Me, me, me (hand raise).  It’s true that with each foray in the kitchen, I reach for an apron. So, I made a new one, not just for some fun kitchen linen (or is it kitchen attire?) but also for an easy project to test how I can speed up the timeline of creating a sewn project. Each sewing project took two weeks to complete from start to finish, and my inner “project manager” wasn’t satisfied.  However, the challenge is to end up with a finely sewn item rather than something that looks rushed — you know, the fast and furious project. Can I accomplish that?

To analyze, I believe I was slacking off a bit and spending at least a full day not sewing at all.   That had to change without me heading into sewing burnout territory.  How many hours are spent on project related tasks (not just actual sewing)? I have not documented the hours but it was apparent that I needed to change it up a little. 

We (I mean, I) started small with multiple cutting of just two projects at the same session (starting small) — if you care to read the last post. 

This week, I stitched up the apron, and have the second project (a robe) making progress at the machine. If it takes me 3 weeks to finish 2 projects from beginning to end, it’s better than 2 in 4 weeks — isn’t it?  Requires some project management math. Eyeroll….

Speaking of sewing and math, I love this post by Rosemary Fajgier on the American Sewing Guild blog.  https://www.asg.org/sewing-an-improbable-match-of-math-and-creativity/

Okay, back to the apron. Sure, a simple project, but deceptively so. See the curvature in the entire silhouette? Have you ever bound non-linear edges in a garment? It requires steam pressing and clipping, all of them time eaters which are not always mentioned in pattern instructions.  The pattern recommends a pre-folded, purchased bias binding to encase all the curved edges, of which I had none and not wanting to go out and buy it, I used up a bright magenta cotton scrap and made my own bias tape, thereafter using a “french binding” method to encase the raw apron edges. More on that in another post.

While finishing the apron, I pulled out my button sewing foot to attach that one button on the back. Once you get the hang of it, you cannot stop using it. I used the foot on a previous project to sew on nine shirt buttons – and wanted to keep using it where I could. Tips coming up in another future post (pssst, you don’t need a special presser foot for this). Where else can I machine-sew on buttons?  Whee!

To end this post, I’m reminding everyone that Season 2 of “Making the Cut” premiers on July 16 on Amazon Prime.

Oh, excuse me, here’s another random thing: Below are two pieces from Iris Van Herpen’s Haute Couture 2021 collection. My mind is blown — in a good way. Here is the Vogue editor’s take on the collection: Iris Van Herpen . Amazing aesthetics and collaborations are great but I want to know how each piece was made; I’ll assume that the pieces below were made on a 3D printer, until Ms Herpen tells me otherwise — as if.

HOW WAS THIS MADE?

Have a great summer, friends! Until next time,

Samina