How many trouser fittings do you do?

Friends, this week has been all about trousers pattern draft and fitting. OMG, I didn't realise that fitting can take so  much time? How many fittings do you do? Do you create shell for each fitting? What is the most efficient way of doing it?

Picture 1 - Pattern Draft

The Magical World of Pattern Making...Read More

Friends, the purpose of today's post is to talk about sewing patterns and a fascinating world of pattern-making...

Do you buy  or make your own patterns? 

That  was the question I've asked myself few years ago. My sewing journey started by the coincidence (so to speak). The catalyst for this hobby was a  dress that I saw  one day  in the magazine for my sister. Btw, the dress   was nothing over the top. The beauty of the dress was in its simplicity.

The Costume NIght @ Fashion College ...MUST See!!!

Dear Friends,

I know it has been rather a long time since my last post and I have missed you all dearly. What has been happening since my last post? Well, to tell the truth, a lot.  So much to report on and I don't know where to begin. As they say, if you are not sure where to begin, always start from the beginning.

The Costume Night @ TAFE

Recently I have attended the Costume Design Night at the prestigious TAFE College here in Sydney. For those readers that are not from Australia, TAFE stands for Technical Adult Further Education.  The TAFE in Ultimo (Sydney) is a well known and respected  fashion education and training provider and has produced some of the well known Australian Designers such as Alex Perry.  They offer a wide variety of courses outside of the Fashion field. The training gained in this institute is valuable and industry relevant.

I am not sure if I have mentioned this before but at I am studying the Certificate IV in the Applied Fashion and Design Technology. I am  studying this course part time (2 nights a week) and totally love it. I am in the first year, and so far it has been an enjoyable and a learning journey. Please don't quote me on this but I think the course goes for two and half years if you are studying it part time.

Reflections: MPB Day 2012

Dear Friends,

Its about the time I update you on my MPB Day 2012 experience. Well, in a single word it was "AMAZING"..... Peter was an exceptional host and real pleasure to meet. I have visited FIT/Fashion District and had most amazing time meeting and mingling with other passionate sewers and blogger.

  I am so pleased for the fact I have decided to attend the event.  Apart from the  shooting that took the place just around the corner(as in real CSI NY Scene)  where we were at some stage during our Tour, the overall experience was AMAZING.  Did I say AMAZING too many times? Oh well, it was just that...Amazing!!!

Fabulous photo of Peter in The Fashion District...I really wanted to be up there but due to the gravity couldn't get up....hehe

Back Again and Ready to Sew!!!!!

Dear Readers,

I am back in Australia from my US/Canada trip and ready to continue with my sewing adventures. The trip was amazing and some of the highlights were meeting Peter Lappin and other great Sewers/Blogger as part of the Male Pattern Baldness Day 2012 and in private (more on this in next post).

Today I just wanted to give you and update regarding my Tailored Jacket.

The Tailored Jacket Finished

Excuse the Mess on my Sewing Table :)

Yes, I am alive and still working on the Jacket !!!!!

Dear Readers,

This has been a rather busy and I can confidently say a very productive week. Firstly, I would like to take this opportunity to apologise for not posting anything sooner but as you can appreciate my tailored jacket journey is rather a slow one and I don't feel I should bore you with posts that only  have minor progress.

I am pleased to advise that I have conquered the lining and construction of the lining. Can I say, this was the hardest part of the jacket construction for me. Seriously, why does it have to be slippery....

Picture 1. I know it doesn't look like jacket  in this photo. I was totally lost at this stage hence decided to take the picture...

Sticthing Away -- Are we there yet?

Dear Readers,


The Tailored Jacket journey is never ending one... This jacket is truly testing me in many different ways as I started losing sleep because of it (literally). I am tackling each challenge as it comes. I know you may think this is rather silly but this jacket is almost like spiritual awakening to me. I am getting to know myself more and more with each stage of the construction.
This is what I can update on so far.

