My Sewing Space

One morning last week my daughter got dressed for school and came out of her room in an aqua plaid tunic and this skirt . Oy. I suggested that maybe they didn't look all that great together and she should change one of the pieces. She looked hurt and said, "But, these are my favorites!" Her favorite top, her favorite skirt...how could they not look fabulous together? She felt beautiful and happy so she went to school dressed just how she wanted. I figured it would be wise of me to make some matching cool weather clothes so the skirt could be wearable through the winter. My daughter is finally outgrowing Kwik Sew 2918 that I have used for T-shirts for her for the last five years. I've been adding lots of length and some width and modifying the fit of the largest size for the last few seasons. It's time to move on.   Ottobre to the rescue. I started with a slim fitting T-shirt pattern (Ottobre 3/2011 #24), changing the short sleeves to long ones. The fabric...

The local fair has recently come and gone. As I have done in years past, I entered some sewn things for judging. There was a distinct lack of sewing time in the weeks before the fair, but I came up with six things that I could finish easily before the fair or things that I had made over the last year and were eligible. All of the six things placed in the top three in their category. A couple of things haven't made it on the blog yet. One of those is a necktie for The Preacher. Back in the spring, I bought some necktie silk in NY. I didn't have a clue about making ties, but I thought it might be a fun thing to try. Most of the big pattern companies have some sort of tie pattern, but I wasn't expecting that would be the best source for instructions and guidance. Some online research led me to David Page Coffin's Custom Making Neckties at Home . There is a lot of information included in the 17-page booklet and I found it really helpful. Coffin clearly is experienced a...

So, is there anyone still out there reading this? So very little sewing time lately. Even less blogging time. Last September was the same way. I'm optimistic that things are going to calm down a little soon. My firstborn is the most in need of fall clothes, so last week I started sewing some for her. I foresee making a lot of leggings this year. She likes to wear dresses and skirts, but last year I was really frustrated with tights that got holes in the toes too soon and just didn't seem warm enough. Leggings take care of those problems and are easy to make. The Preacher's grandma gave me this printed poplin fabric. She had started a project that wasn't turning out and was ready to pass it on. The fabric for the leggings came from a thrift store. It was too good of a deal to pass up, but I wasn't sure about the very bright red/pink/coral/not-sure-what-it-is color. I thought it might be a good candidate for a dye job. That was more than a couple of years ago. I ...