Itch To Stitch Anniversary Sale!...

 Itch to Stitch is having an 11th anniversary sale.  Everything is 30% off from November 8 to November 11 except Orio, Clemente, and Sorata patterns are 20% off.   Here are some of my favorites:

This it the Itch to Stitch Taroko Skirt line drawing.  This is a lovely, a-line skirt with princess seams.  It is probably one of my favorite skirt patterns.  I have made at least four of these skirts.  Two for fall/winter and two for spring/summer.

This is the Itch to Stitch Foz Top line drawing.  This is a lovely v-neck knit top.  It can be worn as a top or as a second layer.  I have made three of these tops.

This is the Itch to Stitch Soller Top/Dress line drawing.  This is a lovely v-neck top/dress.  I have made two of the tops and one of the dress.  It is a great top/dress.  Easy to make.

This is the Itch to Stitch  Azores Top & Dress line drawing  I think a challis would be perfect for this pattern.  The top would work equally well with a skirt or pants.  This one is on my list.

This is just a small list of the patterns that are on the Itch to Stitch website. There are lots of lovely patterns.  Go check it out.  I have found that the patterns have been well drafted. Hope you are inspired to create something wonderful.

Happy Stitching!

New To Me Pattern Company...

 Today, I found a new to me pattern company - Daughter Judy Patterns.  This site has both sewing patterns and knitting patterns.  There are not a lot of patterns yet but the ones that are there are interesting.  My favorite one is this skirt:

This is the Henry Skirt.  It is almost a classic wrap.  It wraps but I think there is more coverage than a classic wrap skirt as in no accidental flashing.

So, check out this designer.  You might find a great pattern.  

Happy Stitching!

Inspiration...A-Line Skirt

 I am loving the longer fall/winter skirts this year.  Here is a great one:

This is the A-Line Crepe Weave Midi Skirt by Lafayette 148 New York.  Price tag: $798.00.  Details:  crepe weave organic cotton dobby, vertical darts at waist, approximately 30-inches from shoulder to hem, sits high on the high, falls below knee, a-line silhouette, invisible back zip.

This is an overall great look.  A perfect work outfit.  I do not have access to fabrics that would make like this blouse and skirt do but I wish I did.  Here are a couple of ideas for the skirt:

This is New Look 6053.  This pattern has two variations with additional length variations.  Once fitted, you could have a whole weeks worth of skirts.  Views C or D is what I was thinking for the inspiration.  Basically, whichever one would give you the best length for you.  

This is Butterick 6866.  This is a princess seam skirt which is different than the inspiration photo but View A would give you a similar look.  This skirt might be fuller than the inspiration photo but I think it would do a good job.

I was not able to locate the camp shirt in the photo but it is very much a necessary component of the outfit.  I think this pattern would work well:

This is Liesl & Co Camp Shirt-Dress.  Perfect little pattern to duplicate the camp shirt in the inspiration photo.  I have found that the Liesl & Co patterns are well drafted.

Hope you are inspired to create something wonderful for yourself.

Happy Stitching!

Inspiration...Plaid Midi Skirt

 I love that the skirts are long for fall/winter this year.  This one is menswear inspired:

This is The Trouser Column Midi Skirt from Ann Taylor.  Price tag: $139.00.  Details:  length is 34-1/2 inches, column silhouette for that long lean look, front zip closure with extended hook and bar closure, belt loops, front slash pockets, front vent, and back welt pockets.

This is such a great skirt.  If you pick the right colors for your wardrobe, it could be and every day piece.  Here is a pattern suggestion:

This is Vogue 2032.  It is a lined skirt, semi-fitted through hip, sits 1" below waist, has fly front zipper, side front pockets, back welt pockets, belt loops, front slit and front and back pintuck detail.  This is almost perfect for the inspiration photo.

I would do View A.  Then, make sure that the length is correct for yourself.   The fabric for the pattern looks to be a mid-weight such as gabardine, linens, denim, twill, and sateen.  I would guess that a plaid suiting would work as well.  Mood Fabrics has some beautiful plaids that would work well for this pattern.

Hope you are inspired to create something wonderful.

Happy Stitching!

