Monday is the first day ...

of the Online Craft Show I'm doing. See graphic at right? Monday morning I'll give the URL to my booth.

I have all my candles, with some new scents you haven't seen before. Some very special things you haven't seen before, such as a Facial Care Kit. A cream lace bag, trimmed in black which holds some goats milk soap (awesome for washing the face), lavender toner, and my own special Facial Oil Blend - a blending of oils for super face/skin nutrition and rejuvenation, with a washcloth I made, specially for the delicate skin of the face.

And Green Tea Sugar Scrub, Laundry Soap, Body Butter with a variety of fragrances you can choose from, Luxury Silk Soap, Tea Tree Oatmeal soap for problem skin... um, that's all I can remember.

Facial Care Kit

I'm sick and tired of Bra's!!!!!

Truly I am - the search, the trying on, the PRICE! Not to mention the uncomfy's, the bulges where I don't want them, and I'm just tired of the whole thing. However, at 53, I can't bring myself to go out in public without a bra. I'm not 19 anymore!!!

So, after thinking about this for quite awhile, I decided to make my own. Not with all the stretchy fabric, spandex, power net, and hardware. Just with some pretty cotton and elastic and lace. I made the one I'm wearing a few times now, and I have to say - it is so comfortable - this is definitely the direction for me!

It was so easy to make, I'll show you how to do it. I made mine, including measuring and design time in about 2 hours. Now that I have a pattern and know what I'm doing, I bet that time will be under an hour. The nice thing about these, is that you can make one to match all the clothes you own!

So, you'll need about a half yd of cotton fabric, about 2-3 yds of 1/4" elastic, and some lace if you want to trim it. If you have cami/bra straps, feel free to use those, but if not, just cut some elastic the correct length, and you'll be fine. If you happen to have a bra back go ahead and use it, if not, you can pull it on and off, over your head.

My first one I did not use a bra back, and I just put it on/off like I would a shirt. But this one I'm showing you now will have a bra back on it, because I think it will be easier.

Ok, 4 measurements to take -

#1 - All the way around you, just under the arms. This will be the top of your 'bra'.
#2 - All the way around you, under the bust. This is where the bottom of your bra is now.
#3 - From the top line, over the bust, to the bottom line. You want enough room so the girls aren't squished.
#4 - On the top line, just the distance you want until you drop down to make room for your arms. 

Once those measurements are taken, use a large piece of pattern paper (or tape some printer paper together) and use a straight side as the Fold line.

Near the top of the paper, draw a line, parallel to the top of the paper. Go down the length of #3 and draw another line, parallel to the first line. Remember, that since the end of the paper is the FOLD line, you'll only need 1/2 of the measurement. (except for measurement #3).

 

Use a round plate or template to create the curves at the arm. Then, just blend the two curves together. Click on the picture to make it bigger, and you'll be able to see my lines. Once you have it the way you want it, cut it out, and use it as a pattern. 

I had to add a piece to each end of the back. You can see them pinned on here. 

I considered adding this lace that matched, but in the end decided not to. I divided the bottom into 4, marking with a pin, and the top into 4, marking with a pin. 

I cut two pieces of elastic, holding them around me the way I wanted them to fit. I divided them into 4, marking each fourth with a pin, then I matched the bottom piece of elastic to the bottom of the bra, at the pins, and pinned them together. I repeated this on the top. 

I stretched and sewed a 3 point zig zag stitch along the top and bottom 

This is my bra, with elastic sewn to the top and bottom. 

I decided to use a bra back on this one. I didn't fuss over the measurements too much. I held the bra up to me, holding the back together at a point where it was comfortable. Then, I folded the fabric back, and took a small pleat in the width of the back, and pinned the bra back to it. 

Same thing for the other side. 

This is the side of the bra back with the loops, it's attached to elastic. I folded my fabric to insure all the raw edges were underneath the elastic. Then I sewed the bra back to the fabric with a rectangle.

You can see here how I sewed on the bra back. 

I attached the other side of the bra back with the hooks, the same way. Just make a small pleat to fit, and pin. 

Once you're satisfied with the fit around you, mark where you want the straps to be sewn, and pin them on. 

I put the end of the back straps close to the center, because I hate it when the straps fall off my shoulders. I also zig zag the heck out of these straps when attached, because the edges are hard and irritate my skin. You can see the close up in the next picture. 

Close up of sewing strap on back.

Far too late in the process, I decided I wanted this eyelet lace on the bottom. So, I sewed to the bra, right sides together, then folded it over and sewed a line about  1/4" from the fold line. I should have done this before I did the elastic. 

A peek inside. 

The end result. I left the upper edge serged. I didn't want that large of eyelet lace on top, and I didn't have any smaller. 

 There are so many ways you could alter this to suit yourself. You could cut a v-neck, or a scoop neck. The use of different trims and ribbons and laces, or fabrics would add a lot of personality. I'm going to make several more of these, now that I have the pattern the way I like it, and the fit - sewing them up will take very little time. 

If you made some of these, I'd love to hear about it. If you have questions about how to do it, let me know. I wrote this, pretty much assuming you knew how to sew :) But, please ask me if I've been unclear about something.

Patterns, Patterns Everywhere - It's a Mystery!

The other day I was window shopping at Etsy, and you know how it is, you never know how you get somewhere, but suddenly I was in this vintage ephemera shop 58 and Grace and I found a listing for patterns. Now, I love ephemera, I guess it's just the history in the items, and I do love history. Well, It was a stack of patterns, no envelopes, no instructions, she said there was about 5 patterns there (it could have been 7, I don't remember) but it was for 4.95. I really didn't have 4.95 to be spending on ephemera :) But somehow, before I knew it, my finger was clicking Add to Cart and suddenly, I'd bought it.

