My Sewing Space

While it took me awhile to get on board with the stylish sweatshirt trend, I’m really liking it now. The key to making it work for me is using a fabric that isn’t bulky or sweatshirt-like. When I saw a sheer white sweater knit on the clearance rack at Jo-Ann Fabrics,  I thought it would make a nice pairing with McCall's 6992 for spring. There isn't a lot to say about the pattern. It's a very easy style to sew up. Several options are included in the pattern, making it easy to include several versions in your wardrobe without feeling like they're all the same. Not that that matters to me - I use the same patterns over and over again even if they do all look the same. But I know not everyone gets excited about that. Necessary alterations were blissfully minimal. I added an inch of length, but I don't think I really needed it with this fabric. In something less stretchy, it would have been important. For the bottom band, I disregarded the pattern piece and cu...

Shortly before Christmas, I made all three kids some new pajamas. Then I made them each a set as a Christmas gift and my mom gave them each new pajamas, too! Pajama overload perhaps, but it was really a good thing. Even The Preacher got new pajamas. The ability of good pajamas to bring comfort and joy is not to be underestimated. My pajama drawer and I were feeling left out. Finally last week I was able to remedy that. I do not enjoy the bunching up around the legs that happens with traditional pajama pants. I had been wearing leggings and tunics as pajamas for awhile and that worked well. Last fall I made a pair of sweatpants (track pants? lounge pants? I don't know exactly what they are...) using Ottobre 5/2011 #5  and I really liked them. Combined with the plentiful race T-shirts I have, they would be great as pajamas - comfy, stretchy, and tapered at the ankle so they don't bunch up. I bought two pieces of cotton interlock from JoAnn's and made them...

My kids start school tomorrow. The first day at a new school. They're all excited. It seems like I'm the only nervous one. The backpacks are packed, the lunches made, the clothes laid out. Everything's ready to go! These two little items are the only back-to-school sewing I've done this year. My younger daughter and I worked on this pencil case together. She sat on my lap and did some of the steering while we were sewing the seams. The fabric choices are hers. This is a boxy zippered pouch made with this pattern, A Little Duffle Do It . The pattern gives cutting dimensions for four sizes, but I needed one to fit a set of colored pencils and based the dimensions on that. So, this one is longer and thinner than any of the four given choices. I quilted the outer fabric and lining together with fusible fleece in between. The pattern gives good instructions for cleanly finishing the inside seams using binding, but I was trying to be quick and just zigzagged them...

My sewing lately has been quite intentional, planned, and purpose-driven. I typically work well that way, but last week I needed a bit of a break and wanted to just sew something for fun. If it didn't turn out to be a runaway success, I wasn't going to worry about it. I pulled out a piece of black ponte knit fabric that was in my stash. I know it isn't the best quality and I didn't want to be tempted to use it for something that I would invest a lot of time in or would want to last awhile. It's a fairly heavyweight knit, but has quite a lot of stretch and decent drape. I don't know made me want to make harem pants, but after I had the thought I really wanted to go ahead with it. After looking for a pattern to download from Burdastyle , I remembered that I already had an issue with a suitable pattern in it ( 1/2011 #124 ). I didn't think I would like that deep yoke, so I modified that to be narrower and straighter across and also changed the front ...

It's finally (finally!) feeling like spring here. The sunlight, warmth, and blue skies are doing wonders for morale and energy levels. I made this little zippered pouch back in February, when I was starved for color and cheer and needed a simple project. The patchwork is done using the fusible interfacing technique . I had not tried this before, but I liked it. It simplified maintaining the placement of the squares. There was no need to come up with a system for remembering the order of the arrangement when moving back and forth from the machine to the iron. Each square finishes at 1". The patchwork pieces were quilted to fusible fleece. I like the texture of all the stitching lines and the contrast of the white thread against the colors. The text fabric for the lining has lots of sewing and quilting words. I used the Open Wide Zipper Pouch tutorial from Noodlehead for the pattern, adjusting the size slightly. This pouch rides around in my purse, corralling ...

