Linda gave us feedback that we didn’t mention Peppermint Sewing patterns in that episode. They are a good resource that has tried to improve sizing – not always consistently. We only gave a few favorite patterns and although they were some of my first sewing patterns and I loved them, many of those don’t meet the standards of the show. The latest dress pattern they offered was a good improvement – the Bowen Dress – with a max body measurement of 60” hip (finished hip of 114”).
First thing I made I’ll discuss when we talk about pfScrappy reveal.
I also made another Ashton Dress with yarn dyed linen I got from Gray Line Linen in NYC. It’s turquoise blue one direction and black the other. Gorgeous!
I am so super excited about Merchant and Mills new Etta Dress, Etta Dress Larger sizes. This is a wrap dress, but loose fit. It reminds me of a popular Big 4 pattern but with much better sizing and a slightly more folk look to it.
I really like this one too. I think the lack of a close fit makes it more likely to stay closed at the chest.
Includes three patterns, the Dawson a fitted tee shirt, the Moss Jacket, and Ruby Overalls. Right now they are on sale, buy two, get the other free. The Ruby Overalls feature wide legs and include both cropped pants and shorts views. – Elastic back. The Dawson Top is the ultimate layering shirt. With three neck options and three sleeve lengths, you can make a total of NINE different shirts with this pattern. The Moss Jacket is a pattern we have had in the works since practically the beginning of Helen’s Closet. Think of it like a woven Blackwood Cardigan! Moss includes two distinct views. View A is a short sleeved, longer layering piece. Perfect for layering over any outfit and easy to dress up or down. View A of Moss works great in lighter-weight, drapey fabrics. View B is a long sleeved, shorter jacket with a wide band collar.
This company has a vast array of CAD patterns, very inexpensive. This one is so cute and just $2.49 right now, although I think regular price is just an extra dollar if the price has expired by the time this comes out. You can get the pattern in their “standard” sizes – 5X is 48” hip – ha! Or you can put your own measurements in. We definitely suggest using a less expensive fabric for these patterns as they probably aren’t thoroughly tested.
Wanted to mention that Sew Over It’s summer capsule ebook has upgraded to their full size range. Here’s a link to all the line drawings, size charts and fabric requirements for their 18-30 range and for their 6-20 range.
#pfScrappy!
Beverly:
I’ve done well! I already talked about the Georgie Tee dress I made in an abstract landscape using scrap linen and double gauze. I also made a Fibremood Frances (this is a FREE pattern) using a 1 yard piece of linen that wasn’t a scrap but was in my stash forever because it was too small to use alone and some ice dyed scraps that Jenny shared with me!
Not sure I love the pattern, but I like the scrap usage.
I also did a bit of a cheat for the challenge – I changed a dress I wasn’t wearing – I first cut out the pockets. Style Arc Sydney, and then cut off the bottom band because it was restricting my walking too much. – Long legs and large stride I guess. But then it was a weird length so I cut it off more to wear with jeans. We will see if I actually wear it now.
Jenny:
Cashmerette Kineton: used scraps from other projects for my two-tone color blocked dress.
Attended sewing retreat by TopStitchAtl – and it was divine! A great time – well organized, good pacing, lots of free time, and focused time. Staff were amazing.
Beverly:
Made a #pfScrappy dress but it needs some work. I used some nani iro double gauze and several types of linen and it hangs weird. It is a landscape dress from a photo of the place Jim and I got engaged.
Made a matching Ashton top to go with the resort wear shirt I made for Jim.
Made another Dragon Fruit dress in beautiful leaf printed cotton voile from Mood fabrics. – had a struggle with the serger, but it turned out ok.
Brittney https://www.instagram.com/brttnlsn/ talks about making still functional quilts into clothing as akin to gentrification and notes that many quilters still here say they’d be devastated to see their quilts cut up for clothing. Once a quilt no longer functions as a blanket, she likens its use as fabric to a collaboration with the original artist.
Mary Fons (Fons&Porter?) posted a viral video that said quilts into clothing is never ok – and likened it to cultural appropriation. Eek. The language used & tone of the vid got a lot of grief from BIOOC quilters especially.
Is there an intersection with fat here? A quilt is a good-sized bit of fabric from one perspective. 😂
Tiny pricks project – IG – I submitted some artwork for this project. The formal project is over now, but the account is still a great one to follow. Diana Weymar created the project – stitching a material record. Lots of quotes by Trump and responses to him. She started it using thrifted and other vintage housewares.
