Obsess Much?

Posted on March 23, 2011 by Tabatha

I found a Kijiji ad for a Baby Lock Ellure, an embroidery machine with the ability to stitch out designs larger than 4″x4″ at a great price. The more I looked into it, the more I realized that although it was a very good machine, it was outdated with no USB port. It was also located about an hour from home and the seller could only meet on week days. In the mean time, I returned my Brother HE-240 to Costco for a full refund and made an appointment to pick up the Ellure.

The day of pick-up, TDF started looking at embroidery machines and sent me other ads for better machines and said he’d give me an early birthday present! I cancelled my appointment to pick up the Ellure and set my sights higher. That was yesterday

Today I don’t have an embroidery machine but I’m looking… BTW, if you have an embroidery machine you love, please let me know!!

My blue striped paisley shirt is done and we love it! My apologies for the wrinkles, TDF has already worn it to work. The front stripes and paisleys match across the front and I cut the back yoke in half and on the bias, which I love. The cuffs are also on the bias and I included another embroidery on the inside yoke. If I ever get another embroidery machine, I may add another design on the left front bottom near the button holes…

Burda 7419 Men’s (Field) Coat

Posted on February 22, 2011 by Tabatha

TDF’s coat is almost complete. I’ve been wrestling with both my Viking Sapphire 850 and Brother HE-240 for button holes. I did tests with both on 2 layers of corduroy and although they both passed with flying colours, neither could perform on the coat itself. The Sapphire would do that thing where it would go beyond the desired width of the button hole to infinity or it would get stuck in one spot and build a terrific nest. The Brother HE-240, on the other hand, couldn’t get past the starting line which was easier to unpick. Brother HE-240 did make nice button holes with top stitching thread but I wouldn’t use it on a shirt, that’s where the Sapphire excels.

Brother HE-240 Button Holes

And finally, a photo of my bright paisley shirt, Kwik Sew 2777 done!

TDF and I celebrated our 10th anniversary at TOCA at the Ritz-Carlton, Toronto this afternoon. We were given complementary glasses of champagne and oysters from both coasts! I had a salad with duck prosciutto and candied walnuts as an appetizer, double smoked salmon for the main course and a phenomenal chocolate cake for dessert with a latte. TDF had the lobster bisque, Alberta beef burger and bread pudding with an espresso after which he got to meet Chef Tom Brodi, and sample cheese in the cheese cave. We were congratulated by many staff including the general manager Tim Terceira and executive chef, Rainer Zinngrebe, all of whom made us feel like rock stars. TDF was very impressed, enjoyed himself thoroughly and that’s all that mattered to me, I’m looking forward to the next 10+.

Fabric Sale!

Posted on February 19, 2011 by Tabatha

100% cotton sateen

Today Fabricland had a 40% off member’s sale and had just received a big selection of fabulous spring cottons! However, the first thing I grabbed was over 6 meters of purple cotton sateen from the discontinued sale table for just $5.0o per meter @ 150cm wide. I am in love with this fabric, especially the bright gold accent. The plan is to make the infamous McCall’s trench (#5525), I’m considering cutting the entire coat on the bias because of the short repeat. Am I mad? (Click on the images for a larger view.)

I also purchased 4 meters of this 100% cotton madras to which TDF said, “Ah, more PJ material.” ARG!! I’m going to make a shirt with it regardless but guess what?! TDF had one of his old buddies over this afternoon and he was BRAGGING about his paisley shirt — the one he won’t wear in public because it’s too loud, and corduroy jacket. I was in heaven.

I had my hair cut this afternoon and I just couldn’t help myself, I just had to stop at Fabricland again as it was on my way home and I forgot to pick-up a sleeve board. This awesome striped/paisley “quilting” cotton jumped out and grabbed me, I couldn’t resist. I’m going to do some serious pattern matching with this fabric, back, fronts, yokes, no short cuts for me.