My sewing machine has been busy here lately, but not much of it has been blog-able. Some client sewing, some gifts. The client sewing has all been picked up and the gifts are all done. This is the point where I start thinking, "I could still make such-and-such for so-and-so!" I've learned it's best to squelch that voice with one big "NOPE!" Being done a little early and having a little breathing space makes the holiday break with the kids much more enjoyable. Yesterday, I thoroughly enjoyed sewing a simple little thing just for me: This is Noodlehead's Open Wide Zipper Pouch . Sometime in the last year the zipper broke on the cosmetics-counter freebie bag I used for makeup when traveling and I threw it out. I'm just getting around to replacing it now. Behold! The wide opening! This is great for pouches that you might need to root around in. Or just want to see into. Love it. Sometimes it's the little things. I love that green tab a...

My youngest child (my baby!) celebrated her fifth birthday in January. I must confess that this sent me into a minor tailspin. I don't want to go back to life with babies, but I'm not sure I'm entirely ready to be done with the "little kid" stage, either. Anyway, my emotional state aside, I wanted to make her some new clothes for her birthday. The big day was a Monday, but we celebrated on Sunday. I made my decision to sew new clothes on Friday afternoon. Since she would be home all day Saturday I only had Friday evening to make it happen. I chose simple things and didn't have any trouble getting the three-piece "suit" all done. Pardon the wrinkles - this has been worn and washed a few times already. I always like the birthday number shirts that Joy makes for her kids and decided to copy her. The "5" is fused on and then edgestitched in place. I stitched over the same line three times to make it a little bolder. The leggings ...

Continuing with my new styles/silhouettes kick, I tried a skirt style that is a little different for me - the straight skirt. Now, this isn't something that is entirely new to me, but I haven't made one in a few years. I thought it was time to try it again. My pattern of choice was as basic as could be. I wanted to get the fit good without working around a lot of details and since I wasn't sure I would really like the shape on me, I didn't want to invest a lot of time in it. Enter McCall's 3830 . For the first try, I used a piece of corduroy leftover from this jacket . I had just enough of both the corduroy and the lining left for the skirt. In the past, I have been unhappy with how the front of straight skirts fit me. This time I left out the front darts. While I do curve out quite a bit from waist to hip, I don't really curve much at the front - it's all on the sides and at the back. I was really happy with how the fit turned out. This was posted ear...

I’ve been interested in trying some silhouettes and styles that I don’t currently have in my wardrobe. I’m not a big risk-taker by nature and I really value my sewing time, so I generally stick to fabrics and patterns that I’m pretty certain I’ll like. It is starting to feel like everything I wear is pretty much the same, just in different colors. Much of the time I’m okay with that because I only keep clothes that I really like, but I’ve been wanting something different lately. For this tunic, I combined two patterns: Kwik Sew 2856 and New Look 6731 . I used the neckline and raglan sleeve seams from the Kwik Sew pattern. I used this pattern before for a sweater and remember really liking the neckline (the sweater didn’t stay in my closet for long – I loved how the fabric looked, but despite pre-shrinking, it kept getting shorter and wider). The length and style of sleeves came from the New Look pattern as did the bodice length. After checking the pattern tissue against my ...

An art sale patron specially ordered two crayon rolls from me. She wanted them in time for Christmas to give to her grandchildren. Her only specification: one for a boy and one for a girl. It was a pretty simple order to complete.

These zippered pouches are the last things I sewed for the art sale. I made three others awhile ago that I'm going to include also. Not terribly exciting, but I thought it would be good to have some simple things at a lower price point. The sale starts tomorrow (and ends on Sunday) and other than setting up my table, I'm ready to go. So excited!

A few months ago, I purchased the Gathered Clutch pattern from Anna of Noodlehead . Similar to the Buttercup Bag pattern I used here , the purchase of the pattern includes a limited commercial license to sell what you make with it. This is great for people like me who have good sewing skills, but aren't great designers. Someone else thinks up something cute and I can make it and sell it. I'm adding these three to my art sale inventory . The pattern was really easy to follow. The only thing I thought was strange was that she has you sew that front band as a tube (RST and then turn), press it flat and then sew it on the gathered front. I didn't see why that was necessary. I pressed the long edges under and sewed it on that way. The inside of the clutch has a divider and two credit card pockets. The overall size is about 8.5" x 5". As far as a handbag goes, the clutch has never appealed to me. I wear a cross-body bag because I need to have my hands free. A ...

