Tuesday, November 23, 2010

Give a Little / Get a Little

This year I could add an entirely new, super-long gift giving/getting category to archive - that of sewing-paraphernalia - but I don't want to torture my non-sewist readers unduly.

I'll just mention a couple of things:

Thing I really want to receive: A made-to-measure dress form. These cost a bundle and I haven't been able to figure out where to procure one in Toronto. So if anyone knows, please advise! I don't actually expect anyone to buy this for me (unless you're feeling generous :-)) though I'd love to buy one as a gift to myself. The serger is paid off now. (OMG, don't get me started on that thing. I'm going to have to write a whole new post / love poem to that thing because it is FREAKIN' FANTASTIC!) I should be eying the next sewing debt, no?

Thing a fairly novice sewist could easily make and give: And just cuz it's easy, doesn't mean it isn't totally impressive... Recently I talked about the November Vogue Patterns issue, inasmuch as I want to make the jacket on the front cover (it recently arrived, fyi). What I didn't mention is that there's a"free pattern" inside - which is to say, 3 little drawings and a column of instructions. It's to make circle scarves (I think of them as snoods you wear around your neck).

Tonight I made 2 of them out of fabric surplus - note, anyone who has 24" x 70" of leftover fabric deserves an award (and I think Carolyn is destined to win). I've been using my own variation on the rectangular dimensions and it's going fine, but since I usually buy the amount required to make a garment plus a smidge, I'm a bit SOL. I can see I'm going to have to start adding a bit extra onto my fabric purchases - or just bite the bullet and buy some fabric specifically for scarves. Maybe, in time, I'll show you the ones I've completed, but since they are gifts, it could be counter-productive.

Not to get all lovey about the serger again but, if you have one, the scarf project goes by in a flash. It takes about 10 minutes to cut the rectangle pattern, 10 minutes of serging and 10 minutes of finishing by hand-sewing. And it looks so great when you're done.

I'd like to tell you what hand stitch I used in the finishing (tucking in the raw edges on each side and stitching them together), but I have no idea what it's called. I also don't know if I worked it left-handed or right-handed. (The lefty sewing book arrived and just managed to confuse my brain further.) What I can tell you is that the stitch is invisible because it's taken on the inside edge below the fabric fold on each side. Anyone have a name for that?

On a side note: I got a real kick out of the fact that Kathy Marrone, Editor-in-Chief of Vogue Patterns, left me a comment recently. I wonder if she is frequently confused for the Editor-in-Chief of Vogue? That would be the substance of an amusing sitcom.

6 comments:

  1. First, I've never been confused with the Editor-in-Chief of Vogue...a.k.a. Anna Wintor. (That is actually hilarious.)
    Second, I believe the hand stitch you used is the Blind Stitch, but since I can actually seen what you've done, I'm only assuming. (No pun intended.)
    Last, I hope you'll share photos of your circle scarves with us at Vogue Patterns. We'd love to see them.
    Kathy

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  2. HOW COOL ^^^^^!! You are famous! I hope sewing Santa brings you all your heart desires.

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  3. I'm curious to see these circular scarves, and would love to know how you tie them.

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  4. Kathy is probably right about the blind stitch. And honey, I am jealous of your serger! I don't even have one :) Waiting for more photos of your stuff!

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  5. Oh yeah, dress forms are expensive! Stacy Lomman has a good dress form story.

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  6. Kathy: I'm almost starting to think you read my blog :-) And for having a sense of humour! I think it is the blind stitch. Thanks for helping me to find the name. I will post the great circle scarves soon.

    Bel: I do feel kind of famous :-)

    Stacy: You deserve a great serger. When I get rich I'm buying you one! Unless you get rich first.

    Wendy: Stacy has to write about that.

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