Scary September Wrap Up

Well here it is - October already - and I am a little late with my wrap up. This is because I have had visitors. My sister and her friend came down to stay for a while and therefore there has been yak yak yak instead of sew / write etc. This is also why I may not have been able to visit your blog and leave comments. Too many late nights with too many glasses of vino. It was great showing off my wardrobe of me sewn garments (I think it time to invest in some of those choice little "made by me" labels ........  :-) :-)

Below is a update of all of the scary jumpers who have made progress (or discussed progress) since the last update. Please check out the links below to see more of their items. Once again I have only included jumpers who have made the leap.

Nothy Lane from Aft Agley is still working on her lovely roll collar coat - she wants a little bit more time and I am more than happy to report on her finished item later.

Becki-c from Beccabeckstuff has done this simply stunning Marfy blouse as part of her wardrobe - isn't it DIVINE

Louise from No23 has finished her wardrobe and entered the PR wardrobe contest. If you are a member of PR you can vote for it here  until the 10th October- I certainly did - it is sure worth a vote - let's get behind our group. What a great wardrobe.

Sue from Quiltsewsewsue has completed another item for her wardrobe - a lovely pearl cardigan. Just what is needed for our Spring.

Juliet from The Crazy Gypsy Chronicles made her first indie pattern the Colette Chantilly as pledged - isn't it gorgeous. Check out the link above to see her very funny post about it including a mad dash to sew the SAME teal fabric as a lot of other sewists. See their results here

The gorgeous Kat from the Engineer's Other life conquered her fear of prints - and doesn't she look great in them.

JuliN from the Happy Homemaker Redux has made progress on her corset - see her grommets below. (I've always wanted to use the word grommet)

Valerie from Valerie's own sewing blog has done many posts on her pants block. Her recent post tells how she used the pants block to make a very lovely very summery pair of cotton cargos. Check out her blog

Lynn from You Sew Girl did pledge to do a fitted woven blouse. Now - she didn't do that but I am including her as her absolutely fab coat is certainly fitted and woven and deserves a show off. Beautiful.

What a great effort from everyone! If I have missed anyone - let me know.

Now I am not going to embarrass those of us who didn't do our items for Scary Sept - except for one - me - yes that is right - I failed - I didn't do my zip or my top - *sigh* I am crawling into the corner in shame........

It seems that whenever I make plans I fail in the execution. I love making plans though. I keep telling myself - don't plan - but it is sooo much fun. My sewing is much better and more productive when I go with my mojoflo - what attracts me that weekend..... I have the attention span of a goldfish *sigh*

I have really enjoyed Scary September - even though my jump was a dismal failure - I so enjoyed watching my fellow sewists conquer their fears in such a formidable way. Well done you!

I may just take Nothy Lane up on her suggestion to make this an annual event! I am going to leave the blogroll up for another week or so if you want to check out the scary jumpers.

So what's my next plan (yes - there is that four letter word)! I have joined in with SarahLiz on her one garment a month challenge... There is one rule that I may well flout.... picking a pattern and blogging the plans. I think I will just go with my mojoflo.

One thing I do want to complete is the fractured knit cardi that I picked for my scary September... I am going to change the pattern though - that is where I fell over. I was inspired by the workshop we did (but unfortunately it was the last weekend of the month so learnt the skills a bit late for Scary September).... I am totally in love with the below jacket that the incredible Suzanne Gray (sewing teacher extraordinaire!) made. This was my inspiration. To think that she made this out of a racer back tourist t-shirt. I often see tourist (or other tees) that won't fit me. Now I have a solution. This is magnificent. (And Paris is a favourite city of mine)

I have the zip (thanks for all of the suggestions for places to buy) and ONE DAY I will do it. (Well - more than one day LOL)

Have a great day.

Scary September - toward the home stretch.

Well we are coming to the last week of Scary September with some great results from fearless jumpers.

