For the 16th post in my 
series, the letter P, I chose to sew a pattern I found on the New Zealand blog “Pattern Scissors Cloth”. The Ruby Slip, posted on 12/10/11, is available as a free downloadable pattern. Sherry, the blogger behind Pattern Scissors Cloth, also hosted a sew-along for the pattern on 12/12/11.
Continue reading “P is for Pattern Scissors Cloth: Free Downloadable Pattern”
It is Memorial Day Weekend here in the US. Memorial Day is the day we remember and honor our fallen war heroes. I personally don’t know anyone who has died while in service to our country, but am exceedingly grateful for those who are willing to put themselves in harm’s way. That’s a lot to ask of anyone. And though we may not be a … Continue reading McCall’s 6961 – Pattern Review
Here is Claire McCardell’s The Essential Eleven – Eleven rules every designer, either professional or individual should embrace. Learn to see Learn to sew Learn to drape Learn color Learn anatomy Learn to wear clothes well and appropriately Learn the difference between good taste and bad taste Learn what sells and what doesn’t Learn fashion history – trends-cycles Learn how to feel changes before they come Learn how … Continue reading Born on this Day Claire McCardell – May 24, 1905
For my 2nd post in my quest to sew at least one project from every sewing book I own, I’ve sewn another purse. I didn’t have a choice as to what to sew this time – the book I used is “Making Vintage Bags” by Emma Brennan. “Making Vintage Bags” was published in 2007 and contains instructions and patterns to create 20 original purses. This handbag sewing book is unique because the purses are vintage-inspired. The styles are reminiscent of bags from the 1920s through the 1950s, with 5 patterns representing each decade. Continue reading “Making Vintage Bags Purse Project”
After a few busy weeks where I didn’t have time to sew, the thought of going back to the the moto jacket I was working on was starting to feel like a chore. Do you ever spend so long on a project it starts to weigh on you? I’m still going to finish it, I SWEAR, I just felt that at the moment I needed an easy win to get my confidence back up. Enter Vogue 1395 – a Rebecca Taylor dress pattern from the latest spring Vogue collection. Continue reading “Vogue 1395 – Back in the saddle”
I love scarves. Love wearing ’em and making ’em. Here are a couple of scarves that I made on a Sunday afternoon. This first one is fabric from Lynne that she scored while she was in Japan. It’s from an old kimono that must have been a beautiful kimono in its prime. Lynne, during her trip to Japan stopped at a place that sells kimono … Continue reading Out of scraps a beauty is born – Making scarves from scraps
Yet again I have a new book sitting on my shelf, beckoning me with fun projects. “Sew Gifts!” from That Patchwork Place has been tempting me for a few months now. I purchased it largely for the project on the cover and the Dresden Pouch shown on the Introduction page. I am indeed getting lazy because I know I can figure out most projects in the book without instructions, but I just don’t want to anymore! Continue reading ““Sew Gifts!” and the Zippered Dresden Pouch”
For the 15th post in my series, the letter O, I chose an Ottobre design pattern. Ottobre design is a Finnish sewing magazine, with traceable patterns included in each issue. The magazine is printed in Finnish, English, German, French, Dutch, and Swedish. They also publish a separate children’s pattern magazine. Ottobre is available as a subscription here. I don’t actually have a subscription to Ottobre though, fellow Denver Sews blogger Jamie gave me the Autumn/Winter 2013 issue at a Denver Sewing Collective meet-up. Thanks Jamie!
Considering the summer styles are usually when Burda patterns seem to drop off in complexity and I start to lose interest, I was pretty happy with the variety in the May issue. Let’s jump right in… My favorite dress from this issue was this v-neck raglan sleeve dress with contrast bands along all the seam lines. Unfortunately for me this was a tall pattern and I don’t know that I have the enthusiasm to shorten it. Continue reading “Burda May 2014 Review (International Edition)”
Jane awhile back talked about her handpicked zipper that she did on Butterick 5917. I tend to avoid any hand sewing like the plague. My Sewing OCD comes out like crazy because I want all the stitches to be nice and even. Plus, I’m a horrific hand-sewer to begin with, OCD aside. So it was with great reluctance that I decided to put in a … Continue reading Handpicked Zipper Application – Tutorial
At the last Denver Mancuso Quilt Festival, I purchased some quilting tools that looked extremely promising. The first was a tool for trimming perfect half-square triangle blocks from Bloc Loc. The second was a set of tools from guidelines4quilting that promised to make cutting strips easy and ruler-slippage a thing of the past! Continue reading “Some Cool Quilting Tools”
For the letter N, the 14th post in my series, I used New Look pattern 6598. I don’t think I’ve ever sewn a New Look pattern that ended up fitting me, probably because I used to sew the size that matched my measurements. I’ve now learned to sew one size smaller when using commercial patterns. In fact 6598 wasn’t a pattern I wanted to purchase or sew. Because of my fear of sewing buttonholes and zippers I usually choose knit pullover tops. And 6598 is a blouse – with buttonholes! So how did I wind up using New Look 6598 for my N project? Continue reading “N is for New Look 6598”
I cannot help but be intrigued by a cute, usable fabric box with a seemingly complicated design on its exterior. I’ve been thinking of buying the privilege of watching this video for some time and finally did. Continue reading “DailyCraftTV – Chevron Fabric Basket REVIEW”
Running my first Maker Faire was a grand experiment. I went in with a ton of clothing and fabric and a thread bare plan. Fortunately, Jamie was there on Friday’s load-in to help plan something a little better than “Oh, just make stuff, I guess”. On her suggestion we went to the Last-stop-before-Africa-store, aka Goodwill Outlet where you buy stuff by the pound. We got 33 … Continue reading Denver Mini Maker Faire – Recap
For my 18th 
post, the letter M, I chose to sew McCall’s 6074. This pattern includes 3 lengths of sleeveless or cap-sleeved deep V-neckline knit pull-over dresses.
I really like this dress style. The elastic below the bust gives the dress shape – it’s body conscious but doesn’t cling in any of the wrong places. I can see why it has 18 favorable reviews on Pattern Review. It’s easy to sew (no zippers or buttonholes!) and would be a great pattern for a beginning sewer to make, just like 9 of the 18 pattern reviewers stated. Of the remaining 9 reviews, 6 reviewers rated this pattern as highly recommended, 2 said they would recommend it with modifications, and 1 said it’s a great wardrobe builder. Continue reading “M is for McCall’s 6074”
I used to think that applying appliques with fusible web was cheating. But at the same time, I am too impatient to ever apply appliques by hand. Hence, I would drool over those cute designs I’d see and wish that I could figure out a way to try them out without “cheating”. Well, I’ve had a change of heart and decided that fusible web is the way to go. How much fun would it be to be able to simply scan an applique design from a book and cut out all of the pieces you need without any tracing or cutting with scissors? Continue reading “Fusible Appliques with a ScanNCut”
Just two short days to Denver Mini Maker Faire! For me this is not mini. AT ALL. I’m getting a little nervous with crowds expected at 20,000-30,000. Sure, they’re not all coming to see the Denver Sewing Collective but, still. When Karen asked if I could/would do this I didn’t hesitant and said yes straight away. I’m kind of jump-in-the deep end kind of person. … Continue reading 2 Days to Denver Mini Maker Faire!
Denver Sewing Collective 