It’s been fun seeing new faces along with our regulars! And the new folks are jumping right in with garments they’ve sewn. Here are the highlights-
Another fun Zoom meeting with new faces and familiar faces-so much fun to connect and see what everyone’s been doing!
Last chance to join in is Saturday at 10:30-email me (materialgirlsewing@gmail.com) for link or go to calendar on website and click on link under Fashion Sewing Club event.
We had a great turn out with 26 people hopping on to our Zoom meeting-froze my iPad but the show went on!
Here are photos from sew and tell. It’s never too late to send photos-I will keep adding them to this blogpost.
Next meeting is tomorrow-Thursday-at 10:30. Anyone wishing to attend can email me for Club sheets in advance so you can print them out if you want.
The meeting link can be accessed here in the Calendar or email me and I can send it to you.
Thanks for staying connected with us!
It’s that time again! Circumstances warranted a change in dates (just the Saturday one) so we’ll be meeting via Zoom on Tuesday, May 12, Thursday, May 14 and Saturday, May 16, all at 10:30 am.
Go to our calendar page for the links to the Zoom meeting. When it’s time for the meeting, just click on the link and you will go into a waiting room and be let in. It worked very well last month with 38 total attendees. If you’d like, send me an email or text and I can send a separate link directly to you.
You can wear your garment for show and tell or email me a pic and I will have it ready to put up during the meeting.
Happy Mother’s Day!!
We started with ten attendees at our Tuesday Zoom meeting, ten on Thursday and then 18 on Saturday! We had new people, regular attenders and one unidentified iPHone 🙂 It was a great way for people to check us out. Everybody mentioned how nice it was to see familiar faces and talk sewing.
First, we’ll catch up on some show and tell and then you’ll see the Club sheets and photos of our garments. Looks like we may be meeting this way again in May so work on your skillz with Zoom and join us in May!
And now Debbie and Kristin garments/Club sheets-
Material Girls Fashion Sewing Club
April 2020
Debbie’s Garments:
Navy Vintage Shirt Dress:
Sew Over It Vintage Shirt Dress, View 1
Rayon Challis
1. Not sure I was into the vintage look so I made a muslin and did all my shortening adjustments between shoulder and waist and hip and hems. I also added 1 inch to waist length but removed that inch after the try on. The upper body fit seemed a little boxy. I feel it runs big so consider going down a size for bodice.
2. The pattern is easy and goes together quickly, especially if you adjust order of construction.
3. I made a fabric belt and used covered buttons.
4. I like the dress but will not make it again. I’m sticking to today’s current patterns.
Home Dec Jean Jacket:
Butterick 5616, View B
Ink Bolt Ebony, 71%cotton, 12%nylon, 11% rayon
1. I have made this pattern before and was set to sew without any change to pattern.
2. I did change construction order and constructed collar before side seams.
3. The fabric is quite heavy so I limited the amount of interfacing – i.e. only interface half of cuff and band. I used a rayon lining for under collar.
4. I used all purpose thread and a size 16 needle for topstitching. My first choice would have been to use topstitch thread but none in my stash. Also as you can see I have buttonholes without buttons. The pattern calls for 3 buttonholes on cuff but I did two. I need ten 3/4” buttons for entire jacket and again none in my stash.
5. I added trim to back neck line collar. This pattern is a TNT but I do prefer the Janet Pray Islander System and her Jean Jacket pattern, especially for construction techniques.
Grey Stripe Ballet/Boatneck Tee:
Sew Over It Edie tee from Work to Weekend ebook
Cotton Jersey
1. This is a new pattern for me and I like the fit and neckline. I did do a lot of shortening and stabilized the neckline. Other than that it went together quickly and is quite easy.
New Garments sewn with favorite TNT patterns used for the following outfits:
Grey Denim Jeans – Eleonore by Jalie, 78%cotton, 21% poly and 1% elastic
Panel Tee – Vogue 9065, View A, Rayon Jersey
Coral Blazer -Morris Blazer by Grainline Studio, Cotton Stretch
Rusty Tee with Bow at Neckline – McCalls 6964, rayon Jersey
Plaid floral Pants- Vogue 1630, Today’s Fit by Sandra Betzina, rayon, nylon and spandex
Kristin’s Garments
Denim Jacket
Fit for Art Tabula Rasa Base Pattern
Assorted denims
1. Purchased the pattern and tried on their muslins for a first fitting. Wish I would have taken more time and a few pictures!
2. Pattern is based on a kimono with a square underarm and princess seams.
3. Pattern has horizontal fitting lines that work well to divide pieces for piecing your leftovers 🙂
4. Bust dart quite low (where are my photos from the try-on?) but it fits nicely with the underarm seam.
5. Looks like I need a rounded shoulder or sway back adjustment (centerback rides up and stands out) but I added a center back seam and topstitched it so hoped that it might go away with omitting the center back seam.
