Sewing Cafe

Patterns, Tutorials and Works in Progress from the Sewing Studio of Lynne Williams

Tuesday, April 24, 2012

Student Progress - Chris


There is never a dull moment in the studio thanks to all my students.  
They bring projects into my life that challenge and engage me.  Isn't that the best?

Chris and his family will soon be heading off into the woods of Wi. for one year with 26 other familys!
Chris will be teaching them how to live in our rather harsh, but beautiful environment.
With the prospect of this trip in his future Chris decided to make a sleeping bag that would accommodate he and his wife...after all one year is along time to sleep in separate mummy bags

We used his one person bag as our inspiration and drafted a pattern that made it twice the size.
The fabrics were all ordered on line including the insulation material, zippers, elastic cord and toggles.  A day of pattern drafting and cutting and 2 days of sewing has resulted in this amazing accomplishment.  I am looking forward to hearing how it preformed.
Chris has plans to make some flannel sheets which will  button in as well.


Intrigued?  Learn more about the event at Teaching Drum 

Would you be interested/willing to live outside in the Northwoods of Wi. for any length of time?
or...
are you like me...a lover of hot water and central heating?

Tuesday, April 17, 2012

The 1912 Project - Oh my!!

The 1912 project has taken a radical turn which has me in a conundrum....sigh

When the good folks at the Vintage Lending Library began their project of digitizing and printing patterns from La Mode Illustre, I seriously doubt they expected to have 400 people want to participate.  This left them with the herculean task of not only digitizing the patterns, translating what directions there were from French into English but also distributing those patterns to all of the eager test sewers. 

 Imagine trying to organize 400 eager stitchers! 
 I truly applaud their efforts.

The logistics of this trial has produced important organizational changes the gist of which leaves me deciding which patterns I would like to sew up for them......Honestly I was quite happy with this decision being out of my hands...one less decision for me to make and I like the era, so it's all good....right?

So I am asking for your help dear readers.  After looking through all of the available designs (currently available that is) I chose the ones below as my favorites or possibly useful garments. 
 I can ask for as many as six!  But which do I choose?
What do you think?  Help me choose a design to sew up and blog about.  What catches your fancy?


LADIES DRESS IN JAPAN BLUE TAFFETA WITH SATIN TRIM
#1
This dress has an appealing hem detail and looks relatively straight forward construction wise.  
Could it be useful if the length was modified or do I make it for display/sale?  

LADIES SKIRT WITH SIDE GORES
 #2
This skirt could be charming in a mid calf length( so possibly useful) and it too appears straight forward in construction.
SUIT FOR YOUNG WOMAN IN MARINE BLUE WITH WHITE STRIPE
#3
 This suit is quite intriguing....The suggested fabric is a pin stripe and the pockets are pieced so that the stripe miters.  The collar detail is lovely and it too has an interesting hem detail this time at the back of the skirt.  This would be for display or for sale.


LADIES JACKET IN HEAVY WOOL WITH VELVET ACCENT
 #4
I am in need of a coat and this could be done as suggested in a wool with velvet accents.


LADIES BLOUSE WITH OUT LINING IN CHECK FABRIC WITH STIFF LINEN COLLAR
 #5
This is the perfect school mistress blouse right?  I could update it for sure and I do need blouses:)
Another plus...it's not a large time or financial commitment

LADIES DUSTER COAT
 #6
Another coat possibility...Trim, buttons and large patch pockets in a modified 3/4 length...Rather nice, but what fabric? What color?
Love the hat...not included of course - lol

LADIES BLOUSE WITH CUT WORK AND PLEATS
#7
Another useful blouse....oh so sweet, and yes I would consider hand finishing those scallops and embroidering those charming dots or are they eyelot holes?  Not a fan of the peter pan collar on me but again I could modify that to a more suitable shape but retain the scallop detail

Please vote and save me some agonizing. 
I am looking forward to hearing your opinions.

Tuesday, April 10, 2012

Congrats to Adam West - Our Favorite Caped Crime Fighter

Had to share this!



Adam West just received a star on Hollywood Blvd.  

Congratulations Adam!

We are honored as well to see our Replica Batman Cowl there as well.  

Thanks to our client Scott Sebring for representing:)

We have now been making these cowl for over 6 years and have had the pleasure of mailing them out all over the world to fans of the 66 Batman TV show.  


If you are not familiar with the series or have not seen it since its original airing in 1966 enjoy this first episode "Hi Diddle Riddle" and learn what "camp" is all about.
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