January GSG Final

**It’s the Saturday meeting at Sew Inviting! Shopping bag and tea included!**

**Specialty small pieces came together in Stylearc Quinn Top**

**Butterick 6388 times two with a designer’s flair**

**Sewing Workshop Quincy Jacket as a sweatshirt**

**Modified Anna Allen Anthea Top and pink Uggs!!**

**The finer details of Norwegian knitting**

Debbie’s Garments:

**Butterick 5926 in Ultra Stretch Jeans Knit**

Fitting adjustments included petiting between shoulder and bust, narrowing shoulder and shortening body and sleeve length.

Unfortunately I read an article in the Winter 2024 Threads magazine titled Pattern Potential – A Guide To Evaluating and Choosing Wisely after I completed the jacket. The biggest problem with the pattern are the construction techniques. It would have been so much better to have a back neck facing and then sandwich the completed collar between the facings instead of sewing under collar to jacket and upper collar to facing and then sewing the two together. Also pressing under the facing shoulder seam and slip stitching to shoulder never a good idea – in my opinion!

The fabric was not fun to work with. It wasn’t ultra stretchy or forgiving. It was necessary to edge stitch the pocket to the jacket but any other topstitching just didn’t look good.

I like the end result of the jacket and it will get some wear, however I won’t be using the pattern or type of fabric again.

**Simplicity 1538 with combined views in linen blend shirting**

This is a TNT blouse pattern. The placket is a separate piece which makes it easier to use contrasting fabric or design accents like putting the fronts on the bias.

Other design changes I made were eliminating the back gathers and using a pleat instead and softening the shirt tail hem.

This pattern works well to sew the garment as flat as possible by changing the order of construction – before putting in the sleeves construct the placket, yoke, collar stand and collar.

I used the shorter version and still needed to shorten length 1 inch in body and 2 inches from sleeves.

I needed to do lots of basting to determine the length I wanted due to the method of constructing the band before adding the back sleeve.

If I made this again I would adjust the back funnel neck by removing it. This would allow me to sew sleeves to front and back and then add one continuous band.

I feel the pattern runs large so I recommend going down a size.

I love sweaters – I have knitted them and purchased them. I do not enjoy sewing them!

Kristin’s Garments:

Silk (?) Jacket

**Hovea Jacket and Coat, Megan Nielsen, unlined woven**

This is a versatile pattern with many options-lined, unlined, quilted, etc. Well drafted and lots of instructions.

Love the fabric. The big pockets could get saggy. Underarm curve was tricky.

Sleeves are narrower than a kimono. It grows on you 🙂

**At Every Angle, Cutting Line Designs in pinwale corduroy**

This is a TNT pattern for me. So fun to do variations with fabric, etc.

I made a size small, sleeves were 2” too short. Great instructions for mitered corners and hems. All raw edges taken care of and no hand stitching.

This pattern features her one seam collar. Turns out so nice.

**Rika Pants, Closet Core Patterns, in cotton twill**

This pattern has been calling to me for some time now so I gave in. Construction went well. Omitted front pockets.

Other Closet Core pant patterns have fit me well. This pattern is a bit short in the depth of the crotch and I let out the hips as much as possible. In looking at the versions on the website-the pattern delivered! They look the same on me as on the models-close fitting through waist and hips and wide legs.

February Garment Sewing Group

Saturday, February 8, 10:30 at Lakes Makerie, Mpls.

Wednesday, February 12, 10:30 at The Sewing Lounge, St. Paul

Thursday, February 13, 10:30 at Creative Sewing, Apple Valley

January Makes, Part One

Here are photos from Wednesday and Thursday meetings. Hope to see you on Saturday, 10:30 am, at Sew Inviting, 647 Snelling Av. S., St. Paul. We’ll be there this month and then go back to Sewing Lounge in February.

**First, a funny tee shirt that her hubby was excited to find!**

**Stylearc Logan Shacket with modifications**

**Friday Pattern Co Arlo and wearing Jalie Romy with square neck add-on**

**Grainline Studio Lark Tee in cotton knit**

December Inspiration

It never fails to surprise me when I look back at the pics from our Garment Sewing Group meetings-so much fun and creativity!

Paper Theory Olya Shirt and wearing Sewing Workshop Liberty Shirt

5 Out of 4 Board Short made into a skirt

Lore Piar Leia Top and Grainline Reed Skirt

Stylearc Josie Hoodie, wearing Butterick 6634

Left-Craft of Clothes Xanthea T-shirt into a vest/handwoven yardage, Kristin holding other colors

Happy New Year!

But let’s catch up on last year’s final GSG meeting-

December 2024

Garment Sewing Group

www.materialgirlsewing.com

Debbie’s Garments:

**Amy Butler Liverpool Shirt in corduroy shirting**

This is one of my favorite shirt patterns. I have made it 3 times and I am always pleased with the fit and construction process.

