A Little Something Extra - The Vientiane Skirt

Turquoise Corduroy Vientiane Skirt

Do you Love garments with that Little Something Extra?

Well let me introduce you to the Vientiane Skirt by Itch to Stitch!

Love those Flounces!

Flounces! this is the biggest something extra!  They make a simple A- line skirt come alive with Playfulness and Femininity!

Pockets - Inseam or Patch! This something extra adds convenience and , with the patch pockets, Visual Interest to the Skirt.

Wide Contour Waistband! This something extra adds Comfort since it rest easily on the Waist!

Back View of Vientiane Skirt

 Invisible Back Zipper!  This something extra adds a Professional, Clean look to the Skirt Back!

Lined option!  This something extra brings Practicality and Wearing Ease to this garment!




All these Little Something Extra's, transform an regular A- line Skirt into Something Extra-Ordinary!

TheVientiane Skirt is Terrific in many Fabric Types.  Medium weight woven fabrics with or without stretch.

I absolutely Love my Corduroy Vientiane Skirt.  It will be getting plenty of wear this Fall and Winter.

Come Spring you'll find me stitching up a Summer Version!

What season will you stitch one up for?

Happy Sewing...

Use Those Decorative Stitches For Visual Interest!

Decorative Accent on Yoke of Arenal Top

Part of the enjoyment of Sewing your own Clothes is being able to add interesting touches to your Garments.

An easy way to add Visual Interest is using the Decorative and Other Stitches on your Sewing Machine!

I love the Visual Interest this added to the Arenal Top I recently made!

Even the most basic machine will have a few options.  Zig Zag Stitch alone could be really interesting just by varying the width and length of the Stitch, along with different thread colors.

Here are the various stitches my Janome machine has.  Some are purely Decorative. Others serve a specific purpose yet also look attractive enough to use in a Decorative way.

Stitch Options on My Janome

When sewing with Stretch Fabrics, use Stretch Stitches!  This will ensure the fabric will keep it's stretch factor.   If unsure which ones are, sew a sample on the fabric and give it a Stretch!

Have Fun by trying out different stitch lengths/widths and various threads on scraps of your fabric.  Soon one combination will catch your fancy!

Yokes with Decorative Stitches Sewn to the Front Piece

The Arenal Top by Itch to Stitch, has Yokes, which are the Perfect Place to add Visual Interest.

Once I had decided on a Stitch and Thread Combination, I added the Decorative sewing to a piece of fabric large enough to cut the yokes out of.  This way each side would match and it was easy to place the stitches exactly where I wanted them on the Yoke Piece.

It's amazing how a little of Visual Interest will take a garment from just OK to Terrific!

Using Decorative Stitches in this way also helps you save money!  Instead of buying a coordinating fabric to add visual interest You Make Your Own!!  And it helps use up leftover fabric too, since just by using various Thread Colors with a Decorative Stitch, one fabric can look great with many other fabrics!

So, start playing with the various Stitches on Your Machine! Be imaginative in where to add them! And Have fun adding Visual Interest to Your next Sew!

My Completed Arenal Top

Happy Sewing...

The Bonn Shirt and Dress - A Pattern with Flair!

Love these Flare Sleeves

Flair =  Elegance, Stylishness, Panache, Pizzazz, Class

All great words to describe the Bonn Shirt and Dress by Itch to Stitch!

And then there is Flare = A Gradual Widening

That too applies to the Bonn Shirt I stitched up!  It has Wonderful Flare Sleeves! Aren't they just Terrific?  I Love the Fun, Feminine, Dramatic touch.








 

Four Sleeve Options and Dress Option

If Flared Sleeves aren't your cup of tea, or you just want a optional style, the Bonn Shirt and Dress will still fit the bill.


Long Sleeves, 3/4 Sleeves, Short Sleeves or Flare Sleeves are all provided in this pattern.

Then there is the option to make a Dress instead of a Shirt.  What could be better than that?  From one Pattern you can Sew Up so Many Different Items!  Now that is Value!!







The Collar is really nice too.  A Modified Mandarin style that Lays Flat against your neck and enhances the gentle V shaped placket.  Very Flattering to everyone!

Flat Laying Modified Mandarin Collar

The Body of the Shirt is Easy Fitting.  Just the right amount of comfort factor yet still makes one look well put together!

Back View

Looks Great with a Skirt Too

Make it Dressy or Casual! See how well it Looks with a Skirt as well.

Either way you will be Totally in Love with it.

Now I'm off to Sew up another Bonn Shirt...or maybe the Bonn Dress this time...Give the Bonn Shirt and Dress a go yourself and add Flair to your Wardrobe!



Happy Sewing........

Handbag Heaven - Even YOU Can Make One

Maisie Bowler Handbag I Made

Today I would like to introduce you to one of my Favorite Handbag Pattern Sources.

 Alicia Miller is the woman behind the Swoon Sewing Patterns.


 One of my Favorites is the Maisie Bowler Handbag

 Isn't that just the Cutest Handbag you've ever seen?

I bet you're thinking 'I could never make one of those'. 
Let me assure you that you can!

Alicia's instructions and illustrations are clear and understandable.  And if you need some help join her Swoon Patterns Facebook Group. There Alicia and other members will help you with any issue you may have.


 So what else can you find at Swoon Sewing Patterns?

