I'm sharing an update on my recent sewing projects and what I learned when I cleaned out my wardrobe! Classes at Rick Rack Textiles: www.rickrackte... Follow me on Instagram @MeganGMakes Thanks for watching!
How awesome that you're teaching some classes! I'd come in a heartbeat, if I lived closer. I am sure that you're a wonderful, calm teacher. Good for you, getting a new serger. I think you had great reasons, but I also think it's okay to occasionally spoil ourselves with our hobby, which is there to bring us joy. I have never understood the wearable muslin concept, but I know that I'm in the minority. To me, a muslin is meant to be made out plain muslin/cotton fabric that you can mark up when you're wearing it, to take note of adjustments that you'll need to make to the pattern pieces. When I construct a muslin, I use very long stitches that are easy to remove, only make the part of the garment that I'm trying to fit (bodice for dresses/shorts for pants) and cut off the seam allowances where I'll be attaching facings/bindings to the real garment. I'll whip up a muslin in 5 minutes for a garment that will take me 3 hours to sew 'properly'. My muslins are rough and dirty and don't add a lot of time to my sewing process. I'm not saying that this is the only way or even the best way, but it's what works for me! I hope that you can find a process that works for you. And I wish you success in finding your me-made style that balances the dream and the reality of your life! 💞
I bet teaching those classes is just brilliant!!! And it looks like you’re doing a huge amount of research and prep which I’m sure they’re all appreciative off! I love hearing your thoughts and insights into your me made and RTW clothes! It’s amazing how your tastes, views, lifestyle etc changes and that reflects what we wear! Enjoy your new serger! Very exciting!!!
Yes, your closet becomes a museum commemorating who you were at some point in the past. I highly recommend cleaning out a closet or two. If you’re sitting on the fence keep or toss-try it on. If you couldn’t or wouldn’t wear it, toss it…
I will add that I no longer buy fabric that I don’t like, so making wearable muslins are actually wearable. Sometimes the person who might wear them isn’t me…but that is getting to be further and further from reality. I have been working hard to sew for the life I actually live, and paying attention to the details that matter to me. I recently realized I like slim fitting pants - if the lower leg flaps at all around my ankle I am annoyed. Heard it in a TEDTalk video.. whenI move my clothes need to move with me, so no big sleeves, no waterfall cardigans…has really improved my mood when I select the items that move with me. I really need to cull my closet…I keep things well past the best-by date…looking forward to the knit blazer pattern that you will make on repeat for your office-self. Glad you are working to take care of all the things YOU need in your life…so necessary in order to fill your tank and take care of your family.
I think part of the problem is the propensity to keep up with all the new patterns. We need to stick with styles and colors and fabric that please and flatter us. Once you have a pants, blouse, dress, and jacket that fit, you shouldn’t have to make a toile. Just superimpose those patterns (blocks) over the new “mod” one to get a good idea about fit. I spent half my lifetime just fitting the tissue pattern to my body and rarely had a fail. My (much) more curvy, post menopausal and old aged bodies have been a bit more of a challenge and I did have to make a few toiles. I agree that the Cashmirette woven tank in several fabric & color variations will go a long way to extending your wardrobe. I have 3 cut out for my vacation wardrobe. One in black satin, one in linen, and one in a crepe. I’ve already made one in a viscose print. I doubt anyone will note they are all the same top. I admire your new endeavor as a sewing instructor!
You're totally right, Barbara. It would be a good investment of time to have a set of patterns that I know fit the way I like, and work from there. I think I get seduced by new patterns and excited about them, rather than putting the time into the basics. How are you liking the Kersoe? Have you finished any yet?
I just love your Friday sews. You seem so real to me even though we are decades apart in age and life style. I thankyou for the overlocker review. I am thinking about getting one prior to retirement (imminent) but confused, however because I trust your honest opinion I will look at the little juki now. Thankyou so much.
