Retold Story » Sewing

Neck Tie School Bag

admin — Mon, 16 Nov 2009 17:04:22 +0000

I finally sewed my neck tie bag. I followed a lot of the other examples on Craftster.org but made it a lot more simple. I haven’t really sewed before, but this project was pretty easy. I used black thread and the zig zag stitch. The top has a zipper. I didn’t line it or do anything fancy. I’ve been using it for about 6 months now and been putting all my school folders, books, etc. in it (it is a large bag). So far it has held up really well, despite all the heavy stuff in it. I got all the neck ties from the Freecycle community (McLean branch). Thanks to all the retired gentlemen who gave me their ties and could contribute.

UPDATE: Since this I have been commissioned to make a similar bag for a woman who works at my school out of her father’s ties (who recently passed away). I think this is such a great idea and such a nice way to remember someone. Something to keep in mind if you sew!

Star Wars Curtains

admin — Wed, 04 Nov 2009 02:48:02 +0000

I just got these nifty old Star Wars curtains from Yesterday’s Rose Thrift Store in Fairfax for $4. I believe they will be either a Star Wars dress, skirt, or tote bag. Maybe all three since I have two large panels. I just have to find the right pattern.

Zipper Trends This Fall

admin — Mon, 02 Nov 2009 03:04:24 +0000

I have noticed a zipper trend this season and I am really excited about it. I saw it at both Urban Outfitters and Forever 21. Really easy to duplicate with a $2 brass zipper. They simply pulled the zipper apart and sewed the cloth (non zippered side) down to the shirt. Urban Outfitters’ has zippers all around the collar but Forever 21 has their zipper spirals on one side. This vindicates the neatness of the zipper necklace I made http://www.retoldstory.com/detail-necklaces.php?ItemID=28.

The shirts are both around $20 at both stores at Tysons since Urban Outfitters has them on sale. They also have zipper head bands.

Vintage Dresses, Vintage Patterns, and Vintage Prints

admin — Thu, 08 Oct 2009 00:12:52 +0000

I’m so proud of myself. Just in time for fall, I finally sewed my summer dress. I wore it today and people liked it. This is encouragement to sew more.

The pattern is a vintage Butterick Misses pattern, Size 12 #5355, kindly Freecycled to me along with other vintage patterns. I heard patterns tend to run small and this one was precut by the previous owner, so that saved time. I used a cotton print I bought at G Street Fabrics (when combined with a coupon).

What I learned from the project:

1) Sewing patterns suck. It was only useful in terms of cutting out the pieces. Otherwise the directions were insane and all my markings wore off super fast. Guessing and trusting my judgement about how to put things together would have saved lots of time and agony.

2) I bought way too much fabric. I imagined myself messing up the cutting part, which was actually easy. I plan on making either a bag or top with the remnants…not sure which.

3) Buying clothes is cheaper than making them…if you shop at thrift stores or Forever 21. The dress cost about $30 to make (not counting labor). That includes the fabric, matching thread, matching zipper, and hooks. Goodwill runs about $10 for dresses, although recently I’ve made the mistake of buying two with broken zippers (even after I tried them on in the store!) meaning that the zipper replacement ended up costing me $25 more dollars (however, one was a Betsey Johnson and the other was a couture Italian dress, so all in all…). Also, my handmade dress is one-of-a-kind and made of cotton, versus the dresses I buy at Forever 21 that are made of polyester. Or rayon that result in me matching 12 year old girls.

UPDATE: If you want to buy this pattern, I found it here in Size 8. I have no idea how that translates to modern day sizes, but I found my dress to not be as fitted as the design on the pattern.