BIRTHED: Creative Sweatshirt Jackets...Londa's Way Book TWO

Creative Sweatshirt Jackets - Book 2

WOW! I feel as if I've given birth to 9 more 'children'! Adding to the 5 jackets in my first book, find

• Complete TALKING™ directions for every Basic Direction task and EVERY jacket
• BOTH of my Fitting Techniques included
• NEW embellishment 'wrapping' edges techniques perfected!
• COLOR photography throughout the book!
  
• LOTS of additional photos at the associated online website (as given INSIDE the book)
  

I squeezed this task into my very active creative and traveling schedule late last year and the first months of this year, working VERY diligently to 'give birth' to this new product. It seemed a logical step as the stock of my first book was about depleted.

To purchase the book AND one each of the VERY IMPORTANT Stay Tapes that you NEED in order to create jackets that look like mine (regularly $7.50 each - and NOT available in chain styores!), go here: http://www.londas-sewing.com/Creative-Sweatshirt-JacketsLondas-Way-Book-2-PLUS-1-each-Fusible-Stay-Tape-p25157.html

Many thanks to the confident customers and students who pre-ordered this book at both the Puyallup Creative Sewing Stitchery Expo in early March and the Lakeland, FL Original Sewing & Quilting Expo mid March. Your copies are mailing first class USPS Mail today and tomorrow (April 4 & 5).

Once again, I couldn't have accomplished this without the able and creative assistance of my wonderfully talented and artistic son, Jeff. As you listen to the audio and see all the photos, it is HIS skills that make this possible! Way to go, Jeff! Dear Husband Charley encourages me along the way - and diligently stuffs the envelope of patterns into the back of each book, and manages all the BOXES!

Also thanks to Shelley at my friendly local printer, Upclose Printing here in Champaign, IL. She hung with me through countless revisions and corrections!

Down to the 'order fulfillment center'.... ala the basement.... I go!


SAVE Since you read about it on my BLOG -
click HERE for the Book ONLY and save!
click HERE for the Book and 2 Fusible Stay Tape  Deal.   
   

Challenges of Travelling and Shows!!!!!!!

Get a kleenex, cause if this saga doesn't make you cry - you'll be laughing your heads off!
IF you think traveling, vending, teaching it shows is 'glamorous' - take heed! While I still consider myself to be VERY fortunate and blessed to be doing all this..... it DOES have its challenges!

I truly believe the Lord has something for us to learn through EVERY situation, and honestly, what I think he's telling me is that I'm stronger than I think I am, and that ONLY with the great helper/friends He has brought my way could I every possibly be handling days like today.....

Puyallup show was early March. Had my 7 boxes of jackets, booth fixtures, lighting, cash register, stock, brochures, credit card machine, etc. shipped by my great helper Kathy and her hubby on Mon, March 8 directly to Tampa area - my helper here, Elaine and her hubby - in Clearwater actually. That allowed plenty of time. I sent an extra box of stock..... had some jackets with me for intense work on my NEW BOOK!

So got home from Puyallup March 8. Monday. That Thursday I flew off to Cleveland from Indianapolis (that is a 2 our drive from my home - dear son drove me)...to go tape an episode for the new PBS sewing show, It's Sew Easy. More on that later...exciting, I met and worked a bit with SUEDE - designer from season 5 of Project Runway..... It snowed there 7" or so overnight. Taped Friday morning - after which my head cold took hold of me with a vengeance. Had gotten that because I slept with the humidifier on me to make noise to balance the CPAP mask my husband has been told he has to sleep with - which keeps ME awake. That's another whole story - had a huge scare with his health in Jan and early Feb causing me to cancel the Feb. Denver Show..... So as soon as I got done taping that morning, I really start blowing my nose constantly. So - got home Saturday morning.

Made more Jacket Kits like crazy, proofed NEW BOOK, and then left again for Indi arriving on Tuesday. Also - that Monday, my helper here called to let me know that THREE of the SEVEN boxes had arrived. Not worried - figured they'd arrive on Tuesday - no sweat!

THANKS BE TO GOD ABOVE, at least those 3 boxes contained ALL my jackets, and kits from Puyallup. If those get lost, I may as well just give up an entire year of travels!!!!!!!! God is GOOD!

