You Asked...

Let's start with the newest pillowcases I've made, shall we? I'm really having fun making them. They're fast, simple and add so much to a finished quilt.

This is one of four matching pillowcases I made for our master bedroom. This one is sitting on top of the king-size quilt I made for our bed. Now the bed looks "finished" when I make it up in the morning.

If you've been inspired to make pillowcases, please feel free to add them to the Flickr group I've started. The link is in my left sidebar now. Just click the picture and it will take you to the group.

And, now - just because you asked...
Here's a photo of me in the new top I made last week. I'm not wearing the skirt because I haven't had a chance to get to the store to purchase the right elastic for the waistband. (I know. Hard to believe I don't have it in my stash, isn't it?)

The top is extremely comfortable, but I'm thinking it's a bit "roomier" than I planned. I haven't decided yet if I'll keep it that way or take it in a bit. I have probably 2" on each side that I could take it in if I decide to.

I haven't made anything for myself in a long while, so perhaps I'm being a bit critical. I was really hoping that it would be more slimming, and am disappointed in that respect. I know that my body isn't what it was when I was in my 30's, but I don't want to make things that accentuate the negatives.

I have a tendency toward self-deprecation, so I'll stop before I write something I don't really mean. Suffice it to say that I'm not sure I'll make this pattern again. I think I'll move on to something more tailored...and I'm even more excited about using one of my Lutterloh patterns now. I'm going to tackle that project next week, and promise to share photos, too. Good or bad. Remember, you asked...

The Lutterloh System...

Are you familiar with the Lutterloh System? If you make your own clothing (or have in the past, or would like to in the future) this is a wonderful way for you to be sure that your clothes fit every time. The system provides patterns sized exactly to your body, without the need for a body double or duct tape dress form!

When you purchase the system, you receive a binder with starter patterns, a tape measure, a special marking gauge, pins, double stick tape and marking pen. I can't remember if I purchased the plastic designer's curve (not shown) with my kit, or if I purchased it separately, but you want to have one of those, too. A smaller cardboard one does come inside the binder.
Each 5 x 7 pattern page in the binder has the garment piece(es) shown on the front...
and the actual pattern printed is on the back.
The system includes complete instructions on how to create your pattern, but the simple explanation is that you start with your own specific measurements. Then, using the special gauge and measuring tape, transfer the measurements (shown as dots) from the small pattern onto Swedish pattern paper, creating an upsized version in your own size. Genius!
There is a pamphlet that gives basic information for pattern making, and the company also has a video on its website that gives an overview. (Click this link to watch the short version of the video.) There is also a longer instruction video, showing step-by-step directions. In addition, you can order more seasonal or special supplement patterns (in sets) from their website.

If you're a novice seamstress, you might be a bit overwhelmed with the process. Especially if you aren't sure about the "order of assembly" on a regular pattern. But that doesn't mean that you can't learn this system. Each pattern actually tells you the order of assembly in the form of matching alphabet references. All the information a person needs to make each garment is coded onto the pattern pieces. Who knows? Perhaps it would actually be easier for a novice to learn with this system over conventional patterns!

I've been using conventional patterns for over forty years, so I came to this process "prewired". I let you know after I make my first garment via Lutterloh whether or not that was an advantage or disadvantage.

Here's the link to Lutterloh's main page in case you're just itching to know more.

I'm really looking forward to creating my first garments, and I promise to actually model the results for you. (As my friend, Kate at Chronicles of a Country Girll says in her blog header, "Try not to get to excited." giggle)

A few of you left comments yesterday, expecting that I'd have everything made by today. I really appreciate your vote of confidence, but Tuesdays are full of music rehearsals and evening Books a Million gatherings with girlfriends. So there was no sewing yesterday.

Today, Handsome and I are heading to a ball game (Tampa Bay Rays vs. Philly) with friends. That means I won't get a shot at making anything before tomorrow. I have prewashed the knit fabrics, so they're waiting for me in the studio. I'm going to prewash the linen fabric I showed you yesterday, and that's the fabric I'll be using for my Lutterloh pattern. I'm really chomping at the bit to get to it, but I'm going to enjoy the day and think about those new projects later.

Cue the music, bring in the cute dog and the little red-haired girl with no eye pupils. "Tomorrow, tomorrow, I love ya, tomorrow..." (Sorry. I just couldn't resist.)

Think Spring; Think New Wardrobe...

Spring is in the air, and an ol' girl's thoughts turn to new clothes for the new season. But seamstresses don't head to the store. No. They head to their stash!

I started by opening the top drawer of my pattern cabinet and choosing the outfits I'd like to make. I want to wear more dresses and skirts this year, so I started there. My first choice is this New Look pattern (sorry, it's discontinued and no longer available for purchase). I have never made anything from this pattern before, even though I've had it for a loooonnnng time. I'm going to make the outfit that's second from the left.

After the first pattern was chosen, I went into my clothing fabric stash and chose these white and light (Margarita) green knit fabrics.
I also have the red knit fabric, so I'll do it in this colorway as well. I have enough of the white to make both tops, and then make the skirts to match them. Right from the start, I'll have two complete new outfits for spring and summer. Well, actually, they'll work nearly year-round in Florida, but if I head North, they'll be perfect for spring and summer.
After I'd decided on the first two outfits, I pulled out my Lutterloh pattern book and chose this ensemble. I'll be making it in the more - ahem - modest length. I've had these two linen fabrics for over twenty years! I loved them so much, I couldn't bring myself to cut them. The fabrics are in perfect condition but I'll launder them first, just to be sure they're stable before I layout, cut and sew the dress and jacket.

In case you haven't heard of the Lutterloh system, I'll tell you all about it tomorrow. This will be my first project using the system and I'm quite excited at the prospect of having a pattern custom-fit to my mature - and currently zaftig - figure. I have enough of the printed linen to make an additional skirt and jacket ensemble in matching fabric. If I do that, I'll have at least two more coordinating new looks!

So now you know what I have planned for this week. What have you planned? The weather is absolutely perfect around here. Mum told me that they're expecting another snowstorm in Michigan. I couldn't help but groan when she told me. Really? More snow? So much for "global warming", I say. I hope that it's a false alarm and that wherever you live, your weather will be perfect for you, too.
Don't forget that there's still time to enter my Second Blog Birthday Giveaway. There are lots of ways to add entries, but you can only enter on the giveaway post. Click here to learn more. As they say here in the South, "Good luck, y'all!"