Kwik Sew 3766, A Pattern Review

I’ve finally been successful in breaking my sewing slump! I did it with Kwik Sew 3766, a “Kwik Start, Learn-to-Sew” top pattern. The pattern description reads: “Close fitting pull-over tops have self fabric neckbands. View A has a round neckline and full length sleeves. View B has a scoop neckline and short sleeves. Tops are very easy to sew and have special easy-to-follow sewing instructions.” I made the size medium because Kwik Sew, unlike most other commercial sewing patterns, fits true to size. Continue reading “Kwik Sew 3766, A Pattern Review”

katboulderJanuary 30, 2015January 29, 201515 Comments

Finished Projects

Vogue 1367 – Rebecca Taylor Blouse in JCrew Rayon Twill

Like Kitty, I’ve been in a sewing slump for the last month. For me the only way out of a slump is to make something I really love, which is a dumb thing to say because I don’t start any project with the intention of hating it. If I was smart I would have picked an easy win, like a pattern I already know fits made out of a fabric I’m really into… but I never sew with that much intention. After abandoning a couple other projects I won’t even name (okay, Burda top I was in love with from the November issue… you let me down big time) this Vogue pattern literally fell out of my closet. It’s a Rebecca Taylor designer pattern and the cover photo was great. If I thought harder about it, I would not have picked a Vogue designer pattern during a slump considering the number of fitting issues they always seem to bring about. (Kitty laughed when I told her I was working on a Vogue designer.) But… I think my slump is over! Continue reading “Vogue 1367 – Rebecca Taylor Blouse in JCrew Rayon Twill”

JamieDSCJanuary 28, 2015January 28, 20157 Comments

Refashions

Fifty Shades of Grey Refashion (Minus Forty Seven)

No, I’ve never read “Fifty Shades of Grey”, and I don’t plan on seeing the movie when it opens in theaters on Valentine’s Day. But I’ve been asked so many times if I’ve read the book that the title stuck in my mind when I decided to refashion several pieces of grey clothing. Perhaps because of my thrifty ways, I really enjoy refashioning clothing I no longer wear into something I will wear. And as a contributor to the Refashion Co-op blog, … Continue reading Fifty Shades of Grey Refashion (Minus Forty Seven)

katboulderJanuary 27, 201516 Comments

Finished Projects

Kwik Sew 3567, A Pattern Review

For my third sewing slump buster attempt I chose Kwik Sew 3567. I knew I would love this top! Its contrasting side panels and close fit are flattering for my body type – the close fit makes the most of my small bust and the contrasting side panels lengthen and optically slim my short torso. I was sure this pattern would be successful for me. I searched my fabric stash for two coordinating knits and I made sure to pick STRETCH knits this time! Okay, so what could possibly go wrong? Continue reading “Kwik Sew 3567, A Pattern Review”

katboulderJanuary 25, 2015January 19, 20153 Comments

Challenges

Denver Sews Challenge – February 2015 – Show your sewing room!

I can hear the groans from here: Show my sewing room, are you crazy?! Whether you’re lucky enough to have an actual room of your own or you can only sew on the kitchen counter at certain times of the night we should hold our creative spaces near and dear. This challenge is a safe place to show and tell the good, the bad and the ugly about … Continue reading Denver Sews Challenge – February 2015 – Show your sewing room!

JillyJanuary 24, 2015January 23, 201515 Comments

Challenges, Finished Projects

Kitty’s January Threads Challenge

Originally I was quite excited about Jane’s “I Saw It In Threads Magazine” challenge idea. However, the January challenge proved quite difficult for me! As soon as the theme was announced I flipped through my stack of Threads, purchased from a public library out-of-date magazine sale years ago. With my love of all things vintage, I thought it wouldn’t matter that the projects within were not au courant. I assumed it’d be a no-brainer for me to find a project for the challenge, but no such luck. I did see several interesting ideas while perusing my outdated issues, but for one reason or another, I ended up scrapping all of those possibilities as unworkable. Continue reading “Kitty’s January Threads Challenge”

katboulderJanuary 23, 2015January 22, 20155 Comments

Challenges, Tutorials

January Challenge – Quick Bias Binding Tip from Threads

This challenge made me realize I need to get a physical subscription to Threads! I converted all my subscriptions to digital some time ago (except Burda, duh) to try and cut down on paper clutter. But after waiting 20 minutes on my iPad for EACH issue to re-download, and then having them all mysteriously disappear the next day so I had to wait for them to download AGAIN… I’ve had it with the digital subscription. Anywho… the thing that caught my eye was this tiny tip on the bottom of a page in the October/November 2014 issue:

