Welcome to the family Elna 744

I have a new baby..... The Elna 744 combined Overlocker and Coverstitch machine.

I have been thinking about getting a coverstitch machine and started to look into it when lo and behold a "still in the box - never been used" Elna 744 came my way through Gumtree. It was local to me - pick up only about 20 mins from my house - so I moseyed  (read sped with my foot on the accelerator) on over yesterday before the sewing group I attend started. Phew - what a rush - both physically and emotionally.

I had read that it's better to have a separate overlocker and coverstitch machine as it can be tricky and time consuming to switch them over. I already had an overlocker - the Elna 654 Pro so I primarily wanted a coverstitch machine to do all those lovely hems (hopefully) and when this dual machine came up on Gumtree I thought a "spare" overlocker would be good so I can keep it set up as a coverstitch and only change it over if need be. It is an early Xmas pressie to myself.

Isn't she pretty. And she actually was still in the box never used as claimed. Still had the manufactures threading and sample attached and everything was still originally wrapped in plastic and sealed. I think I got a good deal.

Well - I am happy anyway. Off to have a play - I was too tired after sewing at the sewing group yesterday and have been vacuuming etc this morning. 

Craftsy online classes - SALE

These sales..... makes it hard for a girl to resist.

Craftsy online sewing courses are on sale - most for under $20.

Mind you - I had already purchased some at full price but that didn't stop me from going and purchasing some more. I am now enrolled in the following.

Now there are many of my sewing sisters out there that need no additional help in the sewing arena - but I definitely need help.

I have looked through 2 already - not sewing but looking - and am happy with these.

Plus sized pattern fitting and design. This one comes with pattern V8815 supplied in the price - a lovely peplum top. What I liked about this class is not only is it for plus sizes - but I wanted to know how to turn this

into 

Barbara (craftsy teacher) talks you through it but unfortunately doesn't "walk" you through it. She gives you the info on how to do it so I shall certainly try after I make the original top. Most of the lessons are concentrating on fitting the top. Some of my fellow sewing bloggers are making wonderful trench coats - check out Velosewer's finished trench on How Good Is That and Sharon progress at Petite and Sewing.

Now I am years away from making a trench like those - I am going to start with a "rain coat" made out of V8815. The look of the "coat" Barbara made appeals to me. There are no pockets, buttons, flaps, belts etc.... sew I am hoping I can get through it. The original pattern is rated easy - so fingers crossed. It is not first on my sewing list but I do want to sew it after I make some of the original versions of the top.

The other class I looked at was the Tailored Shirt. Now this class looks fantastic. I have looked through it and it seems that Pam (teacher) actually "walks" you through everything so you can sew along. This is very exciting for me and what I truly need in a class. Teacher does the step - I do the step. Again - this is not the first one on my list to do as I want to sew some easier things first.

I purchased the couture dress for the future. I think this will help me to learn some great techniques - a little further down the line.... but couldn't resist the SALE..

The art of cloth dying and jewelry making are both things I am interested in - but way down the line.

During my upcoming holidays I am going to do the Sewing with Knits, Plus Sized Pattern Fitting and hopefully get onto the pants fitting and construction.. I am hoping...

SWAP (Again)

Yes - I am going to try to SWAP again.... this time with Artisan Square sewing forum. It is 2 capsules with one item bridging the 2 capsules - a total of 11 items.

The rules are a lot more flexible than the one I tried previously and although there are a lot of items, the first stitch can be sewn on boxing day and it finishes end of April.

This is great as I have signed up for a couple of Craftsy courses and I plan to do this over the holidays so have incorporated the items into my plan.

Sew far I have sewn a toile for the Pamela's Pattern T-shirt (no pictures as it was very fine knit and needed adjustments - not a good look).

I have now made adjustment to the pattern and will sew up another toile.

With this contest you can actually cut the material before hand which is good too.

The purpose of this contest for me is to challenge myself and not to get discouraged with the wadders that will appear. The longer time frame will help with this.

Here is my plan.

Wish me luck!

A "thank you"

I received my first blog award today from the enviable (for her fantastic sewing skills and mean looking  limoncello and now aranciello ) Carolyn from Handmade by Carolyn.

This award is to thank the people who take the time to leave a comment on your posts. It is always great to receive comments from fellow sewists.

I first started my blog last December as a way to journal my learning process and outcomes but it quickly became a way to connect with other sewists, get inspiration, learn new ways of doing things and importantly get feedback and advice during my learning journey. And I must say that I LOVE to receive these comments.

I know that there are a lot of lurkers out there in the blogesphere. If you pass by my blog - read it but don't leave a comment - that's cool too. I hope you enjoy it. I lurk on some blogs but I do try to leave comments - sometimes to support my new community - but mostly because I am floored by what I see and learn.

So -- firstly I would like to say a HUGE thank you to everyone who reads my blog - a MASSIVE thank you to everyone who takes the time to leave a thoughtful comment.

And now for the "official" thank yous.

The rules are (copied and pasted from Carolyn's blog)..

"  There is no requirement to do anything like list stuff about yourself, just to pass it on to the last nine bloggers to comment on your blog...So I'm interpreting that, rightly or wrongly, as the first nine on my previous post, not counting the ladies who passed it on to me.  "

I would love to award this thank you to the following sewists by way of a small introduction to what they are up to:

Velosewer - from How Good is That - whom I have had the pleasure of meeting. Velosewer is now going to tackle a beautiful looking purple trench coat with red lining - woo hoo (if I could wolf whistle in writing I would).

