Buttons & Bows Purse

2012-01-28T13:02:00.000-08:00

Buttons and Bows from Quilt Lovers Designs by Cheryl Burgess
The Buttons and Bows Pattern was a little hard to understand at first, because the first instruction is to install a zipper, which is never easy, but after reading, and re-reading the pattern, it gives a different way to install zippers than I am customarily use to. The new method I've learned from this pattern I would say is easier to accomplish and gives a cleaner, straighter finish. Once I was able to sit down and study the instructions, the purse was easy to finish.
A couple changes I started off with on this purse
   I removed two of the three zippers because not everyone is going to want to install all those zippers, so I managed a few different ways to close up or over lap the other zipper areas. The pockets sewn into the inside are very customizable for any size pockets you may need.
     I also wanted the purse to only have 3 colors afiliated with it, based off of the blue & brown piece that is the outside of the purse. The lighter brown was found for the areas that would be exposed to dirt so it was placed on the bottom and the hand straps. The lighter blue was found to make the interior easier to find keys and things, because I'm told the bottom of purses can be a very dark place indeed.
Things I don't like about the pattern
     Again, the beginning of the pattern was the hardest thing to get into, it was just a hard read. Other than that it was a fairly simple straight forward pattern once you got past how to make the zippers.
Making Up
     My first cautionary tale is to look out at the very end of the pattern when you are sewing the front side to the back side, make sure your bottom/side seams match up to give it a nice professional look to it. I thought I pinned it correctly and because of the push and pull of the layers it didn't end up the way I wanted it. It's not truly that off, but I noticed it and I have high standards for my projects.

Machine Used: Janome DC1050
     We just got this machine in, so to check it in I decided to do this project on it to test all of it's components and features. It worked great. The only complaint I have, because I'm not use to this machine, is because it has an automatic needle up or down feature, I had to plan to stop sewing in a different way than what I'm use to on my mechanical machine. Not necessarily a bad thing, I'm sure I'd get use to it pretty quick using it as much as my mechanical bottom of the line, I do like the fact that a machine will stay needle down when I take my foot of the foot control, because alot of times I need the needle to stay in so when I pull on things it won't come out or move or skip stitches. I do like this machine and with around 50 stitches. It would be a nice decorators machine with it's heavier motor and stitch designs.

Kwik Sew Male Hoodie with Tailor Fabrics

2012-01-25T12:55:00.000-08:00

Kwik Sew Pattern Number 3028 was my starting point for this project. It was truely a Christmas gift for my brother so it didn't hang around the shop for very long .
A couple changes I started off with on this hoodie
I changed the suggested materials from fleece to flannel, because I'm so inspired by the tailored group. I chose some darker colors for my brothers hoodie, he likes blues, so that's why the lining looks so spectacular. I added elbow patches for the first time to this project, because I thought it would make it classier. I think it helped.
I originially wanted to add welted pockets with a flap to make it look even more smoking jacket-esque for his high society life there in Austin. Because of time constraints and lack of extra work I decided to not use them in the final garment.

I lined the hood as an extra step because I think it needed it and gives it a very nice quality, depth, and splash of color to the final product. I finally decieded to add a ribbed sleeve cuff with thumb hole because he rides a motorcycle and during the cooler weather this helps me out on my scooter. I made this detail up as I went, looked at what the industry had done, how others did it online and just did it. I think it worked out well. I actually did different methods of construction on either sleeve. I'll take a look at it in November and see which one lasted/wore better.
I also used the size larger in the neckline, because I hate garments that chaif my neck, so anytime I make a shirt, I make the neck at least 1 to 2 sizes larger than the person that is going to be wearing it.

This also goes with the sleeves, I made them 4" longer than the pattern piece. Maybe a little too long on him, but they fit me just fine. I'll alter all this next time he comes to visit.

Things I don't like about the pattern

Not much was disappointing me here, because I made it out of flannel, it probably should have a lining fabric on the inside through and through. He may get this eventually, but seriously we live in Texas, it shouldn't be too bad. Maybe something synthetic to protect him from the wind. Other than that, this pattern was easy and fun to do. Quick too.
Making Up Easy straightforward directions, easy piecing, a breeze to make. The hood lining I added was easy to insert because of all the practice of putting in colars. The ovals for the sleeves should be added before sewing up the sleeves, it was a major pain to install by hand, so I eventually coaxed it into a sewing machine to sew them down, and they turned out nicely (as a side note they are made from a suede material).
Side notes:

I will have to make myself a hoodie from these similiar materials, I have a nice brown and green plaid that I'd like to get my hands on, maybe practice lining it, and enjoy wearing it. This is quite a nice garment that can be done plain, or fancied up however you like. Maybe mine will have some flaps for the pockets on them, who knows...

Sew Much More

Buttons & Bows Purse

Kwik Sew Male Hoodie with Tailor Fabrics