Guest Post: Sewing and the Apocalypse

Readers, I've been trying to convince Jeff, my better half, to write a guest post here for some time. And now we have one--on the very day his first novel releases! I hope you enjoy it.--Gertie

Hi Sewists!

Your pal Gertie is working awful hard this week. She’s doing a big photo shoot for her upcoming book as well as trying to keep up with teaching, impending travel, and one neurotic husband who's releasing his first novel this week. The woman is a dynamo! I don’t know how she does it all.

Luckily, though, her harried week has brought me--the aforementioned neurotic husband--the opportunity to do a guest post today. Some of you may know me a bit already from Gertie’s mentions, but for those who don’t: Hi! I’m Jeff. I write novels for teens and my very first one, The Eleventh Plague, is being released today by Scholastic.

The book is about the aftermath of a world war that has reduced the population to about a third of what it is now, causing society to completely collapse. No government. No law. No infrastructure. The main characters in the book survive as nomadic scavengers.

There's actually a short sewing scene in the book where the main character, a teenage boy, has to repair his ragged sweatshirt on the fly. Writing that scene got me thinking about our relationship to the things that sustain us, particularly our food and our clothing. For many people (present company excluded) the production of these things was outsourced long ago. Clothes are made in massive assembly line factories somewhere overseas and arrive in our stores ready to wear. Food is prepared largely in restaurant kitchens or in factories where it’s packaged and frozen before being delivered to grocery store shelves.

Now imagine if the infrastructure that exists to produce all of this failed. The clothes stop coming. The restaurants close. The food manufacturers stop production. I think a significant percentage of the population would suddenly be faced with the fact that they don’t know how to make or repair the clothes on their backs or how to grow, hunt, or prepare their own food. Where would we be then?

And I’ll admit, I’m totally a part of this. I’m not a bad cook, but those other things? Left to my own devices, well, I’d probably be kinda screwed. The good news, however, is that folks like you and Gertie are part of a growing DIY movement that is trying to reclaim some of these skills. Don’t get me wrong, I think a lot of our modern conveniences are awesome (I do so love ordering Chinese takeout on my iPhone) but if you make your own food then you know what you’re putting in your and your family’s bodies, and if you make your own clothes you control how they fit, how they look, and how they’re made. More importantly, I think staying connected to your own necessities by doing things like making food or making clothes is a great way to stay just slow down and stay connected to life in general.

What do y’all think? Does sewing and crafting make you feel differently about mass produced goods? Does it make you feel connected to something in life you weren’t connected to before--or at least give you confidence you could survive the zombie apocalypse if necessary?

Ok, I’m off now to go try and make sure Gertie finds time to relax and have a decent meal amid her thousand duties. If you’re curious about The Eleventh Plague you can read the first 4 chapters here. You can also order the book on Amazon, Barnes & Noble, or Indie Bound.

{Ed. note: isn't he adorable?}

Buttonholes, Earthquakes, Etc.

Wow, thanks for all the great buttonhole feedback, everyone! It really helped me figure stuff out. Here's what I'm thinking: I wish I lived in a dream world where I made perfect handworked buttonholes and had time to make a perfect sample to photograph for the book. Alas, that is not so. I'm not really happy with the quality of my handworked buttonholes yet, so I think I will continue to work on them and probably blog about it in the future. It just doesn't make sense to include something I don't use in my sewing life at this point. I liked elizabethdee's comment a lot: "I vote for you to be Gertie, and not to demo a technique if you don't do it readily or easily yourself." Wise words.

In other news, the shoot was disrupted by an earthquake yesterday! We're in an old building in the East Village which didn't take well to the shaking. We New Yorkers don't expect such things so it was met with quite a bit of panic. I wish I could say I was calm in the situation, but readers: I freaked the hell out. I apparently get very swept up in any sort of hysteria, and there was a lot of it in the street yesterday. (Also, I was the assistant editor on a post-apocalyptic novel called The Dead and The Gone which scarred me for life.) But all is well and life is back to semi-normal.

I hope all is well with you, readers. This weird little image-less post is just my attempt to keep in touch while life is nutty! I look forward to returning to regular sewing blogging very soon.

