Muslin -- A Must?

Time flew.  Last week was busy, and before I knew it, it was OVER.

The weekend included trying a new Yakiniku, Japanese style BBQ, restaurant. Oh fun!

I've been thinking a lot about muslins. For the longest time, I didn't know people made muslins. How and where I learned to sew, muslin making was never mentioned. (Another topic, another post)

I've been an occasional and casual garment sewer for a long time -- I like things that are quick, not so serious, so that's what I did a lot of.  I'd like to avoid something like muslin making if at all possible. Sounds so time consuming.

I hadn't sewn for a few years until this year. Now ## years later, I want to get serious. I will still make bags and other fun things, will not give up on improv sewing.  But now I'm aiming for making some serious garments.  Something I'll actually really like and will love to wear.

So I started reading on something like this, how to make a muslin. And like this on Burda. (Muslin is called Toile [tou-wa-le]?? outside US, it seems.  In Japan, it's called [Toware], I'm finding.)  Lauren, who by the way spits out dresses faster than I can read her blog, at Lladybird says in her tips on sewing post to make a muslin.  Reeeaaally? Do I have to? Should I?

After so many years of not sewing a thing for me, I made an impulse purchase of a pattern and fabric this summer and made this.

It was fun, and it was mainly to test and to get to know my new sewing machine. But, as you can see, the result isn't so pretty.  I'm afraid I chose a wrong kind of fabric, and the size adjustment I made directly onto the dress as I was making it, didn't really turn out great. Totally out of practice. It was an experience. A learning experience. (The word "Muslin" crossed my mind.)

Now that I'm really looking forward to receiving and sewing with the patterns I ordered (yes, I did!) from Style Arc , it's really time to practice.

By the way, these are the patterns I ordered.

Adel top

Susan Top

Linda Stretch Pants

They will also throw in a free one.

What a great marketing idea. A free pattern with every purchase. I don't even mind the shipping charge now. A win-win, consumers & Style Arc. I can smell this is a great company. When I emailed them with a question on sizing, I received a prompt email from Chloe who I believe is one of the founders of Style Arc.

In trying to select what my first Style Arc patterns purchase was going to be, I wanted to see what others have sewn with Style Arc patterns. I came across this blog.  The wardrobe put together by Margy from A Fool for Fabric sold me! This was it!

It could be two weeks before I get them as they are sent from Australia. Meanwhile, I decided to 'practice' while I wait for the patterns. I pulled out a pattern from my pattern stash drawer, and I pulled out this green fabric, formerly known as bed sheet. I remember reading about 'sheet shirts' on Peter Lappin's blog, Male Pattern Boldness, so I thought, why not a sheet dress?

The actual color is slightly brighter hunter green than the photo sows here. I actually like it a lot.  In this fabric pattern, I spy a jack-o'-lantern picture! (or is that supposed to be a flower, upside down?!)

Pulled out a few of my vintage sewing tools.

The pink one and the tracing papers came in one of the drawers of the cabinet with my Elna blue top machine. The spiky one, I bought at the monthly vintage market in my neighborhood. I love the pink one. It's so handy. It's really two-in-one. You can use both the spiky wheel side and the pink plastic end just like a Hera Marker.

This envelope contained seven large unused tracing papers in five different colors. Marked 29 cents!  

By the way, I am using Jeri Bee, my New Home/Janome, for this dress. She is SOOOOO smooth and quiet. I'm really loving her. The only thing I had to get used to was that her needle position of LEFT being normal. Not a biggie. Just different from what I'm used to.

 Oooo, note my brand new shellac nail polish, too~!

So, do you make a muslin with every project you sew? Can you tell that I'm trying to convince myself that I must.

New Home (Janome) Sewing Machine

My dear friend, Jeri Beri, was at my house for our monthly Art Journal group meeting. "I've got something for you," she said as soon as she came in the door.  She solicited a couple of others to help her unload this "something" from her car. What could it be?? I hope it's not too big.

OMG! this beautiful, but a bit browning green box was carried in.

 This did weigh a zillion ton. The whole box is solid wood with wall paper-ish thing covering, and the only "fake" thing was the handle which was plastic trying to look like leather.

Unveiling her.  Ta-da~!

By looking at the box, I'd expected to see a well-used, an old nondescript New Home sewing machine, and I was going to have to sort of fake my excitement.  BUUUUUUUT.  Look at her! It took my breath away.  I screamed with joy. Then, I actually tried to stay cool, as I was the only one in the group who had this condition called vintage sewing machine fanatic syndrome. She even came complete with a red spool of thread, matching her accent color!

Impeccably clean, inside out. I opened her top, side, and the bottom to confirm that she's never been used. It sat in someone's closet for years with the case lid tightly shut. I did not have to clean her at all.  She was thirsty for sure.

I was going to look her up to see who made it. But no need. It was on her, in fact all over her. I haven't seen many badged Japanese machines with the actual manufacturer's name so clearly written on it. She is a Janome machine! Even the manual - the inside was all Janome with the warranty card addressed to Janome. This New Home machine was openly Janome.

She really was new. This pretty two-tone green tin was a true treasure chest.  Love that the handle of the screw drivers is wood.  And the color matching seam ripper.  I'd drool over just for the tin! How anyone could buy this pretty machine and never used it is a mystery to me.

I only test sewed her for a little bit. Have not sewed any project on her yet. When I tested her, she sewed beautifully except when I fed thick fabric, (like 6 layers of thick woven or 3 layers of denim) she hesitated and I had to help her manually with the hand wheel. I experienced the same with other Japanese machines of this era. Is that one of the characteristics of these, or am I just not using the right foot or something?  Maybe I'll sew on her the green dress I just cut the fabric for. That seems appropriate. Green on green.

Beautiful straight and zig-zag stitches. Feed dogs can drop, too. What more would you need? Well, maybe a free-arm, but not absolutely necessary.

I think I will now call her Jeri Bee.