So - start to track the other 4 boxes, they're lost. Then appear perhaps in the area and change with UPS the delivery to be here to my hotel. Praying they arrive on set-up the booth day, Wednesday. See the UPS truck roll up - raise arms in praise - assuming they are on the truck - NOT!!!!!!!!!!!!

Sew - nothing to do but to start to re-buy what necesssary to pull off a booth:
New cash register, print out forms for credit card purchases, new clipboards, black fabric to cover tables, screen and hooks, pvc pipe, ..... you get the idea. Go home to motel last night. Think ahead and realize my projector for Power Point programs for classes is also lost. Knew I could use the Original Sewing & Quilt Expo one - but would need a connecter to go to my Apple computer - go buy the one dear son tells me to buy - at Best Buy. Grateful thought of before class started...feeling quite smart.
Program the NEW cash register. Went well - felt very smug and smart I did it so easily - was the same type of cash register as my old one. Read that batteries needed to hold journal info for $, but no alert it held everything else also only with batteries...well found THAT out this morning.

THEN... backing out of the parking place about 9 pm finally having done everything in booth possible, CRUNCH!!! A fender bender in the parking lot, - but really not even a scratch on either car - and Elaine had NEVER had any type of mishap driving! I'm feeling so responsible and terrible... and so indebted to all their great help - I'm sure you can imagine!

Then went to eat and sat in the bar area instead of waiting and got lousy service. I mean... it took 10' at least to get a glass of nerve-calming wine I figured I needed/deserved...........

What an end to a day that started with the only thing on my list of real concern was stopping at a drugstore to get eyeliner so I had 'eyes' cause it didn't get or keep packed! At this point - I could care less if I have proper eye makeup!!!
Could I sleep? After programming the cash register - thinking it was done perfectly - then NO, I couldn't sleep!

OK - so I go to teach my class at 9. WOULD YOU BELIEVE - that the connector sold to me by Best Buy was NOT the correct one?!? No such port on my apple that fit that thingie! Thankfully I had my cell phone on me - and called Mark the superboy of this group - and he arrived about 10' into my class - getting power point up and running. Meanwhile - was 'winging' it..... Such Fun!

Get back to booth - to take over cash register I leave dear Eileen with (hasn't run cash register in about 50 years) - she'd been playing and it wasn't programmed, nothing working!!!!!!!
Long and short of it: that brand new cash register would NOT hold the tax rate in it - and most of the time - not ALL the time, mind you - it did not add the proper 7% tax. Which meant we had to hand figure/check everything. Ahhh - but what wonderful customers sewers are! Everyone so understanding, patient, etc, etc. Meanwhile, Elaine and hubby Dave and also helper Sandy who had volunteered to help out - learning as they go and picking up pieces of me everywhere it seems!

Running out of brochures, stock, already. But always excited when reception of my stylish sweatshirt jackets is positive and exciting...which it seemed to be. Keep Smiling, Londa.... Keep Smiling.............
Meanwhile blowing my running nose constantly... EAT? fat chance! Mouth dry as cotton - nasal drainage...
Keep Smiling, Londa,,,,,,

4:00 - Sandy and I leave having taken down most of the 39 jackets, to the Free Stage to do my one woman fashion show of jackets - THAT's a Sweatshirt??!!?? Half way through - the lavalier microphone stops working! Sew... OK - we'll use the hand-held mic - a bit taxing with constantly putting on and taking off jackets. I think there must have been 250 to 300 in the crowd. Great audience - I shared a bit of my 'experience' thus far - I NEEDED EMPATHY - and they were SO kind!
While I'm giving the show - my cell phone (in my bra) - starts buzzing like crazy - like yea, I'm gonna whip it out of my bra and answer!!!!!!!

Well - guess what? The dear lady in Puyallup UPS office has news that the 4 boxes have been located - and are being delivered to Elaine's house - in Clearwater! NOT what I had changed it to - so now this evening, her dear hubby Dave drove the 1.5 hours each way to go fetch the boxes. Is that a dear, wonderful, generous man or WHAT?!?

