Jenny and Julie Learn to Sew
So, here I sit with several posts on que and so far behind that the light from caught up won't catch me this year. As in, one can not keep the pace that I do for long. I've done it for too many months, and years, now and . . . I am crashing. Yes, I admit it. Yes, I have to make changes. I am exhausted, drained, mortified, and--well--beyond the point of many things. On that note, part of the plans I am making is this thing is coming to the front of my que from here on out. Why? I have a sizable amount of readers, I enjoy this, I'm building a brand, and . . . I have plans for things I am working on. Patterns I'm drafting, ones that I have drafted, and sketches of things to come. In short, this space here is more a delicious space of stress relief, joy, and often unmitigated and unfiltered emotions.
So, for other notes . . . I temporarily made my Instagram private. If you want to follow it there's a 95 percent chance I'll approve you. But why is it private? Well, I bit the bullet and posted pics of these makes:
No I will not model these for you. Take my word for it. They fit, well. And now you can see why Instagram is private . . .of course, I've posted them here which, well, won't do much for the perv parade. Yea, yea.
So for machines, if you are just learning save yourself some stress and get an inexpensive Singer or such. About a hundred to 130 bucks, and then go to Amazon and get the invisible zipper foot for seven bucks. Yes, just get it. Why? You will be thankful for it. Don't be a tard and try to go rogue and put in an invisible zipper sans foot. Just don't. FYI, Jenny has to buy her own invisi foot. ;)
Oddly, I now have two . . . a Singer, the Bernie above, my Serger, and well the first hand-me-down Bernina I had that died. Oh, that was painful watching the timing mechanism die a slow painful ride. That machine is long past. As for my Singer . . . well, she makes some mean fucking buttonholes and she does top-stitching like a pro. So oddly, I am one of those elite sewists with multiple machines. How'd that happen?
As I told the two of them, since they are literally learning how to thread a needle and push fabric through a machine an inexpensive machine will be easier on their psyche. There won't be the pressure to "master" sewing as they didn't spend the rent on a machine.
Of course, workhorse machines like Singers, or my Singer Confidence, are good at many things. Cheap parts, ease of use, and quick spring back. I stand by my vote to get inexpensive ones at first . . . to literally test these waters, as well I love to sew but there are scores of folks who can't stand it. I find the hum of my machine, and ability to mold fabric into creative and decorative objects, and the view of the process to be humbling and entertaining.
I hope that that they, or you, capture a few moments of that.
Get a scrap of carpet and put it under the machine. It muffles the freight train. Though, if you've got a Bernina the stitches are soft like a purring cat. :)
Other notes, that don't feel like notes, this time: don't buy cheap thread. Just don't. No matter how good that five for one dollar spool sale seams it will fuck up your machine. I'm a fan of Gutterman and Coats and Clark. Just get the standard poly blend.
Buy lots of sewing machine needles. You'll break one, or a hundred. And since I'm sending Jenny quilting weight cotton, I am certain she can use standard weight needles. Don't get overwhelmed on all the needles. For now, start with universal. Then in a few projects move onto stretch, silk, etc.
Scissors. I have my sheers. For years, and ions, I used a set of Friskers. Just buy a new set of Friskers (craft scissors, commonly with orange handles) and label them fabric. Don't let anyone use them for anything else! If you cut paper with fabric scissors have fun trying to cut fabric again.
JoAnns and Michaels always have coupons. Use them. There is no shame, and go through the line more than once to use a coupon more than once on pricey things.
See? Not too much now.
So, with that ado up next week or so notes on my jacket I've been promising and another installment of #jennyandjulielearntosew
Jenny is dying to know how to do the knickers. I've taken the pics for a pair of woven ones . . . and yes, start to learn with something useful. Anyone can make a pillow, with four straight lines. Knickers, now? Be brave, as they certainly make a conversation! That's up on the que . . .
On other notes, this past weekend while my Mom napped one day I cut up cotton my Mom bought in 1994 and whipped up a pair of sleep pants for my Dad. He was thrilled, to say the least. FYI, all on the serger except the hem and waistband hem. Also, I used scraps to make more of these. Up on ETSY in about a month. I eyeballed it all, as I don't need a pattern for these.
