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June 18, 2007
No You Can't Has Sewing
I'm sure that Lolcats are already played-out, but they still make me laugh.
Just look how sad he is!
In related news, looks like there won't be any sewing action Chez Villain for a few days, as I am currently knitting furiously on my dad's Father's Day present and this is sucking up all my crafting energy. My folks are coming in this week, so I'm not really late, right? Well, anyhow, the current dress will be done later, rather than sooner. Funny how I usually don't go for more than a few days without finishing something. I used to knit all the time, but now I need that compulsive project finishing. Heh.
A couple folks have asked me where I get my fabric. Some of the nicer stuff I get at Crafty Planet, though I can't really afford to shop there all the time. I did, however, get to their Super Craftster of the Universe purchasing level, which meant a $20 gift certificate. Bet you can imagine how long that lasted! I also like quilt shops for nice stuff. Now, I'm not above using some not-so-hot cotton (the cherries were cheap cheap!) but I love me some high thread count quilting weight. Mmmm just irons up so nice! I'm a fan of Alexander Henry and Amy Butler and I've seen some nice Asian print stuff from Kona Bay as well. I have never purchased from Cia's or Equilter, but I browse there all the time and they often have the sort of stuff I am after. I got a metric fuckton of stuff for way cheap from JCaroline once. Really, like $2 a yard! for FreeSpirit! I also shop at Hancock and Joann more than I'd like to admit. It's those damned coupons I get every couple of weeks. Their pricing is such a scam, I mean, if you can cut the price 40% every week, then why not just have more reasonable prices every day? I guess that is not how capitalism works.
Toni asked what a good starting dress pattern would be so I was trying vigorously to remember when I made what and how easy it was. I know you're supposed to write all that stuff down conscientiously, but I will never actually do that. Nor will I hang my bazillion trillion patterns up on hangers to store them! If Wendy Mullins says to do that, she has to be joking. I fold 'em up however they will go and stuff them back into the envelope. Hangers. Ha!
Ok, I think that Simplicity 3831 would be a good starter if you are not afraid of empire waists. The sleeveless version (c) would be a cinch, since you basically just made two bodices and sew them together. There aren't even darts or anything! I also like dresses with snaps for their adjustability. The dress from Simplicity 4194 is very straightforward and you can angle the straps however you need to in order to get it to fall right. I have pretty boxy shoulders, so sometimes there is too much slope built into the pattern for me. Straps like these, however, you can adjust at will! NewLook 6674, The Tea Dress is another goody. No zipper! Yay! And I recall McCall's 5098 going pretty smoothly too. Again, adjustable straps for the win. If I remember any others I will let you know!
(Was it narcissistic to link to all my own dresses instead of the manufacturers?? Well, I guess that's no surprise. haha)
Posted by loyd0008 at June 18, 2007 4:22 PM
Comments
I'm glad that you did your pictures - I like them much better. When you just see the drawings - you never know what you're going to get :)
I'll have to try the first one - it looks cute.
I thought it was a bit much to hang up the patterns...but I wanted to make sure I wasn't crazy. Sounds like Wendy is!
Good luck with your Father's Day present.
Posted by: Toni at June 18, 2007 8:45 PM
I totally understand needing to do a project that actually gets finished quickly. I know how to knit, but don't have much patience for how long a project like that takes:)
Posted by: Chara Michele at June 19, 2007 1:19 PM
Me too ( the knitting) somehow my order that will allow me to finish my current project seems to be lost and I really don't feel like finishing my dresses...
Posted by: tini at June 19, 2007 2:30 PM
Hey, I am a new reader. I found your blog while looking for finished BBW 3964 patterns. You are a sewing inspiration! I am looking through all your back posts to find more patterns to sew. Good job! Thanks for all the photos!
Posted by: nicole at June 25, 2007 1:19 PM