I examined the dress forms, they had two models in the store, the Diana and the True Form. There wasn’t much padding on either and they were very wobbly. light, flimsy with thin plastic. The suggested retail price was $500.00! If I had $500.00 to spend on a dress form, I certainly wouldn’t buy one of those cheap models. If I can’t find a Dritz in Toronto, I’ll order My Double from Montreal

Reliable Arrival!

Posted on February 16, 2011 by Tabatha

Just prior to leaving work yesterday, my Reliable Digital Velocity V100 arrived! TDF went to his closet immediately after getting home and brought me an arm full of shirts, five to be exact. The first thing I wanted to do was compare the Reliable to our current T-Fal. The size AND the sole plate difference is obvious the T-Fal has a million little holes whereas the Reliable only has 7, “for maximum steam penetration”. The Reliable is considerably heavier than the T-Fal which means you don’t have to physically press down, just move the iron around and let it do the work.

I filled up the Reliable with R/O water, plugged it in and set it for 2 dots. It was ready to rock within minutes which was astonishing as I typically wait 3 to 5 minutes or longer for the T-Fal. I pressed the steam button which generated steam, seemingly within seconds. All you pros out there, keep in mind that I’ve been using domestic, off-the-shelf irons my entire life and to me, this is a real treat! The steam just kept coming. Remarkably, it stopped instantly when I set it down to adjust my fabric. I LOVE THIS IRON! I’m really looking forward to ironing meters of fabric quickly.

There are just a couple of caveats. What I’ve read is true, the controls on the handle are in an awkward place and I too kept hitting them accidentally. I kept my eye on the display to ensure I wasn’t changing the temperature, I need to adjust my habits and hold the iron from the rear of the handle. Second, being a newbie to powerful irons, I’m a little afraid of it. Keep your fingers away from the steam!! I did wrestle with one stubborn, 100% cotton shirt, it just didn’t want to release it’s wrinkles so I turned it up to three dots, I’m not clear on how to increase the steam, will have to read the manual again.

After a month or so, I’ll update my review if needed and post it on PR.

BTW, I purchased a couple of shirts for TDF from Good Will awhile ago and he hasn’t worn them yet but asked me to iron them last evening. One is a Mobaco made in Egypt and the other is a Daniel Hechter. I like both shirts, the cottons are very soft and there are signs which indicate that at least the Mobaco was hand made. I love the details on the DH shirt though, double buttons on the collar stand and angled cuffs which I’m going to attempt to mimic at some point.

So in summary, two thumbs up on my new Reliable Digital Velocity V100 iron and I think I did good on finding good quality shirts at the local charity shop. One has to wonder where they came from originally, who owned them and why were they given up?

Loose Threads & New Projects

Posted on February 15, 2011 by Tabatha

Bruda 7419

Before I start on yet another shirt, I need to hem the sleeves, make button holes, select buttons and sew them on to the paisley shirt. As well, I need to hem the sleeves on TDF’s spring coat & add snaps as the weather is getting warmer and he needs a transitional coat.

For the next Robert Graham-esque inspired shirt, I’m planing on using this crazy grouping of quilting fabrics but I’m not 100% sold on this combination. If you hold your hand over the spirals, you’ll see that the stripes and block go nicely together. If you hold your hand over the blocks, you’ll see that the spirals and stripes go well together but all three together might be too much. I have some solid turquoise left over from the paisley shirt which might be a good alternative.

Please let me know what you think of this fabric combination, love it? Hate it?

There’s another member’s sale at Fabricland this weekend, I need to purchase a tailor’s curve so now’s the time not to mention embroidery thread! Apparently they have some new fabrics which I’ll have to check out.

McCall's 5525

Awhile ago, I picked up the fabulous trench pattern, McCall’s 5525 and now’s the time to get started on that as well! I have a stretch cotton in a similar colour to the pattern image but it’s so B-O-R-I-N-G! It uses almost 4 meters of fabric (5 5/8 yards), so I want to make the right choice, fun but not crazy lady! Any suggestions?