A Shirt for Joe

After Simplicity 8573 failed me in the last blog, I decided to make a shirt for Joe with my "goto" pattern, Simplicity 7330 in size large.

This time I am using real cotton-flannel instead of the snuggle-flannel.  A bargain price at $5 per yard.

I also decided to get in my sewing machine collection for the machine to use.  I thought a long time, then decided my Viking 190 has not been used in a while.  This is a mechanical machine from the 80s.  It has the needle stop up/down feature I like so much.  It also has a four-step buttonhole.

This shirt fits Joe like it should.

I did finish my Christmas wall hanging I started a few blogs ago.

I received recognition of being number six out of the top ten male sewing blogs. 

Click here to see the list.

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Snuggle-Flannel Shirts and New Pattern Fails

Snuggle-flannel is a cotton fabric that has the design printed on it rather than woven.  This makes it low in cost.  I bought it at Joann's for $2.35 a yard.

I made a shirt with Simplicity 8427 for me.  I made size 38 and added two inches to the sleeve length.  I watched the sew along Video to refresh my memory on shirt construction.

 I used my Bernina 910.

I made one for Joe using a new pattern, Simplicity 8753. This pattern has classic, slim and modern styles .  I chose classic and I cut a size 40 in everything but the waist, that I increased to 42.

I used my White 6775.

Everything went great until Joe tried it on.  It was way too small.  It fits me!

See the difference between the shirt I made and a shirt Joe likes.

Dixie was also in disbelief.

So, two shirts for me.  A big F for the sizing on Simplicity 8753.

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Busy with Quilts

I have been busy with quilts the last two months.  I hope to get back to sewing apparel soon.

I have been working on The Asteria Quilt which is a queen size.  I now have all the squares finished, but it might be a while until I sew them together to make the quilt since I will have to do it in the driveway so I have room to lay it out.

Here it is in the diveway.

I have also started a Christmas wall hanging.  It will have four to six squares, I haven't decided yet.

Here are two of the finished squares.

I have also been taking The Farm Girl Vintage quilt class.  We make two squares at each class.  Sometime next year there will be enough squares to make a quilt.

Here are the squares made so far.

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My shirt has gone to the dogs.

I have been quilting more than sewing lately.  But when I was buying quilt fabric  for 70% off at Joanns this week, I found some cute doggy fabric.  I thought it would be a good shirt for picnics, wine tasting, and other fun outings.  Red usually isn't my color, so this is a departure from the norm for me.  However, the thread that matched is called tomato 🍅, so not too bright.

Since this is going to be a "fun" shirt, I am using Simplicity 7330 which is my "go to" relaxed -fit shirt pattern.  This pattern has both a notched collar and a collar with stand.  I am making the collar with stand.  It will be medium size with short sleeves.

I also decided to use my Bernina 1120 to sew this shirt.  This is a wonderful machine that is smooth and powerful.

There were two events this weekend Joe and I attended.  One was a local artists show and the other was a wine tasting fundraiser for cancer patient transportation to the treatment center, which is an hour drive from us. 

Perfect places to wear my shirt.

Enjoying the event

Reading the label, must be good wine.

Joe and I enjoying event.

Front

Rear

Enjoying the art I purchased

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Star Quilt

I decided to make a quilt using the free quilt pattern "Land of the free" found here.  The instructions are good.  I did bind it as taught in class, not as the instructions showed.

Joann's had patriotic material on sale for 70% off for the 4th of July.  So this is a very patriotic quilt.

First I had to make the center star.

 Then the middle star.

Then I assembled the large star points.

Next I assembled the  large middle points.

Then everything was sewn together to form the large centerpiece of the quilt.

Sixteen small red stars and four large blue stars were made.

I ended up with this

I sewed all the squares with my Singer Featherweight.  

I quilted it with my White 305.

I attached the binding with my Necchi Supernova Ultra.

After quilting and binding, here it is. 78 inches square.

The back has patriotic dogs.

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A new machine and a new shirt.

I shop the local thrift store at least once a week.  Sometimes I find cloth or a sewing machine.  Most of the time I strike out.

I was lucky this week to find an Elna Super in very good shape and some blue cloth perfect for a shirt.

This is my first  Elna.  I am surprised how smooth and quiet it runs.  I did have to download a manual to see how the buttonhole mechanism works.   It has a few built -in stitches and also takes cams, which there was one in the machine.

Case looks like a typewriter

Nice looking free-arm machine

Open flap to access decorative stitches and cam shaft

Half of the case becomes a table

I made my "go to" shirt pattern, the simplicity 8427 which I wore to a quilt show in Reno.

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Stacked Lap-Quilt

I was inspired by a quilt that looks like the squares are stacked instead of simply sewn together.  It can be seen here.  A block is made, then cut into quarters so they can be mixed around to make the stacked look.

I recorded the cost of everything because I have been told I can donate quilts to Hospice or other charities.  I don't think my quilting skills are there yet.  But it helped me see the cost of my new hobby.

The timing was right, because Joann's had 75% off fat quarters(22" by 18" fabric piece).  I bought 20 for a price of  $12.45.

I also was lucky to find some 100% cotton for the backing at Wal-Mart for $2.50 per yard for two yards, totaling $5.

I had a bolt of batting I bought when I started quilting.  I could say this is stash, but I'll set the cost at $3.

The binding was made from fabric leftover from a previous quilt.

Adding everything up, it is roughly $21 for this 48" by 60" quilt, even with all supplies bought on sale.

I used my Singer 6268 for the project.

Finished quilt

I quilted it by stitching in the ditch.  Thus, a nice grid  pattern on back.

Back

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