Ready for more inspiring sewing? The weather is better and spring is closer…hope to see you:
February-cohost Brenda Czarnik
Wednesday, February 11, Sewing Lounge, St. Paul
Thursday, February 12, Creative Sewing, Apple Valley
Saturday, February 14, Sew Inviting, St. Paul
Also, we have a Basic Sergery class, Thursday, Feb. 19, 10-12 pm at Creative Sewing in Apple Valley. Call the store to register-952-431-6688. The classes at other locations have mostly sold out.
I needed a little inspiration last week so I ducked in to the Red Wing Depot Art Gallery-where do you go to be inspired?
Our Lakes Makerie meeting was full of great makes! Keep scrolling down for Debbie and Kristin’s garments-
Vogue 8854 in woolBurda 5860…In reversible wool!!Big Easy from Makers Atelier-in wool!Named TalvikkiTunic in fleeceGrandbaby sewing: Poncho from lavenderlilydesign@gmail.comBeautiful handwork in purple woolSilk cording on purple wool
January Garment Sewing Group
Debbie’s Garments:
Love Notions Metra Blazer, shawl neck view, stretch corduroy
I am a fan of toppers and the Metra Blazer is a TNT for me.
On this version I lined the sleeves with a stretch crepe and finished seams with a Hong Kong finish.
The front facing connects to the side panel and creates the pocket bag and gives the jacket some structure and stabilization to compensate for soft corduroy.
I find this topper versatile, an easy and quick make and a great addition to my wardrobe.
Butterick 7061, View B, wool with rayon lining
I mistakenly thought this was going to be an easy make but became a challenge mainly due to some decisions I made.
I had a limited amount of fabric to use so that made matching plaid a challenge.
The first fit adjustment I made was adding 3” of length to jacket – Not a fan of cropped jackets-and shortened the sleeves 2 inches. I also did a narrow shoulder adjustment.
The pattern is unlined. I lined the sleeves and underlined the jacket body. I wish I would have made a lining for the jacket and a back neck facing to connect the center front facings. Not having that back neck facing piece means the shoulder of the front facings is slipped stitched – Not a fan of that procedure!
I lined the pockets, repositioned them and topstitched them onto the jacket. Not sure that was the best idea.
The pattern calls for 2 buttons – I added a third.
The jacket hem is a contour facing. A nice finish to the jacket.
Butterick 6924 in rayon challis
For fit I did my standard adjustments. Then considering this make a wearable muslin I did a lot of machine basting as much as possible to get a good fit. I feel the shirt runs large and/or is oversized-I would go down a size next time.
This is a Palmer/Pletsch pattern so there are a good construction tips such as a painless placket, front “yoke” and neck binding finish.
I like to use the burrito method for yokes – the pattern does not use that method but I did. Unfortunately once again since there is no back neck facing I have the shoulder section of the front facings needing to be slip-stitched to keep them from floating.
This is a good pattern in that it makes up quickly, it has good construction tips and variations for sleeves and hems.
Kristin’s Garments:
Vogue 1648 in wool knit with ponte facings
After an exhaustive search for a pattern that had the same neckline, I chose Vogue 1648 because of the funnel neck. Surprising how hard it is to find this particular neck style. I found another pattern “MonoPattern Oversized Coat” but it was also a funnel neck even tho the photo didn’t show it that way.
The bell sleeve is from Burda 6059-I shortened it (maybe just a bit too much) but if too long the bell becomes a blob 🙂 Hem is the casing for elastic.
The Vogue pattern has a welt pocket so I gave it a try-pretty small and weird. Went to YouTube and watched Sew Anastasia-How to Sew a Welt Pocket and made that work. Not pretty on the inside but I am happy with results.
I cut down the neck, especially at center front, pretty much eliminated the back curved hem and eliminated the back pleat.
Weirdest thing is discovering -almost at the end of construction-that the fabric has a nap and is probably directional but you really have to look!
Jalie Marie Claude Cotton, rib knit and lots of buttons!
Had to give it a try and this stripe called out to me 🙂
Added 3/4” at center fold (1.25” total) and cut apart, serged, folded and lapped. Learned how to sew buttons on with machine.
Added buttons to cuffs. Neck was tricky because of the back neck section.
Handy trick when beginning coverstitch at an edge: stitch on Solvy to get started, then on to fabric. Solvy tears away quickly and you can knot the end and hide it.
