Inspiration...Knit Skirt

 I am still looking toward planning (starting) spring/summer sewing.  This skirt would be very easy to include.  It would be a take along project once the pattern was fitted.  

This is the Helton Skirt by Alabama Chanin.  Price tag: $198.00.  Details:  slim fit, flared at knee, length is 25-inches, 100% cotton jersey, wide elastic waistband.

I did choose a darker color to showcase but there are several colors to choose from for this skirt.  The thing to remember with this type of skirt is that the cotton jersey will grow as it is worn.  So fitting is key.  The perfect pattern is this one:

This is The School of Making Swing Skirt pattern.  This pattern can also be found in the Alabama Studio Sewing Patterns book.

Hope you are inspired to create something beautiful.

Happy Stitching!

New Top Pattern - Itch to Stitch Carmo Top

 Itch to Stitch has released a new top pattern.  It is feminine with a diagonal scarf across one shoulder.  Here are the line drawings:

This is the Carmo Top pdf pattern.  It has a wide v-neck front and back with cuffed sleeves and bottom band to finish the bodice.  Be sure to check out all the variations on the blog.  The pattern is 20% off through February 28, 2022. All additional discounts apply making this a good time to check out other patterns.

Hope you are inspired to sew.

Happy Stitching!

(I am an Itch to Stitch affiliate.  If you purchase via my links, I will get a small commission at no cost to you. Thank you!)

Inspiration...Flounce Shirtdress

 Warm weather will be here before we know it.  Here is a fun dress:

This is the Lafayette 148 New York Troy Flounce Shirtdress.  Price tag: $798.00. Details:  Approximately 40-inches from the shoulder to hem line, spread collar, button placket, elbow sleeves, chest patch pocket, dropped waist, hits around the knee, relaxed silhouette, cotton.  Here is a close up of the pocket and sleeve hem detail:

The decorative stitches can be sewn in using either a spanish hemstitching foot  with a zig zag or a wing needle to create an entredeux stitch.  See this article.

If you have a shirt pattern or a shirt dress pattern with a similar silhouette, use it.  My favorite shirt pattern right now is this one:  

This is the Liesl & Co Classic Shirt pattern.  

To recreate the inspiration photo:

1. shorten sleeves

2. determine where you want the flounce to start, make sure the body pattern pieces are the correct length, and make sure the bottom is straight.

3. make the flounce about 1 1/2 times the measurement of the bottom of the top portion, plus the needed length, plus seam allowance and hems.

That seems pretty easy to do.  Hope you are inspired to create something beautiful.

Happy Stitching!

(Affiliate link included.  Should you purchase from the included link, I would get a small commission.  Thank you!)

Basic Sewing Supplies...

 I give up...not sewing but shopping at the local JoAnn Fabrics for basic supplies.  You know the items that you need to sew.  Oh, they have most of the thread colors that you need but buttons, elastic, zippers.  Yeah, not so much.

So, sewing friends, where do you purchase the items of decent quality online?  You know places that carry the basics.  Thanks so much!

Happy Stitching!

McCall's Early Spring Pattern Picks...

 It is that time of year where the new patterns are starting to come out.  The McCall's Early Spring patterns have landed.  Sadly, McCall's does not actually target my age group but this release reminds me of my teenage years.  Here are my picks:

This is McCall's 8256.  This is pull-over tops with gathers and binding.  I am particularly drawn to the View A and View B.  

This is McCall's 8260.  I have a love of loose, flowy skirts and this pattern appears to deliver this with the skirt, shorts, and culottes.

This is McCall's 8263.  This is classic style guayabera shirt.  This style of shirt often has embroidery from the shoulder to the hem and yes, it has the four pockets.  The pockets would also reflect any decoration (i.e., pleats, embroidery, etc).  This pattern may well end up in my stash so I can sew for my guys.

This is McCall's 8265.  This infant pattern has some great little basics in it.  Not sure about the little headband or hats.  That is something I could never keep on my son's head--any type of hat.

Well, that is it for this release.  What did you think was interesting?

Happy Stitching!

