Giveaway Reminder

Just a few more days until I draw a name for the Birthday Pattern Weights! Leave your comment on this post from a few days ago for your chance to win. Also, if you are a follower of SewChic, leave a second comment telling me so. Don't forget to leave your email address or link to your blog so that I can contact you if you are the winner. I have noticed that several of of the comments do not have any contact information. If you win, I need a way to notify you. :)

Simplicity 2591 & Pattern Weights

This evening I cut out another dress for Katie: Simplicity 2591. I never would have chosen this pattern from the envelope photos, but my sister-in-law sewed up this pattern for her daughter, and Katie just loved the dress so much that now I'm making it for her. It's not very obvious from the envelope or even the line drawings, but this dress has wonderful deep pockets. The front side panels are cut on the bias and form pockets in the skirt. What a great dress design!


When cutting out the dress, I tried out some of the new pattern weights I'm making for a group of ladies from the This-End-Up co-op. I had orders for 31 sets of weights, and I still have 5 more sets to finish up. The green weights seem to be the most popular; I never would have guessed. :)

Several readers have expressed interest in these pattern weights. The weights are simply metal washers wrapped with fabric. You can make your own, and smaller washers can be found in most hardware stores. It can be rather difficult, however, to find the large 4.5" washers that I use. You can use plain washers, but the fabric keeps them from clinking and from sliding around.

If you have ever used weights to hold down your patterns, you probably realize how much easier and less time-consuming it is than using pins to hold the pattern pieces in place. The only times I use pins anymore is around detail areas such as darts or pleats.

Okay, enough of the weights. I'll be back next time to report my progress on the dress. Katie is going out of town in a few days to visit a friend, and I'd like to have the dress finished so she can take it with her.

happy sewing,
Ruth

Pattern Weights

A few weeks ago I showed this picture of my lovely stack of fabric, which has now turned into...

Voila! pattern weights!

Last year I made over 125 weights for the This-End-Up co-op, and I'm grateful to have the opportunity again this year. Weights will also be available in my Etsy shop if I get busy. :) I also have a few sewing projects lined up. Oh, and the new issue of Ottobre should be here any day! So much to sew....

happy day,
Ruth

Fabric Stack

A new project has been calling my name, and don't you just love the fabrics I'm working with?!!

I've not worked on the Vintage Sundress at all this past week. Hopefully today....

Ruth

The Dress with 18 Pattern Pieces

I don't know that I've ever sewn any garment with this many pattern pieces. Eighteen, to be exact! The pattern doesn't look too difficult, just time-consuming with all the pockets and top stitching. I'm excited to start sewing.

This dress will be made for Ellen, my 12 year old daughter. She liked the dress from the first time she saw it in the magazine. I am making the size 140 lengthened to a size 170.

I'll try to update as I go. : )
Ruth

Oh, the dress is design # 35 from the 4-2008 issue of Ottobre--the "Helmi" dress.

Pattern Weights

I've had no time to sew lately, and here's why....



I've been making pattern weights, more pattern weights, and even more pattern weights! When Denise of the This-End-Up co-op asked me about doing a group order, I really thought nobody would be interested. Yes, I was wrong. : )

Making these pattern weights has been so much fun! I listened to audio books and sewing podcasts on my iPod (with speakers-not headphones) while making the weights, and the time flew quickly by. Now, 125-plus weights later, I'm finished with the group order. I'm almost sad to be done, but these pictures make me happy.





I tried to choose my one absolute favorite, but I just couldn't decide. So instead I chose four! For years, I've used just plain jane weights---in fact, the plain weights are still in my sewing basket. I really must make a few decorated sets for myself, don't you think?

~my favorites~

Okay, now that these weights are finished, I'll be back to sewing again. I have all kinds of plans in the works...

happy sewing,
Ruth

Pretty Pattern Weights

When you sew, do you pin your patterns to your fabric or do you use weights?

When I discovered pattern weights many, many years ago, I never looked back. Well, I do use pins on occasion---with slippery fabrics, fussy prints, or to hold a pattern piece in place until I mark darts or other markings. But for the most part, I use pattern weights.

Recently I decided to pretty-up my rather boring pattern weights, and I think I went overboard. :-) I now have a few sets listed in my Etsy store. I can't keep them all--just how many weights does a person need?!

I've started a couple new tops, one for Ellen and one for Emily. Pictures will be coming soon, but here's a preview:

Happy Sewing,
Ruth