Kay’s Garments:

Magna Pants from “Ahead of the Curve”

Linen/cotton blend

This is a printed pattern if you have a copy of the book. If you have a digital copy of the book, the pattern is available as a PDF.

I made the version which does not require an optional side zipper.

The pattern is only available in US sizes 12-32. Cashmerette now does all patterns in a full size range from US sizes 0-32.

This is a pattern for woven fabrics and has a flat front waistband and an elastic back which I prefer rather than one that is all elastic. The back darts also provide me with a better fit.

Maker’s Atelier’s Flared Shirt, PDF (AO) (photo above)

Available through The Fold Line

Linen, cotton Blend from Style Makers

This shirt is similar to the popular Donny Shirt. I like this British Designer.

The collar is flat and does not have a band which I like.

I made the long sleeve version but am also thinking that I would like the sleeveless version for spring and summer. It has a nice flared shape.

I made the asymmetrical version with zippered side pockets.

The scuba fabric was great to work with and this is a nice transitional piece as the weather changes.

I found that the directions while good could have been clearer especially when dealing with inserting the pocket zippers.

I made the pattern to size and was very happy with the fit.

Closet Core Sleep Mask -matching fabric-free pattern

I wanted a pair of spring pajamas but decided to make the long sleeved top and long pants as I get cold even in the summer!

I did not use the pattern directions for attaching the bindings. I used 2” wide strips of knit, folded them in half and serged them to the edges.

I made the pattern to size and it fits but I like my jammies to be loose and comfy and these are more form fitting. I should have looked more carefully at the pattern and would have noticed that the bottoms fit more like leggings than lounge pants. So while the pattern is cute, I would recommend sizing up one or maybe even 2 sizes for the bottoms. I would also shorten them.

The sleep mask is fun and easy to make and a different type from the typical sleep mask. I liked that it didn’t have an elastic band around your head. Just a fun little addition.

Kay gave us some very on-trend tips on packing with the sudoku method. It’s a great way to find holes in your wardrobe too! Have fun on a snowy afternoon and see how many you have in your wardrobe!

Kristin’s Garments

A warmer, more casual jacket was needed in the wardrobe so here it is! My plan was to make the first jacket from the quilted lining, make the outside jacket, shorten the lining at the hem and stitch to the outer jacket lining, stitch the lining to the outer jacket at the neck edge (with the collar sandwiched between), pop on the plackets and deal with the sleeve edges as it happened.

For once, I pretty much followed the plan! I added a center back upper and lower seam to accommodate my fabric mash up. The lining seams were zigzagged open to keep them flat.

The center front facings were trimmed off to become the plackets. I reshaped the back facing for hanger appeal.

Welt pockets were added using Sew Anastasia’s technique on YouTube (I used the same technique on the sweater jacket). The placket ends were applied using this technique (https://fb.watch/FN4vzhKzIM/?fs=e) It’s Kenneth King slowing down a fast recording of ryliss_sewinganddesign-school doing the same thing. It works great on waistbands and worked really well on the hem end of placket but not on the collar end (collar is in the way).

Another fun drafting exercise from this company. I made two last month. The photo (again) drew me in. I am happy with the results and enjoyed the sew.

Only one collar is cut out and the neck facing incorporates the upper collar. That’s cool! Beautiful pleats in the sleeve. Used a quick Workroom Social technique YouTube tutorial for sleeve plackets.

I got so excited about my two neck buttons that I forgot about the cuff buttons so did snaps 🙂

This is a medium sized, lined bag with nice pocket assortment and optional zip closure. The laminated canvas was fairly easy to sew on-the walking foot was my tool of choice.

I put in the top zip. I also used a zipper foot to enclose clothesline rope inside the handle to give it some heft. The pattern and instructions were great but not quite the perfect bag yet..

April Garment Sewing Group Meetings-Cohost: Barb Prigge

Wednesday, April 8, Sew Inviting, St. Paul

Thursday, April 9, Creative Sewing, Apple Valley and Fabric Swap

Saturday, April 11, Sewing Lounge, St. Paul

(Some of my grandkids are super-into basketball, but I digress)

Our pre-blizzard March Garment Sewing Group meetings were amazing!! Kay was the cohost and had a great time (her words). We started out Wednesday at Lakes Makerie-

Then Thursday was at Creative Sewing in Apple Valley-

Saturday’s meeting was at Open Studio Sewing in St. Louis Park-

And we all went home and waited for the blizzard! Whew! Dodged that bullet!

Kristin and Kay’s garments are in a separate post-

Another month and you didn’t disappoint! Here are Saturday and Thursday meetings-

Our Lakes Makerie meeting was full of great makes! Keep scrolling down for Debbie and Kristin’s garments-

January Garment Sewing Group

Debbie’s Garments:

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.

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.

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:

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!

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.

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

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.