Category: Sewing

Posted in Sewing, The Sewcial Sewist

Sewing plans for 2020 – Let's Do It!!!

Posted on by The Sewcial Sewist

Do you make plans every year to sew this and sew that? Well if you do you are not alone. I am the Queen of list making when it comes to making a plan for my sewing goals, especially when the the New Year starts. This year I doing it a little bit different. How? Well I am a member of the Sew Much Talent Facebook group, where Carol of Carol’s Sewing Corner Facebook group is hosting the Stashed Gems Fabric and Pattern busting Challenge for the month of January. There are rules to the Challenge, but the main purpose is to Sew from your pattern and fabric stash. If you’re interested in getting more details head over to the group and check out the video. Carol gives lots of amazing tips and tricks on to help you achieve your sewing goals by using what you have in your stash.

With the tips that Carol has given, I have re-evaluated how I am sewing and taking her advice to Sew With A Purpose. I am definitely sewing the things I need and what everyone else is making. Don’t get me wrong there are tons of amazing sewists out there on Instagram and Facebook that absolutely fabulous in their makes, but we all have different styles and body types.

I am starting with tops and dresses made from my new favorite Tried and True (TNT) Fall/Winter pattern Simplicity 8982. Yes you have seen this pattern on my blog already I made a top and 2 dresses. What can I say I love it and how versatile the pattern is. I made the skirt and I did not like the way it fit me, but there it was it great on all the other ladies that made it and I just had to have it. The link to the original post is here where I participated in the Sew Your View Instagram make for the month of November. The 2 patterns below will be tops. The blue paint splatter top is done and I am working on the Red and White Polka dot one. Stay tuned to my Instagram Page for how I style them both.

This is the famous fabric stash that I will starting with. I plan on using all the fabric on this shelf this year to make space for my sewing notions that are on the floor under my cutting table. It is a pain to have to bend down and find things when in the middle of a project. I also have a very short attention span, so I will go digging through a container, because they are all not organized and find something I had no idea I had and try to start another project, before finishing the one I am working. No more that all STOPS now. I gotta get it together!!!! LOL!!!

Here is where all the patterns are housed. I went through them last year and got rid of a lot of duplicates, ones I wasn’t going to use, and those where I asked myself, why did you buy that, it’s not even your style, once again I was sewing or “buying” what I saw on Social Media. So the bottom 8 are my patterns and they are all in order by pattern company and pattern number.

I also have a bucket of Unfinished Projects (UFO’s) as well that I need to go through. I have 2 coats that I want to complete, these I will actually wear. I actually stopped the red coat, because it took me so long to get it started that the weather changed on me and it wasn’t cold enough to wear it. The red is the outside of the coat and the leopard will be lining.

This one I had in the UFO pile for quite some time, so long I can’t remember, I think since like 2017. The fabric is my style and the coat is as well, just look at those sleeves. I was frustrated with this one, because of all the pieces it had and I just stopped working on it. The fabric frayed when cut too, but that’s not an excuse, but I am sure we all go through this stage of sewing.

Well now that I have a goal to sew what I need, that should be much easier for me to start and finish my projects. I will be using my planner from My Daily Threadz to keep me on track.

Let’s do this!!!! Happy Sewing!!!

Posted in Sewing, The Sewcial Sewist

Hello 2020!!!

Posted on by The Sewcial Sewist

Happy New Year!!

Welcome to my Blog, I am Riesha, also known as the Sewcial Sewist. If you are new to my blog, thank you for stopping by and checking it out, if you are a returning viewer, thank you for your continued support. I wanted to start off the New Year with a get to know me better post.

Me and My Family

I am Riesha, mother of 2 grown children who I adore and am so proud of. My daughter is a Communications Major, who graduated in 2018 from Sacramento State University, she is the oldest. My son is an Economics Major with an expected date of graduation from Sacramento State University in December 2020. Now can you see why I am so proud? During the day I work for the State of California as an Analyst working on the Finance and Administration Committee Board items, by night I am a Sewist who loves to workout. I have been married to my husband since September 1997.

Where I work

My workstation is my formal dining and living room that I have converted into my own space, except for the 2 fish tanks we own, everything else is sewing or crafting related. This is a great space for me, as it is downstairs and when everyone else is upstairs sleeping I can easily work downstairs without waking anyone. I sew on a Babylock Aria sewing machine and a Babylock Evolution Serger as my main machines. I do own 2 other sewing machines, 1 sewing/embroidery machine, and 1 other serger.  I do use them all depending on the project.

Sewing time

I have been sewing since Summer 2014 after the death of my mother. It was hard for me to deal with her loss, so I had to put my energy into something, to not fall into depression and not be able to cope. It’s not what she would have wanted for me. She would have wanted me to continue living. I did just that and now sewing has grown into a passion.  I try to get some time in during the week, even if it is only 30 minutes a day here and there. I get most of my sewing done on the weekends or during a holiday week.

My Favorite Garments to Sew

I would have to say right now that my favorites are dresses. I haven’t mastered the art of making pants, YET!!!, but it is on my top 3 priorities for 2020. I love a maxi and a mini dress. It just depends on the print of the fabric or the cut of the dress on how I decide which one I make at that moment.

Posted in Sewing

Goodbye 2019!!!

Posted on by The Sewcial Sewist

Is that right? Is it almost 2020? Yes, it is so hard to believe that I have wrapped up another year of sewing. I didn’t sew as much as I wanted to in 2019, after I had foot surgery, but now that I am healing and things are going back to normal there is nothing I won’t try. I am actually excited for the year 2020. I have so many plans to do things and I can’t wait to get started. Lingerie, swimwear, pants, bags, scarves, and athletic/lounge-wear just to name a few.