Last, but not least, May Me Made is upon us. I'm on-board again. So I'll post on Fridays a round up, dailies on Instagram, and in the meantime I've got a list of tees, a silk dress, a silk top, a wrap skirt, and a few other things to stitch this month. The goal: no duplicate outfits. Yes, I can certainly wear my Kelly denim more than once, but I have to change the look. This should be fun, perhaps a little treacherous, but fun in the end.
My list for the month includes things I am see I am missing, want more of, and . . .things I reach for everyday. Of course, those tees take me less than an hour each (I usually make a tee after a particularly trying day).
Two goals: draft a pair of yoga pants this month. Draft a basic tank.
Other things: conference paper for Turkey (I leave the 11th), revisions on the next book, two book intros half done, and . . . make the following:
Miette Wrap
stripped Coco
another stripped Coco
Black Dear and Doe
sleeveless white Archer
Chambray Archer
Licorice Dress
Silk blouse, mauve
tank top
yoga pants
two bags, gifts
baby quilt
Gabriola skirt
Zinnia Skirt, in my Amsterdam silk
FYI: the baby quilt and bags don't have to be done until June/July.
On that note, until next week.
So, for other notes . . . I temporarily made my Instagram private. If you want to follow it there's a 95 percent chance I'll approve you. But why is it private? Well, I bit the bullet and posted pics of these makes:
Yea, I know. I am awesome. That's all scrap fabric, and the stretch elastic I picked up at a series of flea markets in Holland earlier this month. Yea, woe is me I was at a conference there and stole a couple hours here and there to wander the streets of Europe. Cha cha.
Those patterns: The bottom one is the Rosy Lady Shorts. They are functional and nice, and wicked quick to make up. Though, as you can see I matched the stripes so they took more fabric than the other pairs. The others . . . the Cheeky shorts from the Fabric by Fabric, One Yard Wonder book. I've altered those by not using elastic on the legs, reducing the waist, sewing as is . . . verdict: lurve.
The black ones, in the far back: self drafted because ya know I had never made knickers before so why the hell not? And yes I have worn them all. Yes, I will continue to do so. Yes, all my scrap knit (and, let's face it there is always scrap knit) has good use now. Yes, I'm done buying panties. Though, anyone with lingerie elastic and elastic lace is free to send it my way!
I need to sew up a few more pairs of my Cotton and Lace design before I write up the written pattern, but . . . that will be out this summer. I am certain. And, no, I will not make knickers for you. Those you gotta make yourself my dears. Make them yourself.
I also have the Maker's Journal Low Riders, the green ones, in there. That green is a sateen lining from a purse I did on commission years and years ago. Ha. And . . . this part brings me to my blurbs du jour.
My friend Jenny has been dying to learn to sew. So much so that she's been asking sewing machine advice, bought an inexpensive starter, and I followed through on my promise. I said I'd buy the material for her first project . . . and I did. I got her two yards of Amy Butler Love cotton, some muslin to line it, a zipper, and thread. Oh, the pattern too. What? it is tried and true, and I figure I'll make myself one and do a tutorial for Jenny when she yells my way. Ahem, I hear she wants that by June. So . . .
So, without further ado: Because my friend Jenny has been dying to learn to sew, and my friend Jules has been too, I give you the first new line on Cooler Than You.
Jenny and Julie Learn to Sew.
What is that you say? Well, from afar I promised to give them 411s of sewing. First up, machines.
In short, if you are starting out you don't really need a beauty like I have.
Oh yea, my Mom gave me her old Bernina last weekend. Now I am NOT the only one without a Bernina. :) I wowed Momma by making those bags in less than half an hour, from scraps . . . ya know, to make sure the machine wasn't damaged in transit.
And Santa brought the Serger, a true luxury of the home seamstress.
