30 Day Sewing Callenge day 10 of 30

Singer Tiny Serger



Today I worked late and didn't get home until after 8 so I didn't want to start on any sewing.

A few months back I was looking into getting a serger on Craiglist and found a Tiny Serger for $25. I was a little taken back as to why it would only cost $25, but I called the man and left a message. He called me back I asked a friend to go pick it up and when she delivered it to me I had about 30 spools of thread and this little machine that instantly intimidated me. Non the less I looked for review or tutorials on YouTube and found none. Also found out I didn't have a blade on this one. I quickly got over that because I was fearful of cutting my fabric by mistake. Any who I used it and the thread was loose. I was thinking that It had something to do with the fabric I used. Forgot to mention that the man and my friend tested it out on scraps and she even took the scraps to prove it to me. So that brings me to today.

I used the information from this You Tube video I seen to see if I could figure it out.

Tools you will need
Scrap fabric
Scissors or Rotary Cutter
Ruler  
Pen or Marker
Tweezers

btw I wrap the stocking around my scissors so my children know to never use these

I changed the tread to the colors that was on the chart on my Tiny Serger. I did this by knotting with the already threaded string and the new string. I made sure to tie them before the dials so I wouldn't risk un-threading anything.



I measured and cut the fabric to 5 inches wide and 15 1/2 inched long. Then every 1 1/2 inches I placed a mark. I made the first mark 2 inches.

I numbered them 1 - 9 and labeled the top the colors of the treads I had threaded. The video tells you to label them the color and name of what goes with that color, however hers is a regular serger and has 4 spools and mines only have 3 and I didn't know what those colors stood for anyway smh.

I then started serging the fabric starting at 0 and every time I would reach a line I would changed the knob to the number (only on the color of the fabric piece I was using.

Ex:I have the one labeled GREEN I would change the green knob to1...2...3...and so on until I reached 9

As you can see my thread keeps breaking and its only tight when every color is on 1. By the time I get to two it has started to spread apart and the tread breaks. The picture you see is after I have picked the treads out 3 times trying to get it stop breaking.



I guess this experiment has truly help me realize that I'm going to buy me a regular serger lol. I will keep trying on straps with the dial set to 1 on all colors in hopes that I wont have to purchase a serger no time soon. I only use the serger to finish my raw edges and even when I do purchase a regular serger it may be a long time before I use it with the blade up.

I hope this helps someone because it has truly helped me ;-)

30 Day Challenge Day 9 of 30

DIY Regal Maxi W/Sash (thanks MIMI G)

A few months ago I purchased a bundle tutorial from MIMI G and one of the tutorial was the Regal Maxi Skirt. I fell in love with this skirt and the way she put it together and I knew I had to recreate it. Within 24 hours of stumbling across her blog I purchased the bundle and stayed up way pass my bed time looking at the videos. Yup that right I was just looking and taking mental notes about how I would rock each and every one of the looks.

Took me almost a month to cut out the fabric and another month to sew it up. Last week I started sewing the skirt but with this being my first time adding a invisible zipper (with a regular zipper foot)it was a little wonky and I had planned on taking it out and doing it all over. However today I thought, "Ebony stop worrying about" I was ok with the zipper being a little off  and I would add a sash to cover it. At first I didn't want the sash just wanted a wide waistband for the look I was going for. After making it I'm so happy I jacked the zipper up because if not I would have never added the sash. I made it extra long which was good because I can wrap it around twice and cover up my silly zipper ;-).

I will be making this in many different lengths and colors. I chose not to hem the skirt at this time but will do it before this week is out.

I have added the link to MIMI G site and you can purchase the tutorial over there.

Tomorrow Goal: I wanted to make the same skirt just a shorter version the only thing is that I don't think I have enough fabric :-( I also have a meeting at work that usually don't end until 7pm so I may not be sewing anything tomorrow.

30 Day Challenge Day 8 of 30

DIY Tube Top

Today my god daughter came over so I took this opportunity to make her a tube top and hair bow. She is such a diva and I taught this fabric would look adorable on her.

