Recycled Tshirts into a shirt for me!

I've been meaning to make this t shirt from Butterick and Connie Crawford for quite a while.  I'm working on using my coverstitch on the BabyLock so this was good practice.

I goofed on the shoulder and caught part of the pattern from one of the shirts, but I'll wear it anyway!

I lengthened the sleeves to 3/4 length and changed the neck to a V.  I made view B. Its a little difficult to tell from the pattern envelope, but view A is very fitted, B is kinda and C is even less. I chose B because I'm a little thick around the middle after 4 babies.

I'll make the V a little deeper next time and adjust the shoulder a bit, I have a broad back, but I'm very pleased with the results.

Burda Style in English!

I filled out an online form for a free trial of the new Burda Style Magazine in English. Just got my copy yesterday. Yippee! So many patterns and instructions and pdf downloads with instructions and information. I'm so excited about the Magazine. I tried it before in German, but its not quite the same. I need to narrow down my choices and make something for myself!

My Craftsy Class

I had a little trouble getting my pattern for my Craftsy Class, the pattern got lost in the mail the first time they sent it. But, as always, their customer service was spectacular and I got a new one in 2 weeks. I haven't looked at my class for a while, I've been making things for my shop. I'm so happy I can do the class on my own time!

Anyway the pattern is Vogue V1263. The Donna Karan Collection.

I really like it, it is something I can actually wear when I make it.  I'm pretty sure I have enough of a knit for my first test jacket, but I'm not sure yet what fabric I will use for the finished embellished garment. Maybe something like this: Organic Cotton Jersey Knit Chocolate Brown 

If you haven't tried Craftsy yet, they are having a Summer Sale right now, It would be a good time to give them a whirl.

Cute shoe pattern from Etsy

I got this cute shoe pattern from Etsy seller sewingwithme5 back in February, but the shoe I made turned out too short and weirdly wide. I thought it was the pattern because I thought I checked my print settings correctly.

I commented on a FB post by Erika and she said it was something she was going to watch. I was still sure I did it right, but I checked. Dang it, I didn't. The good news is now I *can* have slippers that fit! And I don't have to fuss with the pattern! 

So, I cut the correctly printed pattern out of some leftover sweater pieces, 6 year old flannel pieces from my nieces baby shower gift, and some non-slip fabric from a bin at the thrift store.

Now that is much better! I think I can use a smaller size now. My blanket stitch still needs work, but I'm very pleased with the pattern, it goes together really well!  I did put the opening to turn the shoe on the lining pieces instead of the exterior pieces. It just doesn't make sense to me to have it on the outside. Plus I can machine sew it if it is on the inside.

I think I might have to try another shoe... which one do you like??

Issues with Commercial Patterns

I just made some robes from this pattern. For a church ceremony.

Simplicity 4213


I only made view 1, and it had to be finished quickly so I didn't take pictures.

But here is the issue:


The bottom of the sleeve is drafted to be too small to fit the fold back hem. It is a simple fix, I extended the line so that the hem now will fold back easily.

The problem with this is that someone who can't see that this fix needs to be made will automatically assume that the problem is them and that they can't sew. The pattern overall was great, but this affects the final product. I understand how something like this could happen, whenever I need to make alterations to a pattern or something I'm working on, I have to step away so I can think about it. The pattern companies need to be more careful. This was a simple mistake, but has the potential to cause great frustrations. And frustrated sew*ers stop trying!

A good source for pattern reviews is here. I'm on it too.

Recycled Denim Jacket

I made a denim jacket from three pair of blue jeans and one skirt using Butterick Pattern B0458, by Connie Crawford. I first mentioned the pattern here. As usual my pictures of the garment are not so great, but I'll keep trying!


And this close up turned out a little better.


I also took many picture of how I laid out the pattern pieces on the denim if you are interested you can see them on Flickr

Here is a view of the pieces ready to go together.


I chose the pieces by color, the facing pieces were a slightly lighter weight and that was a real bonus. All the denim was fairly lightweight, I wouldn't recommend diong this jacket with Levi's. The sleeves are cut with the out seam still sewn and there are darker pockets showing on the back of the side back pieces (I removed the pocket to make it fit). All the side pieces are from the skirt, the center front and back pieces are from one pair, and all the facings are from the last pair. Also my collar and cuffs are on the opposite grain.

