New Look 6891

I love this pattern!  It was very easy once I had the right fabric. :)

Aren't the sleeves so feminine and sweet?

And check out the bias I used for the arm ties.  This is quite possibly the best bias I've ever done.  I found a really cool tute here.  It worked beautifully.

Pattern Description:  New Look 6891. I made view D.

Pattern Sizing: 10-22 - I cut a size 10.

Did it look like the photo/drawing on the pattern envelope once you were done sewing with it? Yes

Were the instructions easy to follow? Yes, very clear instructions.

What did you particularly like or dislike about the pattern? The ease and the number of variations in the pattern.  It was also loose fitting enough that I didn't need a FBA.  The only thing I didn't really like was the lack of an armhole finish.  The pattern has you trim the SA under the notches.  That's it!  I wound up pinking the rest of the SA and trimmed the SA under the notches to about 1/8".  If it starts to ravel, I'll go back and zig zag over it.

Fabric Used: 100% cotton - Michael Miller

Pattern alterations or any design changes you made: We didn't like the gathers in in the front, so I made 2 small pleats on each side.  I also made a thread loop in lieu of using the neck binding.  I cannot find the link to the tutorial to save my life. :(

Would you sew it again? Would you recommend it to others? Yes, I absolutely would sew it again. And I definitely recommend it to others.

Conclusion: This pattern has a number of different styles that are very current.  It is super easy, so a beginner could easily sew it.  And it would take very, very few adjustments.  I made this for my daughter, Brittany.  She is typically a size 4/6 in RTW, so I made the smallest size in this pattern - a 10.  It fit very well.

Newlook 6103

I absolutely love this skirt and will definitely make it again.  This is the second one I've made from this pattern.  I did view A the first time and view B this time. I do not have modeled pics yet.  This is for my friend, Sarah.  I am working on a matching top and will snap pics of the whole outfit when it's finished.

This is a close up of the feather stitching, but it is also a better picture of the colors in the fabric.  I found this fabric at Fabrika in downtown Savannah.  I love the girls in the shop.  They are always super helpful in choosing fabrics.

Pattern Description:  Newlook 6103. I made view B.

Pattern Sizing: 4-16 - I cut a size 6.

Did it look like the photo/drawing on the pattern envelope once you were done sewing with it? Yes

Were the instructions easy to follow? Yes, very clear instructions.

What did you particularly like or dislike about the pattern? I love the hem of this skirt.  I used a hand feather stitch to close the hem and draw attention there.  I did not like that it used interfacing on the hem facing.  It makes the bottom of the skirt too stiff.

Fabric Used: 100% cotton

Pattern alterations or any design changes you made: I increased the front skirt width by 1" and the back by 4".  I also added 2" to the back length and graded it to the side seams.  Baby got back!  I didn't need all that extra room in the front.  I also added 2 drapery weights to the back hem of the skirt.  Sarah has an ample bottom, and skirts like this will ride and flare at the center bottom despite the generous 2" length alteration.  I took in the center back seam grading it up to the zipper, and that solved the problem until I attached the facing.  The stiffness created that flare again.  I clipped some binder clips to the bottom just to see if the weight would solve the issue.  It did.  So I incorporated drapery weights into the hem rather than removing the facing to redo it without the interfacing.  That's why you see those small drag lines in the above photo.  It doesn't do that on Sarah.  I also replaced the lapped zipper with an invisible one. 

Would you sew it again? Would you recommend it to others? Yes, I absolutely would sew it again. And I definitely recommend it to others.

Conclusion: This is a very versatile skirt.  I would not recommend this skirt for a beginner but intermediate and advanced sewers will have no trouble at all.  FYI: I used Joy Mahon's pattern alteration methods in her Crafty Class "Fast Track Fitting".  I love me some Joy!!  And I used Katrina Walker's methods in her Crafty Class "Sew Smarter" to get dimple free darts and bubble free zippers.  Both worked quite well for me.  Love her too!  I recommend both of these classes.

PS

I was asked about the flare and thought I'd explain with a photo.

 This was my first muslin fitting.  See how it rides up at center back and flares out?  That is from having a bubble butt.  Once I lengthened the back by 2" and took it in more at the bottom center seam allowance, it solved the problem.  Lengthening it alone was not the answer.  Understand, this is how I solved it, not necessarily the best solution.  I couldn't find any information on how to fix this.  My side seam is a little off here too, but that fix didn't solve the problem either.

Lace scarf - hand dyed lace

I have wanted for a long time to try my hand at dying lace.  I saw this done by one of my online sewing friends, and the dress was absolutely stunning.  I didn't want to attempt this on a large scale, so I opted for a simple scarf.  My wonderful MIL gave me a big box of fabric and this was in that box.  I believe it is satin.

