How to Wear Necklaces With a Cowl


Inspired by a new-to-me blogger, Brenda Kinsel, and her post from yesterday, I put on several necklaces grouped to make a statement.

This is my new wool knit tunic-fabric from SR Harris, Vogue 9022 but modified to copy the Stylearc Cher Knit Dress.
Brenda talks about “nothing earrings” or support earrings for a statement necklace. These small squarish hoops are may favorite “nothing earring”. The necklaces together are OK. I’ve met my balance point criteria as far as where the necklaces rest.

My frustration is how to keep the necklaces from sliding forward and rumpling the cowl. Those of us that live in colder climates have these issues. Maybe we should start sewing a hang tag on the outside back neck to keep necklaces in place.

So for now, I changed necklaces and added a safety pin from the inside to hold the necklace in place. Can’t be rearranging all day 🙂

Any ideas? Other than wearing pins or scarves for a splash of color and focal point?

Wearable Spring Fashion Trends

Now that the season is turning, its fun to look at the upcoming spring fashion trends for 2018. If you’re at all like me, I tend to follow a particular style rather than trend. However, looking modern is nice and if a certain trend fits into my aesthetic, it’s fun to embrace. Here are a few 2018 spring fashion trends that caught my eye. I’d love to hear your take on these too.

1. Sequins

Sequins are typically a holiday trend, but not this season. Expect it to be in full force through spring and summer. Think tank tops, simple dresses, pencil skirts, trims on cardigans, etc. I love the idea of a sequined bomber jacket. Take a look at the Jalie Charlie Bomber, wouldn’t it be “killer”?

2. Paper Bag Waists

A paper bag pant/skirt is defined as a pleated/gathered waistline that sits at the high waist. This waistline is perfect for belting and is flattering on the hourglass/pear-shaped figure. McCalls released their version this spring. McCalls 7726 is a recent make of mine, and I’m in LOVE with it.

3. Plaids/Stripes

This classic seems to be everywhere from tops to bottoms. As sewers, we can take advantage of the different angles they offer. Plaids and stripes allow us to strategically create optical illusions to minimize/maximize parts of our bodies. Vogue 9293 gives us lots of options.



Now that I’ve shared three of my favorite wearable trends, I’d sure like to hear about yours!

What are you sewing?

Just wanted to catch up with what we’ve (and some of you) have been sewing-
First, Sewing Kids’ Clothes at Treadle:

Burda 9482
One of our class patterns
Kwiksew quarter zip

After School Sewing at JoAnn and Treadle:

Sew Social/Workroom Social
Bench cushion-done!
After much ripping-perfect!

And then a bit of stashbusting/saving favorite fails from final banishment :-/
Second time making this pattern-different body/another perfect fit!
Too short Toaster Sweater

Minus a good eight inches
Plus 25” of graffiti print knit
Equals a very wearable tunic dress (the sweatshirt fleece is the best!)
Loved the fit and fleece of this jacket but the dots were overpowering
So I colored them with fabric markers!
Saved!

I must confess that the dots look very “Lite Brite”-ish-do You remember that toy?
And now it’s time to get serious about Fashion Sewing Club garments-looking forward to seeing what you’ve created!

Cute Kids’ Clothes-Come Sew Some!

Sewing for kids is so much fun! Here are the patterns we’ll be featuring at tomorrow’s class (which still has a few spaces 🙂


This pattern is a sweatshirt with a ruffle replacing the bottom band to make it a bit more girly. Sizes run birth to 18 months but will probably easily fit a 2 year old.


This pattern is from Burdastyle magazine-11/2017 and comes in sizes 3-7. We’ll have this pattern for you to use if you don’t have the magazine.


This is the tunic version of the pattern which goes from size 4-9.

All fabric shown is knits from Treadle Yard Goods. Great class to for giving your serger a workout!

Sewing Children’s Clothes meets Tuesday, February 27th from 1-4 pm at Treadle Yard Goods. Please call the store at (651) 698-9690 to register.

Thanks to my two cute grandkids (one of whom wanted to remain faceless 🙂 for the fun photos!

Dye-ing to See You

After having my colors done, there were a few items in my closet that had too much contrast between the light and dark colors. Since Katie had done some dyeing, we got together and changed the dominant color (or lack thereof).

All garments had a white background


Pretty good match for my colors
After drying

Of course, the real test is what it looks like next to my skin color, but for that, you’ll have to come to Fashion Sewing Club 🙂

Fashion Sewing Club:
Saturday, February 10, 10:30
Tuesday, February 13, 10:30 and 6:30

Classes at Treadle Yard Goods

Workroom Social, Tuesdays, February 13, 1:00-4:00
Basic Serger and Beyond, Saturdays, February 10 and 24, 1:00-4:00
Sewing For Your Lifestyle, Tuesday, February 20, 1:00-4:00
Sewing Kids Clothes, Tuesday, February 27, 1:00-4:00

Classes at Edina Yorktown JoAnn

Sew Social, Thursday, February 22, 1:00-4:00
Peasant Top, Monday, February 12, and Monday, February 26,1:00-3:00
Three Seam Pillowcase, Monday, February 12, 5:30-8:30
Comfy Pants, Monday, February 26, 5:30-9:00
Serger Down and Dirty, Monday, February 12, 1:00-4:00
Serger Bells and Whistles, Monday, February 26, 1:00-4:00
Sewing For Kids, Thursday, February 22, 9:30- 11:30 and 6:00-8:00
Classes For Kids
Kids After School Sewing, Thursdays, February 22, 4:30-6:00

Twelve Days of Christmas

I know-waaaaay past that! But I had the idea and need to let it go to move on with…spring?
OK, Valentine’s Day? Easter?
Anyway, the sewing that got done over Christmas-hope it inspires you to finish some UFO’s and bust some stash.