Quick Buttonhole Poll!

Good morning, readers! I'd love to get your thoughts on handworked buttonholes--specifically, if you think they should be included in my book. If they're important to you, I will do my darndest to make a decent looking one to shoot tomorrow. (My technique is much better than when I first tried, thank goodness, but I don't know if it's book-worthy yet!) If you couldn't care less about handworked buttonholes, I'll call it a day and stick with machine and bound buttonholes. What say you?

Thanks for your input, dear readers!

Just Call Me Madam Ambassador

Happy Sunday, readers! The photoshoot for my book starts tomorrow, garments are whizzing through the sewing machine, and I can see the light at the end of the tunnel. Once all this madness is through, I'll be back to regular blogging but starting a new kind of madness: traveling to various expos and conferences. You see, I'm now officially "brand ambassador" for BurdaStyle, and we're teaming up to offer sewing classes at some really fun events. I thought I would mention a couple in case you'll be there--I would love to meet you in person, dear readers! Here's a little run-down for the next two months:

• September 15-18: The Creative Connection, St Paul, MN. The tagline for this conference is "Women, Passion, Business" and it's all about blogging and creative pursuits. I'll be teaching one class on running a successful sewing blog and another on the necessary hand stitches for garment sewing. 
• October 8-9: The Sewing Summit, Salt Lake City, UT. This is a sewing and bogging conference--how amazing is that?! I'll be teaching four classes: Garment Fabrics from Angora to Zibeline, Tailoring by Hand 101, Getting a Perfect Vintage Fit, and Essential Hand Stitches for Garment Sewing.

I'll also be attending the American Sewing Expo in Novi, Michigan, which is September 23rd to the 25th. This will not be part of my ambassador duties. Rather, I am a contestant in the Passion for Fashion competition, a live Project Runway-style challenge that takes place on the expo floor. Are you going to attend? Please stop by and cheer me on!

This is all a little funny since I've never been to a sewing show before and now I'm kind of going to all of them. Are you planning on attending any of these? Let me know so we can meet in person!

Let's Try Cording!

Cording is my new obsession, readers. It's the subject of this week's Stitch-Along post, and I feel like I could cord everything in sight! My little sample above just uses some supplies I had around the house, and I'm eager to try it with some satin cord and maybe even my own self-covered cord. It's a great detail to add around necklines and the hems of skirts.

Here's a lovely vintage 50s dress that incorporates cording AND rhinestones--be still my heart. Just look at those pockets!

What do you think? Would you like to give this embellishment detail a try? 

Hope you enjoy the post!

Guest Post: Assembly-Line Sewing

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Hi readers! I have a little treat for you today: my friend Robin has written you a guest post on her method for maximum sewing efficiency when you're making multiples of a garment. Enjoy!--Gertie

Greetings, Gertie Readers!  You may be aware that our book-writing, Bombshell-Dress- teaching, sample-sewing blogstress is just a little overloaded these days.  So allow me to pontificate on a topic I don't see much about, but gives me great sewing pleasure.  Imagine you are the proprietress of a small, but well-appointed little sewing factory.  It's OK to sweat in this shop, and in fact, I encourage it.  Crank up some Michael Jackson, and get into the groove to do some assembly-line sewing.

  

The sewing factory is all about efficiency and with that in mind, I recommend using:

•   a tried and true pattern – if you don’t have one yet, how about an apron pattern?  There shouldn’t be any fitting issues or construction surprises for assembly-line sewing

•   multiple pieces of fabric with the same properties - this is very important!

◦       same weight

◦       same hand (amount of drapey-ness)

◦       same background color, so you can use the same thread on everything

•   rotary scissors, cutting mat & pattern weights

Attitude

A good factory worker strives for optimal performance.  Boredom is welcome – just call it zen and relax into it.   As the boss, you get to choose how the employee (also you) will be graded.  Perhaps it’s a matter of punching in on the time clock to sew for 30 minutes.   Or the worker can be rewarded after milestones are reached.  All of the apron straps are sewn?  Let’s order in lunch to boost morale! 

Cutting

By now the fabric has been pre-washed and any fusible interfacing has been obtained. Fold each piece of fabric consistently with the rest.  For example, if the right side is folded in on one piece, make it folded in on all pieces of fabric.

