another present for me? and also one for mr. sew rachel!

You thought you weren't going to hear from me again until after Christmas.... but... SURPRISE! Actually, I thought the same thing, until I saw these Christmas PJs from Did you make that?.  I immediately decided that I, too, needed a pair, promptly ordered the Alexander Henry fabric, and this evening, in about 3 hours start to finish, I made myself another Christmas present to me!

I've been itching to try the Tofino Pants pattern by Sewaholic, but with a print like this a simpler pattern was needed, something that wouldn't break up the print. I decided to go with Simplicity 2258. I had made the skirt from this pattern before and loved it, so this time I chose view D, the capri option, lengthening it to pants by tracing some RTW pajama pants. 

I love the pockets on this pattern. It goes together very easily, too. I spent longer cutting out the pieces than I did sewing! With any large-scale print (and especially this particular print!) you'll need to make sure your pattern pieces are cut to avoid awkward print placement. I also wanted to make sure I had an even distribution of the dudes on my PJs.  I ended up cutting each piece out in a single layer, so I could select how the print would look on each individual pattern piece. I was so tickled with myself, I even cut it so I have one of the guys peeking out of my pocket!

...that is until I tried them on. The waist band was too high, hitting at a spot not only unflattering but uncomfortable! I sadly had to trim the rise on the waist down another 1.5", re-cut my waistband, and cut off the head of my pocket dude.

Before

After

Oh well! I'm still very smitten with them. I added a little satin bow to the front, just for a feminine touch, and I took a risk attempting to match the print over the center seams... look how well the back came out!

That tree ended up matching perfectly at the back center seam!

I didn't even notice until Mr. Sew Rachel pointed it out.... the print matches up when I'm standing

And Mr. Sew Rachel got some new jammies too! Since we recently bought our first house, we decided to not exchange gifts this year. BUT a pair of his wore out catastrophically last week, and I thought it was only fair for us both to get new Christmas PJs. I decided to try something new and make him some jersey pants using New Look 6165. (Ok! So I picked this pattern in part because I liked the women's options that came with it. What a selfish seamstress! But hey, more bang for you pattern buck!) He usually goes for grey or navy, but I spotted this lovely cranberry red in a thick jersey. And you know what? He loves them and the color looks great!

Instead of a 1" or 1.25" elastic waistband, this pattern divides the waistband into three casings, the top and bottom for .25" elastic and the middle for a drawstring. Very cool design! I improvised the drawstring out of white, single fold bias tape that I folded in half and top-stitched with cranberry thread. A simple knot finishes each end, and you have a good-looking, study drawstring. I'm also pleased with the double line of top-stitching on the pockets. I think these came out pretty polished!

I constructed both pants on my regular sewing machine (using a slight zig-zag stitch for the jersey pair), after each seam finishing the raw edges on the serger for a polished look. I particularly love my serger when it comes to hems! All I do is go over the raw edge on the serger, then fold over and stitch once on the machine. Viola! Two new Christmas PJ bottoms!

a present to me, from me! - a sewaholic renfrew christmas sweater

Who can resist purple reindeer sweaterknit?!?! I think it was from Joann's last winter, and I loved it then, but not the price, especially since I was so new to sewing and my success rate was still not too high. Then this summer it moved over to the clearance rack, which then was 50% off the clearance price, and it was finally mine!  I knew right then that a Sewaholic Renfrew Christmas sweater was in my future!

And here it is! I enjoyed Tasia's pattern. She has you construct it a little differently than most top patters, and it comes together really well. I only made a few alterations right at the end. I took the bottom band in 3-4 inches. Her patterns are designed for pear-shaped ladies, which I am definitely not! I also had to shorten the sleeves quite a bit (and could have more, but didn't want to cut off any reindeers!), and took in the cuff so the sleeves would stay up when scrunched to 3/4 length. The smaller band and cuffs gave it more of a sweatshirt shape and I totally dig that for this sweater, but if I were to make this pattern as a regular jersey t-shirt I would grade down the hips and arms to get a slimmer fit.

I did a fairly good job matching up my stripes, only a few spot got askew. The cuffs were supposed to have a band of purple right after the stitching, but that got lost during construction, but I made sure to line up the facing-together reindeer to the center of the bodice front and back. 

