Last chance for March Garment Sewing Group today at Treadle Yard Goods, 10:30 am.
Here are photos from our meeting on Thursday at First Sewing-












Last chance for March Garment Sewing Group today at Treadle Yard Goods, 10:30 am.
Here are photos from our meeting on Thursday at First Sewing-
Yesterday was our first March meeting-we’ll be at First Sewing today, Thursday, March 9 and at Treadle Yard Goods on Saturday. Here’s what we saw at Lakes-
What will you be sewing for March-that in between, “I don’t really want to sew more wool but it’s still COLD” month!!
Debbie’s Garments:
1. Cut size small and petited between shoulders and bust but not length.
2. Stabilized the hems with Steam a Seam and then topstitched.
3. Used a serged bias finish for armholes.
4. This vest requires a lot of fabric due to the neck cowl but is worth it.
5. The fabric requires a great amount of steaming, press and pounding but again well worth it.
1. This is my second make from this pattern. I like her construction techniques but find the sleeves very narrow.
2. I petited between the shoulder and bust and shortened the front placket 7” and cut it on the bias.
3. I also straightened the outside collar edges instead of using the curve shape.
4. Her collar instructions are a little tricky so I used my own method. It’s a fun make but time to move onto another pattern for a woven tunic.
1. This is TNT pattern for me and thought it would work for a staple travel pant, especially on a plane.
2. Polyester is never my first choice but in this case it worked well for my needs.
3. I converted the waistband to one piece and eliminated the faux fly zipper.
4. A quick make and a versatile pattern.
1. I did not need to petite between shoulder and bust but did shorten the sleeve length by one inch.
2. The pattern has a 2 piece sleeve which I like but I would do a continuous or tower placket next time.
3. I used a burrito roll for the yoke and applied placket and cuffs ws to rs.
4. I will use this pattern again – other than out dated construction techniques it checks a lot of boxes.
1. Another TNT pattern that I often hack to meet my needs or my fabric needs- in this case too much stretch!
2. I changed the cowl to a T neck by removing width and length from pattern piece. If I did it again I would make the T neck out of ribbing but I didn’t have enough ribbing after making bottom band and cuffs from ribbing.
3. I wanted more of a boxy fit so I straightened the side seams from bust to hem.
Kristin’s Garments:
1. Made a size 16 for bodice, size 18 at hips.
2. One piece collar went in very easily with facings.
3. Sleeves went in flat very well.
4. Bust dart built in with the two horizontal seams. Makes pocket application a bit awkward.
5. Front placket is part of front facing-worked well.
6. Took sleeves and side seam at bust in 1/2” and that improved the fit by a lot.
1. Loved working with the wool! Fit turned out to be wonderful-size medium.
2. Elbow dart in sleeve; sleeve facing at hem.
3. Learned how to use eyelet stitch but it was a bit small for the tie.
4. Made a narrow hem-would add to length next time.
5. Made elastic cording from cotton knit-jersey rolls to right side (wrong side shows) on crossgrain and to wrong side (right side shows) on straight of grain.
1. Omitted neck facing and holes for ties.
2. Took dart out of sleeve:
1. Draw a line from hem to tip of dart, parallel to grainline.
2. Fold dart closed.
3. Draw straight line from armscye (close to side seam) to each side of newly opened area.
4. Fold this newly drawn “dart” closed.
5. True up the hem.
3. Finished the neck edge and hems with knit strips and sewed all seams with knit strips.
4. Took in sleeves and side seams by 1/2” to down size from woven pattern.
1. Split neck version-shaped front and back center seams. Vee seemed to open too high for comfort so fiddled with that.
2. Pattern calls for a neck zipper but not necessary.
3. Wrap version-shoulder seams continue up to folded over neck edge. Stitched down the fold to keep things neat.
March 2023 Garment Sewing Group
Wednesday, March 8, 10:30 Lakes Makerie
Thursday, March 9, 10:30 First Sewing
Saturday, March 11, 10:30 Treadle Yard Goods
Here are pics from yesterday-we’ll be at First Sewing today, Thursday, and then at Sewing Lounge on Saturday. Great sewing!!
