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!