video day

This morning spent watching my newest sewing videos.  Threads: insider Techniques, and Clair Shaeffer Coutoure Techniques.   I really enjoyed the second video more.  It was very much in depth.  Even with the hand sewing techniques that are done on the high designs suiting.  St.Laurent, Channel..........and when you look at the hand sewing it can't be seen from the outside.  Shaeffer had haute couture dresses from the 40's 50's and some sixties.  Good work never goes out of style.  She did background on the stitches and when to use them.  This was a two cd package, but worth every penny.  If she has any other DVD's I will be sure to get them.   The Threads Dvd only showed three techniques, even though they were insightful, I believe the DVD could have shown more techniques, at this point a person can be nickled and dimes to pieces just for three inside secrets.  So I don't think I will be getting any more of those DVDs probably would be better off signing up for a class. The instructions were well demonstrated and filmed.  Good close up and explanations.  I enjoyed that part...it just should have had more.

blue jeans in progress

 This is my first time working with stretch denim.  So far I don't like it.  However I finally got the hang of making the zipper flap.  This is not perfect, but looking at the video I finally got how it's put together.  On Youtube of course.  I have been working on these pants since November.  Really have not been into doing them.  Decided to use decorative stitching for the pocket, instead the serpentine stitch that is used.  Most of the past month has been spent looking at some videos, just ordered some tutorials from Threads after watching the sample demo.   I decided to wait on signing up with the two sites previously mentioned, because I know that I would have to dedicate at least an hour or more each morning. I just wanted to make sure that I got this seam right on the sides.  I had to hand sew it down, because the fabric was not that yielding, and then go over it with the machine to put the stitch in place.

I am looking at or ordering the tutorial dvds from Threads.  Then I will either get Islander or Peggy Sagers, can't go wrong with either of them.  I can either watch the entire thing or go along with the dvd.  Either way I can stop anytime.  I know that I can do the same thing on the classes, but for the time being I am going this route.  It's cheaper.  Maybe in the some I will go the other route.   I just finished the inseam of the jeans.  The next pair will be made with regular denim.  Maybe I just have to get the hang of working with this fabric.  I used a Denim needle, since the fabric is stretch I should have used a ball point needle.  I didn't want to take a chance on possibly breaking the needle going across the inseam, however in certain parts of the paints you can plainly see the stitch change slightly.  I know to use a ball point needle on regular stretch fabric, but didn't know that I would have to use it on Denim.   So you live and learn. 

video classes

Last night I was up till two in the morning looking at the sites for internet classes. There is a lady from Canada that I might join and another guy from London who does tailoring and couture sewing.   Both seem like they would be worth my while.  This would keep me busy way into the summer months.  So right now I am trying to figure out which one of them I am going to sign up with.   The lady has more videos to see than the gentlemen.  His is broken down into suits, and for women dresses and skirts.  His program is 66.00 for six months, or 99.00 for an entire year with access 24-7............and the lady is 97.00 for a year member ship.  You can even download the lesson.

  Man will wonders ever cease.  I just heard from and old friend.  So delighted to hear from her, sometimes there are people who leave and imprint on you.  You lose touch and then hope that someday you will hear from them again.  Well I heard from her..........it made my day.  Things are not going to well for her, but she will be in my prayers and thoughts now.   I haven't been to Vancouver since 2001........man that's a long time.  I love that place.  Believe it or not I am pinching off of some of the fabric that I brought from there.  My friend always drove me to the places.  She knew her way all around town.  Just so many beautiful places to go.

  I will search around for some other sites.  Sandra Betzina has a site as well.  They are pretty much all the same.  I just have to identify with a teaching style.  It's nice to have a sewing library, but it's better with the video.  I get more out of it.  I get my inspiration from the ladies and looking at what they do, no doubt maybe some of them have taken these courses.   Their work is impeccable.   I am just going to keep trying.

