Its time for the ~big reveal~ – my first completed outfit, sewn entirely on my new Spiegel 60609 sewing machine š
I love that this machine is pretty enough to make even a subpar photo look great š Ha!
I covered a lot of ground about the making of these garments in my previous posts, however, I’ll include some notes and highlights in this post in case you missed/skimmed/didn’t care then but suddenly care now š
The silk top was made using silk crepe from Mood Fabrics (purchased at the NYC store last year) and a combination of Butterick 5526 (my TNT button-up shirt pattern) for the body of the blouse, and vintage Simplicity 4676 for the tie neck. I used Sullivan’s Spray Stabilizer to wrangle the drapey silk into submission for ease of cutting and sewing, which worked great! The shirt is finished with French seams and self-bias facing at the arm holes and hem.
Full details on the silk top can be found in this blog post š
I wanted my first project on the Spiegel 60609 to be something silk, because, honestly – I wanted to see how it could handle working with a notoriously difficult fabric. Of course, stabilizing the whole yardage first definitely helped, but that doesn’t solve all issues (such as when your sewing machine tries to eat delicate fabrics – not a problem with this one, I will add!). I’m really impressed with how the machine sewed through this fabric with absolutely no issues – it even did a great job on the button holes! I do wish that the measurements on the throat plate were marked differently, as it’s hard to get a narrow seam with what’s standard on this machine, but that’s a relative non-issue (I just use post-it notes to mark my seam allowance lines and it works fine). So yeah, Spiegel 60609 + silk gets a thumbs up from me!
The mini skirt was made also on my Spiegel 60609! I used the Rosari skirt from Pauline Alice Patterns and some lightweight/stretch corduroy from Mood Fabrics. The skirt includes pockets, bound seams on the inside (for a bit of extra pretty cos why not?) and professionally set snaps down the front.
Full details on the corduroy mini can be found in this blog post!
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I don’t necessarily find corduroy difficult to sew – most of the problem lies in making sure everything is cut and pressed correctly, as not to mess too much with the nap. Sometimes, depending on what machine I’m using, it’s a good idea to use a walking foot to help keep all layers feeding evenly, but I didn’t have any of these problems with the Spiegel 60609. The feed dogs were good enough on their own without any extra help. Always a plus! š
That’s all for this outfit! Stay tuned next month for that project – all I can say is, it’s gonna be FANCY š
Note: The fabric used is part of my monthly allowance from Mood Fabrics, as part of my involvement with the Mood Sewing Network. The Spiegel 60609 was given to me by Spiegel, and it’s awesome!
LLADYBIRD 
Wow! I love everything about these two pieces!
Yay! Thank you! š
I just LOVE how you made up this blouse! It’s feminine, yet with an edge to it, and it goes amazingly wonderfully with the cord mini. I’m following your exploits with the Spiegel 60609. I’ve currently got a very basic Kenmore and am thinking of moving on up to this one. Thanks for all your commentary!
Thank you! I am enjoying making commentary on this new machine, so expect more where that came from š
Great to know that there is a machine out there that handles delicate fabric well. I have had a machine or two that “ate” light fabric. We used place tissue paper underneath to prevent this, but that was a tedious extra step. Thanks for this post.
I’ve heard of that trick but never tried it myself – I imagine it’s hard to get the tiny pieces of tissue paper out of the stitches when you’re done! although I guess that’s better than your fabric getting eaten by the machine š
This outfit is very cute. It reminds me of Mary of the Mary Tyler Moore Show, now you just need a hat to twirl. Love it!
Yes! A hat would be perfect! š
This outfit is something I’d never put together myself but now that I see it complete it’s a total dream. I LOVE the skirt and want a wine red one for myself!
Also, I can see tennessee is heating up and I’m so jealous! ā¤
Ooh, a red wine corduroy mini would be AWESOME!
And yay for Tennessee finally getting warm! Took long enough, that’s all I have to say about that! š
Awesome outfit! Think you’ve just persuaded me to spend cash on that skirt pattern – it’s gorgeous!! š
Get it! I already bought fabric to make 3 more HAHAHA!!
I love this outfit. I’ve made myself a corduroy skirt and it’s never out of rotation – it’s great for anything between casual and formal. Your progress posts for the outfit made me laugh too. I can’t believe a progress report for you is a whole outfit, meanwhile for me it’s more like “Yay! Progress! I sewed two seams this week!”
I agree, corduroy skirts are surprisingly versatile! I feel like the color goes with EVERYTHING in my closet, too, which is pretty awesome!
Reblogged this on vintagethrifter51.com and commented:
Love this blouse. I do love me some polka dots and that bow is killer. Cheers, Michele
Thank you!
For us mere mortals without access to a professional snap setter – any recommendations? Do you have any experience with the Snap Press from The Snap Store?
I LOVE that outfit – and the details are so wonderfully done! Drool…. š
I have had success with the little Dritz tool you get that uses a hammer – it works pretty well! I’ve also tried the hand tool that’s more expensive, but I’ve never had good results with that. I don’t know about the one from the Snap Store, as I’ve never tried it!
Nice.
The skirt’s color matches the hair’s.
The inside waistband is great.
Can’t you tell it’s my favorite color? š
It looks fiery delicate
I Love your new makes Lauren!
I’m so impressed by your machine comments. I wonder about your comparisons. I lost my original very beloved Bernina to an explosion of the Universe and now have a not beloved QE version. (So sad.) What does your Bernina have that the Spiegel doesn’t? (WE all obviously know that there has to be due to the price differential.) I don’t mean for you to pan one or the other. Apples/oranges.
