My Sewing Space

I made some pajama pants today. And that's all I got to say 'bout that.

This is a carbon copy of my first use of this pattern. I did say that I thought the shoulder needed some adjustment, but I cut this out later into the night than I should have and completely forgot about changing anything. DOH! I’ve worn the other one a few times and I don’t notice the shoulder while wearing it, so I’m not too concerned. The color of this top is really nice, IMO - dark, olive-ish green. I often get compliments when I wear this color because it makes it easy to tell that my eyes are green. Otherwise, are they brown, gold, green, some of everything? No one can tell… Honestly, I was really hoping to make Jalie 2682 with this fabric, but I didn’t have enough to squeak it out. This pattern has been sitting in my stash for awhile now and I would really like to make it. I guess it’ll have to wait a little longer.

This is my second attempt at this pattern. The first didn’t turn out all that well. I had major fit issues in the back. Look at all those wrinkles! And this was after taking at least one full inch off of the back inseam. Well, this was like an itch that just needed to be scratched and I was pretty determined to get a better fit. Initially I should have started with a smaller size, but the pattern I was using was now out-of-print. It is nearly impossible to tell what the pants really look like from the picture. Black clothing doesn’t photograph well – even for professionals apparently. The line drawing is much more helpful (click on it for a clearer view). I bought another, very similar pattern in a smaller size ( Vogue 2907 ). I read and studied “Pants for Real People” from Palmer/Pletsch and then was unsure about whether to just continue with the pattern I had already used and made some modifications to or go back to the very beginning and start with 2907. Hmmmm… Since I essentially ...

“Well, would ya look at that!” “Mom, are you wearing a blanket?” Those were the responses of my four-year-old daughter and two-year-old son when they saw this top! I got a pretty good laugh from that. This top was too easy. It took about as long to put together as it did for my husband to take my kids to the doughnut shop. Hardly even a blip on the sewing radar. The sleeves are cut-on so the only seams are shoulder/top of sleeve, underarm/side seam and center back. Slap on a neckband, hem the sleeves and bottom and you’re done. I cut a size 12 initially but should have done a 10. I decreased the width of the neckline by .5” on each side and left the depth unchanged. The neckline is still really wide. I increased the length of the sleeves by 1.5” and added 1” in length to the bodice front and back. After getting the pieces together it looked too big on me, so I took it in at the CB and side seams by .5” I’m really not sure what I think about the top yet. It is a little different from my...

Another easy knit top! This came together very quickly. The only alterations that I made were in length: 2.5" to the sleeves and 1" to the bodice front and back. The fit is pretty good. Perhaps the armhole could have been cut higher and I think I should have done a forward shoulder adjustment. I didn't get a good picture, but from the side something looks a little "off" with the shoulder. The picture is a little dark, but I think the color of the fabric is really nice - not sure what the name of the color is...teal? peacock blue? Regardless, I like it. And the fabric is really soft - a nice cotton interlock. I don't really care for View B of the pattern, but I do like the neckline of View A. I'll probably make it again. The neckband is interfaced and has a facing. So, the neckline is a little nicer than a regular T-shirt, but is still casual and comfortable (good descriptors for my life in general). The shirt isn't anything to be terribly excited abo...

These baby shoes are a gift for my soon-to-be-born nephew. I used the Make Them Yourself pattern from Misty Marquardt. This is the only pattern of hers that I have, but I would really like to try the soft sole boots and Mary Janes – especially after going to the Robeez site and seeing their new spring shoes ! The pattern is written for use with real leather. I used Ultrasuede. The top of the shoe is lined with fabric and the sole is made with two layers of Ultrasuede. These are the third and fourth pairs of shoes that I have made and I had more trouble with these than the first two pairs. The appliqués were a little more involved on these than the first two, so that may be the issue. Even with a new Microtex Sharp needle I did get a few skipped stitches. I found the elephant via a Google Image search. I should have scaled it down a little more. I also should have added a tail! Elephants have tails! Somehow I missed that detail until the shoes were all done. I guess these are mutant ele...