Ideas

Lately I've been looking and reading blogs from Italy and Germany.  Pretty interesting.  They really do some pretty stuff.  Most of it is crafting and very intricate work with lace.  I managed to look at a blog from Japan but the designs were a little too young for me.  Right now I am still working on a pair of jeans.  Just found an embroidery yahoo group for my Brother Ult2003.  It appears we are still out there, and I got some information on various designs and how to use them, and also the best software to use with my machine.So far it looks like Embird with the iconizer is the one to use.   One of the things I've learned so far is that one should buy in bulk. Reading and article called:  The 5 effective habits of a successful sewer that you should know.  The points are well taken. 

For the simple reason being you never know when or how you are going to use the items purchased.  It makes sense to a certain degree.  So just going into a store getting a bunch of zippers or whatever is on sale, may be cost effective later on down the road.  Since this in an expensive art.  I've also been watching videos, and really taking my time reading the pattern for jeans I am working on at the moment.  If I get frustrated I just put it down and go back to it later.  In the mean time surfing along the sight for different things keeps me busy. I am glad though, that I came across the yahoo group for Brother.

I also was learning about the copy rights of designs, and how the women have used and abused them.  So now there are all of these protections against copying a design and trying to sell it in mass production for self profit.   I am really falling in like with machine.  I love the way it works. This was a good investment and I 100% sure that working along with my Brother Ult is going to work out just fine.  I also looked a site on natural fabrics.  I like that one as well.  I would like to work with Bamboo batting.  This does cost a little more, but the reviews are really great on the wear of the product.  But first things first.  My next thing is my dress form.  In the mean time I am using sheets from Uniques in place of muslin.  I should take a picture of the jeans in progress but would much rather wait until I finish.  Right now I am procrastinating on doing something today.  The lighting is really bad in my sewing room, and I am going to have to find another lamp that covers that gives me more light.  I wouldn't mind working at night time if I can't sleep.   

skirt

This is one of the skirts that is one of my books.  Since this is a summer skirt and I am working on something for the winter months.  I thought I would try something with a fringe.  Then I am going to line the skirt.  I am really surprised just how far the sewing community is runs.  I wanted to get an idea of what the going trends are and have been surfing the net, and going to other countries to see what the ladies are sewing.  I am seeing some really interesting things.

fashion surfing

This morning I am looking at fashion from Paris, Germany for the fall.  I just happened to notice cloth bags.  I was going to post a picture of the bags or send the youtube video to this site, but couldn't figure out how to do it.  I didn't know what it meant by saying embed.   So I didn't send it..............there are a lot of good ideas out there, and so much creativity.  Maybe something will strike my fancy.  Right now I am not seeing anything for the more mature women.  Who knows maybe I could be the one to do something like that, right now I am on another track.   A friend from Germany sent me sights to look at on youtube.  I wouldn't even have thought to go there.  I will continue on later in the afternoon.

  Also last night I checked with the ladies to see what they are making.  It seems folks are getting ready for the fall.  I am half hearted in working on a skirt right now.  Thinking about putting a lining in it so that the skirt will hang right.   In the mean time I've been looking at dress forms.  I believe this will be very beneficial for me, and will take the next step in purchasing one.  Of course this may take another 5 months to do so........but I figure with the dress form I can do a lot of draping, and shaping on the dress form.  Another idea occurred to me this morning in that I can go to a second hand store and purchase some sheets since I am out of muslin, and cut and fit them.  This should work just fine.  The problem is working on a flat surface.........at least it seems to be my problem right now. 

Quilting with Patsy

This morning I decided to watch some video of quilting with Patsy Thompson.  She was very straight forward with what not to do on first time quilting.  This entire process looks like there will be more practicing on how to FMQ.  It seems quite relaxing.  Now that I have the machine in which to work with; it will be an easy cross over in learning.   Looking at the way she was handling this queen size quilt through such a small space now lets me know why the companies are making larger throat spaces.  It seems so cumbersome to push the quilt through.  I watched all four videos.  There's a lot to learn out there.  Again the main things is buying the stuff to work with in order to have the best out come.  I love the way she brought a door for her table, and placed to cheap filing cabinets at either end.  This gave her plenty of work space.  More than what she would have if she brought a Koala table.   This is something I thought about doing some time back.  I still have not ruled out doing so.   I will try to get some batting, and a bundle in which to practice on. 

