Apparel: June 2010 Archives
There are few times during the summer season when the breeze is blowing, the sun is shining and the temperature is just right when I have thought to myself: "Gee, I sure do wish I was inside tucked behind my sewing machine.Not!" Sure, there are lots of projects I would love to spend all day hidden away in my sewing room (Blue Sky hat comes to mind) but during the rainy days or naptime. Most of summer is spent with doors open and sun on my face. But I can't just sit there not making stuff. That is what I do- I make. I want to make outside. Why can't I have both? Oh, right, I totally can. Here are some great summer projects to take outside with you: to the pool, beach, cook-out or just into the back yard.
Embroidery is huge: I know I love it. You can combine a bright array of colors on a neutral background but it doesn't look horrendous. Just colorful. Plus, there are many new designers out there embroidering outside the box, making new patterns that are hip and fun. How about a pirate for your living room? No? Perhaps a vintage camper will catch your fancy. Sublime Stitches features some creative and awesome embroidery patterns that are perfect for summer stitching. Hilary Lang (Wee Wonderfuls) is another young and amusing embroidery designer. Inspired by her children, Lang's patterns remind me of classic toys meets modern hues.
Hand sewing is also a favorite outdoor past time. The rhythm reminds me of knitting, the same relaxing movements. I prefer to take small projects that don't involve many pieces. I also look for whimsical projects that will keep my attention. You won't see me with a hand sewing a white, button down on my porch but you might find a softie or small kitchen project in my lap. Zakka Sewing is the perfect book to pick out some summer sewing projects. All of the projects are perfect for hand sewing and are small, fun ideas. Craft Magazine featured a pencil case shaped like a bunny. Softies Central gives a peek at some of the project including embroidered Mary Jane slippers. They make me want to squeal like a little girl. Perhaps I will.
Of course you cannot forget the old standby: Yo-yos. Though you can no longer think of them in the same way. Yo-yos are being applied in so many different ways that you should always have a dozen made up just in case inspiration hits. Embellish tank tops, pillows, hair clips, and jewelry. The applications are endless and amazing. Yo yos are so easy to make it is almost silly, couple that with these quick yo yo makers and it will seem against nature not to make tons of yo yos. Yo yo are easily hand sewn and are quick. Extra fun in bright patterns, you can mix and match all your favorites. A yo yo is basically a small circle of fabric with a long, running stitch around the perimeter, about ¼ in from the edge. You pull your thread to pull the yo yo together and secure your end. Voila, one yo yo ready for embellishing!
Summer projects are quick, easy and most of all relaxing. Coupled with your favorite drink (like Blackberry iced tea, Yumm!) and you will wish for an endless summer.
My summertime staple is skirts. I love them. You look fancier than shorts but used the same effort to get dressed. If your man wants to take you to a nice place to eat, you are already dressed for it (Psst, just change your shoes, flops are not as sexy as heels). They look great with tank tops, tees, hoodies, bathing suits, denim jackets, etc. You cannot go wrong with a great skirt in warm weather. Favorite Things Cute Skirt pattern is in my top 5: Got to pattern to look fabulous! With 3 options + to customize your skirt, you can please yourself and everyone else. I made the panel skirt but you can also make a gored and flouncy skirt. Change it up with panels of different fabrics, be it complimentary fabrics or matchy-matchy. It is the most fun to wear fun fabrics and a skirt is a low-key way to pull it off. My skirt is made from green, paint by number birds. It doesn't get more fun than that, but I often wear it with a grey tank top to tone it down. Or I could pair it with a green tee for a monochrome look that is bright, yet pulled together. I will warn you that there are days, where safe is thrown out the window and I pair my skirt with a bright yellow top and fuchsia flats and feel amazing.
Now for the nitty gritty: This pattern was not the most fun to cut out but
it sewed up quickly. The pattern was well written and easy to follow. The
sizing was dead on and the elastic is in just the right place. Not having it go all the way around your waist ensures a smooth look in the front (no muffin top) while having a secure fit. I never feel uncomfortable in this skirt. That is to say, I am not always adjusting it, pulling it up or down, smoothing it or worrying about the fit. It always looks good and feels good on.
I didn't like all the hand sewing they recommended so I only hand sewed the waist band. I machine stitched the hem. I made no other modifications.
I was wearing my skirt about 3 hours after starting, which includes cutting (you might want to allow for 4-5 if you are making the gored or flouncy skirt). I have washed it and worn it several times and it holds up well. I plan on making more. I definitely want to try my hand at the gored skirt. It sounds like fun.
Quilting cotton is a great fabric to use for your Cute Skirt but not the only option. A Cute Skirt in seersucker would look super beachy and casual; perfect for a picnic lunch, watching fireworks or a lobster bake. Try cutting it on the bias for a great chevron pattern.
Thinking of this skirt in linen reminds me of Italy. Perfect for hot weather and light breezes, the color coupled with the weave will give this skirt a European feel that will take you from museum to cocktails on the terrace.
You can also add a great trim to the bottom hem like the j.caroline ribbons. The idea didn't even pop into my head till I was cruising the site looking for great fabrics to pair with this pattern. As soon as I saw them, my eyes lit up.
