RECENT PROJECTS - A forum to show off your recent creations

Nata · Joined: 14 Apr 2007 Posts: 86

I thought I'd start this forum as a place where we can share photos of our projects: recently completed or still in progress alike. I find it very inspirational to see what others are working on. And, as an added bonus, we'll know exactly what fabric was used, how it sews, drapes and so on.

I'll go first and hope you guys will join me. Here is the picture of a summer blouse/jacket I finished a few weeks ago.
[img]http://pg.photos.yahoo.com/ph/newwolfram/detail?.dir=5598re2&.dnm=42cbre2.jpg&.src=ph[/img]

I used irridecent silk dupioni called Bougainvillea (sp?) from Back Room collection. I don't see it on the web anymore, so maybe it's all gone. I intend to hand wash it, so I hand washed the yardage before sewing. There were no water spots or any visible change in the fabric.

It is such a pretty fabric, I couldn't bring myself up to fusing an interfacing to it. I used an extra layer of self fabric where the interfacing was needed. I found it stretches easily under hot iron. I had to be very careful while pressing. Also, it's one of those fabrics which change color when hot. It looks burnt after a slight touch with dry iron, but it returns to normal after it cools. It overpresses easily too. I used silk organza presscloth and had to touch very slightly with tons of steam.

Nata · Joined: 14 Apr 2007 Posts: 86

Now if I can only figure out how to post a picture Rolling Eyes

Carole · Posted: Wed May 16, 2007 8:22 am Post subject:

Ohhhh! Your blouse is so pretty Nata! It's just gorgeous! Thank you for sharing and inspiring. Are you willing to share which pattern you used, or is it one of your own creations?

Nata · Joined: 14 Apr 2007 Posts: 86

Carole, thank you

I used a jacket pattern from Burda WOF 03-2007. Here is the link to it: http://burdamode.com/Update,1270777-1000019-1475147-1475149-1475168,enEN.html

My version is more like a blouse than a jacket due to fabric choice. I also made some changes to the original pattern (on top of tons of alterations). I changed the sleeves; I made a split cuff instead of button placket sleeve. I also narrowed button placket to accommodate for small buttons. The top fits me better than the dressform; my dressform is more of a hanger, it’s not true to my measurements. It fits good, but it took a lot of alterations - it was a finicky pattern.

Carol, Do you teach your daughter to sew? I saw you posted some projects made for her in Sew4You section. I have a 7yo and would be interested in some beginner projects for “cool stuff” I can make with her. Rolling Eyes

Preferably with bling too
Natalia

Nata · Joined: 14 Apr 2007 Posts: 86

Carole,
Pease disreagard my question above. I see that your DD sewed the knit tunik by herself. Do you have any tips on starting teaching young children to sew? DD asked me a few times, but I haven't gotten around to it yet Sad

We did some straight stitching on paper w/o thread. We also ma a ldouble-sided blanket for her teddy bear. And we did some very simple mending together on popped seams on her T-shirts. I got to set some time for this in my schedule, before she looses her interest.

Natalia

Carole · Posted: Wed May 16, 2007 5:52 pm Post subject:

Natalia, I am totally enthusiastic about teaching children to sew. I also teach a class at my daughter's middle school and we all have a good time. I start right out using great fabric and easy patterns. I have found that the kids don't care about how the inside of the garment looks, in terms of finished seams, and they aren't too picky about the fit, as long as they can tell everyone they made it themselves. It takes a lot of patience to teach them and a lot of organization to set up. I always let them decide if they want to rip out a mistake and if they do, I help them so they don't damage the fabric with the point of the seam ripper. I try to have them sew in short bursts so none of us get too tired of each other or the project. It really helps if they have a lot of say in choosing the project. I always try to keep in mind that I want them to sew for the rest of their lives and I never insist on a 'right way'. It's a little unorthodox, but so far it's working out. I try to avoid having them make small items like doll clothes, because those are hard even for me to do well.

Thank you for providing the link to the Burda pattern. I'm haven't used very many of their patterns, but this one whets my appetite.

Dixie · Posted: Wed May 16, 2007 9:07 pm Post subject: Your Silk Dupioni Jacket/Blouse

Hi Natalia,
Thanks so much for posting this photo of your blouse, and for encouraging others to do the same. It's always a treat for us Brookies to see garments made from our fabrics. We love to see pictures!
The Burda pattern you chose is very stylish, and looks so nice in the dupioni. Using smaller buttons and pairing them is a smart idea. Since your fabric leans toward blouse-weight, the smaller buttons are appropriate. Larger ones, as in the pattern photo, might overpower the dupioni. I notice you applied some decorative stitching along the seamlines; a subtle embellishment that adds to the overall design.
The particular fabric you used is no longer available, but we have several other dupionis in stock right now. You can view them on the Silks page. The fabric shown in the Burda photograph reminds me of a recent arrival at the warehouse, named Brobdingnag, in the Boutique pages. It's a linen-cotton double weave, with a very large floral motif that isn't at all loud. This jacket pattern seems to be perfect for this fabric, as the princess styling will break up the floral design.
Thanks again, Natalia, for sharing your work with us. I'm inspired!
Dixie

Lois · Posted: Thu May 17, 2007 9:33 am Post subject:

Hi Nata - You should be proud of your efforts - the blouse is lovely. I especially like the split cuff - nice touch. Thanks for posting the photo. I like the idea of sharing projects. I get so much inspiration to see what others are doing.

