Dragon Backpack

先日のクジラの次はドラゴンです。それもただのぬいぐるみじゃなくて、ポケット付きで背中にかつげるドラゴンバックパック。

ユキにモデルになってもらいました。（すっごい嫌そうな顔してるけど）

Another minky sewing after the whale is a dragon. I made a dragon backpack.

The pattern is from Choly Knight "Backpack Dragon Plush Sewing Pattern." The pattern comes with two sizes of dragons: large and small. The pattern also comes with options for two eye designs: regular eyes and eyes with eyelashes. You can also choose from four horn shapes, four side fin shapes, and four wing shapes. I made a size small with regular eye, bent horn, and bat wings (basically the gray one shown on the pattern photo below).

The fabric is minky Cuddle 3 from Shannon Fabrics. Compared to the Lux minky I used for the whale, this one is a standard short hair minky and it was much easier to sew, and much less fluffy mess.

The eyes and nostrils are made from felt, and after fusing them with Wonder Under, I satin stitched around them to secure.

My sewing machine was sucking the fabric into the needle hole a lot despite using a brand new needle (I tried both ball point and universal) so I used small pieces of tissue paper for corners to stabilize.

As recommended in the instruction, I used the foam interfacing for the wings. The wings are attached at the center seam only and they flapped too much so I ended up tacking the wings about 1" away from the center seam after it was stuffed.

Looks a bit funny without the horns. Horns are the only piece that's not sewn in the seam. Horns are hand stitched on at the very end when the head is stuffed.

Yes, there is a pocket. The pattern comes with instructions for an additional pocket in the tail but I omitted that.

Completed and stuffed.

The pattern is very well designed and I really like the fact that the dragon's head is turned to one side. The overall proportion is just perfect. I stuffed it pretty well with Poly-Fil since this was for a 4-year-old and did not think he was going to actually use it to carry any personal items.

The pattern instruction is a whopping 45 page long, written with a very beginner sewer in mind. Very detailed instruction at every step. Even though I had some experience with sewing in general, the instruction helped me a lot in terms of sewing a plushy. 

The only problem I had with the pattern instruction is that the instruction texts are written in gray, not black. The instruction is all color so looks good on the computer screen but since I like printing out the instruction and I printed it black and white, the text written in gray is a bit difficult to read (I have bad eye sight). I just wish they were written in black. 

But otherwise, this pattern, with size options, detail options, and detailed instruction, is definitely worth every penny. Very good pattern and I am so happy with the results. 

Designer Stitch Callie Pinafore Dress

デニムのジャンパースカートを作りました。幼児期に戻った気分で。

生ひざ出してるしね。ハイソックスだしね。

それも水玉模様どころか、ハート柄のデニムです。

I made a denim jumper. Call me juvenile.

Oh, and please ignore the fluff on the floor. I was in the middle of minky sewing when I took these photos.

The pattern is Callie Pinafore Dress from Designer Stitch. It's an A-line shape jumper skirt pattern. There are different length options, back strap attachment and front strap attachment options, and pocket shape options. The pattern also comes with bust cup options of B, C, D, and DD. 

I chose: above knee length (20"), racer back, pointed bib pocket, slanted front patch pockets, and two back patch pockets. I changed the strap design so that I could use the overall buckles. I cut size 2.

The fabric is a stretch denim (3% lycra). It looks gray-ish in some photos (like the one below) but it's more dark denim blue. And it has hearts printed all over. Call me juvenile.

Oh yeah, my top stitching is not perfect (I mean, look at the pocket corner above) but I'm totally fine with it.

By the way, I love my seam stick. I bought this seam stick, which is basically a rather expensive piece of wood, when I won the Pattern Review's jeans contest last year. The wood surface is so smooth and it fits in a narrow tube like this strap. I don't get to use it often, but when I do, it does not disappoint me.

Speaking about disappointment. My side seam, front and back bodice, did not match. I measured the pattern, and unless I am somehow very wrong, the pattern did not match at the side seam either. I don't like that little jog there.

