Last Month’s Garment Sewing Group

Looking a little bit like it was a slumber party, here are our October garments and notes.

We’ll be at the Sewing Lounge tomorrow (Wednesday), then First Sewing on Thursday and Treadle Yard Goods on Saturday. See you!?

Debbie’s Garments:

1. A TNT pattern for me. This pattern can be made up in a variety of knits that can be casual or dressy and takes about a yard of 54-60 inch fabric. It’s a win-win.

2. The original pattern has a longer shirt tail hem on back . I made the front and back even in length with a shirt tail hem.

3. Instead of a neckband I did a serged “bias” edge finish to eliminate bulk and give it a more dressy look.

1. I was excited to try this pattern because it seemed relaxed but a step up from an everyday bathrobe. I still feel that way but constructing it is a different story – it is very “putsy” to make and put on! The waffle knit sews as smooth as butter.

2. I made the robe knee length.

3. The front band is connected to a faced neck band that hugs the back neck.

4. The pattern sets in sleeves but I put them in using the flat method.

5. I added the ties for closing the band after the robe was finished so I could get correct placement due to my height-I am short .

1. This pattern runs large – next time I will take that in consideration when choosing a size.

2. Instead of neckband I serged a contrast knit strip to neck edge and then folded contrast to wrong side and stitched in the ditch to secure trim.

3. I put a straight hem on the sleeves rather than adding trim at an angle.

Coral Dot PJ Bottoms

1. My go to pattern for a quick and easy make.

2. I made it to pattern but I did change up the waist band by doing an “Eileen Fischer type” waistband. I determine the waist measurement and sew the elastic as a circle. Then the rs of the elastic is serged to rs of pj waist. The elastic is turned to ws and stitched in the ditch at center front and back and side seams.

Kristin’s Garments

1. Shortened the waist (tie point) by 1.5” and when I shortened the neck facing accordingly, it was easier to just fold the center front in (and lessen the overlap at CF). This also took out some bulk in the overlap.

2. Cut out a size 16 and graded larger at hips and took 1/4” seams at sides and sleeve seams. Sleeves are narrow and have a high cap but went in nicely. And to be fair, that pattern photo suggests this is to be worn without something underneath.

3. Fabric was wonderful to work with-used triple zigzag to understitch neck edge. Interfaced the back neck facing but just used 3/8” fusible stabilizer for larger part of neck edge.

4. Omitted the hole in side seam and attaching ties so I can try different solutions as I plan to wear tied most of time and the stickiness of fabric will keep flaps in place (I think).

5. Made size 20 which is largest that New Look usually goes. With this stretch rayon, it was a good size. Pant seems wider than pattern photo. Turned down an extra 2” at waist mostly due to stretchiness and weight of fabric.

1. I couldn’t help myself-this was the pattern I had in my head for this fabric. I have a wedding in Phoenix and didn’t want to blend in-ha!!

2. Because of the lantern shape there was no need to increase at hips! Pretty much made to pattern-sleeves are on the slender side but it is a tunic and not a jacket so that’s OK.

3. Collar was applied with the hot dog technique from my “At Any Angle” shirts last month. The collar is very high but turns over nicely.

4. Interesting selvage edge was used at hems and facing.

5. I have a dress waiting in the wings in case I lose my nerve or the temperature remains high.

1. Last month’s Willow Tank from Grainline Studio was great to wear under my At Every Angle shirt so I thought rayon would make a great knit option under a top but I wanted a short sleeve without the bulk of seams.

2. Pattern calls for 1.25” neckband optional but more as a wrap. I wanted a bit more strength to hold the stretchy rayon in place so I treated it as a tee shirt neckband. I like the narrowness of it.

3. Took in under arm-I think mostly because of the rayon knit.

November 2022 Garment Sewing Group

Wednesday, November 9, 10:30, Sewing Lounge

Thursday, November 10, 10:30 at First Sewing, Bloomington

Saturday, November 12, 10:30, Treadle Yard Goods, St. Paul