I'm so excited!!

The postie brought me a fabulous gift today.

A wonderful pattern drafting kit.  Pattern drafting is something I've wanted to try for quite some time. I've read several blog posts in the past talking about how you have attended various classes and I know many of you are self taught via books and online tutorials.  All these methods are certainly good ways of learning how to draw and make your patterns for your personal shape and size.

Giving some thought to all the different ways to learn about pattern drafting I started to investigate the method that would suit me best.  My first preference is to attend classes (I love the social contact) because I can ask questions as I'm working when I don't comprehend the instructions and receive an answer immediately.  This gives me a greater understanding of how to achieve what I'm trying to do.  I wanted a class that was about one week long however, here in Victoria I wasn't able to find a class less than 12 months duration and the fees were out of my price range; I want to learn more quickly than that. 

There are many different systems for pattern drafting advertised in sewing magazines and I thought maybe one of these is for me so I started to check them out.  After looking at several of them I eventually I decided on the Sure-Fit Designs system.  It looked so simple to use and comes with everything you need to draft your patterns except pens.  Value-wise with everything you get I went for the works.  I got it all!!

 
There's a dress kit, a shirt kit, and a pants kit.

 Also a children's kit and a men's pants kit.

There's instruction books and DVD's, even online videos to help you learn the ins and outs.

 

And you get all the tools required including design sheets to draw your patterns.

 

Each separate kit has the base block and includes everything you need to draw the pattern. 

With the base already drawn, virtually all you have to do is join the dots for your personal measurements. Easy Peasy!!

I can't wait to start watching the DVD's and get started. 

Introducing Dolly

June has been a very busy month for me and I have promised myself I would post more often than I have been.  With not much sewing time I really didn't have anything more to show so I was wondering what to write about then I thought why not introduce you to Dolly. 

Dolly has recently joined my me in my quest for better fitting clothes. She is very elegantly attired in white which is wonderful for not showing the dark colour through light fabrics as Diana my previous model did.  (Don't know what happened to Diana but she disappeared some time ago.)  Her white outfit is quite 'rough' and things do not slide around.  Actually it almost grips too well.  Dolly comes ready to work hard with a nice solid wood stand which won't tip easily and as you can see she is fully adjustable.  There is only one problem which I will share with you and that is that I am short-waisted and Dolly is not.  She is adjusted to the shortest length and this is about 3cm/1" longer than me.  Do you have the same problem?  Now that Dolly has joined me I hope she serves me well and look forward to a long and lasting relationship being creative together.


On a different note I promised I would mention Kestrel from Kestrel Finds and Makes is having a 1st Birthday Giveaway to get myself another entry.  The prize is a lovely retro '52 pattern and some gorgeous vintage buttons.  I have a real soft spot for vintage styles and would like to start making some for myself.  How do you feel about vintage styles?

My New Machine

 Meet my new baby.

 Coverstitch Machine

I'm so excited!  Yesterday I got my new Coverstitch machine.  I have coveted one of these machines for some time now and yesterday I was finally able to collect it from the shop.  I read about these machines in a Dressmaking with Stitches magazine a while ago when they did an article on "What should I look for when purchasing..."  Since reading about these machines I felt it was something I needed.  I must say that I am not fond of that home made look therefore, I didn't sew as often as I should.  I wanted my sewing to have that 'professional finish' and this machine was promising to do just that.

Today I  had time to have a play with my new baby and found that it has hissy fits similarities to the overlocker in that the looper thread can get tangled and make such a mess.  After working on this little problem I sewed a few samples which gave light to more problems.  None-the-less, I eventually sewed the hem on a top that has been waiting impatiently patiently  to be finished.  Sadly this will have to wait until tomorrow for completion as I ran out of time.

I have decided that with a little practice this machine will be much loved and used.  So... I'm still excited with my Coverstitch machine and can't wait to put it to work.