I’ve done more dyeing than sewing since we last met, and this morning I took a “how to paint on fabric” class offered by TopStitchAtl and Katie Kortman – and it was grant. My results will appear in the show notes – we basically played around with paint, thick and think, and learned about mixing colors, using water to create soft edges, and such. Very fun!
I did make a DragonFruit dress from b&w Ankara fabric with some white with black polka dots scraps as part of the double ruffle sleeves. I’ve started tagging those sleeves as #KatieKortmanSleeves – it seemed fitting.
Working on a super-secret project that will be revealed by the time this goes on the air so I can talk about it.
I got this beautiful fabric at Mood – cotton voile, black base, giraffes, peacocks, snakes, grecian ladies, flowers – you know- SUBTLE. I’m making a shirt for Jim. It has a camp-style collar and pockets on each side. I matched the pockets but not the pocket closures (too hard!). I am making it short sleeved for summer. This is an anniversary present. 3 years!
BEVERLY – OMG – I ordered this earlier this week. LOL! That’s hilarious – now I’ll be able to match you or Jim.
I am super excited about the #pfScrappy theme. I am planning a dress made with linen scraps pieced together to make an abstract version of the view where Jim and I got engaged. Inspired by
Not sure if it’s a new pattern, but I wanted to call attention to the June bonus pattern for Style Arc. It’s the Eileen Dress, and they have added some size diversity in models. I wanted to mention it because we have noted their lack of size diversity previously.
Shirring detail on sleeve
Gathered side waist
Round neck
In-seam pockets
Centre back split,loop and button for woven version
Can be made in knit or woven fabrics (shown in knit on left, woven on right in photo).
THisis a new to me designer. I shared the pattern on Insta, and the designer offered me a copy to try out. I’ve already ordered the printed pattern from friend of the show ThePlottedPattern and can’t wait to sew this one up. I think I’ll do knee length with tiny neck and armhole ruffles first…
I did the math for you: 105 free patterns, 45 up to standard of show, 15 that will fit Jenny. Clearly there is a need for more free patterns in larger sizes. I fit into all but 1 of the patterns.
Hey June Handmade Allspice Apron – I made these as gifts for my mom and Jim not last Christmas but year before. Great opportunity for scraps! I like this apron because there are no ties. Max measurements 60” hip.
Jenny: I don’t really have many free pattern favorites – because mostly there just aren’t many choices in the types of garments I like to make.
Amy Nicole Studios – Krissa Top is a super cute cropped shell top with a split back. Easy and free to download from Amy’s site. Bust measurement: 30in-56.5in bust.
I haven’t made this yet – but it’s pretty cute, and now is on my radar.
Sarah Kirsten – Morning Glory top is a cute open backed top with tie detail designed for woven fabrics, sent to you for free if you enter your email address. This is more of a template for how to make the top to your own measurements so there is no size range – you calculate the size of the pieces to fit you!
I have made this a few times; my favorite version adds on a gathered shirt with elastic back, inspired by HandmadeMandy on Instagram.
Overall, free patterns aren’t that exciting for me – I’m fortunate that I can afford to buy most any pattern I’m interested in. While only about 15% of the list is accessible to me from a max hip perspective, that’s still better than in previous years. And honestly, the last time I did the math, only about 30% of patterns in most data bases were accessible for me – so 15% of free patterns doesn’t sound so bad comparatively.
I find that sizing is hit or miss on the upper end of commercial patterns, and that seems to hold true for free patterns.
I’ll look forward to the news being better next year on the free (and paid!) pattern front for people with outsized measurements!
Favorites not on that list:
Mood sewciety – I wonder if the Plotted Pattern would offer a service to take these letter size and make into A0?
On the home page of their patterns, they have categories such as gender free and adaptive along with cosplay, basics, swimwear, etc. The patterns are crosslinked by key words. So if you find a dress and it is adaptive, you can click and get all the adaptive patterns, or zero waste or whatever category it falls in.
The Cadia Shirt is one I think Jenny mighty like as a starting point based on sleeve style. It is a zero waste pattern so you wouldn’t probably have to cut and paste!
You should also take a look at Frugalisima’s YouTube channel. She often mentions free patterns and gives the maximum measurements so you don’t have to waste time with patterns that won’t fit you. In the Free Patterns Playlist she has 96 videos with free patterns – some will have only been free when she released the video, but many are evergreen.