If you aren’t yet a convert, try a rotary cutter, cutting mat and pattern weights.  You can save time by not pinning the pattern to the fabric, which you only have to unpin in order to sew.  Because I prefer my patterns without seam allowances, I love a rotary cutter with a guide. 

It may take practice to gain speed with the rotary cutter, but think of yourself as an ice skater doing your compulsories.  Slow and steady in the beginning will get the job done.  Speed comes naturally with practice.  Hey, all the more reason to cut out multiples, right?  Cut the fusible interfacing, now, too.

Another time-saver is marking the notches and darts with little clips into the seam allowances and for this, scissors are a lot more accurate than rotary cutters.  To mark darts, I insert pins on both sides, like so:

It might be time for the afore-mentioned employee morale-boosting exercise.  Donuts, yoga – boss lady (or boss gentleman) it’s your choice!

Fusing

Here is where the sweating comes in.  Fire up the iron and take the time to fuse each necessary piece now.  After fusing, double check that it hasn’t stretched or shrunk, by comparing the pattern piece your work.  Taking time at this stage increases quality of the finished goods.

Organizational Strategy

Lay out each individual garment in its own pile.  It is not considered anal to lay the pieces in the same order.  No, this is called efficiency and some might even take pride in their little piles of sewing goodness.  

Let’s say you want to sew all of the collars first, then cuffs, which are then attached to sleeves, which are then sewn to bodices.  Lay the bodice pieces on the bottom, the sleeves on top of the bodices, the cuffs next and the collars on top.

The Beauty of the System

Not only will assembly-line sewing generate a wardrobe in short order, these techniques will build the fine motor skills necessary to master techniques.  You will never fear another zipper after you have installed three, four, or, let’s get wild – five in a row.  You can just look at the fifth zipper and see the improvement.  Awesome.

Another benefit is less thinking.  Once you have identified the steps you will take, you can go on auto-pilot.  That allows for turning up the volume on the music, or even having a movie playing in the background. 

One caution:  advise the spouse, the kids, or the pets that mommy gets mad sometimes.  Mommy is just frustrated about ripping out a seam now and then.  You know it will happen.  You will not sew everything perfectly; no factory worker is perfect.  And let’s assume they get a raise every year, anyway, so it is OK!

Fun Decisions – How is it best to maximize The Win?

When sewing assembly-line style, there are many variations on this theme.  I like to repeat as many steps as I can before moving on.  I like to get all of the cutting, the marking and the fusing done before sitting down at the sewing machine and/or serger.  Then it is buckle-down-and-master-the-skill time.  I would rather sew 30 buttonholes so that the last six are perfect than finish one shirt at a time.

Let’s not forget that hand-sewing may be involved.  There may be times to sit and sew.  Remember, boredom can be transformed into zen and/or learning time.

You will choose your own approach – because you are the boss of this shop and you are in charge.  (Can you tell I like that part?)  Whether you finish several garments at once, or you space them out between other projects, assembly-line sewing makes sense.  If you are like me, you have invested time and money into this hobby, so it feels good to get tangible results.  Naturally, you may simply find it easier to buy most things, but if you hanker for the perfect gym shorts, skirts, dresses, whatever – you can fill your closet this way.

Pat yourself on the back for making such efficient use of your time and your resources.  You have leveraged the power of the tried & true pattern, you have saved money, clothed yourself, improved your skills and listened to some good music, too. 

 Check out Robin's blog, A Little Sewing!

Stitch-Along Update: Pleats!

In all of the traveling excitement, I forgot to mention last week's Stitch Magic Stitch-Along! The subject is pleats. Come by and learn some fun fabric manipulation techniques. This coming week we're talking about cording--I can't wait!

Gertie's Week in review {8.13.11}

Hi everyone! I'm back from Cleveland and trying to readjust to my crazy life. Here's a picture of me on-set, filming a segment for It's Sew Easy, season 2. Thank god for makeup artists. My skin has been going crazy lately! I have an oh-so-lovely patch of blemishes on my right cheek that seems to be here to stay. Stress is terrible on a girl's complexion. The makeup lady suggested I drink lots of water, exfoliate once a week, and see a dermatologist for cortizone shots. I'll do the first two and see if it helps before I do anything involving expensive appointments and needles. Any skincare tips, ladies? Do any of you use Bare Minerals foundation? I hear that's better for problem skin than liquid foundation.

