A beautiful summer Saturday and great sewing inspiration!
We’ll be at Lakes Makerie, Minneapolis, on Wednesday, July 13 and First Sewing, Bloomington on Thursday, July 14 (and FABRIC SWAP). Both start at 10:30 am!
Happy Sewing!!
Saturday’s Meeting
Tag: Lakes Makerie
More Inspiration from June
We’ll be at First Sewing all day, Thursday, June 30 (end of another month!) Serger in the am and Sew Social pm. Still room for YOU!
We’ll be at Lakes Makerie on July 13 for the start of July Garment Sewing Group! See you there——
Serger Class starts next week AND June GSG
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 🙂
Garment Sewing Group on Wednesday and Class Pics
Here are the meeting times and spaces for this week:
Wednesday, March 9, 10:30 at Lakes Makerie, 5255 Chicago Av., Mpls.
Thursday, March 10, 10:30 at First Sewing, 7985 Southtown Center, Blmgtn. (Bring fabric to swap!)
Saturday, March 12, 10:30 at Treadle Yard Goods, 1338 Grand Av., St. Paul
Our Quilted Jacket class just finished up. Here are a few photos-
Great vest from New Look 6713 (don’t ask how long it took to get the pics on top of each other-or try to get one of them deleted!!)
Jacket Class Wednesday and More
Not quite spring and hoping to NOT be winter we are sewing/serging jackets or cardigans starting Wednesday, March 2, 9 and 16 from 1-3 at Treadle Yard Goods. Please call or go online to sign up-3 spots left! We are recommending the Metra Blazer from Love Notions, New Look 6735 cardigan, Blackwood Cardigan from Helen’s Closet as just a few of our favorites. You can get your pattern printed easily and quickly at the Sewing Lounge. Email materialgirlsewing@gmail.com if you have questions.
And then we have some more to show from February Garment Sewing Group-are you sewing something spring-ish for March??
Can’t wait to see what March meetings have in store…Wednesday, 3/9 at Lakes Makerie, Thursday, 3/10 at First Sewing, Saturday, 3/12 at Treadle!
Quilted Jacket or Vest Class
**Update to this post-the class had to be postponed so will begin February 2 and end on March 2. There are 3 spots left if you’d like to make a quilted garment with us.
Kim, of Lakes Makerie employ, is the reason for my current obsession with quilted garments. The corduroy and flannel with an inner stuffing of wool batting looked so warm and cozy-I had to try my own version.
Not even close, right? So I may be on a circuitous route but I’ll get there. Or maybe one of the people that takes our class will. But on the way I will have fun exploring the different textures and weights of fabrics and the warmth of quilted garments. Will you join us?
The class is offered at Treadle Yard Goods, January 19, February 2 and 16 from 10-12 pm. It’s stretched out because there are so many decisions to make (well, for me anyway) and wonderful opportunities for slow winter handsewing if you choose. You can register online at treadleyardgoods.com or call them at 651-698-9690.
The first class will be an overview of your many choices of patterns and fabrics along with techniques that will be used to construct your garment. No machines necessary for the first class but bring inspiration photos, fabrics and patterns for discussion and decision making.
Either way, it will be amazing to see the different results that everyone in the class get. Hope you can join us-only dreaming required for first class 🙂
November’s Garments
Corduroy and shirt style seemed to be a theme this month-
Garment Sewing Group
November 2021
Debbie’s Garments:
Rustic Fall Print Shirt Dress
McCalls 7470, View B
Fine wale corduroy
- This pattern caught my eye due to the shoulder princess seams – which often times makes fitting easier. My standard fitting adjustments worked well.
- It is a Palmer/Pletsch pattern so there is a great amount of fitting and construction detail.
- I made the following construction changes: burrito roll for yoke, button placket ws to rs and did not hem until buttonholes and buttons completed. Also eliminated all slip stitching.
- I needed to do some pattern drafting because I misplaced the front yoke pattern piece. I really needed to scrimp on the tie belt due to lack of fabric. A fun make.
