Stream-lining the Sequoia Cargos into 'Chinos'

Everyone can use a great pair of in-between pants.

You know, something between jeans and dress pants.

Pants you can put on and feel you have dressed up just a bit more than usual but still be supremely comfortable in.

I think of these type of pants as 'Chinos'.

For me that means the Sequoia Cargos , in a stream-lined edition.

By leaving off the side pocket cargos are known for, the beautiful design lines of these pants shines.

They have a relaxed, straight leg silhouette that feels almost graceful on and looks terrific.

The front patch pockets have a slanted opening that adds a dash of interest.  

There is a functional fly front zipper with snap closure too.

The waistband is partial ribbing/elastic, which one might think would not exactly look right for the  dressy casual look, but in reality isn't an issue.

 I also stream-lined the back by eliminating the back pocket flap.
  

Here is how they look on!  I have paired them with the Irena Top   layered over the Lago Tank



























  They also look great dressed up just a touch with Fab Boots and the Bellavista Top

So the morale of this story is...look past the first details you might focus on in a sewing pattern...look for the design lines of the item.  You may be looking at that 'perfect pattern' you have been searching  for all along.

Happy Sewing....

Adding the Wow Factor: With Bits and Pieces

Mock up of Contrast Shoulder Panel: Carey Top

There's a reason I save small bits of interesting fabrics.

They have the potential to take a sewing project from "Nice" to "Wow"!

Sometimes it's a quiet "Wow" that means....so lovely.  Other times it's a "Wow" that means...so wonderful.

Let me show you what I mean....







Currently, I am sewing a set of PJ's for myself, and I want them to be just a bit special.

The Fabric from my stash is very lovely. but the top needed just a little more something to move it from nice to special.

I am using the Carey Top pattern by Itch to Stitch for my PJ top.  It is really easy to add the Wow factor to this top on the shoulder panels.  Lots of scope for contrast play here.

A solid can be nice on the shoulder panels, but I chose this black and white stripe fabric that was left over from previous projects.

See what I mean about saving small bits of interesting fabric?

Here are more examples of this:

Lace Insert Adds a Lovely Touch

This is the Arenal Top by Itch to Stitch.

The Lace Shoulder Insert adds a soft, lovely touch don't you think?

This Stretch Lace Fabric was actually from a top I came across in my local Thrift Shop.  I bought it purposely to reuse the fabric. 

Contrasting Binding Adds Interest

Now here is the Lago Tank also by Itch to Stitch and offered as a Free Pattern.

The Retro Daisy Fabric benefits from a touch of solid color in the contrast bindings.

The binding fabric was actually a green and white stripe fabric. The stripe was wide enough to isolate just one color for the binding.

See, you never know how those bits of fabric could be used!

Lots of Contrasts Here

This final example is a study in Combining Prints.

This is the Visby Henley once again by Itch to Stitch.(can you tell this is my favorite pattern designer...lol)

3 Different Fabrics are used here.  The Pink and White Stripe fabric left after making my Arenal Top above.  A Black Floral fabric.  And more of that Stretch Lace fabric is lining the hood!

It came out Fabulous, if I do say so myself....









I hope this has inspired you with ideas of how to add the "wow" factor to your sewing projects.

Save those bits and pieces of fabrics you love and they can be just what is needed in future projects.

Happy Sewing.....

Crafting a Corduroy Cloche: Tips and Tricks

Corduroy Cloche is Perfect for Cold Rainy Days

 I Love my Daily Walks....in any kind of weather.

The trick is to dress appropriately.

Last year my Wool Houndstooth Cloche was perfect for our Pacific North West Coast Winter Weather.....Cold and Rainy usually!

This year I decided to make another one for variety, in a lovely Turquoise Corduroy Fabric.

Turquoise Corduroy Cloche

Rosabelle Cloche by Elsewhen  Millinery

 Read on for my Tips and Trick for working with Corduroy in the Making of this Cloche!

The pattern is from Elsewhen Millinery.

Keep the nap running in same direction for all pieces

Microtex Needle

Firstly, when working with corduroy, when cutting out the pieces, always make sure the nap is running the same way!

Next, I like to use a Microtex Needle, it makes getting through thicker fabrics easier.

Patching Interfacing on Brim Pieces

2 Layers of Interfacing on Crown Pieces

I used 2 Layers of interfacing on the Crown Pieces to stiffen the corduroy.  This makes for a nicely shaped hat.   I used Fusible Woven Interfacing.

When interfacing the Brim, I needed to patch the interfacing to get the required length. I was careful not to patch in the same areas on each brim piece.

Handcranking Stitches through Extra Thick Areas

 Now this is a major tip:

When stitching through very thick areas, such as the last joining seam on the Crown or Topstitching , make stitches by turning the handcrank and lifting the pressor foot if necessary to move fabric ahead a stitch length at a time.