 

And check out that awesome neck binding! I carefully cut my strip from the fabric to make the patterned band, lined it up nearly perfect, and attached and top-stitched with a nice, even zig-zag. Next time I will cut the band just a wee bit smaller as it gapes ever so slightly, most of which I was able to combat with a good steaming. I constructed everything on my regular sewing machine with a slight zig-zag stitch, then finished the seams on the serger. I'm doing most of my sewing this way right now, not quite yet trusting my mastery of the machine to do my seams right on the serger.

And now "'tis the season" to be busy, so there may not be a post again until after the 25th. In the meantime, Happy Holidays and Merry Christmas to all! Whatever you celebrations may be, I hope they are merry and bright!

hello mojo!

Sorry for the lack of sewing posted lately. I'd lost my mojo. Probably something to do with starting up a 5/week temp job for the holiday season. The first week or so getting into the grove really wipes you out. Maybe there has been some other things contributing to my mojo-loss, too.  Thankfully, I'd gotten most of my gift sewing done earlier in the fall so at least I don't have that looming over my head. And I feel like this weekend may have gotten my sewing back towards the right track! Feeling relaxed after a few schedule-free days, I cleaned and organized my sewing room, splurged on a little fabric, pulled together a few projects for the next few weeks, and started cutting and sewing again. Projects to post soon!

Image courtesy of ponsulak / FreeDigitalPhotos.net

thoughts on gift-giving

So a little off topic today, but It seems like the holiday shopping season started even earlier than usual this year. Business analysts say a late Thanksgiving means a shorter traditional holiday shopping season, and has companies rolling out holiday deals and displays especially early to try to get a larger piece of our spending. Whatever the cause, I find a lot of people dread this whole gift buying process, and that makes me sad. In light of this and next week's "black Friday" and "cyber Monday" deals and craziness, I thought I'd share the gift-giving guidelines that I've developed to keep the spirit of giving both enjoyable and meaningful to me, and hopefully to my gift recipients as well.

Image from http://all-free-download.com/

When searching for gifts for my loved ones, I aim to have each gift fall into one or more of the following categories:

1.) Handmade - That can mean either handmade by me or by another artist or crafts-person. This year, I am making a lot of things myself, but other years I don't and that's ok. Like I said, the point of these guidelines for myself are to maintain joy in my gift-giving, and sometimes if I'm too crunched for time or uninspired by the project than I'm not going enjoy creating those gifts. Just because I like to make things for myself doesn't mean I have to make homemade gifts for everyone, and there is nothing wrong with that! I think if you do choose to make gifts, make sure to start early (I started September 1st) so you don't get crunched on time come December!

2.) Second-Hand - This can include antiques, unique home decor, special statement jewelry, an interesting used book, or sometihng with sentimental value. My mom collects certain old Pyrex baking dishes, so I'll sometimes run into an interesting piece she doesn't have and thrift stores or yard sales! Another year, my brother wanted cool artwork to decorate his dorm room, and I found him a large, framed print for an old map of England that was right up his alley! Maybe I come across something that I know will stir up a wonderful memory from the recipient's childhood. I don't suggest going to a thrift store with the intent to holiday shop, but when I'm browsing that yard-sale I keep open mind that some special gift for just the right person could present itself. Second hand items, when thoughtfully selected, shouldn't come across as cheap. Know your recipient (some may not think highly of even the most pristine, expensive and thoughtful second-hand item, and that's ok), and obviously avoid most clothing, used housewares, things that are junky and dirty (duh!), etc. But then again... know your recipient, because sometimes that old L.L.Bean hunting jacket is exactly the gift they would love!

3.) From a Locally-Owned Small Business - Sometimes it's just nice to have a reason to go shopping in Portland's downtown! I like supporting my city's small businesses, and they will often have really neat items I wouldn't find anywhere else. There is the wonderful fair-trade store that has handmade ornaments from all over the world, and the tea shop where the owner will custom package her tea blends for me, and the best kitchen store with every kitchen item imaginable, and art supply store where I regularly get my supplies anyway, and my favorite pasta place where I can get a gift certificate for an amazing meal. Another great thing about this category is that I can find almost any gift I could possibly need at one of the locally owned business in town, it just might take me a little longer to get that certain video game from a business in town than if I were to run into Wal-Mart. But that's ok, no... even more than ok; that's the whole point. I want to put in the extra thought into obtaining that gift! It's it supposedly the thought that counts, anyway? And sometimes that item will cost a little more at the small business, but often not, and I don't mind spending that little bit more to support the local economy.