You gave me great Nashville advice before Christmas! I will have to report back. AWESOME NASHVILLE! We’ll be back soon! Ahhhh… tornado went just by us…but 75 degrees and flowers in the ground on Christmas! Got to love it!
Love, Lodi
Ooh, I don’t think I can compare my Bernina to the Spiegel. They really are two completely different machines (for example, my Bernina doesn’t include ANY embroidery stitches whatsoever. That’s a pretty big difference right there!). I wrote a full review of the Spiegel 60609 right after I received it; you can find that here. Maybe that helps?
Isn’t Nashville wonderful!?! Gah, I never want to leave this place ā„
You make me want this machine more and more! Beautiful outfit! I do have a question about the machine, though. What kind of feet does it use? Some standard kind that I can buy specialty ones on amazon or something? I have many feet that I use with my singer that I would love to be able to use on both if I could. Or at least buy similar ones. Or if I lose one (most likely to happen). Thanks!
It uses low shank snap on feet – it is my understanding that it works fine with most universal feet (like you get with Janome, Singer, new Pfaffs, etc). I have not tested this because I don’t actually own a machine that uses standard/universal feet hahaha. I have also been told that Spiegel is working on making a box of assorted feet to sell as an add-on, so there’s that to look for in the future!
Awesome, thank you! Those are the kinds of feet I already have, so even more reason for this to be my birthday present this year. I can’t wait! Especially since I passed my singer on to my sister in law and I’m having withdrawls, even though I have no time to sew at the moment.
I absolutely love the work on the pockets on your skirt. Really tho…your skills have definitely become what I would dub Daily Coture. You’re sewing clothes for everyday wear with coture perfection, details, finishes, and seams. What you’re knocking out now can’t even be found in the likes of Nordstroms or Saks. Those details take extra time and care and the reward keeps on giving every time you put it on and see the pretty insides. You should be very proud of yourself for the incredible work – I know I would be. And you’re challenging me to consider doing the same on my garments now too. The flat felled shoulder seams on a tee for my DIL left a bit to be desired but I’ve got two more in the queue so practice makes perfect. Now I’m on the hunt for some stretch corduroy. š
Oh hey, thank you! I do definitely take a lot of pride in what I do – I see sewing as an art form (I mean outside of the practical point) and I really enjoy perfecting my work each time I make something new. It’s also pretty awesome to actually have that acknowledged by someone who’s *not* me, so thank you š
I can only dream of finishing a garment as well as that. Really beautiful.
You’ll be there sooner than you think, I bet š
I love the two garments separately especially the skirt! i love all the extra details you added!
also kudos on trying your new machine with a difficult fabric straight away!
frankie
http://knitwits-owls.blogspot.co.uk/
Thank you!
I like the top but the skirt is to die for. Very cute!
Thanks!
Thanks so much for the Spiegel review and the details with photos of the skirt and blouse. Both are very helpful. I’ve read other Spiegel reviews and specs but none say how much the machine weighs. Do you know? Thanks
I have no idea on the machine weight, sorry! I don’t own a scale so there’s no way for me to find that out haha
I love your skirt!! Gorgeous colour and basically just perfect! I think I’m gonna have to make this now. Been eyeing up that skirt pattern for ages and you’ve just persuaded me to try it.
It’s a pretty fun pattern! I have enjoyed wearing it š
I love both pieces – wonderful! I am glad you have a sewing machine you love.
Me too! š
I absolutely love your RosarĆ skirt Lauren! I’m glad you had a great time sewing the pattern. Best.
Thank you so much! It is a wonderful pattern – two thumbs up from me!!
Well as soon as I get done with all my birthday season travel….. I’m gonna settle in and organize my sewing room a bit more, and attempt to make a beautiful blouse such as yours. I so appreciate the stabilizer information when sewing with silk. I also appreciate all your explanations regarding your machine, gives me more questions to ask when I finally upgrade. Yeah for upgrades. Back to the blouse, it’s a classic beauty that you’ll be able to wear for years to come. I love how you paired it with the gold, you’re beautiful and as always I love reading your posts. Aloha!
Aw thank you so much Catherine! Enjoy that birthday season travel – you’ve earned it! š
Who takes a nap on the beach and dreams of stabilizing blue silk charmeuse for a robe????? And then I woke up with a startle!!! Did I just step on a stingray??? No, Mr. Poppins was rubbing my feet.
What a fab outfit! The skirt is lovely, but the pussy bow blouse is just to die for. It’s perfect! x
Thank you, Jane!
That sewing machine looks HOT! And so does your outfit š
Thank you!
i just came across your blog (via a gathering of stitches website…i live in portland! yay!). anyhoo…i have been enjoying reading through it so far and love this outfit. but i am most intrigued by the spiegel…i am mainly a quilter and have a wonderful Juki straight stitch (that does free motion quilting) machine which i adore. but i also like to occasionally make clothes and others items and like the idea of this machine. i found it for a great price and just was wondering how it seems to handle bulk? like the heaviest parts of the corduroy skirt, did it feel smooth and powerful going through? or like something you would have to baby through? thanks for your reviews and imput so far on this machine!
I didn’t have a problem with bulk using this machine, however, I haven’t sewn anything particularly bulky on it. This corduroy is fairly lightweight, so even the multiple layers at the waistband weren’t that thick. The machine has a steel interior, so it feels pretty stable when sewing through layers and does not bounce around on the table when you’ve got it running at top speed. Hope that helps!
Reblogged this on By the Mighty Mumford and commented:
trim and attractive! LOVE THIS COMBINATION!