I’ve done some sewing!!! This week I made a slightly more A-line Ashton top using Pierre Cardin floral fabric from Mood Fabrics. I added an inch to the hem and made a straight line. It came out really nice!
Next I made a Caramiya Dragonfruit! Also from Mood. I love it! The fabric is the same that I sent to Jenny. Did you get it yet? If not, I won’t talk about it. I totally did!!
Finally I made an Ashton dress! I did it just like you said – cut at cropped top length, and add a gathered skirt. My fabric was about 52 inches after removing selvedge, so I used 2x that width and gathered it. So many compliments! Yesterday at work a woman asked me, “Where on earth do you shop? You’ve got the best clothes!”
New patterns:
Elbe Textiles Weiland tank: cropped tank – max measurements 58.5 chest and 50” waist – love to see a C/D cup in a tank. I am interested in making the Caladium Jumpsuit by Caramiya and I think this would be a great thing to wear under it.
Itch to Stitch Sentosa Tank: I don’t usually go for things like this, but I like it. It is a loose-fitting tank with an asymmetrical pleated neckline. It is designed for knit fabric but several examples appeared to be woven. Lots of examples on the website.
So what’s our topic this month? We’re taking a cue from our listeners, and this month we’re looking at all things scrappy. The hashtag is #pfScrappy. We asked you all to give us ideas for this year’s episodes and MargieMakes, FatThighsAndMermaidPants, and Sara.Fornia all suggested scrap busting, using up what you have, or color blocking – and that’s great for this month’s theme.
Margiemakes
Frugal challenge, like use what you have? Or a pattern you’ve been putting of?
fatThightsAndMermaidPants
Scrap buster, but with ideas for fat sewists
SaraFornia
Scrap buster
SaraFornia
Color blocking
Examples might include:
Underwear: it’s easy to use up knit scraps here; before I realized I just like my Cacique ready to wear undies, I used my knit scraps to cut fronts, backs, and linings so I’d be ready to make u dies any time. Fav pattern is the Muna & broad Kapunda undies. Up to a 71.5” hip
Isabelle_sews – and if you don’t follow her, you SHOULD!- has posted a few dresses with pieced bodices and I am so inspired. She mentions in her posts that she was inspired by mabelmade and pettypopcornmakes. I went to their Instagram pages and OMG! So much good stuff for this challenge.
Make your own fabric: here you can piece together a quilt pattern & use it to cut out a garment, or strip piece fabrics together to the same end. I have several plans along these lines already.
Pants: Tauko Panel pants are designed for color blocking. Max 53” waist (finished fitted measurement).
Do you have a treasured fabric? Consider following DivineDita (Nandita) & using it as an accent.
Make a garment where you cut each piece out of a different fabric.
Pdxsquared made this beautiful quilt out of largish pieces of leftover linen – smaller than you’d generally use for a pattern piece, but larger than quilt pieces often are.
Here’s RenegadeSeamstres to share more ideas on how to make use of scraps in your sewing this month!
I also made a Dragonfruit from Libery of London Tana Lawn in blue leaf print. I added sleeves inspired by Katie Kortman, a Gilmore circle skirt, and a lantern-esque border inspired by Marilla Walker.
Now I’ve started to cut out so many things: I have the upcoming Cashmerette Club new bonus pattern ready to sew up soon – pictures will come when it’s released on 1 June. In addition, I’ve cut out a linen version of the Ashton top with Katie Kortman inspired ruffled sleeves and a gathered skirt to make a dress. Finally, I’ve also cut out another Jennifer Lauren Handmade Isla Wrap Dress – in a mid weight canvas black and pink buffalo check.
I’ve started planning my makes for the TopStitchAtl retreat in June. So far I know I’m taking fabric for a Blanca flight suit jumpsuit, and for several more Aaronica dresses by Made for Mermaids. I’m wondering if I could do any ice dyeing there during free time – running out to get ice, and then having a grand old time dyeing things… What do you think? Over the top?
Beverly: I did my first toile (one leg) using the top down center out system. Pattern is Eve Trousers by Merchant and Mills (small sizes) (large sizes). I kind of messed up because toile was out of actual muslin but pants are out of stretch twill (very cheap – wearable toile). Found a few things out that may make my life easier: I can grade to a larger size at the waist or I can leave the darts out. Also, I may not need the zip to pull them up. I never take the zip down on my jeans. I figure I could leave about an inch or so unclosed at the top and just use the button to make it a little tighter. Not quite sure how this will work.