These are my guidelines, and I by no means want to say everyone needs to shop by them. These are what I've organically developed over the last few years for myself to maintain joy in my holiday shopping season, and hopefully sharing them it might help you find a way to bring joy to your own. Note they are my "guidelines", not strict rules. There have been times I've strayed from them to get that certain special thing for someone in a price I can afford (I remember a greyhound charm for a bracelet....). And on a last note, these guidelines have nothing to do with money spend. As some of you know, it is possible to save money making gifts but oftentimes the supplies and equipment end up costing more than a store-bought gift.  A second hand gift could be that fabulous old Pyrex baking dish for $.25 at a yard sale, or the vintage sports jersey you had to fight for on eBay. Even shopping conventionally, some folks spend a lot on their gifts, and others can find the deals and save a lot. However you go about your holiday shopping, I hope it brings you and your loved ones joy.

a simple infinity scarf on the serger

This project is super quick, and a big style impact! I had to share it with you! I had a long, narrow (8'-10") strip leftover from another project (I think it's what I had to cup off to shorten a summer maxi-skirt). It's a  lightweight, woven fabric with a great pattern. All I did was finished the long, raw edges on the serger, then sew the short ends together (also on the serger). VOILA! Instant awesome accessory!

You could make one this simple, too! Choose a fabric that looks good on the reverse side, too, as both sides will show when you wear it. If you don't have a serger, you could use a jersey fabric and skip sewing up the long, unfinished edges all together. The jersey shouldn't unravel, plus it will tend to roll and cover up the raw edge anyway.

my new inspiration wall!

Maybe you caught a glimpse of it in my last post. We finally hung up my large cork board in my sewing room! It's 3'x5', and I'm so excited to have this space to pin up fabrics and patterns as the projects form themselves in my mind. Then when feeling the need for sewing inspiration, I can grab a pattern with the desired fabric swatch together. Does that mean I'll no longer get distracted by other fabrics and patterns? Absolutely not! But a little idea organization can't be a bad thing!

what to do with wool?

You know how sometimes you buy a piece of fabric that you love so much that you just can't decided what to do with it? I've got that right now, and could use a little guidance.

I have this super soft, lovely, wool blend. It's fairly lightweight, like a densely woven but thin flannel.

  

I LOVE IT! And I want to wear it this season. But because I love it so much, and paid a little bit more than i usually do, I'm feeling all this internal pressure to make something that I will not only love as much, but will get regular wear in my wardrobe.

My first thought was a high waist circle skirt, to just below the knee. It would have a vintage vibe that could be dressed up, but would it be too dressy for everyday? Sometimes you just don't know until you intruduce it into your wardrobe!  I would pattern it off this dressy Modcloth.com skirt that I own and love for fall special occasions:

http://www.modcloth.com/shop/skirts/songs-by-the-fire-skirt

Worried that it might be too dressy for real life (although, maybe I could tottally rock it day to day.... I don't know!), I thought, "what about a midi A-line? Or one with a smidge of flair? Or knee-length slim skirt?"

 

Slim or A-line? I used this pattern for my slim, lace print skirt.

Maybe view C?

But then I started to think about a cozy, casual top for fall/winter. The weight could be perfect for a flannal-type button-up. I've never made a button-up blouse before, so that's a little intimidating. Would it be tricky to fit to my petite frame? Maybe this fabric would be light enough for Butterick 5826, which I previously made in a lightweight rayon that fit fabulous with very little alterations!

 

And then I started thinking about my new navy knit dress and how much I love to wear it with tights. Maybe I should make a cozy dress to wear with tights! I know, your thinking, "but look at all the trouble your having with your grey dress." Should I really start another dress? I may not have it finished until spring OR may run into the same frustrating fit issues! But how cute would these dressed be in cozy purple wool?

 

Look! "VERY EASY" It can't be that bad...

 

Maybe I could use the same pattern that I drafted for this three-hour dress, already altered and fitting?

So, really, what should I do with my wool? HELP!