Navy Stripe Banded Hem Shirt
My TNT shirt pattern, Kwik Sew 3555 (OOP)
adapted, using Threads article August/September, 2011,
Simple Touches for Standout Blouses by Linda Lee.
Cotton/linen blend
- While going through sewing supplies I came across this article and thought it would work with my fabric. It was a challenge but glad I gave it a try.
- To create the bottom bands I removed 2” from shirt hems and added seam allowance to shirt and bands. The bands were stitched to shirt front and back before any construction. If I did this method again I would either interface or line bands for more body.
- I used contrast fabric for yoke, under collar, neckband and cuffs. Ribbon trim was also added to button band.
Relaxed Clay Colored Cardi
Simplicity 9374, View D
Light weight organic cotton fleece
- Made standard fitting adjustments and went from size small to extra small – it is really oversized.
- I stabilized the shoulder seams with clear elastic, eliminated pockets and interfacing.
Paisley Print Tee (see photo above)
McCalls 6964/Butterick 6848
Cotton knit with very little stretch.
This is my TNT tee pattern. I started out making a turtle neck and scratched that and went to a neckband. That also had to be nixed due to the lack of stretch. Last resort – contrast wrapped neck trim. Whew – not a fun fabric in any sense!
Kristin’s Garments:
Casual Chanel
Vogue 7975
Navy wool/multicolor wool
- I wanted more of a structured sweater. Fabric is very stable.
- Shortened length at waist by 2” all around which widened hips and shortened jacket.
- Seam allowances 1/4” at hip area.
- Made a “dart” in vertical shoulder seams (front and back) to bring shoulders in.
- Sewed, topstitched seams open and trimmed to reduce bulk.
- Didn’t want facings so finished neck with bias binding and turned under center front.
Uniform Pinafore??
The Whittaker by Merchant & Mills
Cotton corduroy
- I was attracted by the pattern when I saw it in a Foldline post (they do a great job of grouping like patterns and reviewing them).
- Made the short version to pattern. Bodice is faced with lining fabric. No other lining.
- Fold-in facings at sides weren’t well marked (IMHO) so it took some fiddling to get it to lie flat. Ended up stitching it down to reduce bulk.
- Jury’s out as to whether it will become a uniform or a one off 🙂
Floral/Spider Blouse
KS 3555 OOP-purchased easily on Etsy
Cotton-not quite quilting/not quite lawn, nice hand
- After a disastrous attempt at using SBCC’s Harvey Shirt, I went back to KS 3555 to see if I still liked it as much as I once had. I do!! Love the techniques and drafting. Just need to add an inch to length of sleeves next time.
- No bust dart, casual fit without being slouchy. Fold on placket, burrito roll yoke.
Slippery Leggings
Clara Leggings by Jalie
Activewear knit
- Thinking I had the right pattern, because I had already made a shortie legging, I made a length adjustment and cut out the pattern.
- Unfortunately, I didn’t pay enough attention to the stretch of the fabric. They’re moving on to a smaller daughter. Cool pattern, tho!
December 2021 Garment Sewing Group
Wednesday, December 8, 10:30, Treadle Yard Goods, St. Paul
Thursday,December 9, 10:30, First Sewing, Bloomington
Saturday,December 11, Treadle Yard Goods, St. Paul
Garment Sewing Group is Underway!
Wednesday’s meeting at Lakes Makerie is followed by Thursday (Nov. 11) at First Sewing. Bring fabric to swap or come with open arms 🙂
Saturday we will be at Treadle Yard Goods in St. Paul!
Makes as Seen at “Lakes”
July’s Wednesday Garment Sewing Group was held at Lakes Makerie-“on the go” as we dubbed it. It was a great turnout and everyone seemed to have multiple makes so here we go-(yes, this is August and I am playing catch up-internet issues!)
Makes as Seen at “Lakes”
July’s Wednesday Garment Sewing Group was held at Lakes Makerie-“on the go” as we dubbed it. It was a great turnout and everyone seemed to have multiple makes so here we go-(yes, this is August and I am playing catch up-internet issues!)
Material Girl Sewing 