still brainstorming

Last night after fiddling around with some new stitches on my new baby;  I decided to reread some of the directions on the Helen LeMay sunburst pattern.  I swear this things looks like it was made for an engineer.   I know I am missing something on this program....maybe it's just an visual overlook on my part something is not registering.  I am determined to see if I can draft a pattern.  In the mean time; the skirt that I thought i was going to make is now history.  It's not complicated, but the measurements are way off.  Even though the pattern is giving the right measurements that's not what come out, and this is not a surprise.  Why do I bother?  The pictures look fantastic on the pattern, and I can see myself in them.  

  I am  now considering the Dress Shop 4 software.  There is another by Ginger software I've read about, and the women say they get more success with the outcome on the patterns.   This might be another avenue.  In earlier posts I do believe that I may have mentioned the software.   I am going to give the LeMay course another try as I did pay 198.00 for it, and have only drafted a vest.  The directions do say practice.  I just get frustrated easily.  The way this course is written stuff seems to be all over the page.  Of course this is just my take on it, someone else might see it differently.   Nothing beats a failure but a try.  So back to the drawing board I go. 
Another annoyance is the lighting is my room.  I have the lamp near the sewing machine.  That works fine, but it is the light that I need for the cutting table.   It would be silly to put a lamp on the cutting table.  I've got to find a way to get anther stool near the cutting table giving off enough light.  

Had I continued playing around with machine last night I would have been up at two in the morning.  I also corrected the thread problem.  It was user error, the machine was not threaded correctly.  I  hit the panic button too early.  So far the verdict is out on the 7700..............the women say they wouldn't trade it for all the tea in China.   I still can't believe it's here.  So many things have been racing through my mind lately regarding this machine.  Every time I test a design stitch I can think of way of putting the stitch to use.  Still not there yet on what i am going to do, but I know that I've got to find a way to make this work.    In the mean time the girls are giving me some type of mental stimulus in regards to ideas.  Sooner or later something will work.    

friday report

Last night for some reason..............maybe just fighting sleep; I decided that I would play around with some of the decorative stitches on my new friend.  I really like the above stitches and I am sure that I will be using them.  I am also learning that my machine might like certain threads.  I experimented and changed threads using gutterman.   My Bernina loves this thread no problem.  However when I tried using it on this machine the stitch seemed to change and the stitches were too close together.  So I changed the stitch length........still nothing.   Then I changed the thread back to the first spool of thread I used.  The stitch came out perfect.  Then I tried with the Egyption thread and the wt. is 20 cotton thread.  No problem with this thread either.  As soon as I rethreaded the machine with the Gutterman thread the stitch changed.   So I am thinking that my machine has attitude.  I might have to buy thread with 20-40 wt.  Which I plan on doing.  They say each machine is different.  I wrote the girls on yahoo and they said, "don't get panicky" just keep experimenting and getting to know my machine. 

After I played with the machine a little while, I decided that I would play with tissue paper and make draft on a skirt pattern from my book.........still not sleepy yet.   That didn't work out so well.........so now I think I will make another attempt to read from a manual that is some what like the luttorlogh system.  Sunburst pattern system by Helen Lemay.  I've spoken about this pattern system before.  Each time I will pick it up, and run into a gliche, and then put it down. I keep going back to this system because it allegedly works with all of the persons measurements. I just have to figure out how to use it.  Should I get this down pat I will be able to branch out.

Yesterday while in the doctors office I took an outdated Stitch magazine to keep me entertained for my office visit. It seems waiting time is shorter when I bring anything related to sewing. Any other time I would have waited an 30 minutes or more. I forget what year this magazine is from, however the article was, "We trial computer software" and article by Helen Mcbeath.   Dress shop I've pattern program as being the easiest software to use, followed by Ginger which is a little more detailed in software, but the outcome is just as good.  It's a few pennies more.  In each of these programs it literally makes it easy for the sewer to just key in the measurements, print them out and there you have it, your own custom pattern.  I don't know why I forgot about this system.  I still am determined to get my monies worth.  So just going to keep plugging away and sooner or later something is going to click.