Mood fabrics last weekend! Posted the fabric I got on my feed.
Also went to Gray Lines Linen and got some white linen with retro looking shiny white cord couching on it, some embroidered linen (do we still call it broderie anglaise if it’s not cotton?) and some beautiful yarn dyed blue/black linen.
Couched Linen fabric for Beverly’s curtains
I’m in the mood to make cool summer tops and floaty dresses.
Size expansion on Closet Core Ginger Jeans – this is exciting to me because I’ve been dying to make them but refused to purchase before. I immediately bought the pattern and went to Core Fabrics to buy denim and other stuff because $150 for free shipping.
Update – new size range and more detailed instructions
#pfSewNatural call outs!
How did we do?
I mean, I used natural fibers…. But that’s not really a stretch for me. I had hopes of making an art garment inspired by nature but work and life had other plans this month. I can still do it though! Did you get your natural dying done with the stuff you got from Botanical colors? Turmeric?
Jenny: I used natural fibers, and bought dye to do natural dyeing – but haven’t yet taken time to do it as of today’s recording. There’s still almost a week left so it’s possible!
Let’s do a deep dive in to one of our favorite fibers: Linen. Right of the bat, let’s be clear that we’re not experts. We’re linen-lovers, but that doesn’t mean we’re where you should come for you eduction about linen. For that, please go to Love to Sews episode about linen & their podcast all about different fabrics.
Is your linen scratchy? Whitney suggests soaking in 50% coke, 50% water. She thinks the acid does the trick. Perhaps a citric acid wash would do well too. Ooo! So you could try Mountain Dew, too!
So why do we love linen?
I have Beverly to thank for my love of linen. This is a fiber I just thought of as too expensive for me to sew with – even though, most of the linen I buy is about the same price as high quality quilting cotton (but wider!) & nice rayons (same width). While I do mostly source from Fabric-store.com, here are some other great places to get linens:
Where to buy:
Mulberry Silks: Sign up for their newsletter, call them and ask for help with their linens, or if you’re lucky enough to be in the area, go visit them in NC. Everything about this varies wildly – price, width, texture.
Mood Fabrics: I want to call out specifically their Mood exclusive Linen & Rayon blend fabrics. These are 53” wide, and 55% linen/45% viscose rayon. They wash up and feel like a silk noil to me – and I’m here for it. I love the drape, the hand, the smell, everything about these. About $18/yard.
Domesticity: This is the Baltimore shop we met podcast listeners at a in February. They carry the Merchant & Mills linens which are as delightful as their very high price tag would imply. I’ve got one on my cutting table now for the new Jennifer Lauren Handmade Isla wrap dress.
This sweet dress or top features a cut-out scoop neckline, pockets, and shirring in the back for an easy, comfortable fit. Choose from two lengths (dress or top), scoop or cutout neckline, and sleeveless or cap sleeves to create a number of different styles. No zippers or closures are needed, making this a wonderful project for the confident beginner or intermediate sewist!
Ruby:
Ruby is a great, basic beginner’s dress or top for woven fabrics!
Ruby features a contrast yoke and gathers for a comfortable and flattering fit without the need for bust darts, zippers, or closures. Armholes and neckline are bias-bound for an easy finish. Two lengths, dress (above the knee) and top (hip length) are included.
Boho is in full bloom with the Alton Blouse! The Alton features striking pleated sleeves with elastic cuffs or straight long sleeves and a faced keyhole neckline that can be worn open or tied. Sew yours up in a silk or voile for an ethereal blouse you’ll love to wear, or mix and match the Alton with the Montrose Top’s necklines, yoke, and sleeves for even more options!
Montrose:
This timeless pattern features two variations: View A is a scoop neck blouse with short sleeves and curved back yoke, while View B shows off lace fabrics with a jewel neck, elbow length sleeves, and keyhole back.
View A – Easy fitting, fit and flare dress with long gathered sleeves and an A-line, lantern shaped skirt. There are self-fabric ties at the waist, a back-zip closure and the v-neckline is finished with a facing.
View B – Easy fitting, fit and flare shirt style dress with grown on sleeves, ruffle cuff and an A-line lantern shaped skirt. There are self-fabric ties at the waist, button front closure and the neckline is finished with a facing.
