I apologize for not posting sooner. I did continue working on my Sister’s shirt/jacket during the last week, the final chapter of my Sister’s Sewing Projects, although I am sure she will eventually think of something else for me to do! I am using Simplicity 5455, a pattern from 2003. I started it here using two wonderful fabrics, a solid blue and a white “newsprint floral”, both made of 97% cotton and 3% spandex. Things were rolling along nicely … until they came to a dead stop! Why?
Let’s just say I probably spent THREE nights doing the buttonholes. Only 5 buttonholes, yet THREE nights! I must be the only person who freaks when it comes to sewing buttonholes. I spent the first night thinking about their placement and drawing them in. Over and over again. Then a good TV show came on and I quickly packed everything up.
Then I spent the second night staring at what I had drawn in. I stared for so long I started seeing actual words and sentences in the so called “newsprint floral” fabric. My fabric was speaking to me. (Tell me you see it too.) I wasn’t too sure what my fabric was saying though. Probably “Finish this friggin’ thing. Will ya?” But a good TV show came on and I quickly packed it all away! (Sound like avoidance issues to you?)
The third night came. Am I the only person who thinks of having a good stiff drink before tackling a nasty task?
For Pete’s sake! My sewing machine has a buttonhole foot. All I have to do is set the machine on “50”, put the fabric under the foot and step on the foot control.
Unfortunately I have visions of putting the fabric in crooked or to close to the edge or too far from the edge or even on the left side instead of the right – don’t laugh, I have done it! And what if you have to remove all those zig zag stitches? Then the next challenge is cutting the silly things open and doing it without cutting the zig zag stitching. Just think about this… you want me to cut 5 holes in the fabulous shirt/jacket I have just made?
Yes, I am probably over-reacting. So, down goes the good stiff drink and away I go, for good luck, starting with the bottom buttonhole as is my usual habit … and what the heck was I so nervous about anyway?
So there you have it. The guts of my Sister’s shirt/jacket – inside out to show off facing and bias tape. I tried to make it as nice on the inside as on the outside.
The contrasting collar with the “newsprint floral” fabric.
An all around look!
My Sister will be visiting soon. I do like this shirt/jacket. I think she is going to have to pry it out of my white knuckled-clutching fingers, I love it so much! If she succeeds in getting it away from me, I will just have to make one for myself!
Do you have a sewing technique that drives you to drinking? Do share! Don’t let me remain the only crazy one!
Happy Sewing!
42 Responses to “Finishing that friggin’ UFO … (Part 2)”
Great looking jacket. I love the newsprint floral. I have a shirt made of a similar print cotton except mine has insects on it and the words are in French. (I think)
Crazy story: For most of my sewing life I have sewn exclusively on my grandmother’s antique treadle sewing machine. (Actually it’s been mine since I was 18 but I always call it “my grandmother’s) Anyway, I had a buttonholer attachment for it which strangely only made buttonholes for the hardest to find sizes of buttons. It broke about 20 years ago and that was the best thing that ever happened to me sewing-wise because I had to learn how to make buttonholes by hand, found it’s actually easy and fun. Well, a couple of years ago after more than 30 years sewing on the treadle machine and never feeling any lack I suddenly decided I wanted a modern machine so I could do zigzag and other fancy stitches. So I got a new Singer and after a while decided I might as well try doing buttonholes on it. It didn’t go well and so far I haven’t felt motivated to try again so I’m still doing buttonholes by hand. I use the new machine mainly for sewing knits and still use the treadle machine more.
Insects and French, hmm, interesting. I have a few Vintage Sewing Machines and I can’t stand keeping “stuff” lying around. I am fixing and refinishing them all (as much as I have the time for) and plan on trying them all out. We shall see which I settle with. I have my Aunt’s treadle machine now. They are beautiful! Unfortunately the cabinet and treadle need a lot of work. Moving the wheel by hand creates a lovely noise as the machine sews though – so I am sure I will never part with that one! Happy to hear you enjoy your machine!
Your sister is a lucky lady.
If you use a seam ripper to open your buttonholes a pin where you want to stop at each end prevents disasters. I had a few before I learned that trick. And get those vintage buttonhole attachments tried – they are beyond fabulous once you get to grips with them. Never again will you be put off by a buttonhole!
Great tip, Thanks! Next project – my pants/trousers – will be done on one of my vintage machines. The one waistband buttonhole with be done with the vintage buttonholer attachment. I’ve got some learning to do!
They are worth the time spent learning – you get fabulous buttonholes every time!
Well, you’re a perfectionist, I’m not surprised the buttonholes are nerve wracking, but the end result looks great. Good on you!!!!
Hahaha! I’m doing it to myself I guess! Thank you for the compliment!
You’re definitely not alone (as this comment thread is proving!). I wish there were some way that buttonholes didn’t have to be the last step in a project. Like you, I worry about accidentally ruining something I’ve sunk whole days of my life into. And I’m going to put bar tacks on the list, too, after spending four hours wrestling with a pair of jeans that my machine didn’t want to stitch all the way through.
That’s true! If I could put them in first the hard part would be over. If I mess up I know I can cut a new bodice piece! I saw in a course they advised hammering the living day lights out of thick layers of jeans so they would go through your machine. So then that brings me to my fear of bashing my thumb/fingers! Sewing is a vicious cycle of fears and pain, I tell you! 😂
Maybe we should swap to a risk-free hobby like backgammon..?
LOL!
Love the jacket, especially the lovely contrasting collar.
I love buttonholes – no fears at all, but I’m terrified of zips. I look for ways to avoid them, I watch YouTube tutorials but I really wish thay didn’t exist. So no, you’re not the only one.
Oh that’s great that your scared of zips! I am not alone! 😂 thank you for the compliments and the comments. Isn’t the sewing community fabulous!
Those are NICE buttonholes {-; And I am glad there are so many good TV shows to enjoy 😀
Thanks! I guess alcohol and sewing does mix! And TV shows are always good (to avoid doing something else), you know! 🙄
This looks lovely and I love the fabric combinations! I hate doing buttonholes also, I seem to always have one that looks off from the others. Perhaps I should try your techniques of starting at the bottom and having a stiff drink! 🙂
Thank you! My sister has seen the photos and she is very happy with it! I had my best buttonholes once when they were hidden in a shirt placket. The kind where there is an extra folded flap over the buttonholes. Apparently when I know no one can see them I do a better job!