In creative mind funk

I am suppose to be sewing, yet my drive is down low for some reason.  You really have to be in the mood.  Last night though I played with some more stitches on the machine.   It really is really nice.  I guess the newness of getting the machine has died down.  Sometimes I just look at it............I guess in my mind I am trying figure out just how I am going to make this machine work for me.  Don't regret getting it one bit, just haven't been in the swing of things lately.   That's alright I am entitled to one of these moods.  My mind is in overdrive with fabric choices now that I found a way of transportation that might aid me in the winter months.

 I will be going to my favorite store SR Harris, but have to wait a couple of weeks.  Right now I've been doing researching on the products I would like to use on the projects that I am thinking about making.  Giving myself some type of time frame.  This means I'm going to have to back to my dream board and picture what I want, I had purchased some fashion magazines just to get an idea of how I want to about creating something.  Right now the women on the 7700 group talk about batting.  Well I know nothing about that, however having this machine I am going to have to learn about it; so bamboo batting seems to be the best, but it's also expensive.   So for that reason I would think about using it on a jacket.   The possibilities are endless.  Guess that's why my mind seems to be in overdrive. I will tinker around with the machine today.  So far I've noticed a difference in the stitches.  It appears that this machine doesn't like Guttermen thread, or I've got a bad spool of it, or my bobbin is not wound correctly.  It just might be the latter.  So back to the drawing board.

what a day

Today I am just plum worn out.  I went to Champlin for my little class.  Turns out  I had a little more understanding of the my 7700 than I thought.  It was really nice to kind of walk through some of the feet I've not tried.  It was even better standing in the midst of someone I know is sewing machine savvy. A guru of the machines. When you surpass more than 10yrs. in this field that's what you become to me.    I just really admire any woman who works in this field.  Meaning I would admire myself greatly if I ever got the chance to work in a sewing atmosphere. You know that if they know the machine they are truly a craft person of sort.   Not to mention having an arsenal of sewing machines.
 
  I left at 8:20 this morning didn't get back home until 5:30.   I think from this point on I will have to build my own confidence in this machine.  This is a good dealership.  Just don't know why the good folks are so far out.  Sometimes it makes a person think two or three times about a purchase.  In my case I didn't think at all, just wanted to have a Janome.  I looked around the shop at some of the older models of machines.  I love looking at machines.   Carolyn takes her Janome to a class............but of course she has a car.  If I had to cart this machine around I would be in traction.  I sincerely hope that this dealership continues to allow lay-a-ways.  I don't think some of the dealerships know how much money they are probably losing by not allowing a lay-a-way.  I am religious with one.  So I am thankful for being able to get the machine.  Now just one little machine for a class.  I am not going to own 9 sewing machines, although I must admit I understand this addiction very well.  I think I being a fabric junkie and sewing machine junkie is worse than any drug.  But there is the creativeness that goes along with this madness. So we can justify purchasing our machines.  I told one lady not to beat herself up over buying the 7700.  I figure we deserve it in some way.  I can always make an excuse on buying a machine.  I've been really, really good all the way around the board.  I must admit..........that finances will make you rearrange how you want to buy sewing things.  This lady is going to bed.  I will try to work on this blouse tomorrow. 

Zombie yesterday

I was so disappointed yesterday.  I was suppose to have my class on the 7700.  I'd written down the directions on how to get to Champlin, and then walked right out the door and left them stuck on the refrigerator.  I wanted to make sure that I caught the 8:58 bus.  While waiting for the bus I called metro, because I had forgotten the bus number that I was suppose to take when I got downtown Minneapolis.    Now I find out that the 8:58 bus will take me to the University of Minnesota campus which is way out of the way.  There are two buses, and one goes to the U of M and the other goes downtown.

