Colette Sewing Handbook: Taffy Blouse

January 19, 2012 ~ Pamela Klingensmith ~ 5 Comments

Woo Hoo! Here’s a blouse I know I will wear many times.

This is the second Colette pattern I’ve sewn up, and I’m liking the patterns more with each one that I make. The fit is great. I cut a size 8 from the shoulders down to the waist and then graded to a size 12 from the waist to the hem (darn hips!). I did not make any pattern alterations. Here is a picture from the side where you can get a glimpse of the back ties:

I will definitely sew up this pattern again, but the one and only design change I will make will be to move those back ties up a couple inches so they are just below my bust line. In looking at these photos, I can see that would be a more flattering location for the ties.

The only detail I changed on this top is that I used my serger to make a narrow-rolled, lettuce hem. I used regular poly thread in the needle and lower looper and for some interest I used a DMC silver metallic thread in the upper looper. It is hard to see in these photos so here is a close up of the hem:

I always use French seams on sheer fabrics and this pattern is no exception. For the binding, I simply used a 100% quilter’s cotton that I had on hand. I initially thought it might be a little heavy for the neck binding and that it might “flop” down after it was applied, but I was wrong. It lays beautifully along the neck and is not too heavy or bulky at all.

Bias binding

Inside finished seams

Now I must begin my fit muslin for the jeans class that I am in over at PatternReview.com

Sew Cute

January 19, 2012 ~ Pamela Klingensmith ~ 2 Comments

I can’t help but share a picture of my 6-year old granddaughter’s first sewing lesson.

Once a week I pick her up from school and she spends the afternoon with me. Last week I asked her if she would want to learn how to sew and she enthusiastically shouted “YES”. Today I introduced her to the sewing machine, stressed safety procedures, and after getting a feel for the machine she stitched without thread on lines that I drew on cardstock. She’s a natural if I do say sew. I then threaded the needle and she stitched out a number of floral and animal designs.

There’s no greater satisfaction than shared interests between a grandma and grandchild. I love it.

There is Beauty Scrapbook Layout

January 13, 2012 ~ Pamela Klingensmith ~ Leave a comment

As my disclaimer states, I always have a notion to sew, but sometimes other endeavors take my attention. This is one of those instances. I fully intended to start another sewing project today, but this photo kept staring at me and I had to make a scrapbook page.

The papers I used are a combination of papers from Anna Griffin, K & Comapny, and Close to My Heart. I used this kit from Kerri Bradford to make the photo collage. It was the first time I’ve used any of her photo masks and I am hooked. The black flowers above the photo were made by stamping (Hero Arts stamp) with Versa Mark ink and then embossing with black embossing powder. The layout was inspired from a layout by Nichol Magouirk. I die cut the title and the notebook tag using my Silhouette. The die cuts are also designs by Kerri Bradford. The two embellishments on the bottom right corner are from K & Company.

Okay, back to sewing.