During Quilt Canada, I stumbled across some demos from The Sewing Room in Calgary. I really liked the teachers and what they were demoing and just their entire setup. I found out that they had a T-shirt class in August and well, I want to learn how to use my serger better. So I enrolled. I believe we are 15 in the class - that's crazy!!! And they have a perfect set-up for multiple cameras. Very well done, but then they have a techie person who works for them.
The first day we chatted about sizing and drafting the pattern, which of course, I didn't do until yesterday! No, wait -- I did all the sizing stuff, and at least my fabric was washed. I just had not drafted out the pattern.
I was able to draft out the pattern - I mean -- there are three pieces - a front, a back, and a sleeve. I didn't get too scientific about the sizing. According to the calculation, I'm three different sizes - one for the top, one for the waist, and one for the hips - so I fudged that together to get my size.
Then I laid out my fabric, but not before I had to remove EVERYTHING from the cutting table. It's all on the floor. As a matter of fact, the studio looks like a tornado went through.
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A huge mess |
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Stuff on the floor - but it's only temporary |
I needed to find some clear elastic or twill tape. So boxes of supplies got pulled from shelves and are still sitting on the floor.
![](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEinF8n0uzKXz2MxArSphzbq_LPyyadj3IxlV9uQFxfZk-oNK8X22Nlf2rmA26Pn8EGhtFtcwg_vMv-TgHDsFuzsyrWYIZgx7Rz2PVdo6HQksnaXBvPZZiyGzVhyphenhypheni7N6xOiX4qMyCCaxm8Om/s320/20210805_060618_resized+%2528002%2529.jpg) |
Looking for clear elastic |
![](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEganG9pYpzNcIRGV5H9q1oZtHAaY1EWe1GiaNECyhDFy-rvwH7ZrwJcV3d8Duyj5vZFpWVFkyIvrE7LoZ3mXZwmP7G18zgpJmOVlL7hWqfECFtkVAmjkC_ObYbCKGuY7xQvILAwZtBTEKd_/s320/20210805_060626_resized+%2528002%2529.jpg) |
And twill tape |
I didn't find clear elastic, although I'm sure I have some. I did find a couple of yards of white narrow twill tape. Who knew that I had that? I might need a couple of extra containers to properly put all this stuff away. I think it all needs to be resorted and perhaps expand a box or two.
I mentioned that I bought a striped fabric. Do you know how much "fun" it is to work with a striped fabric? Oh darn -- the pattern weights were upstairs, and then I finally got myself organized, and yes - I cut the whole thing out with the rotary cutter.
![](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhEWV07ElOI_gpLpmKbFBG3CjM_Kp7NRKBeP83rXv1xX8zzCmIyVc70apAAoPbrA4WBZIeic1zQxbZiFmJ78lZFuvZBJR7IfCJ0mBYNPIc8kALywtnfCL67R1pLrJgKgw6OmjKZAfdGAiKM/s320/20210804_130740_resized+%2528002%2529.jpg) |
Cutting the T-shirt |
It was a total hands-on sewing class. This is how it looks -- your teacher on the computer in Calgary, and I'm sitting in front of the serger, in Ontario. The format works just fine. Although everyone was muted - I'm not sure why. The teacher didn't mute us - everyone muted themselves. Then they would ask questions in the chatbox. I asked in person -- good grief -- we don't need to be silent about the entire process.
![](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEipjlvEn8QztzeCaVdkERKErRzYo0NoApfQy6TY1VqXe7RCoN2Po3LZc2j9B-UmL51QEc9zT87BqQIomuUoid-7Eq67WsWXVTAUXs5y-QlOeOyXw9AwVW89spb14Uz7ltosYkZp6tjdrsI1/s320/20210804_155335_resized+%2528002%2529.jpg) |
Following the instructions while serging |
And people -- we have to ask questions! I asked questions about stuff that I didn't know. That's why I signed up for the class.
I made out not bad. I learned how to properly rip out serged seams, and yes - I screwed up the neckband and had to rip part of it out. But it was super easy!
And then this happened. I knew that the upper looper thread was getting low but totally forgot to keep an eye on it. I had to go back and redo a wee bit of the neckband - yet again!
![](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgtq8VQhRPlIHGt0vRHa7GdT8Fy15KG2WwONvdp9Md_qz_OyevGU0diTg5nQr9jWoU3cbc2-eADryQD32ZVBGngRMiGUx1xMtKljZAnGFbMk_uHsVIDxl9LrPF5PbLd9hSzt8PlPCN9BItB/s320/20210804_164833_resized+%2528002%2529.jpg) |
The upper looper thread ran out |
I had a couple of ends of spools of serger thread, and being too cheap to throw them out, I ended another spool. This time, I caught the thread and tied it off to the new spool.
![](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjDMI8IAk_2I9JZZDSlMPDnyr47agn9bC3IY3hhNHQeRK8rYNTFwFh335yigJrYbw2IEoCAJ7r2CH2g1hpgdL-SsEjwQjDpT1KY-FKxuwpSza66qd_V0XN9V5szmN_cn85JnJ0a5XCR2i1a/s320/20210804_171256_resized+%2528002%2529.jpg) |
Another spool of serger thread bites the dust |
Things were going well until I went to put the sleeves in. The first one went in like a charm. When I went to pin the second one, I realized that I had cut TWO left sleeves. Normally I could cut a pair of sleeves, but I cut them one at a time and forgot to flip the pattern for the second one.