 Now I have to take another route because I am on the U of M bus.   When I get off the bus in the University district the bus driver points to where I am suppose to catch the bus.  I do exactly as I'm told.  As I am riding on this bus I notice that the streets are looking more like neighborhood streets instead of downtown streets.  So I ask the driver: "are you going downtown?  "No" she says this bus is going to St. Paul.  Now I've got to jump off this bus, and it just so happened that there was a bus  going in the right direction.  I hop on this bus.  It brings me downtown.   I get downtown Minneapolis only to find out I've missed the bus to my destination by 4minutes.  It was 10:35, and I was to catch it at 10:30.  I look at the schedule and the next bus going to Champlin comes at 12:30, and I now know that I am not going to be able to make it out there.  So I call up Carolyn and ask for a reschedule for next week at the same time.   I was so disappointed.

For some reason I was undecided on which way to come back home.  Do I take the train, or do I take the express bus.  The express bus comes at 11:30, it is 11:00 and in my mind I say, "you'd be better off taking the train.  I walk in the direction of the train platform, only to notice that the train is passing me buy.  So now I say to myself : "you'd be better off going back to wait for the express busy" by this time it's 11:15, and now I walk another two blocks back to my original place at the bus stop.  This walk wasn't bothering me at all.  As a matter of fact I was surprised at how light my steps were and felt.   I must have walked around twice before I finally made my decision.

When I get home I feel all the walking that I've done that morning.  My behind hurt, everything just literally hurt.  I forgot to mention that since I was so looking forward to this trip that I hadn't slept the night before.  Which is the reason I am walking around in a fog.  By the time I got home, my entire body is on fire with pain.  I just took my clothes off and sat around.  I was so tired, but my mind would not let my body sleep at all. One whole night with no sleep, plus being in a zombie state of pain, makes me not think clearly.  I was glad that this day was coming to an end.  I think I am going to try and walk at least three times a week if at all possible.  Today I will fiddle around with my machine.   

learning curve

I worked on my blouse yesterday, and did some reading.  Also looked at a few blogs.  Went to the sewing expo site for November..........and there is really not that much to choose from.  I sent an email to them, because I'm owed comp tickets from last year.  Really this is all about sales the way I see it.   I would just like to go to one day for a show.  Also found that Vogue fabrics will not be there this year.  I strongly suspect that if there isn't a big turnout that the show will not be held here in Minnesota any more.  Last year they had a very poor turn out all three days.   

  In the meantime I am breezing along with my new toy.  However I am still stuck in Utility mode.  I absolutely love the way this machine sews.  You can tell just how much power it has with one press of the foot.  Beautiful stitches.  Finally found a way to go out to Champlin on the bus.  It will be an all day trip.  I will have to leaver here around 8:30 in the morning.   Then go downtown and this bus should let me off right in front of the place.  I am marked down for 3hrs.  Carolyn is really a nice assistant regarding the teaching on these machines.   I want to try and get out there before the cold sets in.  I might have to go twice.  I will take along a pad so that I am able to write down a few key things.   Cause I know I am not going to remember everything.  I'm glad I waited to connect with her.  I wasn't afraid to learn on my own, just wanted to see a demonstration.  Better safe than sorry.  I know there is  learning curve with this machine, but it's one I am willing to go along with.  It's worth every penny. 

Saturday Breezin

Well today I did sew on the new machine, and now have changed two feet.  The other designs won't come until I actually need them.  Although maybe I should get familiar with them now.  I am just not in a rush.  Working on a dress that I am finishing up, and then will go on to the next project.  Right now I am searching for DVD's on sewing that would more or less walk me through a project.  

  Threads has a DVD with Claire Shaffer for 39.99.  Just more or less feeling my way around.  Trying to get ideas from blogs.  Also I have been looking a quilting blogs since I've purchased this machine.  My mind is going in another direction with the quilting process.  So far with the machine I love the way it just purrs along.  I really am going to enjoy this, and don't anticipate anything going wrong. Since all of the kinks were ironed out within the first 6months of the machines debut.  I learned a lot on the posts that women had on what to expect, and in some emails I saved them just in case I may run into a problem I will know how to identify it.
  