Peach Wool Jacket
Fit for Art Tabula Rasa with Shirt Variations
Very soft wool in gabardine (?) weave
1. This was my attraction to the pattern-she has done all the variations for you. First bit of advice-pin the variation right on to the pattern so you don’t accidentally cut out the base piece! So the front of the jacket is on the cross grain because that is exactly what I did.
2. I added 5” to the pattern to get a longer shirt jacket.
3. Moved the dart but opted not to mess with the center back.
4. Should have messed with the center back!
5. Stand up collar doesn’t stand up much so Debbie’s (Treadle’s) beautiful floral wool doesn’t show as much as I’d hoped.
6. Bust dart placement is better but I may change it to look like a typical Burda princess dart-short and in the right place with no relationship to the underarm seam.
7. Stay tuned for further variations.
Spring Tee
Fit for Art Tabula Rasa Knits Tee
Cotton knit
1. Made the pattern using same size as jacket. Happy that the drafting skinnied up the sleeve and overall worked well as a tee.
2. Neck shaping is a bit close at sides of neck but that is easily changed.
3. Threads featured a blue faux wrap dress (painted garment was the focus) that uses this pattern with the Clever Crossings variation.
Addendum-there were some drag lines coming from the center back neck on both of the Tabula Rasa jackets which would indicate a rounded shoulder adjustment so I gave it a try one more time in a woven quilt weight cotton.
May 2020 Fashion Sewing Club
Saturday, May 7, 10:30 at Treadle
Tuesday, May 12, 10:30 at Treadle
Thursday, May 14, 10:30 at SR Harris, Burnsville
In an attempt to establish some normalcy, we hosted Tuesday’s meeting of Fashion Sewing Club on Zoom. We’ve been meeting as Sew Social the past two Thursdays to try it out-and see familiar faces.
You, too can be a part of these meetings by going to our website and clicking the link on the calendar. Zoom can be accessed on your computer or you can download the app for your phone or iPad. Send an email to materialgirlsewing@gmail.com and we will send a copy of the Club sheets so you can follow along.
You can also send photos of your garments to show or show them from your device during the meeting. There is no charge to attend.
Tuesday’s meeting was a big success-so good to see people! Katie Knoblach showed up with her Christine Jonson Easy Coat! We did miss having lunch together afterwards 😦
Here are show and tell pics. Kristin and Debbie’s garments along with the Club sheets will be posted after the Saturday meeting.
Be bold! Try something new-or come and lend your expertise-and show up on Thursday or Saturday! See and be seen!!
Thanks for the great photos, all! Find your happy place-SEW ON!
Perhaps you saw the great Treadle Yard Goods/Sew Good Goods article on the 10 o’clock news and are already in production mode.
Here is a link to the Allina Health site that lists donation locations.https://www.allinahealth.org/about-us/newsroom/2020/allina-health-calls-on-public-for-donations-of-face-masks
Here is a link with printed instructions on how to sew the face mask:https://www.allinahealth.org/-/media/allina-health/files/mask-sewing-how-to.pdf
Sew Good Goods instructions are here.
But in case you haven’t jumped on the bandwagon, here are some sources and inspirational photos to inspire you:
And here is the YouTube link to an instructional video.https://www.youtube.com/watch?time_continue=21&v=9tBg0Os5FWQ&feature=emb_logo
Also, Craftpassion.com has a pattern and a file for using a Cricut to cut fabric. That would be a great time/hand saver!
Sew forth and conquer and reach out to your sewing friends to keep spirits up!! Or send me photos and I will post here.
March Fashion Sewing Club
Kristin’s Garments
Bubble Top
Assembly Line Cuff Top
Crinkly cotton
Asymmetrical Top
Vogue 1665
Textured knit
Diagonal Hem Maxi
Burda 6498
Rayon woven
Tee Shirt Dress
McCalls 7561
Rayon knit
Debbie’s Garments
Faux Wrap Dress: McCalls 7953, View A, Digital Kahio Indigo, 100% Rayon
1. Shortened length between shoulder and bust which wasn’t difficult but also shortened dress length a total of 5 inches and it was difficult due to all the angles.
2. The pattern was annoying for the following reasons: difficult to determine which pattern pieces needed for each view, notches did not match up and the sewing techniques were awkward, especially for the faux wrap on right front. Ties sewed into seams would aid in fit.
3. The jumpsuit is appealing and I should have given it a try.
4. I do like the fabric but I think my choice does not have enough body for the wrap to stand out.
Navy Check Shirt/Tunic: Vogue 1541, Today’s Fit Sandra Betzina , View A and B combined.
Double Gauze, 100% Cotton.
1. Went down one size in bust area, shortened length between shoulder and bust and did a narrow shoulder adjustment. Shortened placket length.