I read a comment recently that made me think about whether sewists are really involved in the "fast fashion" that we say we are trying to avoid. When we buy cheap fabrics that don't disintegrate in the landfills, as many do to make a toile, what is the difference between cheaper RTW and what we are producing? I'm certainly not pointing fingers at anyone but I agree we need to be more mindful in our creativity.🤔🤔🤔
I agree with that, Karen. Sometimes I think about the environmental impact from churning out new garments at such a high pace and using so much fabric. I sew way more clothing than I need. I enjoy the process, so that needs to be considered too, but there are certainly times when this hobby is contributing to the issue. I'd like to get to a point where I can make some basic adjustments on the pattern with confidence and know it's likely to fit me. I think paper tissue fitting probably would help cut down on the fabric used for toiles, too.
Congratulations on the new machine. I tried to use my toiles twice first for the original make and then I Frankenstein the fabric together for the next muslin. Also use leftover fabric. Tiny bit less wasteful.
Yay! That's so great that you're teaching sewing! What a dream!! I hope it continues for you for as long as you'd like. Makes perfect sense that you needed a new serger in order to perform your new role well. No shame in that!! My serger was found by my inlaws on the side of the road, together with a tub of threads and accessories. It's from 1982, very vintage, full metal and works perfectly. I love this thing. Feels indestructible! I make wearable toiles that often just end up being my 'good version'...mainly because I think I play games with myself, that if it doesn't work, it was just 'practice'...otherwise, I may never cut into anything or get anything made. We're such funny creatures!
I definitely identify with the "hanging on to toiles" syndrome! I once used an old duvet to test a pattern, didn't even finish the seams inside and hung onto it for months. It took a stern talking to (by myself, mind you) before I dumped it!
How fun I am sure you are a fantastic teacher! I never make wearable muslins. I do make pieces of test garments if I think there might be fit issues. I use old sheets and if it’s pants I just make shorts without waistbands if there is one.
What great news that you are teaching sewing must be very rewarding i usually buy cotton doona from the thrift store for my wearable toile if i like the pattern have been very successful so far as we go in autumn here in Australia im thinking about warmer clothing always enjoy your videos thank you
Hello Megan What a fun thing doing the sewing class I never have made a muslin for any garment I have never really been so off that the garment doesn't fit I may have to tweek it a little but it is easy to get it right I think lots of measurements are important reading a few fitting books And if you watch "sew essential " "What I have been making " She recently made a beautiful blazer VOGUE 9133 And she made a cotton Muslin for the sleeve shoulder fit but she used cheap cotton and made one sleeve To get the fit so it's not as involved as making a whole garment So there are ways to get the fit for less work Lots of fit books suggest that just a partial garment for fit I also know that certain brands of patterns fit me better than others You may also want to buy the blazer but make the coordinating blouses 👚 and shells in patterns or plain Also a short blazer looks amazing over dresses very classy office So simple office dresses are a great for work wear or skirts You can find the balance I think Happy sewing and planning as you go forward with your wardrobe Take care
On my goodness! I am intimidated with the single server in my sewing room..and often give up on it. Missed your videos over the last few weeks so glad to know you had amazing activities in your life. You used to mention that you were passionate about education so nice that is back in your life. Wishing you all the best!
So much going on! How brave to teach a beginning serger class full of unknown machines. I bought myself a new serger this month after a couple of frustrating days trying to make my old one stay threaded!! I got a Baby Lock Vibrant which is a dream to thread but I did take a helpful 2 hour class. Your closet clear out of wearable toiles was interesting. I sooo get it.
I have to make trial garments when sewing new patterns. I’ve mostly stopped making them out of actual muslin and thrifted bed sheets, though. Instead and as you mentioned, I scout Fabricland for drastic markdowns, only I never buy fabric unless I’d love to wear it, no matter how cheap it is. I found 54” tropical wool - yes, at Fabricland in Canada!! - for $5 a meter and bought the rest of the bolt. This new-ish approach of mine means that if the garment’s a success I get to wear the fruits of my labour in colours and fibres I love and also having something that makes me feel good about myself. If it’s a fail, well, I learned something from the experience for comparatively little money. Plus, I might be able to salvage some of the make for pjs, camis, colour-blocked yokes etc.
