Month: September 2014

I really enjoy machine embroidery, it gives me a chance to make perfectly finished designs with a highly sophisticated machine. But you don’t need a machine embroidery machine to embroider. You can embroider with a manual or computerized sewing machine. This technique is called free motion machine embroidery.

In the above clip, Christopher Nejman demonstrates free motion machine embroidery. What I find appealing about free motion embroidery, is the persons ability to switch up while creating a design. You can’t do that with your embroidery machine since it’s embroidering the design from a preprogrammed image. While sewing my capsule wardrobe, I’ll be sure to embroider machine, free motion and some hand embroidery to some of my designs.

As you can see, I decided to purchase the Brother Coverstitch 2340CV sewing machine, sooner rather than later.

The reason is quite simple, I’m planning to so  a lot of sewing this fall.  Many of my upcoming sewing projects will include a lot of knits.  I guess you could say that this purchase would qualify as a “luxury item.” After all, it only does one thing, create a finished hem and while you can make a similar hem using a twin needle on a regular sewing machine. The resulting stitching isn’t as stretchy.

I’ve stayed away from most knits because I hated the way my seams looked using a twin needle. I like the clothing that I design/sew to look professional. If you’re curious as to what a finished hem for a coverstitch machine. Check out the finished hem of your sweatsuits, tee shirts, or many of your stretchy made garments… most of those hems are made by a coverstitch machine.

After the unboxing, I decided to do a few test stitches and here’s what I created… Read More

Since I’m sewing/designing my own capsule wardrobe, I’ll have some fabric choices to make.

I will only focus on colors that compliment my complexion. Since my brown skin has yellow undertones, the fabric colors that I’ll be choosing, while I design and sew my capsule wardrobe, will be warm colors.

I’m really excited about embarking on this sewing adventure and while there are still pieces in my current wardrobe that I’ve sewn, it’s definitely not like it used to be where the majority of my clothing was designed by myself. In my twenties and early thirties, I was a walking advertisement for my design/sewing skills and I did take on a few clients simply by wearing what I’d created.

Interestingly enough, even though I know the colors that work best for me, I’ll be the first to admit that those aren’t always the colors I wear. However since I’m determined to design and sew my own capsule wardrobe, I’ll only be choosing the colors that compliment my complexion.

I’m thrilled about getting into sewing a bit more. Because of that, you most likely will be seeing a lot more sewing posts here. To be honest, for the past few years, I’ve wanted to get back into sewing for myself, but something always came up.  In fact, I wrote about it in February 2013, but actually sewing my own wardrobe didn’t turn into a reality. Sure, I’ve been sewing, but it’s been for others. My daughter has been top on that list and then the last two years I found myself devoting a huge chunk of time designing for our Lutheran Churches annual Passion Play.

So yes… I’ve managed to keep myself out of the sewing equation. I think it’s high time that I change that, don’t you?

Last evening, after my daughter’s homework was completed, she asked if she could sew.

Sure, I’d said. Since I already knew what she wanted to sew (a pillow) and what fabric she wanted to use (some of my loom woven fabric.) The only thing she had to do was sew! I had woven this fabric in February, in fact I wrote a post about completing the project. At the time, I didn’t have a project for it, but I had set it aside knowing eventually it would be turned into something.  I pulled that out, cut it into an appropriate size and let her start sewing.

 

I must say that my daughter is continuing to make leaps with her sewing capabilities and I’m thrilled that she seems to love it as much as myself. The only thing left to do is stuff the pillow. We’ll purchase the fiberfill this weekend.

For the past few years, I’ve been thinking about sewing a capsule wardrobe. The reason is simple, most of the items I see in the store I really don’t like and here are a few reasons why.

1. I could have made it better. I’ve been sewing since I was six and machine sewing since I was eight. I’ve had some of my designs featured in fashion shows and I have done commissioned work. I love to sew! Finding the time isn’t always great.
2. Imperfections with the finished garments – crooked seam
3. No linings – linings help prevent wrinkling, stretching and wear on finished edges…
4. Customized outfits every single time!

The hesitation for me, has been the amount of time invested. As if I have a lot of that? But I can’t help but think of the benefits… a wardrobe that is exclusively my own and something I will enjoy for years. My style preference leans towards the timeless pieces that never go out of style.

I have not purchased any clothing (outside of workout gear) for years, it’s high time I step up my sewing game, right? And while I have not purchased clothing in that time, I have made a few pieces for myself. Those items I love. I just need to start sewing more for myself.

Sewing my Capsule Wardrobe

Over the next few weeks I’m going to work on a creating a capsule wardrobe that I can sew. I already have a few ideas of what I’d like to see in the wardrobe so I hope I can actually starting sewing a few pieces, for myself, some time this weekend.

I’ve included a few helpful links that you can find under the title, “Resources”. The posts are great and is fairly accurate in how I purchase my own fabric. Some fabric, I stay away from because they scream homemade in a negative way regardless of how well made the item is… but that’s just my opinion. Quilting fabric used for sewing clothes would definitely fall under this category. Awesome for quilts, not so much clothing.

 

Resources

1. How to Build a Capsule Wardrobe: The Mindset
2. How Do You Choose Your Fabric?
3. Conversant in Color: Buying Fabric Part 1
4. Conversant in Color:  Buying Fabric Part 2
5. Conversant in Color: Warm or Cool

Not too long ago, I stumbled across this tip. It does create an extra step since you’ll need to do a basting stitch first, but I really like how this looks; very neat and professional.

I’ve decided to add the above video here so I can easily refer back to it when I do finally acquire a coverstitch machine. Hopefully, it will be of use to other sewists also.