by Dave | May 15, 2015 | Blog, Studio
When I bought my first sewing machine after not sewing for about 25 or so years, I had no idea what I needed to make my lab a paradise.
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I knew I needed a sewing machine and a table. So, that is pretty much where I started.
As my projects grew my supplies began to outgrow the teeny space. The room next door was larger, had more windows, and wonderful storage. The only problem, the room was neon green with carpeting. I worked really hard, removed the carpet to reveal a nice wood floor. The walls, were another challenge. I covered them with fabric using spray adhesive. It seemed like a great idea and quick way to cover the green walls. [envira-gallery id=”649″]
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The closet doors do not close anymore. A great, or so I thought, solution was to place my sewing table against them. The doors, were not attractive. Yes, I took over a teenage girl’s bedroom! So far I was pretty happy though. I had more space and that is really all that mattered to me.
Until I moved things from the other room, such as the curtains. This became a real issue, they didn’t fit the window. So, I could make more right? I wish! The fabric was now out of print. 🙁 [envira-gallery id=”653″]
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As you can see by the mess on the cutting table, I didn’t really care if the curtains fit or not. I was still sewing!
The next problem for any seamstress is storage. Sewing requires places to store all the supplies. With supplies in their place, the room looks presentable and everyone is happy. As you can see, organization and storage in this room required a huge overhaul.
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No, the room isn’t completely decorated. But, I was still chugging away and sewing my little heart out. One day a friend called to tell me about her garage sale. Not much for sale really just some furniture from her daughter’s room. She thought I needed. The next thing I knew, she sent me a picture of this furniture.
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WOW! Almost perfect….I’m not a fan of white. Anything looks better with new paint! That furniture would be black in no time!
While shopping for the black paint, I found a can of OOPS paint. It just happened to be pink…and five dollars. Who could resist? Next thing I knew, the ugly, wrong shade of pink fabric was pulled off the walls and the new color applied. I liked the way it looked! So, I headed back to the store for more.
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You’ll have to wait until tomorrow to see more of the lab transformation.
Until then…ENJOY!
![Knits, Stripes, and RTW]()
by Dave | May 13, 2015 | About, Beginner Tips, Blog, Experimentation, Fashion, Lucy's Sewing Lab
This is a repost of an earlier blog. Actually one of my earliest blogs, a little rewriting and possibly this time people enjoy it!
I sewed with knit six months upon completing the striped skirt. What an accomplishment. For the first time ever, people liked my product and commented about how much they liked it. I felt FAMOUS! Let me tell you, this didn’t happen overnight. Lots of things can go wrong when sewing with knit fabric. Hopefully my mishaps will be a blessing in disguise and help you avoid those same issues.
1. Knit can be two way or four way stretch. This doesn’t really matter, it all stretches right? I thought that too. Then I spent about an hour or two making the ultimate tee shirt. It looked amazing! But, I sewed it with the stretch going vertical instead of horizontal. In case you’ve never made this mistake, it means I couldn’t fit into the shirt. It had no stretch at all in the areas that need to stretch. But, I could probably pull it down far enough to wear it as a dress. Funny, unless it’s your shirt. haha
2. Leggings wear best in a four way stretch. Yes, you can make pants to your heart’s delight in two way stretch fabric. But, chances are the knees will bag throughout the day. Unflattering? YES! A four way stretch ensures the fabric maintains a proper fit all over your legs. So professional, no one guesses you sewed the legings. Okay seriously, no one will consider you made it yourself unless you tell them.
3. Heming Isn’t really an issue, or so they say. Most people do not hem their knit garments. To me, this never really made sense. I don’t find clothing at the GAP that is not hemmed. So, I have always hemmed my garments. I’ve tried several ways.
UPDATE: If the knit is spandex and rayon blend, no hem is needed. Similar clothing sells in department stores and boutiques upwards of $4o!
- Rolled hem, created using a rolled hem or cording foot. This works well for some knits. I have found it works best with those containing a little rayon. I tried it recently with jersey. This did not work so well.
- Double hem, is primarily used in the ready to wear industry. Lots of articles and websites will tell you this cannot be done without a double needle. Simply not true! I have done them since day one with my normal sewing machine. When it’s time to hem use the standard 5/8″ seam, then go over it again using the 3/8″ seam. The same look is achieved. Now, when you tell people, because you will want them to know, you made this. They will not believe you! Added BONUS, no extra equipment required.
- Cut edge hem, again this is one I do not use because I’ve never seen it in ready to wear and it makes me self conscious. If you like it or need to put that just finished garment on and head out for the evening. By all means do it. It is a time saver for sure. This would probably be easiest to get away with when using tissue knits.
No matter what the hem, ENJOY!
by Dave | May 13, 2015 | About, Blog, Lucy's Sewing Lab
The three D’s of blogging are as follows (anyone hear a Dr. Seuss song?) disclose, deliver, and disclaim. From time to time, hopefully more often than not, this blog will accept compensation for opinions provided.
Lucy’s Disclosure—
The opportunity to accept such wonderful perks may at times influence the posts herein. The content may not always be identified as an advertisement, paid post, or sponsored content. Compensation for blogging will in no way prevent me from giving my honest opinion, experiences, and beliefs. Everything contained in Lucy’s Sewing Lab is my personal opinion or view.
Lucy’s Disclaimer—
I link to a lot of other websites, it’s a great way to share a wealth of information with my readers. I am very generous with sewing information and websites. I cannot be held responsible for the content found on the linked blogs. I also am not responsible for any actions the other bloggers may take. The accuracy of information provided is current only on the day of publishing.
