Oh. My. Goodness! Thursday and Saturday were such great meetings-can’t wait to see what tomorrow at Sewing Lounge brings! And Maggy has worked really hard to find chairs and a comfortable arrangement for all of us.
Let’s get to some photos!
After going through these photos, I just can’t wait to see what everyone brings for September. Pat yourselves on the back-you rock the sewing world!!!
See you this Thursday (First Sewing), Saturday (Ginny’s) or next Wednesday (Sewing Lounge). Or maybe all three days!!
Our meetings start this Thursday, 9/8 at First Sewing, and then down to Rochester on Saturday, 9/10, finishing at Sewing Lounge on Wednesday, 9/14.
Our Saturday regulars were feeling left out of our Wednesday trips to Rochester so they decided to go on their own and I figured we might as well have our Saturday meeting at Ginny’s! It all worked out-if you’d like to attend and want to carpool-email materialgirlsewing@gmail.com
I know, it’s September already-trying to catch up…
September 2022 Garment Sewing Group
Thursday, September 8, 10:30, First Sewing, Bloomington and Fabric Swap
Saturday, September 10, 10:30 at Ginny’s in Rochester
Wednesday, September 14, 10:30, The Sewing Lounge, St. Paul
And here’s what we sewed in August—-
Debbie’s Garments:
Kristin’s Garments:
1. Added 5” to skirt and raised waist on bodice 1.5”. Needed to piece the center fronts but like the result.
2. Pattern well written. Used rayon for muslin and skirt draped more than it did with the linen.
3. Made size 14.
We’ll be at First Sewing on Thursday, August 11 at 10:30 for version 2 of GSG and Fabric Swap!
Here are photos from today at Treadle Yard Goods-
August meetings for Garment Sewing Group are as follows:
Wednesday, August 10, 10:30 Treadle Yard Goods
Thursday, August 11, 10:30, First Sewing, Blmgtn., and FABRIC SWAP
Saturday, August 13, 10:30, Treadle Yard Goods, St. Paul
Hope to see you and your end of summer sewing!
July 2022 Garment Sewing Group Photos and Notes
Debbie’s Garments:
I was a little hesitant making this dress due to style vibe and fitting concerns. I read lots of reviews, listened to Brenda and made a muslin. Then I thought go for it and I am glad I did. It is a fun make.
1. I did my petite adjustments between shoulder and bust but not any length!
2. The construction is easy and very clear. I did question the direction of stay stitching the pattern directs. It is just the opposite of the way I was taught.
3. Not fond of the construction technique used for the opening for the tie. Next time I would put in a buttonhole.
I have no idea what pattern the skirt is cut from. I have a traced pattern with no info on it but it is a TNT. The fabric is cotton sateen.
1. The pattern is simple and easy to make however the fabric gave me a little trouble. Thought I was buying a panel but it was sold by yardage. Therefore I really needed to be careful cutting so I could get the print where I wanted it.
2. Again, fabric was scarce so instead of losing fabric to a hem I serged a bias strip around the hem.
3. I put in a side invisible zipper and the waist is shaped with facing, no waistband.
Coral Boatneck Tee/Somerset Tee by Maven patterns (photo above)
1. I did not need any petite adjustments but I did shorten length on front, back and sleeve one inch.
2. I love a boatneck and this is a good one. The directions are clear and concise and produce RTW results.
3. I would decrease the width of the back neckline with small darts on paper pattern before cutting the next make.
4. This was a fun make. I like the variety of sleeves the pattern offers.
1. This is a TNT pattern that I make often. Each time I add or delete design features.
2. I eliminated the back pockets and I tapered the legs about 2 inches from knee to leg hems.
Kristin’s Garments:
1. Front band is cut on as part of front pattern piece and darts help make the turn. Interesting and well thought out construction.
2. Made a size medium which fit perfectly-graded to next size at hips. Sleeves a bit wide for my taste.
3. Did all interfacing as pattern directed. Fun summer jacket to wear tied.
1. Basic raglan robe pattern which can be hard to find. In my stash for some time and still available on the internet. I made a size medium-it’s also a bit A-lined.
2. Misread placement dots for belt but it worked out in the end 🙂
3. Applied neck/front band to wrong side of robe and wrapped seam allowance with bias contrast fabric and love the detail.
