You are Cordially Invited to a Festivus Celebration! Dress: Proper Bow-Tie

Is it me or does Santa look a tad tense while Kitty looks like he’s surveying his kingdom?

HAPPY HOLIDAYS EVERYBODY!

Kitty took his annual trek to visit Santa.  SANTA!!! And, I sewed him a Christmas themed bow-tie just for the occasion.

Gingerbread Button!! Ahhhhhhh!!! 🙂

Now, I know what you are thinking, “I want a bow-tie for the holidays!!”  Bow-ties originated among Croatian mercenaries during the Prussian wars of the 17th century, who used fabric pieces to tie the tops of their uniforms closed,  and they have come into and out of fashion since then.  They have definitely gained momentum in the last decade, and are not just for distinguished Kitties either.  Kids, women, hipsters, nerds and grampas alike are ALL sporting this formally formal attire.

photo source

Well, you are in luck.  Below are some patterns and instructions on how to sew your own bow-tie. (just click on the pics.)

This one’s from Martha.  Can Martha do EVERYTHING?  It includes pattern, instructions and a handy how-to video.

Martha Stewart Sews a BowTie

The next instructional gem is brought to you by Tie a Tie.  An entire website dedicated to ties of all sorts!  Yes, please.

Bow Tie DIY from Tie a Tie

The last pattern comes from the purveyor of the most fabulous fabrics…Liberty!  How perfect is this animal themed fabric for a bow-tie?

Liberty Print Bow Tie

Not a traditionalist and want a unique shape to your bow-tie?  Ponoko has 7 different bow-tie templates for you to choose from.

7 Bow-Tie Templates from Ponoko

And, now that you’ve sewn it (the easy part), how do you tie it?? (the hard part)  Well, if at some point during the tying process, you wish that you could just go to the party in your underwear, I’ve got you covered.  Here’s how to tie your masterpiece!

And, if these instructions still leave you wanting to tie your bow-tie around a brick and throw it in the ocean, there is hope for you too!  Here are instructions for a No Tie Bow-Tie from Instructables.  So easy to assemble and as long as nobody gets too close, no one knows but you (and the cat.  But the cat knows everything.  Always.  So, you can’t win.)

No Tie Bow Tie from Instructables

Till Next Year!  I hope everybody enjoys a peaceful and loving holiday season.

Preppies, Knitters & a New Feature on the Blog packed with Free Sewing Stuff!

I hope everybody had a terrific Halloween.  It was raining here 😦 but we still received some trick or treaters and decorated the house with spooky style.

 

Muffy, my socks are itchy!

This year, Kitty dressed up as a dashing 80s preppy boy and wore a hand-knit sweater vest that his Gramma knit for him (thanks Mum!!)  His argyle sweater vest was completed with a prep school sew-on crest (from 1987, of course).

You can get the free knitting pattern here from knottygnome crafts.  Now, if you look carefully at the sweater, you can see something special about the Argyle pattern.

It looks slightly askew compared to the regular diamond pattern of argyle, yes?  No!  Look closely.  They are fish!!  And, because they are knit in gold yarn, they are goldfish!  I KNOW!  I died.  Then I came back to life and died again.  😉

Where is my polo shirt??  Maybe I’ll rough it this weekend in my khakis and madras.

Anybody have The Official Preppy Handbook from 1980 and did you follow any of the ‘rules’, however satirical they may have been?  Come on, you can tell us!  For those of you still preppy, the author has a newer book out: True Prep: It’s a Whole New Old World, 2010.

-New Feature on the Blog-

I have recently added three new sections to the blog!  At the top menu, there is a drop down menu labelled FREE PATTERNS/BOOKS/RESOURCES. 

The first section, Websites with Free Sewing Patterns, has a number of websites that contain a variety of free sewing patterns.

The second section, Free Sewing Patterns, is a compilation of free patterns of varying styles and difficulties that range from couture to casual.

And the third section, Free Sewing Resources (Classes, Tutorials, Books -vintage & new), contains downloadable books, both vintage and new, resources, classes, pdfs, videos, etc. that cover everything from needle selection to couture sewing techniques.

