While I'm on Winter Recess (what we used to call Christmas Vacation), I'm working on my BWOF 11/06 #132 jacket. The timing is serendipitous. If I didn't have long blocks of time to work on this jacket, it might take months to finish. I'm confident I'll finish it before I go back to work. A detailed progress report follows:
- I block fused AngelWeft to the bouclé. I can't imagine working with this fabric without first block fusing. Carolyn was the first to suggest block fusing; Kathryn and Liana at Stitcher's Guild suggested AngelWeft. If I could, I would fall down and anoint their presser feet! Even after the block fusing, this fabric tended to ravel a little. I also serged the raw edges after (and sometimes before) seaming.
- I made piping to dress-up the lining. This gave me a reason to buy a new presser foot for my machine. I went to King of Prussia (a notoriously crowded shopping area in suburban Philadelphia) on Christmas Eve to get a cording foot. (And this was after buying the wrong foot the day before!)
- I made the lining and I remembered to install my "little labels" and use seldom-used decorative stitches on the lining. (fig. 1)
- Rather than a hem and a vent, the sleeves have a facing and a slit. Much easier, in my opinion - especially with the ravelly fabric. (fig. 2)
Fig. 1
Fig. 2The next major task will be bagging the lining. I anticipate some challenges. Even after lengthening the jacket during the pattern work stage, it was not long enough to suit me. ( I really should have made a muslin.) So the hem allowance is quite small. I'll have to do some fudging adjusting when its time to sew the lining to the hem allowance.
Luckily, while I was working on the jacket, Bravo was showing a "Project Runway" Marathon on the day after Christmas! I've never been a big fan of reality shows (because they usually have nothing to do with reality) so I've only seen bits and pieces of Project Runway. But, OMG! That show is riveting! The back-stabbing! The lying! The gossip! And, oh yeah, I almost forgot – the clothes! I must admit, It made my sewing more fun!
Luckily, while I was working on the jacket, Bravo was showing a "Project Runway" Marathon on the day after Christmas! I've never been a big fan of reality shows (because they usually have nothing to do with reality) so I've only seen bits and pieces of Project Runway. But, OMG! That show is riveting! The back-stabbing! The lying! The gossip! And, oh yeah, I almost forgot – the clothes! I must admit, It made my sewing more fun!
Ooooohhhh a new jacket! How fun! But I don't think I'm the first to suggest block fusing am I? I know that I learned about it from the old SewingWorld site...'cause before that I would fuse the pieces after they were cut out and wonder why they were too small?! *LOL*
ReplyDeleteGlad to see you got so much done and can't wait to see the finished jacket! Enjoy the rest of your winter break!
It is coming along nicely. I love your labels; it reminds me that I need to get some!
ReplyDeleteI can't wait to see the finished suit, the jacket IS coming along great, I saw the PR marathon but I didn't watch it. I just got the you tube like to PR canada and its really interesting.
ReplyDeleteThanks for the advice on the Angelweft. I'll have to add that staple to my stash and soon too. I have several boucles like the one you are working with. I am watching this closely and learning quite a bit.
ReplyDeleteI have been the KOP mall. Even though we live about 7 hours away, we love to go there and shop and eat. I had no idea you lived so close. You are brave to go there during Christmas. One year we went the day after Christmas. I was exhausted by the time we finished. But you have to use up those gift cards, you know. ;)