I made a few changes this time making a long sleeve version and adding a fun cuff.

The sleeves are meant to be constructed flat but I did the set-in method.

I like the smaller collar, the fitted design and length. I especially like the fabric.

**Simplicity 8699, View C, View B length, Marc Jacob’s Italian wool**

A simple A-line skirt pattern would have been a better choice due to the fabric, contour waist and curvy side seams – oh well!

The only fit adjustment I made was to straighten the side seams.

It was a challenge to match the plaid at contour waist and get it to fit around my body while keeping the plaid from getting funky.

I thought this would be a simple quick make but it was more of a challenge and took more time than I planned for!

I needed and wanted a skirt to go with a RTW Knit jacket – this skirt fits the bill and I am sure it will get worn often during our cold weather.

Leftovers –

I had difficulty sewing this month due to lack of inspiration and a basket of “leftover” projects that I couldn’t ignore before moving on. Finally I worked through the basket starting with making a Tee shirt dress into a tee-shirt and then using the leftover from the dress I made a scrappy tee. I also changed out snaps, adjusted cuffs on a blouse and refashioned another blouse from last month.

For the refashioned blouse, Burda 6146 – I didn’t care for the front slit and ruffles. I removed the ruffle and using a technique new to me I replaced the slit with a fun band. I will definitely use the band technique again.

Kristin’s Garments:

**Andes Jacket Itch to Stitch and Vogue 1356, heavy ponte/cotton trim**

Like Debbie, there were a few UFO’s that were asking to be useful! This was a mock up for an outdoor jacket.

Used Vogue 1356 closure instead of putting in a zipper and installed snaps.

Faced the hem, neck and front.

Added cuffs trim to tie in the navy seersucker.

**Burda 6990/rayon knit and Jalie Vanessa/pinwale corduroy**

Favorite pattern that I haven’t had out of the envelope for a while. It did not disappoint!

The rayon behaved very well-love the neck of this pattern. Added cuffs to sleeves because they wear the best (IMHO).

Love these TNT pants! Pocket facing and waistband in light cotton. Omitted the flat front and tie.

**Burda 5869/wool with flannel backed satin lining**

Vests are every “wear” in RTW but the patterns for sewists are skimpy. I started with two Simplicity patterns, one with a shoulder dart and one a bust dart. Made a muslin and looked at all the changes needed so instead of reinventing the wheel I pulled out Burda 5869.

Omitted the stand collar. Used the sleeve facing as armhole facing. Pattern includes lining with a back facing. Omitted zip.

What I learned (I think):

keep the main fabric equal or heavier than the lining

Interface the hem when using the elenapatternstudio method. It was fun to do it again-it came a bit easier.

Garment Sewing Group January 2025

Wednesday, January 8, 10:30, Lakes Makerie, Minneapolis

Thursday, Thursday, January 9, 10:30, Creative Sewing, Apple Valley

Saturday, January 11, 10:30, Sew Inviting , St. Paul (Sewing Lounge is closed first two weeks of January)

Reindeer headed to Lakes Makerie!

Well, maybe just Debbie and Kristin in their cars but…see you this morning at Lakes Makerie for Garment Sewing Group!

Stylemaker Coat Class and Our November Makes

Debbie and I flew to Seattle to take the Stylemaker Coat Class in October. It filled up quickly-thanks to Debbie for getting us signed up early! The class was taught by Karen Dolen of #intostitches fame.

Our goal was to get our coats as close to finished as possible so we had already cut out and interfaced our coat pieces. Debbie and I made wearable muslins in October so we were pretty confident that fit wouldn’t be an issue.

**Kristin’s short version of The Assembly Line Car Coat**

**And we shopped-just to keep our focus sharp!**

**We made new friends (there were 8 students in all)**

**Maybe a little staring out the window**

Did I say we ate well, slept well and wanted for nothing?!?! It was a wonderful retreat, couldn’t have asked for better teacher, peers, food, lodging, etc. We both got our coat linings bagged and returned to Minnesota to add buttons, buttonholes, press and snip threads. Success!

**Final garments for November-The Assembly Line Oversized Shirt/rayon**

**Favorite Cynthia Guffey jacket and Christine Jonson Travel Trio Turtleneck**

Here is the write up from Garment Sewing Group sheets:

Debbie’s Garments:

Purple Winter Coat

Burda 6461, View A

Textured wool with silk/wool lining

1. The majority construction for this coat was done at Style Maker’s Retreat. Before the retreat I cut out the main fabric, applied all the interfacing and carefully marked all pattern pieces.

2. For October GSG I made view B from this pattern – short jacket with different collar – as a wearable muslin. This allowed me to tweak some fitting issues and focus on new and challenging construction techniques such as bound buttonholes, welt pockets, hem and facing lining, tabs and anchoring pockets while at the retreat. I learned so much!