I will be updating these sections on an ongoing basis, so check back periodically to see what’s new!

If you have a free sewing pattern or resource that you would like added to the site, please feel free to leave a link in the comments section.

photo credits: Brighterman, The Official Preppy Handbook

And, Your Favourite Fabric IS….(ratta tatta tatta tat – that’s a drum roll, not machine gun fire)

Ahhh, to keep you in suspense for just a moment longer!  I must tell you that my blog has been short-listed on BurdaStyle’s 50 Best Bloggers for Sewing Enthusiasts!  I really couldn’t believe it when I saw it!  Heck, I’m still flabbergasted when even one person enjoys my ‘style’ and comments on my posts.  🙂  I’ve no idea how Burda makes selections for this list or if somebody nominated my blog, but, if so, thank you very much!  I appreciate every person who drops by the ol’ blog, leaves a thoughtful remark, shares some wisdom, puts a smile on my face or offers up terrific advice!  We really do have a pretty special community here in the wonderful world of sewing.

There are definitely some fantastic blogs on the list, I am honoured to be in such great company (although a few of my personal favourites are noticeably missing).  You can go here to see who is on the list and vote for Gjeometry or any of your favourite blogs on the list.  Voting ends Monday, September 8th.

OK, now CHART TIME!

Kat in her cosy Merino Wool Papercut Patterns Coppelia wrap top

Results were tabulated from this post, and the winning fabric, pulling ahead by just a thread (hahahaha) is…. 100% cotton!  This included:

• lightweight quilting cotton
• voile
• batiste
• lawn

Coming in a close second was wool!  This included:

• wool suiting
• merino wool
• wool crepe

Morgan’s Lovely Linen Livery

 

Tied for third place was stretch cotton sateen (including stretch textured Jacquard) and linen!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Some other fun facts that we discovered:

Favourite quote (by Rebecca):  “Cutting silk is like trying to cut water.” 🙂

Now, if you are new to my blog and/or did not get a chance to vote in this fabulously scientific survey, fear not!!  You can still add your favourite fabrics to sew and/or wear in the comments section and we can update the charts.  CHART!!  They do not have to be one of the already listed fabrics.

What Do Some Of These Terms Mean? 

Most of the fabrics are pretty self-explanatory, but here’s some info on a few of the  items.

Jacquard:

Jac·quard, Joseph Marie 1752-1834 was the French inventor of the Jacquard loom (1801), the first automatic loom able to weave complex patterns.
1. A fabric with an intricately woven pattern.
2. A special loom or the method employed in the weaving of a figured fabric.

Jacquard Fabric Swatch and Brooke’s Fabulous Stretch Jacquard Trousers

Jacquard weave:  a fabric in which the design is incorporated into the weave instead of being printed or dyed on.

Viscose or Rayon?

Well, actually, viscose and rayon are not entirely the same thing.  They are manufactured with the same process but different materials are used for each.  While rayon can be made with cellulose from a variety of plants, viscose is made from wood pulp or cotton linter.  More information can be found here:  Difference Between Rayon and Viscose.

Twill

Twill is a type of weave that produces a pattern of diagonal parallel ribs or lines (think herringbone).  This is done by passing the weft thread over one or more warp threads and then under two or more warp threads.  Examples of twill are denim, chino, gabardine and tweed.

Twill and Herringbone Swatches.

Challis

Challis is a soft, lightweight, usually printed, woven fabric, originally a silk-and-wool blend.  It is often made from a single fibre, such as cotton, silk or wool, or from human-made fabrics such as rayon.

Challis Fabrics from my Stash (what to sew with them?) and Anne’s Beautiful Challis Summer Frock

ITY Knits

ITY stands for Interlock Twist Yarn, which gives the fabric a natural elasticity and is usually made from polyester.  The crepe textures can have a soft feel, but the smoother ones have a tendency to feel a bit ‘plastic-y’.  Skipped stitches can result and a proper (stretch or microtex) needle is key.

 

Till next time!