In 2018 I did the Ready to Wear Fast, no shopping for store bought clothes, and that worked out great for me. Read the post here. There were so many garments that I was able to make because of this fast and I plan on doing it again for 2020, in a Facebook Group. I am so ready to start.

I have my space all organized and TONS of fabric to start with. I do plan on going to the Garment District in Los Angeles, CA in April. I’ll see how that goes it will be my 45th birthday then and what girl doesn’t want new fabric for her birthday? My girlfriend always says how my fabric stash gives her anxiety. She is way too funny! I really do need to use this up and that is my goal plan. I have actually already started on it, buy using a few for some of the end of year garments I have made.

Drum roll please!!!!! These are the garments I was able to complete in 2019 with a few on the sewing table now. I plan on working on them in the next few weeks to complete them by December 30. I have 3 sets of PJ’s I’m working on as well. Good thing I have my Sew JO back.

I hope everyone had a wonderful 2019 and I look forward to seeing all the loveliness that each of you are going to create in 2020.

I leave you with this quote to start off 2020.

“Don’t make resolutions without an action plan. The secret to success is right in your hands.”

Happy New Year!

Posted in Sewing

Sew Your View – Simplicity 1563 Misses' Men's and Teens' Sleepwear

Posted on by The Sewcial Sewist

Merry Christmas 🎄🎁

This month’s Sew Your View Pattern over on Instagram was Simplicity 1563. At first I was like, oh I will pass on this one. Then I started thinking what can I do with this pattern with the fabrics I already have? As I lay on the couch scrolling through Pinterest a pair of velvet Pajamas popped up in my feed. I thought okay this is what I am doing. I am so in love with the how this project turned out.

I have a few selections of Velvet in my fabric stash and was like okay I can use one of these. I choose this black velvet for the pants from Hobby Lobby. The Floral Velvet I purchased from Joann’s.

Black Velvet can be found here.

Floral Velvet can be found here in a similar style. This one that I used is no longer available on the website.

For the drawstring on the pants I used the remnants of the fabric from the robe. The trim on the robe, the belt, and the pockets are the remnants from the pants. It was a great way to accent to the two pieces and to also use up scraps. I have just enough fabric from the robe to possibly make a tank top or a clutch, haven’t decided yet on what I want to use it for.

Pattern Description: Misses’ Men’s and Teens’ Sleepwear

Pattern Sizing: XS -XL

Did it look like the photo/drawing on the pattern envelope once you were done sewing with it? Yes, it looked exactly like the illustration on the envelope.

Were the instructions easy to follow? The instructions were easy to follow, easy to read.

What did you particularly like or dislike about the pattern? I liked how the robe came together. I didn’t like how small the drawstring for the pants and the loops were for the robe when it came to turning them right side out. I ended up having to cut additional pieces, making them wider, in order to get them right side out.

Fabric Used: Velvet fabric from Hobby Lobby

Pattern alterations or any design changes you made: For the pants I ended up having to cut 10.5″ off the length, I am short, barely 4’11”. For the robe I had to cut an additional 2″ off the sleeves for fit.

Would you sew it again? Would you recommend it to others? I would sew it again, because of the ease of the pattern, but I really don’t need another robe. More than likely I will make another pair of pants in another fabric type maybe cotton or flannel for winter. I can never have too many pairs of pants for lounging around the house.

Conclusion: Great pattern. I recommend it for beginners and advanced sewists alike. The robe with the facing may not be a beginner technique, but the pants is surely a start for beginners.

Posted in ponchos, Sewing, Simplicity, The Sewcial Sewist

Simplicity 8173 Misses' No Sew Poncho

Posted on by The Sewcial Sewist

When you’re getting back into the groove of things, you make something quick and easy for satisfaction. My choice for quick and I mean quick, less than an hour to cut and sew this pattern.

Simplicity Pattern 8173 Misses' Fleece Poncho Wraps

I purchased this fabric at Joann’s. The color combo on this one is not available online, but with all the plaid choices out there for winter, I am sure you can find one that you love.

I paired it with a mustard colored sweater from Nordstrom.com, which is no longer available online. Linked below are a few links to others that are the same color and similar in style.

Cotton Emporium Easy Rib Trim Sweater

Topshop Crop Sweater

Belt and Blue jeans from at Ross for Dress Less, you gotta love a good pair of stretchy jeggings. It is that time of year for all stretchy pants, at least for me anyway. I love to eat.

Boots are Top Moda purchased at Nordstromrack.com , no longer available, but here is a really close pair, there is only one zipper on this pair instead of 2 zippers. These were on sale, so they may not be available for long.

Pattern Description: Misses’ No Sew Poncho

Pattern Sizing:XXS-XXL

Did it look like the photo/drawing on the pattern envelope once you were done sewing with it? Yes

Were the instructions easy to follow? Yes super easy.

What did you particularly like or dislike about the pattern?‘‘This pattern was super easy and it is really cute for the cold mornings.

Fabric Used: Flannel from Joanns. The color I have is no longer available online, not sure about in store.

Pattern alterations or any design changes you made: No alterations were made for sizing. I did serge the inside and made a 1/4 seam around the edge to finish it off.

Would you sew it again? Would you recommend it to others?
Yes and I have already made in a black and white print. I highly recommend this pattern to anyone beginners and advanced sewists as well.


Conclusion:
I love this pattern. It’s perfect for beginners and for those needing a quick project to get back into the groove of sewing.

Bye for now, Time to go Sew Something!!!