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.
Debbie’s Garments:
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.
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!
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.
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
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!
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!!
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.
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!
Rue spaghetti western sewing
Minimalist shirt tropical research
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.
I’ve been plowed out so on my way! See you other snow lovers at the Sewing Lounge! Today, Wednesday, Dec. 10 🙂
December meetings are right around the corner-
December 2025 Garment Sewing Group
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:
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
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!
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:
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.
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.
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!
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.
We had a lovely crowd at Sewing Lounge on Saturday. Beautiful new fabric, too! We’ll be at Sew Inviting on Wednesday and Creative on Thursday-see you!!
Garment Sewing Group
Debbie’s Garments:
Sew House Seven Toaster Sweater, Version1, Purple Watercolor digital print Sweatshirt fleece. High neck, semi-cropped , raglan sleeves with wide band and cuffs and loose T-neckband. This pattern requires no fit adjustments for me.
Sew House Toaster Sweater, Version 2. Green and Gray light Ponte or double knit. This version has a unique neckline, set in sleeves, fitted through bust and then slightly swings out to hem. There are side vents with a hi-low hem. The only fit adjustments I make to this pattern is shortening the length between waist and hip. Both versions are easy, quick and versatile makes. Truly a great pattern.
I like features from these two patterns so I often interchange pattern pieces and construction details. For example, I wanted contrast cuffs so I used the Simplicity pattern piece because the KS pattern doesn’t use a two piece cuff pattern piece.
Cranberry Winter Coat
I did my fitting adjustments including petiting, narrow shoulder and shortening sleeves and body length.
I used inseam pockets and bound buttonholes. (Mistake Proof Bound Buttonholes on It’s Sew Easy with Janet Pray – You Tube ).
This pattern is well drafted and the directions are excellent. Time consuming but not too difficult.
I may have added a design feature to lining hem OR I may have “camouflaged” a mistake. I also may need to redo the lining – I am going to think on that.
When we had that cold spell in August I was motivated to start this project. Then the weather got HOT and I almost put it aside for awhile. I have a hard time starting a garment and not completing it before going on to the next project so I kept on going. I’m glad I did – I am ready for winter whenever Mother Nature throws it at us!
Kristin’s Garments
Shawl Collar Jacket
This fabric was quite off grain so a slow cut but there was enough fabric. It also has cross grain stretch which makes the jacket very comfortable. The pattern is drafted for a woven fabric with no stretch.
The pattern features a cut-on neck facing but pivoting went well. Neck facings were turned under and handsewn.
Fit is nice, collar lays beautifully. Front facings are wide and pulled at front so facings were hand tacked at edges. The grain of the fabric may have had something to do with the pulling too.
Great jacket-I can see short versions and many different fabrics that would work.
Stylearc Cheryl Stretch Woven Pants in ponte
1. I wanted a cropped pant that wasn’t too wide legged. I’ve made these in stretch denim before and they are OK but the ponte works well. Goes together quickly and has very gathering at the waistband.
Love Notions Barrington Boxy Tee-tried and true boxy fit tee that draped nicely in the Eileen Fisher knit.
If no one has said, “it’s all about the fabric” somebody should! Not sure what possessed me to buy the pique (photo above) but I won’t buy any more. It’s fine but the tee looks better in the navy Eileen Fisher (photo with gray pants) as it is slippery on the inside so hangs better than the pique.
I was inspired by a blog post and just had to try the original pattern first. The pique knit had very little drape and the pattern was too big so I took it in.
The neckband is a single band of knit serged to the neck edge and rolled around to wrong side and stitched in the ditch. Nice option with a knit like the pique that hasn’t much stretch recovery.
Burda 6990 in rayon knit–better result
I was thinking all along that I should just use 6990 and tilt it out at centers front and back to get the same effect as the Makers Atelier tee. After all, I already knew it would fit around arms, etc. The rayon knit also hangs better and looks more like the inspiration photo.
November Garment Sewing Group
Saturday, Nov. 8, 10:30 at Sewing Lounge, St. Paul
Wednesday, Nov. 12, 10:30 at Sew Inviting, St. Paul
Thursday, Nov. 13, 10:30 at Creative Sewing, Apple Valley
The common theme for Saturday seemed to have been Toaster Sweaters from Sew House Seven. Not many new ones but the tried and true, “still in my closet” garments 🙂 Debbie made one too-see next post!
Material Girl Sewing 