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All about pattern #1246 - TV fantasy

10/13/2014

So, this is my latest Game of Thrones pattern.

I can't show you any photos of the sewing process, because I had my wonderful local super seamstress/sewing teacher make this one for me. And mostly the sewing is pretty straight forward. I was working on this at the same time I was getting ready to go to Costume Con in Toronto and didn't have time to sew it myself.

But, I can certainly explain a few things.

We usually like to put one than one design into a pattern and I noticed that the dresses that the ladies of the court wear had the same basic bodice shape as the dark blue dress with the weird two part skirt. I suppose this should be called a tunic rather than a dress since it really must be worn with leggings or skinny jeans.

Anyway, this is why I thought I could put these two garments into one pattern.

The "cross your heart" band on the dark blue dress in reality has a dragon scale smocking detail. I know there are some tutorials on line where people have figured out how to do this.

This link will take you to a good one. It's a Tumbler blog, so I hope this link works. Let me know if you have trouble.

But, my job is to give you useful pattern shapes and keep things not too complicated (I do work for Simplicity after all) and I found a grey lace to put over this "cross your heart" band to simulate the dragon scales.

I was happy with this.

I, also, chose not to make the big hole in the back of the bodice. I did not, if you notice, put a zipper up the back though. This should make is easy to add that whole, if you want.

There is a zipper along the left side seam.

There is only so much unusual stuff I can put into one pattern and this skirt is VERY unusual and was difficult to work out, so I put my energies into that.

Both dresses have back waist tabs that come from the side seam. These are to be laced up and allow for a snug fit which looks great from the front. If you are planning to put the hole in the back of the dark blue dress, I would suggest eliminating those tabs, fit the bodice well and then cut out the hole and finish the edge with a circular facing or bias tape pressed to the inside.

And since none of the pattern pieces were too, too large, we were able to fit in the interesting kind of bubble shaped cape.

Happy sewing everyone.

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My Great Granola

10/11/2014

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A request has been made for the recipe I used for this low sugar granola I made last week when I had my designer's block.

I have to thank my daughter-in-law for sending me to Girls Gone Child blog with the great recipe. Check it out folks!

It starts off with a recipe for no sugar muesli that can then be turned into granola by baking it with tahini, vanilla and a little maple syrup.

I took her advice and used 2 tablespoons of maple syrup instead of the 1 tablespoon recommended.

So, I'm glad I had designer's block for a couple days.

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Couple new patterns, just out! #1246, #1248 & #1301 from last issue

10/10/2014

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Well, it's that time again ... NEW PATTERNS!

I have one and my sister Theresa LaQuey has one, too!

I will write about this one next week.

And I hope I can get Theresa to write a guest blog or two on this great design. I'm working on it.

AND, I totally forgot about this one that came out in the last issue. As I've told you before I do a bit of ghost pattern making for other licensed designers. Amy Brown is always fun.

There is still time before Halloween.

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Back to Pillows

10/8/2014

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FINALLY! I'm getting around to making the rest of the pillows I started almost a year ago when I got my new couch. Read the blogs I wrote about the first few I made. Blog #1, Blog #2.

Both fabrics are textured solid color, so I want to add a bit of detail. Here are some little sketches I made.

I don't want to buy a thing. So I'm rummaging around to see what I have in all my bins and boxes. This gimp trim is the right color, but looks old fashioned to me.

Ribbon might be a good way to go. So, here is what I have in reds and yellows.

I have now cut two square pillows and muslin inner pillows for each.

I plan to tie the corners of this pillow, so the decoration needs to go towards the center so it won't end up tied in the corners. After carefully measuring in on all sides I pin the ribbon into a square with mitered corners.

Just to be fancy, I add a narrower ribbon inside the first, using a gauge to keep everything straight.

These are the strips I cut to tie the corners. They are now stitched and are ready to be turned right side out.

The pillow is now stitched an turned as well as the muslin inner pillow. I've but the two together and have put a big safety pin in each corner to hold the inner and outer pillows together while I'm tying up the corners and stuffing. I'll stuff it later ... on to the next pillow.

More ribbon. This will be a straight forward square pillow, so I'm doing some straight forward ribbon design ... just testing it out here.

This time I will mitre the corners of the ribbon before I set it on the pillow.