Garment Sewing Group week is upon us! Hope to see you!!
Wednesday, 2/8 at Quilters’ Haven, 2930 146th St Suite 108
Rosemount MN 55068. We were there for a fall Saturday meeting.
Thursday, 2/9 at First Sewing, Southtown Center, Bloomington AND Fabric Swap!
Saturday, 2/11 at The Sewing Lounge, 987 Selby Av., St. Paul
Last week was our first day of classes in the Lakes Makerie space-Open Studio and Basic Sergery-
I hope you are in the sunshine somewhere-it’s beautiful!! Speaking of beautiful-here are the remaining sew and tell pics. Another great month of sewing!
Happy sewing for February!!
Another wonderful week of meetings despite weather challenges! It is such a pleasure to get together with like minded people and talk about sewing. And afterwards at lunch, too!
Check out the article in Minneapolis/St. Paul Magazine about all the wonderful fabric store options in the metro area! Old news for us but about time everyone else hears about it 🙂
Garment Sewing Group-January 2023
Debbie’s Garments:
1. Standard petite adjustments were made as well as a narrow shoulder adjustment and overall garment length by 1 inch.
2. The back hem was made even to the front so that the wrong side of the floral print would not be visible.
3. Instead of slip stitching the inside collar, I added a bias strip to cover neck edge.
4. I basted a contrast facing to right front then had my serger cut at basting stitch line. Then the the facing was wrapped around serger stitch to have contrast from facing show and again not have wrong side of navy print visible. The trim was stitched in the ditch to secure.
5. Contrast cuffs were added to sleeves.
Green Plaid Shirt
1. Determined size then did fitting adjustments, made a muslin and then started over. Needed to go down two sizes. – it is very oversized.
2. Generally the pattern has very good construction techniques but it does go from 3/8” to 1/4” seam allowances so you must pay attention. Also there is a lot of hand basting that could be replaced by serging an edge and press under.
3. This was a fun but challenging make. Too many pattern fit adjustments were needed and that affected the neck opening and slide slits a bit. Also, plaid fabric probably wasn’t the best choice when matching seams.
1. This a TNT pattern, especially when using up leftovers.
2. For this make I sewed the rst of neckband to wrong side of tee and then topstitched the band at neck edge.
Kristin’s Garments:
1. Features: bust and bodice back darts, skirt is more a-line, fold over placket, simple turn under sleeve placket.
2. Started with a medium size bodice and large skirt-bodice snug so redrew lines and cut a large size for bodice.
3. Sleeves are very similar to the Burda pattern. Turning under the placket was quick and easy, especially with the tencel. Sleeve cap less shaped than Burda.
4. Fold under placket was another time saver.
5. Good instructions, lots of information, mostly clear 🙂 Happy with my fabric choice.=
1. Features: bust darts only, straighter skirt, not as much shape, folded sew-on placket, traditional sleeve placket.
2. Made size 16 bodice and 18 skirt. Fit well.
3. Sleeve has a well shaped cap, took a little easing with the twill.
4. Pattern instructions were misplaced so followed Grainline instructions.
1. Burda has a “new look” which seems to mean even less instructions! But still the same great drafting.
2. Narrow-but not too-turtle neck. Long sleeve has ruching with a strip of elastic but not interested.
3. I sized up as it seemed to be close fitting, happy I did.
1. Similar to Laundry Day Tee made previously except raglan instead of set in sleeves.
2. Pattern calls for a zip with the turtle neck but not necessary with rayon knit. Turtle neck very similar in size to the Burda tee above.
