The Modern Cowboy

Now I'm not trying to brag or anything, but this could be the best thing I've ever sewn. I can't even tell you what I love the most about it.
Here are a few things:

1. Kwik Sew pattern 3506 was clear and easy to understand. I have yet to make a kwik sew pattern that was unclear. I enjoy the paper that they print the patterns on, but remember that I am one who traces my patterns off, leaving the originals in tact. I am certain that I will make this pattern again.

2. Anna Maria Horner cotton voile diamond mine in citrus is to die for. I love using voile in garment construction especially, because it is so amazingly soft. It is brilliant to sew as well. Because it is a finer cotton, I typically use a 70/10 microtex (sharp) needle and a 60wt (fine) cotton thread. This combination allows for great stitching.

3. The lipstick pink fabric is shot cotton that I embroidered. If you know me, then you know I put Kaffe Fassett shot cotton in everything. Seriously, I can't think of a project that I have touched in the last six months that doesn't have some in there: my new drapes (check), the last purse (check), the last three quilts (check). You get the idea. These shot cottons are to me like butter is to Paula Deen. They make everything better.

4. Embroidery Online embroidery design pack 12273 was all western motifs. This design pack has three different groupings of motifs. I choose the one that most clearly matched the pattern in the main fabric. I then decided to do tone on tone color for the embroidery. There was only three color changes and to make life easier, I embroidered then cut out the pattern piece. One thing I discovered, was that the shot cotton did much better when I added some iron on interfacing. I used Pellon SF101.  I used a light weight tear away embroidery stabilizer called ultra clean and tear by OESD.

5. I almost didn't do it. I had some buttons all ready to go and one of the ladies I work with just couldn't stand the thought of the western shirt without snaps. So I caved, and I am so glad I did. She turned me on to the pearl snap buttons from snapsource.com. If you order from them, make sure to buy the tool to put them on. It was worth the money.

6. I used my new serger for finishing the seams on this one. Can I just say it...I don't know how I lived without it. I have heard it so many times from customers, but I always thought it was fine to finish seams with my regular sewing machine.  I could manage without the headache of a serger. Well...here I am standing on the other side of the line now. I love that serger. Sure, it's intimidating, but I have made garments, curtains and duvet covers in record time now and boy are we getting along swell. I haven't even had to fuss with changing tensions all that much.

7. Lastly, my modern cowboy himself. I love that he enjoys my sewing insanity and will happily wear my creations.