Some February

I don't know about some of you, but February seemed to be a tough month. Bad weather, lousy health, unexpected surprises all contributed to not getting anything done on my machines.
I like to sew because I find it fun and lets me unwind and get creative. Man that just didn't happen this last month. One project to finish and one I really want to start so I hope March is looking better.
I think it will be. Gonna make something to wear for this spring time coming up. And I'm going to have fun doing it. February can pass and I won't shed a tear Just smiling as March comes down the track.

Sew Along

Still working on finishing up my pants project. No rush and I have been in slow mode lately. I think I am going to
try to join Peter's (from PR)shirt sew along starting in Feb. I've never participated in one of these but it sounds like fun so thought I'd give it a try. I plan on using my own draft pattern that I put together. Maybe pick out a collar from David Coffin's shirt book and do it in flannel with 3/4 sleeves. I got that idea from TGM kittys and it sounds like something that would work for me.

Its a new what?

Another year again? Geez, what happened to the last one? Well I think the first project for 2011 will be put a cheap pair of pants together from my pattern that I drafted. The sloper thing fits okay so I'll give it a try on some of my messing around fabric first. If that goes like I want it to, then I've got some nice brown linen I want to make some trousers with.

I hope everyone has a great start in this year and it continues right on through to the next one. Stay warm and safe.

More info please

I love books. Especially technical books. Got some good sewing books and I've been reading them.
Why? Right now working on perfect pockets. Those holding bags on pants and jackets. Gotta be smooth
and clean and functional. So I read those books. And I've been doing some samples to test what I've read.
Because somewhere down the road, I'm gonna design and sew up a suit. And it has to be right.
Wrong suits don't do anyone any good. So everything has to be right.
That's why I'm reading about pockets right now. Good pockets. Perfect pockets.

New block on my new machine

I decided to put a pants block together so I can have a stable pattern that I know will fit everytime.
Did it from scratch using my measurements and drafting them to a muslin. Darn if it looks like a
good fit. I think I will put a pair together with some less expensive fabric and see what they look like.
And I got to use my new to me Singer 201. That is one nice machine, period. Just a real joy to use.
Looking forward to sewing some projects on it this winter. I see flannel stuff in my future.

Confident fitting eh?

Just bought Nancy Z's book " Confidence in fitting patterns". It features her pivot technique for making adjustments in patterns. Haven't tried it yet but it does make sense. I still want to get away from relying on manufactured patterns and have the ability to draft and design my own blocks or patterns.

I think the answer is to use a little of all ideas to come up with something you want to make. For a man that has some weight to him expects to have a good selection of patterns to choose from, he will be on the hunt for a long time. I prefer to have more control over my hobby.

A little off track

Well, got side tracked a little. Had to do some repair work on my winter stuff and other things happened so I haven't had time to work on my jacket. Hopefully this week. I need to get some more muslin material so I can make the blocks I need.

On a positive note, I've increased my library a bit and made arrangements to buy a Singer 201. They are a workhorse and although I love my little 99, it doesn't do heavy duty. This one will. The gal I got it from gave me a very good deal and it is much appreciated. The hunt for a Necchi BU will go on the back burner for now.
That's okay because it is more of a whim than a need. Hope to report jacket progress this week.