Simple, shell top

I'm on a quest to find a top pattern I like. So I decided to try Simplicity 1316. It has princess seams and no set in sleeves so it was easy to put together. I'm not thrilled with the fit, but it's wearable, and fun fabric. And I used Sergio for the first time.

New Machines

I've been thinking about a serger for a long time. My trusty Janome Magnolia 7330 struggled a bit with my shark skirt. I then tried to make a knit top with a silky jersey knit. My machine ate the fabric a couple of times, and really couldn't handle it. I decided to finally get a serger--a Brother 1034D. It sat in it's box of for almost 2 weeks. I was intimidated. Fortunately my favorite place, Stitch Lab, offered a serger class this week. It wasn't hard to thread and really easy to use. Yay.

During all the debacle with this knit top, I decided I also needed a new sewing machine. I finally outgrew my Magnolia. It has always done buttonholes erratically, and having more trouble with some of the various fabrics I wanted to use. I visited 4 different shops in town, and decided on a Viking Opal. She's a computerized machine packed with features and lots of stitches that I probably don't need. I've made one buttonhole and it was so easy. You tell Opal what kind of fabric and she automatically adjusts settings. I love that!

Meet Sergio and Opal.

Tutu Skirt

For three years I've been wanting to make a shark costume for Halloween. A tutu skirt would represent the water, and then out of felt make a shark to come out of the water. I was intimidated by working with tule. I basted the the tule to gather it into a skirt and it's been sitting this whole time. It didn't really take that long to sewing into the waistband.

Akita top

I decided to try printing the pattern for Akita at home. It was a little tedious, but not as difficult a I thought it would be. This was 21 pages, and doable, but I don't know that I'd do it again or not.

This was an easy project. I wasn't happy with how much the sleeves stick out, so I laid another shirt on top and realized if the shoulders were at an angle instead of straight it would probably lay better. I was pleased I figured it out.

Shark Skirt

I follow a couple of local sewing stores on social media, which is probably a mistake. The Cloth Pocket posted a picture of a new knit they had in of SHARKS! I fell in love. It took me awhile to get in, but I had to have it.

I made up a quick knit skirt using Kwik Sew K3513, which I've made a few times, and now I have a cute shark skirt.

Things I learned: stabilizer for the hem is awesome. When trying a new stitch check both sides to make sure it looks okay. My machine had some issues with the overcast stitch I used. :-(

Sewing machine cover

I've been meaning to make a sewing machine cover for ages. Last weekend I learned how to take care of my machine, and felt inspired to finally protect it more from dust. I found one liked, http://patches.typepad.com/notes_from_the_patch/2010/11/tutorial-tuesday-32-sewing-machine-cozy.html, and then even did the math on the pattern worksheet to plan it out. I found some instructions to help me cut a hole for the handle, http://thepatchsmith.blogspot.com/2015/01/across-pond-sewing-machine-cover.html. It has pockets for my foot and cords, which is awesome.

Things I learned on this project: I do not like quilting. This was a hot mess of nothing being lined up, but for the most part I'm the only one who will ever know. :-) Also bias tape hems are awesome.

Towel Pants

Years ago a friend posted on Facebook that her mother/MIL made her daughters towel pants. I thought this was brilliant and have wanted a pair ever since. I bought terry cloth fabric, and have had it stashed away for a couple of years. Months ago I finally cut it out using a pajama bottom pattern. Still it languished. The other night I was feeling kind of blue after work, and thought I'm going to sew. And since the fabric was all cut out, I put them together pretty quickly. I hemmed them with bias tape the next night, and now have a nifty pair of towel capris!