SEWmuchKNITting

I think it was 10 years ago or so that I last went to Stitches Midwest , so I thought it was time for another trip! First stop was at  Honey Biscuit  in Mount Prospect, IL to fuel up for the fun day ahead. Yes, that is one delicious cinnamon roll pancake on the right.....heavenly!                                            After a couple of hours of shopping the vendors, and soaking in the colors and textures of so many beautiful yarns, it was time to take a break and sit in on Karla Overland of Cherrywood Fabrics  lecture on the color challenges for quilters that she has facilitated over the last few years.                                            The first time I went to Stitches, I was a bit overwhelmed at the offerings there.......

A  challenge was proposed by our ASG group leader to refashion a garment for our July meeting. It was suggested that we visit a local thrift store, such as a Salvation Army store, or even search in our own closet for a garment, men's or women's, that might benefit from some refashioning.  As an avid Pinterest pinner (LOTS of ideas for refashioning on Pinterest!), I had once considered remaking a men's shirt into an apron for myself, and had already purchased two shirts from Salvation Army for that purpose. But...that was a couple of years ago, and the shirts sat on my shelf, untouched.  So, I decided to use this blue oxford stripe shirt in a Men's XXL for my ASG Challenge. I knew I wanted a summer tunic top, and I knew that I didn't want to cut up the shirt to use as fabric with a commercial pattern. I wanted to challenge myself to use the basic structure of the shirt and work from there. First thing I did was cut off the sleeves and remove the ch...

My dear friend Margaret celebrated a milestone birthday this year, and I just knew the  Oriole Bag  by Sew Sweetness would be perfect for her!  I found this cute purple cotton print at my local JoAnn Fabrics store, as well as the purple lining. I tried my best to match the fabric pattern, and was pleased with the result  :-) I liked that the pattern had instructions for an adjustable shoulder strap, which can be worn as either over the shoulder -or-as a crossbody bag. The necessary hardware included the rectangular strap holders, the adjustable strap slider and the twist lock closure.  Two types of interfacing were used, both  Pellon SF-101 Shape Flex fusible woven interfacing  as well as foam headliner fabric. One inside pocket was placed for either a phone or set of keys. A fun project for a special friend....Happy Birthday, Margaret!

A tale of two dresses and one fabric pre-cut:     My daughter asked if I would sew up a dress for her, using ITY ("so comfy - like wearing pajamas") that would be work appropriate after she saw the one I made for myself for in March for Easter. After looking at the fabulous pre-cut sale at  FabricMart Fabrics , she chose this print, a 4 yard pre-cut: Butterick 5246  , though now out of print, is a very comfortable dress to wear, and indeed "fast & easy" as the pattern states. I had made View B for myself with the cowl neckline, but I'm not a fan of that style and I  find that I'm always fussing with it when I wear it. My daughter wanted the scoop neck version. And even though this is NOT a maternity pattern, it works great for those early months of pregnancy! (Woo-hoo, I get to be a Grandma again!!!!) I'm so pleased that she has worn it several times now, and that it is work appropriate. ...

HotPatterns HP1203:  Fast & Fabulous Kimono Blouson T is another home run from Trudy at HotPatterns! I made this one using a lovely charmeuse which I think was a remnant from Haberman Fabrics a few years ago.  This is a fun, easy and clever design. No bust darts, but the slight front gathers at the hip band allow for the fullness needed. This fit perfectly out of the pattern envelope without any alterations....what a treat! Interfacing was used in the hip band and the sleeve bands from Fashion Sewing Suppl y. Yes, I still had to style with a sweater, since it was 25 F degrees here in Michigan this morning!  Spring.....where are you??? I'll be making this one again, I'm sure! -Patty

Being a fan of Hotpatterns and designer Trudy's previous releases, I had the 1159 Fast & Fabulous Jetsetter Poncho on my radar. But when I attended one of my local American Sewing Guild meetings a few months back, I got to see the pattern made up by one of the members. It was SO cute, and I ordered the pattern immediately...and finally made one last weekend for a date night to see Black Panther. The fabric I used came, from all places, the Salvation Army, and it's a true polyester double knit from the 'old days'.....similar to a fabric that many now call ponte. It has a blue/cream pattern, a very indiscreet check on the public or right side and navy on the other.  I wanted a more structured piece, and this fabric worked perfectly! The pattern shows a more drapey cowl neckline, but that wasn't going to work with this  fabric. Instead, I folded the cowl in half when I attached it to the body of the poncho, and  I like the structured cowl look. I chose not to do an...