Inspiration...Shirt Dress

Even though it's January, it's time to start thinking about a warmer weather wardrobe.  I think this dress will be a good start:

This is Lafayette 148 New York Eleni Artisan Bouquet Short-Sleeve Stretch Cotton Midi Dress.  Price tag: $598.00.  Check out the Neiman Marcus website if you want a closer look.

What do you think of the midi length?  I think I'm loving it.  Notice the other details is a hidden placket, cuffed sleeves, and a self belt.

Here is a similar dress pattern:

This is McCall's 7351.  This isn't an exact match for the inspiration but it does have a view with the cuffed sleeve.  Required changes would be the hidden placket, a soft fabric belt, and length.

Happy Stitching!

Elastic thread...

Have you tried any of the elastic threads?  I have tried few like Wooly Nylon, Polyarn, and Maxi-Lock Stretch.  I worried a bit about Wooly Nylon and Maxi-Lock Stretch melting because they are nylon.  I have successfully used the Maxi-Lock Stretch in the bobbin when using a twin needle.  The Polyarn is polyester and has a much higher melting point.  It also comes in many colors.

I was watching a video on youtube on Working with Fold Over Elastic and she was using an elastic thread to stitch the elastic to the fabric edge.  Here's another video just on the EloFlex thread.  Here's a blog post on the EloFlex thread at Make It Coats Blog.  Here's a video from J Stern Designs on making yoga pants using this thread.  She gives a lot of information on using the thread and it is definitely worth watching.  This is really great information for those who do not own a serger or for those who don't really want to always use a double knit when hemming knits.

I will have an upcoming blog post when I use this thread in some of the seams.  I do own a serger and will use it where appropriate.  In general, I always have an issue with straight stitching on a knit.  Hopefully, this will be very helpful.

I was able to get a spool at the local JoAnn Fabric and Craft store with a 50% off coupon.  The Make It Coats blog states that there are 21 colors but I don't think the local store has that many colors in stock.  I was happy that they had 1 spool of black.  The regular price at the JoAnn store is about $4.00 a spool.

In digging around, I found the Create For Less website also carries the Eloflex thread for almost half the price per spool.  This would be a great buy if you purchase several spools.  The Sewing Place carrys Eloflex thread also.  There are a few options for ordering.  This would definitely be a great add-on item when ordering on-line.

Have you tried the Eloflex thread?  How did it work for you?

Happy Stitching!
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Lounge Pants - Simplicity 8519

While my son was here at Christmas I asked if he was interested in another pair of lounge pants.  Surprisingly, he jumped at the chance.  I had a plaid fabric that I not sure exactly what it was.  It was fuzzy like a flannel but I think it was a very firm knit.  There was 5 1/2 yards so I jumped at the chance to make 2 pair of lounge pants - one for my son and one for my husband.  So, I checked the pattern stash and couldn't believe that I didn't have a pattern for lounge pants.  Walmart to the rescue with Simplicity 8519:

Yep, I paid full price for it.  Well, Walmart prices anyway.

Things that I chose to do:

1.  I made an XL for both guys.  If there is a next time, I will make a L.
2.  Lengthen leg by 3 inches.
3.  No attempt made to match the plaid.  I think that a printed plaid isn't the best thing to match.

Son's pants:

Yes, I purposely cut his head off.  That's for his privacy.  I think the pant will be comfy and hopefully warm.  His studio apartment is apparently very cold.

Hubby's pants:

My husband liked the pant but thought that they might be a little baggy.  Evenings hanging out around the house will be comfy for him.

Conclusion:

This is not a beginners pattern because of the fly instructions.  I don't generally read instructions word for word but look at the pictures.  This is not the first time that I made a fly of this sort but it is the first time that I was totally confused by what was being shown.  Just be aware that there are a lot of fiddly pieces to the front.  It should be very easy to convert to just a pull on pant without all the little pieces.  The waistband would need to be converted.

Overall, this is a nice lounge pant pattern and I will most likely make this again in a L for my husband and son.  I'm also considering making a pair for my Dad in a M.  We'll see what happens.

Happy Stitching!

Inspiration...Leather Jacket

Here's a lovely jacket to start the new year out with:

This is the Lafayette 148 New York Janelle Front-Zip Plonge Leather Jacket.  Price tag:  $1098.00.  You can find this at the Neiman Marcus website.

I have noted many of this style of jacket in the past.  If you have created your own version of this style of jacket, it will be easy to use the same jacket pattern.  If not, this is one of the patterns that I would consider:

This is the Silhouettes pattern #1350 - Janie's Jacket.  It is a very versatile jacket pattern.

Have you worked with leather before?  I haven't made a garment with leather.  Maybe someday I will get the courage to make something out of leather.  Have you worked with garment weight leather?  How did it turn out?

Hope you're inspired to created something beautiful.

Happy Stitching!

Looking Back on 2018...

The sewing in 2018 has been much better than the previous year.  It was a busy year but I still found time to sew which felt really good.  Here is my favorite pattern from 2018:

This is The Magic Pencil Skirt pattern by Pamela's Patterns.  I made this skirt three times this year.  Once in a herringbone knit, one in a stretch woven, and once in a cotton jersey.  In all three cases, I made a size medium.  The herringbone skirt is a little bit big.  The cotton jersey is too big and I intend to take it apart and restitching to make it smaller.  The stretch woven skirt is really my favorite.  It was the last skirt that I made and the change that I made is I took larger seams fitting it a little bit closer.

My least favorite item this year was: 

This is the Uvita Top pattern by Itch to Stitch.  This is a free pattern.  I used a really nice knit that I found in the stash and thought that it would be perfect for the pattern and it was kinda.  My issue with my top was that it wouldn't stay put.  It wanted to move upward.  I did make a change to the top by adding darts instead of making a muslin I just sewed it up.  I think this may have been part of the issue. In general, this type of issue would indicate there wasn't enough room.

The most requested items that I had this past year was shopping bags.  I made bags for my son and my husband.  The pattern used was from The Creative Thimble website and is listed under the freebies.

This year I joined up with a group that had a goal of sewing 50 yards of fabric for the year.  I didn't think it was possible but I did end up sewing around 70 yards of fabric.  Unfortunately, I purchased around 57 yards.  At least, that is what is on my spreadsheet.  My actual goal for purchases was zero but sometimes you just don't have what you're looking for in the stash.  I will say that I was much more mindful on purchases this year.  I'm happy that I actually sewed a little more than I purchased.  I will be following this group again for 2019.

How was your 2018 sewing?  Did you accomplish what you wanted to accomplish?

Happy Stitching!