Saturday, January 8, 2011

Q&A, New Books and Progress

Taking a break from  sewing and watching Hungry Girl on her new TV show on the cooking channel.  She's doing lowfat/low calorie pizzas.  Maybe I'll make one for dinner. 

Karin asked if I used a special foot or a double need for my top-stitching.  I do a line of top-stitching using an edge-stitch foot, as close to the edge as possible.   for the second row, I switch to a 1/4" foot and use that as a guide. 

AnneLO asks if the wool crepe shrunk when I steamed it.  Oh, yeh--6" on 4 yards of fabric.  I used a clam press (steam press) with a damp press cloth and steamed the heck out of it.

I have a couple of new books.  Well, new to me, not new on the market.  "Jackets for Real People by Palmer/Pletsch is a book my daughter bought me for Christmas.  I have several other Palmer/Pletsch books, and really like them.  I'm reading this one, cover to cover. 


When I signed on for the "12 Jackets a Year" sew-along at Stitchers Guild, there was a discussion about Nancy Erickson's "Jackets, Soft Tailoring for Modern Sewing book".  FashionSewing is her website.  There is a master jacket pattern, skirt, coat, knit jacket, pants pattern.  Those become TNTs from which other designs are created.  Her theory is to get a well fitting TNT and use whatever design details you want to them.  This is what Shirley Adams tried to do with her "Alternatives" patterns, but I don't think they ever really took off.  Those who use TNTs know what a time-saver they are.  Here's the book, the master jacket pattern, and one pattern containing alternative details to go with the master pattern:



I love the book.  Another than I'm going to read completely through.  She has a lot of ideas for transforming a basic jacket pattern into multiple looks.  Nancy Erickson also sells a newsletter, bi-monthly, I believe. 

My Winter Sunshine jacket is well under way.  It is ready for sleeves.



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I found perfect buttons.   There are only 6, and I want 8.  This jacket is double-breasted.  So, hopefully I will find this button at another Jos.  I was surprised to find anything that matched this fabric because it isn't a color that's mainstream.


Tomorrow, sleeves.  Maybe.

20 Talk to me:

Faye Lewis said...

Your jacket is looking wonderful!

MushyWear said...

Looking good so far!

Ann Made Studio said...

I love the Palmer Pletsch books and have one of their DVD's called It's in The Details, which I really like too.

Your jacket is looking really good!

Rebecca said...

I really like the back of this jacket so far. Looks great!

Kyle said...

the collar is very, very cute. i like the buttons too!!

Lori said...

Fantastic looking jacket. I like the Nancy Erickson book, too.

Anonymous said...

Crazy shrinkage in the wool crepe! The back of your jacket is very attractive!

Anonymous said...

The jacket is looking great! Love the buttons. Buttons can make or break a jacket. Yours are perfect with the fabric and style.

Linda T

Bunny said...

This is looking really good. That back is quite interesting.

kbenco said...

Your jacket is looking very nice. The colour is beautiful, and the back has great interest. Thank you for posting about your handbasting of fused interlining. I had been wondering how the interlining was attached to the outer shell.

Fran said...

Looking good - I love the back!

Karin said...

Winter sunshine! So appealing.

Thanks for the top stitching tips!

Karen said...

This is going to be such a handsome jacket. I, too, love the back! Gorgeous.

Julia said...

What a great book. If I sewed for myself I would have to have it. Actually, I keep thinking that I will sew for myself again someday. I love the YELLOW!

Pati Palmer said...

Thanks for liking our jacket book.

Rose said...

The Sunshine Jacket is shining already! You've made good progress.

Dr. Fun (AKA Sister) said...

Loving that jacket - awesome color too!

JoanneM said...

Gorgeous color jacket. I wish I had time to read those books......

sewistafashionista said...

I love the back design detail on that jacket! I didn't know Palmer and Pletsch had a jacket book out too. I am going to hit the library site and see if they have it in. Thanks for the heads up!

Steph said...

OH! Gasp, that jacket back speak to me. I can hear it with my eyes, how wonderful.

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