Category: Sewing

McCall’s 8408 Misses’ Patchwork pants and shorts.

Pattern description: Patchwork shorts and pants with contour waistband features a fly front zipper, back darts, topstitched hem and pockets.

Pattern rating by simplicity: Average

Pattern rating by me: intermediate

I am looking forward to Fall Sewing this year, as I am planning projects that are out of my comfort zone. I have a few coats/jackets on my list that I have not sewn before and I want to add denim, mainly jeans to the list, which I just completed my first pair. I used McCall’s 8408 for this project. I am absolutely in love with these jeans.

McCall’s 8408

I used a fabric that I saw at my local Joann’s, it is also available online, today, but not sure how long supplies will last.

This fabric is called blue patchwork denim fabric. It’s in a dark denim. It is 57 inches wide, 88% cotton, 8%, polyester, and 4% rayon. I fell in love with this fabric when I first saw it in the store of course it was not on sale so I waited to purchase it. Glad I did. The original price is $20.99 a yard. I was able to get it on sale for $11.99 a yard. It was worth every penny.

For the contrasting color in the middle I used a denim, but I’ve had this denim in my stash for a while. I actually purchased it at Cali fabrics in San Francisco California. They have a lot of great choices in fabric. It’s one of my fabric shops that I go to when I visit. I was able to get the pockets on the back and they are lined up perfectly so I was proud of that. I was also able to get in the fly zipper. I did not put the front fly flap on it. I wanted the zipper exposed to give it a more vintage look so I kept the front flap off.

I made sure to keep the insides as clean as the outside. So what I did was once I attached each piece front and back to the to the leg pieces, I used my serger to clean up the seam lines. It gives it a nice clean finish, and my fabric was fraying.

AND I ABSOLUTELY LOVE THE WAY THEY FIT.

Until, next time, SEW WHAT?

I got a DreamBox and I absolutely…

Love it!!!!

In February I bit the bullet and purchased a DreamBox for my business/sewing/craft space. It was the best investment I have made for my business and I absolutely love it. It arrived the week of my birthday, April, so happy birthday to me!

Pretty much everything has a home, with the exception of a few items here and there.

I purchased the DreamBox, the DreamCart, and the cubby. Been contemplating on the Sew Station, but I really would like it, just so my sewing machines will have a permanent home. I purchased the pre-built version, I did not have the time or patience, to put it together or wait for my hubby and son to build it.

It came in 3 pieces, the left side, the center, and the right side. It took the hubby and I about 2 hours to have it all built and ready to load, we took a few breaks so it may have been less time.

The piece you see to the left in this photo (above) is the DreamCart. It Opens and closes like a folding table, has 4 rolling wheels, 4 shelves on each side and opens up to a cutting table that is 69.5″ long. Great for cutting jumpsuit and pants patterns.

The cubby (above) was an afterthought, but it holds all my art supplies. This way each “craft” has its own home. In the DreamBox (below) the right side houses anything sewing related (except for the rolls of heat transfer vinyl) and the left side is anything related to sublimation and my t-shirt, and more business.

I will have to say that my favorite part of the DreamBox is the dry erase boards, they are on both the left and right side. I purchased those after everything was set up. I write an inspirational quote each week and my sewing projects that I am working on. This way I am not looking for a note that I can never find. I have updated the list since this photo was taken.

Here are a few photos of what I am working with, still needs some organization and bin covers to make it pretty, but all and all I am so impressed with my set-up and new room.

Happy crafting, happy sewing, and happy t-shirt making. Whatever you craft, just be happy doing it!!!

Simplicity 9757 Misses’ Knit Top and Skirt in Two Lengths

My first thought when I saw this pattern, oh that’s cute, but I could never wear that. Then I thought I can wear whatever I want and I did just that.

I love the way it came out and I love the fabric choice I made.

Pattern Description: Misses’ Knit top and Skirt in Two Lengths

Pattern Sizing: Small – XXLarge. I cut a medium.

Did it look like the photo/drawing on the pattern envelope once you were done sewing with it? yes it looked just like the pattern envelope when completed.

Were the instructions easy to follow? Yes, the instructions were easy to follow.

What did you particularly like or dislike about the pattern? I liked that it was a quick and easy make. I didn’t really like the elastic on the side, I cut View D, for the skirt. Once it was in and I tried it on, I still wasn’t a fan of the elastic. I will make the longer version when I make the next one, yes there will be a next make.

Fabric Used:  This is a two-way stretch, that I think I found at Walmart, I can’t remember, it’s either there or Jo-ann’s as there aren’t any other fabric stores close to me.

Pattern alterations or any design changes you made: No alterations needed for this pattern. I made the short version, which I wasn’t so sure about, but when I measured it and compared it to my body measurements, the length was just where I wanted it to be, at the waistline, but not showing too much skin.

Would you sew it again? Would you recommend it to others? I am already planning to make it again, in the longer skirt version View C. I highly recommend it others for a quick, cute summer outfit.

Until next time, sew something!!!

Sewing Plans for 2023

It has been a while since I have sat down at my sewing machine and completed a garment. I have 2 that I am working on completing this week. The first one is Simplicity 9544 View C. I started this jumpsuit in October with Carol’s Sewing Corner on Facebook. It is 95% complete, it needs the buttons attached and I ordered beads for the hardware for vthe waist tie.

I was looking forward to this one and actually wearing it before the weather changed. It didn’t happen and we are now in a rainstorm, so once complete I will be doing indoor photos with this one.

Here are a few photos of the progress.

Project #2 New Look 6740

I started this one the week of Christmas and it has been hanging on Brittany, my mannequin, half done. It needs the sleeves finished and the bottom attached. My son, he’s almost 25, in a few weeks, asked if I were going to wear pants under it. Huh? What? No I hadn’t planned on it, guessing he thinks its too short. I am only 4’11”, so more than likely it is going to be real dress on me and not a “mini” dress as the pattern states. I do like the booties with it that the model is wearing, so more than likely I will pair it with leggings and a booties. I’ll keep the son happy and stay warm at the same time.

For now these are my sewing goals. I am also looking for an outfit to make for Valentine’s Day dinner with my husband. I haven’t decided if I want to do a jumpsuit, which you all know is my favorite, a dress, or a pants and jacket combo. I just don’t know. So for now I am going through my patterns to see if anything jumps out at me.

What are your sewing plans? Leave me a comment. Happy sewing!

Fashion is art and you are the canvas. ~Velvet Paper