News from my house – new blinds!!! Love them so much. Need to make sheerish curtains. What do you think of the white IL020?
Got a package from Jenny! Hand-dyed fabric (ice dyed) Is this the IL020? Beautiful blue green color. I think I am going to make another Elizabeth Suzann Georgia tee and use the scrap of your purple dyed piece as an accent. Or should I use a solid one that matches? Like this:
Two pieces of fabric, iced-dyed blue green on the left, purple/red on the right.Woman taking a mirror selfie wearing a tan shirt with a bold and colorful stripe down one side.
I hope I have finished my Seamwork Marlow top by the time we record. My next big plan is to make some Merchant and Mills Eve trousers (larger size band here). I am going to use the “top down, center out” method of pants fitting that was created by Ruth @ithacamaven. I follow Stacey @thecrookethemthecrookedhem.net/, which is where I heard of this technique. Stacey is a fantastic pattern “analyst” – she frequently shows how you can tell if patterns are balanced or not, how two patterns are different in different areas, stuff like that. She also recently showed how to make a shoulder sloper and I was fascinated. I like it because she puts more math in sewing.
Jenny:
By Hand London Anna Dress: I’ve made an Anna using the bodice only, and a very full skirt from a Madra plaid. I love the Anna dress, but it’s been so long I forgot that the V-neck is too low on me – lol. I’ll have to add a modesty triangle, or otherwise fix the neckline to really get much use out of this. It did remind me of how much I love a Madras plaid though! The bodice on this one uses pleated/gathered cups to add space for chestal appendages.
New test patterns: I’m not allowed to talk about these yet, but I’m so happy that these are expanding. It’ll be up to a 70” hip, too!
Closet Core Blanca Flight Suit: Bought material to try too-down-center-out to see if that helps me get a good fit on my first boiler suit / flight suit. My concerns are how quickly my hips become wider than my waist. On every woven jumpsuit style I’ve made, there’s not been enough ease for me to sit down, or quickly remove if I need to use the bathroom even. I have an upholstery canvas in bright blue with oranges all over it (my first alma mater’s colors) to try for this one.
Top Down Center out in brief: We’ve linked to it in the show notes, but basically, you fit the waist band separately first, then fit one leg (cut with extra ease in the side seam). Once you’ve got both working as intended, you finish the second leg and >poof< you have pants that fit.
New patterns and updates:
Tilly and the Buttons has updated the Coco top and dress! It is now available for sizes up to 60/53/61. It is an A-line knit dress, quirky 60’s look and it was one of the first things I made when I started sewing. Very quick and easy sew. Two different necklines to choose from, boatneck or funnel.
The full size range is available as a pdf or as a paper pattern.
JH: I keep seeing this one everywhere and am interested in it. I love the funnel neck in theory – but not always in practice.
The Poppy Blouse is a raglan peasant style blouse with three-quarter length bishop sleeves, a ruffle collar, and optional ruffle hem. It has an oversized silhouette, perfect for light, airy fabrics with a fluid drape.
RECOMMENDED FABRICS:
Lightweight fabrics with a fluid drape, such as rayon, viscose, crepe de chine, and silk chiffon. Lightweight fabrics with a less fluid drape, such as cotton lawn, cotton gauze, and tissue linen are also suitable and will create a more voluminous silhouette.
Sew Liberated Studio Tunic – The Studio Tunic is a pinafore-style tunic that takes layering to a whole new level.
Lots of photos with knitting projects in pockets.
Like a dress/apron. Really need to wear over something.
StyleArc Millicent Wrap Dress: This is a wrap bodice with a ¾ circle skirt & tie closure. I love the sleeves which are full but not gathered (this is your sleeve style, right Beverly?). I’m pretty sure that this is drafted for a much taller body than I have so I’d need to adjust as usual at the waist and skirt for length.
Unleashed patterns: Embrace dress: This is a knit dress. There are so many options here: cross over bodice, high scoop neck; three sleeves (waterfall, set in, flutter), two skirts (pencil, pencil with flutter).
Up to 84” hip. I made the size 26 from top to bottom, so check out my pictures for how that looked. I love the flutter on the skirt. Other notes: testing is always a fun process. The first tests, the flutter fell about 2” from the side seam – so on my size, it was a side flutter (the images provided showed it where it is on me in the final images). You’ll want to consider where you want the flutter to go based on what you’d like for you – on smaller sizes, this may mean adjusting the pattern pieces.
