Miscellaneous stuff we don’t know where to put.
Join us from 6 – 9 pm for a few hours of sewing. We’ll be available to take measurements for those that need accurate measuring for garment sewing. Get all the details on the Meetup site. Or leave a comment! Download the measurement chart here. Continue reading Denver Sewing Collective Meetup October 13, 2022
Wow, life has a way of keeping a person busy. Looking back I can’t believe so much time has flown by. The pandemic seems like it was yesterday and a million years ago. I lost my job shortly after March 2020. Went through the cycles of grief over and over and over again. So much happening, so much uncertainty. Finally got out of my funk, … Continue reading Where is Everyone?
If you find you use certain words too much this visual might be just the inspiration you need. Continue reading 101 Words To Use Instead of Amazing
Pumpkin spice lattes, cool weather and gorgeous autumn colors are just around the corner and that means so is fall sewing! My cha-cha skirt was the last summery type garment that I made for summer. I’ve been looking through pattern books, IG feeds and my own patterns in anticipation for fall sewing 2018. I think I”ve narrowed it down a bit. My big sewing project … Continue reading Fall Sewing Plans for 2018
Zeus walked into my life about seven years ago. I was not excited about having a pet of any kind. I knew that I would eventually be the one that was going to take care of it. I hadn’t taken care of a dog or cat in years, and really wasn’t very thrilled about the prospect.
Flash forward to today and I can barely keep the tears in while writing this post. I loved our time together, he brought more joy to my life that I ever thought possible. So, indulge me a bit here, and I’ll tell you about my mighty Zeus (aka Zeusy).
Zeus would usually meet me at the door when I got home from work. As kids get older you find this a great source of joy. You feel loved and needed in a very blatant, in-your-face way. Continue reading “The Loss Of My Mighty Zeus”
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A year off from blogging has given me a wonderful boost in sewing energy. In fact, I did so much sewing last year that I decided to start keeping a written Sewing Journal.
The journal consists of an inexpensive notebook and cover. The cover is one I made a few years ago. It’s fashioned after a leather Franklin Covey planner I loved that I found at a thrift store. My cover fits a 5″x7″ spiral bound notebook perfectly. Continue reading “A Sewing Journal!”
Have you heard or visited the clothing site StyleWe? Is it worth it to spend $$ here? Is it legit? Read on for a review.
StyleWe has a beautiful selection of modern fashion clothes. But, if you visit their Facebook page or SiteJabber you’ll notice a lot of negative complaints. Here’s my experience with StyleWe. Continue reading “StyleWe.com: A Review”
Has anyone noticed the tumble weeds blowing around Denver Sews?
Well, for those that have been wondering we’ve had a few things come up. For one Kitty, who really was the whip cracker of the group, she kept us all on task and kept us moving forward. Kitty had family and friends to tend to and I think the joy of blogging and sewing kind of ran out for the time being. For Jamie work this time of year amps up for her and Lynn had a daughter going off to Japan and family and work obligations. But, she’s posted the first post in a long time!
As for myself, my spouse lost his job, my mother-in-law was evicted from her apartment and had to move into what is essentially our porch and, she has Alzheimer’s which makes the whole thing like a crazy real life Beckett play. Plus, I write up to 5 blog posts/newsletters a week on sewing for work. Even if I had the time the desire has just not been there. Continue reading “Blogging and the Pursuit of Happiness”
The winner of the Jasper Sweater/Dress pattern giveaway is… (drumroll please) Grace L.! I’ll be contacting you via email to get the pattern to you. Continue reading Jasper Giveaway Winner
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
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
I have had my machine for 11 years I have NEVER used one machine stitch other that the basic zig zag, straight, stretch and so on. I didn’t really have a project in mind for this challenge so I just stitched out a little sample of what these stitches actually looked like. Here they are. They are quite thin and the one design, it’s a … Continue reading Jill’s November Challenge – Built-in Machine Stitches
Having a hard time fitting patterns? Learn more on how patterns are made, a history of pattern co. and more. Continue reading Off-Topic: An analysis of why commercial patterns fall short in fitting standards
Most of us that sew a fair amount consider ourselves either Advanced Beginner or Intermediate sewers. We’ve moved past sewing straight lines and we can do things like insert zippers, make wearable clothing sometimes, and tackle a more complicated craft project like a bag with numerous pockets and closures. But what keeps us from calling ourselves Advanced sewers? This is the Question of the Month. What would it take for you to call yourself an Advanced Seamstress? Continue reading “QoM – What does it take to be an Advanced Seamstress?”