Here is an update:

Nothy Lane from Aft Agley has progressed on a lovely faux suede four button jacket. Love the colour and lushness of the jacket. Check out her progress here

Becki-C from Beccabeck Stuff has completed a beautiful feminine Marfy blouse as item 2 for her wardrobe.
Have a closer look at her site.

Lynda from Lynda's sewing and SWAPs has put a toe in the waters of Scary September. I say put a toe in as she is doing bras - which to her isn't very scary (TERRIFYING to me) but finds fit a bit of a problem. So she has inadvertently joined. She is making great progress on her bra - check it out on her site.

Sarah Liz from Sarah Liz Sew Style has been a busy girl  - dare I say it  - serging ahead  - with yet more challenges for herself.

The next one she conquered was using the sure-fit system to self draft a skirt.. and the results are great. Love that skirt.

Another thing Sarah Liz is working on is learning all of the changes needed to take any pant pattern and use a pant block to make them fit her. Here is a peek..

Check out the rest of her progress on her blog.

Valerie from Valerie's own sewing blog is straight off the blocks (Doh) with her pants block. She is onto part 3 and using a flexible curve measure to measure the crotch of RTW jeans to help her get the best fit. I would love to show a pic but the option to copy pics on her blog is disabled. Please go over here to check out her progress. If you are interested in doing a pants block you will find it fascinating.

I have only done updates for those who have sewing to show on their blogs. If I have missed you - please let me know.

As for me...... the originator of Scary September ..... very scared indeed. I did a trial and it didn't work - forgot to lower the bust - did do an FBA but not a LBA (Lower bust adjustment). So I thought I would give it a rest and do a StyleArc dress - Slip on Suzie - and that didn't work either - may be salvageable or may be a wadder - don't know yet. Sewing mojo scared right out the door. Oh well - next Saturday is my sewing guild day where I do the class so I am hoping the mojo comes back by then.

Scary September - half way point

Time for an update with our Fearless Jumpers.

First past the post (to completely finish her challenge) is Sarah Liz who has completed her trendy patterned pants. Aren't they fab?

Sarah has set herself a new challenge for Scary September. Check it out here. And also - join in her one garment a month challenge if you are game. I jumped in but only if there is a promise of no whipping for failures......


Nothy Lane from Aft Agley has also finished one of her button downs and it is a stunning pink ruffled shirt. Check out more on her progress here

Louise from No 23 has finished her second wardrobe garment. She has identified sewing a bra for scary September after she finishes her mini wardrobe - but sewing a mini wardrobe in itself is such as challenge....

Check out her great skirt (below) in more detail and other plans here.

Becki from Beccabeckstuff is facing some frustration with her pants in the mini wardrobe challenge. Read all about it here

Shawnta from Shawntasews has kickstarted her impressive scary list by sewing with French Seams. Have a closer look here

Whilst waiting for corset supplies to arrive, JuliN from the Happy Homemaker has been practicing her skills. Have a look

As for moi?????

Well a bit of a hiccup. I made a humongous error on my FBA for the Katherine Tilton pattern - I now have to retrace it and start again for that piece so it is sitting dejected on the dining table until I can face it again.. *sigh*. On a positive note I have received the ordered zip. Thank you to everyone who gave me info on where to get them. I decided to go with diamante. Go figure - talk about stepping out of the comfort zone. I ordered one in black and one in white as I wasn't sure what would go better. They are pretty stunning.

If I have missed you - I apologise. Please let me know.

On another note - for all the Aussie people who read my blog - or even non-Aussies who are interested in the Land Down Under....... Check out the blog that TwoToast from SpottyDogSocialClub has put together to journal her visit to Oz... I must admit a fascination of visitor's impressions of Australia. Does that make me gauche? Anyway - I am loving it. Follow along here if you want and have a look at Oz through someone else's eyes.

September 7 - 1st Scary September update

I have been going through the blogs of my fellow jumpers to see where their planning or sewing is up to for Scary September.