Every region has its own idioms. One of the interesting things about living in several different places is hearing and coming to understand these phrases and expressions that aren't perfectly clear to non-natives.  Where we live currently, people "pop over." As in, "Could the kids and I pop over for a play date?" or "Why don't you pop over for tea sometime next week?" I haven't yet gotten up the nerve to invite anyone to pop over for popovers, but maybe someday I will. When I saw the Oliver + S Popover Sundress on BurdaStyle , I couldn't resist downloading and making it. It would be perfect for my daughter to pop over her head and be looking cute when someone does pop over for popovers! It's a free download, available in sizes 2-8.  The front is exactly the same as the back, so there aren't all that many pieces of paper to tape together.  The instructions are good - something I was glad to see since I just ordered two Oliver + ...

I'm not all that sure what I think about the changes to the Burda websites. I don't subscribe to the magazine so those changes don't affect me, but I have been frustrated when looking for envelope patterns that I use.  However, the last time I was fruitlessly searching for a link to a pattern, I found my ideal summer skirt pattern . So many others have sewn this, that you likely aren't seeing it for the first time. What makes it ideal for me? It sits just below the waist, has pockets, lacks front darts, and is just slightly A-line. Added to that is the fact that I could have it immediately by download and it was very easy to sew. I made it up in a light blue cotton twill with large white flowers. I had hoped to match the print across the center back seam, but didn't have enough fabric. To avoid any particularly strange pattern placement, I did cut the backs out single layer. The top is Butterick 3344 , a great pattern that is out of print. This time I made...

Tomorrow is my daughter's sixth birthday.  She's having a party on Sunday afternoon with seven friends. My goal for party favors was to avoid junk - both the plastic/toy variety and the edible kind. These headbands were part of my solution. I used Heather Bailey's pattern. The pattern and instructions are great and this was a very quick and easy project. The headbands work well thanks to a piece of elastic inserted between the ends of the band.  The ties are purely decorative. I had a good time working on these together with my daughter.  I did the sewing, clipping and pressing and she turned the pieces right-side-out, cut the elastic, and did some of the assembly. She's very excited about giving them to her friends. Next Up:  I don't know exactly what, but it will be more summer clothes for kids.

About 30 minutes after I finished the last closet clutch , S called to ask me to make more wine bags as she only had one left. I dropped these off on Friday: I wanted one of them to have the same sort of look as the notecard that I liked so much. Next up :  finishing two little quilts...not very exciting...but still must be done.

I've been referring to these various ways: hanger pouches, hanger pockets, hanger things, etc.  I dropped them off yesterday and M called today to say that she was calling them "Closet Clutches."  I thought that was a great name.  Naming something gives it (more) value. M had described these closet clutches to me as she had seen it somewhere else.  She thought they could be used for holding a sachet or jewelry or for hiding money or the family jewels.  (Ideally, none of my readers are into burglary, since I've just given away a big secret).  Honestly, this seems like a strange thing to me and like the angels , I wonder who will buy these?  But, as the wise Preacher said, I don't have to sell them - just make them.  M was really happy with them, so maybe she'll have no problem selling them. The construction is really pretty simple.  There is an outer piece with something decorative on the front, a lining/inside piece with a pocket att...

My five-year-old daughter really liked all of the purses that I just made .  When each was finished she would ask, "Can I have that one or is that one to sell, too?"  I kept saying that they were to sell and finally she asked if I thought she could buy one when they were all done.  Of course, I felt terrible and told her I would make one just for her.  It turns out that the crayon rolls were her favorite part, and she already has more than one purse and a coin purse, so I just made a crayon roll for her.  Now she's happy and I feel less guilty. The crayon roll tutorial that I used for these is here .  Details about minor changes I made are here .

Bummer.

Thanks for all the comments about my sweater !  I'm still so happy about it.  I usually like everything to be put away as much as possible, but I've intentionally left it out so I can admire it.  :) But, in order to wear it, I needed a lightweight long-sleeved shirt to keep me from being too itchy in the wool.  So even though I have other things in the works, that jumped to the front of the line.  I pretty much made it while the kiddos watched Sesame Street this morning. Not terribly exciting, but it fulfills its purpose beautifully.  I'm not sure exactly what the fabric is.  It's super stretchy like a rib knit, but looks more like interlock.  And I'm not sure about the fiber content, either.  It feels like some sort of blend - very soft and smooth.  The color is difficult to discern from the photo, but it's a heathered oatmeal sort of color (somewhere between off-white and tan).  I'm pretty sure I bought it at Metro Texti...