The Thimble

Sewing by hand..., Is it still a thing that sewists do a lot of? Or is it a sewing skill that is less preferred and is rarely used? 

A few weeks ago, a longtime friend asked me if I had ever used a blind hem foot? I had to admit that i had not. I revealed that my refer to hand sew invisible hems. After my answer,  we continued to just talk about sewing and other things. But later that day, I pulled out the many, many sewing machine feet that I own, thinking I should try it. Soon, I pushed them aside and started to pull out my thimbles. I have a few functional and for show ones. 

I actually love handstitching. Beading is a favorite.

One of the first things that I teach young sewing students is some basic handstitching. I also teach them that you can make an entire tailored suit by hand, but you can not make one by machine. 

One of our first projects is to make a needle book by hand. A few examples.

My second question is, what are your thoughts on handstitching? Machine vs. Hand sewing? 

Happy Sewing!

C

Trending: Junk Ties - Simplicity S4762

 

Good evening Sewing Friends,

Have any of you heard of "junk ties?"  Well, Bethanie (one of my friends from church) asked me to make her a denim tie using some jeans that she wanted to "upcycle".  She indicated that she had her own findings to decorate the tie.  

I have seen a few junk ties on Instagram, but I wanted to get a little more information on how to style them as well as what the price points for a finished tie.  What I found online was a wide variety of styles and price points.  Click here is see.   I think junk ties are another canvas to express your own personal style and creativity.  You can style it simple, chic or audaciously over the top.  The price $25.00 to $160.00.  

My challenge, if you will, was to craft a denim necktie for my client to personalize.  Good thing, I have at least ten different patterns that including a necktie.  I chose Simplicity S4762, view E.

This pattern may be OOP, but you can still find it online.  My copy to about twenty years old, and this was my first time view E.  The pattern consists of boys' and men's vests and ties.  The sizes include S - XL.  I used the men's tie, view E.

Before cutting into Bethanie's jeans, I made a prototype just to see how the tie would turn out.  It was exactly as expected and look like the tie pictured on the envelope.  It was a bit narrower then the desired necktie.  The next one, I made it about 1.5" wider, which was closer to the width needed.  (The first two tie were made using some denim from my fabric collection.)  Lastly, I cut into her jeans to make the final tie.  To finish it, I added one of the pockets to jump start the design process.  In total three neckties made to achieve the desire look. 

For some reason, I thought sewing a necktie would be more difficult than making a bowtie.  It was actually easier.  And the instructions were simple and easy to follow.  Definitely, a beginner could easily make a necktie.

I really like how all of the ties turned out, narrow or wide.  I considered making a few more "junk ties" to gift and/or sell.  So, I will definitely make more ties and recommend this pattern to all level sewists.

In conclusion, this was a fun little project.  Each tie took less than an hour to make from start to finish.  Great beginner project with great results.

Here is Bethanie's final design for her personalized "junk tie."

Happy Sewing!

C

My Second Version of McCall M8240

 

Here is the second version of McCall's M8240.  This time I made it with the full bust adjustment.  This must be the season for stripes.  This is the third garment that I made in recent weeks that is striped. 

Anyway, I would have loved to have this pullover top without darts.  But it fits so much better with them.  This fabric is from my stash.  I purchased it from So Sew Fabrics a few year ago.

Nothing more to say.

First Summer Dress of the Season - McCall's M8449

 

Pattern Description:

Pull over dresses have placket, collar, sleeve and length variations.  View C has front buttons on placket.  Separate optional sash included.  I made view B with modifications

Pattern Sizing:  

8 to 26.  I used size size 16.  I was  lucky that the width across the the bust area had plenty of room.  So no FBA.

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

Yes, it did.  I added buttons to the placket. 

Were the instructions easy to follow?  

The instructions were easy to follow.  Nothing complicated or confusing in them.  My biggest concern was the placket.  It is a focal point of the dress, and it has to be perfect.  I'm happy to say it turned out well.