Today I just looked at sewing videos and some youtube tutorials.  Kind of interesting.  Slowly but surely I am working down some of this old stash to make room for some new stash. 

dragging today

While out at the Janome dealership I happened upon these good finds.   I like the Indian designs and think I will be using that on my embroidery machine for jackets in the near future.   I also got a video on making bags.  This was step by step instruction.   I wanted to look at this DVD, because it might give me a direction on where I am heading.   In the meantime,what could possibly be wrong with looking at a pant video.  By the way these items were 1.00 each. 
  Any time I can pick up invisible thread I always do so, because I never know when I am going to use it.  Would you believe that I was up all night long.  I hate it when I have nights that I can't sleep.  I mean nothing worked.  Sooooooooooooooooooo..............that left me only to go to my new found friend and try to set up the machine.  Threading, filling the bobbin , and then finally making a test strip.  This machine sews like butter.  The stitch was only a straight stitch but this stitch would make even the worst sewer look like she was genius.   I was really shocked.  I will play around with the dual foot if I feel up to it, but for the time being I am so tired, maybe watching the pant video might be a good idea.   This is going to be fun, experimenting, and just seeing how she works.  Haven't found a name I want to give her, just might make her a him.  Now on to the next quest!  Thar she sews!

Welcome home honey!

Well today a friend of mine took me up to Champlin to get my sewing machine.  I was really shocked, because she lives north, but she also knows how long I"ve waited to get this machine. A whole year and a half.   I thought that since I brought the sewing machine I was going to get some perks from the dealer. No such thing!  On the Janome forum and on the Yahoo 7700,6600,6500 all these women talk about the deals that the dealer ship gives the client.   When I called them today, I asked about those extras.  The lady that works there said, this is not the practice of this dealership.   She told me that this is not something that has to be done, but more or less a gimmick for the dealer to get women to buy the machines.  I should have known.

  I thought that maybe the dealer would throw in some thread, or needles just a little something.   Well it's over and done now.  The problem is that this dealership is very far away, and now I am going to have to pay someone on this end 50.00 and hour to show me how to use this machine.   I am going to call metro to see if any buses go out that way.  I am really excited but, at the same time nervous about this machine.  It's almost intimidating.  Luckily though I've been going over the video on youtube, come to find out that the instruction dvd is the same instructions on youtube!   So I've gone over this at three or four times through out the year.  In addition to also following the Janome group and listening to the little tricks that they share with each other.  The ladies told me that I will not regret this decision. 

  Wouldn't you know it?  Just saturday Janome comes out with the 12000 version of my Horizon but this time they've added embroidery to the machine.  Also decided to remove the plates when sewing with certain designs.   So far the women on the Janome forum have really cool reviews on the this latest version.  A quite a few like me, have just gotten their machines.  I for one don't think that I will be buying another sewing machine.  At least not a top of the line.  Even the lady that took me to pick up my machine said, she wouldn't dare buy this new one.  Of course the real die hards will just have to purchase this newer machine, just like men do with their cars.........it's no different.  Talk about addiction!  Mine is cooling down now, but I will have to say when a person speaks logically about this sewing business, you see things in a different light.  I say good for you, what-ever- floats your boat.  Deep down we all know it's a gimmick.   I am happy with my new toy. 

train ride

I had to go into town to see about my mouth which is still giving me the blues.  That was monday.  On my way back home I ran into a young lady.  Of course I asked her if she sewed.  I told her about some things I read on line about more and more women sewing, especially younger women.  It seems because of Project Run (tv show) way there has been this interest in creating ones own styles.  These people are all late.  They will find out that sooner or later they will become hooked on anything sewing.

The young lady said she didn't know how to sew.  That's the wrong thing to say to me.  Well I said, "I don't know what the hell I'm doing either, there are books and DVDs out here and I am teaching myself.  Although there are times that I do more talking about sewing than I do the sewing.  With me things come in waves.  Well the young lady asked me what sewing machine to buy.  Wrong question to ask moi, because I love talking about sewing machines, and I mentioned two that I thought would best suit her needs.  She sounded really interested.  I gave her my blog site and the young lady's stop came up, and she said she would go on my site.  Well that day made me really feel good, those few minutes really made me feel good.  I love talking and sharing, exchanging.............but when someone doesn't know anything, well the flood gates open.  I forgot to ask the child's name.  I thought about how I had developed diarrhea of the mouth.  That's awful but it still felt good. As soon as I am back in the pink I shall resume my sewing.   Just think my baby (Janome 7700) will be home in a few more weeks.  I've got to go out looking for a table.  She is a big machine. 

