A Little Variety
I've knit a few rows this week but not much. I can feel the strain right away so I know I shouldn't be doing it yet. I can't just sit and not create something though. I'll go stir crazy.
Enter my sewing machine.
I've been looking to update my wardrobe but I haven't had much luck finding things I like. So, I'm going to break out the sewing machine this weekend and make myself a few things.
The bottom 4 fabrics are for skirts. I have a few patterns in mind:
- simplicity 5503 - I like the diagonal cut and the bias skirt. I need to find a striped fabric for it though so you can see the bias.
- simplicity 7090 - Another bias-cut skirt, although I don't feel compelled to make it out of a stripe. The bias is as much for drape as it is for style
The top 5 fabrics are for tops. I've only found 1 pattern I like so far:
simplicity 4353 - A basic top. I like all 3 versions. It's also bias-cut for a little stretch and drape. Since I can't seem to find good knit fabrics that would work for this kind of top I went with a bias-cut one for a woven so I can keep that flowy feeling.
I should also admit that the nice thing about these tops is that I could knit a little shrug or short cardi to wear on top of it.
I bought these fabrics last summer and they've sat in the bag ever since. I also want to make a few client-appropriate skirts as well, so I'm going to shop for a few more conservative choices after work today. Skirts are so quick and easy and since I can't seem to find quite what I'm looking for, I'll just make a few.
Sadly, I may need to buy some shoes though. It's a burden, people, but somehow I'll manage.
yes, I promise to take pics if when I buy some
I feel so out of my element with sewing, which I find ironic since I used to sew all the time. Thinking back I believe the last clothing that I made for myself was (could it be?) my wedding gown. That's in 1997. Apparently that day was the start of the end of more than just my sewing hobby!
Now that I'm feeling the sewing love again I want to find a little more diversity-- cool pattern companies, good fabric sources, and links to sewing blogs. I've found a couple but nothing much to speak of yet. Do you know any?
You made your wedding dress? Holy crap. I suck at sewing but you got me laughing about "the start of the end". :) I will watch with interest. But I have nothing to help.
I've decided its time for me to learn to sew. I'm thinking that this fall I am going to take one of those classes through the school district. I have a sewing machine, and it collects dust.
You know how tiny I am -- can you imagine how much more yarn I could buy if I could just hem all my own pants instead of taking them to the tailor?
Cool fabric sources:
http://www.hancocks-paducah.com/
(check out their closeouts)
A couple of pricier options:
http://www.cheap-threads.com/
http://reprodepotfabrics.com/
Overall, these tend more towards fabric for quilting/ accessories (I just got a sewing machine about a month ago and am not even close to trying out clothes). But there's definitely clothing-worthy fabric in there.
wow - you sewed your wedding gown! impressive! I'm sure the sewing vibe will come back strong once you start!
Lovely fabrics! It's so nice that sewing doesn't require the same muscles/motions that knitting does.
I don't have any resources for you either :/ I know of a quilting store in my area (which is very nice) but that isn't good for clothing fabric.
Sewing - my other hobby. Its been on the back burner as knitting has taken over my time. Check out these boards for some good info: http://www.patternreview.com & http://artisanssquare.com/sg/index.php
a few fun blogs are:
http://thesewingdivas.wordpress.com/ - most of the divas have their own individual blog too, http://www.dressaday.com/dressaday.html - some great dresses, http://stacysews.com/ - good general sewing.
Hope you come off the injured reserve list soon!
i'm such a frustrated sewer :) i spend a lot of time at the machine cursing. my husband remarked on it just the other day! but regardless, i do like it a lot. not as much as knitting, but still, a lot.
I really like this sewing blog:
http://boundbymyhook.blogspot.com/index.html
I don't sew, but she holds my interest. Oh, and she knits too!
I buy most of my fabrics now either from Fabric.com, or Fashion Fabrics Club. I've had nothing but good experiences with both.
I read thimble blog
www.thimble.ca
She has a little bit of everything, is inspiring and reviews good books.
Can't wait to see what you make.
Jody, I'm sewing a second version of this skirt right now: http://www.grumperina.com/knitblog/archives/2006/10/sew_what.htm. The fabric is a wide-wale corduroy, and each gore is cut on a 60 degree bias. It is coming out... just wonderful. The pattern is so easy, and not difficult to modify.
I've recently been bitten by the sewing bug too (not that I have much to show for it yet) and have had a hard time finding fun sewing blogs myself. My fav so far is:
http://juliasewing.blogspot.com/index.html
Thank you for bringing the topic up as I've found some good blogs in your comments ;)
Looking forward to seeing your progress - I love the skirt patterns in 5503.
Nice fabrics, but I do wish you a quick recovery so you can also get back to knitting.
I want to put in another vote for patternreview.com. It doesn't just review patterns (although it does that very well), but also has great links to fabric companies, sites for notions, etc. (I had never heard of http://www.emmaonesock.com/ before pattern review.)
I go through phases with knitting,spinning, and sewing and lately have been back on a sewing kick myself. Those skirts should be so cute!!
Not much help to you with the sewing, but those fabrics are gorgeous!
Sorry to hear about your wrist. I actually started the Natalya gauntlets today - have been wanting to make these forever in some fiber I spun - coming out nicely if I do say so myself. Hope you check out my blog to see updates soon. I too am in the sewing mode!
Sorry to hear about your wrist. I actually started the Natalya gauntlets today - have been wanting to make these forever in some fiber I spun - coming out nicely if I do say so myself. Hope you check out my blog to see updates soon. I too am in the sewing mode!
Beautiful fabrics! I hope you feel better.
Those skirts are going to be terrific made out of those fabrics.
that's why it will never wor. Nurit Hailey.