Working On A Quilt...

 A couple of  years ago, my brother was clearing stuff out and offered me a quilt top that my Mom had given him.  Now I am in need of clearing space myself, I decided to finish it and give it to my son for a picnic blanket.  Everyone needs this kind of quilt, right?

So I am chatting with my Mom about it thinking that she had made this quilt top but it turns out that my Grandmother made this quilt top for a cousin.  My cousin passed away before the quilt was done so it was returned to my Grandmother.  So this is a 50+ year old  quilt top.  It is time to make it a quilt.  Here is a glimpse at the quilt top:

It is done in white or cream with navy and dark green.  Unfortunately, it is all polyester.  I purchased a queen size poly batting, a queen size sheet, and a yard of black cotton for the binding.  It will be tied.

Happy Stitching!

More Patterns...

 Yeah, I added more patterns to the ever growing pdf pattern collection.  I took a deal on a couple of Liesl & Co patterns:

This is the Camp Shirt + Dress pdf pattern.   

This is the Recital Shirt.  I am really interested in the pleated front on this one.  I am also fairly certain that the collar from the Classic Shirt will work on this pattern.

I have had really good luck with Classic Shirt pattern and I am hoping that adding these two patterns will add a little more interest.  As much as I like the Classic Shirt, it is time for sometbing a little bit of different.  Of course, both of these patterns will need fitting and that is a time issue.

Happy Stitching!

Inspiration...Blazer Jacket

 It is time for some timeless style with jackets.  Here is a good version:

This is the Cashmere-Wool Single-Breasted Blazer Jacket by Akris punto. Price tag: $1670.00.  Details: notched lapel, single-breasted front, long sleeves, slit cuffs, padded shoulders, chest welt pocket, hip patch pockets, slim fit, walking vent back, wool/nylon/polyamide/cashmere, dry clean.

I looked high and low for a two-button jacket and this one finally popped up:

This is McCall's 8614.  It is a perfect reflection of the inspiration picture except for the lower pockets which are easy enough to replace with patch pockets.  It might take a little more fitting to accomplish this as it is a uni-sex pattern.  So it most likely fits a man a little better than a woman.  Hope you are inspired to create something wonderful.

Happy Stitching!

New Itch To Stitch Irazu Skirt Pattern...

 ItchTo Stitch has a new skirt pdf pattern.  Here is the line drawings:

This is the Irazu Skiert pdf pattern.  The skirt features are:

• front and back yoke with gathers
• sits at natural waist
• side invisible zipper
• back elastic for comfort
• optionsal side pockets
• three hem variations - knee length, midi length, and ruffled midi length
• designed for light to medium weight fabric

Skill level is intermediate.

Sizes:  00 - 40

Be sure to check out the testers' versions of this lovely pattern.

This pattern is 20% off through July 24, 2025.  Remember the savings stack, so it is a good time to pick up other patterns.

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!

Rhapsody Revisited...

 I am finally getting back to the Rhapsody Blouse by Love Notions.  This is a much loved pattern and I hope I can get it to work.  My first attempt at the Rhapsody Blouse was an exercise in picking the wrong size.  Folks, I know to check the pattern before cutting.  No idea why I did not.  So, I have now reprinted a different size of the pattern and have applied the length changes that I know that I need.  Here is the finally result:

Not sure about the weirdness in the top photo but hopefully, you can get an idea of the changes that were made.

I do have more of that cute fabric from the first muslin so that is that fabric that I am using.  Here are the results of the second muslin:

I used a straight XL with the full bust option this time. That did not match up with the sizing instructions but measuring the pattern told me to do this.  

Overall evaluations:  The top fits.  I feel like it might be a little on the snug side but that is easy to fix by adding a little bit to the bodice width.  It is possible that the small change could create more changes. Overall I'm happy.

Happy Stitching!

Inspiration...Cigarette Pants

 ...and I thought wide legged pants were going to continue.  Here is a pair of cigarette pants:

This is the Manhattan Cotton Twill Cigarette Pants by Lafayette 148 New York.  Price tag: $698.00.  Details:  flat front, side slant pockets, back welt pockets, side slit hems, cropped at ankle, slim tapered legs, fly zip, belt loops, rise approximately 10 1/4-inches, 29-inch inseam.

This is a very neutral outfit to take you right into fall.  Now, what patterns would be best?  I can think of two but neither are perfect but would get the look.  Here are the options:

This is the Seamwork Clover Pants.  You get the overall look of the Cigarette Pants just not all the details.

This is the Love Notions Sabrina Slims.  Again, you can achieve the look but not all the details.

I think there is plenty to think about here.  What do you think about the Cigarette Pants?

Happy Stitching!

Inspiration...Oversized Shirt

 Today's inspiration is an oversized button-down shirt.  I really like the fabric on this shirt.

This is the Striped Cotton Oversized Amagansett Shirt by Lafayette 148 New York.  Price tag: $698.00.  Details:  exaggerated oversized shape, dropped shoulder, long sleeve, button front with adjustable cuffs, shirttail hem, layered double pocket, 100% cotton, machine washable.  Note - it is not mentioned in the description but the shirt also has a hidden front placket.