I used 4 jeans buttons (14 mm) per side (the pattern calls for 3). I actually broke one of the jean buttons, for which I did not have a spare. Unfortunately, it was a Prym jean button packet that I bought in the UK, and Dritz didn't have the exact same one. Well, thanks to Amazon, I was able to buy the Prym buttons (from Minerva Craft) and finished the jumper skirt with all matching side buttons.

To make the strap with overall buckle, lengthened the strap by 6". I think I could have gotten away with 4" extension and still plenty long enough to go through the buckle.

I also lowered the front patch pocket placement by 1 5/8". I basically made the whole skirt and put the pockets where I wanted them to be.

Also added 9mm rivets for pocket corners. Yes, I like hardware.

I was able to fit everything in 1.5 yard of fabric (52" wide). 

This was my first time using Designer Stitch pattern. I specifically picked this pattern over McCall's M7831 despite the indie pattern price because of the side button detail and many pocket options. I wanted all the details of the overall. The finished garment is exactly how I wanted it to be so I am very happy with it.

What I'm not 100% happy was that I struggled a bit with the instruction. I guess I got spoiled by Itch to Stitch's impeccable patterns and instructions.

I tried the "trimless" pattern option, which ideally could eliminate the need for trimming the printed papers when putting them together. Alas, my printer did not like it. No fault of the pattern at all, but I had to re-print all the 45 pages of the pattern pieces (and printed unnecessary pattern pieces because the instruction does not specify which pages to print for which cup sizes...)

Worn together with Itch to Stitch Hepburn turtle neck shirt (exact same alterations, same rib knit, but in different color).

Minky Whale

クジラのぬいぐるみ作りました。

もっすごい柔らかい、毛が長めのミンキー（って日本語でも言う？ニットでできてるフェイクファー）は、なでだしたら止まらないのよ。

でも毛が長いので、型を切ったあとは部屋中毛の残骸ですごいことになりました。

I made a whale softie. 

The pattern is Jersey Stuffed Animal 134 12/16 from Burdasyle. I got it as a free download earlier this year but looks like it may have been a limited time offer. It is now sold for $5.99.

The pattern called for jersey, velour, or sweatshirting, but I chose minky instead. The fabric, both the blue and the white, are long hair minky with some texture. It is called embossed Luxe Cuddle from Shannon Fabrics. Oh my, this fabric is so so soft. I kind of want this as my coat lining. Will it be too hot? The longer pile makes this really feel luxurious, but the longer pile also means huge mess when you cut it out. The Man of the House walked in and asked if I murdered an animal.

Fins. I used a walking foot for construction.

The pattern called for embroiderying the eyelashes. However, because of the long pile, I opted for an applique. I ironed on the Wonder Under on a piece of felt, cut out the eyelashes, ironed it on, then satin stitched around the edge. Not the perfect, professional looking satin stitches, but long pile hides the detail so not fussed about it.

Eyelashes and fins on.

It actually turned out to be smaller than I dreamed it to be. (No fault of the pattern.) But if I ever want to make it again and want to make it bigger, I can just print the pattern pieces large.

I really like how it turned out. I love the design and proportion. I think it's very simple but effective.

Well, now I have to vacuum all the fur bits that are flying around and tumbling on the floor.

Sewing Face Masks 5

3月から、マスク全部で321個作りました。

前に作ったのをちょっと改善して、息を吸ったときに布が顔に吸い付いてこないようにしてみました。

あれだね、日本はもともと花粉症とか風邪ひいたとき用に白いマスクを使うのが普通だったからみんな普通に白いマスクしてるけど、アメリカはマスクをつける習慣がなかった上に白いマスクとか出回ってなかったから普通に柄物マスク多いね。好きなスポーツチームの柄とか、ジョーク混じりな柄とか、子供はみんなキャラマスクとか。

So I have made 321 masks since March. Can I deduct the expenses from my tax?!

I made some upgrade to my mask so I thought I would document it here.

What's the update? I added a boning to my mask!

I am still using the Olson Mask pattern as the base. I liked the fit, especially with the chin darts I added to the pattern, but the fit and the coverage is so good that it actually creates vacuum when I breath in.

So I cut a strip of boning , 6" long, and sewed a channel to the wrong side of the lining piece, and inserted the boning.

The boning gives the mask a structured dome shape and it stays that way.

