Wednesday, January 2, 2013

The Second Miracle of 2013

The first miracle of 2013 was that I blogged.  Technically my last blog was at 10:30 New Year's Eve, but for most of you it was already 2013. I got so many nice comments on that blog post that I wanted to blog again right away. Thank you for all your nice words of encouragement. It means so much to me. The second miracle is that I sewed something. Something wearable, in fact.


This is Simplicity 1716, which is described as a mini-dress, tunic and top. And mini it is! I shortened it two inches at the waist and gave it a two inch hem. It hits me at an awkward length. It's too short for a dress and too long for a tunic. I think it might work with leggings, but all I could find were tights. Don't worry though, I won't be going out in public with this in tights. It looks longer in the picture than it does in my mirror. I didn't get any pictures of it, but this looks really good with a brown cardi. The fabric is a soft poly lycra jersey that I got from Michael Levine's Loft for $2/pound. I love that store so if you are ever in the Los Angeles area, call me. We'll go shopping!


I was drawn to this pattern because of the interesting drape in the front. It's sort of a play on a twist top, but much more modest. I don't want to flash the middle-school boys, so I try to always cover myself up. I hope you can see the interesting neckline in this picture. I know the fabric print is quite busy, but click on the photo and it should magnify for you. The pattern cover photo shows a more rounded shape but they have those tucked in pieces arranged a bit differently than I do.
 

I made my tunic on my newest sewing machine. I've actually purchased two sewing machines since I last blogged regularly. However, I also sold one of my Singer 500a machines so the other one didn't count. At least that's my story and I'm sticking to it. This Bernina 930 Record machine was found in a thrift store. A long, long time ago I was without a sewing machine and my sister wasn't using her Bernina 930, so I talked her into letting me use it. After nearly two years, she wanted it back. Because of that, I knew exactly what this machine was when I saw the box on the shelf. I opened it up and was disappointed to see that it didn't have the accessories box or the extension table. The knee lift was the only thing in the box besides the machine, foot pedal, and cord. For the last week I stalked the employees at the store bugging them to find the parts for me. No luck. I didn't buy it the day I found it, but went back for it the next day after thinking about it all night. Good thing too because they were having a 30% off sale the next day. I'm not sure why it didn't get snatched up sooner.

I searched through my own stash of feet and found that I still had the buttonhole foot and the zipper foot from my Bernina 1230 that I no longer own. They fit perfectly. The machine was also missing the bobbin case, but I had an extra one of those too. It's a great machine, but to be honest, I like sewing on my Rocketeer better. Mostly because I can control the pressure foot pressure, so I'm debating with myself about selling this one. Even with the missing parts, I think I can ask five or six hundred dollars for it.


Here's a nice picture of a few of my other machines. I shared pictures of these before except for the red one in the bottom corner. It is my other newest machine. This one is a Viking 6570 and is a contemporary of the Bernina 930, but it came reconditioned and with all its parts. And it's RED! If you know anyone looking for a Bernina 930, let me know.

26 comments:

  1. Cute dress! I think it will make a great tunic over leggings. It actually looks fine like this too, but you do need to feel comfortable (and not give those boys too much of a thrill!)

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  2. What a great start to 2013. I love your dress and I'm sure you will find a "styling" option you are comfortable with.

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  3. What a nice collection of machines.

    Love your dress - great fabric too.

    Glad to see you are blogging again. I have missed your blogs.

    Happy 2013

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  4. You look great! Love your new dress!

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  5. Great dress/tunic. Really pleased you are showing off your legs! My legs are not one of my greatest assets, so I'd have a top and dark pants. We're all different. Really glad to see you are sewing and way to go re college. I'm impressed you are taking that route later in life. I'm trying 'Living the Gi diet' by Rick Gallop as it seems to be healthy and sustainable but I'm not too far into it yet

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  6. I think the dress/tunic looks great. Wear it with really dark, opaque tights and cute flats and wear it out the door. You look great! Really!

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  7. Cute dress. Hope you find some leggings to wear with it.

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  8. Very nice dress and it looks great on you. I think the length suits you right where it is too.

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  9. What I would do for a Rocketeer! My mom bought me one when I was 14 and I sewed on it till I got married, bequeathing it to my younger sister to sew on. I sewed my wedding gown on it. It was a dream machine.

    Your outfit is darling with that shorter length and the tights. Great look.

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  10. Oh I love the dress! Very chic :) I don't think it's too short at all, but I understand about the leggings. Definitely go find some!

    I'm jealous of all of your machines. I have finally sold off all of my "extras" and I'm down to 3. My Bernina Record 830 (LOVE LOVE LOVE), my Featherweight, and a Bernina Artista 220 that I'm holding onto for my girl.

    Happy New Year Sherril!

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  11. It looks absolutely fine in the photo, with those tights. Ho nestly. But if you're uncomfortable, maybe you will whack it off into a blouse.

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  12. That dress is just the right length to show off your legs, which are nicer than you think! I'm wondering how that style fits around "the girls," which is why I haven't made it yet.

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    1. Mary, no FBA necessary on this pattern. The gathers adds fullness that works.

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  13. Sherril, you look terrific- get used to it! Really appealing to go fabric shopping with you in LA. What a great invite. Have you got a couch?

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    1. Anytime you are in the area, Wendy, I'd be happy to shop with you. Where do you live?

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  14. Hi,
    This dress looks great on you.
    I have the same model, 930 which I was given back in 1985. It has been a truly terrific machine through the years.
    Kathy

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  15. Love the dress/tunic out from this pattern-looks great. How nice that you are where there are such good knit buys. I have a 930 that I bought new in the 1980s. I love to work fast buttonholes on it-has never ever let me down-can't say that for the newer computerized machines here. I used to do a lot of ultrasuede appliques on it with the open toe foot and invisibile thread or machine embroidery thread when my daughter was showing horses in western pleasure. I could never let go of mine as I have so many feet for it. I did work some buttonholes the other day on my newer bernina artista and they were ok since they were on pajamas but I don't trust it enough yet to do say a blouse or jacket buttonholes.I think I am going to have a service done on it since it hasn't been in for 15 years. It was the last TOL bernina before the computer stuff happened I was told so I kept mine when I got a computerized machine. I am a big fan of this model-probably should just have kept it as my only machine instead of buying new ones willy nilly. I think it has been serviced twice and a new bobbin case in all these years-never anything wrong with it and I used to sew a lot on it every day.Great find you made.

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  16. I love this! What a great basic. I think I'll add this to my wish list of patterns.

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  17. Hi Sherril! I'm a beginning sewer from San Diego! I'm interested in your Bernina 930! If you are still interested in selling it, you can reach me at hillcrestroomie aT gmail D0T com.

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  18. You look sensational in a mini-dress! Make more!

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  19. The dress looks great on you to me--I think it works really nicely with the tights.
    I love red things, so that red sewing machine is super cute to me!
    If I wind up doing a little pre- or post-PR weekend LA fabric shopping I will let you know for sure!!!

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    1. Kyle, I would LOVE to go shopping with you downtown.

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