This shirt is really large.  I am not a smal person and I think that I could wear a size small which has a bust of  50 1/2-inches.  That would still give me around 7-inches of ease.  Here is a pattern that has the same oversized shape:

This is the Roan Tunic pdf pattern by Seamwork.  This is fairly close to the inspiration photo.  The inspiration shirt also have a back yoke and a back pleat.  You could always add the back yoke.  If I were making this shirt, I would definitely be changing the pockets.  Hope you are inspired to create something wonderful.

Happy Sewing!

More Fabric Disappoint...

 Well, the last batch of fabric has arrived.  The navy appears to be perfect but the teal, it is very much lacking.  Here is are all  of the teals that I have recently purchased plus the navy:

From top to bottom, top left is the first teal twill that I purchased.  It is a nice fabric but to light for fall and winter.  The top right is a teal challis and it is absolutely the perfect blue/green shade of teal.  The middle fabric is more of a royal blue than teal.  I am very much disappointed in it.  Sigh! I may give up looking for teal fabric for a skirt/bottom item.  The bottom fabric is the navy and it is perfect.

Do you ever get disappointments when ordering on-line?

Happy Stitching!

First Summer Sewing...

 I am a little behind this year with the summer sewing and my wardrobe is feeling it.  I started with the Itch to Stitch Taroko Skirt using a navy twill seen in this post.  Here are the line drawing:

This is the third time I have made this skirt.  I do not necessarily want all my skirts to look alike but I do really like being able to pull out a pattern and sew it up.  You can see the changes that I made to the pattern here.  Here is my latest version of this skirt:

I did think that the fabric might be a little to light weight but it turned out okay.  On this skirt, I did a little extra hand sewing around the hem, the pockets, the waistband and it made much of the topstitching easier.  Sometimes, we forget to slow down and enjoy the process.  On to the next project.

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!

More Fabric Coming...

 I know I do not really need to purchase more fabric but I did not have either of these two items in the stash:

This is a navy twill.  It is a polyester/cotton/spandex blend.  The fabric is machine wash and dry.  My intent is to make a Liesl & Co Beckham Trouser and a McCalls jacket.  Both patterns need to be fitted.

This is a teal cotton blend twill.  I purchased two yards.  My intent is to make the Itch to Stitch Taroko Skirt pattern.  This skirt has been fitted and should be a quick to make item.  Well, reasonably quick.  

There is only one more fabric that I am looking for.  It is for a shirt dress and the planned color is pink.  I have not found anything yet.

Happy Stitching!

Inspiration...Applique Pillow

 As much as I love sewing clothing, I also do home dec from time to time.  This pillow is fantastic:

This is the Hollyhocks Embroidered Linen Cushion by Susie Watson Designs.  Price tag: L85.00 ($115-$120.00).  Details:  hand embroidered, linen, finished with pompoms, back is a dimity fabric, and feather pillow included.  Size: 40x54cm (~15 3/4-inches x ~21 1/4-inches).

This is a wonderful pillow.  It is well worth your time to check out the Susie Watson Designs website.  There is a ton of inspiration there.  Who knows maybe you will find something that you need.  

Here is my favorite way to add a zipper to a pillow.  As for the actual size of the pillow, you get to decide.  Just remember to add your seam allowance.  I prefer a 1/2-inch seam allowance for home dec items.  This is really where your creativity can shine.

Happy Stitching!

Inspiration...Sleeveless Shift Dress

 There is nothing like a shift dress for those hot summer days.  This dress is perfect:

This is the Sleeveless Cotton-Blend Shift Dress by Lafayette 148 New York. Price tag: $698.00.  Details:  bust darts, pick stitching, back gore darts, approximately 37-inches from the shoulder to the hem, round neckline, sleeveless, shift silhouette, knee length, back zip, machine wash.

Here is a great pattern -

This is the June Sheath Dress pattern by Style Arc.  Hope you are inspired to create something wonderful.

Happy Stitching!

New Patterns...

 I got intot the last Simplicity sale and purchased a few patterns.  Here they are:

This is Simplicity 3065.  I specifically purchased this pattern for the neckline.  I'm hoping that I can transfer the neckline to my favorite button down shirt pattern - Liesl & Co Classic Shirt Pattern.  

This is Simplicity 3111.  I purchased it specifically for the zip-front jacket.  The pants and shorts are just bonuses.

This is Simplicity 3136.  You get two views of a classic button down shirt.  I purchased this pattern specifically for view B.  Again, I'm hoping to be able to transfer the pleated to my existed Liesl & Co Classic Shirt pattern.

This particular sale is no longer running but there is a pdf sale going which if you're looking for a particular pattern might be a good time to purchase it.

Happy Stitching!

Itch To Stitch Tuesday Sale...

 Itch to Stitch has resumed the Tuesday sale.  Here it is:

This is the Nittany Top pdf pattern.  This pattern is a perfect summer staple.  Available in sizes 00 - 40 with cup options. The pattern is on sale at $6.00USD  through 11:59 Mountain Time on Tuesday, July 1, 2025.  Want to see on others?  Check out this post.  

As always, the volume discounts apply when purchasing.  So, it is a good time to look around.

I am an  Itch to Stitch affiliate.  Any purchases made through my links will result in a small commission at no cost to you.  Thank you!

Happy Stitching