Tag: The Sewcial Sewist

Happy 2025

Welcome to my blog,

I’m Riesha (Ree-sha), known as RieshaNicolle across all social media platforms. I started my sewing journey in 2014, the year my mom passed away from stomach cancer. She was my world and when she gained her angel wings, I needed something to help me with the grief of missing her. So, I turned to Sewing. What started out as therapy for me, turned into a love for creating my own garments. Through my blog, I am excited to share my journey with all that are interested.

I am married, this year we celebrate 27 years in September. I have 2 adult children, a daughter, and a son. I love fitness, food, and fashion. I call it my 3 favorite F words. During the day, I work as a Staff Services Manager I for the State of California in an Investment Office, managing our Executive Support Team.

My first sewing machine had been purchased 2 years prior to me making a garment on it. I purchased it from Costco, yes Costco, to do borders on papercrafts, as I was into Scrapbooking photos of my 2 kids. At the time, I had no idea what I was doing with the sewing machine.

Please follow me on the following social media accounts:

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/rieshanicolle

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Here are a few of my favorite makes from past years.

Let’s explore the endless possibilities of needle and thread together – one stitch at a time!

Simplicity 8982 Misses’ Top

This pattern is so popular right now and I absolutely love it. I made the top and skirt first, but the skirt is not my style. I am thinking I need to shorten it and peg the bottom a little more to make it more of a pencil skirt look. The skirt was an easy sew, it just not the style I wear.

I have made view A the dress and in the process of making View A with the sleeves from view C. This may be my new TNT pattern, oh the possibilities with this one.

I styled my make, View C, with my favorite white jeans and a pair of riding boots.

I love how this top lays right above the pockets on the back of my pants. It’s not too long and not too short, it’s just right.

Pattern Description: Misses’ Knit Two Piece Sweater Dress, Tops, and Skirts

Pattern Sizing: 6-22

Did it look like the photo/drawing on the pattern envelope once you were done sewing with it? Yes, it did, but the skirt didn’t fit my body type, but that’s not anything with the pattern. I love the skirt just not on me. 

Were the instructions easy to follow? Yes very easy to follow. I have started a dress and didn’t need the instructions to start it. 

What did you particularly like or dislike about the pattern? The whole pattern. The easy of instructions and the possibilities that are there to make other options. The joy of mix and match.

Fabric Used: Cotton knit, found at WalMart for $5.00 per yard.

Pattern alterations or any design changes you made: None, but I am going to alter the skirt, shorten it and peg the bottom.

Would you sew it again? Would you recommend it to others? Yes, I made a dress and am making another one with sleeve variations. 

Conclusion: I love this pattern and more than likely you will see more of this make from me. 

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

McCall’s 7755 Misses’ Romper, Jumpsuit, and Belt -View D

This jumpsuit is everything. I made it twice and fell madly in love with this version. I think the fabric made the difference. This loose-fitting jumpsuit has a neckline with and encased drawstring, front and back neck slits, and POCKETS!!! Yes, pockets.

This is another one of McCall’s Learn to Sew patterns. The instructions are easy to follow and very detailed. Its exactly what a beginner would need to start with, if they are interested in making this Jumpsuit. Depending on which view you plan to make, you will learn the following skills:

  • Learn to sew a slit
  • Learn to sew a curved hem
  • Learn to sew drawstring casing

 

I made one adjustment to this pattern , yep you guessed it, for my height, I cut off 4″. It fits perfect. I did not close up the front or the back opening on the bodice, I am wearing a bandeau underneath. If you choose to, you can close that up, it’s your choice. 😉

The pattern suggested to use a cotton knit, interlock , gauze, or challis. I choose to use a lightweight knit that I purchased at Angel’s Textiles last Fall. I buy a lot of my fabrics Los Angeles during my vacation time. This a beginner pattern and I highly recommend that you try it. Who doesn’t love a fabulous jumpsuit? I can’t wait to wear this to dinner for my 21st Wedding anniversary next Wednesday

 

I can thank my daughter for always taking photos of me in newly made garments. She does a great job!!!

This was the first Jumpsuit that I completed. I wasn’t in love with the print on the fabric after I made. I may need to dress it up and play around with accessories like different shoes, earrings, bracelets, and a Fancy handbag of some kind.

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

McCall’s 7405 Learn to Sew Misses Dress & Belt

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I love this dress.  I am in love with all of my summer dresses, I am thinking it is because I love the shape of my shoulders. I have been working hard on my upper body this summer to take shape.

This McCall’s Learn to Sew Misses Dresses and Belt pattern is a loose-fitting, pullover that has a high neckline, with a necktie and a variation of hemlines.

I made View B because of the hemline. I like the curve of the hem on this view. If I were to create this garment again I would go for View A, the short version .

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The pattern suggested the following fabric choices: Medium weight Wovens and Knits: Challis, Cotton Knit, Crepe, or Gauze. I am the Queen of Knit Fabrics and I choose a medium weight knit. I believe I purchased this one from Angels Textiles in the Summer of 2017, can’t remember, that’s how much fabric I have purchased over the last 2 years so, A LOT!!!

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The pattern is sized for Xsmall, Small, or Medium. I cut the Medium, although the Small would have worked. I wanted the dress to follow so that’s the reason for going up a size. I had to cut of 4″ which seems to be my go to when making adjustments to Maxi dresses or skirts.

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The only notions that were required are bias tape and elastic. The instructions were simple and easy to follow. If I make this again the one thing that I would do differently is sew down the edges of each entrance and  exit on the neck tie so it doesn’t come out during laundry. It was lost after I wore it and I found it all tangled up with my socks.

 

 

Bye for now, time go Sew Something!!!

 

Simplicity 8382 Learn to Sew-View A

This simple easy to make dress, took about an hour to complete. Had I not been watching TV while making it, it could have taken less time. This a great piece for summer, although Fall is fast approaching, I think I can squeeze out one, maybe two more before the weather turns to true Fall weather.

There are 2 pieces to this dress, the front and back, the tie string for the neck, and one piece of elastic for the back. I used a single knit fabric purchased from Angel’s Textiles in Los Angeles, CA. This fabric was $3.00 per yard and it is super soft.

I made View A for this one as the fringe on View B is cute, it wasn’t my style. I like a long maxi. I did trim off 4inches from the bottom to adjust to my height and it hits perfectly to wear with flats and wedges.

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