Beverly: Gift making, playing with new sewing machine. Bought a sewing advent calendar from Domesticity because I am spoiled after last year 🙂 Working on Smarty Pants class.
The Pogonip Pullover is the perfect layer for all your outdoor adventures! It is an unlined pullover jacket that features welt pockets, a sport collar, and a snap or button half front placket. It is designed for woven or stable knit fabrics so you can have a lot of fun with your fabric choice. It looks great in everything from quilted fabrics, to fleece, to linen! Packing and carrying the Pogonip is a breeze with the fun (and optional), packable pocket (with strap).
Holidays bring joy for some and darkness for others. No matter what, we could all use more joy in our lives. It’s one of the main reasons we sew! Where is your joy in the process?
Buying fabric
Choosing a pattern
Designing/drafting patterns
Cutting out the fabric
Time at your machine
Extra details
Being finished!
Sharing on social media
Gifting
Using scraps
Looking at what others have sewn on Instagram
Using certain types of fabrics
Specific pattern types (does the simplicity of an elastic waist skirt make you happy, or a technical shirt pattern?
Crafted especially for fleece-backed softshell fabric, this pattern showcases intriguing seam details for subtle shaping and visual interest. The Andes Jacket boasts a lined hood and an unlined body, striking the ideal balance between warmth and breathability. With softshell fabric’s exceptional water-resistant properties, this jacket is your ideal companion in drizzly or rainy weather, promising not just protection but also a touch of elegance for the season.
Andes Jacket Features:
Options for cup sizes
Lined three-piece hood with optional drawstrings on the inside
Unlined bodice
Sleeves with diagonal seam lines
Princess seams from shoulders
Ample front pockets with exposed zippers
Exposed center front zipped closure
High-low hem with a round back
Designed for fleece-backed softshell fabric with a touch of stretch
4 sleeve options: Double fluted sleeve, elbow length sleeve with double frill and a gathered head, plain short sleeve, long sleeve with a shirred cuff and a gathered head
Silk, rayon, charmeuse
Self Care Recap
Beverly: I did several things on my list. I made appointments, even went to one already. The other one is scheduled for April, but at least it is scheduled. I took off work for almost a whole week around Thanksgiving. I requested time off around christmas and an extra day to go shopping with my mom.
A timeless and feminine reversible coat, perfect for wearing over dresses with a full skirt. You can choose a basic fabric on one side, and a bright colour or print on the other side, to get two completely different coats in one. It has an asymmetric closure and a clean neckline without collar, as well as side seam pockets. The darts add a nice detail to the clean finish. You can also add a collar or a hood to your coat, by adding the extension pattern.
Made to Measure book: released Nov 2 UK, Nov 5 USA.
Following an overview of essential sewing tools, a primer on fabrics, and a guide to essential sewing techniques, you will learn how to:
Draft simple patterns based on your measurements
Take a pattern from an existing garment
Identify and fix common fit issues
The sixteen pattern-free projects for dresses, skirts, tops, a pantsuit, and more are a springboard for creating a versatile, personalized wardrobe. The designs include:
I’ve begun drafting my next pattern for Tauko magazine. Eeek!
Beverly:
New Skirt! Using my block from Skirt Skills and True Bias copied me. (New patterns section)
Starting the new Smarty Pants session with Brooksann Camper! So excited.
Went to a class for my new sewing machine. Only 2 people there and it was the most wonderful, wholesome experience. I am so happy to have Domesticity fabric shop in my neighborhood.
The Loxton Leggings are fast to sew and easy to wear. You can make them full length or in a bike short view.
They feature a side panel with phone pocket and a quick and easy elastic waist so you can fill your wardrobe with this staple. Wear them to work out, run errands, lounge, or style your best athleisure look. They have a high waist for full coverage and can be constructed on a regular domestic sewing machine (no serger required!).
#pfSelfCare
Will we just be making robes and slippers this month? Does everything count if sewing is our best form of self care?
We chose this theme because we are starting to get into the season of the year where lots of us focus on doing a lot for others. This isn’t necessarily bad, but we wanted to remind ourselves to also take care of US.
We are hoping for lots of ideas for self care this month – and they don’t have to involve sewing!
You can always just include a way you are taking care of yourself in the comments.
What are we planning for this month?
Beverly:
-Sewing: I want to sew up some new gym clothes for myself this month. Some will involve altering race swag, but also want new leggings and other gym pants/shorts. I went for RTW this summer and I already hate it all because it doesn’t fit right!
I’m also taking the custom pants course, which is investing time and money on me.
-I have a real desire (please hold me accountable) to schedule in my own care in my busy schedule – First and foremost I have several doctor appointments that are overdue because I haven’t wanted to take the time off. That is changing this month. I plan to put down in my schedule for the week when I will make appointments – a bit part of the problem is that I can only call the doctors during their working hours. I need to set some time out of MY working hours to get that done. If I do not put it in my schedule I will not get it done. I used to have some free time in my day, but all the day is full if I don’t block time out.
Jenny:
scheming time off work for me. Gaming & sewing.
Continuing a discontinued tradition of booking Thanksgiving dinner out for everyone.
I’ve also picked up some Know Me & McCalls size inclusive patterns.
Beverly: Two “Obrigada” tops – One made with fabric from NYC trip and one with Liberty
More T-shirts! Including several that come in a size just a tiny bit too small to discuss here and a plantain tee from Deer and Doe (max 60” hip) – FREE pattern with a leopard print!