At this point - leaving it all in the Lord's most capable hands - that the cash register WORKS. That the Credit card Machine WORKS, etc......... Because you can be SURE that I marched the faulty cash register right back to Staples and got a refund.

Now my fingers are tired as well - but I feel better already and do bet I'll sleep tonight!

That's All Folks.... Stay Tuned! I'm just gonna write a list of my blessings and call myself fortunate. I mean come on - if all the people in the world (how about Japan right now!) could have 2 rolls of toilet paper, a clean bed, an air conditioned room, a computer - internet connection - how amazing would THAT be? So - please don't get me wrong, though I know I'm complaining, I DO realize and appreciate the many blessings.

Say - the events in Japan will be affecting sewers in a significant way. While I"m almost hesitant to share this - as those people's lives are SO much more important.... but already my
scissors man friend says he's gotten notification of 22% increases in prices of scissors coming from Japan (KAI among others!) and that is only the beginning! And, so much fabric is printed in Japan as well! Costs were rising before, but now - just hold on.........

I truly believe God is trying to get EVERYONE's ATTENTION! HE is in control, and when you think anything else, He'll put you and me in our proper places. That is where I pray my heart and head are tonight - in the proper place in relationship to Him!

Thanking and praising my helper friends, customers, but most of all Jesus my Lord.. and our Father above............
Good Night!



'sinifical

Exciting Mail today!!!

Got the most exciting mail I've received in a long time today - my autographed copy of Mike Huckabee's newest book, A Simple Government!!!!!
This man of wisdom, character and experience is a blessing to our country and I intend to do everything my schedule allows to help him get elected to be our next President. It's hard, but I'm not going to start the book til I land in the airport and on the plane to the Sewing & Stitchery Expo - for the expressed purpose of using it to share with others about him.
Here's a recent email if you'd care to read it. Simple. Honest. Humble. That's the kind of leadership I pray for for my country!

"Tomorrow, I kick-off my book tour for A Simple Government. I wrote this book because I am sick and tired of watching the Obama administration and the career politicians in Washington stumble over decision after decision.

A Simple Government is about the twelve things I believe we really need from Washington to get the country back on the right track.

It’s my hope these twelve essential truths will have you nodding in agreement, whether you're a Republican, an Independent, or even an open-minded Democrat. I believe they can help us put aside our differences, tone down the partisanship, and return to the simple principles of the Founding Fathers: liberty, justice, personal freedom, and civic virtue. And they can help us tackle even the most seemingly complicated of today's problems.

These are just some of the things I discuss:

* You can't spend what you don't have; you can't borrow what you can't pay back. Families, businesses, towns, cities, and states all have to balance their budgets or face dire consequences. Why shouldn't the federal government be held to the same standard? And if that means making some hard choices now, it's a far better alternative than saddling our kids and grandkids.

* The further you drift from shore, the more likely you are to be lost at sea. The Founders expected the federal government to be subordinate to state and local governments. How can politicians in DC know the best way to help farmers in Iowa, autoworkers in Michigan, or teachers in California? They can't. So every problem should be solved at the most local level capable of solving it.

* Bullies in the playground only understand one thing. There's a time and place for diplomacy, but we can't protect the country just by negotiating with our enemies. We need a strong national defense and a counterterrorism policy that focuses on effectiveness, not political correctness.

* The most important form of government is the family. In the long run, the only way to ensure prosperity, safety, and equal opportunity is to make sure we raise our children to be ethical and productive citizens. No bureaucracy can replace parents in that essential role, so we have to do everything possible to help parents do their job.

As I said, I have laid out twelve foundational ideas for the reclaiming of our government by “We the People.” I hope, you will take a moment and learn about my new book because I truly believe you’ll agree with and enjoy much of what I’ve written. You can learn more about A Simple Government by visiting my website here.

You can also learn more about the book tour, RSVP for one of its stops and find useful links to help you purchase the book.

Please keep an eye on your email inbox for another message from me early next week about the book and how the tour is going. Enjoy the remainder of your weekend!

With gratitude,

Mike Huckabee

P.S. Learn more about my new book A Simple Government by visiting my website here."