Once past this extra thick area, once again resume stitching regularly.

Using Wonder Clips in place of Pins

A Terrific Tool to use in place of pins are Wonder Clips!  Pins bend so easily when working with thicker fabrics.

Topstitching the Brim

Here is a Trick I like to use for Topstitching.

I place the edge of the area to topstitch against the inside edge of my pressor foot, using it as a guide.

Then I Move my Needle Position over the amount needed , in this case about 3/8
inch.

This makes it very easy to keep the Topstitching Uniform in Width.


There you have it, my few tips and tricks for making a Corduroy Cloche.

Try not to be intimidated about trying new to you sewing projects!

Even if it dosen't turn out exactly as planned you will have gained experience in sewing that you can apply to future projects....this is how I learned these tips and tricks above....by going ahead and sewing previous items.

Happy Sewing.....

Loving my Newest Cloche

Metamorphosis: Crafting Butterfly Wings

Shimmery 'Butterfly Wings'

Do you know a little girl who is captivated by Butterflies?

Fuel her imaginary flights of fancy with a pair of shimmering butterfly wings!

A few raw materials can 'Metamorph' into a pretty pair of wings.

Lightweight flowy fabric, elastic and ribbon...

Raw Materials for Crafting Butterfly Wings

Thrift shops can be great places to look for fabric for this project, which is where I found this Shimmery, Multi-Colored, Flowy Polyester Fabric.  Polyester is hard wearing which is a terrific quality for dress up clothes!

To add more fun color to the Butterfly Wings I chose to use a Bright Pink Foldover Elastic. This type of elastic is also very soft!

The light turquoise ribbon chosen brings out the hint of blue in the fabric.


This is the Tutorial I used as a guide to create "Butterfly Wings" http://catonalimb.blogspot.com/2011/10/homemade-silky-fairy-wings-christmas.html

I made a few changes from the tutorial in crafting the 'Butterfly Wings' .

1. The size of the fabric piece I started with was 45" wide by 31" long.  Two sides of this piece were the selvedge edges,  which I left as is...and hemmed the other 2 sides with a narrow hem.

Pressed line as a guide for Gathering Stitches

2. To mark the middle of the fabric piece I just folded it in half and ironed the center folded edge.

This created a visible line I could follow as a guide while stitching the gathering stitches.

Sewing the Ribbon over Gathered Area

I lined that pressed line up with the edge of my presser foot, and sewed first along one side of the pressed line and then along the oppposite side of the pressed line. This created a 1" wide gathering channel.

Center Ribbon and Elastic

Corner Ribbon and Elastic

3. When stitching the ribbon over the elastic onto fabric, I stitched a X design to add strength to the area. 

This area will now take lots of tension without coming undone!

Light Illuminating the Butterfly Wings

Purple Spotted Swallowtail

To add to the Fun, I crafted 3 Butterfly Wings like this. 

Now 3 Little Girls can be Butterflies Together.

Oh to have the Wings of a Butterfly, to flit and float on the breeze....

Finding Time to Sew: Take a Fun Quiz

For those of us who Love to Sew, finding Time for it is a priority.
 
So, how do You find time to sew?


Here is a Quiz for a Little Fun....


Which would You Prefer to Free up Time to Sew?



 A.  Get 8 hrs Sleep Regularly                                       B.  Have Your House Clean Itself













C. Have Supper Made for You each Day                     D. Have Someone Else Run Your Errands
                                                                                                                                                                 





All joking aside, it can be a real Challenge finding that elusive time to sew;

Some may have young children still at home, with all the time challenges this creates.

Others may work full time jobs.

Chronic health issues is my challenge....

Whatever the challenge, if one loves to sew time is found for it.

Here is how I find time to sew.....

Since my energy is limited at all times, deciding where and how my energy is 'spent' is always a concern.


Personally, I find that sewing a little each day suits me.  I am blessed to have a room I can devote just to sewing. So projects can be left just as is until I am able to get at them again.

At times the evening is a good time to sew...other priorities have been taken care of and this is my chance to relax with an activity that soothes me.

Another time that works for me quite often is once supper is in the oven and no one else has gotten home yet.  I can sew for about 30-45min.  Alot can be accomplish in that time frame!

And less frequently, I sew in the early afternoon for an hour or so.

Rarely do I sew in the morning.  That time is reserved for my daily walk.  But sometimes once home from my walk I will sew just a bit.

Sewing is a kind of therapy for me. It is one thing I can be productive at despite limited energy.  And it helps ward off the depression that can arise when dealing with my health issues.

So What Works for You with Your personal Challenges?

How do You Find Time to Sew?....