Inspiration...Handknit Throw

 Today, we will continue the theme of warming up the living space a little bit.  I love the look of a large knit blanket to cozy up under.  Here is a bit of inspiration:

This is the Pottery Barn Colossal Handknit Throw.  Price tag: $179.00.  Details:  chunky yarn, 100% acrylic, width - 44-inches wide by 56-inches long, machine wash cold, tumble dry.

You can purchase a lot of yarn for that price but if you can not knit, it is a great price.  I found some free knit throw instructions for the knitters - here.  Hope you are inspired to stitch something beautiful.

Happy Stitching!

More Fabric...

 Oh yes, the buying spree has continued. This time I picked up a couple of pieces from Fabric Mart.  I had thought that being a member of Julie's Picks might slow down the fabric buying because of being able to see and touch the fabric.  That is not the case at all. Here are the fabrics that I couldn't resist:

This fabric, an embroidered cotton chambray, I could not decide what I wanted it to be so there is 4 yards which is plenty.  It could end up as a dress for me or shirts for my husband and I.  We will see what it becomes.

This is a ITY knit and I love the colors.  I am not particularly crazy about this type of knit but we'll see how I do with it.  There is 1 1/2 yards.  This is targeted to become a short sleeved Itch to Stitch Foz.  I know, I know.  I have already made three of the Foz top but I just love this pattern.  It is quick and easy.  Both are good when your time is limited.

Well with any luck, this should be the end of my crazy purchase spree.  I can purchase a lot in a short period time.  I am just not as productive with my sewing time. 

Happy Stitching!

(I am an Itch to Stitch affiliate.  If you purchase through my link, I would get a small commission. Thanks you!)

Inspiration...Striped Shirt

Even though there is snow and ice outside, it is time to start considering spring/summer clothing items.  Here is a cute spring top:

 This is the Lafayette 148 New York Striped Dales Shirt.  Price tag: $598.00. Details: approximately 25" long from shoulder to hem, v-neck, spread collar, long sleeves, back yoke, boxy silhouette, pullover style, cotton/linen/polyamide.  Check Neiman Marcus for a closer look at this lovely outfit.  Here is a close up of the neckline and collar area:

My first thought for a pattern was the Lisel & Co Galley Tunic & Dress pattern.  

There is a view with a spread collar.  The neckline is a little different but I think that this would give you a similar feel.  

I looked around the big 4 pattern offering around found either the correct collar silhouette or the correct body but nothing with both.  Check out Simplicity or Butterick.  Hope you are inspired to create something wonderful.

Happy Stitching!

(Affiliate links included.  Purchasing through an affiliate link provides with a small commission at no cost to you. Thank you!)

Fabric Buying Continues...

 Well fabric dot com got me today with their Flash Friday sale.  I did not purchase a lot but the stash is still bulging.  Here is the piece that I purchased:

This is a stretch twill in indigo.  It is a medium weight, poly/rayon/spandex blend with up to 10% stretch.  Care is machine wash cool/tumble dry.  2 1/2 yards added to stash.  

My intentions for this fabric is another pair of Love Notions Allegro pants.  I really liked this pattern last summer.  I think it is time to add another pair.

Inspiration...Knit Pillow Covers

 Pillows are a quick way to change the atmosphere in a room.  I do think of this covers as more of fall/winter but this just gives you time to make them.  Here are the pillows covers:

This is a the Pottery Barn Camelia Chunky Knit Lumbar Pillow Cover.  Price tag: $39.50.  Details: accommodates a 14"x 20" pillow insert, knit front is 100% polyester with the back side being 100% cotton, zipper closure, spot clean.

This is the Pottery Barn Colossal Handknit Pillow Cover. Price tag: $79.50. Details: accommodates a 24" pillow insert, zipper closure, front is knit from 100% acrylic with back from 100% cotton, lining is 100% polyester, spot clean.

I can see this is fall, winter, various holiday colors easily.  However I would much rather spend my time creating them.   A quick gander around and I found 10 free patterns for pillow covers.  You might have to change the instructions a little bit to get the size you.  

Now, I am buzzing with ideas for my own living space.  I have lots of pillow forms and I currently planning on making new slip covers so this is a good time to plan makes pillow fronts.  I can easily knits these while I am spending time with my parents.  

Happy Stitching!

New Fabric...

