Slowly, But Surely...

Things are getting done around here in the sewing studio.  Albeit Boring things (with a capital B!), but knocking anything off the to-do list is a Good thing!

Thanks to Monday's snow storm (8 more inches), I have 15 shirts all embroidered and ready for pick-up/delivery! I owe this particular Fire Chief big time for all the business this winter!

I have the prom dress muslin nearly completed, thanks to Martha (the amazing vintage White Rotary)! 

Since busting my machine this weekend, I've had to make the most of my resources.  Since a simple straight stitch was all I needed, Marth got the job done beautifully.  And the bright side of the broken machine issue is that I will be saving myself more than $80 by doing the repair myself!  My dealer said the repair would cost a $79.95 plus parts, and take at least 4 days, maybe as long as 2 weeks!!!  Next time I won't overtighten... CRACK!

Back in the fall, when I first got Martha, I found and joined the "We Fit It" Yahoo Group for sewing machine rehab and repair.  It was a great place to get questions answered about vintage machines, and as it turns out, an awesome resource for parts and repair help!  I posted on  Monday that I broke my needle clamp and asked if it was a hard part to repair, would it take long for my dealer to fix? 

Reply 1: Here's a link to a website where you can replace the part for $32.95.

Reply 2: I'll order it for you, and only charge you $24.95. (I love looking at this website, and her blog has lots of repair tutorials!)

Reply 3: Let me help you, it'll only cost $21.95. (No blog, no website, but can order parts and was super helpful!)

So, my part should be here early next week, and it's supposed to be a simple fix, see that tiny little screw above the needle screw?  I've got the tool for that!  Meanwhile, I have a knit from Gorgeous Fabrics that is all cut out and ready to zip through the serger and coverstitch machines! I love this Simplicity top pattern, and will never understand why it's out of print....

• My next pattern to trace is for this jacket from this month's Burda, using the cotton lycra "snakeskin" print from Haberman's.  What's with me an animal prints lately???

• My next pattern to cut is for this dress, Vogue 1152, which will be made out of silk crepe de chine. Did you see Very Prairie's blouse version? Love it...

• My next muslin to make is for this jacket, Vogue 1169, using some pretty pink basketweave from Ressy's co-op. I must be partial to Rebecca Taylor designs!

Oh, I almost forgot! There were a few questions on the last post...

1.  Jill from the co-op reminded me that a leather scrap would likely be enough for another belt treatment, so I sent out a message, and may have an offer of brown leather to make up another version of the Ralph Lauren skirt! Thanks, Jill!

2. Estee asked if I muslin everything I make, and the answer is NO! Just the garments that either require an excellent fit or are going to be made from a more expensive fabric. I've found that they are worth the time and trouble, since the fit is superior and the construction is easier after having done it once before.  I don't do "wearable muslins", so there are no hems to finish, and I'm focused soley on the fit.

3.  Meredith P (and Laura) commented on my productivity. When the kids go to bed (8 pm), I will spend a little time sewing or tracing at night.  On the weekends, I get a lot done, and am lucky that my kids play so well together!  Also, I've found that I've gotten faster over the last year or so.  Summerset taught me to sew as many seams as possible at once, then go forward with construction, always making the most of the machine time, and reducing the up/down/press/repeat down time! So, I pin and sew as much as possible on as many pieces as possible, then move through the instructions to the next step.

It's a Project Runway night, but a rerun of last week (Booooo...)! My early favorites are Amy and Emilio.  How about you? 6 designers gone, and 10 left... who will make it to Bryant Park???