The Collar 

This  stage of construction went well or relativistically well. As you can see this method of collar construction involves working with the fully finalised collar where you sandwich the collar in and  stitch each side individually to upper/back and facing/upper collar. I have to admit it does require a lot of precision(provided you are after nice professional finish).

Picture 1. Back and Collar ready to be joined to Facing

Tailored Jacket Update - Buttonholes and Sleeves

Dear Friends,

 Another day & another stitch on my tailored jacket. The most exciting part at this stage is that it has finally started looking like a jacket. The peak of  my excitement is the fact this is my first jacket that I have drafted and attempting to sew hence you can imagine my anticipation. Learn as you go!!!.

This is also  first project where I am  practicing number of new skills such the double welt pocket(which you would  have seen in my previous post), collar, sleeve button hole and lining.

Nevertheless it has been success so far...at least that is what I think hehe...Ok, let me update you on my progress so far..

Sleeve Buttonholes

Sleeve Buttonholes after pressing

THE DAY WHEN JACKET STARTS COMING TOGETHER

Dear Readers,

This has been rather a busy week  but I am glad to report that jacket is finally coming together. I was able to fix all my little errors with mitered corners  and join the vertical seams that essentially make a jacket.

Finally Vertical seams joined...

Tailored Jacket - lapels/vents and small bits and pieces

Jacket Journey continues....

The Lapels

The lapels have been set and now resting overnight in order to be shaped . There was fair bit of hand stitching involved and like anything else this was  my first time attempt ever.  Nonetheless it was fun.

1 cm stay tape catchsticthed to fusible interface(woven)

WELT POCKETS - NOT an easy task

Dear Friends,

I am having a welt of a day today with the welt pockets(so to speak). Today was a first time  I worked on the welt pockets and let me tell you it wasn't as easy as they make it look in the books. As they say, it is easier written than done....

Tailored Jacket coming together

Dear Friends,

I am pleased to advise that my tailored jacket is coming together nicely. For some reason I am taking time with putting it together as I truly want to enjoy every stage of the jacket construction. I don't necessarily want to rush the overall process. In my opinion, the journey is more important then the actual destination or in this instance the final jacket.

Resting on my guest bed...

Please Check this Bargain - Free Sewing Machine

Dear Readers,

Today we will not discuss the tailored jacked I am currently working on but the street dump/bargain I was able to come across and collect.  That is Janome Sewing Machine with all of the accessories/box including  the instruction manual and warranty. Can you believe my luck? I am sooo grateful for this gift...Thank You Universe!!!!

Tailored Jacket Progress Update - Slow but Steady

Dear Friends,

Today I  have managed to dedicate some of my precious time on sewing/jacket construction. To tell the truth I was aiming to finish more but had to go with Archie and Rob to visit our dog minder to see if Archi (our Boxer dog)will get along with another dog when we go overseas in August. That visit went well but my jacket pieces are still sitting on the table and waiting to be put together....I feel as if it is begging me to put it together...well I say slowly but steadily we will  get there :)

Ok, so far I was able to sew the vents on sleeves or more like under sleeve piece(there is still upper Sleeve). The under collar has been joined to the upper collar and in my opinion it looks presentable...you can be the judge...

The under sleeve vents and joined collar

 

Tailored Jacket - Progress Update

Dear Readers

Another day and another stitch on my tailored jacket. I am pleased to advise that jacket is coming along nicely and I have done fair bit of work on basting/interfacing and overall marking and preparation before I start sewing.

Tailored Jacket

Hi All Sorry for not uploading anything for a while but I am excited to announce that I am currently working on tailored men's jacket and instructions/updates to follow shortly. Life has been really busy and interesting hence my disappearance hehehe. I will update photos and updates regarding the jacket Cheerio

Project 2 - Sewing Jeans Shorts. Stage 1 (Preparing the fabric)

Dear Readers,

Well....Today I am starting my second project with the desired outcome to  have pair of jeans shorts. I found this irresistible fabric in Merrickville (where I tend to buy fabrics for smaller projects) for a very cheap price of $3 a meter (couldn't say no).