As I said above, I'm using the Olson Mask pattern but I simplified it so that there is no filter pocket. Just 2 layers of quilting cotton. I also modified the lining piece so that it's short at the sides (less bulk when you double-fold to make the elastic channel), and also shaved 1/8" top and bottom so that when you turn the mask right side out the edge of the lining piece won't show on the front.

Edge stitched at the bottom seam and top stitched at the top seam, wide enough to create a channel for the nose wire.

The new nose wires I bought was pre-cut at 4". Personally, I prefer 5" but oh-well.

I also added the silicone piece to the elastic so it's easy to adjust the elastic length.

The nose wire and the boning really help keep the three-dimensional shape of the mask.

The addition of the boning was a big hit (I mean, among friends and family). It's easier to breath and talk while wearing the mask. I actually wear it while I work on the home renovation project too and it's totally comfortable. So far the boning is withstanding the laundry. I think I am going to keep a couple in my bug-out bag (well, more like a bug-out "bin" that I keep in my tornado shelter).

Itch to Stitch Hepburn Turtleneck

寒くなってきたので、重ね着できるタートルネック作ってみた。

レーヨン／ポリエステル／スパンデックス混紡のリブニットです。

ピタピタフィットなので、カーディガンとかセーターを着てもぼこぼこしなくていい。

Now that the weather is getting cold, I made a turtle neck shirt that's perfect for layering.

The pattern is Hepburn Turtleneck from Itch to Stitch.

The fabric is rayon/poly/Lycra rib knit. 

I cut size 2 at the bust and size 4 at the waist and hip. I guess I could just cut the straight size 4 next time. I shortened the sleeves by 1".

The pattern is designed with negative ease so the pattern pieces looked shockingly slim but the rib knit expands nicely.

There's not much to talk about; I really like the fit of Itch to Stitch patterns and this turtleneck is just so easy and quick to make. Wardrobe staple.

Worn together with Ginger jeans.

Life Update

久しぶりにブログ書く気分になりました。なんでってさ、2週間前に9年務めた会社を辞めたのです！

コロナウィルスがアメリカで流行り始めた3月ぐらいから、会社の仕事のほかに、今は自営業を営んでいる以前の上司の仕事もパートタイムでし始めたので、毎週45時間から50時間勤務でした。秋に入ってちょっと燃え尽きを感じていたところで、以前の上司から「パートタイムからフルタイムに切り替えるかい」と聞かれ、即刻「はい」と答えました。

仕事内容が変わったわけでもなく、仕事環境が変わったわけでもなく（今まで通り在宅勤務です）、8年間上司だった人の下で働くのであまり仕事変わった感はないんだけど、勤務時間が40時間に戻ったので、ヒジョーに気分が楽になりました。

契約社員なので有給休暇とかないし、保険も出ないけど、好きな時間に働けるので、いろんな意味で効率いいです。

裏庭に七面鳥の群れ出現。

Flock of turkeys in the back yard.

ドングリをくわえたリスがやってきて、

A squirrel with an acorn in his mouth came to the back yard

庭にドングリ埋めてた。

and buried the acorn.

満足したっぽい。

Satisfied?

裏庭のその向こうに広がっている綿畑の綿が満開（っていうのか？）になり、畑に雪が降ったみたい。

The field behind out house is in full bloom of cotton and looks like field is covered with snow.

綿って植物な気がしないけど、植物なんだよね。ある意味ミラクル。

It's amazing to think that the cotton balls grow on plants.

First time in months I feel so good on the weekend. Why? Because I quit my job 2 weeks ago after working for the company for 9 years.

I took on a second job right about when COVID was becoming big in the U.S., and I was working 45 to 50 hours every week since March. Working five to ten hours a week more doesn't sound too bad, but in reality, that extra day of work, week after week, was becoming a bit tough and I was getting burned out. Luckily, my boss for the side gig offered to hire me full time, so I put in my 2-week notice, quit my main job 2 weeks ago, and started working full time for the other job. 

I'm only a contractor so I get no benefit whatsoever but my work hours are flexible and my "new boss" is actually my former boss that I worked under for 8 years until he quit the company last year and opened his own firm, so can't complain. 

I am slowly going back to sewing. Hopefully I can report some new projects soon.