2. Interfacing , pockets and bottom band were omitted.
3. The fitting and construction techniques are excellent, especially the center front placket. However the collar is a bit of a challenge.
4. One other great feature of her pattern construction is the recommended use of modern techniques such as the serger and Steam a Seam.
Sage Green Bow Blouse: Sewaholic Oakridge Blouse, 1502, View A, Brushed Stretch silk.
1. Shortened length between shoulder and bust as well as 2 inches hem length.
2. Straightened side seams slightly between waist and hip.
3. Added a hidden button placket – check out Susan Khalje in Threads #168, Aug/Sept 2013 for a great resource and a few good You Tube videos.
4. I have been wanting to make this up for awhile to go with a wool blazer in my closet. I used a silk because I could not find a knit in this color. I am still looking for that knit!
April 2020 Fashion Sewing Club Dates
* Please note the changes made due to holiday
Thursday, April 9, 10:30, SR Harris, Burnsville
Tuesday, April 14, 10:30, Treadle Yard Goods, St. Paul
Saturday, April 18, 10:30, Treadle Yard Goods, St. Paul
A few of my favorite purchases from the Puyallup Sewing Expo are pictured and linked below. What are your favorites?
Next up is a set of small rulers that are perfect for tracing patterns-Burdastyle patterns, here I come. I love to use rulers as I trace. My lines are so much more accurate. And there’s a plastic envelope 🙂 Again, Amazon carries these rulers.
And last, but not least, the Hurth Ruler. It’s made in Germany and you can order it from Cochenille Design Studio. It’s great for measuring armhole depth, neck width, etc. Just so much easier than carrying two steel right angle rulers-which we used to do!
Fashion Sewing Club February 2020
Debbie’s Garments:
Navy Swing Dress/Tunic
New Look 6469, View C
Rayon Ponte blend
1. Shortened between shoulder and bust on front, back and sleeve. Did not shorten overall length.
2. Omitted zipper and changed order of construction-sleeves to front and back then side seams.
3. Easy, quick, fun and I like the fit.
Purple Color Block Dress/Tunic
New Look 6439, View D with Scoop Neck
Rayon Ponte blend
1. Front and back are on fold – to achieve blocking, I added seam allowance to front and back at fold. Left front, back and sleeve are opposite colors from the right front, back and sleeve.
2. The neckband was omitted and the neck edge is turned under and cover stitched.
3. I have made this pattern at least 3 times and it is a winner.
Deep Coral Botanical Print Blouse
New Look 6394, View C
Liberty of London 100% Cotton
1. Shortened between shoulder and bust on front, back yoke and sleeve and also one inch between waist and hip on front an back.
2. Pattern had sew on front facings – I changed to fold over to eliminate bulk. The yoke is single layer so I added yoke lining with burrito technique. This got me into a little trouble with facing so I improvised as best as I could to attach front facing to shoulder area.
3. French seams were used as often as possible as well as a bit of serging.
4. This is an easy pattern that lets the fabric stand out – exactly what I wanted.
Light Coral Small Print Shirt
Sewaholic 1501 Granville Fitted Shirt
100% Cotton
The fit of my shirt – princess seaming in back, shaped hem are definitely true to the Granville, however, I often combine construction techniques from Kwik Sew 3555, Nancy Zieman, Pam Howard and other resources to create my favorite shirt.
Kristin’s Garments
Julio Cesar Fleece Jacket
Vogue 1648
Polar fleece, activewear knit
1. Omitted back pleat because of thick fabric.
2. Kept a center back seam for shaping at neck.
3. Nice fit but maybe a bit close if using a non stretch woven as pattern calls for.
4. Omitted lining.
Turtleneck
Vogue 9337
Activewear knit
1. Pattern has a half neck piece for front of turtleneck-maybe to give better shoulder neck shaping?
2. Turtleneck isn’t meant to be turned down-one layer, hemmed at top.
3. Turtleneck is close fitting and long.
Leggings
Jalie Clara High Waisted Leggings #3887
Activewear knit
1. Center front seam is on fold and pattern has a gusset.
2. Easy to assemble. Near perfect fit. Made the version without waistband.
3. Only took in at knee-otherwise leg fit snugly.
One More Vogue Jacket
Vogue 1642
Polar fleece, activewear knit
1. Chose the longer version, View B.
2. Eliminated zip in collar.
3. Very large through shoulders and bust and then tapers to hem.
4. Collar opening too wide.
5. Sleeves are wide.
6. Pattern calls for zips in side seams, I just did slits.
March Fashion Sewing Club
Tuesday, March 10 at Treadle Yard Goods
Thursday, March 12 at SR Harris, Burnsville
Saturday, March 14 at Treadle Yard Goods
Material Girl Sewing 