My Sewing Space

My MIL gave me this fabric at Christmas time. She was planning to make a vest out of it for my SIL but got pretty frustrated with it (her machine really didn’t like it). The fabric came complete with the inspiration photo from a Lands' End catalog – Winter 2006. So, I’m only two years beyond on this trend, but that’s about right for me. Most of the RTW clothes in my closet are hand-me-downs from my fashionista sister and they are about two years old, too. My MIL had tried to copy a different vest that my SIL had, so the front and back pieces were already cut out. I was able to selvage those pieces using Kwik Sew 3453. This is a great pattern! It has side panels with pockets in the front seam and forward shoulder seams. The seam lines worked well with the lapped seams. I traced off a size small and didn’t make any fitting alterations to this pattern. I increased the seam allowances to ½” and trimmed off the seam allowances on the pieces that would be on the top. I trimmed of...

In keeping with the plan to alternate one easy thing with a more complicated thing, I made this very easy turtleneck to wear with the denim jacket. The pattern is Butterick 3344. I used View D’s bodice and collar with the long sleeves from the other views. This is the second time I have made this turtleneck and I really like it. The first one I made was too short so I don’t wear it, but I was really happy with the fit when I made it. The fabric is a lightweight poly jersey. It is so soft and lovely to wear. For the most part it was easy to sew. The turtleneck is gathered at the back and closes with a zipper. The instructions say to fold the collar wrong sides together and then pin the collar to the neck edge. Then the zipper is inserted and somehow you are supposed to get a nice finish at the top of the collar where the zipper ends. Not likely. I put the zipper in before folding the collar down and then slipstitched the edges of the collar to the zipper and the neck seam. This made for...

The denim jacket is finished. I wasn’t so sure I was going to be able to say that. More on that later. I’m pretty pleased with it. This pattern has been in my stash for awhile now. It was very popular on Pattern Review a couple of years ago. I like the simple lines and both collar variations. Nothing about the pictures on the envelope suggested denim, but I thought this particular piece of denim would be a good match. I found this remnant at the local fabric store a couple of months ago and really liked it. It is a good weight in a nice color and finish. With this piece I thought I would actually be able to make something denim that didn’t scream “homemade!” It is probably best that there was only a remnant left. Otherwise I would have gone back and bought a whole bolt. I had visions of jeans, bags, more jackets, etc. The jacket is fully lined with a woven cotton print in green and brown. I don’t think the back is all that interesting. I think it ought to have princess sea...

2009 is off to a good start for me! I’m pretty excited about the first thing out of my sewing room. I bought Vogue 8536 a while back specifically for View E: the wrap-style top. I really like the neckline and the wrap style. I found the fabric at Fabricland in November. I don’t remember the specifics, but I remember that it was a good deal. (It always is, isn't it?) The bolt was labeled as a “sweater knit.” I guess this is a sweater knit, albeit a very fine gauge one. I am a little afraid of sewing with sweater knits. Somehow I still have a few pieces in my stash. Hmmm…. This fabric was really nice to work with and is helping get me over my fears. It is however, very sheer. This pattern was a good match for the fabric. The double-front provides more coverage. But, still…I will likely only wear this with a cami underneath. I’m pretty happy with the fit and I really didn’t do much altering. I was worried about gaping between the neck and arm so I essentially “pulled...

I’ve been toying with the idea of keeping a blog about sewing for awhile now. When I mentioned this to my husband* he said “But, who would read it?” Thanks, dear. I let that deter me for a little while but then I decided that I didn’t really care if anyone read it. I would think of it as a sewing journal. You won’t find any sort of “hit counter” on my blog. I’ve been sewing since I was about 8 years old. Over the years I think it has evolved from a hobby to a passion to an addiction. I have family members that sew, but don’t live near any of them right now. I don’t have any friends that share my passion so I often find that sewing is a lonely hobby. That has never discouraged me from pursuing it, but I have been really encouraged and inspired by the other sewing blogs and websites that I have found. So, perhaps someone will stumble across my entries and will be encouraged or inspired. Or perhaps they won’t. I think my journaling will help me be better at my craft. A few mont...