Lois

Nata · Joined: 14 Apr 2007 Posts: 86

Carole, This is exactly what's been stopping me from teaching DD. I am "concerned" that her garment will look "homemade" and somebody will comment on that. One hurtful comment is all it might take to discourage her from sewing ever again. I don't want to teach her to sew doll stuff or home-dec stuff either. I agree that doll clothes are too challenging for a beginner because of small parts. Home dec stuff is not very interesting for a young child either. I think I should just take a leap of faith and let her go fot it. She actually sketched an idea for a T-shirt and I can modify a pattern for her design Smile

Dixie, thank you for the compliment. I don't sew very fast and a lot of times fabric is sold out by the time I make it. I am making a skirt from Tropicana fabric from thr Back Room collection to go with the top. It is hanging on the dressform to get all the stretch out of it before I hem it.

I also started on a T for DD last night from a cotton interlock I bought from you. I have 1 yd of inetrlock: should be enough for 2 short sleeve Ts. I should let DD cut another T from the same fabric and sew it as I sew the first one. This way we can work together and machines will be threaded for her all the time. I'll share the pictures when finished.

If I could only stay home and sew instead of going to work Smile

Jane in KC · Posted: Fri May 18, 2007 6:04 pm Post subject:

Oh, your jacket is lovely! How clever to use split cuffs to echo the split front! And I always think double buttons are a great touch. Good work, and thank you for sharing it with us.

Janee · Sawyer Brook Staff Joined: 05 Apr 2007 Posts: 72

Hi Nata,

I want to echo Dixie's comments - we really do love to see what's been made up out of the fabric after we've processed the orders! You did a beautiful job, and I especially like the decorative stitching. I really love the Burda patterns, especially the jackets. I find sleeve and armhole are perfectly proportioned, with the correct amount of ease. (I stumped Peggy Sagers with one of my Burda jackets - she was convinced it wasn't made with a commercial pattern!) My jacket made of our autumn fabric Savory Boucle was posted on one of the Online Swatches last winter, along with the one Carole made of the same fabric but completely different pattern.

I'm also glad to hear you're going to be teaching your daughter to sew. And you're right - jump in there while the iron is hot and she's interested! I missed the opportunity with my daughter, as she was more daring than I and simply wanted to cut out the shape she wanted and stitch it up - she was into beanbag-like stuffed animals for her baby brother, at the time - and I was always worried about following a pattern. Now she's nearly 26, and can't do more than sew on a button, but she sure is happy when I offer to help out with costumes, formal gowns, and particular garments she's looking for!

Thanks for sharing the photo -

Nata · Joined: 14 Apr 2007 Posts: 86

I finished DD's T-shirt today. I used a med-light weight cotton interlock in Jade color, which I bought from SB. You might not have this fabric, but I am sure you have other intelocks in stock or coming Smile

It is soooo soft. I was surprised that I could do a lettuce hem on interlock. I didn't think it would work because it doesn't have a recovery of jersey. The lettuce hem came out very cute.

I had a 1.25yds piece. I have enough left for a shirt for myself I think.

Nata · Joined: 14 Apr 2007 Posts: 86

PS: you might recognize the pant's fabric too.

Lois · Posted: Sun May 20, 2007 4:02 pm Post subject: T-shirt

Nata - Oh my gosh! So Cute!!! I really like the shoulder detail. The pants look great in that print too. Thanks for sharing that pic!

Lois

Dixie · Posted: Tue May 22, 2007 8:54 am Post subject: DDs Outift

Hi Nata,
What a cute outfit you made for DD, and what great workmanship. I can tell your sewing skills are top-notch. I love the pattern you chose for the T-shirt. The opening at the sleeve is so unusual, and the lettuce edges look super. It's good to know you were able to accomplish the rippling on an interlock knit. Valuable information for us all!
Regarding teaching DD to sew - I say let her go for it. It's true she may receive some negative feedback, but that could become a learning experience as well.
When I think of the clothes I made and wore in jr high school, I shudder. How poorly sewn they must have been! But I'm so thankful my grandmother taught me to sew at age 12. By then, I was 6 feet tall, and there weren't many (if any) options in ready-to-wear. If I hadn't sewed, I would have been stuck wearing misses clothing with way too much room in the chest and hips!
As I matured, so did my sewing skills and patience. Every child is different. Both of my sisters learned to sew, but neither had the aptitude and the desire required to succeed at it. You may find DD absolutely loves sewing, or she may become discouraged. If the latter is the case, she might enjoy it more when she's older.
My grandmother tried to teach me to knit when I was 15 or 16, and I simply didn't have the patience for it. After years and years of admiring beautiful handknit garments, I learned to knit in my early 40's, and I LOVE it! So, you can't predict what activity DD will choose to feed her soul, and at what point in her life it will happen. All you can do is introduce her to the options. Go for it, and keep sewing!
Dixie