hi Megan always love to see your videos pop up in my feed. I've also had to think more carefully about the clothes I make as I'm seduced into making dresses when in fact I mostly wear seperates:) I'd love to have you as a teacher :)
I was thinking about your floral maxi dress and workwear dilemma and thought of how you like the Rhapsody blouse. So a couple more floral happy Rhapsody could help fill the gap for you xxx
Hi Megan, so exciting you're teaching classes and what an ambitious schedule. Not to mention, courageous! I admire you for jumping in 😊 March does seem to be blowing right on by, where has it gone?! Happy to hear about your new serger and your good experiences teaching. Regarding muslins, I've not yet embraced the "wearable muslin". Generally when I make a muslin, it's with actual muslin fabric or very cheap quilting cotton and I just do bare minimum (basting stitches, no sleeves, etc), just to get the basic fit down. If I'm lucky, I can afterwards take the pieces apart and reuse them. And more recently, it occurred to me that I could use nicer quilting cotton to do muslins and then reuse the fabric in an actual quilt. Best wishes with your teaching and with your regular job. Have a nice weekend! Angela
I tried out a Juki serger when I was buying my sewing machine and it worked so well, but I’d like the auto tension auto thread option and that’s out of my price bracket for now, but a girl can dream! My jaguar serger threads easily but keeps snapping threads. I used to use old duvet covers etc for muslins and I too have made things which are not my style and haven’t worn so I’m making less this year and trying to be more intentional. Good luck with the teaching, you have such a calm voice I wish I could go to your class!
So glad you got a separate Overlocker. I made the mistake of getting a combined one though great babylock, I didn’t fall in love with it. So now looking at Bernina L850 which is pricey, and haven’t really settled on it. The L460 looks enough or the Juki MO 1000 here in Australia. I have a Bernina coverstitch L220 which was the last of those made by Juki. Can you list the patterns you mentioned on here please. That curso top looks great. Good on you teaching. Thanks from australia
Yup. I bought grey ponte pants that feel like yoga pants dark denim straight legs no whispering or distressing light cotton blouses solid white and vary a grey and white striped one and cashmere cardigan is bc Canada... and bright coloured golf shirts. I gave up sewing in jersey bc 62 it hugs badly. Gave up most prints. I love love sewing with linen it feels like me and I live in it. If I deviate anymore I don’t wear it.
I have the same serger and I love it too! It really is easy to thread - so much so that I now use matching thread when I make garments. LOL Your comments about your style made me smile. I’m pretty much in the same boat - I’m drawn to patterns of long flowy dresses or knit tops, but I feel more like myself in a comfortable pair of pants and a fun woven blouse or tank. I’m making a muslin of the Cashmerette Harrison shirt now and will tackle her Magna pants next I think. It was really nice to see a video from you again and I’m really excited for you about the classes! Sounds like you’re having a great time. 😀
I have a Juki industrial and a Juki coverstitch. Love them! I am the EXACT same way with wearable muslins. Like you, I keep thinking that I either need to use higher quality fabric when I make them or just make less garments. I did read that muslin fabric is compostable which is great for woven toiles but haven’t found a good solution for knit muslins.
My muslin process starts with tissue fitting with swedish tracing paper. It's cheaper than muslin fabric. Then I may make an actual muslin or dive straight into a wearable muslin which is much more likely to be wearable.
That’s amazing! I found your B48 video and so cite found a fellow Canadian sewist! So what happen to your Bernette B48? I’m considering getting that combo machine and wondering if you could do a few more videos on the machine, like how to thread it as serger and coverstitch? Keep up the amazing work! Thank you! Heard the Juki is a great machine!! Good for you!
Why not allow yourself a pretty fabric that isn't as expensive as your final garment? OR buy the right amount for your final project, and chalk a not so great final project up to being the "muslin" and THEN go buy more fabric. If most of your muslins are good enough to wear, you're probably not going to have to make another. I wish I was at your level!!! I think it's going to take a while.
You're so right, Marti... The muslins I make are, for the most part, wearable so I don't often go out and make another. But that's a great way to think of it.