 Boom, new fabric is coming.  I have been trying really hard not to add fabric to the stash but I recently purchased a new skirt pattern that required fabric.  Now, I went all out and planned two skirts. Here is the fabrics:

This is a navy midweight stretch poplin.  It is advertised as having 20% stretch which is perfect for the skirt pattern.  Two yards are coming.  This is fabric is machine wash cold, tumble dry on low.  

This is a Grey and Black Micro Houndstooth Midweight Stretch Suiting.  This is advertised to have 20% stretch. Two yards are coming.  Again, this should be perfect for the skirt.  This fabric is machine wash cold, tumble dry low.  I can not resist a houndstooth fabric.  This fabric will not be sewn till fall. I am really hoping I do not forget about it.

Have you been able to resist purchasing fabric so far this year?  I really do not need my stash to grow any.  Storage is an issue.  I am hoping to sew all the wonderful fabric that I purchased last year and years before.  I need to get hopping if that is going to occur.  Really, I am far better at planning than executing.  Oh, these fabrics were purchased at Califabrics and this is my first time purchasing from them.

Happy Stitching!

Inspiration...Mini Skirt

 I was told that mini skirts are in for spring.  I probably will not be wearing one but some younger people might want to.  Here is one that would be easy to reproduce:

This is a Dolce & Gabbana Floral-Print Ottoman Mini Skirt with Crystal Buttons. Price tag: $1295.00.  Details: all over floral print, high waist, a-line silhouette, hem above the knee, pleated hem, concealed back zipper.

The skirt pattern is fairly easy on this one.  It is almost identical.  

This is the Study Hall Skirt pattern by Anna Maria Sew Patterns.  This pattern has two pleats in the front and two pleats in the back which is a little different than the inspiration which only has two pleats in the front.  It has has a contrasting band and pleats but those are easy to change up.

The pattern can be found at the Anna Maria website. Hope you are inspired to create something beautiful.

Happy Stitching!
 

Itch to Stitch Sibiu Top Pattern...

 Itch to Stitch has another new top pattern.  Here are the Sibiou Top pattern line drawings:

This is the bat wing top with two collar options, two sleeve length options, and two cuff length options.  This top works for most of the year depending on the fabric chosen.  This top has a 20% discount through February 9, 2022.  Be sure to check out the blog post to see the testers versions. In the addition, the volume discount still applies. So, if you are thinking about other patterns this is good time to invest.

Hope you are inspired by this pattern.

Happy Stitching!

(I am an Itch to Stitch affiliate.  If you purchase via my links, I will get a small commission at no cost to you.)

January Sewing...

 I have been sewing in January just did not accomplish much as there are no finished items.  It is not like that is unusual for me not to sew during a month but I usually finish what I planned for a month.  January plans were 2 skirts and a hoodie.  

I got one skirt cut out and spent the whole working with it.  The skirt pattern is for a pleated skirt which one of the fabric was challis.  It seemed like a perfect match - swishy fabric with a pleated skirt.  What happened?  The pattern was mostly cut on the bias.  Simply enough and not a game changer.  However, the fabric was a total nightmare.  Beautiful and swishy, yes; but not a great choice for a bias cut item.  I did not actually notice issues until I started working with the waistband.  The waistband grew about 1 1/2 inches between the time that I cut it and went to apply the interfacing.  Sigh!  Recut the waist, applied the interfacing, and stitched it to the skirt.  At this point you would think I was at the finishing but you would wrong.  I trimmed the seams, understitched the waistband, and applied 1/2 the zipper.  That is when I notice that one side of the waistband is wider than the other side.  Not sure how I had accomplish this particular error.  I had taped a straight edge to make sure that the seams were the correct width.  With the seams already trimmed, I decided to remove the zipper and the understitching. From there, I carefully measured and marked the waistband to be the same width as the smallest width.  As I removed the stitched seam, I handstitched at the new waistband.  After finishing that task, I sewed the seam on the sewing machine.  The skirt has currently been hanging for about 4 days with hopes that it has finished growing.  

So, that was my sewing month.  I did not purchase any fabric in January which is good for my storage area.  The rest of my month was busy taking care of my family, and going to physical therapy which I am already tired of.

Hope your January stitching was better than mine.  Onward to February with hopes that January planned projects can get completed.  

Happy Stitching!