dianec42: Cartoon in the style of South Park, bored-looking woman in living room (SouthPark1)
I've been sewing off and on (mostly off) for lo unto 40+ years now. I was taught by my mom and a little bit by my grandmothers, but I definitely have ADHD and I'm pretty sure my mom does too so the process was a bit hit or miss.

I want to sew my own clothes for lots of reasons. I'd love things to be the right length, to have lots of pockets, to be purple, to be what I want rather than what happens to be in stores at the moment.

It's a bit frustrating though because despite having worn clothes for over half a century, I don't have a good understanding of how clothes *work*.

There are so many mysteries! Most of these are inspired by clothes I've bought, but I have the same questions about things I want to make. because I want to make them work well and there are some things I want to optimize for.

A few examples off the top of my head:


  • What's the purpose of all these seams on my cargo pants? Which ones are functional and which ones are just there because REI feel the need to change things up every 6 months?
  • Why does some terrycloth survive the dryer just fine, while other terrycloth gets snags and loose threads if I just look at it funny?
  • How come I can carry a smartphone in the pocket of my fishing shirts just fine, but the same smartphone in my bathrobe pocket makes the whole bathrobe slouch and migrate southwest?
  • What would happen if I put cargo pockets on jeans? What would be the best placement and optimal construction?
  • Why do shirt patterns call for the yoke to be cut at 90 degrees to the rest of the garment? My whimsical cats will be sideways!
  • Why do hoodies all have drawstrings? Do fashion designers not have cats?

I'm sure I have others. And yes, I could google any or all of these. But what about the questions I don't even know to ask?

I wonder if there's like a "fashion engineering" course I could take...
dianec42: Joshua tree against a blue sky (Default)
I've done some sewing in the past but generally under adult supervision, and I've never acquired the proper habits so my creations always look a bit wonky. Lately I am overcome with the twin urges to create something useful, and get in touch with my inner girlygirl.

To that end, I bought a book, "Love at First Stitch [Dressmaking Demystified]" which includes a series of projects from a basic headscarf all the way up to a fully lined dress. The projects are interspersed with anecdotes, advice, and how-tos. It's a thoroughly enjoyable read.

Today I went to my local Jo-Ann and went nuts in the remnant section. One of my finds was a glorious purple Halloween print with black chandeliers and spiders on it, which became a scarf. (Enough remains to make a cushion with... well, okay, with a cross stitch I haven't started yet. Sigh. This is how they get you.)

My scarf is not as long as the book said to make it, and the edges are a tad wobbly; but I followed the instructions and I made it. There is not another one like it in the whole world. Photo below the cut:

Read more... )

I am inordinately pleased with myself. Next up, raiding the "What was I thinking?" end of my fabric stash to make hideous floral pyjama bottoms. Oh, and monkeying around with the tension on my machine, as anything other than a straight stitch results in angry bobbin thread tangles. And establishing a sewing routine in the dining room so I don't have to run downstairs every time I need to press a seam.

Score!

Dec. 5th, 2008 10:53 pm
dianec42: Mug of tea (Tea)
Wow, different Macy's (Macy's's?) do have different selections of stuff. After utterly striking out at the Del Amo one a couple days ago, tonight at the Macy's in South Bay Galleria I found myself thinking "I'd better get to the fitting room before I collapse under the weight of all these dresses to try on!" Dress #2 was perfect. Purple, not so long that I step on it, nor so short that you can see how fat my knees are. Also scored some purple pumps which were on SALE!

There were some less satisfying, but very amusing, moments in dress-trying-on earlier in the evening. "I'm lost! Head towards the light!" and "Dude! I look like an eggplant!" are the only ones that stick in my mind.
dianec42: Joshua tree against a blue sky (2006 on stage)
Wow. "3-5 business days"? The dress arrived on my doorstep today!

Yes, I'm sure they pad the shipping estimates. I mean, who's going to complain if something shows up a day early? And it shipped from Riverside, CA. (-:

Needs a hook-and-eye at the waist. Also needs the living @%#^&! ironed out of it. The length is actually okay! It's on the long side but not ridiculously so. Time to start practicing in the high heels o doom...

also: it's this one, in lavender:
http://www.amazon.com/Marilyn-Satin-Halter-Dress-Plus/dp/B000M4XIPS/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&s=apparel&qid=1196228768&sr=1-1
dianec42: Joshua tree against a blue sky (2006 on stage)
Having looked in all the stores and seen absolutely no Xmas party dresses that knocked my socks off, I bit the bullet and ordered one from Amazon.

Yes, you can order anything from Amazon these days.
Yes, I bought a dress sight unseen, without trying it on.
Yes, I suspect it will need the hem taken up by several miles.
Yes, I think it's going to look great.

And yes, it's purple. Well, lavender. Which is still a LOT more purple than the last two.

This should be interesting. Hopefully in a good way.
dianec42: Joshua tree against a blue sky (PurpShort)
Dark Purple

To others, you seem a bit dark, mysterious, and moody.
In truth, you are just a very unique person who doesn't care what others think.
And you really enjoy your offbeat interests and friends.
You've decided that life is about living for yourself - simple as that.

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dianec42: Joshua tree against a blue sky (Default)
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