As you may have heard I am sewing a core wardrobe. A core wardrobe is a set of pieces usually in one color (to start) and are timeless pieces that are suitable for your lifestyle and fit your needs. I’m using a basic set of pieces similar to what you see below.
Continue reading “Core Wardrobe: Patterns that made the cut”
Still moving forward on my core wardrobe. This is the tough part, editing the closet. Twice a year I change from a spring/summer wardrobe to the fall/winter. And, every year I put a few things in the ‘Donate’ pile. Well, it’s about to get a bit ugly this year. With my goal of sewing a core wardrobe it’s important to get rid of things that … Continue reading Operation: Core Wardrobe – No Pain No Gain – Editing the closet
The idea of sewing my core wardrobe has been growing for the past year. I’ve taken the last 6-9 months or so to plan for it. Not that it needs to take that long to plan for a wardrobe, it’s not like we’re climbing Everest here. Or is it? The first steps in sewing a Core Wardrobe that looks and feels smashing is to determine … Continue reading Operation: Core Wardrobe – What shape am I?
UPDATED! January 2019 I’ve seen a few promos lately for a free downloadable Style Arc pattern if you join their mailing list. Since I’ve been sewing a lot of Style Arc patterns lately I thought I’d evangelize a bit and pass them along… I swear I’m not a shill for the company! I just really appreciate it when I find a company who puts out … Continue reading Try a Style Arc pattern for free!
When I talk about sewing a core wardrobe I find that women are either really excited about it or find it too limiting for their particular creative journey.
For me, sewing and building a core wardrobe is the exact kind of injection I need to give my sewing a bit of discipline and structure. I sew a lot and I think I own only a handful of garments that I truly love wearing and that look good on me. Secondly, this summer alone I’ve sewn about a half dozen skirts but I have no tops that match, so I resort to wearing a tired looking t-shirt or worse I don’t wear them at all! Continue reading “Operation: Core Wardrobe – Sewing a core wardrobe”
I spent one week in Seattle, Washington with my teenage son who is attending the DigiPen Pre-College program. During that week, I hung out with my friend Paula. We met on the textile tour to Japan in March and have been buds ever since. She is an amazing seamstress! Besides doing touristy things, we compared sewing notes and visited many of the local sewing establishments. Continue reading “I Have Seen the Light – Tailoring”
One of the blogs I follow (recently found) is Infectious Stitches. Emmely, the owner of the blog, is a very handy lady she even made her own clapper, pretty cool. Emmely was having a giveaway and I put my name in the hat so to speak . It was the Knip Mode July magazine which I’ve always wanted to get and try some of their patterns. Knip Mode is much like Burda in that you need to copy off the patterns and add seam allowances. But, I like their designs, or at least I like the this issues very much. They look very uncomplicated, relaxed and perfect for me. Continue reading “I’m A Winner! Thanks Infectious Stitches!”
I was intrigued by this little tidbit of fabric from Fabric Mart Fabric. It was in Julie’s Picks for June – a little “scuba knit” fabric from Maggy London. It has a nice combination of colors with a leaf motif. How could I possibly lose with this one? So I ordered up almost two yards and lo this is what I received! I was expecting … Continue reading What to do with a Scuba Knit?
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
I just returned from a 3-week trip to Japan! My hubby and I went on a textile tour, led by Jerry and Carol Saber (you can find out more about their tours here). And if there was any doubt in my mind about the state of sewing in Japan, they have been all but vanquished! Continue reading “The State of Sewing in Japan”
Fashion Revolution is an organization created to build awareness for how and where our clothes are made as well as awareness as to who makes these clothes. Read their mission statement HERE. The date of April 24 is significant for this is the day one year ago where 1133 people died making clothing at the Rana Plaza in Bangladesh. It was a horrific event, which left over 2000 people injured and … Continue reading Who Made Your Clothes? – #insideout @fashion_rev
Many would-be great seamstresses get cold feet right after looking at the back of a sewing pattern. There is a lot going on on such a small piece of paper. A foreign language, metric, diagrams, and good grief body measurements most women would rather not think about! Let’s have a look at the back of a sewing pattern envelope. In the end, not such a … Continue reading How To Read A Sewing Pattern Envelope
At the Denver Sewing Collective’s March Meetup I announced a Cape Sew-Along. There were 3 of us who started to make capes, Karin, Jane and myself. There were a few others who couldn’t make it but we can sew-along for as long as needed. A few notes so far. I got my pattern from Etsy seller Spindesign and really loved the look of it. I … Continue reading March Cape Sew-Along
I have two dresses in progress and about half-a-dozen cut out, ready to sew.