As Holly mentioned yesterday, a couple of us decided to put our own personal spin on th Hot Patterns Peachy Beachy Coverup free pattern download. I didn't need another swimsuit coverup (believe me, I'm the queen of poolside coverage), but I still like the style and ease of the pattern. Instead, I decided to go with something a little less casual but still with the coverage and layering aspect.
I love cute little black dresses and light tanks, but often they are not appropriate business attire. I also have had some velvet silk burnout for a while for which I have been waiting for just the right project to come along. I immediately started mentally sketching out a slightly modified version of the pattern that would result in a top that could be worn with several looks, whether over a nice black dress or with a tank top and jeans. I wanted to add a few more little special touches to glam it up, so I used this as the perfect opportunity to play with some toys and goodies I've been stashing away (I'll go into further detail in a minute).
Of course, because of my fabric choice and modifications, it took me quite a bit longer to sew my top together than it would have if I stuck to the pattern and the suggested fabrics. I am pleased with the finished result, so I think it was worth the extra time and effort.
Here are a few of the changes I made and some other notes of interest/random babblings:
- I shortened the bottom part of the pattern by 4-5 inches, making it so that it hit me at just below hip level. I really didn't do much in the way of measuring. I simply held the pattern up, figured roughly where I wanted the bottom to be, and then folded the pattern up.
- Since I was working with a sheer fabric, I not only had to trim the seam allowances but also had to finish them off. Okay, so I may have cheated and used fray check here and there. Also, like Holly, I trimmed the facing to avoid bulk and visibility.
- As much as I love it, silk velvet burnout is a pain to work with. There was no way I was going to mess with a handmade hem, so I ran the edges through a 6mm rolled hem foot. If you do not own at least one of these marvelous things, I highly suggest you get one. They are fantastic little time and sanity savers.
- Instead of doing one covered button and a loop, I tacked the top in three places, from where the pattern calls for a button to just above the tie. I then sewed adorable little JHB dragonfly buttons over where I tacked the fabric. You may want to do the buttons the normal way, but I have no intention of ever needing to unbutton it so I skipped the step. If you haven't checked out the button section, I would whole-heartedly recommend doing so. Our buyers and merchants have been picking out some great little gems.
- For a little bit of extra glam, I accented a couple of the flowers in the fabric pattern on the breast with a handful of hotfix crystals. I was a little worried about making it a little over-the-top, but I'm really glad I did this. I love the way it turned out.
- I have not done so yet, but I may actually add a godet to bottom part at each side seam to give it a little more valume. Not so much that I look like I'm expecting a bundle of joy, but just enough to make it a little more flouncy and fluttery.
- Holly was also correct that the adorable cat did not appear. This is not too big of a problem because I already have two of my own.
I am very pleased with how the top turned out, and I really look forward to wearing it throughout this brutally hot summer. If you have made your own version of the pattern, we want to see it! Post it on our Facebook page and share the creative vibes! Keep an eye out in the upcoming weeks for another free pattern download that you will fall head-over-heels for. I'm simply brimming with excitement...
Appliqués are not only popular in children's clothing but also adults. You can customize a store bought present, make something extra for a new baby or make that plain t- shirt trendy instead of blah. You can purchase readymade appliqués or you can make your own.
My favorite method of making appliqués is using printable coloring sheets. There are many pros to using this medium:
1) They are a great size. Always printed on 8/5 x 11 in paper, any character you decide on will fit on a baby tee up to an adult or anything in between.
2) Coloring sheets are outlined in a thick line making cutting a breeze.
3) The shapes are usually simple so piecing is easy and so will be the stitching
4) Most printable coloring sheets are free; just don't use them for commercial purposes. Personal use only
There are tons of great coloring sheets to be found online. A Google search for "Free Coloring pages" will yield a virtual unlimited supply. If you have an idea of the type of shape you are looking for, that helps, but if you need inspiration I don't recommend looking through them all. Try your favorite blogs for eye candy or Etsy. Some currently popular shapes are florals, owls and butterflies.
Let's get to the How To shall we? To begin, select your item to be appliquéd. You can use a wool blanket for your living room that needs a pop of color, a hand-me down jumper with an out-of-date appliqué that needs to be covered up (check out the pictures below) or library tote (Seriously anything). Plan where you want your appliqué; you can use a water-soluble marker to plot your spot.
Now, decide what shape you want to add to your item. Remember anything goes. You can change it anytime so go bold. Search for the shape and print out the coloring sheet that most fits your plan. It doesn't need to be perfect. Focus at the outline, even if there are many sections that make up the shape, you really only need the outline unless you want to step it up to piecing. But let's stick to the basics today. Print it and cut out your shape on the outline and place on your plotted area to make sure it will fit. If you are printing words, print them backwards.
Now pick out your appliqué material. Quilting cotton works best but you can also go with lighter weight upholstery. Knits are tricky since they stretch but if your heart is set on it: go for it.
Iron on Heat N Bond to the WRONGSIDE of your appliqué material. Let cool and then trace your shape onto the paper side of the Heat N Bond. Cut out your traced shape. This is now your appliqué! Iron it onto your piece and then stitch in place with either a topstitch or satin stitch. Sit back and admire your work. It's it pretty and you made it!
Post your Coloring Sheet Appliqué pictures on our Facebook page, I can't wait to see them and borrow your ideas.