Inspiration...A-Line Midi Skirt

 I found this perfect little skirt.  Yes, it is perfect for fall.

This is the Ruched A-Line Maxi Skirt by Lafayette 148 New York.  Price tag: $698.00.  Details:  elasticized waist, double side ties, on-seam pockets, ankle length, a-line silhouette, pull-on style, cotton/nylon/polyamide, unlined, machine wash cold.

This is a great little skirt and so easy to replicate.  Here is the pattern that I think would be perfect:

This is New Look 6287.  The pattern has four views which could make it a veratile pattern.  You might need to add a little bit of width to get the same volumne of the skirt.  Hope you are inspired to create something beautiful.

Happy Stitching!

Inspiration...Popover Shirt

Here is a perfect top for everyday use.  Here is that tunic:

This is the Wool-Cashmere Flannel Pocket Popover Shirt by Lafayette 148.  Price tag:$ 1,198.00.  Details:  Relaxed shirt, drop shoulder long sleeve, pleated cuff, pullover, flap patch pockets, high-low shirttail hem, dry clean only, 94% wool/ 4% cashmere/ 2% elastane.

That price tag is a whole lot out of my price point but it is reasonably easy to replicate.  I have picked a pattern that is actually in my pattern stash and is not exactly like the inspiration pattern but it is a tunic.  Here is the line drawing:

This is the Liesel & Co Galley Tunic & Dress pattern.  This is a relaxed-fit pull-on tunic.  It does not have the dropped shoulders or the pockets on the tunic front.  In looking at the material list, it might not be appropriate for the flannel but I think I would try it if it was not a heavy flannel.

Hope you are inspired to create something wonderful.

Happy Stitching!

New Itch to Stitch Orio Jacket PDF Pattern

 Itch to Stitch's newest jacket pattern is here.  Just in time for the fall weather.  Here is the line drawng of the Orio Jacket:

The Orio Jacket pattern has the follow features:

• Cup sizes for a better bust fit
• Princess seams from the shoulders for shaping
• Two-piece sleeves with simplified plackets and cuffs
• Center-front zipper closure
• Hood with a drawstring
• Optional single welt pockets
• Shirttail hem for a classic finish
• Unlined and lightweight—ideal for layering
• Designed for medium-weight woven fabric

The sewing skill level is intermediate.  Sizes are 00 - 40.  The Orio Jacket will be on sale at 20% discount through September 30, 2025.  All purchasing discounts still apply so it is a good time to purchase any additional patterns that you have been eyeing.

Be sure to check out the testers' versions of the jacket on the blog.

I am an Itch to Stitch affiliate.   Any purchases made through a link on this page will result in a small commission to me at no cost to you.

Happy Stitching!

Inspiration...Corduroy Jacket

 It is time to think about jackets for fall.  This is a little bit like a chore jacket:

This is the Organic Cotton Stretch Corduroy Jacket by Eileen Fisher.  Price tag: $248.00.  Details: relaxed fit, classic collar, button front, and button cuff with double pleat, and patch pockets.

I am not convinced that a stretch fabric is needed for a relaxed fit but that is for you to decide.  I do love the idea of this style of jacket in corduroy.  Here is the first pattern that I thought of:

This is the Rhett Jacket pdf pattern by Seamwork.  It is a workwear inspired chore jacket.  

I have made this jacket and it is one of my favorite jackets that I have made.  I did not realize that it had been so long since I made the jacket.  It is still going strong.  Maybe it is time to make a new version.  Hope you are inspired to create something wonderful.

Happy Stitching!

First Fall Winter Classic Shirt...

 I am starting the first of the sewing for the wardrobe post here.  I will be starting witht the Liesl & Co Classic Shirt.  Here is the line drawings:

This is a pattern that I fitted over a couple of years and absolutely love it.  I have made two shirts this time.  The first shirt is made from the gray oxford shirting here. It is made using the View A of the pattern and this is the version I have made the most.  Here is the finished shirt:

Well, that is the second piece of the the ten I have planned.  The button holer on the machine gave me a hard time.  I have never had an issue with it before but it seemed that the same size buttonhole was not to be.  I had to redo at least three buttonholes not once but more than once.