So for machines, if you are just learning save yourself some stress and get an inexpensive Singer or such. About a hundred to 130 bucks, and then go to Amazon and get the invisible zipper foot for seven bucks. Yes, just get it. Why? You will be thankful for it. Don't be a tard and try to go rogue and put in an invisible zipper sans foot. Just don't. FYI, Jenny has to buy her own invisi foot. ;)
Oddly, I now have two . . . a Singer, the Bernie above, my Serger, and well the first hand-me-down Bernina I had that died. Oh, that was painful watching the timing mechanism die a slow painful ride. That machine is long past. As for my Singer . . . well, she makes some mean fucking buttonholes and she does top-stitching like a pro. So oddly, I am one of those elite sewists with multiple machines. How'd that happen?
As I told the two of them, since they are literally learning how to thread a needle and push fabric through a machine an inexpensive machine will be easier on their psyche. There won't be the pressure to "master" sewing as they didn't spend the rent on a machine.
Of course, workhorse machines like Singers, or my Singer Confidence, are good at many things. Cheap parts, ease of use, and quick spring back. I stand by my vote to get inexpensive ones at first . . . to literally test these waters, as well I love to sew but there are scores of folks who can't stand it. I find the hum of my machine, and ability to mold fabric into creative and decorative objects, and the view of the process to be humbling and entertaining.
I hope that that they, or you, capture a few moments of that.
Get a scrap of carpet and put it under the machine. It muffles the freight train. Though, if you've got a Bernina the stitches are soft like a purring cat. :)
Other notes, that don't feel like notes, this time: don't buy cheap thread. Just don't. No matter how good that five for one dollar spool sale seams it will fuck up your machine. I'm a fan of Gutterman and Coats and Clark. Just get the standard poly blend.
Buy lots of sewing machine needles. You'll break one, or a hundred. And since I'm sending Jenny quilting weight cotton, I am certain she can use standard weight needles. Don't get overwhelmed on all the needles. For now, start with universal. Then in a few projects move onto stretch, silk, etc.
Scissors. I have my sheers. For years, and ions, I used a set of Friskers. Just buy a new set of Friskers (craft scissors, commonly with orange handles) and label them fabric. Don't let anyone use them for anything else! If you cut paper with fabric scissors have fun trying to cut fabric again.
JoAnns and Michaels always have coupons. Use them. There is no shame, and go through the line more than once to use a coupon more than once on pricey things.
See? Not too much now.
So, with that ado up next week or so notes on my jacket I've been promising and another installment of #jennyandjulielearntosew
Jenny is dying to know how to do the knickers. I've taken the pics for a pair of woven ones . . . and yes, start to learn with something useful. Anyone can make a pillow, with four straight lines. Knickers, now? Be brave, as they certainly make a conversation! That's up on the que . . .
On other notes, this past weekend while my Mom napped one day I cut up cotton my Mom bought in 1994 and whipped up a pair of sleep pants for my Dad. He was thrilled, to say the least. FYI, all on the serger except the hem and waistband hem. Also, I used scraps to make more of these. Up on ETSY in about a month. I eyeballed it all, as I don't need a pattern for these.
Dad was very pleased with his Tazmanian Devil pants. Indeed.
Last, but not least, May Me Made is upon us. I'm on-board again. So I'll post on Fridays a round up, dailies on Instagram, and in the meantime I've got a list of tees, a silk dress, a silk top, a wrap skirt, and a few other things to stitch this month. The goal: no duplicate outfits. Yes, I can certainly wear my Kelly denim more than once, but I have to change the look. This should be fun, perhaps a little treacherous, but fun in the end.
My list for the month includes things I am see I am missing, want more of, and . . .things I reach for everyday. Of course, those tees take me less than an hour each (I usually make a tee after a particularly trying day).
Two goals: draft a pair of yoga pants this month. Draft a basic tank.
Other things: conference paper for Turkey (I leave the 11th), revisions on the next book, two book intros half done, and . . . make the following:
Miette Wrap
stripped Coco
another stripped Coco
Black Dear and Doe
sleeveless white Archer
Chambray Archer
Licorice Dress
Silk blouse, mauve
tank top
yoga pants
two bags, gifts
baby quilt
Gabriola skirt
Zinnia Skirt, in my Amsterdam silk
FYI: the baby quilt and bags don't have to be done until June/July.
On that note, until next week.
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