Last week I asked for your opinions on irons and digitally cataloging my sewing patterns. Thank you so much for your input; you were a big help! I've decided to go with two temporary solutions that are in testing mode:
 |
| DG5030 Pressure Iron & Steamer |
Irons: Many of you like
Reliable irons, and I wish there was a place near me to check them out. I was at Macy's Herald Square, riding one of the store's ancient but quaint wooden escalators down to the basement cafeteria (highly recommend it), when it deposited me right in front of the irons. The
Rowenta irons were all on sale, including this one (above). I spent some time playing with it, and I liked how
this iron felt light and how the water tank holds 33 ounces and how the footprint was small enough for my limited space. Plus I have a full year to return it if I'm not satisfied. Since I was actually
happy with my Rowenta for three out of its four years of use, I decided to give this model a try. I'll let you know if I end up returning it.
 |
| A view of some of my 155 patterns on Picasa. |
Pattern Cataloging: You all had many suggestions here, including Pattern Pal, Bento, PatternReview and Evernote. Currently I see my digital cataloging needs as very simple. I want to be able to
view all my patterns at home and remotely so I stop buying patterns that are similar to ones I already own. Just last week I bought a McCalls pants pattern not realizing I already have a Simplicity pattern just like it. I am (generally)
not an impulse fabric buyer, so I don't need to have access to yardages 24/7.
On Sunday I assembled all my patterns, laid a piece of white foamcore on my dining room table, opened the curtains for some nice natural lighting, and took quick shots—
filling the frame with the pattern—of each of my patterns against the foamcore. This actually did not take very long, about an hour. I uploaded them to my computer, made low-res copies, then uploaded the low-res files to
Picasa. (In the future I can just save pattern images from the web site or Etsy and upload them to Picasa.) I love seeing all my patterns in one glance.
•••••••••••••••••••••••••••
It feels so good to be in a sewing groove! I finished Annie's sheath dress, a tunic for me, and now I'm working on an easy
long-and-flowing skirt for me. The trick to production-line sewing for me is to cut out a pattern or two each weekend, since I'm usually too tired to cut out at night but not too tired to sew for an hour or so. Do you have any
production line tips that you find make it easier for you to sew when you want? Share here, please!
14 comments:
sew everything you can without crossing seams and then take them to the ironing board.
Sew all small details,like patch pockets and flaps first
I never sew the lining first because invariably I've altered the garment to some degree in fitting and it's not fun to rip lining fabric.
Since I make a lot of Burda I trace and fit a few at a time to have them ready to cut out. Of course this is a true waste of time if I change my mind about making the pattern!
You got me hopping on the iron buying. I bought a Reliable. I went with the reviews and found a new one on ebay from an appliance warehouse. Almost went with the Rowenta at Bed,Bath and Beyond. Love to hear how you like it. Right now I am using the same iron for both family and sewing. Might separate!
I am getting my mojo back too. Can't wait to see the long skirt. Very fun to wear!
I usually spend a day cutting out things I want to sew. But then I end up with items that aren't finished before the end of the season or that I've change my mind about. And I try to sew items from the same colour family at the same time. I love your cataloguing system. I just try to separate tops/bottoms/suit/gowns/knits & wovens. No, this doesn't always work. I do keep a little bright orange notebook (3.5x5) with the list of patterns I want from each company on separate pages near the front (so I don't have to wait my turn for the catalogue in the store) and a running "lust" list of fabric/items I want (there are very few "needs" on the list). If I need to buy matching notions, I clip a small swatch of fabric to the front of it. The key is not to be so excited by my purchases that I forget to cross the items of the list. I've ended up with duplicate patterns! So, I've cut back on fabric/pattern purchases until I get better organized. I have swatches of fabric pasted in artist sketchbooks along with notes such as yardage and content and try to update them as much as possible. Doesn't always work. And I note the amount of fabric sewn during the month in a 3.25x4 notebook. Yes, I love notebooks. Makes me seem very efficient even I am a scatterbrained nimbob! LOL
Angela
Holy Wow! You are amazing with your pattern cataloging. I'm using a low tech method of pattern original envelopes in a binder with numbers. The actual patterns are in plain numbered envelopes in numbered storage boxes. The binders are in my sewing room. I started this in the '80s and am still using this system. Perhaps one day I'll upgrade; thanks for sharing.