Alison from The Artisanry of Acorn Cottage is working on getting the fit right for her bra by using a purchased one.

JuliN from The happy homemaker - redux has drafter her corset. An exciting step

Nothy Lane from Aft Agley has decided to do one shirt a week - wow - exhausts me just thinking about it..

becki-c from beccabeck stuff has made a start to her wardrobe for the PR contest by cutting out her trousers.

Louise From no 23 has galloped ahead and finished her first item for her wardrobe - a lovely top.

Sue from Quilt, Sew, Sew Sue has posted her plans for her mini wardrobe - looking good.

SarahLiz from SarahLizSewStyle has chosen the fabric for her pants - nice one!

Be sure to click on the links above and check out their progress.

As for me... I have traced and cut the paper pattern for my Vogue top - I just need now to make it my size. I am going to make it without the zip first - no no no - I am not wimping out - just a suggestion from Myrna that I get the pattern right first. Good idea.

If you have commenced your Scary September projects and I have missed your post - or indeed if you have pledged to Scary September and I have somehow missed it and you don't appear on the sidebar - please let me know and I will rectify ASAP.

Also - if you want to play along - it is not too late. You have until the end of September. Jump off the cliff any time and let me know.

As we go along and get more into it - I would like to post pictures of completed garments. I can copy off your blog. If you don't want me to do this, let me know and I won't.

Please forgive me if I haven't commented on your blogs of late. I have just got my broadband back YEAH.. I have been able to flick through most posts but I missed way too much to be able to stop and comment on all blogs. 

All is back as it should be now and I am cruising the web and reading to my heart's content.

Enjoy your sewing - that's what it is all about.

Tick tock .... time is approaching .... Scary September is almost here

It has been quite a challenging time for me already for me as I HAVE HAD NO BROADBAND!!!!!!! Over a week ago a AUSGRID (Electricity) worker was doing maintenance in the next suburb and did something that blew the whole grid and several suburbs lost electricity. That was fixed however something happened to my bigpond broadbrand and I have been without full on internet ever since. A technician is coming out on Tuesday and will hopefully fix it but until then I have had to acquire a small capacity dodo dongle to use so that I can still run my business (although it hasn't helped with using my wireless printers!!)

Consequently I haven't been blogging or reading many blogs as the capacity on my dongle has to be kept for work. (every now and then I have taken a peek - can't help myself!!)

I apologise if I normally comment on your posts but haven't been of late. I will try to catch up when broadband comes back.

As September is almost here I thought I would use a little dodo juice to remind us that Scary September is upon us...

I am so looking forward to stepping out of my comfort zone and absolutely thrilled that I will have company on the journey.

It is not to late to join in - if you want to just let me know and I will add you to the list of jumpers below. Likewise - if you are listed below and you want to change your challenge - let me know.

Here is what we are doing

Alison from The Artisanry of Acorn Cottage

Alison is hoping to tackle making her own bras in September (Wow – that really is a challenge)

Valerie from Valerie's own sewing blog

Valerie is going to create a pants block - something that most sewists struggle with - good luck.

Kat Jackson from The Engineer's Other Life

Kat is going to try to use more prints (Yes Kat – cross over to the dark side!!)

Nanna from Nanna's Place

As it's been 30 years since Helen touched a buttonhole attachment or a zipper, she is going to tackle that (along with me!!!! I need to do that too)

Towanda from Life is sew sew good

Jackets and woven tops will be Towanda’s focus. She is also liking the idea of mixing prints. (Looking forward to seeing what you come up with)

prttynpnk from Pretty Grievances

Yeah – Anne will be sewing the same pattern as me (Vogue 8691 – Katherine Tilton) Yeah!! (It will be great to see what my sister comes up with – we can compare from across the ocean).

