The Savvy Sewer Salon at Sawyer Brook

Thank you BrendaJo! Yes I do have an embroidery machine and I look for any excuse to apply embroidery to anything standing still long enough. <grin>

Hi Barb! I would love to participate in a Rayon Batik sewalong. I love the Batik that Sawyer Brook's carries and intend to purchase several more some summer blouses.

This is a question for everyone. Has anyone tried any of the Marfy patterns? I just purchased my first 2. One is a very simple blouse that I thought would be great with the Batik fabric; F1691. I just finished tracing out and fitting the pattern pieces to my dress form. It has a funky two piece collar and half stand which seems to be built into the collar. I'll have take a picture and see what you all think of it. I knew ahead of time that they provide almost NO information, but it would have been nice if they would have labeled the pieces. I had to guess that it was a collar stand. <grin> It was like playing with puzzle pieces.

Belinda - gorgeous, gorgeous coat. Thanks for sharing it with us! That makes me want an embroidery machine even more. I have made one Marfy pattern (well, it's still not technically finished - it's the winter coat that won't end!), and I love the fit and drafting. I remember they did label the pieces, but they were some really weird names. It definitely was like a puzzle. I liked the pattern so much, I ordered a few more Marfy patterns, but I haven't made any of them up yet.

Life (well, the baby in my belly) keeps getting in the way of cutting out my trench. We spent last evening at the clinic because I thought I was in labor. False alarm, though, which is extra annoying since I could have been cutting out my coat! Anyway, tonight I was just too exhausted to lay out and cut the approximately 200 pieces. Hopefully tomorrow...

Thank you Jenny. Take care of yourself. I hope Barb gets enough takers to start up a Batik sewalong. I think the Marfi blouse I have will need to be shortened. Its about 4 inches longer than what I feel comfortable wearing. But I think it will be fun to figure out that collar.

Progress! I have cut out my fashion fabric (Abernathy), and last night, I sewed together everything I could without cutting out the lining or interfacing yet. Good thing I procrastinated on the lining cutting, because I'm afraid I'm going to have to go with a boring, white lining instead of the cool, yellow one I had planned. When will I learn that no matter how heavy the white fabric is, it will still have show-thru???

Jenny, Could you underline the white fabric and then go with your yellow lining? or is it too late? Brenda

Brenda, I could have, and the thought crossed my mind, but I didn't want the extra weight (or the extra work) that underlining added to my pink jacket. Thanks for the suggestion, though.

I worked on my trench for a few hours last night - made up the collar, collar stand, and tab on the collar, so that's all ready to go. The next step is cut out the lining. Gotta have the pockets so I can finish assembling the shell. This is going together surprisingly quickly (and that's always nice)! I'll post some pics of what I have complete later today.

Jenny, What do you think about a silky, white on white fabric? At least it will have a little more visual interest.

Belinda

Jenny, it's a bummer you can't use yellow lining. It looks quite dark yellow on my monitor. Maybe you can still use color lining if you go with pastel color?

I can feel your discontent with underlining: it complicates a project a lot even though it'll solve the show-through problem.

Phew! I'm back (with a baby!), Mark Christopher. He's an excellent little sleeper, so I'm optimistic I can cut out that lining soon. Am I nuts?

Congratulations!

Welcometo the world, Mark Christopher!!!

Congrats, Jenny!!! I love his name. It's a good, strong name. I hope he's always healthy and lets you sleep at night!

Thanks! He's really a joy to have around.

Finally, here are some pics of my trench progress. Now that I've really got going, it's coming along quicker than I expected. I really like all the little details, and the instructions are great.



The point on the back yoke doesn't match up right with the center back seam. On the directions, it looks like it should, but the pattern piece isn't symmetrical, so I'm not sure about that...

Welcome to Mark Christopher! What a beautiful name! I hope your little ones take naps at the same time so that you can have some time to yourself. I remember how important that was to me when my daughters were little.
Thats a really nice fabric you are using. What did you decide about the lining?
Brenda

Jenny,
You have done quite a bit on the trench. Good for you – it can’t be very easy with the new baby and a 2 yo. How is the baby doing? And how is you older son adjusting to the brother. From what I heard, sibling jealousy can be a very challenging thing to overcome for young kids.

Do you have a sewing studio where you can close the door and leave everything as is: pins, scissors, and other fun shiny stuff? It doesn’t help to keep kids out, though. My kids usually file into my sewing studio shortly after I go. It’s just like the kitchen: everybody got to be there when I am. I always pictured that this would be my room, but it’s becoming a family room. I should give up and make it more family friendly I guess. No book ever tells you this when they advise to dedicate sewing studio space.