Catching Up

It's time for my quarterly blog post. 😅 I truly have good intentions to post more frequently, but when life starts life-ing, the little energy I have is used to get more energy (i.e., sleep); catch up on basic stuff like laundry, dishes, cleaning; and then do a bit of sewing.

Though I do not write blog posts often, I do try to keep up the In-Progress page - mainly as a log of things I've completed and have yet to complete.

 

Alright...on with the updates. As this post is kind of long, I've created some sections for organization.

• handbag contest
• Catalina cross-body bag
• New Look 6560
  
• Closet Core Kelly Anorak
• more shirts for the dude
• Make 9 2023 update
  
• whole 30 challenge 
• on the cutting table
• what to do with this blog (inevitable dialogue every blogger has) 

 

Handbag Contest:  I did not win and that's okay. I would be lying if I said I wasn't disappointed to not win anything for second place - especially since the vote was very close (winner 322, me 320). The second place prize was awarded by random selection, so it stung a little more. Oh well. This was the first contest I'd entered in several years and will likely be the last.

Catalina Cross-body bag:  I first made this bag last year and really, really like carrying it. It's roomy, comfortable, and kinda cute. =) When perusing Oro Rosa's site for other bag patterns, I came across a black patent leather version and immediately had to have one. Imitation is the highest form of flattery, right? Right??

The patent leather was purchased from My PunkBroidery; the lining is novelty quilting cotton from JoJos. I didn't have any major issues sewing this version and followed the instructions as with the first.

Though I am getting better with binding, I can see where more practice is needed. Guess I'll have to make more bags.

 

New Look 6560:  This is my second version of this pattern - made with a proper FBA. The first version is okay, but can be fidgety to wear because I didn't make an adjustment. This time, I retraced the front, made a half-inch FBA, and added length to the front and back.

This time, I made view A with the neckline flounce and long sleeves; the fabric is cotton sateen. I was inspired by a version of this top made by @cookeka (on Instagram).

 

Closet Core Kelly Anorak:  It took two months to finish this jacket - not because it was terribly difficult. But because I didn't have all of the hardware (grommets, snaps, drawstring cord) and I couldn't decide if I wanted to create or buy the lining pieces. Ultimately I decided to buy the lining expansion pack because I did not feel like trying to figure out the left/right facing and hood situation. 

I have some thoughts about making this jacket and I'll share in another post.

Shirts for my partner:  I batch-sewed three more shirts for my partner. He's happy with the ones I've made before and since I don't mind sewing for him, I decided to make more. He's pretty low key and doesn't need/want a lot of clothes, so these will probably be the only shirts  I make (in addition to the two I made a few months ago) for him this year. If he wants, I might make him a pair of pants and/or a jacket.

 

 

Make 9 2023 update:  Despite having a successful 2022 Make 9, this year's intention is on turtle mode. So far, I've only completed two of nine items. Sure there are still six months left in the year, but I'm not really feeling anything else in the plan so...yeah. I traced and made adjustments to the pattern pieces for McCall's 8286, so that might happen. And finding a deep stash fabric older than eight years won't be hard. Everything else is uninspiring right now.

 

Whole 30 Challenge:  @pinkmimosabyjacinta on Instagram started this challenge [I have no idea] years ago and it's gain its own following. The idea is to refrain from acquiring any new fabric before having sewn or de-stashed 30 yards. If you buy fabric before meeting the goal, you have to start over. The first two times I tried the challenge in 2021 and early 2022, I made it to 16 yards both times. This included completed items and fails.

 

My most recent attempts have been very successful. Between 2 Dec 2022 and 2 Feb 2023, I sewed/gave away a total of 33.625 yards and from 11 May 2023 to 30 May 2023, I de-stashed 32.625 yards. I started my third round of the challenge for the year on 31 May and have already sewn 9.5 yards with five more projects totaling 12 yards planned. I like doing this challenge as it keeps me motivated to sew from the stash. 

On the cutting table:  I need to make an FBA for Simplicity 1538 (button-front shirt) and make pattern adjustments to New Look 6644 (cargo pants). I also want to finish the Blue Calla Boronia bowler that I started last year. I used a plaid fabric for the interior lining and I didn't pay enough attention to matching the print when cutting and it annoys me juuuuust a little. It's the lining so it's not like it will be very visible. Still...

What to do with this blog?  I've come across many posts like this over the years and...well...here I am. I love reading and talking about sewing, so I don't want to give it up. I also do not post nearly as frequently as I used to or would like and when I do, the task of focusing on writing can be challenging. My home situation has no doubt played a huge role in this - which leaves me asking the question:  where do I go from here? 

 

I thought about starting a YouTube channel, then I quickly remembered I do not want to be out there like that and I don't know if faceless YouTube channels are successful. I'm not looking to be an influencer or get into monetization; I just want to connect with people who sew clothes.