Judith (Made by J) - who has been rocking out great tops and is the master (mistress??) of the Sorbetto IMHO

Suzy (Suzy Bee Sews) - check out her fantastic slacks on her blog. She has the fit down pat and has been rocking them out. She is now moving on to bras - wow - I am in awe.

MrsC - The Hectic Eclectic herself who has been taking us on a tour of her town and showing us what goes on in her craft shop (read envy).

Susan (Moonthirty) - who also has been producing lovely tops - loving the look of them - and about to tackle the Renfrew.

Mary (Mary Sews) - Mary has been showing us how she marks notches, is in the process of doing a Kwiksew dress and makes her own sheets!! Mary also does her own version of "thanks yous" by a periodic introduction to her blog role and introduces other bloggers to her following on her blog.

Tigergirl (Adventures with Tigergirl) - as her blog title indicates - Tigergirl mixes her sewing with her travel adventures (great pics).. If you are a lover of animals pop on over and have a look at her recent visit to the Adelaide zoo. She is also an accomplished sewist and amuses you with her tales of her life and her hubby tigerboy.

Janine (Interrupted Sutures) - Janine has also been sewing tops recently with some beautiful results. Through her blog you can also see lovely pictures of her garden and views.

Stephanie Newman - A quiltmakers quarters - Stephanie has been travelling of late too (Jeeze - I am starting to get jealous) and has spent some time in a SEWING RETREAT!!! in Tasmania and passed through Floriade in Canberra on the way home (check out her stunning pics) - when not travelling Stephanie is a great sewist - and as her blog title suggests - you have to check out her quilts.


So - those are my nine most recent commenters - however - I am going to S-T-R-E-T-C-H  the rules and add a couple of  "honourable mentions". Bloggists who often take the time to comment, give some advice, or just lift my spirits when I need it.

Carolyn (of course) from Handmade by Carolyn (link in first line). Her blog amazes me. Not only is her sewing skills incredible - but the stylish way she photographs her items - well - it could be published in a magazine - I would buy it).. 

The other amazing Carolyn from Diary of a Sewing Fanatic. Her blog is full of great tutorials and I love what she does with her TNT dress. I am certainly going to copy some of her ideas when my sewing skills improve.. (It is NOT stealing - honestly!!!!)

Sue from Quilt Sew Sew Sue - who has just produced a lovely snakeskin patterned dress. Sue is always there to give a pat on the back or word of encouragement. She actually offered to send me a pattern that I was looking at recently. How cool is that - and how generous is this sewing community.

Prttynpnk - Pretty Grievances - this is a blog that I can't go past - this is such an amusing read that I often go and get a cuppa to settle in to enjoy. As well as sewing Anne shares her thoughts on lots of different things.


There are many other great bloggers that comment on my blog. I would love to list them all. The rules say the last 9 - I hope you don't mind my adding the additional 4. 

I really do thank you all though!

Another lesson learnt

When is a TNT not a TNT? When you change the fabric!

As I said - another lesson learnt - the hard way.

I considered this pattern a TNT as I used my old favourite crossover top as a guide to adjusting the pattern. I made a successful top which I love wearing.

So....

I confidently cut out my next top and sewed it.

Very happy with the sewing. The top turned out very nice indeed - BUT TOO SMALL!!!

Cross over neckline actually sits correctly on person

Why the issue this time - I asked myself. I had already sewn one and it fit. Not only is this one TIGHT but the bust too high and the top itself too short for me and my stomach.

Then I realised that both my old trusty top and my newly sewn first version have a open type knit with lots of stretch both ways. In my first sewn version I used the biggest stretch going down the body in the bust as I liked the way the "stripes" went.

The above knit is a tighter t-shirt type knit with no stretch in length and a lot less stretch than the other knits I used in width..

*Sigh* .. so lesson learnt. A knit by any other name may not stretch as sweet.

I shall keep my chin up - take it as a lesson well learnt - and move on to my next item. After all .........

Anonymous posts

I have had to change my settings on my blog as I have started to get a lot of annoying anonymous comments that are spam. They leave a comment as if they have read my blog (although it is a generic comment) and then there is a link to their website. I don't know if they are advertising or if they have a more nefarious purpose.... But it is very annoying.

So I have chosen only registered users to be able to leave comments. I am hoping that this will stop this horrible practice but still let "real" people comment.

Has anyone else had this problem. I am interested to know if there is another way to fix this or if indeed it will fix it. And will it stop legitimate commenters.... I do so love to get comments.. :-)

 

Thanks for the feedack

Thank you all for your comments on my Anita peasant blouse. I have read all the suggestions and mulled it over. All comments were great and there are a few comments that really gel with me.

I think it really is the raglan sleeves that are not for me... The idea of shoulder pads is good and I may well use this in the future - but not for raglan sleeves. I think while a round neck is okay (but low round neck - MrsC - I think more skin is better for me too) a wide round neck is not for me.

Love the idea of dying fabric but will probably start out playing with dying plain uncut fabric.

The comments that really sealed the fate for this top were:

"I suspect you won't pull it out of the wardrobe" - Sue you are so right! And after just doing a wardrobe overhaul I don't want to put anything in it that I won't wear.

"I know that you're more interested in making clothes that really nail your look" - MrsC - absolutely. This is a real journey to find "my look - my colours - my style" and this top ain't it.

"There is always the option of re cutting and using parts of it incorporated into a skirt" - Valerie - this is a brilliant idea and exactly where this top will end up.

Thanks everyone for your input. This is a real mission for me - after year of  grabbing anything out of the wardrobe (black of course) and not caring how I looked, it is all an adventure and feedback is critical.

BTW - love the idea of bootleg trousers.. Does anyone know a plus sized pattern????