I picked up the fabric already sheared from Walmart for $3 a yard on clearance. I only purchased a half a yard because I wasn't sure how much I would need but I knew I wouldn't need a full yard. I also picked up some head bands because I wanted to make her some headbands but for whatever reason I can't find the headbands today so I made her a hair clip.

This shirt was so easy I just measured, cut the fabric and sewed it up. After I was done it looked a little plain and I didn't want it to fall down while she played so I added straps and a bow to the base of each strap. I used the shirring section that I had left over as the straps because I didnt have enough of any other part of the dress that was long enough. I sewed it on the wrong side and then used a saftey pen to turn it wright side out. I ironed it real good and moved on to the bow.

Hair bow / dress bow

I took two pieces of fabric (bow & clamp; center piece for bow)  no measurement , just what I though would be perfect for my project (sorry Ill measure next time). I sewed the right sides together, turned it inside out, ironed every thing, made the two remaining raw edges meet in the middle sewed that down and then wrapped the smaller piece around the bow and hand stitched that down. I then attched the two bows to the dress and the last bow I slid the hair clip in it. I didn't glue it because I just was being lazy, however I may glue the next one.

I have to admit I really enjoyed the project and will be making her school uniforms for next year. Her mom wants something that will be much different than the other children. So I must get to work. I have an embroidery machine so I plan on stitching her and my son names on the shirts / sweaters I will also be sewing up her skirts and maybe a neck tie. 

I will post photos when my model gets up.

After my model left I noticed that the top was twisted on her. Her bow is almost under her arm.

First I pin wrong sides together

Then I stitched the open sides and used a safety pen to turn it right sides out.

I pressed the strap flat, yhen attached it to the top. 

These are the pieces used for the head band.

Goal for tomorrow:   short regal skirt no sash

30 Day Sewing Challenge day 7 of 30

DIY Infinity Dress

So as you know I talked about the FAILED infinity dress here. After totally screwing that up I decided to try it again. Stopped by Joanns to see if I could find something that was thin enough and the color that I loved. I put a forest green in my cart and thought that was going to be my choice. I strolled over to the Red Tag section and found the Sea-Foam Green fabric for $5 a yard. I wasn't sure if I was in love with it but it was cheaper than the forest green and much thinner. So I gritted my teeth and got 5 yards.

I used the same  tutorial that I used the first time. This blog is very helpful however I think when sewing the waistband I should have added a few more inches only because now I can't get it over this butt of mines. I have to pull it over my head every time, and that's a struggle. I am in love with the tutorial and chose it because I have large breast and not sure if I can go without a bra so with adding the tube top it makes me feel safe wearing it all day. After sewing it up I think I will do away with the tube top it looks a little bulky with it. When I sew it again I won't make the straps as long it kinda got in the way. I made the straps because I'm still thinking I'm 50lbs heavier. I went down in bra size and still very scared they are going to fall out lol.

I planned on wearing this to a friends wedding that will take place in Hawaii however I'm sure I want to wear it to my sons graduation. The only problem is that its going to rain that day :-( as I said in a previous post I was working on two outfits for that day so I guess I need to work on a 3rd now. Both dresses brush the ground even with my heels on and I don't want them to be muddy. I have a short dress that I have been thinking of making but I will have to wash the fabric ASAP.

I hand stitched the hem in the skirt because I was afraid of the puckering. I was told that I should get a walking foot and ladies I think I should this fabric look so nice but you can truly tell every stich that was made.

Please forgive the wrinkles I folded it up and planned on ironing it when my camera man got home but I forgot then when my friend stopped by I stole the chance to take as many pictures as I could.

Tomorrow Goal: regal maxi skirt

30 day challenge day 6 of 30

DIY Infinity Dress FAIL


SOOOOOOOO a few months back I made an infinity dress and it was a fail. I guess I should have did some research before starting the challenge (sew your own wardrobe) to sew the infinity dress. I'm not sure of the name of the fabric but it has that slinky stretch to it, its also very heavy. After the Infinity was complete and I tried some of the styles I noticed that it was too heavy and most of the styles look homemade......back to the drawing board. I wanted to make a jumpsuit out of the material but wasn't confident enough in making pants, I now wish I would have tried it.

