Finished: BSM 05-12-135 & BPF FW-06-402

Seems like a long time since I've sewn an actual "outfit" the way I used to.  I got sidetracked and started buying fabrics differently.  I bought single pieces.  But, I'm back into the outfit mode again.

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Blouse  BSM 05-2012 #135

Pattern Description: 
Just when I  was looking for a camp shirt pattern, BurdaStyle Magazine gives me this pattern.  It's a short sleeved blouse with a sleeve band.  Sometimes BurdaStyle gives me just the right pattern – just not always when I want or need it.  In church we often say, "He may not come when you want him, but He's always right on time." I don't mean to be blasphemous, but the same can be said about BurdaStyle.

Pattern Sizing:
European plus size - 44 - 52

Were the instructions easy to follow?
I see a BurdaStyle Magazine pattern and I think I know how to complete a particular technique, in this case, the sleeve band.  Then I read the poorly translated instructions and think, "Huh???"  I  parse out the translation and discover my technique and BurdaStyle's technique are the same.  The problem is the language.  Diagrams would have saved the time I spent scratching my head.   BurdaStyle doesn't do diagrams.  I accept that.   I still want pictures sometimes.

What did you particularly like or dislike about the pattern?

I like camp shirts and the sleeve band adds a little "something different" to an otherwise typical camp shirt.  I didn't even know I wanted "something different" until I saw the pattern.  My first thought was to omit the band, but then I thought I should really get freaky and keep the sleeve band.  The band is purely decorative in that it doesn't open, but it's a nice design element.

Fabric Used:
I bought this cotton-poly blend at G-Street Fabrics.

Pattern alterations or any design changes you made:
The buttons on the sleeve band were not included in the original design.  The instructions called for a hand-stitched X on band.  I think on a solid color lightweight denim type fabric, that would look okay, but I really couldn't picture it on this blouse.

Conclusion:
I can see this blouse made slightly more dressy by using a solid silk fabric.  As much as I like camp shirts, I'm sure I'll make this again.

Pants BPF FW-2006 #402

These pants are from my Docker Knock-Off collection.  They are typical fly front side pocket pants to which I added welt pockets.

Pattern Sizing:

European 44 - 52

Were the instructions easy to follow? 

If I had a nickel for every pair of fly front side pocket pants I made, I could probably go on an long vacation.  I didn't need or use the instructions.

What did you particularly like or dislike about the pattern? 

I like this pattern because, with a few simple changes, it transforms into Docker-style pants.

Fabric Used: 

Cotton-poly blend twill

Pattern alterations or any design changes you made: 

To get that authentic Docker look, I added single welt pockets to the back.  I was worried about putting a buttonhole directly on top of a dart, so I made a sample first.  There didn't seam to be any problems wit it.  I can't say enough about the welt pocket instructions in Pants for Real People.  I no longer fear the welt!

I extended the front yoke to the zipper extension.  This eliminates the unattached, flappy front pockets.  I don't remember a BurdaStyle pattern that included this extension.  I just have to remember to make the simple adjustment on every pair of pants.

Conclusion:

This pattern has definitely moved into the TNT category.  Now, I'm always on the lookout for twills in interesting or neutral colors to make more Docker Knock-offs.

The Evolution of a Sewing Room (cont.)

Chapter 2

A New Place to Sew

More room to sew

The sewing room move is done!  I patched holes with tape and spackle and did some touch-up painting.  The Salvation Army took away my daughter's bedroom furniture. I vacuumed corners that had not seen the sun in years. Yuck.  The room needs a major cosmetic re-do, including painting and carpet removal.  But in the meantime, I have a new place to sew!

At first, the curmudgeon in me wanted a "no-one-is-allowed-in-here-but-me" sewing room.  I considered getting rid of the bed, but that wasn't practical.   I still have relatives who like to visit and they need a place to sleep.   Besides, I designed and built the cutting table expressly so it would fit over a bed.  It would be a shame to deny the table its destiny.

I considered the major drawbacks of my former sewing room and addressed them. In the small sewing room, my cutting table was in a corner and only accessible from two sides.  Now I can access it from three sides.  As I'm fighting with laying out knits, the last thing I want to do is rotate the fabric or stretch over the table in order to pin or cut out a piece.  Now, everything is within reach because I can walk around to the other side of the table.  Funny how simple things like that can make such a difference.

Second, I have more storage space in a bigger closet.  As my collection of Burda magazines grew, I trembled every time I thought of getting rid of them.  Now,  I've got room for another five years worth!  And I have another bookcase in which to store fabric.  I may even acquire a stash!!!

As small and cramped as my former sewing room was, it was a functional space in which I was very comfortable. Now, my sewing space is functional AND roomy!  What more does a sewer need? 

For a guided tour, click New & Improved Sewing Space link under Pages in the sidebar or click the link in the caption above.

Finished: BPF FW-2006-402B

My change in employment status necessitates a change in my work wardrobe.  I've always worn pants to work, but I tried to wear less casual career pants – at least once in a while.  Now, since I'll be crawling on the floor with toddlers and preschoolers, my uniform will be strictly casual.  With a few changes, #402 from the Fall/Winter 2006 issue of Burda Plus Fashion made up into Dockers-style pants I was looking for.