4. Linen makes a wonderful robe for hot weather!
Vogue 8906 OOP, View C
1. This is a view from a TNT pattern that I have always wanted to try. Cut on sleeves, no darts and a v-neck with some shaping pleats to boot!
2. Used a 3/8” seam allowance at neck for a closer neck. Did a forward shoulder just because it’s an old Vogue. Had to add a cuff because sleeve was too short. Topstitched facings down.
3. Buttonholes were a struggle but Solvy did the trick!
August Garment Sewing Group Meetings
Wednesday, August 10, 10:30 Treadle Yard Goods
Thursday, August 11, 10:30, First Sewing, Bloomington
Saturday, August 13, 10:30, Treadle Yard Goods, St. Paul
A beautiful summer Saturday and great sewing inspiration!
We’ll be at Lakes Makerie, Minneapolis, on Wednesday, July 13 and First Sewing, Bloomington on Thursday, July 14 (and FABRIC SWAP). Both start at 10:30 am!
Happy Sewing!!
We’ll be at First Sewing all day, Thursday, June 30 (end of another month!) Serger in the am and Sew Social pm. Still room for YOU!
We’ll be at Lakes Makerie on July 13 for the start of July Garment Sewing Group! See you there——
Our next Basic & Beyond Sergery class starts next Thursday, June 30 at 10 am at First Sewing, 494 and Penn! The class continues July 7 and 21. Go to “Classes at First Sewing” in the menu bar to register.
June Garment Sewing Group:
Debbie’s Garments:
1. This is an unlined jacket so my first step was to draft lining pattern pieces. The sleeves are underlined. Also a dart in the sleeve creates a 2 piece look which I like. It eliminates a lot of bulk.
2. I did petite between shoulder and bust, did a narrow shoulder adjustment but did not shorten length because it is a cropped style.
3. Due to the texture of the main fabric I only interfaced the under collar.
4. Also due to the texture of the fabric I did not top stitch.
5. This pattern is from 2015. It was a fun make and I also decreased my pattern collection.
1. As always I did my petite adjustments but did not shorten the hem length – this is a crop length shirt.
2. The pattern envelope gives yardage for a skirt. There is no skirt in this pattern – maybe a typing error. That should have been my first clue that the pattern had some flaws.
3. The neckband is too short for neck and the directions for collar insertion are poor.
4. The only feature different from my TNT blouse pattern is the “cuff”.
Navy Gingham Pants, Burda 7062, Gingham with Bemberg lining, see photo above
1. This pattern is from 2013 and has been updated in the catalog.
2. I eliminated the side slits and added a lining.
3. This is a TNT for me and it will stay in pattern collection.
Coral “Scraps” Blouse
1. I did my standard petite adjustments and removed 2 inches from the length. I also softened the shirt tail hem and removed length from there as well. The designer is tall!
2. I raised the v-neck 1 inch.
3. I changed construction steps because I wanted to have the neck band on the rs of the blouse. I used the shorten/lengthen line to determine the the length of back top and bottom.
4. I chose this pattern because of the lantern sleeve. I am not fan of v-neck blouses but I thought I would give it a try anyway.
5. It was a fun make even though the construction techniques are kind of putsy and 1/2 seam allowances are used – WHY?!
Kristin’s Garments:
1. Pattern includes lining but didn’t want to lose the stretch of fabric so just used facings.
2. Very large pleat in back was topstitched through all layers-directions had it hanging loose-I wanted a bit more of a “yoke line” to copy garment.
3. Center front overlap was eliminated so no closure. Corners at collar were rounded.
4. This pattern was previously made in fleece. Fits surprisingly well (no forward shoulder needed, bust dart in proper place, sleeve is great.
Brick Summer Pants, Vanessa Fluid Pants/Jalie Patterns, Silk blend fabric? See photo below
1. Added 3” to length-omitted cuff.
2. Darts are extended 2” for a lower seat 🙂
3. Waist band is made into one continuous strip eliminating seams and tie.
4. Great pants pattern-TNT!
1. Made to pattern as the hip area is already wider.
2. Neck binding is supposed to be turned all the way under, I like wrapping the serged edge.
3. Center back seam has waist shaping but the opening isn’t necessary to get blouse on. I just sewed the button on permanently.