What did you particularly like or dislike about the pattern?  

I like the overall style of the dress.  This is the season for shirt dresses.  And this one was perfect for what I had in mind.  No dislikes.

Fabric Used:  

This striped cotton blend came from The Discount Textile Warehouse on West 21st Street in Chicago.  It is tightly woven with a dry hand.  It is wrinkle resistant and the stripes are vibrant.  No issue with sewing this fabrication.


Pattern alterations or any design changes you made: 

I made minimum alterations/changes.  As I said above, I like the buttons on the placket.  So I added them to this view.  I added a little width across the upper back.  I didn't have enough fabric to cut the collars in one piece.  For the under collar I created a chevron affect and for the upper collar the stripes are vertical.  No other changes.

Would you sew it again? Would you recommend it to others?  

Yes, I would like to make the sleeveless version.  And yes, I do recommend it to others.  Just take your time making the placket.

Conclusion:  

This was a great start to my summer dress wardrobe.  I'm happy with how it turned out.  It is pictured with a white belt that I purchased.  I really would like to find a wide navy belt to complement this summer dress. 

Happy Sewing!
C  

Question: What Do You Do With All Those Muslins?

 

This is the year of purging.  I'm seriously purging everywhere in my home.  I want to reduce any clutter.  Here is a pile of  muslins that I made over the past few years. It looks like a pile of something worth keeping, but why? I don't need them anymore.  So, I'm throwing them in the trash.  

What do you do with all your muslins?  How long do you keep them?  Do you recycle the fabric? Or just toss them?

Do share.

Happy Sewing!

C

Another Sandra Betzina Pattern - Vogue V1805 Views A and B

 

I reviewed View B of this pattern last month.  Today, I'm posting View A.  This is the View that convinced me to purchase the pattern in the first place.  I love the sleeves and the effect of the stripes.  I thought it was pretty cool.  Stripes going in many directions but somehow are very organized at the same time. The tie was cute too.  It looks very chic.  

My striped fabric has been in my collection for over five years.  I purchased it at Mood Fabrics.  It is soft and has about 40 percent stretch with great recovery.  

The body of the top sewed together the same as View B.,  The sleeves has two pieces: an over and under sleeve.  The over sleeve is gathered to create the balloon affect.  The tie has two separate pieces as well. The pattern suggest a contrasting solid color fabric for the under tie.  I just use the same fabric and turned the stripes in a different direction.  It worked out fine.

In the above photos, I wearing View A with my TNT knit pants Vogue V8859.  I've made these pants at least 15 times.  An great basic pants.

Below, I'm wearing the first top, View B.  It has already become a basic go to staple.

Happy Sewing!

C

It's Been Awhile

Hi Sewing Friends,

It has been awhile since I posted any sewing projects.  A lot has happened in the past month and a half.  Here are some highlights.

Me and one of my sewing students made a trek up to Vogue Fabrics in Evanston to see what we could see and buy.  Lol  

I had an eye procedure to remove a cyst from my right eye.  It had been there for over a year but didn't hurt. What brought me to the ophthalmologist in the first place was I had started seeing floaters in that same eye.  To my surprise, I learned that floaters are a common condition that happens with age.  The eye becomes more fluid over time.  Anyway, the cyst was removed mid March, and it took some time for my eye to heal.  

Other news, my nephew, Christopher wanted to make a turkey dinner, but didn't know how.  I volunteered to teach  him how to roast a turkey, cook collar greens, corn, and make some buttery potatoes.  His meal turned out very well.  We sat down with my daughter and had a lovely dinner.

We had two book club meetings: March and April.  Both books were good, but I like the second the most.

I didn't take any photos of my garments until a month after my eye procedure.  Now, I'm just starting to post me wearing them.  

I'm showcasing Vogue V1937 view A, worn with Vogue V1929 pants.