This week we’re doing something different – almost a throw back to previous guest spots from our first year podcasting. We have a guest – and Jenny & Aaronica just talk and talk about KnowMe patterns, Made for Mermaids, and all things creative.
No sponsor – just PF. However, if you’d like a pack of PF labels, and you’ve shared a make and tagged us recently, please send us a DM with your address! No cost – available internationally while supplies last.
What have we been up to?
Jenny:
Sundresses. I made one from my indigo dye bath experience & love it.
Painting on fabric: Shiva stiks which were recommended to me by CaramiyaMau on Instagram.
Two updated patterns from Sew Over it: The Lana Skirt and Ella Blouse. Sew Over It has a fantastic commitment to going back to all their older patterns to update sizing.
News from Deer and Doe:
One of the designers/founders (Camille) became ill in March and although she’s getting better, they decided not to release any more new patterns this year. However, by doing that they are going to be able to take time to re-release the Myosotis dress in their complete size range. We will talk more about the pattern when it happens, but it’s such a sewing community favorite that I am glad they are taking it on and also that they are prioritizing their health and well being.
Can we talk about the Zadie dress update? It’s not size inclusive.
This week’s topic:
Getting to know your sewing buddies.
About 13 years ago, Whipstitch did a few rounds of pairing up sewing folks as sewing buddies – and part of that involved a questionnaire about your sewing experiences. I thought we’d use that to learn more about your favorite sewing podcast hosts – and suggest you do the same with folks you’d like to sew with regularly.
Accounts to follow:
Somebody_or_others_mom
SheilaOKelly
TheNeedleAndTheBelle
Fabric_Scraps
Tips (from, and others):
Want a sewing buddy? Reach out to someone online or in person that feels compatible to you, with your style of sewing, and start a conversation.
What does it mean for us?
Questions:
Sewing Experience
1. What is the first sewing memory you have? Do you think that memory was a prediction of your future sewing success?
2. What would you say is your “sewing personality”? Are you a perfectionist or a procrastinator or a planner or something else? How does that affect the way you create? How does it affect the space you do your sewing in?
3. What is the best thing you ever, ever sewed? Who was the first person you showed it to? Would you ever sell it, and if so, how much would you ask?
4. If time and money and talent were no object, what ONE sewing project would you choose to complete? Who would you give it to when it was done?
5. What one sewing skill do you really, truly wish you possessed? What skill do you think is over-rated and probably not worth learning?
6. What is the most inspiring sewing project you’ve ever seen (in person or virtually)?
No sponsor – just PF. However, if you’d like a pack of PF labels, and you’ve shared a make and tagged us recently, please send us a DM with your address! No cost – available internationally while supplies last.
What have we been up to?
Jenny:
Mostly just more sundresses. I have ideas on how to change them up more but am stalled because I love DIY Daisy’s design so much!!
And I went to a play and saw someone rocking the Tate Romper in the wild!!
Not a new pattern, but Style Arc has announced that every Sunday they will put one of their patterns on sale for 30% off just for that day. If you like SA patterns, it’s worth subscribing to their emails to get the notifications. – Love notions does a similar thing on Fridays (specific pattern $5)
Sustainability’s three main pillars represent the environment, social responsibility, and economics. (These three pillars are also informally called people, planet, purpose, and profits.)
Sustainable sewing means sewing in a way that leaves a minimal impact on the planet. Whether that is using eco-friendly materials, reusing old textiles, making garments designed to last for a long time, or ensuring you use every scrap of fabric reducing fabric wastage.
Accounts to follow:
Frugilisima
CrisWoodSews
Liz Haywood
Birgitta Helmerson ZW patterns
Tips (from Sewing Dictionary, Paprika Patterns, Feel Good Fibers, Seamwork, and others):
I finally made the Tate Jumper by Jessslous – it’s really cute, though my husband couldn’t stop laughing at the style when I showed him. A very quick sew in the denim Beverly got cut for me at mood when we went to NYC. I’m generally short waisted & have to make adjustments for that but here I had to go longer in the body by several inches.
I’ve cut out my Sawtell but not yet made it – I’ve used an IKEA duvet cover for it & think it’ll be cute but I’ve gotten in my head about that front neck being too difficult so I keep moving it back to the bottom of the pile.
Beverly:
4 T shirts to wear with skirts. They are all made using a pattern that comes up just an inch too small for our show. I’m sure folks can find any number of patterns that fit this bill – it’s a cap sleeved T shirt with a band at the bottom. Why? Because I think skirts look good tucked in but I can’t stand the feel of even a french tucked shirt in my skirt/pants. This will sort of be mock tucked in. Also planning some cropped options.
More progress on my Skirt Skills skirt! I made a mock up of the lantern skirt pattern. -describe idea and initial draft plus changes. Next is the basted fitting! -I’m going to use the twill (circle embossed) that we got at the last shop we went into for fabric in NYC! Also thinking of lining it with SILK – sari silk I Purchased ages ago.
Willow belt by Sew House Seven – it’s on sale for $4.80, reg price $6 but I think this one would have made a nice freebie. Maybe I’m wrong
#pfScaryStuff
I love these “scary” challenges because we get to see so many folks try all sorts of things that they normally wouldn’t do. You can also choose to make a costume if you prefer to go that angle.