Puppet Theatre Creation

Recently, I got to escape to play and create with #1 Grandson! DD had torn out a page from a magazine on a 'hang in the door' puppet theater, so that was our project. Here we are having a great time sewing it...which he LOVED being artsy-craftsy as he is. The machine is one I gave my daughter at the end of my shop days - a Brother - which is a GREAT machine. I got it 'out of the closet' and gave it a good run - since it never sees the light of day otherwise...
Maybe SOME day!

Anyway..... he had a great time deciding on the ribbons to create 'stripes' on the theatre. And he was just pretty durned right one when it came to 'if that color matchded the other ones' or not! That's my Boy!!!! He actually wanted to paint on the stripes - but I convinced him that then it would have to dry and we wouldn't be able to finish.

The heavy denim was a great background. On the magazine version, the curtain was gathered along the top - ughhhh - it would have to stay tied back for the 'show'. So I engineered this so the curtains could easily be opened and closed...
It is heavy piping cord knotted and stitched onto the outside stage 'frame', and then plastic cafe rings stitched to the top of the curtain. For that I used that 'button-sewing-on' stitch that is on so many machines. You can also see here how it is hung 'taut' inside the laundry room to the family room/kitchen area so that he has a ready 'audience' . Ahhh - and see those kitchen cabinets in the background...I claim transforming those from mediterranean dark wood to current light colors. After that painting/antiquing, I decided NOT to do my own cabinets! They do look good though...

Sew.... here's the end result. Lamb Chops there on the right - a gift to daughter from my very creative and clever Sister-in-Law retired Kindergarten teacher who does great things with puppets and plays...and on the left - a puppet 'creature' that Grandson created from the goodies his great Aunt had provided - starting with a green sock.

Back to hopefully the last day on re-working and adding to my own book on Creative Sweatshirt Jackets, as current inventory is about depleted. Tuesday next finds me on a plane to Puyallup, WA for the Sewing & Stitchery Expo... and the beginning of a VERY busy month of travels around the country.

Venting....

OK - I'm venting. I'm a political beast at heart. My hubby has said many times he's relieved I'm 'occupied' with my creative sewing career! Taking a break from writing that will become the 2nd edition of my book on Creative Sweatshirt Jackets.....

1. Just toured the school where my DD is doing her student teaching. That one - along with every other one I've been in built any time in the last 10 years would make what I went to school in (and learned quite well in, thank you very much!) look like the dires of poverty! Carpet - everywhere! I mean - even in rooms where they EAT!
There is NO reason on this earth why our schools today need to be Taj Mahals!!! In fact, with all the 'stuff' everywhere in the room - it's no surprise to me that children are 'distracted' ala ADHD!
2. Politicians and federal employees across the board must learn to live by the SAME RULES as the rest of us!
Sharing from a source I trust...
"

No one has been able to explain to me why young men and women serve in the U.S. Military for 20 years, risking their lives protecting freedom, and only get 50% of their pay. While politicians hold their political positions in the safe confines of the capital, protected by these same men and women, and receive full pay retirement after serving one term. It just does not make any sense.

Checked snopes - read here: http://www.snopes.com/politics/socialsecurity/pensions.asp
I just feel they really are just like us - and if they were properly motivated, they would serve humbly instead of acting like aristocracy! They deserve the same as you and I. No better, no worse. Yes - I'm a conservative, Christian - and most of the time Republican.

35 States file lawsuit against the Federal Government

Governors of 35 states have filed suit against the Federal Government for imposing unlawful burdens upon them. It only takes 38 (of the 50) States to convene a Constitutional Convention.

This will take less than thirty seconds to read. If you agree, please pass it on."

For too long we have been too complacent about the workings of Congress. Many citizens had no idea that members of Congress could retire with the same pay after only one term, that they specifically exempted themselves from many of the laws they have passed (such as being exempt from any fear of prosecution for sexual harassment) while ordinary citizens must live under those laws. The latest is to exempt themselves from the Healthcare Reform... in all of its forms. Somehow, that doesn't seem logical. We do not have an elite that is above the law. I truly don't care if they are Democrat, Republican, Independent or whatever. The self-serving must stop.

If each person that receives this will forward it on to 20 people, in three days, most people in The United States of America will have the message.. This is one proposal that really should be passed around.

