Tuesday, March 4, 2008

Mail Call



I'm still in a slight sewing funk so not much has been happening in the sewing room besides mending, cleaning, and sorting. But the mailbox hasn't noticed. Friday, the latest Threads arrived and yesterday was a bonanza of Stitches, Burda WOF and Ottobre Woman.

This issue of Threads is one of the best in a while IMO. The articles are more in-depth and not just 2-pagers with lots of white space. I loved the two costuming articles even though costuming is not one of my true interests. And how cool to find out that the Cirque de Soleil's production offices are nearly local to me. There's also a jeans article from Sandra Betzina which, of course, caught my eye. It was interesting to read how her process differs from mine (construction order, mainly). And I like anything Kenneth King writes so another welcome article there.

Australian Stitches, on the other hand, seems to be going in the other direction. I'm sad about that because I've really enjoyed not just another sewing magazine but one with an international flavor. Aussie girls … I know you're a few issues ahead of this one, can I hope for better things to come?

Both the Ottobre and Burda magazines have patterns I'm putting on my (neverending) list. Pattern Review is running a fitted blouse contest this month so maybe I'll pick something from one of these and actually get it made before the deadline. Or maybe it will be another pattern. But I really do need and want to make some summer blouses and I'm hoping to get my act together this week and make some progress.

While I'm waiting for the magic spark, I do have 3 more pairs of boxers for DS cut out and I'll work on those this afternoon. I traced the no-sideseam pattern so I could add sideseams. That took all of 10 minutes, and now the big scraps from the first round of boxers have been used efficiently and are not going back to the stash closet.

Oh, before I forget again, I'll answer some comments:

"May I ask what brand of bread machine you use and if you would recommend it/buy it again?" I have a Black & Decker, but it's at least 8 years old. I know it must've been updated since then so I don't know how the quality compares these days. But I'd definitely buy my same machine again, if I could.

"You'd think I'd know what you mean by "cook the chicken", but I'm wondering if you saute/fry it? bake it? nuke it?" I just stir-fry it with a bit of cooking spray in the frypan.

"Can you tell me where you got the midget sunflower seeds?" They were part of the "Artisan" mix from King Arthur flour.

"What program do you use to outline your work on the computer? I have such a hard time with Adobe Photoshop Elements." I'm a Corel girl (I used to do tech support work for Corel way back when) and I use CorelDraw and Photo-Paint. I also use Illustrator and Photoshop, but not as much and not for quickie things like those outlines.

(Re the purse accessories I made for my mom)"Did you use in the hoop embroidery techniques or just make them from scratch?" Just from scratch and no pattern. I used a tape measure to measure around a pair of sunglasses and a tissue pack.

(Re the Burda wrap top) "I look at those wrap tops and think, "yeah right!" But that one looks really great on you! I might have missed it but what fabric did you use and from what source?" Thanks, and the fabric came from Melody at Fashionista Fabrics.

If I missed your question, I apologize. Please feel free to ask again. :-)

14 comments:

  1. Looks like you had a great mail day. Hope you come out of your sewing funk soon!

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  2. I let my subscription to Stitches lapse as I was finding no inspiration there. I don't think it has improved!

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  3. Geez, I'm envious of all your sewing magazines. I think today's mail at my house will probably be clothing catalogs for toddlers. (My kids are in their teens but I can't seem to get off their mailing lists!)

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  4. Oh how I would love to find all of those in my mailbox! I think its so inspiring to browse through the sewing magazines. I only glanced at Threads yesterday and since I'm planning on tackling a pair of jeans (finally) the SB article will come in handy.

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  5. Great mail day! I was about to let my Stitches sub lapse until Martyn Smith started contributing. (I'm a huge fan. His has articles are like Helen Rose of old). After reading the jacket article in your next issue I've decided to re-sub for one more year. Overall though I agree. The magazine is languishing. :(

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  6. I didn't know the new thread was out, can't wait to get my copy, what an awesome mail day

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  7. How does your method of jeans construction differ from Sandra's?

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  8. Sounds like a great mail day. I'm quite envious, actually. It's too bad about the Australian Stitches. Maybe they'll turn around soon. It seems like a cyclical thing.

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  9. The next Stitches issue has a couple of nice articles. I did not find much in the one you show. I am liking the new contributor Martyn Smith too, in fact when I look at the magazine again, the jacket article and the pebble piping article that I found interesting are both by him!

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  10. thanks for the reply on the bread machine. Looks like a great mail day. I think I'll wander up to Barnes and Noble and pick up the new Threads.

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  11. The only thing I've sewn this year is a red velveteen dress for Valentine's Day. Just no inspiration. I'm hoping nice weather will improve it. Or maybe ads with warm weather clothing? I look forward to seeing your next inspirations!

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  12. For someone as productive as you, I don't think a break now and then will hurt!
    Bev

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  13. Gotta love those good mail days! I got my Threads mag last week but am saving it for my plane trip to LA next weekend for the PR weekend. It's killing me not to look at it, but I'm glad it's a good one that I'll enjoy.

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  14. I know what you mean about good mail days. Yesterday I had an order of fabric from Julie(Timmell Fabric) and my Burda magazine. I love days like that :)
    What pattern do you use for the boys boxers? They look great.

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Thank you for each and every comment. I appreciate them all, but I have to be honest and let you know that I'm usually bad about answering questions. I hope you understand that there just isn't enough time in the day to do everything I want to do.

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