3. I like the fit of the New Look better than Love Notions Laundry Day.
February Garment Sewing Group
Wednesday, February 8, 10:30 at Quilters Haven in Rosemount
Thursday, February 9, 10:30 at First Sewing in Bloomington
Saturday, February 11, 10:30 at the Sewing Lounge in St. Paul
Great turnout in Lakes Makerie’s new classroom! Sunny, wood floors and bright yellow chairs-snow didn’t seem quite so overwhelming.
We’ll be at Sewing Lounge in St. Paul on Wednesday and First Sewing, Bloomington on Thursday, both start at 10:30.
Merriest wishes and happy New Year to all of you wonderfully creative and fun people!! Here are the garments Debbie and I made in December along with commentary.
Classes are finished for the year and we will have a new calendar out at some point for 2023. Garment Sewing Group dates are at end of post.
Debbie’s Garments:
1. Shortened front, back and sleeves between shoulder and bust.
2. After eliminating front facing, Hong Kong finishing seam allowances and lining the sleeves, inserting the sleeves with hand sewing it would have been easier to line the jacket!
3. I did not use any interfacing but I did add sleeve heads.
4. Due to not facing the jacket front I changed the order of construction and techniques.
5. The collar seam is stitched wst and the center back seam is stitched rst. Bias trim was added to hide collar seam.
6. Hong Kong seam finish is done with single layer and a folded bias strip was used for edge finishes.
7. The front edges were trimmed before stitching side seams and sleeves.
1. Shortened back, front, and sleeves between shoulder and bust. Sleeve length shortened 2 inches.
2. This is a TNT pattern for me. I need to remember the sleeves get too narrow below elbow before I make it again.
Jalie Renee Pant #4018 (see photo above)
Ponte rayon blend
1. I shortened the length of the pants 1 and 1/2 inch above and below the knee. Next time I would only shorten length by 2 inches.
2. I used 1/4 inch seam allowances instead 3/8 seam allowances that pattern recommends- just to give me a little less negative ease.
3. This is my first make from this pattern and I will make it again. I like the fit, style and ease of construction, especially when it comes to the waistband.
1. Shortened between shoulder and bust on front, back, and sleeves. Also shortened the sleeve length 1 inch.
2. Did a narrow shoulder adjustment.
3. I used a jersey knit for facing to eliminate bulk.
4. Quick, easy, fun make.
Kristin’s Garments
1. Made to pattern-size X. Fun to put together. Great for using larger scraps.
2. Recommend lightweight drapey fabric to keep pockets from getting too bulky.
1. Both patterns have wide neck openings.
2. Jalie (size X) has a shorter sleeve and 3/4 length sleeve addition, La Bella Donna is longer and has a long hour glass shaped cuff. Recommend one size larger for cuff.
3. La Bella Donna (size Large) has one pattern piece, front same as back except for neck.
4. Added neckband from Tabor Vee Neck to “warm” up the tees.
1. Ankle bands are bigger but narrower than women’s.
2. Same great fit as women’s pattern!
1. Cut out smaller size (14) across shoulders for a closer fit. Also sized down for sleeve.
2. Added 6” to length.
3. Great New Look pattern with best construction practices. Neck band is straight, long band. Added cuffs. Bands overlap at center front which is what I was aiming for. Perfect for rayon knits and not a lot of extra fabric.
True Bias Hudson Pant for Women (photo above)
1. Omitted pockets. TNT pattern! Love the fit!!
1. Larger sleeve, different cuff, no placket, were some of the details that drew me to the pattern after seeing a few like it in magazines/websites.
2. Made size Medium, it’s an oversized fit.
3. Cut out another yoke and did burrito roll-just barely with the fleece. Used kimono fabrics as facings for fronts, collar, cuffs and pockets.
4. Omitted the back neck facing and trimmed back neck with bias.
January Garment Sewing Group Meetings
Saturday, January 7, Lakes Makerie (first Saturday of month-not second!)
Wednesday, January 11, Sewing Lounge
Thursday, January 12, First Sewing and Fabric Swap