Author: Riesha Nicolle

My name is La Riesha Simmons, family and friends call me Riesha. I began sewing in 2014. I currently sew mostly for myself with the exception of sewing a few things for family and friends.

Mccall’s 8118 – Misses’ shorts, Pants & Belt

Hello,

I can’t believe my last post on this blog was January 8, 2021. Life was busy, school happened, my sewjo went bye bye, and blah blah blah. But the best part, I learned some sewing skills from class, life slowed down and I GOT MY SEWJO back, oh and I look totally different now. Nothing drastic, but I cut my hair again. Most of you that know me, know that I love a short cut and I went back to that. I absolutely love it.

This the #sequoiamccalls, paper bag short with the tie belt. I constructed view b, size L based on my hip measurement, to complete this look. The fabric on the pattern is crepe, faux leather, poplin, and cotton blends. This short has the option to be lined with a lining fabric similar in weight to the fabric you are using for the shorts. I did not line these shorts, a personal choice, and it is way too hot in California for linings right now. I used a linen fabric that I found a Joanns Fabric and Craft. It can be found here. Please note the color that I am wearing is no longer available online, but I purchased this in store.

The pattern was instructions were pretty straight to the point. There wasn’t anything that made me think twice, super simple and easy to follow. I like that. The issues I did have are that the shorts pattern itself needed to be altered to fit my body. I wasn’t sure how to correct the fit issues I was having on my own. Carol in the Facebook Group Carol’s Sewing Corner was having a sew along for this pattern and she was answering all fit issue questions and any other questions, Carol is an absolute genius and she is freaking hilarious. She is the BEST!!!

The issue I was have was the shorts were being caught in between my thighs in the front and the back was, let’s just say a little uncomfortable, they were on the “cutting edge”. In order for Carol to assist each Sewist in the group were asked to make muslins, straight out of the envelope, with zero alterations, this way she would be able to identify the issues and talk you through what alterations needed to be done to get a good fitting short.

I was able to lengthen the crotch to help with the front and back issues. I absolutely love how these turned out. If it weren’t for the instructions on how to alter the pattern pieces for the fit issues I was having, I would not have made this pattern. I typically don’t wear shorts because of the fit issues, now I feel more confident wearing them, knowing that they are going to look great and fit my body shape.

Pattern Description: Misses’ Shorts, Pants, and Belt

Pattern Sizing: XSmall, Small, Medium, L,arge, XLarge, XXLarge – I cut the Large

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

Were the instructions easy to follow? Absolutely

What did you particularly like or dislike about the pattern? I liked the end product and that I understood the Pattern instructions.

Fabric Used: Linen from Joann Fabric

Pattern alterations or any design changes you made: Needed to lengthen the crotch. I have runner’s thighs and the shorts were gathering in the front, which then made the back seam uncomfortable.

Would you sew it again? Would you recommend it to others? Yes and Yes.

Conclusion:
I usually don’t wear shorts as they never fit me correctly, with the alterations to the pattern I think I found me a new “favorite” shorts pattern.

What I made in 2020

Here are my makes from 2020. They are not in any special order. I plan to make more this year. Starting with Activewear and Jackets. Not heavy jackets but lightweight. I live in California and it gets cold, but it doesn’t stay cold for long periods of time. So jackets will be perfect for me. I have a few items lined up for January and I plan on starting to work on those garments starting this weekend. I am planning more before I start projects now. So I am reading the patterns and researching the fabric choices. By researching the fabric choices it will allow me to pick other fabrics instead of the first choice on the pattern. This will allow me to grow and learn more in sewing skills and techniques.

Happy Sewing!!!!

Bye for now time to go, Sew Something!!!

the sewcial sewist

At the beginning of every year I do an introduction of myself and list my sewing goals for the year. This year will no different.

I am Riesha (Ree-sha) known on Instagram as the Sewcial Sewist. I have been sewing for 6 1/2 years now. It was my therapy when my mom passed away in 2014. It helped me to cope with loosing her and it was just what I needed to not be so depressed. I do miss her daily and know that she is looking down on my accomplishments and smiling. I am a mother of 2 grown children, my daughter is 25 and my son, recent college graduate, will be 23 so proud of them both. My daughter graduated college in 2018. I have been married for almost 24 years to a wonderful guy who supports me in all I do, no matter the hobby or the cost.

Sewing goals for this year will include making active wear and jackets. I recently completed a coat that I started 3 years ago and learned a lot of skills on what to and what not to do, so now I am motivated to continue my growth in sewing. I have also signed up for 3 classes this Spring at the local community college here to expand my knowledge. The classes are Apparel Construction II, Textiles, and an Entrepreneur class. I am most looking forward to the Entrepreneur class as I wrote in a previous blog, that I opened my T-shirt business and I am looking forward to making my business more profitable.