 

I don't know. To anyone who has faced this question, what did you do? Do you still read sewing blogs? Have you moved to other forms of social media?

I am grateful for everyone who reads and leaves comments. I hope what I share is helpful and entertaining.

L

 

 

 

Oro Rosa Magdalena

Despite facing some challenges at the beginning of the year, I have been doing some sewing. It's the one thing that keeps me relaxed - at least until the weather warms and I can be outdoors more.

I recently finished the first item from my Make Nine 2023 plan:  Oro Rosa Magdalena.

Listen. I LOVE this bag. Everything about it makes me smile. I feel like I say that about every handbag, but it's true! 😅 It came together as I envisioned and I am pleased with how it looks. Though I debated about using contrasting thread, I'm glad I followed through with it. It adds more visual interest and compliments the hardware nicely.

Sewing was mostly straightforward. There were a couple of mishaps that resulted in having to cut new pieces and restitch some areas (looking at you strap connector). Also binding the raw edges with bias tape is still a struggle, so it's not as professional-looking as it can be. In all, this was fun to make and I am very happy with the finish. Even the dude said it looks good. =)

This is my entry into the Bags and Wallet contest on Pattern Review. Here's a recap of my review:

The finished size is: 10 H x 10 W x 3 D (in.) and 25.4 H x 25.4 W x 7.62 D (cm). There is also a smaller, wristlet-sized wallet (purchased separately) that measures 5 H x 5 W x 2 D (in.) and 12.5 H x 12.5 W x 5 D (cm).

I did not make any changes to the pattern. I did not include the supplies/hardware needed to wear the bag as a backpack.

Alexis (designer for Oro Rosa Patterns) writes wonderfully detailed instructions. Pictures are clearly illustrated and include figure numbers that correspond to the written instructions. For more complex designs or designs that have several pieces, labels are included for printing and assembling cut pieces into stacks. As this is the third pattern I've made from this company, I appreciate the careful thought and consideration Alexis puts into planning construction and writing the instructions. She even includes statements of encouragement cheering you on to finish. Additionally, she invites you to view YouTube tutorials created by other bag makers who walk through the instructions step-by-step. When needed, I referred to SiahSwag's Magdalena video.

I used two types of vinyl: black faux leather and textured reptilian. The lining is a cotton print in colors red, black, and gold. 

 

 

 Hardware (in antique bronze finish unless otherwise noted):

• 2 x cut lengths of #5 nylon metallic coil zipper tape (grey/antique bronze; black/gold)
• 3 x #5 metal zipper pulls (2 x antique bronze; 1 x gold)
• 1 x metal "Handmade" tag
• 10 x large double capped rivets
• 2 x 1" strap ends
• 1 x 1" extra wide strap slider
• 2 x 1" swivel clasps
• 2 x 1" D-rings

 

Structure:  I used three different interfacings for structure: SF101 black fusible woven interfacing (all lining pieces), Decovil - light (strap connectors), and Decovil - heavy (gusset, zipper panels, front & back panels).

Construction: I sewed the bag on my semi-industrial straight stitch machine. I used a 100/16 leather needle, stitch plate for thick fabric, Teflon foot, and hinged zipper foot. For thread, I used Gutermann Tex 100 polyester thread in black and antique bronze in the needles and regular-weight thread (Tex 30) in the bobbin. Other notions used include wonder clips, duct tape (to prevent the back of the "handmade" tag from damaging the lining), and leather silver marking pen. The interior seams were bound with 1/2-inch wide black double fold bias tape.

To apply the rivets, I used my KAMSnaps table press. Interfacing was fused with my Elna press and regular iron.

Resources:

• My PunkBroidery (vinyls)
• Wawak (interfacing, zipper tapes and pulls, double-sided tape, thread, bias tape, needles)
• Emmaline Bags (hardware)
• JoAnn Fabrics (interfacing)
• Tandy Leather (rivets, silver marking pen)

 

Originally, I wanted to make this bag in all black with rose gold hardware, but I decided on this combination because...squirrel! I really liked the reptilian vinyl and when I saw it, the vision of this bag would not leave my mind. I'll likely make the original all-black version at some point or try Oro Rosa's Erica Bowler which is comparable to Magdalena with a different shape.

This is the third bag I've made from Oro Rosa patterns (previously made Catalina and Quilted Alice).

 

(left:  Catalina; right:  Quilted Alice)

  

I am very pleased with the newest handbag; it will definitely get a lot of use!

 

More pictures of the hardware and interior:

Below, the bag is hanging on one of my dress forms for scale.

 

(top:  Simplicity 9385; skirt:  Simplicity 9375)

  

***

 

I've started the muslin for the Closet Core Kelly Anorak. I also started cutting out the pieces for another Catalina cross-body bag. Methinks the handbag is going to take priority over the anorak. =)

 

L