Proposed 28th Amendment to the United States Constitution: "Congress shall make no law that applies to the citizens of the United States that does not apply equally to the Senators and/or Representatives; and, Congress shall make no law that applies to the Senators and/or Representatives that does not apply equally to the citizens of the United States."

Now - back to what I CAN control - my directions on creative sewing!

Life Happens ...What's been Keeping me Busy

Life happens - and always has lessons for us. Last 2 weeks we feared a very serious illness for my husband based on Dr. tests, etc. More tests and many prayers later - we are giving thanks it is not the case at all. Doctors become either so general or SO specialized, they all have tunnel vision in my book! Also found that regarding medical issues the internet can be both a curse and a blessing. Sew...cancelled out of the Denver show last week - but the Blizzard here in central U.S. wouldn't have let me get there anyway!
Lessons God taught me:

• He is more interested in my trust than my understanding!
• How many dear, supportive friends I have!
  

Been busy sewing...for a project that won't culminate until mid 2012. Exciting, fun, challenging. Now back to the regular grind of preparing for Spring Shows that start hugely with the big Sewing & Stitchery Puyallup, WA show early March.

Along with that - trying to make the transition from PC to MAC - ughhhhh!

BIG excitement is that I was invited to do a spot for the new It's Sew Easy sewing show on PBS that will start this June! The machine I'm to use for that should arrive today - so I can make my samples. My topic is bias, bias fur trim, etc. That is squeezed into March as well - along with THREE shows.

Tools I've fallen in love with EVEN MORE during recent designing and sewing ...
Japanese Snips
Even with the price increase due to steel prices, they are worth every penny of $25!


Roll the Gold Rotary Cutting Blade
Nice - just REAL nice - cut with ease through the sweatshirting and silk I stitch with so much!

Back to a quick newsletter - and SEWING!

The Bachelor

The Bachelor.....
OK - WHY do I watch this nonsense???? I certainly don't agree with the premise - much less the morals, or the process!
Nonethelesss...I'm watching. (So is hubby!)
I know - I watch because of the CLOTHES! I love to see what these bimbos are all wearing - and decide if I think they look good in it...

BUT -
I hate, hate, hate how pathetic our English language has become...
I think I'm gonna scream if I hear one more time:

• 'like' used over and over

and

• 'you guys' ................... they are gals, for one thing

or

• take our relationship to the next level...
  

Just venting....

PS - are those fangs on this blonde real????

My Feline Helper

I'm hard at creative work on my Mystery Project these days - and here is my 'Guard' Cat. This is Dopey - who is Bella's big brother. He really is quite the cat - note how his front paws are crosed here. He's found this new favorite place on top of m project bin. That navy sweatshirt he's plopped himself on will have to get washed a couple of times to get his long fur off! I love him too - just not that long hair - it's no fun to stroke because it is always full of static.

What amazes me about animal fur is the markings - how in one strand of fur - the color changes. The symmetry too. Only a very, very wonderful, awesome, miraculout, BIGGER than I can imagine creator God could make all that! Then - when the fur comes out - another one, marked the SAME way comes back in - absolutely AMAZING!

Anyway - I am in my 'heaven' - designing and writing directions. Hubby home with pneumonia, not a good thing - but at least there are pills to cure it and we know what it is!

Hoping you're safe, warm, and enjoying a hobby. I'm SEW lucky to have my hobby be my 'work' as well!

Recent books I've read

The Last Jihad and The Last Days by Joel Rosenberg were thrillers based on modern day history and gave me a new insight into the middle eastern conflict. These fictional books so intersect with modern day events and issues = you'll be amazed and glued to them! I certainly was. In fact, I actually read The Last Days 2 times not even realizing it until more than half way through!!!!! That is how FULL this author packs characters and events into his works.

HIGHLY recommend!

Also - went back into history upon reading of Up From Slavery by Booker T. Washington in Sarah Palin's newest book. I learned oodles about the culture of slavery in U.S. History and certainly have a newfound knowlege and respect for Booker T. Washington. His respect for and elevation of WORK - and work done well was inspiring and refreshing.

Sewing for Russell - My Grand-Dog!