Christiana
sewamusing.blogspot.com
Would love to know your opinion of the iron once you get it into real use.
I, too, find that once something is cut - it gets sewn. The trick is to strike a balance between number of garments/items cut and realistic sewing time. It's no fun to have a pile of stuff that has yet to be sewn at the end of a season.
For streamlined sewing I wind a bunch of bobbins before I begin, because I hate stopping to wind bobbins. And even though you don't stash fabric, make sure you have extra thread! It's no fun to run out and have nothig that matches.I do all the facings at once, all the interfacing, all the small pieces and then iron them. I sew all the straight seams as Nancy advises and then go iron them. It makes sewing much faster.
Glad you found an iron to meet your needs...but is that ALL of your patterns? Yes, I'm quietly wailing...gawd you don't have much of anything do you. I'm a hoarder compared to you...geeze!
Nice cataloging! Like Carolyn I am wondering if that is all your patterns or just one screenshot - have you put on tags or titles so you can search for say, skirts? Production line sewing doesn't really work for me either, I need to focus on one thing at a time, but it really helps if you are able to just shut the door on your sewing room and just return and pick up when you feel like it. Even just 30 mins or an hour here and there can achieve a lot.
Like you I don't have the energy to cut out during the week. I tried this too often and ended up more frustrated about accomplishing nothing. I've started to spend a weekend here or there just cutting as much as possible. Now those projects are waiting for me in a baggies in a basket. If I'm unmotivated by a current project and have the energy and time to sew; something else is waiting to be sewn.
I've just done the pattern catalogue too - but mine isn't nearly as impressive! I did write yardage on each of my patterns and the pics are now on my phone....
Great advice to cut on the weekends and sew a bit whenever you've got a few minutes!
When I'm not crazy busy, I like to prepare everything during the week. (tracing, cutting, alterations, etc) So when the weekend comes, I'm ready to actually sew.
I just recently purchased a sewing app on Itunes for the iphone, ipad and ipod touch called Sewing Kit. I love it. I have my patterns with me at all times. You just add the pattern vendor and number it goes the website and imports the picture. If your pattern is out-of-print you can import it from your pictures or take a picture. Also you can track patterns you are looking to buy in the future. I think that is the second best feature I like. You can see a snapshot on my blog http://www.reneeswnmt.blogspot.com/.
I like how you cataloged your patterns I have been wanting to do that for a while now. I think that is how I am going to go thanks for the information The best part of sewing for me is the cutting and altertation of patterns so I have a lot of ufo's. In the future I am going to completely finish one garment before starting another
Hi, I like to use a hard cover spiral bound journal, that is approx. the size of pattern envelope for cataloging my patterns. When my pattern comes in the mail, I scan and print the cover of the envelope, cut it down to size and then gluestick it in the journal. I can take it with me and when I'm bored, I can just leaf through it on the couch: ideas always seems to spark and it has me up and sewing again. I keep two other journals, the one holds info from sewing blogs and learning webpages, such as sewing tips and techniques, ref. to patterns I've printed off burda style, anything about contruction and how to's. The other is magazine and website pics of garments that I feel are eye candy, anything fashion and accessory related that catches my eye etc... like inspiration and reference journals. My fourth journal is my completed projects, pics from start to finish, any changes made, etc; that way if I go to do it again, I remember what I did and it's nice to look back on your accomplishments. Happy sewing and I sure enjoy your blog. :)
I really like your pattern cataloging method and as I have a Picassa account, I will be copying your idea.
I too like to cut ahead. Right now I have two pair of baby trousers cut (Anna Maria Horner pattern), a floral brocade cut to match a already sewn skirt, and a wool blend skirt and lining cut. I do like to cut ahead as that is my least favorite part of the process. That way I can just pick up the pieces and sew. It seems to take less time that way.
Post a Comment