![](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhosG0G6B4igj-2vzMufqD9KvzeUI6kOyHMln_X3jfapOpYUlFgAfplnx3c5qjWWroRBn1D7ka2fLGpV7Cy-t1r8TEQhwtPw8bPIbuxy_wxihx2IWz7mw86MDrsD-WfMjuGYp5AocX4qdwz/s320/20210804_172947_resized+%2528002%2529.jpg) |
Two left sleeves |
This fabric is super wide - well, 54" or something like that, and I cut the front, the back, and the two sleeves from that width. This is why I cut the sleeves one at a time.
![](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjwxLYQ4jqAPB1vkmM7MD5jpHLZjMPRQVv2J-hvn5xnk0T52cPiJ6lTJd5iEWjTzR4mrnI3k-WD-YHflNFI1NkweL9OxN_wDXrLSH33Y_Gg3IK92HwKts8cfm1kcXcRNwVo-WJXMFq0d8m1/s320/20210805_060634_resized+%2528002%2529.jpg) |
Trying to cut the second sleeve |
And here's my new T-shirt. Next week, we'll be doing the hemming, so the neck still needs some stitching, as do the sleeves and the bottom. I think I'll cut the bottom off. I didn't measure it against some of my other T-shirts, and this is a bit too long. But that's what this T-shirt was all about - checking to see if the pattern worked.
![](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhIV8eZ8o4b95QjN0_-I60SNjbbYD8t8T2igb_u49sL_V73SuBK7OY20Jxs6zlOVkP56CclIEJlwkzs4bVFNN67ENVR5s_hgfdYTm6R9M709P4EJqFO8zstQrqRZNd58GdHki49MZmBOCf7/s320/20210804_172826_resized+%2528002%2529.jpg) |
The T-shirt FITS |
![](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg3xHllcStJVchF9uV1ll0vq82yML9EtA9bXkiWlCgodDInkYMYw-itMb73-o04kMwjdG5-LBEIjfoFAfdWoXmx1gNPiNd7hbBflt59uWxwqbtb38xioNeU5YfAfeZ9XXoY928JoH7Rjpfe/s320/20210804_172845_resized+%2528002%2529.jpg) |
The back of the T-shirt |
I LOVE it. It actually fits pretty well, and I would wear this in public. But since I'm making the T-shirt, I can make changes. So for the next one, and there will be a next one - I'll make the sleeves a little longer, a narrow neckband, slightly longer shoulders, and definitely shorter in length. I may consider making it slightly larger in the bust area. I'll try it on later and have a critical look in the mirror. But I was super excited!!! And the material I bought is so soft - I got it on sale at Fabricland. I LOVE it. I wonder what other fabric might work?
It's not like I need a T-shirt - I sure don't. But perhaps it's time to retire some of my current T-shirts and make a couple of "grown-up" shirts without a bike on them. Just because!
I didn't get out for a walk until after dinner. And, of course, I had to find another geocache. Can you see it in the tree?
![](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi5qZVZ_A2iJ9DVCOHyKnKp-Cl1N5LEoY7q2WtJPx_Gx6vRkvHp_w3bWoGF3yR0ofTHr9qghImY3vHcq6nqrmxSaiD1Z_43Zi7srRSIckwOuyelSGm9kc9oZIe84Ap8FBHxFmF5jLQugk-o/s320/20210804_191617_resized+%2528002%2529.jpg) |
The geocache in the tree |
How about now?
![](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEic5L1xslg7DgVBEsPshe_JB3TTACR4OS2DM3xIpFCskH-5xW0PTPx6rRabj4BQpijrGqwKOfOPmVGpNhARLrx8AilyaFLfTWBUzA29BeKt5pMCDB6C6CbxCyJbL0Np-W7wVAl_xLM9izqS/s320/20210804_191621_resized+%2528002%2529.jpg) |
Ah - there's the geocache |
What I love about this hobby is that you can do it solo or with others. You can do it anywhere; it doesn't require special equipment - just your phone and a pen clipped to the collar of your T-shirt. Simple stuff and not expensive. Low key, and that suits me just fine.
I almost died in the spin class. I'm taking my own pace, and I need to learn to eat better. I ate a helping of almonds before class when I should have remembered that I can't eat the entire helping at once. It didn't sit well, but I have to relearn all those habits! Half before and half after! There were only 14 of us in the class. There was room for more - are people away on vacation? Afraid to go to the gym? I say - get on with life and take precautions!
I have another quilt loaded for later today. I have a couple of road trips to make and debating if today is the day. I need batting as I've pretty much completely run out, so I may make that road trip today. Plus, I need to drop some work off for my MIL before she goes stir crazy. Good grief - she's in her mid-80s but still needs to sew something every day!!! That's actually good news - she is binding my community project quilts, and I hope that I can be like her when I'm that age.
So what exciting thing will you do today??? I have enough of that striped fabric left that I can probably make TWO more T-shirts. One for me and one for M. We can be matching - mother/daughter!!! How cute would that be? I say one for M because she could get away with a cropped shirt, while I would not.
And I have to say that it was super fun to do something totally different - no quilts, no sewing quilts!
Anyway -- I'm off!
Have a super day!!!!
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