My blogging goals for this year will be to blog at least 4 times a month. I am adding fitness and style to the profile, so be prepared for some fitness tips and style posts in the near future. Right now I am doing the Gymshark66 challenge, you can see more posts on my IG page of what I am doing there. I thought to create a separate page for my fitness, but then thought why, when it is part of my daily lifestyle. I am just going to keep as one, gives everyone that follows me a sense of what I do daily outside of sewing. That way you get to me and not just my sewing.

Stay tuned for an upcoming blog post on what I made in 2020. 2020 was a slow sewing year as I lost some of my sewjo with all that has been going on in the world and today as I write this post, the world is a scary place right now. I am not going into details but just know that we are effected by the actions that are taking place today. Please stay safe and healthy.

Bye for now, time to go Sew Something!!!

My christmas outfit

I can’t believe Christmas is 2 days away, 2 days.

Christmas is my favorite time of the year. All the love you feel, the joy it brings, the decorations, the lights, the food, family (social distance style of course), and most important of all JESUS is the reason for the season.

I love everything about this jumpsuit. The color, the ease of the pattern, the fit on my body with one alteration to the length.

Pattern Description: McCall’s 7910 Misses’ Jumpsuit Close-fitting, pull-on knit jumpsuits with lined bodice and leg variations. 
I choose the one shoulder bodice (pattern piece # 3) and wide leg pant leg variation (pattern piece #5). 

Pattern Sizing: 6-14, I cut a size 14.

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

Were the instructions easy to follow? The instructions were easy to follow. 

What did you particularly like or dislike about the pattern? I loved the look of all the bodice’s, but didn’t like the exposed waistline, line. I made a belt to match the embellished shoulder, with a faux diamond studded trim and a bracelet that I found at Michael’s. 

Fabric Used: Red Luxury Stretched Velvet from Califabrics. There are a few other colors available.

Pattern alterations or any design changes you made: Like all jumpsuits, pants, or maxi dresses, I needed to remove 2 7/8″ from the length of the pants. The luxury of being able to create pants that fit me due to my height. 

Would you sew it again? Would you recommend it to others? Yes I would sew this again, using either of the other bodice options and possibly the pant (pattern piece #6) that has the side slit on the pants leg. There isn’t anything wrong with the straight leg pants, it is just a personal preference for me on a jumpsuit to have a wider leg.

Conclusion: I loved how this turned out, the fit was perfect, no other alterations needed outside of the alteration for the length. 

Merry Christmas everyone and thanks for following my blog!!!!

Bye for now, Time to go Sew Something!!!!

Hello december

Well hi there, I hope you are doing well. It has been a while, since I posted a blog. Well here is an update of what has been going on with me and my sewing, and a few other things I have gotten myself into.

Yes I am still sewing. Woohoo!!! That’s my first passion, along with fitness. I have a few items that I have made that I will post in the upcoming weeks, need to take photos and add my review of them. Some are summer outfits, yes I know it is full blown winter and cold, but hey I am playing catch up here. The fabric below I used for one of the dresses that I will blogging about soon. Look for that by the end of the weekend.

During this time, I have also found out that I actually enjoy putting together PDF patterns. I know that sounds weird, but it allows me to think about only putting that pattern together at that time. It is easy to let your mind wander when you are creating/crafting and I try not too, but there is so much to think about right now. MoodSewciety has a great selection of PDF patterns, and they are free, so I have been utilizing those to create a few pieces. The one thing I love about their site, well in relation to the patterns, is that a list of all the supplies used, along with alternates are listed, which makes it so much easier to shop for all of your notions and fabric. Here is a sneak peek of a dress coming to the blog soon. I know it’s not much, but you will just have to come back to the blog once it’s posted. 🙂

I opened an online T-shirt/Sweatshirt shop during this pandemic, as if I needed anymore hobbies, lol!!! It has been fun, but business, is a little slow, but steady, so I am not complaining about that. Here is the link if you want to take a look around, www.sixtwentytwo.shop. You can also follow the shop on Instagram. I have also been playing around with wine glasses and coffee cups, nothing fancy and still learning the process of getting the vinyl to stick, it’s a tedious process, but it keeps me out of trouble and off online shopping.

I hope every is staying safe and that you had a great Thanksgiving week! Please enjoy time with family, safely of course, and make the best out of the days to come. Happy Holidays!!!!

Bye for now, time to go Sew Something!!!!