Saturday 31 August 2013

Tick tock .... time is approaching .... Scary September is almost here


It has been quite a challenging time for me already for me as I HAVE HAD NO BROADBAND!!!!!!! Over a week ago a AUSGRID (Electricity) worker was doing maintenance in the next suburb and did something that blew the whole grid and several suburbs lost electricity. That was fixed however something happened to my bigpond broadbrand and I have been without full on internet ever since. A technician is coming out on Tuesday and will hopefully fix it but until then I have had to acquire a small capacity dodo dongle to use so that I can still run my business (although it hasn't helped with using my wireless printers!!)

Consequently I haven't been blogging or reading many blogs as the capacity on my dongle has to be kept for work. (every now and then I have taken a peek - can't help myself!!)

I apologise if I normally comment on your posts but haven't been of late. I will try to catch up when broadband comes back.

As September is almost here I thought I would use a little dodo juice to remind us that Scary September is upon us...

I am so looking forward to stepping out of my comfort zone and absolutely thrilled that I will have company on the journey.

It is not to late to join in - if you want to just let me know and I will add you to the list of jumpers below. Likewise - if you are listed below and you want to change your challenge - let me know.

Here is what we are doing

Alison is hoping to tackle making her own bras in September (Wow – that really is a challenge)

Valerie is going to create a pants block - something that most sewists struggle with - good luck.

Kat is going to try to use more prints (Yes Kat – cross over to the dark side!!)

As it's been 30 years since Helen touched a buttonhole attachment or a zipper, she is going to tackle that (along with me!!!! I need to do that too)

Jackets and woven tops will be Towanda’s focus. She is also liking the idea of mixing prints. (Looking forward to seeing what you come up with)

Yeah – Anne will be sewing the same pattern as me (Vogue 8691 – Katherine Tilton) Yeah!! (It will be great to see what my sister comes up with – we can compare from across the ocean).

Carol is looking to step off the edge into "artsy" along with me. (It will be great to see all of the artsy pieces coming through)

Leonie has set quite a task for September. She is going to enter the PR Mini Wardrobe Competition - Also, 2 of her garments are going to contain very scary zips. (Good luck with both. I have entered in the past and like you, hadn’t got past the comment board. I shall watch with interest)

L is going to try a fitted woven blouse or bras. (I am scared of the fitted woven too – knits are so much more forgiving…… as for bras…. Now THAT is really scary)

Julie is either going for a fully coordinated wardrobe or to make her own corset (both equally scary – I will be cheering you on)

Louise is joining the mini wardrobe contest in Pattern Review. This is a massive challenge in itself. (I know - I have joined a couple and never succeeded - good luck Louise - I'm sure you will do it)


Nothy Lane is going for a coat or a bunch of buttondowns. (Wow – a coat is definitely a challenge – not sure what buttondowns are?? But I am sure that they are also scary. I will look forward to seeing what you end up doing)

Sue from Quilt, Sew, Sew Sue

Sue is also looking at the mini wardrobe contest. (Fantastic - looking forward to seeing your wardrobe done).



Maggie is drafting her own pant pattern – wow – and also going to alter  and complete a muslin from a Connie Crawford pant pattern. (Go Maggie).


Ruthie is going to try the very challenging task of making a jacket from boiled wool. (Got to check that out!)


KC from The Sewcratic Method

KC is on the road to making wearable pants (pjs not included) - good luck - looking forward to seeing them

becki-c from beccabeck stuff

Becki is another intrepid jumper who is tackling a whole wardrobe of 4 coordinated garments. Good luck - I am so looking forward to seeing these come to life.


The wonderful Marvita at Pattern Therapy is joining in to sew with sheer lightweight materials in a dress blouses (not knits) with french seams. Sounds beautiful. Marvita (along with Natalea) are hosting their own challenge at Sew Your Own Wardrobe For a Year! I have joined in – along with many others and am pleased to say no RTW clothes have crossed this threshold since.



Sarah Liz is joining in the fun and going to sew a slim leg jean or trouser using a stretch fabric. That will be great and very interested to see what you come up with .



     Juliette is tackling an Indie pattern for the first time - the Colette Chantilly – sounds great – looking    forward to seeing it finished.



      Tropical Threads is going to complete a properly finished bra. You are certainly braver than I!

shawntasews from http://shawntasews.wordpress.com/

Shawnta is tackling a whole lot of challenges including lining a jacket, dealing with light fabrics like chiffon with French Seams and creating a lining pattern for a dress. Wow - go girl.

Please check out their blogs and watch their progress. I will also be posting on progress - both my own and my fellow jumpers.

Of course my challenge is to make Vogue 8691 with zip.



BTW does anyone know where I can get a zip similar to the one on the top below?



I look forward to seeing the steps we all take

46 comments:

  1. Love that top pattern! Have fun - I am going to join the mini wardrobe contest for September too as my challenge.

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  2. So sad that you have limited your internet! but when the problem is resolved, you will have lots of fun with all those companions of challenges, luck, dear Lady!

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  3. I'm not sure where you are located, but if that zipper has rhinestones on the teeth, I got a catalog the other day from Newark Dressmaker Supply that had them in it.

    Also, I would love to join in Scary September, and I will be trying to make some trousers. I started drafting my own pattern last night while I watched Project Runway. I will also alter and muslin a Connie Crawford pants pattern. It is a challenge because I just started sewing clothes again after a couple of decades away from it, and also I am tall and plus sized.

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    1. Excellent - I have put you in. Thanks for the tip on Newark.

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  4. For your zips - try zipperstop.com and thezipperlady.com - both have rhinestone zippers.