I’ve been trying to gather the courage to make the Ziggi Moto Jacket by StyleArc for a couple months now. The pattern is just my style but… there are SO MANY PIECES. There are 23 (!) pattern pieces, most of which you are cutting 2 of. Basically there are about 50 pieces to sew together. I had fabric set aside that I bought at Colorado Fabrics at the end of last year, I cut the pattern out in February, and then… it just sat there. Until a couple weeks ago when I found out that Sew Maris is doing a Ziggi Jacket sew-along, which was just the spark I needed to get off my butt and just do it. As an aside, I don’t do many sew-alongs because they are mostly targeted towards beginners, so I am so happy that someone is doing a sew-along involving some more advanced techniques. I really need help putting those pocket and sleeve zippers in! Continue reading “Ziggi Moto Jacket – The Plan”
Why is a ready-to-wear denim maxi skirt being featured on a sewing blog post? Continue reading “E is for Embellish!”
Growing up I would watch reruns of Gilligan’s Island before my mom would come home from work. I loved the show for one thing only and that was Ginger. She was, as most know the beautiful red headed movie star stranded on the island with 6 others. I fell for Ginger more so than Mary Ann I think largely because she was so beautiful and … Continue reading Born On This Day – Tina Louise
Denver Sewing Collective had their first Saturday Sew-In on January 25th. And, boy was it a glowing success. Lynne was able to score her housing development’s club house that had lots of tables, natural light a kitchen and even a fire place and couch. At one point there were 16 of us sewing away like so many mad seamstresses. Lynne’s husband Frank even brought his … Continue reading The luxury of sewing all day
My daughter attended Nan Desu Kan 2013 last September. 2012 was the first year she attended but this year she wanted to go in costume! One of her favorite anime shows is “Attack on Titan” and she wanted to attend as one of the soldiers:
I nearly had a heart attack! She would need a custom made shirt, jacket (with embroidered patches), strapping, and a “skirt”. Thankfully I knew I could buy the pants and the boots. And I would need to complete all of this in about a month. Continue reading ““Attack on Titan” – A Cosplay Jacket and Shirt”
Maybe I had too much free time over the New Year to browse the Internet, or maybe a lot of people were inspired to release new patterns, but my to-sew list grew quite a bit over the last two weeks! Here are some new releases I’m excited about. (All images should click through to wherever you can purchase the pattern.)
#1 Workout Wear by Fehr Trade
Fehr Trade has been one of my favorite blogs for a long time, especially for pattern magazine reviews, but Melissa has really outdone herself with these two new pattern releases. The leggings description says “the design lines carry around the sides so you look good from all angles” which is something SO many RTW leggings patterns overlook, and they have a hidden back pocket big enough for keys and a cell phone. The top pattern has a built in bra which can be adjusted independently of the top, and the pattern testers (up to a DD!) seem to agree that it’s enough support without an additional sports bra. I may be making a lot of these! Continue reading “New Patterns I’m Excited About – Plus a Freebie”
I love the New Year. I can’t help but get excited to leave the old year behind and fully embrace the New Year coming. Like many sewers, quilters and crafters I like to think about all the wonderful new things I’ll be sewing and creating. What new techniques will I tackle this year, what new fabrics will I create with, who will I be inspired … Continue reading Sewing and the New Year!
If you own and use a sewing machine, likely you do so in isolation, in the comfort of your sewing room, bedroom, closet or dining room. We have our machines set up just so, our notions and fabric stashes in handy locations, or not. The idea of sewing with others is often a foreign one. If your machine is heavy, there’s some reluctance to try … Continue reading Welcome to Denver Sews!
Denver Sewing Collective 