I think I will need luck on finishing the remaining eight projects.

Happy Stitching!

Inspiration...Wide Legged Pants

 I really like the look of these pants.  The wide leg would be comfortable.  Here is the first glance:

This is the Linen-Cotton Twill Wide Legged Pant by Polo Ralph Lauren. Price tag: $398.00.  Details:  high rise sits high on the hip, flat front, side slant pockets, back buttoned welt pockets, full length, wide legs, zip fly, belt loops, linen/cotton, dry clean.

I love that these pants are styled with a casual shoe.  Here is the pattern that I would use to recreate:

This is the Hollywood Trousers by Liesl & Co.  They are a fitted, moderately high-waisted, wide legged pant pattern.  The only thing missing is the welt pockets but that is an easy detail to add.

The linen/cotton twill might be a hard combination to find.  However, there are lots of twill blends available.  Both Mood and Califabrics has many variations of a twill blend.  Hope you are inspired to create something wonderful. 

Happy Stitching!

Washaway Wonder Tape...

 For years I have used Collins Washaway Wonder Tape to help with the sewing.  Any time that you need to stitch close to an edge and do not want to use a pin, the washaway wonder tape is the answer.  Of course you could always baste, if you are enjoying slow sewing.

The washaway wonder tape is a tape that is for basting and you can sew through it without gumming up your needle.  Collins brand is the one I have always used.  Unfortunately, it has gotten extremely hard to find.  So, I have started looking for alteratives and I have found two that seems to work well.  Here is the first one:

The Dritz Washaway Wonder Tape was my first tape to try.  This tape seemed to work well.  

The second tape that I tried was this one:

This is the Wawak Wash Away Tape.  

All three of these tapes are double-sided adhesive tapes that dissolve in water.  Of the three tapes, the Wawak is the most cost effective.  It is about half the price of the other two tapes.  Unfortunately, it is out of stock at Wawak until October.    The Dritz and Wawak tapes look and act like the same tape.  Both look different than the Collins tape.  

I found the Dritz tape on Amazon and the Wawak tape at a new local fabric/craft store.  The Collins tape might be found in quilt stores.  I have not been to any local quilt stores to see what they might have in stock.  I do need to visit to see if anyone carries thread because it is a true bummer to have to wait for thread to arrive to start a project.

Happy Stitching!

Inspiration...Printed Shirt

 I have become obsessed with the Poetry website.  Here is another shirt:

This is the Printed Shirt from Poetry.  Price tag: $198.00.  Details:  100% cotton, machine washable, short boxy silhouette, delicate collar and stand, double yoke, soft gathering at front and back yoke, full length sleeves, gently gathered sleeves into a narrow cuff with one button, gently curved shirt-tail hem.

I love this blouse but I can not bring myself to order it nor can I not think about the price.  I would be terrified that I would do something to it.  A pattern is not hard to come come up with.  To me, this is the Liesl & Co Classic Shirt with some minor modifications:

I have made this pattern like seven times in the past two years.  There is nothing like having a pattern that you can just sew and not worry about the fit.  However, it does boring to make the exact shirt over and over.  Here are the changes that I would make to view B:

• Take away the pockets
• Add enough width to the from bodice to make the gathers to the yoke
• Narrow the cuff
• Add length to the sleeve to make up for the narrow cuff
• Add width to the back bodice to gather into the yoke (remember that there is pleats)
• Change the placket to a plain blouse placket.

I think that is all the changes.  I will be on the look out for some kind of fabric that gives the feel of this shirt.  Hope you are inspired to create something wonderful.

Happy Stitching!

Inspiration...Christmas Pillow

 Christmas is my favorite time of the year.  I love decorating and will start the day after Thanksgiving and end around the epiphany.  This year I found this pillow cover:

This is the Nostalgic Tree Embroidered Pillow Cover from the Pottery Barn.  Price tag: $99.50.  Description: 50% cotton/27% linen/23% rayon, reverses to 100% cotton melange in solid color, zipper closure, accomodates 20-inch insert, spot clean.