OK - so I was at the fabric store looking through the pattern book to find the Simplicity Apron pattern I'd used for my daughter - as I had been requested to stitch up another one - this time with a 'top' to it - and I came across ALL these pet clothes patterns! ... This is one of 7 views in Simplicity 9520.

You seee - my DD and wonderful hubby decided to add a DOG to their family - no less than about 2 weeks after they moved into their new house no less -- so now I have a Grand Dog.
He's pretty cute though - I gotta say. He and my #1 Grandson play so cute together. So now my baby has a house, a yard, AND a dog. Very 'Lassie' plan I'd say. I just wish the world were like it was during 'Lassie' episode days and he could go out and run the neighborhood and play!

Anyway - back at the store, then... I saw this Indianapolis Colts polar fleece - so I was off and running. Russell being black, I thought that the bands would be best a blue - but could NOT find a blue ribbing or fleece that would work - so you can't see the bands around his back-end, neck, or front legs, but they are black. I also must admit, it was kinda hard to 'get the picture' of sewing for a dog. Things were quite different as far as 'pieces' go - and it tickled my brain a bit - but that's always a good thing.

The back side curves up a bit to under the tummy - but I have to agree - it needs a 'pee pee' alteration - curving that up a tad more. As it is - they'll just have to fold up the back end when he goes out to 'do his business'. I had stitched it up pretty much - to a fitting stage - to give it to them, and then ran down and finished it off all on the 31st - midst putting a big meal on the table - you get the picture. So then, when the additional 'alteration' was requested - my reply was it would just have to wait!


Sew............there you have it: the "HIT" gift of the Christmas 2010 season. Have fun - sew for your animals!!!

By the way - I stitched this up on my serger - which uses EL needles, which I handle at my website at 25% savings...both in a combo pack of 80's and 90's, or all 80's and all 90's.
Check it out - click on this link: http://www.londas-sewing.com/Schmetz-Serger-Needle-EL705-p20838.html

Londa's Video Demo of Flower Frill Template from Clover

Having fun with these new Flower Frill Templates from Clover - watch me make one...

New Year's Eve Dress

OK - I get to sew a regular pattern again! Yea - I think?! My hubby and I do ballroom dancing (NOT DWTS type - but social) at a neighborhood dance hall and NYE is always fun and dress up. What fun!

I found this luscious embossed velvet/lycra knit while in Atlanta at the American Sewing Guild Conference back in August.

The embossing is in rows - and I made necessary decisions this afternoon - and even got to crawl around on the floor to cut it out!

I strongly considered what pattern to use. Gee - it is sure nice to be able to cruise the patterns availalable from my ez chair online! I had purchased a Burda pattern, but then saw it made up and photo'd online, and decided the twisty thing on the bodice was too bulky - and out of this napped fabric, it would be VERY much too bulky.

This pattern presented some challenging decisions as well.

1. It has nap - so which way to cut it??? Even though I knew it would look 'richer' with nap running up (as I run hand down my skirt - it would be rough - I really liked the softer red color of cutting it with nap running down.

2. At first I thought I would do the center view - C - where the skirt is fuller - becuse the other skirts are cut on the bias - but I ultimately decided to actually use the somewhat slimmer skirt and yes - to cut it on the bias! The fabric being a knit - it is very heavy - and i was just afraid that much skirt would be really TOO much trying to dance. Holding it up - I think it will look just fine - and even though the embossings are in 'rows' - I think I will be the only one who would ever notice this.

3. The midriff shirring - was also is designed to be cut on the bias - and I understand that - but I have had experience with that concept on other gowns - and it never seems to work right - I always have to pull it much tighter to get it to look right - and with this being a knit - I just didn't think it would work. So - I decided to cut it so that the least amount of stretch - lengthwise grain - would be going around. This area is exeuted on a base of lining. So - that is what I decided - will continue to post as I stitch and fit and you'll find out how it all goes.

Typical - I lost one pattern piece - and DH found it in the garbage with other tissue scraps.

AND - I was thinking so hard about getting the skirt out of the fabric - matching, etc., that I realized AFTER I cut it that I cut the FRONT piece 4 times - instead of 2 and the BACK 2 times. However, comparing the front and back pieces, I found VERY little difference, so I think I'll be OK actually.

