Wednesday, 10/12, Ginny’s in Rochester will be our host-she has great new fabric and extra discounts on wool to boot! That’s Wednesday, October 12 at 10:30 am. Ginny’s address is 211 Broadway Av. S., Rochester. Bring a folding chair if sitting is important to you :)) Hope to see you!
And to keep you till tomorrow, here are some pics from our Saturday meeting last week-great quilt backdrop, huh?
Our next Basic & Beyond Sergery class starts next Thursday, June 30 at 10 am at First Sewing, 494 and Penn! The class continues July 7 and 21. Go to “Classes at First Sewing” in the menu bar to register.
June Garment Sewing Group:
Debbie’s Garments:
1. This is an unlined jacket so my first step was to draft lining pattern pieces. The sleeves are underlined. Also a dart in the sleeve creates a 2 piece look which I like. It eliminates a lot of bulk.
2. I did petite between shoulder and bust, did a narrow shoulder adjustment but did not shorten length because it is a cropped style.
3. Due to the texture of the main fabric I only interfaced the under collar.
4. Also due to the texture of the fabric I did not top stitch.
5. This pattern is from 2015. It was a fun make and I also decreased my pattern collection.
1. As always I did my petite adjustments but did not shorten the hem length – this is a crop length shirt.
2. The pattern envelope gives yardage for a skirt. There is no skirt in this pattern – maybe a typing error. That should have been my first clue that the pattern had some flaws.
3. The neckband is too short for neck and the directions for collar insertion are poor.
4. The only feature different from my TNT blouse pattern is the “cuff”.
Navy Gingham Pants, Burda 7062, Gingham with Bemberg lining, see photo above
1. This pattern is from 2013 and has been updated in the catalog.
2. I eliminated the side slits and added a lining.
3. This is a TNT for me and it will stay in pattern collection.
Coral “Scraps” Blouse
1. I did my standard petite adjustments and removed 2 inches from the length. I also softened the shirt tail hem and removed length from there as well. The designer is tall!
2. I raised the v-neck 1 inch.
3. I changed construction steps because I wanted to have the neck band on the rs of the blouse. I used the shorten/lengthen line to determine the the length of back top and bottom.
4. I chose this pattern because of the lantern sleeve. I am not fan of v-neck blouses but I thought I would give it a try anyway.
5. It was a fun make even though the construction techniques are kind of putsy and 1/2 seam allowances are used – WHY?!
Kristin’s Garments:
1. Pattern includes lining but didn’t want to lose the stretch of fabric so just used facings.
2. Very large pleat in back was topstitched through all layers-directions had it hanging loose-I wanted a bit more of a “yoke line” to copy garment.
3. Center front overlap was eliminated so no closure. Corners at collar were rounded.
4. This pattern was previously made in fleece. Fits surprisingly well (no forward shoulder needed, bust dart in proper place, sleeve is great.
Brick Summer Pants, Vanessa Fluid Pants/Jalie Patterns, Silk blend fabric? See photo below
1. Added 3” to length-omitted cuff.
2. Darts are extended 2” for a lower seat 🙂
3. Waist band is made into one continuous strip eliminating seams and tie.
4. Great pants pattern-TNT!
1. Made to pattern as the hip area is already wider.
2. Neck binding is supposed to be turned all the way under, I like wrapping the serged edge.
3. Center back seam has waist shaping but the opening isn’t necessary to get blouse on. I just sewed the button on permanently.
4. Several sleeve variations. Great summer woven tee with a dart.
5. Great fit for my body!
Take Me Back to Eddie Bauer, Classic Tee/Love Notions, Green cotton/lycra knit crew neck
1. Shortened length 2”.
2. Both necklines are great depthwise. Vee is quite pointed and the rayon fabric didn’t help. Pattern also includes a scoop neck and all sleeve length variations.
3. Definitely a TNT!
July 2022 Garment Sewing Group
Saturday, July 9, 10:30, Treadle Yard Goods, St. Paul
Wednesday, July 13, 10:30 Lakes Makerie, Mpls
Thursday, July 14, 10:30, First Sewing, Bloomington and Fabric Swap 🙂
Squeaking in on the last day of May…for June meeting dates and locations, please scroll to end of post-
Garment Sewing Group
Debbie’s Garments:
1. I did my standard petite adjustments and shortened the hem length by 2 inches – whoops – it feels a little too short.
2. I did a serged “bias” neck finish instead of turning under neck edge twice and topstitching as pattern directs. I also eliminated the side slit.
3. Fun, easy make that can be casual or dressy, depending on fabric choice.
1. Made my standard petite adjustments as well as shortening hem length.
2. I added a neckband rather than folding neck edge to ws and top stitching. Also added cuffs to again avoid turning hem to inside and topstitching.
3. This is a TNT pattern for me. I like how it fits, there are several looks and it is a great scrap buster.
1. I tried to copy a RTW garment and did fairly well except I wish I would have used very light batting instead of flannel. It is not as soft as RTW garment.
