tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-16668424558733097072024-03-13T07:36:15.061-07:00Ruthie is CreativeRuthiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03358331064038086397noreply@blogger.comBlogger2125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1666842455873309707.post-91730010200266089212010-07-25T08:40:00.000-07:002010-07-25T09:43:16.011-07:00Simplicity 3692 Build by Wendy<div style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/veganruthie/4827332134/" title="Simplicity 3692 by veganruthie, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4097/4827332134_65b318a143.jpg" width="500" height="478" alt="Simplicity 3692" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">I finished the first of my ten Simplicity patterns!! Time to review it. :-)</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/veganruthie/4826704213/" title="Simplicity 3692 by veganruthie, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4075/4826704213_92c8297f5b.jpg" width="375" height="500" alt="Simplicity 3692 " /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><div style="text-align: left;"><b>Pattern:</b></div><div style="text-align: left;">This is a build by Wendy top, designed for stretchy knits. I made view C without the lace and shortened it/omitted the elastic. The elastic waist gave it a "My top is always tucked into my pants" look, which isn't what I wanted. I read the reviews on pattern review, which said to size down. I cut a size 16 (which is sized down for me, as I usually cut a 18 or 20), and realized I needed it to be sized down even more, so I cut a 12. I like the fitted results rather than a loosey goosey top. I felt this fabric would look like a graduation gown/choir girl dress if it was super loose. The pattern was easy to work with, but I should have paid more attention to it while I sewed, as I kind of said to myself "This is EASY" and just did what looked right. I think if I read the directions better the facings would have turned out nicer. I think it looks just like the pattern envelope.</div><div><br /></div></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/veganruthie/4826704161/" title="Simplicity 3692 by veganruthie, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4134/4826704161_6365ae12f4_m.jpg" width="180" height="240" alt="Simplicity 3692 " /></a><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">Simplicity 3692 </div><div><br /></div><div><b>Fabric:</b></div><div>I used something called Traveler's Knit, a super polyester fabric I found at Hobby Lobby in the remnant section for $2.50. Actually, my friend and fellow seamstress Shawn found it and pointed it out to me.</div><div><br /></div><div>I sew with all kinds of fabric, but when it comes to Houston summers, I'm all about loose, sweat wicking franken-fiber knits. If I could describe the type of fabric I sew with most often, I would say: cheap! I love a bargain.</div><div><b><br /></b></div><div><b>Total cost:</b></div><div>Pattern: $1</div><div>Fabric: $2.50</div><div>Buttons: bought at garage sale in giant bag, pretty much free</div><div><b><br /></b></div><div><b>What I learned:</b></div><div>1. How to use an over-edge stitch to finish off ugly raw edges. This is an alternative to serging, which is not an option for me as I don't have a serger. I love the way the inner raw edges turned out.</div><div><br /></div><div><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/veganruthie/4826704193/" title="Simplicity 3692 by veganruthie, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4093/4826704193_e64779ecc8_m.jpg" width="240" height="180" alt="Simplicity 3692 " /></a></div></div><div><br /></div><div>2. Why you should use a ball point needle with knits. I "knew" you should, as a ball point needle is supposed to go between the loops of a knit fabric, instead of cutting through them, but I always thought a universal needle worked just fine... until I had to rip out some stitches. ACK! The reason you want to use a ball point needle is that it doesn't completely chew your fabric up, on the <i>rare </i>*wink wink* occasion that you actually do have to rip some stitches out. Lesson learned!</div><div><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/veganruthie/4826704181/" title="Simplicity 3692 by veganruthie, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4117/4826704181_9e0842013f_m.jpg" width="240" height="180" alt="Simplicity 3692 " /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">3. Um... always use matching thread. Helps hide mistakes :-)</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">4. I need a more reliable place to take pictures! I would also like to make myself a duct tape dress form. I think if I have a more reliable set up for picture taking, the review part will go a lot easier. </div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">Also... I need a new sewing machine, boooo :-(</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">Wear/sew again?:</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">Maybe. This is the kind of pattern that has a unique look that a lot of home-sewn clothing does, but that you don't really see a lot in the stores. Possibly because it's easier to sew but less flattering than most store bought tops. While it was fun and quick and used only a little fabric, in actuality knit tops are super cheap and most store bought ones are more flattering than this. I am trying to stretch my sewing skills to tops though, so maybe. :-)</div>Ruthiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03358331064038086397noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1666842455873309707.post-18495666248932356552010-07-23T09:09:00.000-07:002010-07-23T09:22:45.149-07:0010 Simplicity patterns<div align="center">I want to inspire myself to finish all 10 patterns I bought at a Simplicity pattern sale yesterday. 10 buckeroos for all of these:<br /><a title="Simplicity patterns, $0.99 each, limit 10 by veganruthie, on Flickr" href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/veganruthie/4821097668/"><img alt="Simplicity patterns, $0.99 each, limit 10" src="http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4123/4821097668_a19e4aa7f0.jpg" width="500" height="375" /></a></div><p><br /><br />We're going to see if I can make them all and how they look on a real person! With curves and stuff :-) Mostly Built by Wendy, Project Runway and Amazing Fit, with one easy peasy peasant top and one vintage inspired 1940's one thrown in there. </p><p>I will sew, price out, and review each pattern. Lets go!</p>Ruthiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03358331064038086397noreply@blogger.com1