Class: Sewing I - Part One

I decided to register for this class after making sure the schedule (two classes) was good with Ape. The class project is a pair of basic pajama bottoms, and Trisha offered McCalls pattern M4675 as a good template.  Because I'm me, I'm calling this item "Blessed Pajama Bottoms", the sleepwear version of Blessed Trousers.

Shopping was a bit simpler as I only needed two material choices, a drawstring and an optional drawstring threader.  I thought to ask, nearly too late, if there would be patterns available in-class for us to use and Trisha said we had to bring our own (!).  Thus, I made a last-minute run to Hobby Lobby for one.

On Thursday, I arrived at 6 (after dinner at the nearby Krystal's - meh) and learned I was the only registrant.  So Trisha and I went through stuff in extraordinary detail.  I got experience with pattern-reading and sizing, and then after settling on a size, we got to work.

First up was finding the needed pattern pieces (just two of 15 or so in the envelope) and cutting them out. Since I was the only student, she was kind enough to let me use her rotary cutter and mat. Once we had good templates, she helped me with laying out the primary fabric, a white knit, and pinning the pattern.

After more careful rotary work, I had the four pieces cut fairly well.  We then spent time talking about my overly-ambitious plans for my second fabric, a blue brocade woven with an oriental-looking pattern.  I wanted to use it for the waistband and cuffs.  We spent quite a bit of time talking about how we might lay that out and what it would mean.

This is about the time I learned that maybe I don't yet know enough about fabric compatibility.  Trisha patiently explained how different material types feed at different rates or are prone to shifting around despite being pinned.  But she agreed to let me give it a go.

So, we mapped out how to cut out the brocade and worked out the strategy for attaching it.  Once its parts were cut out, I got another surprise - she set up a serger and showed me how to serge the edges to keep the brocade from unwinding itself.  Aside from taking the thread colors already wound in, the serger was a great success!  I learned how feeding in the pieces in continuously makes life easier.

By now, it was close to the end of class and so I left with homework - lay out the pieces and pin-baste them in to see if everything fits more-or-less.  The only night I had to do this was Sunday, during AR, DH and B&S.  And it took nearly that long.

I learned yet another lesson - patterns are sometimes vague about how to pair up pieces and the steps for joining them.  I pinned and repinned several times until I *finally* had something wearable.  I even put them on, being mindful of all the pointy.  By now, I was too tired to mess with the brocade parts so I had to hope it wouldn't interfere too much with tomorrow's class.

Class: Intro to Sewing

I registered several days before, and picked up my supplies list.  The teacher, Trisha, pulled out an example of the class project: a pillow.  Based on the items needed and after looking over the pillow for a few minutes, I figured out how the pillow was going to go together.  So, armed with that know-how, I went shopping.

My plan was to use this class as both a proving ground for my clothcraft skills, and as a materials test towards my intended gear.  I selected a piece of green "fat quarter" printed with a not-quite Celtic floral pattern.  Two pieces of gold satin flecked with gold glitter came next, and to cap it off, a piece of the "White Cloud 9" which I want to use for my tunic sleeves.

When I arrived at class, with my cloth cut to size and the notions I already had, Trisha seemed amused and slightly concerned about the difference in material types.  She of course knew what I hadn't learned yet: Different materials feed through a sewing machine differently, and the extra difficulty was not ideal for my beginning class.

Nonetheless, all worked out pretty well.  There were three ladies in the class, and they all had nicely coordinated cloth choices.  One went kid style with a cutesy pattern destined for a classroom's reading corner.  Another went fall foliage with earthy solids with a great leaf pattern.  The last went more abstract with a blue and purple pattern and darker solids.  I was the only one crazy enough to try something so nutty, but I had a plan.

I was making a "Pillow of Peaceful Rest" (lv 1, all jobs, hHP +2, hMP +2, latent: "Pleasant Dreams" causes warm-n-fuzzys while sleeping and boosts recovery speed).  And the color choices were not purely random: The verdant green foliage on one side, gold in the middle, and cloudy white on top: "Between the Earth and Heaven, the warmth of the Sun."

Cosplay Update

While my time in Vana'diel may be winding down, I have replaced it with a new hobby.  Well, the beginnings of one, at any rate.  After getting close-but-not-quite with quoting my costume, I sat on the fence trying to decide how to proceed.  I wasn't having a lot of luck finding "community ed" sewing classes and I didn't think I should invest blindly in a sewing machine and other doo-dads.

I did pick up needle and thread, and "Sewing for Dummies", and tried some hand-sewing.  I can sew on a button and fix a seam.  But then, on September 20, I found a local sewing machine shop which offers occasional classes, including use of a machine!  So I signed up for their intro class to be held on October 5.

Details on my first sewing class soon!

Prologue

Hello all!

To those of you following me from Aerin's Adventures, I thank you and offer my sincere appreciation!  For anyone joining me fresh on my *new* adventure, welcome and please enjoy your stay ^^

I have an existing page and blog post dedicated to cosplay, and this new blog will follow my attempts to craft my outfit myself.  I took two sewing classes recently and believe I have a decent shot at making something passable.  Also, as you may have heard, the Clones are going to be joined by Creature, our newest family member.  She's due in March!  And I plan to make her some simple layette items and outfits.

Between working on her stuff and random "test" crafts for my Druid's Attire, I hope to skill up sufficiently to make an appearance at the 2011 Anime Weekend Atlanta / DragonCon week.

For reference, my original cosplay post is here:  Cosplay {Can I have it?}

And the full page with gear descriptions (as used when I quoted it out earlier this year) is here:  Cosplay commission request

Once again, welcome!  ようこそ！ 宜しく お願い します 下さい