Kind of OT: Vogue Patterns?

Then you mark the fabric. That is how I do when I have to sew something that will turn me around and spin me before I am through. I will usually mark sewing lines in blue or yellow, and reference marks in red (depending on the color of the fabric). Sometimes I actually mark in a whole rainbow when it is critical to sew a garment together in a psrticular order, or certain seams need special treatment. often enough I will color code the pattern with colored pencils, and then mark the fabric using matching colors.

By the by, I love Vogue patterns. Yes they are usually more complicated, but they go together correctly all the time and the fit is always good. You do have to read the instructions through more carefully than you do with patterns for simpler garments, but that is true of patterns of similar complexity from the other three big pattern companies too. Actually, when you get down to it there are only two big companies in the US. You have Simplicity, and McCall. Mcall owns Butterick and Vogue.

NightMist

Howdy!

My band-aids only do a quarter inch.

R/Sandy ;-D

OMG! I must have read that pattern ten times. I even cut a miniature "practice" piece trying to figure out exactly WHAT the pattern was telling me to do. Then it clicked. The REASON for the bizarre step that just couldnt "get", was, you end up with no raw seams, and the hem-seam is really hidden.

When it finally sunk in and made sense, I finished the skirt a/k/a dust ruffle. I was amazed. It's a straight skirt,no gathers, with sort-of piping separating the contrast fabric, and a pleat on each side. The back looks as good as the front. I can't believe I did this.

Sherry

Terrific, Sherry. I was just being highly successful with my own pattern and wondered how you were doing. I haven't made a garment for me in at least 10 years. Now I am on my very own Protest Demonstration. SO! The blouse I've made is exquisite. Didn't cost $200. Doesn't have a Hootchie Mama neckline. Isn't made from fabric that will dissolve into 1,000 wrinkles when washed. Now I remember why I made my own clothes back when I really did need to be nicely dressed before retirement. It wasn't that I was frugal. It was because I was particular. I kind of hope the buyers and designers are learning their lesson. Maybe, maybe if enough garbage is left unsold they will realize that if we don't hope to look gorgeous that we do at least insist on looking decent. Polly

"Sherry"

Hurray!

I have a feeling I Will be going in the same direction, when some of my things are no longer wearable! (Either that or I will be forced to be a Hootchie Mama Old Timer >ggTerrific, Sherry. I was just being highly successful with my own pattern

Thanks! It is Vogue Pattern # 7245.

You seamstresses are gonna look at this and say "That's easy." That's what I said. It *should* have been easy. I just seem to always have such a problem with 1-dimentional illustrations unless they're really detailed 1 step at a time. Eleanor Burns' instructions, I usually don't have a problem with. And she chose a fabric that is jungle grass -- my grass didn't seem to want to grow in the same direction. :-) The contrast fabric is jungle animals for the bumper pad, which is next. (?) I googled bumper pad construction for help,and found a lot of negative info. about them. It seems they're not really considered safe anymore b/ cause of smothering/climbing out/ and SIDS research suggests they restrict air flow. Mesh ones are all the go now. Do any of you with babies/grandbabies know if people even still use them?

Sherry

LOLOL -- that's the thing about Vogue patterns. They have all of these really odd, wonky seeming steps that make the finished item look so nice but are a total P.I.T.A. to work on. I have worked on lots of Vogue stuff -- DD's wedding gown was a Vogue and I had to enlarge the pattern two full sizes -- what fun :-). I have learned to just follow the directions whether or not I actually comprehend WHAT the devil it is I am doing. Goes against the grain but I eventually get a feel for what is happening and then it sort of "clicks" into place -- just like you said. I try not to use the patterns but sometimes a Vogue design is what you need. How about a photo of the finished project? CiaoMeow >^;;^<

PAX, Tia Mary >^;;^< (RCTQ Queen of Kitties) Angels can't show their wings on earth but nothing was ever said about their whiskers! Visit my Photo albums at

On Mon, 13 Jul 2009 21:11:03 -0500, Sherry wrote (in article ):

Happy dancing for you. I'm glad it all turned out.

Maureen

My grandkids (ages 2-9) have had bumper pads on their cribs. The ones I made are "squishy" enough so that they wouldn't give the kid much of a boost if they tried using them to climb out. Once they're tucked between the mattress and the side of the crib, they're pretty secure. I made sure, too, that I put plenty of ties on them so they could be tied securely to the crib. I uses grosgrain ribbon for the ties -- much easier than making my own. You could use twill tape, too, but the ribbon comes in a lot more colors.

The quilts I made were more decorative than used at first. They used the heavy sleepers instead of blankets to cover the baby.

Julia in MN

I believe bumper pads are a current no no for baby beds. As well as any loose bedding....and sleeping on tummies. The thinking is that babies can get their faces wedged into the the pads and restrict their breathing. Not necessarily being sufficated...but so close to the pad that they are rebreathing their own exhalation and not getting the oxygen they require. I've also noticed the sale of blankies that are only about a 12" square of soft Minkee with a little stuffed animal head at one corner. These are small enough to not cause any problem...the baby can hug it and move it off his face if it happens to get flipped on.