The patterns include Interesting Totes and Hobos like the Sophia Beach Tote and the India Hobo Bag 

There are Wallets, Clutches and Wristlets like the Pearl Wallet Clutch and theMarianne Clutch and Wristlet.

















How about the Blanche Barrel Bag  for a fun bag....

                     
                      And there are some Free Patterns too.
                      A great way to try out a new designer!



            
             


             






The Satisfaction that creating such Terrific Bags gives is Fantastic!  You'll be so Amazed and Proud of Yourself and so will Your Friends.  In Fact, I bet they will start asking you to make one for them!

So, Believe in Yourself, and start Swooning..... as we say.....

Happy Sewing!

Carey Top - a Dolman Sleeve Beauty!

Carey Top with Pleasing Dolman Sleeves

Not all Dolman Sleeve Tops are created equal! If not Drafted Well, a Dolman Sleeve Pattern can end up looking overly Baggy and Unflattering!

That said, check out the Carey Top by Itch to Stitch.  It's a Real Winner!!


The Sleeves of the Carey Top are stylish and flattering without extra bagginess.
The Shoulder Panel adds a pop of interest with it's Contrasting Fabric.
The Drawstrings create more Visual Interest and a lovely Gathered Effect.
The High-Low Shirttail Hem is the final stylish element that brings everything together!

Contrast Shoulder Panel of the Carey Top

Carey Top is a Quick and Easy Sew.  In a couple of hours you will have a Comfy and Stylish Top!  And it can be made in either Woven or Knit fabric.



Change up the Length and go from a Tunic, which also makes a Terrific Swim Coverup, to a regular Top Length like the one in the Photos.  It was shortened by 2 inches.  Or make it Dress Length.  Add a great belt and it Rocks!

So Comfy!!

 I also chose to Highlight the Neck Binding by placing it on the Outside.


Carey Top is a great option for when you want a bit of Sun Protection!  It is lightweight and breezy yet covers the shoulders and arms well.

Relalxing in my Carey Top!

Back View of Carey Top

I've never been disappointed with a Pattern from Itch to Stitch because they are so Excellently Drafted! 


Itch to Stitch Patterns are Easy to Fit to your unique body proportions too.



The Techniques used in the sewing are High Quality, while the Instructions and  Illustrations are Clear and Easy to Understand.

Mocha loves my Carey Top Too!

Give the Carey Top a go and you'll see what I mean.  You will soon be hooked on Itch to Stitch patterns like me!!



Happy Sewing....

Pdf Or Traditional Printed Sewing Patterns - Which is Your Favorite?

Do you love to use Pdf Sewing Patterns?  Or do you prefer traditional printed patterns?

I use both!!  Each have their positive points.

Traditional printed patterns are easier to store: they fold up neater, and take up less space that way.  There is less prep work with traditional printed patterns before you can start sewing: just cut it out and go!

  Another great factor is availability of Real Vintage patterns in Thrift Stores!(or your Mother's Closet). Traditional Printed Patterns are available to order online also. In fact, I sell them in my Seaside Fabricrafts Etsy Shop!

Sample of Traditional Printed Patterns in my Etsy Shop

One of the best things about Pdf patterns is the instant delivery!  After purchasing it online, simply download it and print the pattern out.  Once the printed sheets are taped together you are all set to start cutting out the fabric!

Another great thing with Pdf patterns is that often the Designer is available to answer questions, give sewing suggestions and generally cheer you on as you sew their designs. For example, Itch to Stitch pattern designer Kennis Wong is more than happy to answer any questions regarding her patterns.  Below is one of my Favorite patterns from Itch to Stitch.

Vienna Tank by Itch to Stitch

Mostly, I choose which type, either Pdf or Printed, based on the Pattern itself.  Which means, if I find a great  pattern I want to sew, it dosen't matter if it's a Pdf Pattern or a Traditional Printed Pattern!

So, What about You?  Have you used both kinds of Patterns?  Or do you have a Preference?

Either way, Happy Sewing!

The Vienna Tank - Using All Woven Fabric

Ok, so you know I love the Vienna Tank by Itch to Stitch.

Today I'd like to show you how it looks in all woven fabric instead of a knit.

Back View

Side View

Vienna Tank in Woven Fabric

 In these photos I have just come back from the Hair Salon getting a trim, so there are some real life wrinkles!

The fabric is a lightweight shirting.  

This time around I chose to add the optional bias cut ruffle to the neckline, since the plaid fabric looks so sweet cut on the bias!

Close up of the Bias Ruffle

To make the Vienna Tank from all Woven Fabric a Vertical Front Width Adjustment is needed if you are a C cup or larger in the Bust.(Sometimes a C cup can get away without this adjustment, but its usually more comfortable with it).

A Vertical Front Width Adjustment is Simple!!  Just add around 1 inch to the front pattern piece from the middle of the shoulder seam straight down to the hem!  It's that simple!!

This opens up wonderful possiblilites for fabric choices for the Vienna Tank.  Just remember to choose lightweight woven fabric so it drapes well.

And by the way the Vienna Tank looks Fabulous with Sweaters for cooler times in the evening!

If you haven't gotten your copy of the pattern yet here's the link to it...

http://itch-to-stitch.com/product/vienna-tank-digital-sewing-pattern-pdf/?affiliates=seasidefabricrafts

Happy Sewing!!