8/8/12

Sewing

Called this one sewing because it’s about both quilting and garment making. 
Here is a finish.  This is the quilt I quilted for my last FMQ class as a sample.  Now, it’s bound and soon as I get a sleeve made, it will go on the wall…oh, and a label.  Gotta keep up that habit.
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I really like how this little quilt came out.  It hung in the closet for years as a pieced top and I just did not know what to do with it.  I’m glad I didn’t over quilt it, which is what I had in mind when I made it.  I like the simplicity of the quilting to go with the complexity of the star.

A couple of years ago, I decided I wanted to learn to make shirts.  I made several.  And, they all had their problems.  But, one of the biggest problems was that I couldn’t get good shirt weight fabric and didn’t really know where to look.  So, I kind of gave up because I was using quilt weight fabric and that is a heavier fabric and never felt as comfortable as a good, cotton, store bought shirt. 

I’m cheap.  I don’t make any bones about it.  Part of why I couldn’t find good fabrics is I wouldn’t pay the price.  As I shopped the clearance racks, which is where my clothes come from…unless they come from goodwill…if you’ve never shopped for men’s clothes in a goodwill, then you’re missing out because down here, several of the chain stores donate their brand new, end of line merchandise to goodwill…and I’m easy to please with a good plaid.  I kept finding shirts that were really cool looking shirts for about $5, but the size was double or triple extra large.  I would have looked like a 5 year old in a basketball players jersey.  But, I bought one that was really cool.  And, then another one.  And, another.

And, one day, when I was in JoAnn’s, with a 50% off coupon burning a hole in my hand, I found this book.
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And, while there is not a picture of a man in the book…not even one, it is very informative about how to start with a pattern and make that commercial pattern fit the volume and shape of the body. 

So, I got brave and I dug out one of my Simplicity patterns for a very basic shirt, and cut one of those size 3XL shirts apart.  I’m making a muslin of the pattern from an old cotton sheet
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I haven’t gotten real far.  I know I need to adjust the arm holes, so I’ve drawn a new line.

And, I’ve had to redraw the yoke…BTW, this may be the first shirt I ever owned where the yoke hung straight across my shoulders and shoulderblades.
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And, I’ve adjusted the back to take out some length so that the add/reduce line from the paper pattern is horizontal all the way around me. 

okay, that was a bad picture, so no need to share.  Profile is not a good thing.

Anyway, once I finish, I hope to use my modified pattern and the fabric I harvested from that humongous five dollar shirt and turn it into a fantastic shirt for me.
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We will see.  If I can figure this out, I can stop having that  fabric roll thing in the shoulders of the shirts I make for Rob.  He doesn’t say anything and he wears them.  But, I know it’s there and it bothers me.

Sydney didn’t make the volleyball team.  I was so proud of her last night when she found out.  She worked through all the emotions of that disappointment in a very mature and appropriate way.  There were a few tears and there was a family hug and neither one of us mentioned that the summer practices that were available might have made a difference.  At that point, there was no point to say that again.  We both said it when she could have done something about it. 

I had planned to work from home today, but have decided to go to the office and give her the day here, by herself.  She’s growing up so fast. 

Rob, who’d’a thought it, huh?  From where we were, to where we are?   

Today’s thought, “the best days are not always good days.”  Lane

8 comments:

Laura said...

Lane, I don't know if you've got a Hobby Lobby in your area, but what you need to do it get some cotton/poly batiste. It's very often out of stock at Joanns and they have a very limited selection--Hobby lobby is better. It's great for shirts! Conversely, Joann's Symphony broadcloth works well for shirts, too. Be sure to wash it first, though, to get sizing out and preshrink it. And don't forget to interface collars and button plackets! I've also found that "designer" quilting cottons work better for clothing than regular ones. The hand and drape is simply better because the fabric quality is higher. I usually source those from fabric.com. (They also have an excellent clearance section. You can get fabric for as little as $1.95/yard)

lw said...

I've gotten men's shirting for $1.95 at fabric.com. I used it to make curtains, but it was good quality.

Your shirt makeover reminds me of cutting down a pretty skirt of mine to make a dress for my daughter when she was graduating pre-school. You're on the right track, though I'd probably take the shirt apart and use it as fabric with a pattern.

bernie said...

You are uber talented. The quilt is great (all those points scare me) :) Also, you are doing a great job on the shirt. Great idea. Also agree with others that Fabric.com has some good stuff at reasonable prices. Bernie

Shevvy said...

I'm sure she had a peaceful day on her own in the house and didn't trash anything! Didn't she?????

Unknown said...

I love the quilt! I have wanted to brave a quilt with so many stars, but not yet!

I look forward to hearing you talk more about your shirt making process. I need to tailor some of Big's blazers, etc. I am scared poopless to do it! I will let you make the mistakes and learn from you!

Nancy said...

Lane, that quilt is beautiful - as is the quilting on it. Bravo on taking apart a garment to use as a pattern. When I do that, I use Swedish Tracing Paper which is marked off in a 1 inch grid. This facilitates adjustments. I am sure that just like your quilts, the shirt will be fabulous.

Elizabeth said...

I love that starburst quilt! It is beautiful!

Confession time: I'd never even heard of making a muslin until about a year ago, when someone mentioned it on their blog. I used to make clothes all the time; I took classes and entered sewing competitions and everything. I would measure the person and then adjust the pattern to make it match the measurements. I've got a stack of six or seven fabrics that I want to make shirts out of, but when I can get a ready-made and really cute shirt on clearance for less than I paid for the fabrics (not to mention the time fiddling with the pattern to get it just right and then the time to make the shirt), there isn't much incentive to make clothes anymore, especially if I have to start making muslins before I make the shirts (lol!). I used to love to make clothes, but now, I'd really almost rather quilt!

xo -E

Anonymous said...

Have you looked at Pam E's blog? She is a professional shirt-maker and has woderful tutorials. It's been a gold mine of information for me. http://off-the-cuff-style.blogspot.com/
Elle