I truly love the idea of making this pillow cover.  The embroidery would be a definite slow down for me because I am slow.  Here are generally instructions for creating a pillow cover:

1.  Size - I make mine the same size as the pillow insert so that the dog ears are less likely to show.  Example - this is a 20-inch pillow insert add 1-inch to the that to allow for 1/2-inch seam allowances.

2.  Decide how you want to do the zipper.  I have instructions for a lapped zipper here.  

3.  Generally instruction for how I decided on the sizes for the back are here.  

4.  How to create your piping here.

If you want to see the floor pillows that the created, do a floor pillow search.  I still have those pillow covers and forms.

Now for the embroidery, I think I would just free hand something and start embroidering.  Don't forget to locate little ornaments for the tree.

Happy Stitching!

Inspiration...Jacket and Skirt

 This outfit is create a long and lean silhouette.  It gives a little bit of the 90s feel.

This is the Camel Hair Patch Pocket Collarless Jacket by Lafayette 148 New York. Price tag: $2198.00.  Details:  camel hair, dry clean, straight fit, twill lining, dolman long sleeve, snap closure, patch pockets, tonal pickstitch finish.

This is the Camel Hair Slim Pencil Skirt by Lafayette 148 New York.  Price tag: $1198.00.  Details:  slim silhouette, sits at waist, zip back, lower calf length, waist darts, lined, charmeuse piping with pickstitching at the waist, camel hair, vented back, dry clean.

Here is a detail shot of the pick stitching for the jacket:

Here is a detail shot of the piping and pick stitching on the skirt:

Here is a video on how to accomplish pickstitching from Threads.

To complete the outfit, check out the Striped Silk French Cuffed Blouse by Lafayette 148.  Price tag: $998.00.  All items can be found on the Lafayette 148 website.

This is such a great outfit for working at an office.  I suppose if you just wanted to dress up a bit on a daily basis it would still be great.  Now, for some patterns:

This is the Atelier Scammit Claudie jacket pattern.  The view on the upper left is the one that I thinking would do a fair job for the inspiration jacket.  You would need to add a closure as this pattern is meant to be open.  

This is an older Butterick pattern from the 2000s.  View A has the kickpleat.  This has pockets which you can leave or take away depending on the look you are wanting.  This might be difficult to find but anything similar would work.

I have made this particular pattern and I found it to have a very pronounced high curve.  So, keep that in mind and be sure to make a muslin or toile.

Fabric - 

• Easy care - a brushed cotton twill - a Mood fabric
• Medium care - a wool fabric - online fabric store
• More effort care - a cashmere camel hair herringbone - etsy store

Hope you are inspired to create something wonderful.

Happy Stitching!

Rhapsody Round Two...

 I think this will definitely be the last spring/summer top for this season.  I purchased this fabric back in February specifically for the Rhapsody Blouse:

This is a rayon challis and was actually perfect for the Rhapsody blouse.  You can see my original muslin here, and the first wearable blouse here.

I can really see why people love this blouse.  With the exception of the binding, it is fast.  Here is the second wearable blouse:

Overall, I am pleased with this top.  I had added a little more space in the bodice while keeping the yoke the same.  I added 1/2-inch in the middle of the front bodice and just added more gathers.  The back bodice was placed 1/2-inch from the fold.  This gave me and added 2-inches all the way around.  Here is the sides and back:

  

The top may still be a bit long in the back.  I like the length in the front.  I still have a little bit of poofing at the back of the sleeve.  I thought I had taken care of the that but I do not know what is causing it.  Any suggestions would be greatly appreciated.

I am planning on more Rhapsody but it will be a long sleeved version for fall/winter and I am planning to change the neckline just a little bit.

Happy Stitching!

Inspiration...Sheath Dress

 Just a little more tweed because you can not have too much.

This is the Donegal Tweed Sleeveless Sheath Dress by Lafayette 148 New York.  Price tag: $1198.00.  Details: vented back, fitted, sleeveless, lined, zip back, waist darts, dry clean only.

I think we can do better with price and cleaning ability.  Now even though this is a super simple sheath dress, I had a hard time finding a simple dress like this.  The neckline is where the issue is at.  I suppose if you owned somethiing with this neckline you could tranfer it to your pattern.  I was able to locate two sheath dress patterns.