It was super easy.  I just used cotton lace that I had on hand and soaked it in Rit dye with hot water.  I didn't like the color the first time around, so I repeated it a second time.  I thought I could always make the color darker but probably not lighter.  I followed the instructions on the bottle.  I let it air dry and pressed it with my iron to set it.

Then I used Wonder Tape to hold the lace in place to stitch it.

Here is a close up.

So what do you think?  Will you try it?  If you do, I'd love to see it.

Happy Wednesday!!
Angela

Simplicity 1589 Review

Sorry I don't have modeled pics. :(  This is for my daughter, and she hasn't been home yet to put it on.

Pattern Description:  Simplicity Learn to Sew tank tops with back interest. View A with open square at the shoulders or view b with cross over back.  I made view A. 
Pattern Sizing: 4-16 - I cut a size 10. It runs just a bit large.

Did it look like the photo/drawing on the pattern envelope once you were done sewing with it? Yes

Were the instructions easy to follow? Yes, very clear instructions.

What did you particularly like or dislike about the pattern? It was super easy and great for beginners.

Fabric Used: 100% cotton

Pattern alterations or any design changes you made: I increased the width across the bust by 1" and removed that same amount from the back width.  I also took up an extra 1/4" at the shoulder seams.

Would you sew it again? Would you recommend it to others? Yes, I absolutely would sew it again. And I definitely recommend it to others.

Conclusion: My dd likes very loose fitting tops but still has a little shape.  This top fits the bill perfectly. She is very full busted but small everywhere else.  She is narrow across the back and upper bust.  I don't do a typical FBA where you add width everywhere.  She just doesn't need it in the back.

Here is the finished product albeit not modeled.  I found this really pretty fabric at Joann's on clearance.  I didn't know what I would do with it, and it was perfect for this pattern.

 

Gym/Yoga Pants Tutorial

These were my all time favorite gym pants.  But they got a hole in the seat. :(  I hated that, and I couldn't find another pair like them.  I looked on the tag to get the material type and went shopping online.  I found a wonderful cotton spandex (95%/5%) at onlinefabricstore.net.  And I made a pattern using my favorite pants to duplicate them.

First, I took these apart.  I kept the band to put those in my new pants.  There was nothing wrong with the band, so why invent the wheel, right??  That was my daughter's brilliant idea.

Next, lay tracing paper right on top of each piece and trace around the edges.

I used a marker and sort of angled it to stay right at the edge.

Then I cut out those pieces and marked my grain line.  The easiest way to do it (and I'm not certain this is the right way) is to lay a ruler on top of your pattern piece, fold the pattern piece toward you, and line up the ruler with the grain line of the original pants.  Draw a line on the other side of the ruler.  That's what I used for my new grain line, and it worked perfectly for me.

Use your new pattern to cut out your fabric.

Mark your back pieces with an "X" so you don't get them mixed up.  You can barely see my "X".

Stitch one front to one back at the side seams then at the inseam.  Repeat with the other pieces.  I used a 3/8" seam allowance.  And they should look like this:

Turn one leg right side out and slide that leg inside the other leg matching the inseam and the edges.  Make sure they are right sides together.

Pin at the inseam and the edges and in between.

Stitch from one end to the other and turn right side out.  And they will look like this:

Now get your band and mark center front, back and sides.

Pin to the top of your pants matching center front, back and side seams with the marks you just made.  The pants will be slightly larger than your band, so stretch the band to fit the pants as you sew.  Hint: if you stitch with the pants side next to your feed dogs, they will ease in better.

Now they'll look like this:

All that's left is to edge stitch around the band to tame that seam and hem them.  I used my serger around the bottoms and turned them up 5/8"

And you now have a new pair of gym pants that are nearly identical to the ones you had before.

Please feel free to ask me questions if I haven't made something clear.  I hope this has been very helpful.

Happy Wednesday!
Angela

McCalls 6078 pattern review

This is my first pattern review. Yay!  I absolutely love this top and will make it again.  Although I love these bright colors, I don't think they work well with my coloring.  Perhaps I just need a tan. LOL  Gabby thought I was looking at something in the back yard.  She is trying to determine what it is. haha  FWIW, I hate having my picture taken especially of my butt!

Pattern Description: Sleeveless top with draped front. I made view C.  It's OOP, but I scored it on e-bay.

Pattern Sizing: XS - XL. I cut an XS (4-6).  I wear a 2 in RTW and an online sewing friend recommends going 2 sizes up for custom.  So I did.  This runs large though.  I took in an additional 1/2" on the side seams.

