by Lucy | Mar 19, 2015 | Blog, Reviews
Starting right now, buy fabric online!
Business owners have it all, you know? They have the goods we want. But, so does everyone else online. Gone are the days of exclusive online purchasing, thank you world-wide (shopping mall) web! I recently tried to purchase some black knit fabric for the warmer months. I cannot believe I live in a city with four major fabric stores, well, two of each, and no one had what I needed! I started shopping online a few months ago because the local retailers did not have the variety I wanted. I am glad I did! Except for the shipping charges, I love the fabric I’ve gotten online. I’ve only shopped at Girl Charlee so far. Their product is far superior to what I have purchased locally. The prices are even better! I love them. The problem is, they sell mostly knit. You know, a girl likes to experiment with other textiles, right? I began the search today for the best quality at the lowest prices, including shipping, online.
- Amazon– an all-inclusive list is at the link 🙂 If you shop at certain vendors and spend 35 dollars, shipping is free. Or you can become a premium member and shipping is free.
- Girl Charlee– Amazing product, mostly in the $6-$8 range. But, they sell bargain bins of flawed fabric for around $2 a yard. The shipping is free with $100 purchase, or $10 for anything less than that.
- Fabric.com– is a great site with prices comparable to Girl Charlee. The shipping is free on this website if you spend $35!! Ding Ding, that’s easy enough right?
- Michael Levine, Inc.– Is endorsed by the amazing Mimi G., for those fanatics of her work. This site is really pretty good, I spent a fair amount of time here filling up my basket. Their fabrics begin around the $6 range and you can spend as much as you want on fabric from there. I’m on the stingy side though, I stay at the bottom end. More fabric for my buck right? Their shipping is not a flat rate, it’s based on the true shipping cost. At $75 your shipping is free though. We love free shipping!!
- Mood Fabrics– Has ah-maz-ing fashion fabrics! I love that site! Their prices start at around $2 and go up from there. Remember, it is fashion fabric, so the prices go way up there! But, I believe there is something for everyone. They also have a rewards program. Points earned for pinning the fabric, sharing it on social networks, and various other things.
- Fashion Fabrics Club– The prices are comparable to everywhere else I’ve looked online. They have the largest selection of Denim I’ve ever seen, two hundred and nine varietieswithlycra! Shipping seems the best I’ve found so far.
- up to $25.00 – $6.95
- $25.01 to $50 – $8.95
- $50.01 to $100 – $11.95
- Seriously, look for part two to this blog. I’ve looked at so much fabric today I believe they are all looking the same to me. I’ve enjoyed this! Part Two coming soon. Besides, I have shopping carts to take care of 🙂
by Lucy | Mar 17, 2015 | Blog, Fitting
Jeans shopping is the worst experience. This pair fits perfect except for_____________. I love this pair but hate the ___________ on them. Usually they don’t fit well because they are made for an average body. What average really means these days is hard to figure out. But, if you’re having problems fitting some areas, this is the answer to all your problems. She has gone way beyond the call of duty and insisted her blog would be complete and all seamstresses everywhere would love her guides.
I’ve found the best way to find the best fitting pair of jeans is to make them yourself. Always remember to read the website discussed above for any problem areas you may have. The more you study the construction of pants the easier the daunting task becomes.
Seriously, once you find a great fitting pants pattern, jeans are really nothing more than great fitting pants with a bunch of topstitching. Go for it! You’ll be glad you did.
by Lucy | Mar 16, 2015 | Blog, Reviews
Look at those! I just want to spend the rest of the month sewing these. Her patterns are amazing and they look so much like off the rack. Each pattern has so many options. The skirt patterns have tops, the top patterns have pants, it’s amazing!
My last purchase was the yellow skirt, Simplicity 1366 is unexpectedly trendy. The skirt alone was the selling point. But, I opened it to realize the envelope also contains a pattern for a cami and a boatneck top. I believe there is nothing classier and more comfortable than a boatneck. This can be a really cute and casual tee for jeans or a silk blouse to accompany the skirt. Anyway, that’s how I plan to spend my afternoon. Any plans for yours?
******UPDATE******
I’ve sewn the boatneck top twice now. I love it! It’s a quick sew and the neckline is very easy to install. The only problem I had is I forgot to add length. So, that’s not really a problem, right? I just added a band at the bottom. I sewed it out of interlock knit so it is really comfy. You’ll be seeing a lot of this top on my blog this season. I made a peplum version as well. I promise to post those pictures!
by Lucy | Mar 15, 2015 | Blog, Experimentation, Lucy's Sewing Lab
I did it! I attacked the denim with scissors. I’ll lead you through the progression of sewing boyfriend jeans. I took a jegging pattern I have used before and used that as a base. I added an inch all the way around, in hopes of creating the ultimate pattern for Boyfriend jeans. I couldn’t wait to sew these pieces of denim together. It was wonderful, watching my creation come to life. I tried them on, they fit well. But…..as I was getting ready to sew the two legs together, I realized they didn’t fit together the way they should. You know, the way they should fit together to make jeans. I had sewn the inseam to the outer seam. UGH! This was not going to work. I didn’t have jeans, I had a huge mess, sewn together with care.
My seam ripper and I have become close today. I took those wonderful jeans, and ripped them apart. So, here I sit, ready for round two with that fabric. Hopefully this time….I’ll have a result that resembles boyfriend jeans?
If you are not as adventurous as I am there are plenty of blogs out about upcycling to create boyfriend jeans. I have yet to finish these jeans, with fall right around the corner, I may just be jumping on the upcycle bandwagon for boyfriend jeans.
Until next time…ENJOY
by Lucy | Mar 15, 2015 | Blog, Experimentation, Lucy's Sewing Lab
I’ve been obsessed with jeans lately. So, when I found this denim for three dollars a yard I had to buy it. It’s 2% spandex and 98% cotton, a charcoal gray color, with an extraordinary amount of sizing in it. It sounded like sandpaper when they were cutting it at the store. I came home and soaked it in vinegar, baking soda, and detergent. It is a lot softer now than it was when I brought it home, but I think working with it will make it even softer. Given the texture, I’m going for Boyfriend jeans this time.
My favorite jeans vaporized. Not really, but they were so worn out the butt fell completely out one night. So, I’ve become obsessed with making the perfect pair of jeans. Because I am a tightwad and it’s so challenging! I recently completed a pair of jeggings.
These took me a very long time, mostly because I’m in search of the perfect jeans. I am almost finished…they are wearable, but need more topstitching. I’m giving them a trial run today. So far, so good! The main problem with these is they have too much stretch in them. Never a bad thing right? Well, unless….that’s not the fit you were hoping for making.
During the experimentation process I learned quite a few tips. I’ll get around to sharing these with you. But right now I want to talk about why jeans get such a bad rep. I know why they cost so much. There is tons and tons of detail that goes into the making of jeans. Think about all that topstitching, even on the belt loops! I used an entire spool of thread on one pair. I didn’t even use the same color for the bobbin. Which reminds me, I need to purchase some more of that thread so I can finish the little pesky details.
When you go shopping for the fabric pay close attention to the weight. I think the heavier the better, think Levis denim. But, the 7oz denim I used on my jeggings is mighty comfy. I guess it’s a personal thing. That’s why they make so much money on them. Everyone likes something a little different.
I’m going to tackle the fabric now, with scissors. I’ll keep you updated on the process with pictures and stories about my mishaps and victories.
