Sunday, November 27, 2011

Sewing Rant


"She wants me to pull more fabric out of where?"
Picture from "Coco Chanel and Igor Stravinsky"

I have a something to get off my chest about people expecting sewists to work miracles, whether it be magically producing enough cloth to cover a project when its not provided to the sewist being able to make a size 4 fit a size 26 figure.

Be sensible when dealing with us because your pride is not going to repair your pants nor let out your abaya.

That's my job and I expect to get what I asked for/agreed upon. I don't like "sweatshop" wages just because your husband is out of work or your light bill just got paid or you just paid for a previous project. Simply treat my request as a quote, be decent and bring the garment(s) back when you have the money. I don't need the personal fitnah (trouble).

I'm sorry, even clothes need some maintenance. It's a lifetime issue that spans across cultures, religions etc. Your clothes are going to need mending and altering. Unless you can do it, don't be a snob or unreasonably frugal towards people who sew for a living. Even if they are beginners or hobbyists or part-time, it's not fair to them. We don't wave fairy wand over your clothes and instantly they fixed like that.

Plus don't compare they do to what the seamstresses and tailors do in your home country or back in your time.

Just my thoughts.





Tuesday, November 22, 2011

Dick & Jane Curtains: COMPLETED

Remember the seemingly simple D&J curtain project:
Dick & Jane in the works

Well, it's FINALLY finished.
Yes!!
I know what you are thinking, it's curtains.
Simple little curtains with cute little D&J pictures, right?

See Gail being too over-planned and proud.
See Gail get her feelings hurt.
After being sick with sinus problems for a week and half, caring for a whining three year old who is mysteriously inquisitive about EVERYTHING all a sudden, being highly disappointed in a long awaited show: "All-American Muslims" and then my discontinued serger deciding "chew" up my work...

...a small project became a struggle.

Nevertheless, I pushed on, learned how to rolled hem and got finished with the last and most decorative set of panels. Complete with ruffles. And six yards of rolled hemmed ruffles too. Top and bottom.

**Jane smiles demonically at me as she rides her tricycle**
Naah, I just need a "me" project.
Lol. 


Would I do curtains again?
Yes.

What is out of my sewing ability?
No.

Do I see a Babylock or Singer Serger in the future?
God-willing, yes.

My next project, insha'allah, will be something for me like a nice tunic-skirt set or dress.

Until then, live and let sew. 





Wednesday, November 9, 2011

D&J Curtain Project

Next sewing project is Dick & Jane Curtains.
Old school back again. Sew the next curtain. Now let's begin.
Say: Dick & Janeeeeeee!!!


That's right.
Dick & Jane curtains.
I grew up on Dick & Jane, my mom read it to me and they are great reader books. Teacher Cindy at my daughter's school commissioned me to sew her some new curtains for her classroom. She is a Dick & Jane fan and she loves to use Dick & Jane books in her class. I'm looking forward to seeing how the curtains will look in the classroom, insha'allah.

See Gail match up cloth.
See Gail sew.
See Zaynab read curtains.
"Go and tell Daddy, Zaynab," says Mommy.



It took me about 45 minutes to match up the prints. I want to conserve as much fabric as possible while showing off the lovely prints on the fabric. I got five windows to do, two plain pair of panels, two pairs with a little design, and one showcase piece, insha'allah.


Sally: "I can have a Decaf Viente Latte with Toffenut Flavor, please?"

Well back to work.




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