Crocheting -- Who Else Is Crocheting?

 

I've been crocheting as long as I've been sewing.  But I rarely post my projects. Lately, I've been crocheting a lot.   I love making beanies.  They crochet up really fast.  Like sewing, crocheting relieves my stress.  And lately, I've been stressed quite a bit.  So, here's to relieving stress. 

New Look Bag Pattern NL6425

 

One of my many creative interests is making bags.  I made these two tote bags in early December, last year.  My hope was to make matching cosmetic bags.  This effort was two fold:  stash busting and Christmas gift giving.  Well I was successful in the stash busting, but I didn't finish the cosmetic bags to complete "my gift idea".  So, these two beauties are still taking up space in my sewing studio.  BTW- I still plan to give as gifts.

I used New Look NL6425, view A and B, with modifications.  New Look didn't give any view descriptions.  These are really basic lined tote bags.  There are no inside pockets.  

The instructions are the easiest.  Nothing confusing in them.  Great pattern for beginners to try.  I like that these totes came together quickly.  

The little tabs at the bottom were just a little challenging.  I wanted to get the placement just right for the pattern design of the fabric.  I think it good, not perfect.

From my stash are two remnant heavy cotton fabrics that I purchased at JoAnn's several years ago.  The straps are also from my stash.  They have been waiting to be used for over 15 years.  I am thrilled that I finally used them.

These totes do look like the illustration on the envelope with the exception of the straps.   I also, added a covered cardboard insert to help keep the shape of the bottom of the bag.

My changes were basic:  straps, strap loops, and bottom insert

These are very easy totes to make.  This pattern is a great template to make a variety of different bags:  appliques, patchwork, overlays, etc.  The possibilities are endless.

I recommend this pattern to all level sewists.

  

Pattern Review for Student Project - Simplicity S9308

This is the bag I made for the class.  Photos of students are not allowed to be published.

Today's pattern review is Simplicity S9308.

I'm kind of working backwards on the student projects for middle school beginner sewing class.  This tote bag project is made the 3rd/4th week of class.  Before we start on this project, the students have had a few lessons: 

• some hand stitching exercise that include various stitches and how to sew on a button
• a hand stitched project
• how to drive the sewing machine, including threading and practicing various stitches
• introduction to appliques and embellishment

This tote bag is a very simple tote bag project.  It has good basic pattern pieces that a sewist could create many different versions with no problem.  An all around great basic pattern for students

Simplicity describes it as:  tote bags in three sizes.  For the class I used the largest size.  And for the most part, the bag did look like the illustration.

In my lesson, the students learned/practiced several things:

• seam allowance
• top stitching
• how to create and sew on an applique
• how to press to achieve a polish look
• how to assemble a project from start to finish

Now for my class, I changed the instructions to have the pocket on the outside instead of on the inside of the bag.  This change was to reinforce the lesson on applique/embellishment.  It also gave the students an opportunity to practice topstitching.  The rest of the instructions were followed as per the guide sheet.  

For the appliques - I created several templates for the student to choose from.  Some are pictured below.

In conclusion, this very basic tote bag is a great beginner project.  It has great bones and possibilities for many different versions of the tote.  I highly recommend it for all level sewists.

Happy Sewing!

C

Vogue V1636

Hi Sewing Friends,

Here is another outfit that I made in 2025.  This Vogue pattern was out-of-print when I decided to make it.  But I was able to get a copy on Ebay.  What inspired my to try this top was a fellow creator, Monica of That's Sew Monica, on Instagram.  She made the top a few times and I really loved the black and white outfit that she made.  

Pattern Description:  Misses' tops:  fitted wrap top has pleats and tucks with ribbon and button closure. I'd also like to add that it has princess seams.      A: Short sleeve with dart.  B:  Two piece sleeve.  This pattern is rated easy.  

Pattern Sizing:  6 to 22; I used 16 with modifications.  So there is a large range of sizes available. 

Did it look like the photo/drawing on the pattern envelope once you were done sewing with it?  Yes, it did.

Were the instructions easy to follow?  Yes, they were easy to follow.  Nothing was confusing or complicated..  Typical instructions for a wrap top or dress.

What did you particularly like or dislike about the pattern?  

Likes:

• wrap top design
• the asymmetrical peplum, fullness of the back peplum
• princess seam, easier to fit
• two piece sleeve

No dislikes.

Fabric Used:  The fabric is a very nice crepe knit from Mood Fabrics.  Love it.  It washes and dries beautifully.  No wrinkles. ;-)

Pattern alterations or any design changes you made:  I did my usual full bust adjustment similar to the adjustment that I made on Vogue V1672.  No photos this time.  But check out my post for V1672 for an illustration.  I also lengthen the sleeves.  If I make it again, I will  shorten the bodice a little bit for a better fit around my waist area. 

For my pants I used Vogue V1914, View C.

Would you sew it again? Would you recommend it to others?  I think I may make it again. And yes, I do recommend it to others.

Conclusion:  This is a relatively easy Vogue pattern to sew, and it will look great on all figure shapes.

Happy Sewing!

C

It's Too Cold To Breathe - Simplicity S9388

 

My Goodness! It's been too cold to breathe outside.  Last week was so  cold with many days at sub-zero temperatures.  This week's forecast is no better.  We were hoping that Saturday would be "not as cold".  No such luck.  In fact, it had started to snow as we headed outside to take the pictures.  My goal was to get it done so  we braved the cold to finish this chapter of the shacket.  Once outside, it felt like I didn't have on a coat.  Luckily, we were only outside for a few minutes.

Early last year, Rhonda and I decided to do a challenge in time for the HCC fashion show in May.   She gifted me the pink wool.  We used Simplicity S9388.  This pink version is my third shacket using this pattern.  

I decided to elevate the "look" a bit by installing a full lining and adding beads to the pocket flaps.  I think it turned out well.

Construction changes:

• Because I added lining, I hemmed the shacket like a basic lined coat.  I added interfacing to the hem for stability.  Tip:  I used my cardboard guide to get a nice even hem.

• I used lining fabric for the under side of the flap to reduce bulk.

• Adjusted the size of the cuffs and pleats on the sleeve.  The cuffs are still too wide and the sleeve is really to full.  But both things I can live with.

The making of this shacket was a fun project. This shade of pink isn't the best pink for my skin tone.  It looks great on my sister.  So, I decided to gift her this shacket.

I crocheted a slouchy beanie to wear with it.

Parting Shots:  The first two shackets that I made a few years ago.  You can see all of my shacket post here. 

Happy Sewing!

C

Calumet Middle School - A Blessing

 

This week I returned to Calumet Middle School for the third session of the enrichment program. This is a great program, and it has been a great year of teaching young people to sew.

I just want to encourage people who are thinking about teaching sewing and those who may want to sew.

I create some very easy projects that elementary beginners can make and enjoy the process. There are a few I plan to review here, like the tote bag.

Tote bag project is done at week 3 or 4.

I start by teaching students how to do some hand stitching, followed by one or two hand stitched projects. After that we move on to learning how to drive the sewing machine and then a few machine sewn projects. The class session is about five weeks long, meeting twice a week. So, we don't have a lot of time, but a enough to learn a few basic sewing techniques and processes.

Hand stitching is essential to sewing. This is the first practice project that the class completes. Next, we complete one of three hand sewn projects: owl pin cushion, needle book, or hand sewn bear.

The class spends the remainder of the class learning about sewing on the machine, sewing techniques, and one or two more projects.

I can't tell you how much I enjoy teaching young people how to sew. I'm very happy that I chose to take this position.

Happy Sewing!

C