Sewing Gadgetmania: Tailor's ham and seam roll by the Cupcake Goddess

I followed up on Pammie's recommendation for the Tailor's Ham and Seam roll (she commented on these two tools for the Sewing Gadgetmania giveaway) and contacted The Cupcake Goddess for her set. I must say, I love it and if I didn't have one already I would have definitely bought hers!

Why would I buy it?

1. Even though you would pay less for Dritz tailor's ham and seam roll, her sets look adorable and are available in different designs. I noticed in her Etsy shop that she even makes custom sets.

Here are few examples:

2. They are made really well: quality materials, wool and cotton side, extra firm, filled with sawdust, and additional sawdust included (!). Here is the description of her set:

A colorful and whimsy twist on these classic pressing essentials. Handmade Tailor's Ham and Seam Roll set; pressing aids for the "hard-pressed" stitcher.  

These essential dressmaking aids are made from all natural materials. Each have a 100% cotton side, a 100% wool side and are lined inside in 100% cotton muslin. The cotton side is for pressing with high heat and the wool side is for pressing with low heat.  

This Tailor's Ham and Seam Roll set are hand stuffed, extra firm, with recycled white pine sawdust flour. Additional sawdust and a strand of embroidery floss is included with your purchase should you need to refill your Tailor's Ham or Seam Roll. Please note that depending on wear and tear and climate conditions, sawdust compacts naturally and refilling your pressing aids might be necessary. All fabrics have been pre-laundered and will not shrink or bleed. The Tailor's Ham measures approximately 6 x 9 inches wide and Seam Roll measures approximately 11 x 4 inches wide. A ric-rac hanging tag completes each ham and roll and is perfect for hanging when not in use.

additional sawdust is included in the set by The Cupcake Goddess

3. And, finally, I would rather buy handmade products by local and independent designers, artists and artisans rather than mass produced tools.

For more sewing tips and fun visit her blog: The Cupcake Goddess

P.S. I just want to add that I am not getting any fee or commission for this post, it's my personal point of view and I would love to hear your feedback on the topic of local artisanship vs mass production.

Blitz Giveaway: Can you guess what it is?

There are two reasons for this Blitz Giveaway:

Reason #1: I am de-stashing my vintage patterns

Reason #2: Mr. Frabjous told me that my icon for the Sewing Gadgetmania is too abstract to be recognized AS....

?

If you can guess what sewing gadget this icon stands for, you may win this pretty pattern (size 12):

Just leave a comment with the correct answer by Tuesday March 1, 2011, and I will add your name to the drawing. (I will prove you wrong, Mr. Frabjous :-))

For more chances to win, read my initial post on Sewing Gadgetmania here.

Finished object #2: Draped Flared skirt.

I know, it seems I haven’t been doing any sewing lately. But this is not the case. In fact, I have almost finished three different projects, which I will be uploading one by one starting today.

The first one is a gray skirt, which was based on my ‘circular/gored skirt’ draping project I blogged earlier about here.

It was extremely easy to drape, but finishing this skirt took me ages. The main problem was making and attaching bias binding made of silk organza. It is extremely unruly and difficult to handle. After I conquered this one, the rest was much easier. I inserted a zipper and closed the side seam. Finally I serged the waist and attached a grosgrain ribbon.

I don’t know if this skirt makes me very happy. I mean, it's kind of cute, but not perfect. Or maybe I am tired of looking at it? What do you think, dear readers?

Marina

Sewing Gadget Mania: No.4 French Curve by Magda

And yet another nomination by Magda (http://magdamagdadesignstudio.blogspot.com/), - the French Curve

French curves are very helpful for perfecting curved lines on the pattern. There are different French curves available with a variety of shapes suitable for drafting curves for armholes, necklines, crotched seams, curved dart legs, lapels.  My patternmaking instructor recommended using a 17” French curve (as the one on the image) because, with careful shifting, it can draw all the mentioned shapes and more.

If you need to draw two identical curves on a pattern, make marks on the French curve where you started and stopped drawing the shape.  Use pencil (it can be removed easily by rubbing the mark with a finger). Flip or shift the curve to the new location. 

Some instructors recommend using the Fashion Ruler. “It combines the functions of a hip curve, ruler and French curve”, claims the description for one available on Amazon. I, personally, find the French curve to be more versatile, and also own a hip curve. 

P.S. If you missed the original post on Sewing Gadget Mania and the opportunity to win the Little Black Dress Book, read it here.

Sewing Gadget Mania: No.3 Tailor's Ham and Seam Roll by Magda

This nomination is submitted by Magda of http://magdamagdadesignstudio.blogspot.com/

Tailor’s Ham, Dressmaker’s Ham, or just Ham, this tool is essential to preserve a curved shape when pressing or shaping any curved garment section. It is especially helpful for pressing darts, curved shoulder seams, princess seams over the bust, and the hip area of side seams.  It is essential, in my opinion, for shaping the sleeve cap or the collar roll.

I have added to the submission a seam roll since a ham and a seam roll are often sold together, and, in addition, they are made in a similar way, with wool on one side and cotton on the other. The wool absorbs moisture rapidly, facilitating any shaping or pressing process.

In addition, the seam roll is narrow enough to fit into a sleeve and pant leg. It’s shape prevents a ridge from forming when pressing seams open, provided seam allowance is wide enough (at least 1” - 2.5cm in couture garments).

I would recommend buying the ham and the seam roll. It is readily available in many US online stores, or on Amazon. However, if you want to make it yourself, there is a Kwik Sew pattern for both pieces available again on Amazon. Finally, there are helpful instructions on making the ham VintageSewing.info (great site for vintage sewing techniques) 

Thank you, Magda!

P.S. If you missed the original post on Sewing Gadget Mania and the opportunity to win the Little Black Dress Book, read it here.