Carole Mellin  from Mia's sewing room

Carol is looking to step off the edge into "artsy" along with me. (It will be great to see all of the artsy pieces coming through)

Leonie Picton from Sew Leonie

Leonie has set quite a task for September. She is going to enter the PR Mini Wardrobe Competition - Also, 2 of her garments are going to contain very scary zips. (Good luck with both. I have entered in the past and like you, hadn’t got past the comment board. I shall watch with interest)

L from You sew, girl

L is going to try a fitted woven blouse or bras. (I am scared of the fitted woven too – knits are so much more forgiving…… as for bras…. Now THAT is really scary)

JuliN from The happy homemaker - redux

Julie is either going for a fully coordinated wardrobe or to make her own corset (both equally scary – I will be cheering you on)

Louise From no 23

Louise is joining the mini wardrobe contest in Pattern Review. This is a massive challenge in itself. (I know - I have joined a couple and never succeeded - good luck Louise - I'm sure you will do it)

Nothy Lane from Aft Agley

Nothy Lane is going for a coat or a bunch of buttondowns. (Wow – a coat is definitely a challenge – not sure what buttondowns are?? But I am sure that they are also scary. I will look forward to seeing what you end up doing)

Sue from Quilt, Sew, Sew Sue

Sue is also looking at the mini wardrobe contest. (Fantastic - looking forward to seeing your wardrobe done).

Maggie from Maggie's Crafting Adventures

Maggie is drafting her own pant pattern – wow – and also going to alter  and complete a muslin from a Connie Crawford pant pattern. (Go Maggie).

SewRuthie from Sew Ruthie

Ruthie is going to try the very challenging task of making a jacket from boiled wool. (Got to check that out!)

KC from The Sewcratic Method

KC is on the road to making wearable pants (pjs not included) - good luck - looking forward to seeing them

becki-c from beccabeck stuff

Becki is another intrepid jumper who is tackling a whole wardrobe of 4 coordinated garments. Good luck - I am so looking forward to seeing these come to life.

Mocha Scrapper from Pattern Therapy

The wonderful Marvita at Pattern Therapy is joining in to sew with sheer lightweight materials in a dress blouses (not knits) with french seams. Sounds beautiful. Marvita (along with Natalea) are hosting their own challenge at Sew Your Own Wardrobe For a Year! I have joined in – along with many others and am pleased to say no RTW clothes have crossed this threshold since.

SarahLiz from SarahLizSewStyle

Sarah Liz is joining in the fun and going to sew a slim leg jean or trouser using a stretch fabric. That will be great and very interested to see what you come up with .

     Juliet from   The Crazy Gypsy Chronicles

     Juliette is tackling an Indie pattern for the first time - the Colette Chantilly – sounds great – looking    forward to seeing it finished.

       tropicalthreads from http://tropicalthreads.wordpress.com/about/

      Tropical Threads is going to complete a properly finished bra. You are certainly braver than I!

shawntasews from http://shawntasews.wordpress.com/

Shawnta is tackling a whole lot of challenges including lining a jacket, dealing with light fabrics like chiffon with French Seams and creating a lining pattern for a dress. Wow - go girl.

Please check out their blogs and watch their progress. I will also be posting on progress - both my own and my fellow jumpers.

Of course my challenge is to make Vogue 8691 with zip.

BTW does anyone know where I can get a zip similar to the one on the top below?

I look forward to seeing the steps we all take

Abby in Teal and another TNT

I sewed this Abby cardigan back during the fabulous sewing weekend away but wanted to photograph  it when I made a dress out of the gorgeous "Carolyn" fabric. It is hard to see in the photos but it really has some lovely teal colours in it that can be picked up with the cardi. Originally I wanted to sew a jacket to match like Carolyn's but hey - I had this lovely teal fabric and I do like a long cardi on me.

I can't capture the beauty of this fabric in pictures. I tried both indoor and outdoor but the colours don't show as they should. They don't come out very vibrant.

Not much in the way of new to me techniques to talk of here. Both dress and Cardi are tried and true - but I really love the look of these ones and received unsolicitations  from some colleagues. Not on any one item but an overall - you look lovely today (makes you think - what do I normally look like?).

