August 2019 – The Sewcial Sewist

New Look 6378 Kimono

A little late this week with a Blog post, but I have a few other things that are taking up some of my time this month and next month, but thank you for sticking around.

This week I have this beautiful Yellow flowing fabric that I purchased at Journals in Los Angeles, Ca, if you haven’t noticed I get a lot of my fabric in the Southern California area, there is more to choose from, compared to where I current shop for fabric. I used it make New Look 6378 Misses’ Easy Kimonos with Length Variations, View C.

I did serge all the pieces before I started sewing, although it wasn’t part of the instructions, I just wanted it to be clean on the inside and there was some fraying, just a tiny bit on the sleeve.

I was lucky that I had this matching Guitterman thread along with matching serger thread. I haven’t sewn with this bright yellow color of fabric before. My 2 favorite machines are my Babylock Aria Sewing machine and Babylock Evolution Serger. These machines make sewing projects so easy for me.

I styled this Kimono with my favorite white jeans and a white tank top. It was the perfect outfit to keep me cool considering all the hot weather we are experiencing right now.

Here’s a short video that shows how it flows, thanks to my air conditioning vent that is right above my sewing space.

August 16, 2019

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McCall’s 7482 Misses’ Asymmetrical Zip-Jacket and Seamed Leggings

I really LOVE this jacket. The Asymmetrical Zip, the option to color block or use a solid and fun print as I have, has me wanting more jackets like this. Brianna, my dress form, is not the right “person” to model garments with hoods. I constructed both of these pieces as part of the Make Nine for 2019, from Instagram and the Pattern Review Activewear 2019 Challenge.

The side seam of the pants was a little difficult and had me second guessing if I wanted to complete the pants at all. I put in one leg following the instructions and it didn’t come out like it was supposed, so to the good ole seam ripper I went. I took it apart, laid it on the cutting table, re-pinned it with a thousand and one pins, really, to get it to stay in place as I sewed it back together. That worked, pants leg number one was done. Woohoo!

Pattern Description: Misses’ Asymmetrical Zip-Jacket and Seamed Leggings

Pattern Sizing: 6-14

Did it look like the photo/drawing on the pattern envelope once you were done sewing with it? Yes exactly like the pattern. I as pleasantly surprised it looked so much like the pattern.

Were the instructions easy to follow? The instructions were easy to follow, with the exception of the side panels. Placing them in the lower seam was a little intension.

What did you particularly like or dislike about the pattern? I loved the Asymmetrical Zip on the Jacket. It was the first time I have installed a zipper in the diagonal and on the first try.

Fabric Used: I used 2 activewear knit fabrics purchased from the San Francisco Fabric Outlet, San Francisco, CA.

Pattern alterations or any design changes you made: I didn’t add pocket on the sleeve. My arms are a little on the bigger side at the bicep level, so I don’t like anything extra on the arm.

Would you sew it again? Would you recommend it to others? Yes, I would definitely sew the jacket again, not so sure about the pants. One pair of the fancy pants are enough for me. They are a great sew for anyone looking for activewear pants.

Conclusion: I am in love with this Jacket.

Thanks to my hubby for taking my photos. He gets credit for these photos, we are both still learning how to use our camera.

August 15, 2019

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Me Made Monday

Welcome to the first post for what I am calling Me Made Monday. The thought process behind Me Made Monday is to feature a Me Made garment or accessory. I typically do the most of my sewing during the weekends as I work outside the home Monday – Friday. My goal is to post every other Monday with a Me Made Garment. Let’s see how that works.

One Pattern – Two Dresses

The pattern pick for the July Sew Your View pattern over on instagram was Simplicity Pattern 8375 Misses’ Knit Dress or Top with Multiple Pattern Pieces for Design Hacking. I made 2 dresses with this pattern.

Dress 1:

Sleeveless Dress using 2 pattern pieces and rolling the hems for the armholes and the neckband. It has been extremely hot in California, so the sleeveless version was perfect for this project. This fabric was purchased from Michael Levine’s in Los Angeles. Ca, in 2017 I believe.

Dress 2:

Cap sleeve dress used the same 2 pattern pieces this time I lengthened the armhole and rolled the hem under. The fabric I chose for this dress is one of the pre-cut pieces from Wal-Mart, this fabric was $2.00 per yard. Not bad for a comfortable everyday wear dress.

Brianna, my dress form, is wearing this dress with a belt this is how I would wear it with a pair of sandals or wedges to match this belt.

For the office I styled this one with a sleeveless white denim vest, that I can’t remember where I bought it, but it looked cute when I put it together. I also wore my Nike 270 C in all white, as I can wear sandals, but they are not comfortable as my foot is not 100% yet. I am getting there.

Pattern Description: Misses’ Knit Dress or Top with hacking options

Pattern Sizing: XXS-XXL

Did it look like the photo/drawing on the pattern envelope once you were done sewing with it? Yes, except I choose not to add the bottom ruffle and just made it a sleeveless dress for the hot California weather we are experiencing right now.

Were the instructions easy to follow? Yes, very easy to follow. I do have to get used to each step being listed differently as it is not the typical instructions as a non-hacking pattern.

What did you particularly like or dislike about the pattern? I liked the multiple options with one pattern and that the pattern came with the directions to create each option.

Fabric Used: A soft knit fabric. I purchased this fabric from Michael Levine’s in Los Angeles, in 2017.

Pattern alterations or any design changes you made: None that aren’t part of the “hack”.

Would you sew it again? Would you recommend it to others? Yes and I did already actually. It is the last photo in all blue with the white denim vest.

Conclusion: LOVE this pattern.

August 5, 2019December 27, 2019

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2 Year BlogVersary

It was 2 years ago today that I started my Blog The Sewcial Sewist. A blog about a woman from Sacramento, CA that used Sewing to heal from the death of her mother, that passed away in 2014 from stomach cancer. This smile on her face in this photo is exactly who she was, loving, funny, caring, and most of all my best friend. Oh how I miss her. You only miss someone this hard when there are great memories.

Within the last 2 years I have made a lot of garments, some good ones and some bad ones. I quickly learned that you can’t skip steps, you MUST iron your seams, the fabric needs to be pre-washed, and it is okay not finish a garment on the day that you start it. LOL! I would always try to rush to be done to be able to show off what I had made, not a great idea. Lots of wasted time and fabric that I would just trash because I was frustrated.

Not So Good Makes

Here a few of the not so good ones. Under each photo it will explain why I put each garment in the not so good category.

The bad on this Style Sew Me loungewear is the color of fabric I choose. This bright yellow was not the best choice for me. It reminded me of a large banana. The pattern itself I loved. I will be making this again for the Fall/Winter weather in another not so bold and bright color.

This McCalls 6700 maxi dress, needed major alterations after I finished it and took photos. The maxi was too long so I had to cut from the length and the bodice was too low cut, the last thing I needed was an accident of the bodice coming open.

This dress I loved until I washed it, then it became out of shape and not figure flattering on me at all. I think I ended up donating this one.

Another horrible fabric choice for a top. It was too busy and didn’t look as cute as I thought it would. The pattern Simplicity 8646 is a great top and a quick and easy sew. I needed a solid color fabric or a printed fabric that wasn’t too busy.

Bad placement of the pattern on this one. It looks like a large marijuana plant on the right side of the chest when you wear it. Nothing wrong with marijuana it has been used for medical purposes to assist those with medical conditions, but it is not for me to wear on a top.

Good Makes

Here are a few garments that I would consider Good Makes. The last 2 skirts were made when I first started sewing. They weren’t the best makes, but they were definitely some of the items that I was proud of, because they were completed and I thought they were cute.