I first made a top with a peplum at the bottom using a tank top as a pattern. I used one of the long wrap portion to make the top. I used the same seam I had already stitched for the dress, cut out the sleeves (two big squares) and peplum and stitched it all back up. When I was done I notice that it was extra long. It now can be worn for Day or Night

I then took the dress portion added elastic to the top, took it in 2 more inches and now I have a maxi. I never cut the bottom when I made the infinity so I didn't loose any length. I styled it whit my favorite DIY OBI belt.

I don't know what I will work on tomorrow but I only have a week to make an outfit for my preschooler  graduation. I'm going to spend the night washing up some fabric to sew up some outfits for next week. I have no clue as to what I should make so I better look at my patterns tonight for some ideas

30 day Challenge Day 5 of 30

DIY M6173

So recently I lost 50 lbs and for what ever reason I can't get those numbers correct in my head. Mostly everything I make is too big and today is no different. I cut the pattern out a week or so ago and decided yesterday to sew it up today. Again my bright self wanted to change up the pattern and make the waistband wider like yoga pants. I cut a separate waistband 6 inch long. I read the direction to the pattern but didn't follow it, I did stitch it twice on every seam. After sewing the legging up I had to take them in about an inch and they still don't fit like I will like for them to fit. the legs was too long and the knees fit like a pair of jeans :-( the are very comfortable and easy to forget you are wearing pants. However I think that after a few hours in them they may become very loose and sag in all the wrong places.

 This is after taking in a few inches and chopping off all that extra fabric at the angle. These need a lot of work before I wear these, I'm setting them aside until I have completed the challenge unless I find some free time.

The good thing about this pattern is that I have a piece of fabric that I purchased a few months back that I would love to make a pair of skinnies with. I'm thinking because of the fit  this is the best pattern to make them. I just may sew up a muslin with it tomorrow to try to adjust the fit and see if this will work. The material has very little stretch to it. So wish me luck!

30 Day Challenge Day 4 of 30 V1282

DIY V1282 Donna Karan Vogue Pattern

My goal for today was to work on two totally different  outfits that I plan on wearing to my sons graduation, however I came home and decided to sew up V1282 or shall I say finish it. I cut it out a month ago and sewed up the back seam a few days ago. I seen a few reviews and I agree this is a very easy pattern to sew. I haven't sewn off of a pattern in over 4 yrs and when I did sew with that pattern I had a lot of help. I'm not to sure of the sewing terminology sew  it took me longer than expected to read the patter.n. I'm still not very sure I did it correctly but its finished and looks great on.  I must agree that it is a little sexy (too sexy) for me so I did sew it up a little higher than what the pattern suggest. I need to redo the front because its a little off centered. Ill do that after I get off tomorrow. I also don't think I did the arm holes correctly because I pressed the life out of the this shirt and it still kinds of lay twisted around the arm area. I also added my self made pattern weights (pics below).

So with that said look at the pictures an tell me what you think...

Pattern Description: Loose-fitting, bias, pullover top has draped front neckline with weight, no side seams and stitched hem. Very close-fitting, below waist pull-on skirt has elastic waist with contrast facing, pleats, front extending to side back, no side seams and right side back slit. Self bias binding finishes hem.
 
Fabric Used: A two way stretched I picked up from my local fabric store for $4 a yard

Pattern Sizing: I cut the 18

Were the instructions easy to follow? I guess I really don't know its all foreign to me lol

What did you particularly like or dislike about the pattern? I love the fit on it

and how It hangs on me

Pattern alterations or any design changes you made: Other than what I did to the arm holes by mistake. No I tried to keep it the same

Would you sew it again? Yes, I plan to make it a few more times, may even try to sew it in a dress

 I added a dab of glue and placed each coin together sandwiched them between the clip and left it until I was done sewing. Worked great for me.

Tomorrows Goal: McCalls 6173