I mostly followed the directions, I talk more about the construction here on Pattern Review.

A bonus to working with old jeans is the cost, if I make a mistake its not a big deal. And there are plenty out there. Choose Larger sizes if you are going to try something similar.

A drawback to recycling is that a lot of the denim is stretched in spots and may take more fussing, particularly the sleeves. And a caution, I have a couple of wear spots on my finished jacket, I should have looked things over a little better.

I LOVE my new jacket, I think it turned out awesome. I do have to decide what to use for buttons, but I have time. I'll definately be trying some more patterns. I need to do some drafting too. This is something that would be great for selling.

Christine's Fishin' Hat

Christine asked for a hat like the one I have been wearing, mine is pretty goofy, but I'm getting known for them soooo...

The hat is made from a Kwik Sew pattern #2236 view B. And almost one old pair of blue jeans. I had to be creative to get the brim pieces out of the jeans, all but one of the hat panels was on the straight of grain. I didn't use a whole pair of jeans, but I used all I had left of this pair.



I made mine about 10 years ago when I knew much less about sewing than I know now and there were things I didn't really like about it, so I fixed it for Christine's.

The pattern asks you to sew all the pieces together and then finish with seam binding. Here is a pic of my old hat:


I've never liked this, so this time I left a part of the panel open on the inside to turn everything thru:


My new hat inside looks like this:


I'm very pleased with the result.

Finished side view:


Finished front view:


The hat is cute, unfortunately I can't sell this particular style hat because it is made from a copyrighted pattern. I do think that the top of the hat is a little poofy, so if I did make a pattern of my own I would fix that. I think the hardest part will be to get the brim with the correct curve. I'll have to go to the mall and look at some hats see if I can't figure it all out and draft one myself!

Sewing for Christine Jonson Again!

Christine Jonson
Originally uploaded by Diane Slade Inc

I'm sure I've mentioned that I have worked for Christine Jonson. It all started, back in 1995, before she decided to do her pattern line. I did do some shows with her at the beginning of the pattern company, but I moved farther North and focused on sewing, while she concentrated on developing the Pattern Company and didn't have work for me.

Lucky for me, she has a show coming up and not enough time to do the sewing she needs done for it! I am having a great time sewing all of these beautiful fabrics into garments.

Most of the patterns I'm working on are new to me. Either she didn't do them at the store when I was a part of it, or they are brand new inventions altogether.

I've got to get these finished in a reasonable amount of time, but I plan to go over each of the patterns I'll be making and show off the finished garments.

So far I've made the Shirred Top #424(a new one for me), a line dress with a slash #930, Basewear II Skirt #1025, Swirl Skirt #419 and 2 one seam wraps #1117 ( both also new).

The only thing I'm sorry I won't be able to show you is how wonderful these fabrics are to work with.

Choosing a Sewing Pattern

Several times I have been looking at patterns or shopping at Joann's or Handcock Fabric stores and seen someone picking out a pattern and fabric. The lack of imagination sometimes scares me. Some people can't see beyond the fabric choice on the pattern envelope. I have actually seen people buying the fabric that most closely resembles the one in the design on the envelope!

It is hard to be creative, I definately struggle with it. My experience viewing others creativity has definately helped me to grow. But I don't think I ever assumed that a pattern had to be made in the Fabric shown on the envelope.

Many patterns aren't as different as the pattern companies would lead you to believe, either. A elastic waist skirt is an elastic waist skirt. Don't get me wrong all patterns are not created equal! If you find a waist and hip that fits the way you like it, don't abandon it, be open to changing all that is below it. Changing a straight skirt to an A-line or adding ruffles isn't as difficult as you might think.

Keep your mind open, I'll try to get some of these things posted with pictures soon. Sort of a tutorial of sorts. Ahhhhhh, but we're gonna have to talk about my sewing books first! You can't venture into my wondeful world of sewing without a well stocked sewing book library. (OK so you can, but don't tell anyone!)