As I said - not much in the way of techniques. Am I getting lazy? I used to love to finish my posts with what I have learnt. It occurs to me that "Scary September" marks the beginning of my 3rd year of sewing. I started sewing in October 2011 and had thought I had learnt a lot - but now I feel that I am floating in the shallow end of the beginners pool - hence Scary September.

Carolyn also wrote a thought provoking post recently starting with:

“Do you ever think the good results you achieve are more luck than skill? Do you ever question whether you've actually got the goods or that you’re skating on a wing and a prayer?”

In thinking about my skill I think I am becoming proficient in some of the entry level skills but really need to stretch myself. I will still sew my TNT's (especially the dress) and some will be simple but I want to incorporate some more advanced beginner techniques in making my TNT dresses.

In thinking about challenging myself and stepping out of the comfort zone, Scary September will start my year of challenges. I have made a list skills and where I think they rate on the skill level board. I am also going to rate myself 1 being - done it but only just to 3 being comfortable doing the skill. This way I know what I still need to practice.

Please - all you talented, experienced sewists out there, have I missed a vital skill? Have I imagined one harder than it is and placed it in the incorrect category - or will some be harder than I thought and need to be re-categorized ? Is there some basic beginner skill I have missed that I really should learn before moving on. There is something to be said for diving in to fearless sewing - but that is more likely to spook me. I like steps. Looking at the list - I have a long way to go.

Please note - this list is for me to "tick off" as I learn a new skill and for that purpose only. I am not that stuck on what skill LEVEL I am at - rather what skills I still need to learn and how I should progress. Also to help me to stop avoiding things - like zips and buttons. I have more sewing phobias than you can poke a stick at. To progress past my lovely knit TNTs I need to push.

I have also gone nowhere near expert / couture in my skill list. I think that takes a life time of sewing and I only started sewing at age 49. Wouldn't even know what skills are there anyway! I don't aspire to be an expert - just to fill my wardrobe with great clothes that don't look like Harriet Homemaker has done them.

As I started this blog to track my progress, once I have the list finalised I will put it on a separate page so I can tick off as I learn.

Level	Skill	Rating 1 - 3
Beginner	Sew straight and curved seams (funny how long it took me to master this!!)	3
Beginner	Elastic waist pants and skirts	2
Beginner	Set flat sleeve	3
Beginner	Sew blind hem	2
Beginner	Sew narrow hem	1
Beginner	Sew simple shift dress	3
Beginner	Sewing lapped zips	2
Advanced Beginner	Sew bindings for neck and armholes including attaching knit bands and internal bias for wovens	1
Advanced Beginner	Set sleeve in armhole	2
Advanced Beginner	Buttons and automatic button holes
Advanced Beginner	invisible zip
Advanced Beginner	Simple collar	1
Advanced Beginner	using stud embellishments
Advanced Beginner	In seam pockets
Advanced Beginner	Patch pockets
Advanced Beginner	Modify patterns for fit	1
Advanced Beginner	Do a full bust adjustment	2
Intermediate	Lining with zipper
Intermediate	Collars with collar stand
Intermediate	Lining with facings
Intermediate	Felled seams
Intermediate	Modify patterns for design
Intermediate	Sew cuffs and plackards
Intermediate	Sew looped buttonholes
Intermediate	Flap pocket
Advanced	Sew with all types of fabrics
Advanced	Lined jacket
Advanced	Piping
Advanced	Jeans
Advanced	Welted pockets
Advanced	Bound pockets
Advanced	Sew most items without instructions
Advanced	Comfortable making any pattern
Advanced	Feel comfortable using fabrics not recommended on the pattern envelope
Advanced	Have a broad knowledge of interfacings, underlinings, interlinings and linings
Advanced	Can do Hong Kong finishes and French seams
Advanced	Sew Bound buttonholes

What have I learnt today?

That I still have a lot to learn.