RTW Details...

 My niece asked if I could alter a pair of work pants for her.  I admit I hesitated because I really dislike doing alterations and I fear that others will want me to do the same.  However because the last year has been so rough on her,  I decided to give it a try.  She had lost her job and had been working three jobs until she found another full time job.  I glad I did.  I was very intrigued by the pocket on these pants:

This is perhaps the flattest pocket on pants that I have ever seen.  Here is a peek at the inside:

The pocket is one layer with the top sewn into the waist band.  Notice the stitch that is used is a stretch stitch.  My machine manual refers to this stitch as a Flatlock Stitch.  Also if you would look at the waistband in the first picture you will see that a Three Step Zip Zag is used in the middle of the waist band.

Because I am intrigued by the pocket, I decided to figure out how to do it.  The little flap at the top of the pocket actually hides the zippered pocket.  The flap was about 3/4" deep.  The technique is very similar to the technique that I use when making a pillow with a zipper.  The technique can be found in this tutorial on How to add a Zipper to a Pillow Cover.  That will most likely get the process started.  I would think that the flap itself needs to be deeper than the 1-inch in the tutorial maybe 1 1/4-inches.  The stitching line in the first phone is the line where the zipper is attached to the yoke.  So the yoke is lengthened by about 3/4" plus the return and seam which would probably mean that you need to add 2-inches to the yoke edge at the seamline.  

I think I'm going to play with this and see what I come up with.  If I do, I will create a tutorial.

What are your thoughts on this pocket?

Happy Stitching!  

Inspiration...Skirts

 Are you a skirt wearer?  I enjoy wearing skirts.  I thought I would see if there were any trends for springs.  Here is a couple:

1.  Mini - I do not think this trend is going any where soon.  It has been around for years.  Here is a couple of patterns to consider:

This is Burda 6252. This pattern will give you a double bang for your buck.  You get a mini and a midi.  

2. Wrap - This is probably one of my favorite style of skirts.  

This is Simplicity 8699.  This pattern offers a variety of lengths including a mini.  I really like the views B and D.  

Hope you are inspired to create some beautiful skirts.

Happy Stitching!

Inspiration...It Is In The Details

 This inspiration post is a little different.  It is not the actual garment but the details.  Here we go:

This is the Lafayette 148 New York Austin Button Down Cotton Shirt.  Price tag: $498.00.  Details:  16" long from shoulder to hem, crew neck with hidden button placket, long blouson sleeves with tonal lace details and gathered cuffs, shirttail hem, cotton, dry clean.  

The details that I really want to draw attention to is on the sleeves.  The sleeves have some width to them which I love.  The lace detail really makes the shirt feel feminine along with those gathered sleeves.  

Here is a little information on adding lace to garments - How to Sew Lace Trim & Inserts.  Information on the concealed button placket can be found here.

Hope you are inspired to create something beautiful.

Happy Sewing!

Inspiration...Jacket with Hood

A light weight jacket is a necessity for spring.  Here is a great jacket:

This is the Ansel Jacket with Removal Hood by Lafayette 148 New York.  Price tag: $698.00.  Details:  Approximately 29" from shoulder to hem, stand collar, concealed two-way zip/snap placket, long sleeves, back yoke pleat, front waist cutline, relaxed silhouette, hand wash.

Here's the perfect pattern:

The is the Closet Core Kelly Jacket pattern.  It is very close to the inspiration photo.  I do not know if the hood snaps on and off but I bet you can figure it out.  If you want a lining for the jacket, here is the link to the add-on pattern.

Hope you are inspired to create something beautiful.

Happy Stitching!

Repeats...

 I have been working on organizing my sewing area for months.  I am always planning projects that I just do not get around to doing.  I started working on putting away a multitude of patterns and ran across these two patterns:

This is Simplicity 9133.  It is a reasonably versatile pattern with three necklines, short sleeves, and sleeveless.  It was a "new" release from fall and you can see here where I purchased it.  

This is New Look 6356.  This is a versatile pattern with neckline variations, short sleeves, and sleeveless.  This is an out-of-print pattern.

Do you notice anything about these two patterns?  Yeah, they look pretty much the same.  There are some differences like the New Look versions uses a zipper and the Simplicity version uses a button.  The Simplicity version comes in a larger size range.  I feel duped though.  The Simplicity pattern was suppose to be a new release not a re-release.  I have seen this before with McCall's re-issuing Kwik Sew patterns.  Where has the creativity gone?

Now, I wondering how many patterns that I have that are identical.  Do you tend to pick the same styles are well?

Happy Stitching!

Inspiration...Shift Dress

 Spring will be here before we know it.  A little early stitching will get us prepared.  Here is a sweet little dress that with a sweater will be perfect for spring:

This is the Organic Cotton-Linen Ticking Stripe Shift Dress by Eileen Fisher.  Price tag: $218.00.  Details:  round neckline, keyhole back, sleeveless, side pockets, shift silhouette, hits about the knee, machine washable.  

I always like the idea of a shift dress.  Here is my go to for a simple shift dress pattern:

This is New Look 6500.  It is a great little pattern with many variations.  I did make this dress once and you can see it here.  The previous post on the dress provides some additional tutorials.

As always if you have a favorite shift dress pattern already fitted, use it and spend the money on some great fabric.  Hope you are inspired to created something beautiful.

Happy Stitching!

Inspiration...Jacket

 Spring is coming which means that light weight jacket weather is coming.  I found this jacket and was immediately drawn to it.  I really like the laid back feel of it.   It is similar to a jacket I made last fall here.  I did a variation with the pockets.  Here the jacket I found:

This is the J Jill Modern Barn Jacket.  Price tag: $129.00.  Details:  length  27 1/2", long sleeved, cotton/lyocell/spandex blend.

Here's the pattern:

This is the Seamwork Rhett jacket.  The version with the slanted pocket would give you a similar look.  You would need to make a slight change to the back to match the inspiration which has a yoke and a double seam in the back.

Here's another option:

This is the Merchant & Mills Ottoline jacket pattern.   This pattern has the back yoke like the inspiration pattern.  

Wouldn't either of these patterns be great in a light gray or even in a soft pink?  Both colors are good for spring.  Hope you are inspired to create something beautiful.

Happy Sewing!