Burda Plus Fashion FW-06-402
See sidebar or click for PatternReview.com

Pattern Description:
Fly front, side pocket pants.

Pattern Sizing:
European plus size range;  44 - 52


Were the instructions easy to follow?
These are very basic fly front, side pocket pants.  I really didn't need the instructions.  It is a Burda magazine pattern so problem instructions are a given.

What did you particularly like or dislike about the pattern?
My intention was to knock-off Dockers.  Other people knock-off expensive designer fashions.  I knock-off Dockers.  How pathetic is that?  I like this pattern because it had the basic bones of a pair of Dockers.  All I needed to add were pockets.

Fabric Used:
Cotton twill, perfect for the type of pants I wanted.

Pattern alterations or any design changes you made:
I added double welt pockets to the back so the pants would look more like Dockers.  I used the instructions for double welt pockets from Pants for Real People.  I get good results when I follow those directions carefully.

Would you sew it again? 
I do plan to sew these pants again. They will be my new "uniform".   The next pair might have single welt pockets in the back, also using the instructions from Pants for Real People.  There is a welt pocket treatment in the August/September 2012 of Threads that I might try the next time I use this pattern.


Conclusion:
I plan to make a one or two more pairs of Docker knock-offs using this pattern.   And that will be the extent of my work wardrobe.  Semi-retirement is fantastic!

The Evolution of a Sewing Room

Chapter 1

Where Did It All Come From?!?!?

One of the perks of Empty Nest Syndrome is the empty nest!  When I learned my daughter accepted a job in Richmond, VA,  I toyed with the idea of moving my small sewing room into her larger bedroom, but I talked myself out of it. However, she encouraged me.  In her words, "Why shouldn't you have a bigger sewing room?"

I believe my daughter, who so generously and lovingly encouraged me to take over her bedroom, saved every toy, storybook, shoe, notebook, sneaker, trophy and stuffed animal she ever owned in the eighteen years she occupied that room.  She was a good candidate for Hoarding: Buried Alive.  It's just as much my fault as hers. She didn't buy all that crap those things herself.  Everytime she was away at camp, I threatened to go into her room with a trash bag.  But she protested and I backed down.  As she pulled crap her things out of bookcases, the closet, the dresser and piled it on the floor, I admit, I almost lost it. Then, I thought about my new, bigger sewing room and kept my mouth shut.

With visiting and socializing with friends she may not see again for a long time, it took her three days to sort through and distribute all the crap her belongings.  If I had been given the freedom to dispose of it, everything would have gone to the dump. Thankfully, my daughter believes in "Reduce, Reuse, Recycle" and she was more responsible about getting rid of the crap stuff than I would have been.

It's going to take some time until the new sewing room is just the way I want it. First, I have to make my new space habitable and functional.  Then, I have to make it mine.

To be continued ………

Corny Cliché, but True

Today really IS the first day of the rest of my life.

No, I won't be spending 8 hours a day in my sewing room but I do have a plan for my new life.

• I retired from my job, not my career. I'll continue the part-time independent contracting I've done for several years. 
• My DD is treating me to my first cruise ever.  In the Fall, when my former colleagues are settling in to another school year, I'll be settling into a deck chair on a cruise ship.
• I plan to take advantage of a local university program for Lifelong Learning which offers a variety of courses such as Introduction to Adobe Photoshop, Myth in Human History, and Quantum Mechanics for the "Spiritually Inclined" (huh?).  This program also entitles members to audit one undergraduate course per semester, if there is space.  
• I no longer need a large work wardrobe so I plan to do more quilting. Or I may tackle that coat or tailored jacket I've wanted to sew for years.
• My first BIG project will be to move my sewing room into the larger bedroom that was once occupied by my DD.  Finally, I'll have more room for more fabric and Burda Magazines.

Stress often comes with change; even a change for the better.  I'm a little nervous, but I'm looking forward to this new phase in my life.  For a number of reasons, it's the right time for me to retire.   Once I make the necessary mental adjustments, I'll be able to enjoy a more relaxed lifestyle.

I Can't Resist a Good Sale

I went to JoAnn to buy this …

and ended up buying this …

At least they're both yellow.

I was first interested in Oliso's Pro Smart Iron because of the feet that raise the soleplate. I love a good gimmick. Then I learned the iron has a "thirty minute extended shut off for sewers and quilters".  The thirty minute shut-off feature was icing on the cake.  I vowed to buy the iron the next time they were on sale at JoAnn.

So …… I found myself at JoAnn during a storewide sale.  I went there for yellow thread and buttons.  Not the most efficient use of non-renewable fossil fuel, I admit, but I gotta sew. The buttons were in the same aisle as irons and the irons were 20% off.  I had to buy it!  I had to.  In addition to the 20% discount, I got an additional 15% off with my teacher's discount card.  Total savings – $63.99!  The iron I'm replacing cost less than the $63.00 I saved.  I don't often indulge myself like this so I easily justified the extravagance.

Oh yeah, the buttons were 50% off, too.