Rainwear in the Forecast

In September, I'm participating in presenting a program for Creative Clothing Club.   The subject is "rainwear".  We'll be exploring raincoat fabrics, patterns, construction, closures, seam sealants, spray on water repellents, etc.  Coats, ponchos, umbrellas and anything connected with staying dry.  If anyone has ideas,  I would love your input.

The first thing I'm making is a rain poncho.  This pattern is from Indygo Junction. Very easy, lined, hood, snaps.

I ordered a laminated cotton from Fabric.com and bought a bright cotton for lining.  The laminate came rolled, which I appreciated because folding would cause creases that would be difficult, if not impossible, to remove.  The laminate is stiff but pliable. 

This book has a lot of good information for all outerwear.



And, Threads #148 has a good article on rainwear.

AmyButler has a line of laminated cottons, and good tips on how to sew them on her website. 

My Designer group asked me to give a workshop on Kanzashi flowers.  I don't mind, but I just started learning how to make them, myself.  I've made a couple of other samples,  and photographed the sequence so I can print the pictures for instructions.  Here are the samples I made this week.  I'm going to have quite a little garden!  I wish I was as successful growing them outside!

Now, I have to take my husband to the Doctor to get the 26 stitches out of his arm , where he fell in a boat and cut his arm down to the bone.  Ouch!

Kanzashi #2 and What's Outside My Window

There's been a lot of house construction in my home the last few weeks.  New windows and doors. Repaired ceilings.  Anyone who has lived through drywall dust know the mess I've been in.  I cut out Tshirts, had them stacked up and was able to sew a bit while the carpenters were here.  But, with the house being in such disarray and mess, it was difficult to do much of anything.  It is over.  House clean and everything back to normal.

Today, I wanted to try another Kanzashi technique.  I didn't have instructions for these petals, but looking at a photo, and fiddling with some fabric, I copied a Kanzashi flower I found online.  These flowers are my challenge project for the Designer group I'm going to on Thursday. 

It was an absolutely gorgeous day.  I had the *new* windows open, letting in a nice breeze.  I looked out the picture window in my sewing room and saw our visitors.

Two grown swans and 7 babies.  Not a bad view!

Kanzashi Flowers, New Books and Fabric

I belong to a sewing group called Designer III, an offshoot of another sewing group.  Funny, how sewing clubs grow and have babies!  The group issues a design challenge one month, and the following month, you are supposed to have worked on the challenge and have something to show.  This time, the challenge is fabric flowers.  I'm working on Kanzashi flowers.  They are Japanese silk flowers, traditionally worn in the hair.  The technique has been simplified and being used for embellishing clothing and accessories.

Recently, I bought a book called "Kanzashi in Bloom".

And I made this:  It's yellow and coral cotton fabric, artificial stamens and a button in the center.

What fun!  It's basically origami, using fabric.  I have some other fabric set out to make another.  There are several folding techniques that I want to try.  I'll probably wear these on suit jackets.  Making them is addictive, but what a fun way to be out of control!

I have "new to me" sewing books.  I have the original Couture sewing book by Claire Shaeffer, but couldn't resist buying her revised edition.  Twinkle Sews and and Pattern Magic 2, I bought just to study the drafting.  The Couture book by Linda Maynard is a beautifully photographed book, full of very good techniques. 

There is a new fabric store in town!  For the Michigan people, it's called "Sew Many Things", in Clinton Twp.  It's small, but has some nice fabrics with Haberman's prices.  I couldn't leave without buying something.  Three pieces-one navy knit and two cottons for lightweight, summer jackets.

Off to make a flower.  Since I can't grow them, fabricating them is the next best thing. Plus, your hands don't get dirty!

Patterns, Books and EShrugs

No sewing here for a few days.  Next week.

Meanwhile, I collect things to sew, which is almost as good, doncha' think?  I saw this IndygoJunction pattern, made up on Patty"s blog.  Isn't this cute?

It's called "Midtown Trench".  I love the pleats in the back.  I will make this knee-length, maybe longer.  I thought Patty's version, made with a large black/white print was cute as can be!

I have a love for fabric flowers.  Here's a book, showing how to make Kanzashi flowers.  They are worn in the hair of Japanese ladies, and traditionally made from silk.  They can be made from a variety of fabrics though.  I can see a little corsage of them on a suit jacket or dress for spring. SPRING!!

There are a couple of shrug patterns, taking Stitcher'sGuild by storm.  Called "E-Shrugs",  this one is a  download from SewingWorkshop.  Nancy made it here in a black knit.  It's available on TSW site for $6.00.  Nancy lengthened the sleeves on hers to the wrist, which is a fabulous idea.
 
The other is a free HotPatterns download, available from Fabric.com, called Cascade-Cozy Shrug.  Karen made it in a gorgeous lace.  Here's the illustration: 

There are other versions on the Stitcher's Guild website, but these two are the most recent.   I love them, and have both patterns downloaded and printed.  They are perfect as an accessory or a lightweight coverup for chilly summer evenings.  Make it in lace as Karen did, and it can go dressy for a night out on the town.  Lots of possibilities.  There will be one or two of these little E-Shrugs in my future.

In the works right now, I'm trying to copy an RTW, frilly cascade jacket.  I laid it out flat, pinning one section at a time to a pinnable board with tracing paper underneath.  Then, with an awl, I've pricked through the seam allowances, around each piece, making little holes in the tracing paper.  Then, connect the dots.   I have the body done, and made a muslin.  It turned out pretty good, with just a little tweaking.  Next, I'll work on the sleeves. 

Right now, I'm getting things ready for a Spiderman birthday party for my little four year old grandson.  Red and blue cupcakes, even!  Because, what's more important than a little person's birthday?  Especially when you're FOUR!