    Sorry to miss this fabulous challenge - I really need to conquer casual tops like t-shirts, preferably with dartless FBA's and learn how to do great neckbands - but . . . . I am on vacation in Australia all month :)

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    1. How exciting - I hope you enjoy our fair country and the weather stays nice. What are your plans?

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  5. I can't tell from the picture, but it looks like that might be a Riri zipper. The folks at McCalls/Butterick/Vogue use them pretty frequently. You can get them from Pacific Trimming (http://www.pacifictrimming.com/default/riri-zipper.html). The website doesn't have the assortment they have in the store, but you can call them and describe what you are looking for. That's an M4 or an M6 zipper, I believe.

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    1. Thanks Anne, I will definitely check out Pacific Trimmings... (Love your fabric site!!! Drool Drool)

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  6. BTW - not sure why I came back to this post, but noticed you are looking for a source for the zipper. This is a Brisbane based shop so postage shouldn't be too crazy. http://www.sckafsfabrics.com.au/shop-online?page=shop.browse&category_id=22

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  7. I hope you get better access to the internet real soon.

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  8. Thats a nice top you are going to make, I think you'll have no problem, Ive gone and entered the mini wardrobe on pattern review, a very last minute, click the the enter button thing. So I will be very busy this month, hope I can manage it all. The internet is marvellous when it works, hope you are soon sorted.

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    1. Louise - I have taken the liberty of changing your challenge as sewing a whole wardrobe in a month is enough of a challenge.

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  9. I am going to sew with boiled wool for the first time and make a jacket. Ruthie from http://ruthieksews1.blogspot.co.uk/ (Sew Ruthie)

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    1. Excellent - I have put you down for a boiled wool jacket.

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  10. Got to love Telstra. Aren't we still in the dark ages. We frequently have to use our dongle...

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  11. Whoops, forgot to say I hope the problem is resolved soon.

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  12. Oooo...did I say that? Uh oh. =)

    ZipperStop or Riri might have what you're looking for.

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    1. You did indeed - do you want to change it? Thanks for the tips for the zips.

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    2. By 'change' do you mean 'completely wimp out'? =) I'll give it a try. I'm forging ahead on a coat whose fabric and pattern I've had for about six years. I'll give the woven blouse another try.

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  13. button holes? did I say that??? lol! lol! I keep staring at a OFP pattern that has buttons alllllllll the way down lol! maybe I'll start with one lol! we can do this Beverly! lol!after staring at the pockets for my cape that I made for the cape challenge I finally put them in after getting help from a friend lol! ohh what a month this shall be!
    Helen

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    1. We sure will. Reading your comments always brings a smile to my face Helen.

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    2. I'd better start by learning sewing terms lol I noticed I said OFP patterns there is no such thing lol! ment to say OOP (out of print)we could make up a new word old favorite patterns lol!
      Helen

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  14. I hope your broadband is restored very soon, BeaJay!
    I'd like to join Scary September and make at least one pair of trousers and wear them outside the house. Pajama bottoms don't count!

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    1. Fantastic - I look forward to seeing them.

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  15. Limited internet, oh no!!! To the sewingroom we go?

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    1. I wish - unfortunately I have been on a spring cleaning bug generated by the fact that I had to clean up my office so that the Broadband technician can find his way out after fixing my internet access. Would hate to have him perish in there and find his bones in a decade or two

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  16. LOL! I would get so much more sewing done without internet. But I know its frustrating, good luck!

    I love Riri zippers, and I called Pacific Trim for one not listed on the website and I got wonderful service. I used the rainbow zipper on a leather jacket and I get a lot of compliments on it. The perfect zipper can really spice up an outfit like that.

    Count me in for jumping out of my comfort zone, I need to actually finish 4 coordinated garments for the wardrobe contest. I'm horrible at actually finishing projects!

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    1. Thanks for the zip tip. Looking forward to seeing your finished wardrobe - that certainly is a challenge.

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  17. BeeJay, I think that's one of these zippers: http://webstore.quiltropolis.net/stores_app/Browse_Item_Details.asp?Shopper_id=1563911740501563&Store_id=584&page_id=23&Item_ID=1070

    Good luck on Scary September!!

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  18. I love this challenge - it just the thing I need to get moving and learn and perfect some new techniques. I'll be making button down shirts and if my Style Arc pattern arrives soon, a coat too. I'll be able to start the coat before the end of September anyway...Tomorrow, I'll cut my fabric and get started on my first button-down...

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    1. Excellent - sounds great. Looking forward to seeing your work (especially the coat - as I am a StyleArc girl myself!!!)

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  19. Hi Beajay, I've been wondering if it is too late to join in - I want to make up some stretch fabric into a pair of slim jeans or trousers - and you know how my small legs give me some scary fitting issues!

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    1. It will only be too late on 1st Oct... Welcome aboard. Looking forward to seeing those trousers. You have done so much great work on getting a pant sloper.

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    2. Thank BeaJay, - I'll add your button later this week and post my plans and let everyone know about your challenge. I have one of those weeks this week...

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  20. I better get my new sewing room sorted and start on my prints... hmm, maybe even a maxi??

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    1. Ooooh - love a good maxi. Look forward to seeing it.

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  21. 4 days into September and I'm away from my new home. I'm trying for a coordinated wardrobe of house clothes and underwear, including a corset.

    I hope you get your Internet back soon. I'm lost without mine!

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  22. Oooh, sounds like fun - count me in. My scary sewing is the Colette Chantilly - it's going to be my first attempt at an indie pattern, and boy, it's looking complicated... I'm almost too scared to pull out the pattern paper to trace!

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  23. Ooh - sounds great. I will make the changes

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Thanks for stopping by and leaving a comment. I appreciate your feedback and your interest.