Saturday, June 9, 2012

At least some things go as planned.

Well, I never even got around to putting on my new dress yesterday, let alone take any pictures.  To tell the truth, I was a little disappointed - I was really looking forward to wearing it!  But my friend had come over for some help on a project, and it ended up taking us about 6 hours, rather than the 2 we'd thought it would take.  We finished up so late that I didn't even have time to make all the different dishes I wanted for dinner!  But our boys seemed pretty happy with what we did serve, and everyone managed to get full.

I had planned to have a sewing day today, and that plan did come through.  I spent quite a while figuring out the narrow rolled hem function on my serger, so that I could make a scarf out of the remainder of the fabric from the dress.  Check it out!


It took me quite a while:  two rethreadings of the machine and a lot of playing around with the tension.  One of the things I love about the Brother 1034D is that the threading is so easy - the path of each thread is labeled right on the machine, so you don't even have to look at the book! 

I haven't quite perfected my rolled hem technique, but I'm pretty happy with today's result:


The other thing I had on my agenda for today was (wait for it!) . . . my red Clover pants!  (Finally!!)

The first thing I had to do was lengthen the legs on the pattern - when I made my muslin I accidentally cut the version one (crop pants) rather than the ankle length I wanted.  I gave myself an extra 5" so I'd have plenty of wiggle room.

After I cut out my pieces, I marked a separate, deeper seam line for my less-full right hip - I'm so happy I've learned that I need this adjustment!  I think it makes a huge difference in the fit.

And then I finished all the seams that need finishing on my serger before beginning to construct the pants.  I managed to almost finish them - all I have left to do is insert the zipper and the waistband facing, and then hem them!  I'm really proud that I made myself stop though, once I realized I was getting tired.  I've learned that I usually end up with a mess if I push through!

So here's where they are right now:


Isn't that a funny picture?  It makes the pants look like they will accomodate enormous thighs!  I have already tried them on though, and I think they're actually pretty slimming.  Hoping to finish them tomorrow!

13 comments:

  1. I couldn't have accomplished what you did in six days...I think you are fabulous!

    ReplyDelete
  2. Oh wow, I can't wait to see your Clovers!! I really want a pair, but I think I'll agonize over the fit too much. :( I just don't know what I'm doing when it comes to pants!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. I did too, but it really wasn't that bad! I just made the muslin and then pin-fitted it to my body. Then I took it apart again and transferred the changes to my pattern. I generally wouldn't go to that amount of trouble, but I think all that work may make this into a TNT for me.

      Delete
  3. Cool! I love your idea for the scarf! And those pants! Good work!!! Looking forward to seeing them :)

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Now I'm thinking of all the gorgeous silks I see at the fabric store, and what great scarves they would make!

      Delete
  4. Love the rolled hem - I haven't figured this out on my overlocker yet and have a skirt in the works that I want a rolled hem on... practicing on a scarf is a great idea :)

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. And before I practiced it on the scarf, I practiced it on a LOT of scraps of fabric! Apparently you have to mess with the tension for each different weight of fabric - kind of a bummer!

      Delete
  5. Seems you're enjoying your serger, Gail.
    I'm still on the fence about whether to buy or not.
    I run hot and cold.
    I'm way behind reading blog posts.
    hugs

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. I wanted one for yeeeears before I finally took the plunge, and I'm so glad I did! Wish I'd done it sooner!

      Delete
  6. Lovely!! What tension settings did you use for the scarf? I've been trying figure out which settings to use for days. Thanks! :)

    ReplyDelete
  7. Lovely!! What tension settings did you use for the scarf? I've been trying figure out which settings to use for days. Thanks! :)

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. This is a 3-needle narrow rolled hem with the following tension settings: right needle 4, upper looper 4, lower looper 5.

      Delete

Note: Only a member of this blog may post a comment.