Well, what fun! I divided up a few of the patterns, put the ones that had the same numbers in one envelope. Some patterns do not have a name on them, although they are printed. Anybody have a clue what pattern company this might be? Click on it to make it bigger, I made this one bigger than usual so you could see details.

Anyone who sews, knows the pattern companies re-use numbers after a pattern has gone out of print. It's kind of annoying when you don't know what you're looking for. I did get one pattern completely put together, and from the pattern details, I had an idea of what it might look like. I found it.

Isn't it gorgeous? I printed out this picture and taped it to the appropriate envelope. This is so much fun! I can't wait to see what else I find :)

Towel Edging

A week or so ago, I got some new dish towels. I wanted to add some crocheted edgings to them. I’ve got some very cool vintage edgings patterns, and I’m eager to use them. So, I added the first edging, here is the Before and After -

I think it makes a world of difference. I’ve got the edging made and pinned on to the next towel, just haven’t sewn it on yet.
The edging shown, took about 2 hours to make and sew on to the towel. That’s a quick and easy project!!

My Treadle Machine - Help Me Figure It Out!!!!

Model #AB286327

I got to talking to my BFF, Cynthia about my Treadle Sewing Machine, that I have in my entry way, as a table. She also has a Treadle Machine. Well, I've been wondering for some time now, if it worked, and figured today was the day to find out.
Well, the first thing I found out was that it needed a belt, and it wasn't going to do anything without that!

But I also had a box of Singer accessory feet, that I wanted to see if they would fit on there - and they did. But I do not know what the feet are for! I've been sewing since I was 9 years old, I'm now 53 and these feet are a mystery to me. So, who better to ask, than all you sewers out there. Help me out! :) First a few pictures of my pretty machine :)

Ok, now the pictures of the feet. They have numbers on them too, so I'm going to mention those.

The number is 120598

Close-up of above

The other side of above foot

#160359

The other side of above foot

I can't find a number on this one

#36865 (i think) 

If you click on any of these pictures, you'll get a bigger picture that will be easier to see details in. If you have any information about these feet, I'd sure love to hear it. Thanks for lookin'! :) Karen

Awesome Soap Testimonial!

(So, I had to move the last post from Plain Jane blog over here to regular blog, just because it was so cool) :)

The owner of one my favorite sewing sites has purchased laundry soap from me. Pamela Erny from Fashion Sewing Supply. I buy all my interfacing from her, and bags of buttons. They have the best interfacing I've ever worked with.

So, anyway, she left a comment on this blog and I asked her if I could use it. She said I could and then gave me an even BETTER recommendation along with her Yes!!!! So, I'm sharing both of them :) This is her comment on my Needlework blog -

Hi Karen...just need to tell you that YOUR SOAP ROCKS !!!!! I love the lavender "chunks" that I bought..I set a piece in the bottom of my soaking tub while the water fills....heavenly!

My husband's shirts have NEVER looked as good as when washed with your laundry soap :) I have a high-efficiency washer...so a tiny bit goes a long way...but I will be ordering more soon! It is also THE BEST for removing that nasty starchy "sizing" from fabrics before we sew them.

Thanks again for great products!

Laundry Soap

And this is what she gave me to use -  

Your laundry soap is hands down the VERY best I have EVER used to pre-wash cotton fabrics!  It gets all of the nasty sizing and dye-smell out...and leaves the fabric so fresh and so clean...totally ready to apply interfacing and make it "ready for the needle". Pam Erny from Fashion Sewing Supply

Comments like that send me over the moon! :) Thank you Pam! 

 P.S. They are having some website trouble, so if the links don't work, try them again in a few days.
Update: See the Fashion Sewing Supply blog for more info

Ever Bite Off More Than You Can Chew?

It seems to be a habit of mine! I simply have to come to the conclusion that I can only do one blog properly. I started a new blog for Plain Jane Candles and Soap, but I don't get to it, and then I don't get to this one! So, I"ll be closing that blog and doing EveryThing over here, on my regular blog.

Is that professional? heck, I don't know! I'm just a little dressmaker who also makes soap, what do I know about professional?

So, my book "How To Write Quilt Patterns" is reviewed in this months The Quilt Pattern Magazine (yay!) and so, I put it on sale for the month of April. It is now $10 instead of the normal $15.

I'm also moving the sign up for the Plain Jane newsletter, over here. And its going to be a general newsletter for Plain Jane Candles and Soap, Pretty Jane Dresses and anything else that seems newsletter-worthy!

I have to remember I'm just one little person and can't do everything my mind tells me I can :) I hope you can all identify with that!!!!

Welcome readers of The Quilt Pattern Magazine!

I hope you're enjoying this months issue of the magazine, there are some fun quilt designs in it!

If you're here to see more about my book 'Writing Quilt Patterns' which is on sale for the entire month of April. Normally $15, now on sale for $10, just for readers of The Quilt Pattern Magazine. And also for anyone else who drops in :) I'm not picky! The link is right up top there but I'm putting it in the name too.

If you've ever considered designing quilts and selling patterns, but were a little (or a lot) nervous about the pattern writing part, this is exactly what you need. I've written more quilt patterns than I care to remember, and I've shared everything I know about it in this little eBooklet. I hope it will be useful to you.