Tag: colorful lining

Big Blouse Weekend – return of the Blue Squares

After working through a series of fabrics that I had accumulated in my summer fabric pile (the podcast I listen to calls it a fabric collection) I felt like I had gotten to a place where I could think about some transitional pieces for fall and winter and try to make some nicer work dresses with sleeves. I got a few things at mood… stay tuned.

First though, I also wanted to make a few more basic work tops that I could match with all of my skirts and continue to use all of my fabric as resourcefully as possible.

I try to bring some balance to my sewing with this approach too. So if I buy new fabric, I need to make sure I’ve used most of the earlier stuff. Similarly, I try to keep an eye on old fabrics and see if there are cute projects I can use for the leftovers.

A while ago, I had discovered that my blue poodle Carolina Herrera fabric seemed to match the blue squares. I had said I’d make a top. Before I dig into my new fabrics, I decided I needed to make this top so that I still had time to wear it in the summer. From there, I could make another blouse with something new.

See below for the process and final look!

Continue reading “Big Blouse Weekend – return of the Blue Squares” →

Red Shorts part 3 – Finished!

We left off with the welt pockets!

This new technique was interesting. I’m not sure if it lead to a better finished project like I thought it would. See below for the final inner lining and final look!

Continue reading “Red Shorts part 3 – Finished!” →

Red Shorts part 2

It was time to do the fly and start the welt pockets! (With a new technique)

Click through to read more

Continue reading “Red Shorts part 2” →

What to make next? Project plans!

I have been listening to the Love to Sew podcasts for a few weeks now and I continue to really enjoy them. One thing they reference a lot are our fabric stashes or aka fabric collections. These are all of the fabric we’ve bought ahead of time with something planned, but haven’t planned yet.

I try really hard to keep my collection of fabrics reasonably small and manageable but right now I do feel like I have a few more things than usual. I am planning to work through these with a few quick wins and then I’ll hopefully be ready to move on to some exciting fall projects (and new fabric!) Some may also get moved out towards the summer of 2020.

First, I am going to finish a wrap dress for my mom by taking in the arm holes. I fit this with when I was in Vancouver and it was too big. Stay tuned for a dedicated post!

Then I have these random PJ pants planned in fleece for D. I think this will be really easy because I’ll make a gathered waist with a pull string.

Then I have a sewing team project! This is totally TBD but my neighbor and I are going to make colorful culottes! Stay tuned.  I may use this striped cotton.

Then I have other pending items

Red shorts for D in a nice cotton

Small circle dress shirt

A shirt for my dad without- I need his measurements though so this has been on hold.

Possible ruined white fabric for dress shirt (photo not included – I may dye this with Avocado pits or tumeric!)

New Chicago plaid short sleeve dress shirt & silk for something…

Then I have my remaining Tokyo cottons which as still TBD for a project

And last but not least I have this linen from Vancouver!

Time for some fun!

Pom pom dress!

First off, Happy Mother’s day!! I am so thankful for everything my mom has taught me and all the time she took to help and support me with anything throughout my life.  This includes learning how to thread a sewing machine!

I decided to sew the cotton flower print/polka dot dress first which I’ll finish with the pom pom trim.

And here is the progress I made on day 1 (pics below)

Continue reading “Pom pom dress!” →

The Wild Pants continued

These are continuing to come along! And getting less wild because the lining will be entirely on the inside.

  • The front of the pants! they’re looking good so far!
  • Wrong side of the pants where you can see the pocket lining and start of the inner fly.
  • After finishing the front panels, it’s time to move onto the back panels!
  • Adding the pleats to the back panels
  • Starting to sew the welt pocket lining – I forgot to add the pocket lining to this, so I sewed it around the edges after. Normally, the pocket lining would be attached to this rectangle too.
  • The welt pocket lining will flip through this rectangle.
  • These are cut through… and this is where I realized I forgot to attach the colorful pocket lining… I sewed it on in an additional step.
  • A welt pocket! and just a peek of how the lining will look for the official garment (not as wild as they originally appeared).
  • Dramatic sewing of an inseam!

Now I just have to sew the front and back panels together and make sure to take them in so that the fit is just right. Ideally, I will learn shortly how to modify this pattern from the start so that I don’t have to spend so much time on this part. For now, this always takes a few more adjustments and it’s much easier to take something in then add in additional panels to take it out. From there, I’ll add the waistband, final details of the fly, add buttons, and hem the pant ankles. Can I possibly finish this weekend? Maybe… I’m not in a rush though.