Dragonfruit Dress: this CaramiyaMau dress is finally out.
Sewing events or other crafty events where you go away for the weekend or longer and sew/knit/etc. Also included are Frocktails events. Shopping getaways?
TopStitchAtl: June retreat. This one is sold out. It was $1,800 for an individual queen bed cabin (no AC, but a fan) in the mountains in Georgia, USA. The schedule looks amazing. Highlights (I’m attending this one!) include – there’s also 5 hours on Thurs, Fri, Sat, for working on making your own jeans (if you paid extra for the Jean’s workshop, I didn’t).
:
June 8th
Wednesday
5-6pm – Greetings, collect your goodie bag and settle in
Here’s what we have planned for the weekend with you!
Four main live sessions:
1. Fabric Painting Workshop: hand paint your very own fabric design
2. Sleeve Hacking Workshop: learn to hack a basic sleeve pattern three ways
3: Drafting Collars Workshop: learn how to draft a collar for an existing pattern or to stand alone
4. Live Q&A Session: ask Katie all about her experience on Project Runway!
Five video demonstrations recorded exclusively for this event:
1. Video demo: create your own buttons from scratch
2. Video demo: learn to jazz up your existing buttons with painted details
3. Video demo: learn to use embroidery to add fun detail to pockets, collars, and more
4. Video demo: learn how to add trim detail to a piece and how to make your own trim
5. Video demo: colorblocking a pattern
The Sewing Weekender, May 21 – 22. This is online only. Tickets are about $25 US.
Saturday Lineup
Jenny from Cashmerette shares her top 5 fitting tips. Everything from measuring yourself correctly to why bust cup options are a must.
Statement pockets: Juliet Uzor is here to show you how to customize your next make with a statement pocket or two!
DIY Skirt Tutorial: DIY Daisy is going to show you how to cut the incredible Sophie skirt from her new book ‘Sew it Yourself’. If you love a curved seam, then this is going to be right up your street.
Zips 101: Lisa from the Avid Seamstress is sharing how to insert different zips into your garments.
Geri from Geri in Stitches will show you how to get started with marble dying
Behind the Scenes: Meg from fabric shop Pigeon Wishes is sharing how she’s pivoted her business to serve indie fashion brands.
The Making of a Magazine: Have you ever wondered what goes into making a sewing pattern magazine? The lovely team at Fibre Mood are here to show us what’s involved.
Sustainable Fabrics: Harriet from Sew Me Sunshine is talking about what to look for when shopping sustainably for fabric.
Maria from Sew Organised Style is creating an exclusive podcast episode for the Weekender.
Sandy & Judith from #sewover50 are talking about sewing for changing body shapes.
Chatty Videos:
Tugba from @i.of.the.needle
Riccardo from @rifallo
Ele from @sewnbyele
Emily from @emilynatsai
Sara from @yoursara_k
Michelle from @michelle.a.sews
Sunday Lineup
Make Trousers that Fit with Alison Smith. Alison will talk us through some of the most common pattern alterations so you can achieve the perfect fit for your next trouser project.
Alice and Co are back this year! ‘Sew you think you can’t draw?’ They are showing you that putting your design ideas down on paper makes them easier to realise.
Quilted Jacket Tutorial: Sam from Purple Sewing Cloud is here to show you how to add quilting techniques into your handmade wardrobe, by hacking a jacket pattern to add a quilted element. It will make you look at all your sewing patterns in a new way.
Adding Hand Embroidery into your Next Make. Alexis from Fibr and Cloth Studio is demonstrating some classic embroidery stitches and how you can apply these to your clothing.
Behind the Scenes: Grace who runs Beyond Measure gives us a sneak peak of her beautiful studio, how she works with artisans to create new products and gives us a tour of her new growing space where she is creating a garden for dying fabric.
Bust Adjustments: Mandi from Make With Mandi is here to show you how to do small and full bust adjustments on patterns.
Using your Sewing Wins to Plan your Future Makes with Jess from Muna and Broad
Styling your handmade Wardrobe: So you’ve made a load of stuff but how do you wear it together? Marie from Marie Stitched Up is here to talk about how she does it.
Charlotte from Charlotte Emma Patterns will be teaching you how to cut a sew a baseball cap with a downloadable PDF pattern.