Continue reading “January Challenge – Quick Bias Binding Tip from Threads”

JamieDSCJanuary 22, 2015January 22, 20155 Comments

Junk Drawer, Tips & Tricks, Tutorials

Thread’s Magazine January Challenge – Easy couture technique for waistbands

Originally posted on The magical effects of thinking:
New pencil skirt Since I make a lot of skirts I’ve decided to up the ante and start adding in couture techniques or different elements to keep my skills moving forward. On this pencil skirt from Burda 8155 I used a couture waistband technique from Susan Khalje which is featured in the latest issue of Threads magazine (March 2013). The short… Continue reading Thread’s Magazine January Challenge – Easy couture technique for waistbands

JillyJanuary 21, 2015January 20, 20151 Comment

Challenges, Finished Projects

January Challenge – Threads Material Mix

This month’s challenge was to try something from a Threads Magazine. The challenge I found was “Material Mix” from January 2013. I was already planning on trying to knock off my favorite ready-to-wear skirt purchased from Costco a few years ago, so I thought I’d try and make it in two fabrics and duplicate the kick pleat, also covered in the same issue. I started … Continue reading January Challenge – Threads Material Mix

lynnenewJanuary 19, 2015January 4, 20158 Comments

Finished Projects, Reviews

McCall’s 6796, A Pattern Review

For several weeks I’ve been in a terrible sewing slump. My sewing mojo’s been MIA and every project I’ve attempted has turned out badly. So I decided to make some quick and easy winter tops to try to turn the tide. I looked through my pattern stash and pulled out the top patterns that struck me as the easiest to sew. Continue reading “McCall’s 6796, A Pattern Review”

katboulderJanuary 18, 2015January 18, 201515 Comments

History, Junk Drawer

Making tutu’s for professional ballet companies and other behind the scene peeks

I worked in theater and costumes BM (before marriage) and one of my favorite jobs was at the Pacific Northwest Ballet Company in Seattle, WA. I loved being back stage watching the ballerinas dance and hearing their shoes strike the stage. I was enthralled with the dancers during warm up and, completely entranced as I watch them dance en pointe. I worked up in the … Continue reading Making tutu’s for professional ballet companies and other behind the scene peeks

JillyJanuary 15, 2015January 13, 20153 Comments

Reviews

Burda January 2015 Review (International Edition)

The January edition of Burda magazine is always a low point because they devote a section to costumes for Carnival – a holiday in Germany where you dress up like Halloween, I guess? This month there was also a maternity wear section with a bunch of dresses that didn’t really interest me, so double disappointment. There were still a few good patterns to be had though… Continue reading “Burda January 2015 Review (International Edition)”

JamieDSCJanuary 14, 2015January 13, 20156 Comments

Finished Projects, Reviews

Mo Bags – Kwik Sew 4093 and The Lucy Tote Bag

Clearly I cannot resist a new bag pattern that catches my fancy! Kitty recently made a couple renditions of Kwik Sew 4093 (bag B) that I loved for its size and patchwork potential. Kitty entered her wool tote in a Pattern Review contest and wrote about it here. It looks great in black, grey, and red. Continue reading “Mo Bags – Kwik Sew 4093 and The Lucy Tote Bag”

lynnenewJanuary 12, 2015January 3, 20153 Comments

Finished Projects

Anthropologie Hack – How to sew an Anthropologie dress using sewing patterns

I love Anthropologie. I am a total sucker for their stylish content marketing, I fall hook line and sinker. Well, not exactly. I have gone to their brick and mortar stores to look at the quality of their garments and frankly, not impressed. On average an Anthropologie dress can cost from 120-348.00, basic Made In China ‘stuff’. So, what is an Anthropologie lovin’ woman to do? Hack it together herself.

In the 2014 fall/winter catalog there are many dresses I would love to have and so I shall by making them myself.

My first hack is this one. And, for some reason it is no longer on their website. It is made of rayon jersey, 3/4 sleeves, scoop neck in a soft grey with a black contrasting fabric and gathers at the waist. Full price was listed at 148.00. Fabric is listed as ‘imported’. Unless it’s from Italy or other more ‘luxurious’ places I’m thinking ‘imported’ generally means China.