Lucy’s Deliverance—
Cute huh? Lucy will try to feed her readers new information at least twice a week. We all have lives though right? So, I sincerely hope my lovely readers will understand if more than seven days pass without hearing from me. I promise I am sewing, hopefully, and thinking about you and your needs to learn more and more about the wonderful world of sewing. Now that all the D’s are out of the way.
ENJOY!
by Dave | May 3, 2015 | Blog, Reviews
Simplicity 1165 is one of my favorite patterns. I’ve used all the versions and love the way it turns out. I’ve made view A and cropped them to make them look like Audrey pants. For this view I used stretch poplin in pink and white polka dots on a black background. They are wonderfully comfy. I did notice my normal size in Simplicity patterns did not fit. I needed to use a size smaller. Not an issue. It’s easier to reduce a size than enlarge it once the pattern is sewn.
Next I made the shorter shorts view D in denim. They are great! Perfect fit the first time around. I also left the hem off and distressed them a little. I love the lived in look they give. I did not like the largeness of the leg opening at first. Then, I loved the comfort of them so much I didn’t really notice the legs anymore.
Nonetheless,I decided to try the longer tighter shorts. This is view C, I used linen blend fabric in medium gray. I stuck with the same size used for the other shorts and pants. WOW! Not my favorite shorts. Not at all! They are like a second skin. I’m not sure what I’ll end up doing with these. I do know at this point, they will not be worn much. I guess it’s time to start bicycling again? Anyway, I fully recommend this pattern, Simplicity 1165 to anyone looking to add variety to a summer wardrobe without much effort.
ENJOY!
by Dave | May 1, 2015 | Blog, Capsule, Lucy's Sewing Lab
What exactly does that mean? Capsule Wardrobe? At first, I wasn’t sure. A time capsule? And why would anyone want a time capsule wardrobe is beyond me. But actually capsule wardrobe simply means a minimalistic wardrobe. This is of great interest to me. I vowed at the beginning of the year not to buy any clothing. I’ve done incredibly well, although I did purchase a shirt my daughter designed. I don’t really count that as clothing though,it is art!
So, while researching this new idea I came to realize the wardrobes are normally about 32-37 pieces. I better get sewing! Unless I count all my shoes, maybe even one by one, I am seriously lacking. But, in theory, this sounds like a great challenge! There are various methods of creating this wardrobe. In most methods, the first step to a capsule wardrobe is to empty, yes empty, everything out of your closet. Okay, I just moved my clothing into new closet so that sounds like a pain. But, it is the first step, so guess what I’m doing today?
Possibly the easiest method I found suggested creating seven outfits from the clothing you already own. That sounds great but, to me, that already means seven bottoms. I’m not sure I have seven bottoms, so, again, I better get sewing. I found this great app though to keep track of your outfits. For me, this wardrobe plan consists of finding great sewing patterns that are versatile.
So far, I use all the patterns in the photo above. The pants/shorts pattern has supplied me with two pair of pants and two shorts. The skirt pattern I’ve used once and I’ve made two of those dresses. I just love the jacket though. I need to make that as well. I guess I really only need to make one more bottom. I have more clothing than I thought. I bet you do too. Really this concept is much easier for the seamstress. We do not have to scrounge around for clothing in stores. We can simply find four or five fabrics that work well together both in prints and solids. The most challenging part for me isn’t finding the patterns to make or the fabric for that matter. The challenge is to find the time to sew all the clothing required for a “minimalist” wardrobe. I don’t know about you, but I’m going to give it a try, I may even pick up a book or two from Amazon to help me through the struggle.
The Kindle Books are especially helpful to me. I can always find my phone or iPad to read them when needed. So, with my patterns, fabric, app, and kindle books, I am ready to get started. Look for my outfit combinations on future blogs. Most of all ENJOY!
by Dave | Apr 29, 2015 | Blog, Lucy's Sewing Lab, Reviews
When I first started this blog I made a best of list to include what I thought was the best sewing blogs. Well, some time has passed and now I think I need to revise that list or better yet create a best of list for beginners. When I started sewing again, I had no idea where to look for anything! I was so glad I had a friend that was willing to help me find my way around.
- Singer it’s the brand of machine I purchased. I don’t know if the brand makes a difference or not but, the section for beginner sewing has projects. I didn’t have a single pattern when I started sewing. They have a very easy section. I used this quite a bit in the beginning.
- Pink Chocolate Break she has a great beginner sewing tutorial section. Wonderful, especially if, like me, you haven’t bought any patterns yet.
- Andrea’s Notebook I used this and made the most beautiful kimono. HINT*** I used stretch lace with a border. I didn’t need to hem it. That, for me, is always a huge plus!
- What the Craft has an awesome tutorial for making a circle skirt. You know, so you have something to wear to work. Your friends will be so impressed!
- Sewing Directory one of the best beginner sewing shopping trip guides. Actually, if I was an organized type beginner, this would be number one on my list.
- Simplicity this company has a section of patterns called learn to sew. Yes! Of course I have used most of these. I love them! If you like using videos to sew there are several produced by Simplicity that have video tutorials online as well.
- Mimi G. this is a designer that produces patterns for Simplicity along with tutorials. The link will take you to her tutorial page.
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Pattern Review this is a good resource for pattern shopping. I find a pattern I think I may like and search for a review on here. This helps me decide if the pattern is worth the money or not. It’s saved me a few hours. The occasions I wasted time and money trying to make something and failed I did not refer to this resource. 🙁
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Craftsy I love this place! So many free sewing lessons. I have all the free ones I could find. Free topics include everything from sewing machine feet, zippers, bag making, sewing with knits, and probably more I have not found yet.
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So Sew Easy she shares tutorials as she masters the technique.
Most of all ENJOY your sewing!!