Merchant & Mills Eve Trouser in wide wale corduroy
I’ve made this pattern before but needed to try again as the others turned out too big. I wanted a smooth front (as opposed to a zip and button) for wearing under the stripe turtle.
The side zip has a flap that makes it classy. I used woven interfacing for the waistband-convenient in a pre-cut width.
These pants are keepers and I love the wide wale cord for winter.
February 2026 Garment Sewing Group
Wednesday, Feb. 11, 10:30 at The Sewing Lounge, St. Paul
Thursday, Feb. 12, 10:30 at Creative Sewing, Apple Valley
Saturday, Feb. 14, 10:30 at Sew Inviting, St. Paul
Other dates for your calendar:
Sew Inviting Sale-Semi annual sale going on now!
Frocktails-April 11- “Making Through the Decades” Tickets on sale 1/11
H+H Americas Fiber and Craft Festival: April 30-May 3, Chicago area
You have one more chance to show us your stuff!! Wednesday, January 14, at Lakes Makerie will be the last of the January meetings-hope you can make it!!
Here is what we’ve seen so far 🙂
It all started with a Labobo doll (and a grandchild, of course)And it became a pattern and a bit of an obsession-so cute!Vintage coverlet in self-drafted patternBeautiful quilt topQuokka Top from Waves and WildPJ’s using Stretch & Sew 333 and Valencia Pant/Sewing Workshopand wearing Christine Jonson Travel Trio 2 TurtleneckVelour Top with custom thumb holes-how much fun do we have??Deer and Doe Plantain Tee and Cashmerette Calder PantsLots of love (and work) in Annie’s bags!!Christine Jonson #917 3 TeesSewing up UFO’s-Sewing Workshop Helix PantCustom drafted pant and Sewing Workshop Quincy JacketRobert’s Wood Flower Patchwork TopStylearc Archie Jacket plus 2”Sew Over It Coco Jacket-trim was the selvedge!!Variation on a Toaster Sweater/Sew House SevenSewing Workshop Elle Shirt in wool
Need a last minute Christmas present (for yourself :)?
This is a combination Babylock Evolution which means it will do 4 thread overlock and coverstitch. It’s a few models back and not as large as the current models. Only been used about 6 times. $900 or best offer. Please email materialgirlsewing@gmail.com if interested.
I don’t wear black often but sometimes a black pair of pants is a need. This pattern release inspired me to try out a muslin with Ponte in my stash – exactly what the pattern recommends.
Love Notions are excellent patterns in terms of fit and construction. Options for fit include full belly and full bum, 3 inseam lengths and two leg widths. It is a high waist pant with back darts and contour waistband. Slash pockets are included as well as optional welt pockets.
To meet my needs I did my standard length adjustments. Since this was a muslin I eliminated the welt pockets and belt loops. Then I continued the project as pattern directs. In the end I like the fit from waist to hips but not fond of pant leg width.
The only construction detail that seemed odd was folding over 1/4 inch at edge of leg hem and then stitch. That seemed a little homemade to me. I would rather serge edge and hand stitch or cover stitch.
Pattern Emporium Spill the Tea Tie Neck Blouse/Red silk
1. This was a fun make but I did not enjoy working with the silk fabric!
2. The pattern instructions are very good and relatively easy. There is no front placket -just slip it over your head and tie a fun bow. For the center front seam I serged the edges and topstitched the top of the seam from V opening to shoulder. The pattern instructions direct you to make a “narrow” hem along center front seam – I didn’t feel that was necessary.
3. The bow construction is very much like a burrito method and the directions are clear. If you are a visual learner check out Lifting Pins and Needles – Heavenly Bow Ties is a good resource on You Tube.
4. For fit I petited between shoulder and bust, bust and waist and waist and hem. I also did a narrow shoulder adjustment.
5. I give this pattern 5 stars and will definitely make it again in a more user friendly fabric!
Style Arc Harriet Jacket in fine wale corduroy
This is a TNT jacket pattern for me. It goes together quickly whether you choose to line it or not. Next time I make it I need to remember to shorten the sleeves!
I like the casual tailored look and appreciate how easy it is to wear and to complete an outfit.
McCalls 8210 in wool knit blend-the jacket dwarfed Debbie so Christine was kind enough to model 🙂
Wow- this make was a challenge for me.
The pattern is extremely oversized. I used the smallest size and shortened body and sleeve length.