One button sewn on with new sewing machine-read manual

Two-front and back added to too short blouse

Three Charley Harper pillow covers

Five Buttonholes!

Six Christmas pillowcases

Seven silky scarves with rolled hems

Ten buttons total

Twelve gifts for grand boys! Pillows, pillowcases and quilts-

A few numbers missing…maybe next year 🙂

January’s Inspiration and February Calendar

A sampling of the sewing that inspired us at January Fashion Sewing Club meetings-
and thanks for going beyond our wildest dreams with so many people at the first Tuesday evening meeting!!

Tilly and the Buttons Agnes Top
Tilly and the Buttons Coco Dress/Top

Burda 6475
Black dress-Vogue 9047

New Lisette pattern
Butterick 6526
Two Sewing Workshop Hudson Tops

Little Something Jacket
Very happily finished coat class project
Sewing Workshop Peony Vest
Sandra Bezina vest Vogue 1453
Shapes High Five Jacket
Sewing Workshop Now Shirt as jacket
Sewing Workshop Frankie Blouse
Stylearc Esme Top
Stylearc Grace Coat

And February’s calendar-

Fashion Sewing Club:
Saturday, February 10, 10:30
Tuesday, February 13, 10:30 and 6:30

Classes at JoAnn Edina Yorktown

Sew Social, Thursday, February 1, 8, 22, 1:00-4:00
Learn To Sew, Monday, February 5, 5:30-8:30
Zippers, Monday, February 5, 5:00-8:00
Peasant Top, Monday, February 12, and Monday, February 26,1:00-3:00
Three Seam Pillowcase, Monday, February 12, 5:30-8:30
Comfy Pants, Monday, February 26, 5:30-9:00
Serger: Down and Dirty, Monday, February 12, 1:00-4:00
Serger: Bells and Whistles, Monday, February 26, 1:00-4:00
Sewing For Kids, Thursday, February 22, 9:30-12:30 or 6:00-8:00

Classes For Kids at Joann

Kids’ Comfy Pants, Thursday, February 8, 4:30-6:30 and Thursday, February 22, 4:30-6:30
Kids’ After School Sewing, Thursdays, February 1, 8, 22, 4:30-6:00
Kids’ Learn to Sew, Saturday, February 24, 9:30-12:30

Classes at Treadle Yard Goods

Workroom Social, Tuesdays, February 6 and 13, 1:00-4:00
Basic Sergery and Beyond, Saturdays, February 10 and 24, 1:00-4:00
Sew For Your Life, Tuesday, February 20, 1:00-4:00
Sewing Kids’ Clothes, Tuesday, February 27, 1:00-4:00

New Class: Sewing Children’s Clothes


Woot woot! Great kids’ fabric at Treadle, just in time for our new Sewing for Kids class. The fabric is from Art Gallery.
We’ll be at Joann Fabrics in Edina Thursday (tomorrow) morning from 9:30-12:30 and in the evening from 6-8 pm. The same class will be held at Treadle Yard Goods on Tuesday, January 30 from 1-4 pm.

The fabric pictured above will also be available for the Joann class as I have some in my possession and will be prewashing it tonight.

Our January class will focus on a raglan sleeve knit top with bands and skinny pants also with bands. Think Hanna Andersson pj’s but the patterns themselves are versatile enough for t-shirts, leggings and sweatpants. The goal of the class is to showcase patterns and techniques that make the pattern quick to sew and cut out along with the fit that you get with ready to wear. We recommend Simplicity 8526 or we have an Ottobre pattern you may trace (bring paper).

You can sign up for the Joann class till midnight tonight :)) on this website or email us. For the Treadle class, call 651-698-9690. Each month we will focus on another garment for babies to 8 year olds (you can sew for older kids, we just won’t have patterns recommended).

Take it from a grandma with multiple grandkids-you need to take this class and your children will thank you for it (the adult ones or the ones you are still raising :))

What you missed-or what you didn’t

Just finished putting January Fashion Sewing Club on the website and thought I’d put it here on the blog for a change. You can still find it above on the menu bar under “Club Sheets and Garment Photos”. It also shows Katie, our new Material Girl! She debuted on Saturday and we are glad her family is healthy again.

Enjoy-
Material Girls Fashion Sewing Club

January 2018

Debbie’s Garments

Contemporary Couture Jacket

Vogue 7975, View C

Wool Tweed with Silk blend lining.

