Thursday, March 7, 2013

Blog Anniversary Giveway and another project preview

Where did February go? Flew past me and I am fine with that, it means we are that much closer to summer. But I did miss my blog anniversary. Three years of writing and reading, making new friends and learning so much from everyone in sewing cyberspace.

To celebrate this I am offering a small giveaway to readers. There have been slim pickings lately at garage sales and thrift shops but I did find this Simplicity sewing book which is dated 1965. Don't be put off by their insistence on the "Simplicity Unit System of Sewing". Which I can go on the record and say I don't agree with - and for the most part they are still doing it in today's patterns. Boiling it down to essentials, they sew the complete top half and bottom half, attach those 2 portions and put the zipper in last. So ignore that and use this book for all the other great information it holds. In less than 200 pages they cover fit, seam trimming (near and dear to my heart, you know) sleeves, collars, lapels, bound buttonholes, pattern alteration, special fabrics, zippers and on and on.

Blogoversary goodies

I don't know about you but I find books that have very simple black and white drawings to illustrate techniques are actually easier to comprehend. The current style of sewing books with lovely photography is beautiful but I can focus in on a small illustration and really see what they are showing. Here is an example for sleeves, on one page they show how to create ease, stitch inside the sleeve and how to press and trim. Although they do refer to this as a "regulation" sleeve which sounds very stern. This is not meant to be a critique of newer sewing books - they are all useful and I am a big fan of the Singer sewing series which is filled with photos.  I just got the BurdaStyle book from my local library and plan to make one of the items in that and I also recommend the Dressmaker's Handbook of Couture Sewing Techniques by Linda Maynard. 

Sleeves from Simplicity book
Also included in this drawing are a yellow Chaco pen-style chalk liner and a metal seam gauge. Both are invaluable tools in my sewing inventory and I couldn't be without them. 

So leave a comment to be in the drawing on March 15 for this little collection of sewing toolbox treats. (international is OK)

After my incredibly productive streak last October through December I have been blogging less but sewing more. I did mention in a previous blog entry that I wanted to some posts on plus size sewing and I plan to get to that very soon. As it happens I have been doing a lot of custom sewing for the client that started me on this quest of flattering fit for any size. I am just about finished making a wool coat for her, somewhat based on the J.Crew Lady Day coat from this winter's catalog. Here is a look at the 60% finished coat.  I started with a Burda pattern but went very far afield from that design. The single sleeve is basted on right now, I am waiting for a fitting session this afternoon but I am pretty darn happy with how it is looking right now.  You can see all my tailor's tacks, and the many different color outlines of possible seam positions. I don't pull out all those threads until I get very near the finish line. By the way, the fabric is J.Crew wool that was a serendipitous find at Britex. 

H coat front first view

So it is back to sewing, as you can imagine I am ready to finish this project and move on to something new. (I always feel that way while working on a big project, I get to the 70% mark and want it to be done!)  

Happy sewing and thanks for reading and all your great comments. They are appreciated.
Beth 

By the way, I changed my blog setting to eliminate anonymous coments, too many spam comments sneaking through. If you are not able to comment just send me an email (address available when you click on my profile)

Today's SunnyGal garden photo, not in my garden. Walking in my neighborhood I passed by this flowering tree, and the masses of pink blooms caught my eye. Spring is here!

blossoms

21 comments:

  1. I've been visiting for a while. Please toss my name into the hat. BTW-perhaps you should think of writing a sewing book.

    ReplyDelete
  2. Your blog makes me wish for: more sun and more time to sew. :)

    ReplyDelete
  3. I would love the metal seam gauge, so I'm in.
    I do agree with you on these sewing instructions, I wish somebody would step up and do something about it.

    ReplyDelete
  4. Hi Beth! That coat´s collar looks very similar for the one I made from Burda 10/2012. It certainly looks so good and that wool! Happy blog Aniversary and oh yes! We need some spring! Lovely flowers.
    The book looks very interesting. I agree, black and white drawings are more understandable, at least for me. And the seam gauge! I had one two years ago and lost it and I wasn´t able to find one of those anywhere. Not at the notion store, not anywhere. Actually I don´t know the name in Spanish!

    ReplyDelete
  5. Your client should be happy with your coat. The fabric is lovely and your construction is always perfect to me.

    ReplyDelete
  6. Any tool that gets the thumbs up from you needs to be in my sewing corner. And, what a beautiful coat. I'm hoping to squeeze in a bit of breathing room so that I can finally take that coat/jacket lesson from you. Wish me luck (both for finding time for the lesson and for winning your giveaway)!

    ReplyDelete
  7. I just discovered your blog and would love to be entered for the giveaway. I read your entire blog last night by putting it in Google reader and clicking "All" posts. You have written some great posts and sewn some beautiful clothing. Thanks so much for sharing.

    ReplyDelete
  8. Beautiful coat, Beth. I need to get into the habit of using tailor's tacks more often.
    Happy Blogiversary!!

    ReplyDelete
  9. I enjoy reading your blog on a regular basis. Please enter me in the drawing.

    ReplyDelete
  10. Congratulations :) Thnkas for this offer!!Enter me in this giveaway

    ReplyDelete
  11. I always enjoy reading your blog, and think this giveaway would re-motivate me to blow the dust off my sewing machine and get some spring sewing done :-)

    ReplyDelete
  12. That is going to be a fabulous coat! Yes, please add me to your giveaway.

    ReplyDelete
  13. The coat looks fabulous! a classic style really. I love vintage books...what a lucky find!

    ReplyDelete
  14. The coat is beautiful and I hope to win the book to improve my sewing.

    ReplyDelete
  15. The coat is beautiful. I really want to get back into sewing clothing.

    ReplyDelete
  16. The coat is coming along nicely -- can't wait to see the finished version!

    ReplyDelete
  17. Happy anniversary!

    I completely agree with you about illustrations vs. photographs. I just made a tutorial on my blog, and I was worried the whole time that the photos would be indecipherable.

    PS. Please enter me in the giveaway!

    ReplyDelete
  18. So jealous of your pink blooms! We had a tease of Spring over the weekend and today was in the 30s with a cold wind. Boo!

    Your tailor's tacks are fascinating! I love seeing the thought process written in colored thread.

    (I'm not entering the giveaway--I'm terrible about consulting books!)

    ReplyDelete
  19. Happy Blogiversary! I've only found your blog a couple of months ago, but am thoroughly enjoying it.

    ReplyDelete
  20. Happy Blog-iversary! I agree with you that line drawings are much better than photos for instructional aides. It's just much easier to see details in black and white. :)

    ReplyDelete