Silhouette Patterns

Yesterday I learned how to use the french curve from the Silhouette Patterns website.  All this time I've had this instrument and didn't know how to use it. Peggy Sagers does a good job of showing you how to use the curve.  I believe I mentioned that I met her briefly at the sewing expo last year.  After watching her on the media center it makes me really want to get a few things from her.  That is a good way to introduce your product by letting people see what the videos are about.  Now I won't hesitate to get something of hers.

  At one point she said that she had done an article for "Threads" magazine some time back in issue #99.   I will have to see if I can find that article.  Anyway she showed how to use the curve for arms, hips, and neck line.  I will finish looking at the other webcast.  I really am going to invest in her videos.  She says that videos are really good to learn from rather than the books.  I think a combination of both is a good idea.  Sometimes the books that are in just black and white are not good for me at all.  The pictures help more than anything.  With Peggy she is actively showing you how to work with something.  There are also two pant patterns of hers that I would like to purchase as well.

I also went to look at Islander sewing, and it appears that Peggy dvds are a bit cheaper.  Really all it takes is someone to go through something step by step and I will get it.   The other thing I am going to get is the dress form.  I am going to need this for draping.  I like the Rowenta iron that she had and that was really good for using the steam.  Another thing she talked about was Yoga Pants, it seems that these are really in because they are versatile and can be either dressed up or down.  So I might get that pattern as well.  She even informed you about the fabric called: "ponta roma knit"  hadn't heard of it, but may have seen it.  Well now I am on to watching something else.  Tomorrow I will be out of the loop because I am having oral surgery.......it's always something.  So I might be out of commission for a few days.   

sunday

Still just breezing along with the breeze.  Although I didn't do any sewing Saturday or today due to feeling crappy; I still decided to watch some sewing videos.  I really like Silhouette Patterns.  I went on to the sewing forum in the U.K. and a woman referred me to the Silhouette sight.  I saw this lady at the sewing expo, she is a teacher and makes this look so easy.  Yesterday I watched the blue jean video on the website.  These are videos are around 30 minutes long.  The blue jean was really interesting, and the instructor stated in order to get the denim more pliable to let the denim soak or wash in two cans of coke.  It has something to do chemistry of the denim and coke.   I thought that was interesting.  Today I decide to look at the a blouse technique that is used in the industrial industry.   The blouse came out really nice and she didn't use a stabilizer for the collar, and it stood up just right.  Ordinarily I would use pellon.  This all depends on the fabric that you are using of course.   Well if I am feeling up to it I will go back to working on something tomorrow.  I am keeping my word though, if I am not doing something in sewing, I will be reading something in sewing, or viewing something in sewing.  

dawdling

Well today I just looked at the dress that I am making.  Instead I decided to just go see what the girls are up to, and again that will give me some incentive to go forward.  Although I will admit it's hard concentrating when you know something is going on with your wisdom tooth.  Always something isn't it?   I am also looking at fashion a little more and think this is going to be beneficial.  Something that one of the ladies on a youtube video said: "if you want to spend all that money for a sewing machine go right ahead, it's not how is expensive the machine is, but what you can do with the sewing machine.   I just went to another friends house today.  His wife has a 9000 memory craft Janome! 

The machine is sitting in the box.  Every time I find someone with a machine that they are not using just makes me want to scream.  It's  almost unbearable for me to see.  I have another friend that has a sewing machine and it sits there.   I tell you I could just blow a gasket.  Well I guess the good thing is they have them.  Me I use mine.  However I am going to take into consideration that having the top of the has it's perks, but also there is some validity to using what you have and it's practical.  Now a days getting a new machine is not all it's cracked up to be.  I will admit I am a sewing machine nut, and fabriholic, you can never get too much of either.  I just find them fascinating.  I like how they sound, look, feel, just everything about them.  I am noticing to that some of the women have vintage machines. I think they look so classy.