This is Butterick 6849.  A simple sheath dress with a waist line.  This would be a very versatile pattern to own.

This is McCall's 7533.  This sheath dress pattern gives you four sleeve variations and two hem variations.  It is not as fitted as the Butterick pattern but adding front and back darts will take care of that.  Remember to follow the rules of dart placement.

So, do you know the difference in a shift dress and a sheath dress?  The shift dress falls from the shoulder and typically is looser and straighter silhouette.  The sheath dress is fitted to the body curves.  I think the Butterick pattern is more of a sheath dress and the McCall's pattern is more of a shift dress.

Hope you are inspired to make something beautiful. 

Happy Stitching!

Inspiration...Tweed Pants

 We will stick with the tweed clothing for a bit.  Here is a beautiful pair of tweed pants:

This is the Donegal Tweed Gates Pants by Lafayette 148 New York.  Price tag: $998.00.  Details:  full through hip and thigh, sits at waist, zip front, full length, slant pocket and back welt pockets, back waist dart, high rise.

This is just a wonderful looking pair of pants.  Tweed is a fabulous fabric.  Here is the perfect pattern:

This is the Liesl & Co Hollywood Trousers pattern. This pattern is an almost perfect fit for the inspiration photo.  Just add the back welt pockets and you are done.

This will make part of a wonderful suit if you are so inclined.

Happy Stitching!

Rambling...

 Reflecting on the state of sewing in the US.  How did we get to the place we are in 2025?  

With the demise of JoAnn Fabrics, I find myself in a bewildering world.  To my knowledge, there is no good local thread sources.  Walmart and Hobby Lobby carry some commercial patterns (McCall's and maybe Simplicity).  They also carry wee bits of fabric.  Walmart is more of a muslin type fabric although once in while there are great finds.  Hobby Lobby, I have not spent much time looking at their fabrics.  I need to go by and see if what they are carrying - fabric, interfacing, etc.

Even 40 years ago, we still had great local options.  So what happen?  I can only guess that JoAnn Fabrics slowly pushed every one out or purchased them.  With JoAnn Fabric being the only game in town, why did they feel the need to have constant coupons?  Personally, I would rather be offered an honest price than one that have been inflated so the coupons can be offered.  

Pattern companies - 40 years ago, the big commercial pattern companies were doing relatively well. Probably not perfect but I do not remember hearing about issues.  Great designs were still being offered from all of them.  Now, we find that the company that had owned the commercial pattern companies sold them to a liquidator.  This was a result of tariffs and JoAnn Fabric closing.  Where does that leave the commercial pattern companies?  They are currently still operating.  Will there still be great designs created?  To be honest, there have not been a lot of great designs coming of the big commercial design companies and I suspect that is because no one wants to pay for the patterns.  Remember, it costs money to make a design.  There are lots of people involved in the process.  Somewhere along, we stopped paying for those patterns and were only willing to purchase them at JoAnn Fabrics hugely discounted prices. In the last 30 or so years, independent pattern companies have become a big thing.  Why are people willing to purchase independent patterns at $10, $15, $20, or so for each pattern but find it impossible to purchase the big commercial patterns for the same pricing structure?  Honestly, it is not the drafting.  I have found more poorly drafted patterns with independent companies than the big commercial companies.  Folks, I own hundreds of patterns.  Collecting patterns is just another hobby.

I will admit that many of the online fabric stores are stepping up and offering thread matching services.  I think all three of the companies that I generally purchase from are now offering this service.  The thing that I have found with the service is that you might not get enough thread and you end up having to order more and paying shipping.

I did purchase a thread chart from an online notions company.  This has helped except many times when purchasing online the numbers are not listed but a name.  So far, I have been able to locate charts with the commerical, wholesale, and thread names.  This has helped tremendously with locating thread but there is still the issue of paying large shipping costs.  I think in the future there will be less spontaneous purchases of fabric because the project needs to be planned start to finish and products received of them.

So, how is all the weirdness of the US sewing world affecting you?  We have not seen how the tariffs will change things but we can be assured that the prices will rise at least 25% and probably more.  

Happy Stitching!

