I'm back to the J Stern jeans pattern. Bet you thought I forgot about it, eh? But the twist for today's muslin is that it was completely sewn on …
This!
Talk about slow-going. LOL! First, there are no seam allowance marks on the needle plate so I had to eyeball it. (I will be adding some marks with a Sharpie, I think. I can always remove them with alcohol.) Next, I had to coordinate my foot motion with my fabric-moving motion. Like trying to pat your head and rub your belly *and* chew gum. Plus I broke the thread 3 times and I'm having a hard time seeing the needle hole to re-thread since the needle is positioned for threading left to right instead of front to back and my eyes ain't what they used to be. A new bright table lamp is high on the shopping list. (Aircraft landing lights anyone??)
So, speaking of the treadle …
As you can see by the pic above, its new red belt is in place, along with a new red felt pad for under the thread spool. Could we be any more color-coordinated? (Said in my best Chandler Bing voice, of course.)
My new bobbins and winder tire arrived yesterday and I actually treadled a bobbin. That contraption sure makes a nicely wound bobbin. It even has an "auto stop" feature, so that you can't overfill it. Cool!
Back to the jeans … I added about 2 inches to the rise and took in the CB seam by changing the back crotch angle. I did that adjustment after comparing the pattern to a new pair of Levi's RTW capris I bought last week that fit great. Yeah, I had to give in and buy some pants because my available sewing time hasn't been allowing me to sew all my own clothes anymore. I was thinking I'd just get something to tide me over, and was pleasantly surprised at the good fit of not just one pair, but two!
I also compared other key measurement points between the pattern and the RTW capris and made some slight adjustments to flatten the hip curve and widen the inside leg width a smidge. I laid my muslin over my RTWs and they seem to be a good match. I'm not going to model the muslin because I can't close them. LOL! The RTWs are stretch denim and the muslin isn't. I'm going to just go ahead and cut real fabric next and hope for the best.
WHAT a very pretty machine, Debbie!! ;) ENJOY!!
ReplyDeleteSoft hug,
Rhonda in Montreal (PR)
Treadle'ing is fun, but not when you actually HAVE to sew a seam straight! LOL.
ReplyDeleteI'm in the same boat as you.
If you want a graduated face plate for that machine, I believe you have to search 66/99/185 face/throad plates. I believe they are all the same size. I'll be getting one, too. So, if you find them first, let me know where to go get one for myself.
Take care!
One of those magnetic seam allowance markers would probably work, but of course a Sharpey is so much simpler. The machine is a beauty, enjoy it! K
ReplyDeleteMake sure you give yourself an "in-case" extra seam allowance. I know you don't like very much lycra in your stretch denim. The treadle looks so beautiful in her red finery.
ReplyDeleteBeautiful treadle. What fun! Good luck with the Sterns. I haven't tried to make them yet. I hope they work out well for you.
ReplyDeleteThere is a ruler that you can buy that sticks to sewing machines. I bought one years ago at JoAnns. Love your "new" machine, it's absolutely gorgeous.
ReplyDeleteDebbie - Your new machine brings back fond memories - I sewed on one just like it until I got married in 1972 & my parents gave me a new one as a wedding gift (even made my velvet wedding dress on it!) My Dad wouldn't even let us sew on Sunday because he defined treadling as "work."
ReplyDeleteNow the old Singer lives in my dining room, and I still open her to sew canvas. She also makes the best buttonholes on heavy materials - worth the work of opening her up, setting up the attachment, and working the treadle (though she is due for a new belt.)
As far as seam allowance markings, we used tape on the machine bed.
Sue in MN
You surely don't waste any time getting the treadle skills perfect sewing a muslin my goodness. I was wondering about the bobbins - my 1929 Singer has a weird bullet shaped bobbin. The photo looks as if they are normal looking bobbins? mssewcrazy
ReplyDeleteYou are so industrious! The machine is beautiful. Can't get over how pretty she became. I love the fact that your new belt is red. Your coverstitch trick with the post-it notes would be a good short-term fix for seam marking. I really like my marked needle plate for my Featherweight though.
ReplyDeleteYou did an amazing job on that machine; it is really gorgeous.
ReplyDeleteI am looking forward to seeing how the jeans end up fitting. But, the question is, how many changes before they aren't the originals any more.
I just saw one of these machines this weekend in an antique shop for $89. I was thinking about how nice your machine cleaned up and was seriously considering it. Hubby came by and saw what I was looking at and pretty much nixed the idea.
ReplyDeleteYou are dedicated! I've only done test stitches with my treadle. I should really use it in a project just to say that I have!
ReplyDeleteA piece of masking tape on the plate will work, be easily removable, and give you both a visual and tactile edge. Just a thought. I keep magnifying glasses next to all of my machines for needle threading. Saves a lot of frustration for only about $2 each.
ReplyDeleteBeautiful little machine! I own my grandmother's treadle but my grandfather electrified it for her. I would not attempt to use it without a fairly complete overhaul at the Sewing Machine Doctor but I have sewn on it when I was a girl. Good times.
ReplyDeleteWhat a pleasure to sew on that beauty! It's gorgeous! Just looking at it must motivate you to carry on. Love the red accents. Nice move with the RTW pants, they come in the nick of time and you gained some new fitting tricks. Happy Fourth this weekend!
ReplyDeleteThe treadle is beautiful after your hard work. Have you named her? Geez, I almost got sidetracked just looking at her. I have the J Stern pattern and am looking forward to your critique (before I put scissors to fabric)and experience using the pattern.
ReplyDeleteWhat a lovely 'red-eye decal' machine! I noticed that you mentioned oil but not grease. The gears will need grease once in a while, from what I read on the Featherweight blogs (talk about the opposite kind of sewing machine!).
ReplyDeleteCongratulations on making so much of your own clothing.
Debbie, congrats on your "new" machine! I have one almost identical to yours, another Red eye - think mine is from 1923 from its serial number. I paid about the same as you did also, found it in a flea market, but the cabinet is not quite as nice shape. I've never been able to get the belt tensioned right, though, either too loose or too tight!
ReplyDeleteKaren
I cannot believe how beautiful that is looking!
ReplyDelete