All SWAP'd Out

I have no idea what to sew next, but I know it won't be with a plan.  Not that I've soured on SWAP-ing, I'm just not feeling it right now.  The grey motorcycle jacket was the final piece of a mini six-piece swap that I started in September.  Now that it's complete, I feel ZERO inspiration from the next group of fabrics I've bundled together.  Something is too...hmm... planned (?) about it.  I don't know what it is, but I have no interest in doing it now.  No 6PACs, mini wardrobes, or Crazy 8s. 

So for now I think I will focus on filling the gaps in my wardrobe.  I have lots of bottoms, but not very many tops or dresses.  I also want to sew some garments from my aging collection of Burda World of Fashion Magazines.   There are quite a few from 2009 that are on my list:

1-2009-106

4-2009-101

5-2009-110

8-2009-107

8-2009-132

Anyone else out of SWAP mode?  What are some of your current sewing plans and inspirations?

L

 
 

NL6897: 3rd SWAP Garment Completed

I started sewing garments for the 2012 SWAP on Monday, 26 Dec.  Why is that anticipation sometimes leads to no motivation and/or disappointment?  I eagerly awaited the start of the contest, only to not feel motivated once it began.  What's that about?  I thought I would be in my sewing room the whole day.  Nope.  I was only in there for an hour or so.  Anyway, I finished the skirt and will share the details.

Fabric & Notions:

• brown wool suiting
• 7" invisible zipper
• camel Ambiance lining
• 1.5"-wide cream petersham cut to waist measurement plus extra for folding under
• fusible interfacing for the zipper area

Sewing this skirt was super simple since I made it twice already.  The only change was to take slightly bigger seam allowances.  As the notions list above suggests, I used an invisible zipper, inserted a lining, and faced the waist with petersham.  I used the techniques described in these two posts:  invisible zipper, lining & facing with petersham.  I'm glad I took the time to write the second post as I complete forgot how to do this!  I had to refer back to this post a couple of times to refresh my memory.

Originally, I included the flounce on this skirt as I did on the first one.  Apparently the fabric didn't have the right amount of drape because the flounce stuck out like a shark's fin.  Don't ask me why this image popped in my head.  What can I say?  I grew up in the 80s.  (Do you know the origin of this still-shot?)

 (new skirt; old skirt)

Yeah...see?  That thing had to go.  Believe me, it was not cute.  I have another wool suiting with far more drape out of which I might sew this pattern again. 

I don't know if I'll keep this or not.  I don't like how it fits - even though the first two versions fit beautifully.  I think the fabric is just too...something.  The way it hangs on the dress form is how it hangs on me.  Meh.  If I have to use this as a last resort, I will.  In the meantime, Ive already started looking for something else.

L

SWAP 2012

It's that time again for the annual SWAP (Sewing With a Plan) contest on Stitcher's Guild and the rules are simply divine! Last year's contest was an utter failure as many people had good intentions (myself included), but only two (yes, TWO) people finished. The rules for last year's contest centered around techniques and each garment had to focus on a technique that was new to you or not totally mastered. While it was made clear that one could use the same technique on as many garments as desired, the general sense was that people were overwhelmed with the requirements.

This year, however, the rules center around fit and developing tried-n-true patterns. The focus is less on coordinating and outfit-building and more on working on one or two key patterns from a certain group to fit your body. To quote DragonLady from Stitcher's Guild:

"This year, our SWAP will focus on fitting, and making tried-and-true patterns: testing and fitting paper patterns, muslins, and fashion garments that will help lower the overall sewing failure rates, result in fabulous clothing to be proud of, and (hopefully) give every contestant a pattern or two that works every time it is used."

The rules are simple: Choose seven garments from the list below. Of these seven, select four to make twice for a total of eleven garments. The four garments you choose are thought to be the patterns you make tried-n-true.

Button down shirt w/collar
blouse or shirt (collar is optional)
t-shirt
vest
dress
overshirt
jeans
trousers
shorts or capris
skirt
jacket (jean jacket, windbreaker, hoodie, etc.)
coat (suit or sport coat)
overcoat or raincoat
bathing suit or coverup

How can I not be excited about this?! Since fitting woven tops/jackets has been the bane of my sewing existence, I am determined to see this SWAP through. I have a bodice and pants sloper and even more knowledge about fitting.

Tentatively, my plan is as follows:

2 button down shirts with collar
2 pairs of jeans
2 pairs of trousers
1 or 2 jackets
1 shirt
1 or 2 skirts
1 coat or 1 vest

As for colour schemes, I'm still not sure of what to do. I seem to run into roadblocks when it comes to coordinating fabrics. I do okay with three or four garments, but eleven? Not so much. After perusing my closet, I noticed that I have a lot of gray pants and skirts. So, my current thought is to center the bottoms around browns and build from there.

Even though the contest starts in December, we can sew up to two garments before then and make mock-ups of everything else. Also, the fabric can be prepared and cut prior to the start date. The Jeans Sew Along is timed perfectly since I can complete two of the eleven garments now and focus my attention of fitting and sewing the trousers, blouses, and jacket.

I made a mock-up of a BWOF pattern and am really pleased with the fit. I cut a straight 40 (gasp!) and only had to tweak a couple of areas. I cut out a second muslin to re-check the fit and if all goes well, I will prepare and cut my luscious wool. More on that later!

Until next time, be well!

L