Resources:The Contemporary Couture Jacket Class by Angela Wolf on Pattern Review and

Kathryn Brenne’s tutorial , The Classic CardiganJacket on Emma One Sock.

I have always been intrigued by the Chanel Jacket so on a cold winter day when the Angela Wolf class went on sale I signed up and am so glad I did.

This is my muslin, a work in progress. I have tried a variety of techniques from both resources. None have been difficult but sometimes challenging. I did not: interface, use a 3 piece sleeve or make bound buttonholes. I did put in a sleeve head. I would like to finish this jacket by the next club. My ultimate goal someday is to find the perfect fabric and make another jacket, this time with 3 piece sleeves etc. This experience has been a Lionel Richie, Easy Like a Sunday Morning, for me – my happy place!

Stripe Tunic

New Look 6439, View B, Jersey Knit

1. The pattern does not give a fit description so I compared my measurements to pattern and went down a size. It is made to pattern – fun, easy and quick sew.

Ruffle/Flounce Tunic

McCalls 7122, View A, Rayon/lycra knit

1. This is a TNT pattern that can be adapted for many looks.

2. To create ruffle/flounce, measure the length of the front at sleeve placement from armhole to neck edge. My length was 9 inches. For an easy formula, subtract one inch, and divide by 6. For example 9-1 = 8, divided by 6 is about1.3. see diagram to create pattern from your measurements.

3. Cut two ruffles from main fabric and two from contrast fabric to avoid ws of main fabric showing. Place ws of main fabric ruffle to ws of contrast. Baste ruffles to front at sleeve area.

4. Continue sewing tunic as pattern directs.

Katie’s Garments

Charlie Bomber Jacket

Jalie 3675

Stretch Woven/Wool Knit/ Bemberg lining

1. Decided to quilt fabric before cutting out pattern pieces. Wanted more warmth. Used cotton batting and rayon lining.

2. The single welt pocket went together easily. Used masking tape to get proper width of the welt for a more professional look.

3. Cut leather appliques and rhinestone template using my cutting machine.

Jalie Raglan T shirt

1. Sewn to pattern.

Christine Johnson Patterns 905- Fitted jacket

Stretch woven blend

1. Rounded/reshaped the collar, lapels and hipline to give jacket a softer/more flattering look.

2. Shortened jacket by 4-5 inches to hit at a more flattering spot.

3. Would highly suggest using extra stabilizer when sewing buttonholes in any fabric with stretch.

Sewaholic Hollyburn

1. This is my go-to flared skirt patterns. Flattering, functional (pockets) and easy to sew.

2. Used invisible zipper for a cleaner look.

3. Shortened by 2 inches.

Simplicity 1589

1. Sewed per pattern.

Angela Wolff Ruche T-shirt

Cotton lycra for outer layer and french terry underneath

1. Raised neckline by 2 inches to hit at balance point and widened significantly.

2. Underlined front, back and sleeves with contrasting fabric.

3. Sewed narrow zig-zag stich between cuts to keep layers neat and together.

4. Test fabric to ensure it curls. Some fabrics that work well are: jerseys, cotton-lycras, French terry, sweatshirting.

5. Let your creative juices run wild and have fun with this technique!

Kristin’s Garments

Sweaters

Simplicity 8529 View B, Blue sweater knit

1. Funnel neck sewn as a wrapped seam. Leaves a bit of a bump depending on thickness of fabric but looks nice and no need for second step of stitching two layers together.

2. Funnel neck narrower and higher than Toaster. Dropped shoulder/dropped underarm-both 4” longer than Toaster.

3. Didn’t use bands for sleeves/hem.

Toaster Sweater/Sew House Seven, Red Missoni sweater knit

1. Used funnel neck from Simplicity version but set in sleeve from Toaster.

2. Followed original Toaster technique for funnel neck because of bulk of knit.

3. Faced hem with ponte to reduce bulk/add stretch retention.

Burda 6990 Funnel neck tee

StyleArc Taylor Knit Skirt, Heavy cotton interlock

1. Shortened 4”.

2. Used a basting stitch for slit, topstitched, then ripped basting stitches.

3. Pattern has lines for stripes but can also cut out on straight of grain.

February 2018 Fashion Sewing Club

Saturday, February 10 , 10:30 at Treadle

Tuesday, February 13, 10:30 and again at 6:30 at Treadle

Back in the Saddle-Almost!

Just wanted you to know that the physical calendar for January is updated and all of the classes for January and February are listed on the website. PayPal tabs haven’t been updated quite yet but a quick email will reserve a spot until I get it done.

We (and that now means three of us!) are busy sewing for next Tuesday and Saturday Club meetings-we’ve added a Tuesday evening meeting at Treadle at 6:30 pm (and discontinued the Thursday meeting at Joann). Looking forward to new faces that haven’t been able to make it-and the new Tuesday evening meeting will only cost $5 or free if it’s your first time through March!

Classes and Fashion Sewing Club are back in full swing next week! See you soon~

Debbie, Katie and Kristin!