)
I hate sewing zippers-I have done so many but no matter what I never remember how to put them in...also just the added hassle of changing feet bothers me I think!!
ReplyDeleteHi, I also live in Western Canada and can confirm the stories about pricing/language issues with Simplicity. I really miss the patterns as they sometimes seemed to be quicker at bringing trends to market than the others. I really wanted to try some Mimi G patterns, so I usually get them off of Etsy. Shipping can be problematic sometimes.
ReplyDeleteI have a problem with front button plackets that end in the middle of a shirt (like for a pullover tunic). And I would also love to find a better way to finish a V neckline in a woven. Even with stay stitching and gape darts, I still find they stand away from my chest, like they've been stretched out. I've tried bias tape, but I can never seem to get the point of the V to look good. I love V necks, but can't seem to get them right in a woven. Thanks!
I'd love to try the frixion pens. Actually my struggle is finding enough time to make up all the great fabric in my stash...and to combine various pieces; and that the finished product looks as I imagine it!
ReplyDeleteI always pause before finishing a neck edge with bias binding whether turned to the inside to act as a facing or as a traditional binding. It's such a visible part of the garment and it's so easy to stretch the neck edge too much or else not maintain an even width in the bias binding as you stretch it to go around the curved edge - especially with something like chiffon. As a side note am I the only one who has had bad luck with frixion pens? I was going to post pictures on PR showing that I can only use them on light colours. These pens always leave a white permanent mark on darks:( Maybe I'm doing it wrong.
ReplyDeleteHi Beth
ReplyDeleteLove your blog, and I'd also love some Frixon marking pens. I can't believe they don't sell Simplicity patterns in Canada, it doesn't seem fair. I struggle with necklines, I'm always afraid my top stitching isn't up to par, or the whole thing will be crooked, especially when adding bias tape or something along that line. Usually, I am pleasantly surprised, but I worry about it the whole time, and stress out about it. I also stress out about button holes. Thanks for the opportunity to try out these markers, hope I win !
Sometimes I miss having easy access to Simplicity and New Look patterns although I really don't need to add to the huge stash already collected. I was surprised by how poorly their website was designed for online ordering outside of the US. Vogue/McCalls/Butterick has an excellent online ordering system and I take full advantage when the sales are on. As for sewing struggles and intimidations I'd say many of them are caused by collars, plackets and front closures. Anything front and centre and highly visible I find a bit nerve racking to sew. I have found many of your tutorials and photo logs of various garments very helpful. Thanks so much for sharing your talents. :)
ReplyDeletethanks for the giveaway! When there was a 99c sale, I ordered a couple of New Look PDFs but one of them was 82 pages just for the pattern wit no way to print only your size or the view you wanted. They weren't nested or organized in a way that would allow you to just put togeher what you needed. Never again!!
ReplyDeleteAs for a skill, I would like to master collars. I've made a couple of shirts but am never happy with my collars.
Thanks for thinking of us! I too think it's weird that we can't get New Look or Simplicity here. Very frustrating.
ReplyDeleteMy frustration is getting my necklines not to pucker. I do the staystictching. I've tried bias binding, bias facing and now a knit hem and they all pucker. I will try hand stitching my next woven fabric but I wasn't sure I could do that with my first go at knits.
Thank you for thinking of us! I always makes me a bit sad when I see people post their lovely Simplicity and New Look projects.
ReplyDeleteSince so many people have already mentioned collar bands, I'll bring up sewing curved hemlines. Mine always end up wavy.
Sewing challenges: sleeves, collars, any curved top stitching (jean pockets, collar stand, cuffs), pants fitting, buttonholes...
ReplyDeleteI'd love to know how to stitch a rolled hem on curved edges, like on a full skirt or a shirt.
ReplyDeleteI'm not aware that Simplicity & New Look aren't available here, but will find out next time I'm fabric shopping! I am a solid sewer but am intimidated by welt pockets, especially when sewing over the triangle. Any tips?
ReplyDeleteI've never made bound buttonholes and because I've never made them in all these years of sewing, I find them intimidating.
ReplyDeleteNeckbands kill me every time!
ReplyDeleteLike all the other Canucks responding here, no we don't get New Look or Simplicity. When there is one that I absolutely have to have, I buy a digital version from SewingPatterns.com when they are on sale. I would love to have a real paper copy of NL6374 though.
ReplyDeleteI don't need the Frixion pens though. Thank you for the giveaway!
Such a great giveaway! I can't think of any techniques that scare me right now, but I will tell you a technique I used to dread--set-in sleeves!!! I hated them because I would end up with puckers or extra folds of fabric near the sleeve joint. Also, I hated easing things in. LOL!
ReplyDeleteButtonholes. I have to psyche myself up to do them.
ReplyDeleteFirst of all - thanks to "unknown" for clarifying why New Look/Simplicity patterns are no longer sold here in Canada! Would love this shirt pattern - perfect with jeans and boots for Fall. And a pen might improve my track record with copying pattern markings :)
ReplyDeleteI have two areas of sewing challenges, aside from fit:
1. Closures - exposed zips, button loops, bound buttonholes ...
2. Lining - particularly tips for drafting your own for unlined patterns, as well as 'bagging' methods (?!)
I'm hoping to make a San Fran trip to attend one of your fit classes - so excited for future class plans!
I really love this outfit and both clothing patterns are great.
ReplyDelete