Two Confessions

Confession #1:  I can be terrible at finishing a project.

I admit that I have several garments in some state of "almost done" that have been washed and worn several times.  From pants needing the other half of a closure to knit tops that need a hem - the list is not short.  I think a combination of project fatigue and the excitement of a new garment creates a little sewing attention deficit disorder.

Remember this Simplicity jacket?

I finished it (almost), but it took way longer than necessary.  I removed the robot eyes, set the sleeves, cut and assembled most of the lining.  All I needed to do was set ONE sleeve in the lining.  I had zero motivation to do it.  The ease stitches were sewn, all I had to do was gather, pin, and stitch.  I did other things, but to finish what is the simplest of tasks was not one of them.

Like I said, it's almost done.  The only thing that's left is to hand stitch the sleeve lining hem to the jacket hem.  There is no way to fake this one - not even slightly.  The lining peaks out under the sleeve, so if I am to ever wear this jacket, I have to do the handstitching.  I don't hate it, but I also don't jump at the chance to do it.

Confession #2:  I hate sewing lining and anything slippery.  HATE!

My tolerance for fussy fabrics is at an all-time low and it wasn't very high to begin with.  I know lining is important and I will always include it when needed.  But that doesn't mean I have to like it.  

From cutting to pinning, we are both fussing at each other nonstop.  I use a walking foot and microtex needle when sewing, so that's not too bad.  My interest in a garment wanes significantly when it's time to cut and assemble the lining.  It's the reason my now-year-old trench coat is still not finished.

Since I last posted these pictures, I've set the sleeves and assembled the front facing-lining unit.  All I need to do is cut and sew the back lining, and set the sleeves.  Sooooo simple, right?  Sigh. 

Does anyone else struggle with finishing?  What are some of your sewing hangups?

L

Sewing Confessions

Rules?  What rules?  I don't need no stinkin' rules.  Here are my confessions.  Don't tell anyone, k?

1.  I almost never measure my hems.  

The horror!  I read about how people use chalked string to mark their hems or use other techniques.  Yeah, I don't do that.  Since I make a muslin for everything, I figure out the hem I want at that point and then go from there.  When I'm at the iron pressing up the hem, I just eyeball it and check the depth only a few times.

2.  I am inconsistent with snipping threads. 

I try to snip them at the end of each seam, but that doesn't always happen.  If it can't be seen from the outside, I don't worry about it.

3.  I don't always remove ease/basting stitches.

See #2. =)  The only exception is when I insert an invisible zipper.  Most times I use contrasting thread so that I can visibly see the guideline.  I usually remove this after the zipper is in - if it can't be seen from the outside.

4.  I regularly practice the LSO (Lop Shit Off) method.

If something is too long or not working out in one spot, I just lop it off. 

5.  I totally eyeball the stitching line when I coverstitch a hem.

Oddly enough, this works for me.  I tried using Post-It notes as a guideline, but for some reason the hem always came out uneven.  I've had far more success "feeling for the hem" on top and slowly guiding this area under the foot.  

Come on, fess up!  I can't be the only sinful sewer.

L