I do have enough fabric left over to recut the back skirt if need be - but I'm excited that I have enough left to make either a neat jacket, or a great top - so I'm hoping that the skirt will work out.

Sewing it should be fun....stay tuned! OH - and that Roll the Gold Titanium Rotary cutting blade once again worked like a charm to cut what I could that lay on my 4s x 80 cutting mat on the floor. For the rest of it - I was testing my new KAI Modified Serrated blad scissors - 5220~ WOW~ !!!!! Watch too for more info on that new product!

Next Progress Installment...

Well - right off the bat, as I lined the bodice, it was obvious AGAIN how lousy directions are - even Vogue! Unless you would trim the armhole seam allowance VERY close - it would not, could not turn nicely without CLIPPING into the seam allowance at the curve - several times!!! The reason is that this edge - the cut edge, as it is inside out - is the INSIDE of a circle - smaller than what it will become when it turns right side out - that same edge will become the OUTSIDE of a circle - larger, and the only way it can do that - to make that edge larger, is to clip it so that it can spread - to get larger.

By the way - this bodice was well designed - cut on the bias, so that the angled front edge is on the straight grain. When cutting the lining, I utilized the non-stretchable SELVAGE for that edge - thus stabilizing it very well.

I really like this bodice - and the back strap that loops through the neck back facing that attaches to the front bodice straps. I may well use it on a sundress next summer. I think it is really pretty flattering - and could certainly be cut higher at the center front so as not to show cleavage.

ANYWAY...typical, the method of joining the narrow front bodice straps to the neck facing in the back is BAD - and, as I see it - darned near impossible. However, I see it done this way over and over and over.

I recommend NOT stitching the edges of the Front straps all the way to the top ends, but rather to STOP the stitching at both sides of the Front straps at least 2" away from the top small end. Do the same for the ends of the back facing - stop 2" away from the ends.

Doing it this way allows you to easily stitch the 2 'outside' surfaces (in this case, the back neck piece to the front strap extension). After doing that, you should trim down this seam allowance, and then either press it open, or towards one way or the other - grading it first to 'graduate the bulk' and THEN turn under the seam edges of the ends of the Lining, and then slip slipstitch the lining ends together, and also slipstitch along the remaining unstitched edges along both sides.

This worked really well for me, and I pressed the graded seam towards the bodice because there is a tuck there anyway releasing fullness.

I then worked VERY hard and got the midriff all shirred beautifully. Cutting it on the straight grain - going around the waist worked well to make it NOT stretch. HOWEVER, I'm long-waisted, and had adjusted the midriff pieces adding 1.5" before cutting. THAT plus some extra 'flesh' that has crept on made for a 'creative challenge' as when I tried it on - I lacked about 4+ inches as the bottom most edge of the midriff edges meeting!

Oh well...that much bulk going horizontally around my midriff wasn't that flattering anyway - even if it did fit. Sew... onto some 'design adjustments'.....

It was clear that all I had to do was hike up the top of the skirt edge, making the midriff area 3" deep instead of like 12" deep - and I liked the look of it. That also made it fit around very nicely. I also played and decided that some vertical seaming or stitching through the expanse of the front shirring would be nice - dividing that midriff area in the front into 3 sections. I did that by hand-basting through the depth of the midriff to then pull it up and then machine stitched through the outer velour and base lining. Here's what it looks like now...

And the back - the invisible zipper took some work, but finally got it in nicely. It is an orangey red that doesn't match at all - so I'm going to the drug store with a sample in hand to match some nail polish to paint the zipper pull tab.

A hook and thread eye at the very top holds it together nicely, It is amazing to me how very far from the zip that the hook needs to be stitched. I find to do the thread 'eye' first works best. Then you 'hook' the hook part in and pull it over so that the edges come together as you desire in order to determine exactly where to stitch on that hook. AND - you MUST stitch a few times entirely through to the outer side so that the hook doesn't pull on the lining edge inside only.

Speaking of that lining edge inside - see on the picture to the right that I decided to 'engineer' a rectangle of lining, edges folded in - along the zipper edge on the inside of the upper bodice at the back. I think this worked out better because the lining of the upper bodice really couldn't finish off the zipper here, as the directions had you basting the lower edges together first - before stitching the shirred midriff section to it.