Inspiration...Tweed Jacket

 There is nothing like a beautiful jacket and this one makes that cut:

This is the Donegal Tweed Button Fitted Blazer by Lafayette 148 New York.  Price tag: $1898.00.  Details:  slim fit, flap pockets, structured shoulder, lined, long sleeve, button cuff vent, 2 button closure.

Yes, we could definitely make a jacket less than the price of this one even purchasing Donegal Tweed.  Even you paid $80 per yard, you could make several jackets.   Just sew with confidence.  How do you feel about cutting into fabric at that price point?

Now, patterns can be a real issue here.  Very few companies are putting out classic patterns.  Finding one with a two-button closure is even harder.  McCall's has recently came out with this pattern:

This is McCall's 8614.  It is a unisex pattern which for a female would most likely mean oversized.  You could probably play around and get it to fit closer.

This is probably a good time to look at older or vintage Vogue patterns.  I know this style of jacket was very common in the past.

Hope you are inspired to create something wonderful.

Happy Stitching!

New Itch To Stitch Sorata Dress PDF Pattern...

 Itch to Stitch's newest dress pattern is perfect for the hot days at the end of summer.  Here are the line drawings of the Sorata Dress:

The Sorata Dress has the following features:

• Cup sizes for a personalized fit
• 4 armhole/sleeve options & 3 skirt lengths
• Slip-on style—no closures needed
• Softly gathered waist with 3 rows of elastic
• Optional in-seam pockets
• Designed for lightweight woven fabric

The sewing skill level is intermediate.  Size range is 00-40.

The Itch to Stitch Sorata Dress is at a 20% discount through August 14, 2025 at 11:59 US Mountain Time.  No code necessary.  Volume discounts still apply so it is a good time to look around.

Be sure to look around at the testers' version of the Sorata Dress on the blog post for the pattern release.

I am an Itch to Stitch affiliate.   Any purchases made through a link on this page will result in a small commission to me at no cost to you.

Happy Stitching!

First of Fall/Winter Sewing...Taroko Skirt

 I wanted to make one more Itch to Stitch Taroko Skirt for fall and winter.  Here are the line drawings:

Here it the fabric that was purchased:

This was suppose to be teal but it is much closer to a navy.  Yes, it was one of the "I am disappointed fabrics" but it still works within my color pallet.  The only top that probably will not go with it is the teal challis that I purchased in June.

Here is the finished skirt:

The Taroko Skirt has turned into one of my favorite skirt patterns having made four in the past year.  That is two for cooler weather and two for warmer weather.    If you have not tried it, you should.  That is if you like a simple a-line skirt.

I have discovered the inconvenience of not having a local thread source with the projects but Amazon came to the rescue.  Thread matching is really tough when you do not have a good way to match the thread.  I do have a Gutterman thread chart but it has numbers and not names.  When looking on-line, the names are mentioned and they do not always list the color number.

I also tried a new interfacing.  It states that it is a medium weight fusible.  I purchased this fusible from Walmart from a company called H.B.I. Products.  I had a hard time getting this to fuse and stay fused.   Oh, well, you have to try it to know how it will work.  

I am an Itch to Stitch affiliate.   Any purchases made through a link on this page will result in a small commission to me at no cost to you.

Happy Stitching!

Inspiration...Bib-Detail Dress

 This dress is a very casual every day sort of dress.  I fell in love with it:

This is the Bib-Detailed Dress from Poetry.  Price tag: $278.00.  Details:  100% linen, machine wash, long-line relaxed silhouette, collar and stand, bib-detail with placket and pleat, full length sleeves with gathers into cuffs, cuffs with single-button fastening, pockets at the side seams, back yoke with gathering.   

I really want this dress.  However, I am a little leary of what I might have to pay in tariffs.  This makes duplication my best bet.  I looked high and low for a pattern and finally found this one:

This is The Niven dress/shirt pattern from Merchant & Mills.  Folks it is almost identical to the inspiration photo.  I will need to figure out the collar and straighten the hem.  That is pretty good for locating a similar pattern.  I do not have linen hanging around in the stash but I do have some light weight denim.  I purchased it with the intentions of making a shirt dress.  

Hope you are inspired to create something wonderful. 

Happy Stitching!