GRRRRRreaser Jeans: Third muslin - *sigh*

Pants are HARD!!!  Here are the first and second muslins.  For the third muslin, I decided to add .5" to the back crotch extension.  And I changed the shape of the front crotch to something flatter and less roomy.  Here is what I got. 

I omitted the back yoke because it has nothing to do with the fit.  The back crotch fits better, however I still have a massive pouch on the front.  So perhaps I should reduce the front crotch extension....I turned my pants inside out to expose the intersecting crotch seams.  Then I made a small fold on the front side of the seam and pinned.  I had to do this several times to get the fold the right size.

Finally...

I will measure the fold, multiply by 2, and that will be the crotch extension adjustment.   I hope this is the last muslin.

Yay! Estate sales!

Here is what I picked up at the estate sale. 

First up, a smocking guide by Dritz.

Next up, a Johnny Cash record.

A beautiful piece of round luggage.  It still has the cardboard insert. 

I'm going to use this fine crochet cotton for hand basting. 

This tracing kit still has all it's components. 

These are the patterns I picked up -mostly because of the smocking. 

Buttons!  There were SOO many beautiful buttons. 

And at least two full length tables covered in fabric....Here is what I picked up.  The quarter is to help you gage the size of the print.  I still need to measure the width and yardage of each piece. 

The red flowers are gorgeous but the whole print is a little dark.  I'm not sure yet what to do with it. 

The most beautiful cheong-sam. 

Maybe a blouse, maybe a dress.  This one is very lightweight, great for hot and muggy summer days. 

A nice tartan.  It's not reeeaaallly my colour.  Still nice to have. 

I already have a blouse in mind for this tartan. 

summer.dress. 

This one is actually quite sheer.  I may try a sheer blouse. 

Probably a blouse too.  Maybe a playsuit if the yardage is right. 

The estate auction I attended yesterday wasn't great.  It was held outside and it was FREEEZING.  We couldn't stay long.  I can't believe we have five more months of this.  We shoveled the driveway three times this weekend.  

Bright fabrics and flowery prints are my comfort - my sewing studio, my sanctuary.

What do you mean 'The patterns are all gone' ?

Something very curious happened today. 
First a little background.  I live in a very small township, very rural and quaint.  I thought I was the only person interested in vintage sewing and fashions.  Apparently I was wrong.

I went to an estate sale today.  The quantity of needlework and crafts supplies was incredible.  I could have filled a phone booth with the yarn alone.  There were also some fabrics and a few patterns.  But the patterns were pretty beat up, and they were all for children.  I asked if they had patterns for adults.  She said two girls had come in earlier and cleaned them out along with all the old sewing manuals.  They were even on the phone with another girl who gave them advice on what to take.   Zzzzzhhhhhaaaaa?????  I was sad about missing the patterns but I was even more shocked to learn that I was not alone.  I guess I need to 'up' my game. 

I did manage to pick up a few things.  I'll take some pictures this weekend.  I am also going to an estate auction tomorrow.  Though it's mostly for my husband - millwright tools - they also advertised a sewing machine.  Sewing patterns can't be too far behind.  Wish me luck!

Greaser Jeans: The second muslin

Here are the greaser jeans, round two.  You can see round one here.

I added ease in the crotch length and hips.  I'm pretty happy with everything, except the crotch.  The back crotch is a little tight but the front crotch is a little loose.  I'm going to play with the crotch shape,break and extension settings in the Style Editor of PatternMaster Boutique4 and see if I can figure this out. 

I also added a back yoke but it's purely esthetical.  My lower back darts are 7" long so I transfered the dart to the center back seam and then cut off the yoke.  I like how it breaks up the length, especially since these are waist length.

I omitted the pockets in this muslin.  They were quite easy and they don't affect the fit.

And I tried my hand at flat felled seams.  I've wanted to do flat felled seams for a long time but curved seams scared me.  I figured a muslin would be a good place to practice.  Turns out all you need is a tailor's ham.  They are quite fun and look very neat from both sides. 

New Project and Renovations

After fitting my pants sloper - which you can see here - I've decided to make myself some old school jeans.  I'm going for something similar to what Freddies of Pinewood carries.  Here is my first muslin.  It's not bad.....for a stab in the dark!

 They are tight.  Like, "Tell me 'bout it, stud..." kinda tight.  I will definitely need to add some ease in the crotch length, and then a tad more ease in the hips and waist. 

And here is my new and improved closet.  You can see my old closet here.  I'm so glad this is done; it was really starting to eat me up inside.  It took about 4 months to complete.  I know!  A freakin' closet!  My husband and his father gutted the old closet, opened it up into the second closet, and then put up drywall.  I taped, mudded, sanded and painted.  Then I put up some closetmaid systems.  I didn't buy the kit, I costumized it and just picked up what I needed.  So for the first closet, I have shelving and a low rod for hanging pants and skirts.   

And in the second closet I installed two rods, one above the other.  It's a lot bigger than the picture suggests. 

I love my new closet.  I'm going to make a curtain to cover it.  But it will be very heavy and hang straight and flat like a tapestry.  Something with a big bold design. 

The Secret Skirt and Other News

Hello lovely readers!  It's been a while....a very crazy while actually.  I quit one of my jobs.  Don't worry I gave two weeks notice and everything.  It just wasn't working for me anymore.  Between my hours changing, and my husbands hours, we were hardly seeing each other anymore.  So now I have lot's of time to sew and see to my family's needs and I am loving it. 

Here is a skirt I put together this week.  It's a simple tapered skirt with a cut-on double inverted box pleat.  I used PatternMaster Boutique software to draft the skirt.  I made it specifically to wear with this sweater that I found at an estate sale.  It is a Wolsey and is likely late 50's early 60's.  I'll be wearing this ensemble to a party at my husbands work tomorrow.  I'm really excited!

Here is a close up of the double inverted box pleat. 

Giveaway Alert!

I just found this great blog and they are hosting a giveaway!  Check it out.