You can also see in this photo that the inside of the midriff section has not been completed. I feel that the horizontal seam allowances need to be hand catch-stitched to the midriff base layer to hold them in place first. THEN the midriff lining can be hand-stitched into place. I'm actually inspired to say NO to all holiday cookies and to really hit my 'Abdoer' exercise machine even more, so I'm gonna leave this open for now and hope to have to take it in at the side seams. THEN I'll finish it off inside.

also had seriously thought about adding godets in the skirt seams anyway, so I went ahead and did that - un-stitching each seam for the lower 20" or so and adding godets I drafted. The center of each 'cone' shape is the length needed - on straight grain - like the radius of a circle, and the bottom then is the outer edge of a circle. I decided that I wanted the bottom edge of the godet - that circumference edge - to meausure 20". That was easy to draft - then added seam allowances, and stitched into each of the seams - center front, back, and each side seam. Doing this added a nice 4 times 20 = 80" to the 'dancin' hem!

AND - you may not believe this, but since this is a knit, and knits don't ravel, I've decided the 'in' and EZ and smart thing to do is to leave the hem as a cut edge! I'll make you a bet that not a single person will come up to me NYE to tell me I forgot to 'hem' my dress!

So - done I think, until a day or so before - when I do final fitting of the midriff and finish off the inside with the midriff lining.

ONLY decision left is to decide on jewelry. I have nice rhinestone earrings an necklace...or gold an ruby-type stones.

TAG Bag for Grandson Gift

This is a bag I made for keeping the books, cord, Pen and everything for the Leapster TAG reading system that we're giving our grandson (5 years old) for Christmas.
Gee - can you tell they live in the Indianapolis area?

I didn't use a pattern, but figured out what needed storage and size of things in hand, and with 1/5 yards of the Colt fabric(way gobs too much) and 3 fat quarters o the black and white, had enough to create this bag with great body utilizing PELTEX 70 which is really, really thick, stiff 'interfacing' I guess you call it. I do carry it at my site. It was first introduced under the the name of TimTex - not sure if that product is still available - but soon the major manufacturers started carrying their versions. What I have and used is not fusible on either side, but it is available with one or both sides fusible as well. It is very easy to stitch through - which I did, making each section: flap, front, back, bottom and sides (cut bottom and sides 3" wide by the way). I used a 90 Denim needle to hep get through everything. The seams are bulky with it in there, but I trimmed out most of it.

I also lined it, creating a pocket on one of the sides inside for the PEN, and on the other side for the cord that hooks it to the computer. Also, along the back inside I have a pouch with divisions in it to store all the AAA batteries.
Here's an inside view:

The flap closes with Velcro, and I interfaced the strap with purse batting.

I'm hoping he'll like it and it will keep this 'valuable' learn-to-read system all together.

Ahhh - Reupholstered an antique chair - FINALLY!

This is an antique chair - belonged to my Grandma's brother I'm told. I remember it on my Grandma's porch - inside porch. Have had it quite awhile - and in this fabric that went with old decor - and have had fabric to re-do it for 2 years. Party time here - and taking a break from Creative Sweatshirt Jacket creation - YEA - a blister later - got it done in one day! (Must admit I thought it would take 1 morning!)


I found I NEEDED: this claw thing to get out old staples - the BIGGEST job of all! That's what gave me a blister in my palm.

Needed a tack hammer,, and an ELECTRIC Staple Gun - which I rented. Also - a Glue Gun.

Realized the striped fabric would be a bit of a challenge. Took notes and photos as I undid the current chair. And, the double piping would have to be replaced with braid, as I couldn't make that on my conventional machine.
Here is a photo of the hardest part- but with the staple gun, WAS able to pretty much get into the side by the caning.
Here below is my 'Martha Stewart' Badge of Honor for industriousness. It really looks worse and hurts like the devil!

Durned I can NOT get these photos to move where I want them to!
Anyway - here is the completed chair.

OH - and see the Merry Christmas Blocks on my antique cabinet in the background? My Mom worked hard one year to get 3 sets of these from our kids' blocks to give to each of us - a VERY special gift - and perhaps an idea for you.