3. If I made this coat or another one anytime soon I would make a few changes:

1. Add a hidden button placket – not fond of the snaps.

2. Change fold over front facing to sew on – I think the center front would be more “crisp.”

3. Increase the size of the pocket bag.

4. The coat retreat was a great experience.

*Hem/Lining finish link: elenapatternstudio – also found on Pinterest

*Continuous Binding link: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=j4NHseVkF30&t=153s

*Tab Construction: Pinterest – henim0702

Purple Print Frill Blouse

Burda 6146, View A neckline with view B sleeves

Rayon

1. I petited between shoulder and bust on front, back and sleeve. The front and back were shortened one inch between bust and waist. I shortened the sleeves two inches in length.

2. I omitted the front neck tie and added a snap for closure.

3. I found the pattern and directions frustrating at times. The pattern piece for the frill was too short to get a decent gathering look so I increased the length. The front facing is too long from the front opening and as a result it doesn’t want to stay put – too fussy.

4. I will make this again with some changes – I love the fabric.

Purple Turtleneck

Christine Johnson Travel Trio #331

94% Bamboo and 10%D (Fibers which are dyeable with disperse dyes, e.g. , polyester, nylon, acrylic, secondary acetate and cellulose triacetate.). In other words be sure to wash your fabric!

1. Another TNT pattern for me, especially when I am short on fabric and time!

2. I have petited this pattern between shoulder and bust, bust and waist – it is a curvy fit. I also removed two inches from length.

3. I had enough fabric to make the sleeves long which works for me for layering and the colder weather.

4. I am finding that I am not a fan of bamboo for garments due to too much wrinkling and pilling. I will continue to use this pattern but not the fabric.

Kristin’s Garments:

Raglan Wool Coat

The Assembly Line Car Coat

Wool with silk stretch lining (and flannel lined pockets!)

1. After making a short corduroy version last month I went up a size to give me more room for layering. Also added a center back seam and more length in the upper back with some success but could have used even more length.

2. As Debbie did, the coat was cut and interfaced throughout when I left for the retreat.

3. The wool was wonderful to work with if not a little thick at some turned corners. The silk lining was slippery but that’s what I needed.

4. Welt pockets were great. Added tabs to close sleeves a bit.

5. I didn’t change construction of collar to coat as planned because I got a crisper corner with the method in the pattern.

6. Making a coat makes almost every other garment seem simple!!

Final Boyfriend Shirt

The Assembly Line Oversized Shirt

Rayon twill

1. First off, I love the fabric. This was the third in a trio of patterns that came out all about the same time-

1. Closet Core Jenna Shirt

2. Maker’s Atelier The Shirt

3. Assembly Line Oversized Shirt

2. Pattern directions were good but not without error. Some words used are awkward but I am a fan of some of their patterns. The fabric gives this a great drape. I made just a stand collar with this pattern and omitted side seam pockets.

3. It was fun to make so many different looks with a change in fabric for these shirts. You may see one of them in a shacket soon!

December GSG

Wednesday, December 11, 10:30, The Sewing Lounge, St. Paul

Thursday, December 12, 10:30, Creative Sewing, Apple Valley and Fabric Swap

Saturday, December 14, 10:30, Lakes Makerie, Minneapolis

Other Classes:

Sew Social: Thursdays, 1-4 pm, Creative Sewing, Apple Valley, Nov. 14, 21, Dec. 5, 12

Open Studio: Wednesdays, 1-4 pm, Lakes Makerie, Mpls., Nov. 13, 20, Dec. 4, 11

November Garment Sewing Group Wrap Up

Here’s the rest of the inspirational sewing we saw in November!

**Deba Topper/Itch to Stitch free pattern!**

**Jalie Drop Pocket Cardi, Dolman Tee, Sylvan Pant**

**Pattern Emporium Songbird Jacket, Easton Cowl/Liesl & Co, Cargo Pant/Itch to Stitch**

**A bit of knitting-Indigo Dragonfly Waves**

**And a lot of French knots on a quilt!**

First Edition/November Garment Sewing Group

Here’s some of what we saw at Sewing Lounge on Saturday!

Join us on Wednesday at Lakes Makerie or Thursday at Creative Sewing in Apple Valley

**Cardigan Butterick 6495/Top Butterick 6388**

**Shirt Vogue 1200/Vest Butterick 6417/Pants Jalie Eleonore**

**Jacket Allie Olson Monarch Jacket/Cashmerette Concord Tee/Jalie Eleonore Jeans**

**Women’s Aspen Fleece Vest 5 Out of 4 Patterns**

**Itch to Stitch Deba Topper free download**

**Free Range Pant Sew House Seven/Sewing Workshop Swing Top**

**Loden Sweater/The Dressmaker’s Guild-free download**

October Final

Here is the last of the meetings for October-scroll down for Debbie and Kristin garments and notes:

**Ilford Jacket by Friday Pattern Company and self-drafted tiered skirt**

**Edie Top and Dress by Merchant and Mills**

October 2024

Garment Sewing Group

Debbie’s Garments:

**Burda 6461, view B-wool with silk lining**

1. This fabric was gifted to me and I felt it was a great opportunity to use for fit and construction techniques for View A from the same pattern.