2. Besides my standard petite adjustments I straightened the CF so the fronts meet, not overlap.
3. For construction: stitch side fronts to fronts for main fabric, batting and lining. Follow same procedure for CB seam. Quilt front, back and sleeves using walking foot and 1/2 vertical rows at 3.0 stitch length. Jacket is then serged together.
4. I added a contrast band for CF and hemmed sleeves and bottom with bias strip bands.
5. The RTW version added buttons and buttonholes – I did not.
6. It was a good project to work on during our cold spring but I am done with quilting for a long time now!
1. To redesign the pattern I eliminated the side seam and made the back and wedge one piece allowing for sa and placket folds. Later I added a placket to button edge because my math was incorrect! A two inch length of fabric was pressed wst and serged to rst of shirt back side seam.
2. On the side fronts I added 1 inch plus sa for button hole placket. The placket edges were clean finished, pressed to ws and top stitched.
3. The back hem is longer by one inch.
4. I did make buttonholes but really not necessary.
5. This became more of a chore than I planned on and I realize now I should have just bought the Love Notions pattern!
Kristin’s Garments
1. Quick to sew with raglan sleeves. Bust dart is a plus.
2. As with most popular patterns of this type, the neck is on the larger end of spectrum.
3. I took it in 3/8” along shoulder dart and through sleeve as it seemed a bit low under arms also.
4. Neck band also seemed long but bias binding can stretch when pressed so follow pattern directions and adjust as needed.
1. Eliminated center back seam. Added back darts.
2. Eliminated skirt lining because scuba hung nicely without. Turned under underarms and stitched to make up for lack of lining.
3. Like the fit and the way it went together.
4. Omitted the trim down the side seams as wool knit was thick.
5. Disappointed with fusible interfacing results around decorative neck hole. Glued too well.
6. Hole in front yoke fussy but a fun detail.
1. Made the first version in a medium and that was too small so tried XL and that was much better except bust was big so took shaping out of front bust area.
2. Tried elastic trim for neckline (floral version) and band per pattern (solid version).
3. Lots of options-higher neckline and lower (solid knit was in between), pleated front and plain front, 3 sleeve lengths and a children’s version (separate purchase).
June 2022 Garment Sewing Group
Wednesday, June 8, 10:30, Treadle Yard Goods, St. Paul
Thursday, June 9, 10:30, First Sewing, Bloomington and Fabric Swap
Saturday, June 11, 10:30, Treadle Yard Goods, St. Paul
Even though Old Man Winter tried to keep people away, there was lots of show and tell and a pretty impressive group of people attended our three meetings in January.
We are trying a few new things with the start of the new year. At our Hancock Southtown meetings we are including some hands on demonstrations each month to add an educational element and give attendees a chance to try out the techniques that we find useful. This month we demonstrated several knit techniques.
At Treadle we are choosing a pattern of the month and encouraging anyone to try the pattern themselves and bring the garment to show. To sweeten the deal we will be drawing for a $15 gift certificate from those who sew the pattern of the month. The goal is to see one pattern in a variety of fabrics and on a variety of bodies.
Can This Garment Be Saved? is a new idea to help get those finished-but-never-worn garments out into the light. Show us how you alter/change a garment to make it wearable. Debbie restyled an oversized Nordic ski sweater in December into a perfect warm, fitted sweater. If you are stumped, bring the garment and get ideas from the group!
Here is the calendar for the remainder of the month and pictures from Show and Tell. January Club sheets and garment photos can be found by clicking the tab above.
First Sewing, Bloomington Hancock Fabrics
Jean Jacket Sew Along/Sewing Studio, Thursdays, January 8, 15, 22 and 29, 1:00-4:00
Sew-Serge-Fit, Thursdays, January 15, 22, 29, 10:00-12:00 or 6:00-8:00
After School Kids Sewing, Thursdays, January 15 and 29, 4:30-6:00
Special note about February Club Dates:
Saturday, February 7, 10:30 at Treadle – this is a change from usually meeting the second Saturday of the month.
Tuesday, February 10, 10:30 at Treadle
Thursday, February 12, 10:30 or 6:30 at First Sewing, Bloomington Hancock Fabrics
Chanhassen Vacuum Center
Kids’ Sewing, Monday, January 26, 10:30-12:30, 1-3
Linda Lee’s Chicago Jacket
Jalie pattern
Walden Jacket from Collette
Lots of love and hard work from Mom
The first Jalie pattern I made was the woman’s Twist Top, and although I liked the fit of the top I wasn’t a fan of the format of their instructions. Instructions are printed together with all construction pictures grouped together – not integrated into the text – and I won’t mention the small the type face… But in the end, the top was fairly easy to put together, the style is feminine and flattering. I’ve made two so far.
Last month I made the Scarf-Collar Top. I was able to put this top together in a couple of hours – and I quickly had a comfortable, fashionable top to wear to work. Jalie has an interesting method for sewing the scarf onto the neck line so that there are no exposed seams. Jalie hit the mark again – another fashionable, feminine, well fitting, easy top! (P.S. please excuse the wrinkles in my picture – my photo assistant wasn’t doing his job ; ) )
Posted by Carrie Diamont
Material Girl Sewing 