I have been researching how to alter patterns, and came across these alteration ‘classes’ which so far seem pretty helpful. I am working on the sleeve alteration techniques, and it seems okay so far. I will post when I have a completely finished product.
They even have classes on altering patterns for maternity clothes, and plus size childrens’ clothing. Happy sewing!!
…sewing or blogging!
It’s so frustrating, but I know if I set my mind to it, I can get through some fall stuff.
I am most stuck on altering my patterns. I want to sew for myself SO badly, but I either get a perfect fit everywhere but the sleeves, or the top is huge and the sleeves are perfect. ARGH! I also can’t use my finally perfected skirt pattern, as I have lost a ton of weight and it doesn’t fit anymore.
Woe is me… 
So I have a ginormous fabric stash, but it always seems like I don’t have the very basic fabrics that I want (or need). Currently I am looking for red knit fabric - jersey, interlock, whatever - and I really don’t want to have to buy more fabric. So I wonder if there is anyone out there that has some to spare (I would like a yard or two if possible), for a trade of some fancier fabric. I have several toiles, suiting fabrics, cotton prints, quilters cottons, etc. I obviously can’t post all that I would be willing to trade, but if you are interested, just shoot me a comment on what exactly you might trade for, whether it be a particular style, color family, etc., and we can work on it from there.
And on the subject of trading, I wonder how many people would like to try and start up a fabric swap on a regular basis? I would certainly be interested in trying to set it up if there were enough interest. After all, we all love fabric!
So I was excited to find an email from Denver Fabrics with a bunch of coupon codes that are running right now. I thought I would share with the class!
I noticed that right now they have some yummy fabrics on clearance for $1.98 a yard too! Enjoy!
Okay, many people will read this and say, “So what?”, but here goes.
Yesterday I was itching to work on my sewing pile, but I wasn’t sure what ‘big’ project I wanted to work on, so I started in on the little tailoring, touch-up stuff. Hubby’s dress slacks have sat on my work table for about 3 months, needing to be refit around the waist, and to have the hems let down. I refit the waist (twice, since it wouldn’t lay properly the first time, pushing me into mutterings of cursing fit for a drunken pirate), and then I ripped the old hems. I ironed out the old creases, pressed in the new hem, and sat at my machine.
I knew that these fancy pants deserved better than my usual straight stitch, but I had tried my blind hem stitch several times before, and ended up damn near throwing the machine out the window each time. Then I remembered the dusty pages printed out a couple months ago, from a link recommended by someone on Craftster. I dug through my binder and there they were. After carefully reading through, I gave it a whirl. Could it really be THAT easy after all my failed attempts? It sure was. I successfully hemmed both legs in an attractive, unobtrusive manner. EEEEEEEEEEEEE!!!!!!!!
And now, for those of you too proud to admit you are as clueless about blind stitch hemming as I was, here’s my secret weapon.;-)
I have this horrible habit of starting a ton of stuff at once, and then procrastinating on things. Thus my neglected blogs. When I die, I hope I am reincarnated into someone that can pay attention.
Anyway, we are on our week and a half countdown to our Germany trip. Yay! We are going to Frankfurt an der Oder to visit family, and then we’ll spend our last two days in Berlin. I had a goal of having made three quarters of my clothing for the trip. That isn’t happening. I certainly have been working on stuff, but sadly, two shirts I made, I hate. I am working on a dress now - the Butterick 4790 - which I hope will work out nicely. I do have one skirt that I recently made, that I actually like, and have worn several times already. I created it with inspiration from Sew What! Skirts: 16 Simple Styles You Can Make with Fabulous Fabrics
I also came up with this top, which I wore out for the first time today. I am fairly happy with it, but the stitching around the neckband/strap is a little wonky.
Both of the jersey knit fabrics on the top were purchased at Fabric.com
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I also did another knit shrug of my own design. I have dubbed it ‘The Kimono Shrug’, and will be posting pictures and a pattern soon. I have made three so far, and I can’t go anywhere without getting compliments on it, so I figured I would fine tune the pattern and offer it up for consumption. Stay tuned!
Just a heads up that I have several types of this fabric available through my auctions right now. Some of these are a bit hard to find, so if you like this sort of stuff, check it out!
I made this top this week, and think it turned out okay. I am still new to making tops, so my finishing is not always brilliant, but it’s only a matter of time and practice. I chose this pattern because I like stylish clothes that don’t accentuate my imperfections, and thought this would be ideal. There are 6 different versions you can make, varying with sleeves and without.
The completed piece looks exactly like the envelope image. It was easy to follow, but the neckband gave me some trouble - but this is probably due to my inexperience, as I have had difficulties with every neckband I have done thus far. The sizing is fairly generous, although mine is a little snug at the hips, and a little big across the bust. I have a very hard to fit body, since my bust is 36-inches, but my hips are 42-inches. I am basically between two pattern sizes. Next time I will make the size 14 (for the 36-inch bust), and simply flare out the lower portion of the top.
I used a polyester, linen-look fabric. It is probably a bit heavy for this style, but still looks okay. A light cotton would be ideal.
I do recommend this top. It is a wonderful staple for Spring and Summer, and is generally quite easy.
I have made three pairs of these pants for my son, but the most recent pair is my favorite. Not only is it Spongebob Squarepants, but it came out the best (practice makes perfect), and I even made the matching top this time! This was my first sewn top, and it gave me a bit of trouble with the V-neck, but I am fairly happy with how it turned out. He loves it, and has even worn the top to school. Instead of fleece, I used lightweight jersey knit so he could wear it out, and it wouldn’t be too warm or constricting.
The pattern is very easy to follow, and easy to adjust for size. Karl is very tall, and very thin, so I need to make size 5 for height, and size 3 for width, which was easy to manage on this pattern. It looked pretty much like the pictures on the envelope. I followed the instructions except for adding pockets. I did add pockets on the second pair I made, but not the other two. The last thing he needs are tiny treasures shoved in his pockets while sleeping.
I recommend this pattern if you want a nice easy pattern for toddler PJ’s - and I would even go so far as to use heavier cotton and make play pants. The style is very basic, and thus very versatile.
And here is Karl in his brand new pajamas!
I was fortunate enough to get three huge boxes of fabric for free from a local freecycle, and of these three boxes, at least one box worth is various colors of ‘knit suede’. I had no idea what it was even, but then a trip to the local Rag Shop opened my eyes. It is 100% polyester, soft, and fuzzy. The problem now? Trying to figure out what you use this type of fabric for.
Any ideas?
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Edited to include a pic of this magical fabric. There is no stretch to it, and it is fairly non-flowy like real suede.
