February was a bit harder to get things done. I had a hysterectomy later in February, but earlier in the month I also got sick. Then I got sick AGAIN later in March, which I am still struggling getting better. These do not go well together. Coughing with abdominal surgery is no fun. Painful, so, so tired and worn out. I got a few things done earlier in the month, but then I had to take a break. Most of this got finished in March, still have 2 weeks to finish for the February themes, and now March is behind. Hopefully I can get caught up once I feel better.
Week 5: Sew a New Pattern
This was a new purse pattern that I drafted. I have been buying a bit too much leather lately, so time to get some of it sewed up. I ordered some twill on Spoonflower in a few of my designs. They paired well together. I was trying for a fabric and leather purse. The fabric is too slouchy since I didn’t have enough foam interfacing. I had fleece interfacing on just one side. I should have at least done both sides. I was sick while putting this together, so that is my excuse.
Pieces and pattern pieces:
Week 6: Sew something with a square corner
Purses have square corners. I needed a mid-sized black purse. Most of my black purses are either huge or small. This was supposed to be a pretty simple sew-up. I ended up putting too much foam interfacing in here, so it was hard to get the two sections together. Then my machine seemed like it was stripping the gears. I ended up having to hand-sew the last parts on the top. I am not super happy with how it turned out, so I may take out the interior and redo it. It is too open and the interior seems to clash with the exterior. Hopefully it won’t be too damaged from the needle marks.
Week 7: Sew Something Red
This plaid has red in it.
This cape is lined in fleece, which I ran out of when cutting out the pieces. I thought I had bought enough. *spoiler* I did not. I worked on what I could until I could get to the fabric store and get a similarly colored fleece.
Leather applique: I used a lambskin that I have had for probably 10 years and was hoarding to make a jacket, as I had 2 of them. I don’t think they will be enough for a jacket on it’s own, so decided to add a big applique to this cape on the back of it. This took most of one hide. I got this part done while convalescing as this was easy to do sitting at a table. I drew out the applique on heat n’ bond on one side, then doubled it up and cut both out together, ironed to leather, cut the leather and ironed to the fabric after cutting out the “pattern”. I wanted added interest so added a bit of the brick red with another design over the top. Next was just sewing the edges to make sure it stays put.
Pattern: This had no real pattern. I just measured, pinned the outline, cut and prayed. 🙂 I did draw and cut out a pattern for the collar and hood. I would have wasted a lot of paper on that cape, when it was pretty easy to just measure and cut. Facing’s are just copying 4-6″ into the cut pieces. The facings help in putting the lining on the main piece and doing buttonholes. Fleece is not very forgiving with adding closures.
Assembly is pretty easy. Everything is lined, so just sew the collar, hood and facings all together, attach the hood and collar after assembled with the linings, then sew the lining on the cape, leaving a hole in the hem to pull it all through. Lastly topstitch the whole thing and close up the hole.
I wanted to take my time in making the cape, since I have had the fabric for YEARS to get it made. I have to talk myself down from cutting corners to just get it DONE. This took much of March to make.
I’m hoping to have some time this weekend to get a few more things done. Not sure I will have the energy to work during the week. Just so tired right now once I’m done working. When is retirement??
