Level 2 Completed

Just like the YCMI program BurdaSyle labels this pattern a level 2 or 2 threads out of 4 for someone who has some sewing experience.  The pattern is well drafted and goes together pretty quickly. The only change I made to this pattern was to add 3 inches to the length.

Center back vent

 For the most part I followed along with the program so it was a breeze to make. My only changes was that I inserted the zipper a little differently and that is because I can not find 1/4 inch basting tape here. I did not use the selvedge edge of the fabric as a finish for the waistband, I used my serger to finish the inside and I used a double turned hem.

I was not able to find a fabric that had a one design which this level called for so  just went with a print and treated as a one way design.

almost invisible zipper

Pressing over my ham for shaping

Pressing the shaped side seams is not something you will find in the YCMI program, this is just some knowledge I have gained over the years with sewing.

My green non matching zipper

I wasn't able to get the notions I needed when I went for the fabric, I ran out of time so I just went with what I had on hand.

Center Back on a windy day

Full Front

Again there is a lot more to this level than what you see and I do recommend it for anyone who is not able to go out and take a class, needs something explained in a very clear way or needs to it done a few times before trying. Now on to level 3

My post at Sew Fashionably Modest

Until next time, happy sewing...

BurdaStyle 8765 Gets A Face Lift

New

Old

Until next time, happy sewing...

Level 2 Fabric & Pattern

I'm to stick as close to the program as possible, so finding a fabric with a one way design in a weight suitable for this pattern just was not happening so I just went with came as close as possible. I found this grey denim with painted flowers with glitter edging. I have not pretreated my fabric yet  so I'm not sure how well the paint and glitter will hold up to washing. When working with denim you need to wash and dry your fabric at least 3 times before using to get rid of any shrinking it will do.

For this time around with the program I tried to use only BurdaStyle magazine patterns since I want to use them a lot more in my sewing. But when it came to the requirements for this pattern I could not find one from the magazine so a envelop pattern it was. For this level I'll be using BurdaStyle 8765.







Until next time, happy sewing...

Level 1 Complete

  

There is level is a pretty good start for anyone who has not sewn in awhile or new to sewing clothing with a pattern. It explains almost everything a beginner sewer would need to start making clothes with a pattern. I say almost because they fail to mention prepping your fabric and also finishing your seams. She puts effort into wanting  you to make your garment to look clean on the inside with a neat hem and waistband casing but not the seams. For me I used my serger to finish the raw edges inside.

 

Another thing which I have learned over the years is directional sewing, this is very important in keeping your seams even and neat. Here you can see the chapter on it from Susan Khalje's book Cotton and Linen

I tried to keep as close to the program as possible this time around, using the recommended fabric and notions unlike the first time when I started this. But when it came to getting the hem tape I was in a rush and could only find bias tape. So a hong kong hem finish it was. I did use a plain pink stretch linen for the skirt.

Both sides of the hem

Skirt complete. It looks better on me.

Here it is with a t-shirt draft I'm working on.
















Until next time, happy sewing...

Level 1 Pink Skirt

So I'm finally restarting my YCMI program goals, I was hoping to start a little earlier but ran into some fabric problems since I'm trying to stick as close to the program as possible. Living in a place where women can not drive and having an already busy family schedule, things just don't always work out the way you plan. Also I was without internet service for a few weeks so that too also kept me from starting since I want to blog my experience as I went along.










First up is BurdaStyle 07/2010-138 in pink stretch linen. A few weeks ago on my other blog I talked about trying out pink with a pink maxi skirt, so when I saw this pink linen I already had a pattern in mind. I will not be doing the bottom casing as you see in the line drawings and instead lenghening it and eliminating the back seam.

I have prepped my fabric, my pattern is traced, seam allowance added, and now I need to set up my machines and then I'll be ready to sew.














Until next time, happy sewing...

Sewing Tools

My plan is to start some sewing again with YCMI the beginning of next year, sometime around the beginning of January. My goal is to blog my experience and review of this learning course, also I want to show others there are ways to learn when you can't always go to a class. Just recently I found some youtube videos I think are pretty good for learning to sew and recommend. I'll post the videos over time and also include them when I think they might be relevant to a garment, post, or technique.

So first up, sewing tools, just like in the YCMI series you start off with learning about the different sewing tools you need and the difference.

Until next time, happy sewing...

It Only Took Me A Year... And A Few Months

Okay so it has taken me almost 14 months to get back into things here and with YCMI, but this time I plan to keeps things flowing and also work on making it more informative when it comes to my review of this program. Also because I do recommend it as a way for those who like me have busy lives, don't have local classes or schools we can't go to and the many other reasons we may, I'm going to update my reviews  and make a few other changes around here. So that means I'll be starting from the beginning again since this time I'm also going to do the extra skills that are not included with the garment for each level. I'm giving myself a start date of around January 2013 to start since I will need time to get new fabric and supplies. Also I have changed some of my patterns that I plan to use but they will still meet the criteria for each level which I will post on each levels page and sidebar. Until then I'll be updating my blog and the levels so you can get some info about this program and making the site a bit more easier to use.

Until then , happy sewing...