The fabric was not easy to work with-mostly because I did not do well matching fabric to pattern. It was not only too bulky but spongy and moved around a lot.
The fabric did not like the standard or walking presser foot – I found the teflon foot the best option.
I stitched the seams with the sewing machine and then serged the raw edges. I like the welt pocket. But they are messy on the inside and topstitching was difficult.
I feel the directions for construction need much improvement in every aspect.
Kristin’s Garments
Stylearc Loren Jacket in cotton velvet
The long version of the Loren has been so fun to wear that I had to try it short (9.5” shorter 🙂 I purchased the extension pack (lining, sleeve and collar variations) and used the lining but still used the shawl collar.
Velvet was tricky to work with but love it now that it’s done. The first jacket had some stretch to it so was curious to see how it would fit in a woven. The shoulders are a size smaller but everything else is the same and fits very well.
Stylearc is including more directions but still a bit confusing.
I have a pair of Closet Core/Rika Pants cut out in the same fabric for a tuxedo look!
Pattern Emporium Spill the Tea Blouse in rayon twill
Like Debbie says-a great sew and pattern and I’ll use it again!!
There’s a tv show called Elsbeth-she wears blouses in bold prints and colors with frills at the neck and wrists under jackets in colors you and I would never put together. Fun!!
Jalie Charlotte Cardigan in cotton fleece
Because there is very little stretch in the fleece I cut out three sizes larger and still had to add an inch to the sleeve width to make it comfortable but the fit was good otherwise.
The hem band has been omitted to keep it short. The stability of the fleece worked well for the hem.
The phone pocket is 6.5”x7.5” and is a welt square for the zip opening and then sewn together top and bottom and one single vertical seam, then turned right side out and sewn on to garment.
Crescent Tote/Noodlehead in canvas
1. Fun make in canvas. Used Bosal for stabilizer/interfacing.
January 2026 Garment Sewing Group
Thursday, January 8, Creative Sewing, Apple Valley
Saturday, January 10, 10:30 at Sewing Lounge, St. Paul
Wednesday, January 14, 10:30 at Lakes Makerie, Mpls.
Don’t get me wrong-the Wednesday and Thursday meetings were great but Madee (the owner of Open Studio Sewing) rocked it and got some of her sewing community members to check us out and added a new perspective to our Saturday meeting. And thanks to our regulars that met for coffee at Yum! before the meeting-a great Saturday all around!
Check out the new faces!
Ginny Top from Elle StitchSpaghetti Western Sewing Henrietta Skirt (and crocheted sweater!)True Bias Marlo and Jalie Eleonore PantSimplicity 9272 in wool knitFriday Pattern Company Donny Shirt and Helen’s Closet Falconer PantTiana Herring Juniper Dressand Tauko Cloud TopMerchant & Mills Sanda Jacket #1And #2! I want to be on her Christmas list!And for Dad-Helen’s Closet Cameron Button Up
Rue spaghetti western sewing
Minimalist shirt tropical research
Spaghetti Western Sewing Rue Quilt CoatTropical Research Minimalist Shirt(channeling warm beaches)Sew Liberated Chanterelle PantThread Theory Jedediah PantPapercut Patterns Copellia CardiMerry Christmas!
Weather kept most people away from Sewing Lounge on Wednesday but a few of us made it. Fun to be together and enjoyed a quiet lunch after at Rose Street Patisserie!
Thursday gave us pretty good winter driving conditions and we had a good crowd at Creative Sewing in Apple Valley.
Saturday will be at Open Studio Sewing in St. Louis Park. We’ll start with breakfast/coffee at Yum! Bakery, just across the parking lot from the store.
New Look 6106-the skirt with a very long gestational period!Hand knitted origami scarfA very close copy of FibreMood Elmo Shawl patternThe FibreMood Elmo Shawl pattern-nice work, Cindy!!Granddaughter sewing and Love Notions Boyfriend Cardi in redVogue 9275 in sweatshirt fleeceCostume sewn! injust two weeks-lots of learning!! Sweet Todd Vest, Pirate Shirt, Lace up Skirt by Twig and TaleFeel Good Dress that became a top
Wednesday, December 10, 10:30 at the Sewing Lounge, St. Paul
Thursday, December 11, 10:30 at Creative Sewing, Apple Valley
Saturday, December 13, 10:30 at Open Sew Studio, St. Louis Park
And here are Debbie and Kristin’s makes from November:
Debbie’s Garments:
Amy Butler Liverpool in featherweight corduroy
TNT pattern that includes a shirt, tunic, dress with sleeve options.