2. For fit I did not shorten between shoulder and bust but did shorten 1 inch between waist and hip and 1 inch between hip and hem. I shortened the sleeve length by 2 inches. I also did a narrow shoulder adjustment.

3. I used “soft” tailoring techniques only adding a sleeve head, shoulder pads and interfacing to all hems.

4. For my next make I will interface entire front, upper back and sleeve cap. I will also make a greater narrow shoulder adjustment. The sleeve cap has too much ease so I will also remove some of that before cutting out View A.

5. Although Burda patterns can be skimpy in directions, words, photos and notches, the jacket went together fairly easy and quickly.

6. I did enjoy the process and I am looking forward to making view A.

**Jalie 3676 Vanessa Pants in linen/viscose and Jalie 2682 Women’s Tops in lightweight French terry**

1. This is a TNT pant pattern for me and how much I like and wear these pants depends on the fabric. The linen/viscose fabric is okay but I think I prefer a more structured fabric.

2. I eliminate the pieced waistband and make it one piece. I also eliminate the faux zipper and waist tie.

Graphic Print V-Neck Top Jalie 2682

1. Another Jalie TNT pattern for me.

2. I raised the neckline on this make due to the fall weather.

3. Due to 1/4” sa and serging I topstitched the seams to prevent curling and more comfort while wearing.

1. Another TNT pattern. After making my wool jacket it was a nice break to stitch up a few basics to add to my wardrobe. Easy is quick and fun. Now I am ready for a more challenging garment make for November.

November Garment Sewing Group

Saturday, November 9, 10:30, Sewing Lounge, St. Paul

Wednesday, November 13, 10:30, Lakes Makerie, Minneapolis

Thursday, November 14, 10:30, Creative Sewing, Apple Valley

Sew Social this month: Oct. 10 and 24, 1-4 pm, Creative Sewing, Apple Valley

Kristin’s Garments:

**Burda 6773 in Lady McElroy stretch twill**

1. Pattern has a lining that goes past bust so I made that first for a fit muslin. Cut out a size 16.

2. Decided to make seam allowance 3/8” instead of 5/8” at neckline and also cut for highest neckline (it wasn’t much of a difference between sizes). Kept the 5/8” seam allowance for armholes.

3. Omitted back zip but would stitch neck closed and put zipper below to keep things neat.

4. Adjusted for my hips. Back darts gave nice shaping but fit seemed problematic in lots of places.

5. Resewed the side seams at 1/4” and all problems went away-Yeay!!

6. Definitely a keeper pattern for wearing and fitting.

7. Wore the sheath with Vogue 9347 window pane jacket.

**The Assembly Line Car Coat, shortened, in corduroy with Bemberg lining**

1. Made size Medium to pattern except for length. Collar has a partial back stand. Pattern includes lining or facings for no lining.

2. Other than a few marking notches being off or nonexistent the pattern went together very well and instructions were good although some of the language isn’t what we’re used to: face to face instead of right sides together.

3. Added patch pockets instead of welt.

4. I chose to add a facing for the back neck and wish I would have assembled the lining separately so the garment wasn’t so bulky at neck seam-next time!

**Zakopane Top Itch to Stitch in rayon knit**

1. Caroline showed this top last month at Ginny’s and it looked like fun. I made an 8 at the bust and 14 at hip. Pattern calls for fluid knits-cotton knit probably wouldn’t twist.

2. Easy construction except for the piddliness of working with rayon knit. It’s always worth it when the garment is done.

3. Some techniques are overdone for knits-interfacing back neck and understitching neck binding. I didn’t understitch and the neck band was 1 1/2” too long but that could have been a cutting error on my part 🙂

4. Fit is great and it’s a nice vee for me. Twist is easy and looks good-no wrong sides peeking through. Might be a good scrap buster.

Wednesday and Thursday Garments

One more meeting for you to get your sewing inspiration for the month! Saturday, Oct. 12 we’ll be at Lakes Makerie, 10:30.

Here is what we saw at Ginny’s in Rochester and Creative Sewing in Apple Valley:

We all need a label-and a first place ribbon!!

Brenda’s Versace State Fair Closet Core Sienna

Same pattern with a little hand embroidery

Beautifully salvaging a dress that became a skirt

Remake of a great vintage pattern-from the original fabric!

Cielo from Closet Core and Vogue 8712 pant

Cutest little Barbie shirt from KwikSew for Children

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