I carefully stitch all the ribbon on and sew the pillow up.

Here is the finished muslin inner pillow that I will put inside before insert the stuffing.

It helps to pin the inner and outer pillow together while stuffing. I just think this is faster.

BUT .... MAN! I don't like the stupid yellow square of ribbon on the rust colored pillow. I just don't. The pillow is interesting enough with the tied corners.

Off it comes!

I have fabric for one more pillow ... hope to get to it soon.

I still am working on the sketches that stumped me on Monday, but with some back and forth I'm figuring out what will work. So everyone cross your fingers that some of these new designs will get accepted.

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Designer's Block!!!

10/6/2014

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YAY! Simplicity has asked for some new designs. I'm getting to sketch up some things I've been wanted to do for a while and I don't want to get it wrong. No guarantee they will take any of these. They MUST be wonderful.

BUT, I've been struggling all day. I've got designer's block ... what to do, what to do?

BAKE!
But I need to clear my head, so out for a walk on this beautiful fall day. I need to buy a few ingredients anyway.

So this is what I baked.

Back home I brought out of the fridge the "ready to go" bread dough I usually have in there. Pulled off a chunk, formed it into a ball and set it on a piece of parchment to start rising.

While that's happening, I started to work on the low-sugar granola recipe my daughter-in-law recently emailed to me. It made so much I had to spread it out on 3 baking sheets. But I think I'm going to like it. I should know by the time we finish eating all of it!

More baking for dinner. I pulled out more of that bread dough from the fridge. I needed pizza.

While the granola was still in the oven, I made a simple quick sauce with a can of diced tomatoes, onions, garlic and basil. Then sautéed onions, yellow bell peppers and cremini mushroom and set that aside.

When the granola was done, I put my cast iron dutch oven in my oven to heat up. I like to bake my bread in it. It's the easiest way to get a good crust because it makes a lot of steam inside the covered pot.

While the bread was baking I rolled out my pizza dough (wish I knew how to flip it up in the air ... ) and spread on the tomato sauce and sautéed vegetables. Cut some Canadian bacon into tiny wedges ... put that on top, too.

Then made a couple Mahattans for my husband and me.

Bread out ... Pizza in. After 10 minutes of baking then it gets the fresh mozzarella cheese that was already thinly sliced and a lot of fresh oregano from my garden. Back in the oven until the cheese was just bubbling.

So, I hope this got me over my block. Sometime you just have to step away from a project to get a fresh perspective.

This was a nice way ...

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FROZEN ... sneak peek!

10/4/2014

2 Comments

Here is a photo from the Simplicity Fashion show at the American Sewing Expo last week, thanks to Jan Lamm.

The pattern for the official licensed adult, Cosplay worthy, version of these costumes will be issued in about two months, but we were able to show the samples at the show.

My entire month of July and then some was spent on these ... phew! Fun but time consuming. And, of course, I will let you all know when they are in the stores.

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American Sewing Expo - people and signs

10/1/2014

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For me, the best part about going to a big show like this is meeting people. I happen to be a member and big fan of the American Sewing Guild. So, I had to stop by their booth. If you are not a member and sew a lot, check them. All members get discounts at many, many fabrics stores including Joann's and Hancock.

But, we were not the only thing going on there last weekend ... ha ha.

I did feel better after reading the sign on the right here.

Because the Sewing Expo invited costumers this year, I met many people wearing all sorts of fun things. This is Kate Allen. She told me she used my Kimono pattern to make the top part of her costume. If you want to see more of her stuff visit her web site.

And look at THIS amazing cute thing! It is a real original period Singer featherweight in PURPLE. The people at this booth told me this is the original color. Although they said they have touched up scratches, etc.

Now, I couldn't spend four days surrounded with beautiful fabrics and fashions and not have an itch to stitch. I purchased yardage to make something for myself, which I will tell you about on Friday!

You can see everyone was having a lot of fun! Or perhaps we were all just getting a bit punchy.

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Forward>>

All about pattern #1246 - TV fantasy

My Great Granola

Couple new patterns, just out! #1246, #1248 & #1301 from last issue

Back to Pillows

Designer's Block!!!

FROZEN ... sneak peek!

American Sewing Expo - people and signs

From Andrea

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