Coat Sew Along Progress

~ Pamela Klingensmith ~ Leave a comment

My new winter coat is coming along nicely, thanks to Gertie’s Coat Sew Along.  The bodice and skirt are sewn together, bound buttonholes are in place, and the sleeve hems are done.

I used a catchstitch to hem the sleeves.  The Colette Sewing Handbook is a great reference if you need a reminder of some basic hand stitches.



This week we are sewing the lining.  My lining fabric is lavender china silk.  I’m so excited about the progress of my coat and I’m thrilled to know that I will have a new winter coat in a couple short weeks.  I’m thoroughly enjoying the whole tailoring process.  It has been a number of years since I made a tailored garment.  What about you.  Do you like the process of sewing tailored clothing?

Binder Pouch

~ Pamela Klingensmith ~ Leave a comment

I’m heading down to Salt Lake for the Sewing Summit this afternoon and I decided this morning that I needed a cute pouch in which to carry my supplies.  After all, who goes to a sewing conference without a handmade item full of sewing supplies?  So I sewed up this pouch with fabrics I had on hand. 

I didn’t have the time or desire to shop for supplies so this tutorial was the perfect answer to my search for the perfect little pouch.  Isn’t it dang cute!!!  I only made a couple small changes to the original pattern.  I used laminate fabric (by Riley Blake) and instead of the fabric three ring binder tab called for in the pattern, I simply used a piece of canvas strapping that I found in my stash.  No, I do not have the grommets on it yet, because I did not have any on hand.  I will purchase those later.  As for now, I will just be carrying it in my purse anyway.

Here’s a shot of the zipper edge.  You can see how nice and flat it lays.  Perfect for storing in a binder.  And the laminate fabric is especially nice if you are making this for your child’s school supplies as it wipes clean easily.

I forgot to photograph the backside, but it is just a piece of the darker laminate.  And, BTW, if you are using laminate fabric, the teflon coated presser feet work marvelously.  Have a great sewing weekend.   🙂

Coat Sew Along

~ Pamela Klingensmith ~ 2 Comments

Here we go sewing peeps.  I’ve committed to Gertie’s coat sew along.  The schedule is to have our muslin sewn and fitted by Monday (October 1).

I’ve not ever participated in a sew along before.  Why?  I’m not sure.  Perhaps it is the stress of accountability.  Will I be able to keep up with the schedule?  What if my garment doesn’t fit properly in the end, what if it just looks stupid, what if my color/fabric choices are pathetic?  I must get over my insecurities and dive in with fortitude.  I know the end result will be greater sewing experience and many, many lessons learned.  So it will be a win, win either way.  What about you?  Do you like to commit to challenges or sew alongs?

In the opposite sewing realm, I am busy quilting my grandson’s twin size quilt.  My daughter indicated she would simply like straight-line quilting, so rather than using my quilt frame and short-arm quilter, I am using the walking foot on my sewing machine and quilting straight somewhat straight diagonal lines.  🙂

Have a great weekend.