Anyway. I did one segment on making a simple retro pattern modification and one on making machine buttonholes. The second was completely unexpected; the producer just asked if I could stay and do one more. Sure, why not?

I had a meeting with the creative team on my book project on Tuesday, and they are an awesome group of ladies. We're prepping for the photoshoot which will take place later this month. Eight days of shooting! First we'll do all the technique stills, which I have about a week to prep. Um, anyone want an internship with a sewing author??? (Seriously, anyone? I could really use some help this week prepping the sewing shots. I'll be working out of Chelsea. I will buy you chocolate and wine!)

The latter part of the shoot will be the fashion shots. And then this madness will be partially over. 

Posting will continue to be light for the next few weeks (insert sad face), but I have some great guests posts planned for you!

Okay, it's back to the sewing room I go. How are you all doing, readers?

Hi from Cleveland

Hi, readers! I'm in Cleveland at the moment, here to film an episode for the second season of It's Sew Easy. I woke up at 4:00 a.m. this morning and it's now 10:30 p.m. . . . so I'm just barely coherent.

Anyway, I'm very excited about filming tomorrow morning (I'm in make-up at 7:30, filming thereafter). I'm doing a short segment on an easy retro pattern making change to a blouse pattern.

Some other fun facts about my life today:

• The Stitch-Along post is running late! I'm so sorry. There was a little snag with getting pictures taken as I was leaving town. It will be up ASAP, I promise!
• On the last episode of It's Sew Easy, I very dutifully wore nude nail polish (OPI Samoan Sand to be exact), as a natural look was requested of me. It was a little conservative for my taste. Readers, I was very naughty today and got a lavender mani! (OPI Lucky Lucky Lavender to be exact.) Do you think they'll kick me off the set tomorrow? Will I never work in Cleveland again?
• I'm reading a romance novel for fun right now, and it's delightful. I just read a chapter in the hotel bathtub! It's a bit of a bodice-ripper, I must admit. It's called What a Gentleman Wants and it's a guilty-pleasure Regency Era read. It's fun to imagine the romantic hero as Colin Firth. Any trashy novels to recommend, readers? (Also, do check out the site Smart Bitches, Trashy Books if you're a thinking gal who likes a good romance every now and then. They have fantastic reviews.)
• I'm here with Carol from BurdaStyle, and she is so fun to travel with. I've been talking her into lots of comfort food, like chocolate and sesame chicken. And she's been balancing that with trips to Whole Foods and lettuce wraps at P.F. Chang's. And lots of water. She takes such good care of me!
• I've only been gone for the better part of a day and I miss Jeff dearly. Isn't it fun when you get a chance to miss your spouse for a bit? Not to mention those adorable cats. I do have it good!
• Hey, did you know you can see the entirely of my first stint on It's Sew Easy on YouTube? Here is is, even though I cringe a bit when I watch myself!
  
  
  

Okay, enough rambling. Back with some coherent thoughts soon, I promise! 

The Daily Dress: Dior Velvet Floral

Oh my. Isn't this bodice just perfection? This is a 1950s Christian Dior in printed velvet, which is something you don't see everyday! I just adore the pink tones with the black; it's a surprisingly lovely effect.

I came across it because I was looking for pleated dresses to inspire us for tomorrow's Stitch-Along post. And yes, it does have a pleated skirt that falls in soft folds.

But it's the print that won my heart. It reminded me instantly of the dress Joan wore in the Mad Men episode where she hosts a dinner party (who can forget Joanie playing the accordion?!).

Sigh. So lovely. I believe the floral on Joan's dress is appliqued on, rather than printed, as with the Dior above.

Okay, so this post became more about pink and black floral dresses than pleats, didn't it? No matter. We must take inspiration when it comes!

Update: The Dior dress is surprisingly similar to this Vintage Vogue reissue pattern. A match made in sewing heaven!