For this make I used snaps for closures and adapted width for cuff and used a faux snap for pleated cuff effect.
The pattern fit, construction, and instruction details are excellent.
Cranberry Cardi
Seamwork Fig Cardigan in bamboo rib knit
I realized too late the pattern did not have a B cup. I thought with a few fit adjustments like petiting and taking in seams I might get a good fit – that did not work. Should have done a small bust adjustment.
This is a good pattern so I do not want to deter others from making it. I will pass this garment on and some day give it another try.
I did not use the cuffs because I neglected to shorten length of sleeve.
I increased the neck band width by 1/2” which I would not do next time.
Sewing with the fabric was a good experience. My standard machine, serger and cover stitch machine all worked beautifully with the fabric.
The only negative with the fabric is getting the rib straight when sewing – strictly an operator error!
Love Notions Terra Tunic with Greenstyle Surge Sweatshirt neckband in cable stripe quilted double knit
I had planned to make the Terra Tunic with the funnel neck but accidentally cut the scoop neckline. I needed to rectify my mistake – then I remembered the neckband/collar feature from the Greenstyle pattern.
I had already stitched the shoulder and sleeves for the tunic so it was too late to add the zipper feature from the Greenstyle pattern . As luck would have it the neckband from the Greenstyle pattern fit nicely into the Terra Tunic without the zipper.
The neckband has a faced front and back pattern piece. The directions instruct to sew front and backs rst to neck edge and then fold under bottom edges of facing and slip stitch to neck edge – Nope – I treated the front and back pieces and facings as one and serged the neck edge.
I like the details on the Greenstyle Surge Sweatshirt so will give the entire pattern a try.
Kristin’s Garments:
Robe-McCalls 6844 with sleeve from Butterick 6596 in wool knit
Not wanting a kimono robe but also wanting some ease, I substituted a bit bigger sleeve with a broader sleeve cap. I also added an inch of depth across the back to make a bigger armhole to accommodate the sleeve and do a forward shoulder/neck adjustment. A bit unorthodox but it seems to have worked.
Ran out of fabric for the double thick and wide neckband but very happy I kept as is-nice and cozy.
Pajama Top-Burda 6990, Pajama Bottoms-Hudson Joggers all wool knit
Feeling chilly as I sewed so made the funnel neck version of this favorite pattern. No regrets. Running out of fabric fuels my creative juices-all good.
Going for more of a “pajama” vibe the cuffs were made same width as leg. The cuff hem gives a nice weight to the thin wool.
Simplicity R12029/9896 in fleece and corduroyBack pocket-just in case 🙂
Pattern has been fermenting in my stash-had fun arranging fabrics.
It’s a unisex pattern (size Medium) and made for wovens so I made no adjustments to size-other than whacking off a bunch of sleeve length!!
Pocket construction was biggest challenge. In the end, double sided iron-on tape was my best friend and I didn’t follow their instructions.
Spray glue also became my friend as I layered the corduroy on the fleece. Not too much trouble sewing it all together-serger struggled a bit on intersections.
Check pocket size for your intended use-may need to adjust size. Fun make!
Jalie Vanessa’s in wool/cotton blend
1. I have a great stash of warm pant fabric so had choices when making another pair of pants for the trip. The fabric is cotton on inside and wool on outside. Dreamy to wear!!
Sew Inviting was the host of our Wednesday meeting and then we were at Creative Sewing in Apple Valley for our Thursday wrap up.
Talvikki Sweater by Named ClothingButterick 5927 with a few modifications 🙂Sewing Workshop Bells and WhistlesFun neckline-Marcy Tilton Vogue 2067Helen’s Closet Moss Sweater, Love Notions Willow Wrap Top, Jalie Genevieve SkirtGetting closer to the perfect shirt! (Pattern can no longer be named 🙂A prolific sewist!Love Notions Terra TunicVogue 1818-great take on a vest!Sewing Workshop Opal Jacket with Grainline Studio Lark TeeSimplicity 2153 with a little help from Simplicity 9889Sew House Seven Tabor and Sewing Workshop Helix PantA little holiday cheer!!
Material Girl Sewing 