Things I Have Learned

Tuesday October 5th 2010

I have learned so many techniques while sewing the Ice Cream Social dress by Oliver & S.  This was my first attempt using french seams and they turned out great. It makes a nice finished look without the need of a serger. My daughters and I are currently using the french seams for our pillowcase we are making for Con-kerr Cancer.

Not feeling confident in making button holes or sewing in a zipper, I liked the button loop enclosure on the back of the dress. I have incorparated that technique in the latest dress I sewed from the French book, 'Intemporels pour Enfants' by Astrid Le Provost. (I will post those pictures tomorrow.)

My littlest daughter wears the dress often. It washes and wears nicely.

While reading  the Oliver & S blog the other day, I noticed she composed a sewing syllabus outlining her patterns from beginner to advanced. Since her patterns feel like a individual sewing class, I think this is a great way to improve my sewing skills. Look for her posting on Sept 9th 2010, you'll see her list there.

As I people watch or rather clothing watch, I am starting to notice how garments are made and can guesstimate how skirts, blouses and dresses might be assembled. There is a definite order to the process. One day I would like to understand pattern making or try my hand at making patterns from my favorite pieces of clothing.

But mostly, I feel great to have completed another project and to have it turn out so nicely! Maybe I am getting over some of the anxiety I feel with starting a new project.

So my daughters and I are nearly finished sewing the pillowcases. We each have 4 to go. We have watched the stack of fabric turn into pillowcases. We all are wondering where they will go and to whom will enjoy them. This is a great first project for teenagers as well as adults.

I have not forgotten my Honu (turtle) Quilt but I think I must put it on hold because I just realized that Christmas is coming.

 I am rethinking my list or at least the order in which I will make each item. I have the Jump Rope dress cut and ready to stitch as well as the T-shirt Quilt that was due to be completed in September. So thank goodness I had made my youngest daughter an 'Alice in Wonderland' dress for her birthday party. As I was sewing the dress I was thinking how crazy I was for making the dress just for a party. Then it occurred to me that she could be Alice for Halloween....Yea! The holiday madness is upon us.

Happy Fall

 Ileen

I love freezer paper

Wednesday September 22nd, 2010

As promised I am going to post my adventure making the Oliver & S 'Ice Cream Social' dress. I first traced the pattern using freezer paper, rough cut the pattern pieces,  ironed the freezer paper onto the fabric then cut. Voila!

The freezer paper pieces, pattern and Michael Miller fabric, Ginger Blossom by Sandi Henderson.

I purchased the fabric from a new fabric store in Oceanside...Maisonette. They carry many fabrics, patterns and notions. Nice people and very cute store.

I really like freezer paper because it makes moving the fabric and pattern so much easier without the use of pins.

I can't remember the name of this fabric nor do I have the selvadges, sorry. But it goes cute together. It has tiny little dots all over.

I have to hold hostage our dining room and the large table when I sew. I set up for a couple of days then I put it all away till the next time I have more than 10 minutes to play.

Left over scraps to keep for future projects.

More pictures to come..........

I also have two more additions to add to my list of dresses:

#10 Jump Rope dress by Oliver & S ( I just love the patterns)
It is all cut out and ready to go...

#11 La Robe a Encolure Ronde  by Astrid le Provost (Citronille)

So I will explain the last item on the list...As I wander around the internet I see things that other crafty/talented people make. One such item was a young girls blouse on 'Posey Gets Cozy' and the author of that blog explained that it was a pattern from Citronille, located in France no less. So my search was on to find someone in the US who carries this cute line of children's patterns with no luck. But what I did find is that Mme. le Provost has a book, Intemporels Pour Enfants, with 30+ patterns and instructions, no diagrams, on how to make the patterns. I purchased mine through Amazon UK. Oliver & S and Citronille seem very similar... so you'll see why I like them!

So now I spend my time on Google translate to try and decode the instructions. I did take French in high school but it is no help with the sewing instructions. And the translation I get from Google makes me laugh sometime...like riddles.

 I have traced the pattern onto freezer paper and I am in the process of sewing...I hope it turns out ok

Happy translating

Ileen