Chatty Videos:
Mijke from @sewitcurly
Atia from @thebrightblooms
Georgie from @heysewgeorgie
Corrie from @corriesfancygoods
Jacinta from @pinkmimosabyjacinta
Jenny from @johassler
Ideas: travel to a class & stay overnight, shop meet others.
Pick an area with several shops if possible (some cities have a garment district which can make this easy: Philadelia, NYC, LA, Atlanta)
Choose a local lunch place with good seating
Go out of town for a class, and bring friends along!
Connect with local sewists
Tag your plans with local sewing tags (example: CarrboroSews, AshevilleSews)
Reach out to community members you already know are from near that area
Plan a road trip with local to you sewists
Just introduce yourself while shopping and see who wants to join you for lunch
DC Frocktails was last night. I was scheduled to go but couldn’t make it. These events are good for folks that would like to get together with other sewists, but don’t want to make an overnight commitment. They are events where people dress up a bit, there’s dancing, prizes, and meeting up with lots of other sewists.
The weekend before last I went to Maryland Sheep and Wool, which is a huge festival of mostly hand-dyed gorgeous yarn. I wish sewing had a similar thing. I guess it would be much harder to do, as yarn is already bundled for purchase, but I would love it. It’s an opportunity to go see lots of beautiful yarn that you normally don’t get to feel in person, and be around other fiber folks, but not really have to talk to them. I go with a group of friends that I met through scrapbooking in 2007. (I met them at a weekend event in Detroit!)
Beverly – Well, since last we spoke, I didn’t sew much, but I did get engaged and went on a beautiful Puerto Rico vacation! If you are interested in this trip, please look at my instagram grid from Sunday, May 1 through Monday, May 2.
I did make one thing. Remember when I needed a plain, flowy top to go with the heavily patterned Closet Core Pietra Shorts I made? I remembered a #pfTNT pattern, the Style Arc Selina Woven top. I have made three versions of that top now and I love it. I am including a photo in the show notes of the top with those shorts. It is a flowy top with ruffled sleeves and ruffle at the hem. I made it in lightweight black broderie anglaise.
Jenny:
I’ve made 5 Trillium Dress by Made by Rae since we last spoke I believe – two from Alison Glass yarn dyed woven cottons from Seams Fabric (citrus and pink/purple), one from a STOF quilting cotton (but a wide fabric) from Fabric.com by way of Amazon, one from a Tana Lawn by Liberty from Fabric.com, another check from fabric.com (wide), and finally the one I’m wearing while we record tonight: a linen hand dyed from my dyeing session in early April. IC 64
I also finished my wearable toile of the Ashton Top from a cotton woven (source unremembered). I like it – but the next one I’ll make a size smaller since the most important fit point seems to be my upper chest.
Oh, and I finished up my Calder pants – and didn’t wear them for my volunteer activity. I need to make a top to match, and then I can wear them out and about.
Sew Liberated – Got an email from Meg McElwee, the founder and designer for Sew Liberated saying that this year she’s breaking up with sustainable sewing. Here’s a great blog post explaining why.
#MeMadeMayFat #MeMadeMePlus first things first: @sozoblog has a series of posts describing the purpose of the Me Made May challenge my likely imperfect summary is that the goal is examine the place of #MeMadeClothjng in your wardrobe it’s a self reflective opportunity regarding your wardrobe, sustainability, and you it’s not specifically a making challenge I spent the last week or so going through the main hashtag a
nd finding very little of the body diversity I look for in a challenge I spent the last week or so going through the main hashtag and finding very little of the body diversity I look for in a challenge I felt overlooked in the same ways I did last year, the year before I couldn’t find an endorsement of tags to help fat sewists be more visible I won’t be following the main tag because I’m not feeling great about my feed being overrun by designs I can’t access because of my #BodaciousHips I’ll be tagging my posts when appropriate so that I can be part of the what makes the fatness more visible and I’ll follow the #fat and #plus versions of the tag to see what’s out there that was designed for me
After posting this, I heard from dozens of other fat sewists who felt similarly. Things that came up again and again were feelings of being left out, disappointment in the number of shared items were sizing wasn’t easy to find, but in the end, sizing also wasn’t inclusive, that the originating posts don’t in any way call in fat sewists (it always feels like we’re supposed to accept that since we make our own clothing, there’s no need for us to see ourselves represented – we can represent for ourselves if we just use our imaginations, or something).