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Newsletters>
December Newsletter from Akasha Clothing
December 8, 2008
Wow! How did the last 2 months pass by at light speed?! I was (kindly) reminded at a class last week that I was behind on my newsletter....and boy am I ever. I can't even explain where all the time has gone. I'm sure everyone else is feeling the same way as you're shopping and checking your list twice this month.
September and October were sewing show and guild months, and I met a number of new sewing enthusiasts. I've added names to the newsletter list, and have had some phone calls from people asking to come look at buttons.
If you or someone you know belongs to a guild and would like to have me present a trunk show or teach a class, drop me a line. The feedback from the quilt guilds has been very positive, as the Akasha clothing is more fitted than most quilted garments, yet uses techniques that are familiar to quilters.
Classes
Join me this Thursday at Needleworks in Calgary (www.needleworks.org or 403-210-2883) for a Fit Happens Help Line. If you've taken some fitting classes and still need to get a pattern tweaked or need some help fine-tuning the fit, call to register and I'll help you make sure it is fitted before you cut your fabric.
The new class lineup for January is almost complete, and once I've got all the t's crossed and i's dotted with store owners, I'll be updating the class schedule on the website. I've been talking with some folks in places other than Calgary, so stay tuned and watch for me in your neighbourhood.
Look for some pant fitting classes, some jacket classes, more creative textures on fabric, some garment construction techniques classes, sewing a travel (cruise) wardrobe, Fabulous Fabric Flowers and more.
Speaking of creative textures, we just finished the first class, and I've never taken part in a class where there was so much enthusiasm and laughter! There are photos on the Photo Gallery on the website so you can see what we made. And I'll be holding another one in the new year with some new techniques and projects. Sign up early for that one, as it is sure to be popular.
Buttons
Some new buttons from Italy have arrived - red glass on a metal shank back, or blue glass on a metal (shank) backing. There are three sizes of each color, so you could coordinate the front and cuffs of a blouse. Absolutely gorgeous.
For all of December, there is free shipping on novelty buttons. I've put some photos of the Christmas novelty buttons on the website, and more will be loaded daily. Keep checking back.
Patterns
As I've mentioned previously, I'm in the process of re-writing all of the instructions for the Akasha patterns to make them more suitable for all seamsters - not just those that have experience. If you have any interest in being a proof-reader, or if you have some experience creating line-drawings using a computer based program, please let me know. I'm coming into the final stages of getting some of them ready to re-print, and want to make sure that the instructions are completely clear before I go to print.
I've also got the Metamorphosis Bag almost ready to go. This bag was shown as a prototype at the Edmonton Creative Stitches show, and most people thought it was quite ingenious. Check the website under the Coming Soon section of the Products page for a photo of the prototype.
Sewing Tips, Tricks & Techniques
I've decided that each month I will include a section with a tip or trick. This month, the technique is inspired by a question that was asked during a pant-fitting class.
Q - once we get this pattern fitted and altered to fit ME, can I use it to make a pair of elastic waist pants?
A - Absolutely. Elastic waist pants don't need to be made from stretch fabric either. Once the plain pant pattern is altered to fit you, it is easy to create a pull-on elastic waist pant from that pattern.
Place your pattern tissue on top of a larger sheet of tissue. Pinning it into a cardboard grid helps to keep it in place. Trace around the pattern (both front and back). At the hip area, extend the side seam straight up from the largest place on the hip. Increase the waistline seam allowance to 2".
If your original pattern has a fly, ignore the fly extension and mark the center front and create a 5/8" seam allowance. If you have a center back zipper, ignore the zipper markings and just sew the seam up.
Depending on the ratio of your waist to your hips, you will have more or less gathering into the elastic, but because you've gone straight up from the largest hip measurement, you will be able to pull them on even if the fabric does not stretch.
Stitch the inseam and side seams. Place one pantleg inside the other, right sides together, and stitch the crotch seam.
To attach the elastic in a way that looks very "ready to wear", select 1" sew through elastic. Cut it approximately 4" to 5" shorter than your waist measurement. Butt the cut ends together (make sure you don't have a twist in the elastic) and zigzag over the cut ends to create a circle.
With pins, mark the elastic into quarters. Place the pins at the seams, aligning the edge of the elastic to the cut edge of the waistband. (You can baste the elastic at the seams if you're having trouble keeping it in place. You can also baste the bottom of the elastic to the pants before you serge, stretching as you go. The basting will be on the inside when you're finished and not visible).
Serge the elastic to the waistband edge, stretching the elastic to fit the waist. Don't trim anything off.
Fold the elastic to the inside and pin in place at the seams. Using your sewing machine and a very narrow (0.5) zigzag stitch (a triple straight stitch works well too), stitch through the elastic and both layers of fabric to hold it down. You can do as many rows of stitching as you like, depending on the look you're after. The more rows of stitching you do, the less stretch you'll have in the elastic.
Don't forget to put a piece of folded ribbon or bias tape under the edge of the elastic at the center back seam so that you can tell which is the back. (Do this before you stitch the elastic down with your zigzag stitch).
Note: it's important that the elastic is "sew through". The striped PJ elastic that you get in some fabric stores works, but you'll need to cut it about 6" shorter than your waist, as there is minimal stretch in it. Look for knitted elastic.
Happy sewing, and a safe and healthy holiday season.
Cindy
akasha@akashaclothing.com 403-284-5155 1-877-252-5932 Fax 403-282-6465
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