4. Several sleeve variations. Great summer woven tee with a dart.
5. Great fit for my body!
Take Me Back to Eddie Bauer, Classic Tee/Love Notions, Green cotton/lycra knit crew neck
1. Shortened length 2”.
2. Both necklines are great depthwise. Vee is quite pointed and the rayon fabric didn’t help. Pattern also includes a scoop neck and all sleeve length variations.
3. Definitely a TNT!
July 2022 Garment Sewing Group
Saturday, July 9, 10:30, Treadle Yard Goods, St. Paul
Wednesday, July 13, 10:30 Lakes Makerie, Mpls
Thursday, July 14, 10:30, First Sewing, Bloomington and Fabric Swap 🙂
Squeaking in on the last day of May…for June meeting dates and locations, please scroll to end of post-
Garment Sewing Group
Debbie’s Garments:
1. I did my standard petite adjustments and shortened the hem length by 2 inches – whoops – it feels a little too short.
2. I did a serged “bias” neck finish instead of turning under neck edge twice and topstitching as pattern directs. I also eliminated the side slit.
3. Fun, easy make that can be casual or dressy, depending on fabric choice.
1. Made my standard petite adjustments as well as shortening hem length.
2. I added a neckband rather than folding neck edge to ws and top stitching. Also added cuffs to again avoid turning hem to inside and topstitching.
3. This is a TNT pattern for me. I like how it fits, there are several looks and it is a great scrap buster.
1. I tried to copy a RTW garment and did fairly well except I wish I would have used very light batting instead of flannel. It is not as soft as RTW garment.
2. Besides my standard petite adjustments I straightened the CF so the fronts meet, not overlap.
3. For construction: stitch side fronts to fronts for main fabric, batting and lining. Follow same procedure for CB seam. Quilt front, back and sleeves using walking foot and 1/2 vertical rows at 3.0 stitch length. Jacket is then serged together.
4. I added a contrast band for CF and hemmed sleeves and bottom with bias strip bands.
5. The RTW version added buttons and buttonholes – I did not.
6. It was a good project to work on during our cold spring but I am done with quilting for a long time now!
1. To redesign the pattern I eliminated the side seam and made the back and wedge one piece allowing for sa and placket folds. Later I added a placket to button edge because my math was incorrect! A two inch length of fabric was pressed wst and serged to rst of shirt back side seam.
2. On the side fronts I added 1 inch plus sa for button hole placket. The placket edges were clean finished, pressed to ws and top stitched.
3. The back hem is longer by one inch.
4. I did make buttonholes but really not necessary.
5. This became more of a chore than I planned on and I realize now I should have just bought the Love Notions pattern!
Kristin’s Garments
1. Quick to sew with raglan sleeves. Bust dart is a plus.
2. As with most popular patterns of this type, the neck is on the larger end of spectrum.
3. I took it in 3/8” along shoulder dart and through sleeve as it seemed a bit low under arms also.
4. Neck band also seemed long but bias binding can stretch when pressed so follow pattern directions and adjust as needed.
1. Eliminated center back seam. Added back darts.
2. Eliminated skirt lining because scuba hung nicely without. Turned under underarms and stitched to make up for lack of lining.
3. Like the fit and the way it went together.
4. Omitted the trim down the side seams as wool knit was thick.
5. Disappointed with fusible interfacing results around decorative neck hole. Glued too well.
6. Hole in front yoke fussy but a fun detail.
1. Made the first version in a medium and that was too small so tried XL and that was much better except bust was big so took shaping out of front bust area.
2. Tried elastic trim for neckline (floral version) and band per pattern (solid version).
3. Lots of options-higher neckline and lower (solid knit was in between), pleated front and plain front, 3 sleeve lengths and a children’s version (separate purchase).
June 2022 Garment Sewing Group
Wednesday, June 8, 10:30, Treadle Yard Goods, St. Paul
Thursday, June 9, 10:30, First Sewing, Bloomington and Fabric Swap
Saturday, June 11, 10:30, Treadle Yard Goods, St. Paul
Material Girl Sewing 