Author: Pamela Klingensmith

Sewing is my passion and I always have a notion to sew, but sometimes I get distracted with other crafty endeavors. I share my creative accomplishments (and sometimes failures) here on my blog. I am a licensed Martha Pullen beginning sewing instructor and serger instructor. For 5 years, I taught new owners how to use their Bernina sewing machines at my local Bernina dealer, and for 2 years I taught serger project classes at my local Baby Lock dealer. These days, my professional time is spent retailing handmade purse and bag making supplies and patterns. I also sell a small selection of fabric as well as my handmade bags and purses. "The heart of man plans his way, but the LORD establishes his steps." Prov. 16:9

Summer Shorts – Simplicity 9337

Featured ~ Pamela Klingensmith ~ 3 Comments

#simplicitypatterns #summersewing #memade #simplicity9337

This is a new to me pattern for unisex tops, shorts, and joggers. I purchased the red French terry fabric from University of Sewing. It is 95% cotton and 5% spandex. The recommended fabrics are knits such as cotton Lycra, jersey, and bamboo knits. Those knits are lighter weight than my French terry, but I went for it anyway. I will say that if you are planning to sew up this pattern, use a knit with similar weight to the recommended fabrics. Here is why:

See how the lower edge scoops up at the side and is a slightly longer length in back? That hem edge is completed by using front and back leg facing pieces. The written description on the pattern does not indicate this type of hem on the shorts. None of the line drawings show this type of hem on the shorts. And the actual photo on the pattern envelope does not show this hem. That said, I did notice the curve hem and the facing pieces when I was cutting the pattern. I went ahead and cut the pattern as it was printed on the tissue. When I sew a pattern for the first time, I like to sew the look that the designer intended for the pattern. As you can see from the above photo, my chosen fabric was waaaay too thick for this type of finish, but the length was also an issue. It finished just above my knee, which I knew it would, but being the glutton for punishment that I am, I figured I would just see how it looked for grins. I was NOT grinning. That’s not a flattering length on me at all. That, coupled with the thick fabric, made for a very ‘homemade’ looking pair of shorts. So here is what I did:

I sliced off almost 3 inches so I could serge the edge, turn up a 1 inch hem, and do two rows of topstitching to finish it off. So much better!

I eliminated the drawstring at the waist because I just don’t like the bulge from the drawstring to show under my top. I prefer a flat waist finish.

One of my favorite ways to wear my new shorts, is with my red and white striped tee that I made several years ago (it is the same Simplicity pattern that I shared in last week’s blog post). I liked these shorts so much, that I quickly sewed a second pair, but this time with a lighter weight knit fabric in blue.

Much to my dismay, the second time I wore them, I caught the leg on a rough piece of wood and ‘pulled’ the fabric. I thought about trying a fabric shaver to smooth off some of the roughness from the pulling. Have any of you ever used a fabric shaver on knit fabric? Please let me know your results. I really love this pair of shorts and I wear them quite often.

Here is a close up of the flat waistband in the front. The shorts have elastic inserted into a casing, but I like to put most of the bulk from the elastic in the back. I put less elastic at the front and I stitch in the ditch at the waistband side seams to catch the elastic between the layers and keep it in place.

I had some of the red French terry fabric left after sewing my red shorts, so I made the View B top. I like the length a lot. This top is a little warm to wear for the hot summer months, but it will be very comfortable for fall weather.

It has drop shoulders and features a loose fit. In a lighter weight fabric, it would drape very nicely. My version is close to the feel of wearing a sweatshirt.

Okay, dear readers, thanks for hanging with me through this lengthy review. I appreciate the time you spend with me and I enjoy reading your comments. Please let me know if you have any recommendations about the fabric shaver.

Two Summer Tees

Featured ~ Pamela Klingensmith ~ 6 Comments

First up is the Scout Tee by Grainline Studio. No, this is not a new sewing pattern. It has been around for some time, but this is one of my TNT patterns. I’ve sewn three other Scout Tees in the past several years and I find that I turn to them regularly throughout the summer months.

This green viscose fabric was on sale at Silhouette Patterns, and I knew I needed it. 🙂 Unfortunately, there was only one yard of this woven print left, but I purchased it anyway. When I bought it, I wasn’t certain what I would use it for, but once I received it I decided a Scout Tee was the perfect match for the fabric.

IMHO, tees are a perfect basic. They can be worn out like I am wearing it with my jean shorts, or it can be tucked in as I like to wear it with these black shorts. I like to use a rolled hem on my serger (overlocker) to finish off the sleeve hems on lightweight fabric such as this viscose. The rolled hem is also an easy, casual finish for a casual top.

I did a basic four thread overlock along the bottom hem, and then turned it under and top stitched with my sewing machine.

I’ve already worn this tee several times in the last couple weeks. It washes up nicely and does not need to be ironed when it comes out of the wash. That’s a bonus!

#simplicitypatterns, #silhouettepatterns

Next up is another TNT pattern. It is Simplicity 8376. This is a nothing special, run of the mill, quick to sew, knit tee pattern. But it is one that I turn to time and time again because I wear so many t-shirts in the summer.

I wanted to share this version with you for two reasons. Number one, I think the fabric is just so much fun. I also purchased it from Silhouette Patterns. It is a lightweight viscose knit fabric. And number two, I changed up the style of the t-shirt ever so slightly by adding lace to the back hem.

I’ve had this lovely lace in my stash for many, many years. I don’t even remember where I purchased it, but it is so very soft and pretty. I only had a small amount of it, so I just added it to the back hem of my t-shirt. I had originally planned to make a softly gathered ruffle hem along the back, but there was not enough lace to do that, so I simply laid it flat and straight stitched it down. In hindsight, that was probably a better choice anyway because the last thing I need to add across my backside is a full ruffle! Hee, Hee.

These two patterns make up my favorite choices for summer time tops. Next week, I will share a new shorts pattern with you. Do you have a favorite summer shorts or tee (or other style of top) pattern that you like to sew? I would love for you to share the pattern in the comment section. Who knows, you may inspire me to expand my summer sewing selection next year!

Stay in from the heat, dear readers, and I will meet you back here next Friday.

Sunflower Slope – On Wander Lane

Featured ~ Pamela Klingensmith ~ 2 Comments

This week I am sharing my most recent make for the On Wander Lane Mini Quilt Club through Shabby Fabrics. It is a nod to summer’s end with the orange-yellow of the lovely flowers. I’m leaving those flowers to your interpretation. They could be sunflowers, dahlias, marigolds, or whatever you see in them.

Since this is a pre-cut and pre-fused applique kit, my finished mini quilt does look like the photo. Go figure. Hee Hee

However, I decided to use a background quilting file (Wavy-1) from Kimberbell and I “quilted” this little design with my embroidery machine. I used the Kimberbell Project Batting and Glide thread #15315 (Smoke). It was a quick and efficient way to get this little project completed. I plan to finish out the other 10 club shipments in the same manner.

The back has a hanging sleeve and one of my labels from my subscription with Sweetwater.

Thank you for taking the time to read my blog today, sewing friends. If you are so inclined, please leave a comment**. I enjoy hearing from the sewing community.

Next week begins a couple weeks of sharing some quick, summer tops that I have stitched up recently. Enjoy what is left of July and I will meet you back here in August.

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