Did it look like the photo/drawing on the pattern envelope once you were done sewing with it? Yes

Were the instructions easy to follow? Yes, very clear instructions.

What did you particularly like or dislike about the pattern? I liked that is was super easy and quick to make.  The cowl is a little low and shows the girls a bit too much when bent over.

Fabric Used: Jersey.

Pattern alterations or any design changes you made: I only took in 1/2" in the side seams. I probably could have used a sway back adjustment. Next time I will make a clean closed loop.  I also tacked them to the top to keep them from sliding.

Would you sew it again? Would you recommend it to others? Yes, I absolutely would sew it again. And I definitely recommend it to others.

Conclusion: I have a difficult time fitting myself since I do not yet have a dress form.  This was really easy to fit, easy to make, and very quickly put together without the form.  It is extremely versatile too.

Linen Burlap Pillow Cases - Man Style!

I am slowly but surely finishing the bedroom linens for my DD's boyfriend.  I had some linen burlap fabric left over from the window treatments - just enough to do these pillow cases.  I didn't have enough for traditional shams but wanted something decorative for the bed.

I found the inspiration on Pinterest.  Here is the original link. 

I chose to use larger grommets and rope, and I'm happy with the result.  I didn't have a fluffy pillow for the insert, so I used a flat pillow instead.  I have the bottom rolled under to eliminate the fullness.  My grommets are even I promise! lol

I spaced the grommets evenly across the edge.  Because I was limited on fabric, I have only two seams - across the bottom and on one side.  I liked the selvage edge so left it in tact.  I just folded my square over and stitched up those two sides, serged the edges, and turned right side out.  Place the grommets and tie the cases shut with rope.  The grommets are placed on both sides of the case.

I had some trouble with the rope unraveling.  I tried burning the ends, fray checking them and gluing them.  None of those worked.

And I couldn't leave them unraveled.  So I used some jute twine and wrapped it around the ends and glued it down.

The glue you see on the ends was my attempt to glue them together first.  I'll remove that before they go home.  I had not finished the ends when I snapped the first pics, because I had to get approval first. :)

Let me know if you have questions.

Happy Monday,
Angela

Infinity Scarf Tutorial

I looked and looked for a tute for these scarves, and everyone does them a little differently.  BUT, none were very clear on attaching the ends together.  So I thought I'd give you instructions on how I did it.  And it's very easy.  I'll go through the whole thing from start to finish for those who want very detailed instructions.  If you just want to know how to attach the ends, skip ahead.

This is a chiffon fabric and perfect for warmer weather.  It is 60" wide and just over a yard at 40" or so.

I laid the whole piece on my work table and folded it in half lengthwise as shown.  Doesn't matter if it's right side or wrong side, since we are just cutting it in half at this point.

The fold is on the right.  I put some weights on the fabric to keep it from shifting and cut right up that fold to make 2 pieces that were roughly 20"x60".  The second piece is wadded up and laying on top.

Put that second piece aside and use it for another scarf.  Fold your one length in half again lengthwise right sides together and stitch it along that long side ONLY.  I used my serger.

Now you have one long tube.  Press the stitching to set.

Now reach through one end and grab the other end and pull it through so it's right side out.

And it should look like this.

Now this is where everyone gets stumped on how to attach the ends.  But this is super easy and I'm posting a plethora of pics so you can see exactly how it looks from different angles.

Find your seams at each end.

And pin them together (right sides).  Then about 2" above that pin, put another pin. See the arrows?  The pins are hard to see.

Here are some other angles so you can see how it should look at this stage. This is from the front.  See both tubes to either side of where it's pinned?

And from the top?  It's a circle.

Now take it to the sewing machine and start stitching at that first pin.

And when you get to the second pin:

You'll pull it out and then just keep your edges even as you continue you stitch.  See the arrow in the next picture?  That's the bottom layer.

Keep your fingers near the needle to keep the fabric smooth as it feeds through the machine.  It's very easy to get the other fabric bunched up underneath.

When it starts getting tight (about half way around).  Put your needle down in the fabric.  The arrow is pointing at where we started stitching.

Now gather up all the excess fabric.

And stuff it inside the pouch we just made.

This is what it should look like now.

Now just continue stitching leaving a 1-2" opening at the end to pull the fabric back through. Your excess fabric is stuffed neatly inside.

And this is what it looks like at this point.

Now just reach in and pull that fabric back through.

And it looks like this.

Press that opening to get those seams lying down and close it with your machine or by hand.

You can press it if you like, but I like it nice and fluffy.  Now your new scarf is ready to wear.  Wasn't that easy, peasy??

Feel free to ask questions if I haven't made anything clear.

Thanks for stopping by.

Happy Saturday.
Angela