Tag: sewing

Renfrew Top and New Sewing Machine Accessory

~ Pamela Klingensmith ~ Leave a comment

As we started a new month and a new year, it was with anticipation that I looked to a season of quiet rejuvenation, insulated under a blanket of new-fallen snow.  Stark reality set in, and my protective blanket was ripped from me as cold reality covered my days.
January was busy.  So very busy.

I have so missed you, my blog friends.
It is with sweet joy that I look forward to once again sharing with you
my sewing and handmade endeavors.

To bolster my casual day-to-day wardrobe, another Renfrew top was in order.
This time with a soft, very well-behaved stable stretch knit
that I purchased from A Fashionable Stitch in SLC.
The serene aqua color awakens one’s senses to the season.

It goes without saying that a longer sleeve version was paramount this time of year.
It would be evident that the cowl neckline should be my version of choice.
But instead, I opted for the more versatile scoop neckline.
With that choice, this top is now a three-season wardrobe basic.

The Renfrew ordinarily features a banded hem.
As you can see, that is not a banded hem.
For my December birthday, DH thoughtfully gifted me with a rolled hem attachment.

Words can not express how satisfying it is to use this little time saver.
The underside of the binding looks just as professional as the top side.
In whatever season you happen to be at the moment, my friend, may it be joyous.
“You (God) set all the boundaries of the earth;
you made summer and winter.”
~ Psalm 74:17 ~

Diaper Carrier and Hoop Wall Hanging

~ Pamela Klingensmith ~ Leave a comment

Yep, it’s another Diapers to Go diaper and wipe carrier baby gift.
This is by far, my all-time favorite gift to sew for new mommys.
The lovely recipient of this one already has a girl version that I made for her several years ago.
She is expecting a little boy this time, so I chose the gray, yellow, and black theme.
I also added a cute little embroidery hoop wall hanging embellished with her new son’s initials. 
He is REW III, that’s why I added the three little hearts after his initials.

 

Some shell stitch crochet around a wooden embroidery hoop adds a sweet frame to the hooped fabric.

The raw edges of the hooped fabric on the back side are completely covered.
Hug Snug rayon seam binding was the perfect finishing touch.

 

The walking foot was perfect for quilting straight lines across the outer shell of the diaper carrier.  But when it came to the inner pockets . . .

I decided to experiment with some quilting.
The left polka dot pocket panel has a square grid quilted on it.
The right side is quilted with a feather pattern.
Hmmmmm, no synergy between the geometric grid quilting and the feather quilting.
I opted to quilt both sides with the square grid pattern.
That’s better.

If you’re looking for a fun, quick, and very much appreciated baby gift, this one fits the bill.
Before this young mom knew I would be making a second one for her, she actually asked if she could purchase one from me.
I reassured her that I already planned to gift her with a new one.
It’s nice to know she really liked the first one.
 
I have a new home dec item to share with you as soon as I get it photographed.  Until then . . .
 
“Love one another, just as Christ has loved you.”  (John 13:34, paraphrased by me)

– Pam –

Black and White Color Block Dress

~ Pamela Klingensmith ~ 3 Comments

Yes, friends, it was a windy day!  We have very few windy days here in Utah and this was one of them.  Wind or no wind, I was not to be deterred from this photo shoot.  Mostly because I was already dressed up, and had gone to church, and I was not wearing the same outfit the following Sunday just so I could get ‘good hair’ photos!  The same outfit two weeks in a row?  *Gasp*

This is my second version of Vogue 8667.  The first one had the cowl neck with short sleeves.  I still love it, and wear it quite often.  I made this one without the cowl neck and sleeveless so I could comfortably wear it with a sweater or jacket.

My fabric choice this go ’round was ponte.  It is a very stable one-way stretch knit.  That said, it is still a knit fabric and I tried to avoid any fabric rippling or distortion by omitting the back zipper.  The upper body is underlined with fusible easy-knit, which can be used as an interfacing or an underlining.  I chose easy-knit so the bodice would still have some cross body stretch so I could get it on without a zipper opening.  I won’t kid you, even with the slight amount of stretch, it still takes some wiggling to get it off and on, (ahem).  Here’s the wrong side of the fabric with the underlining fused to it:

I opted for several different seam finishes in this garment.  Where those two black and white seams are joined, I applied hug snug rayon seam binding; and I used my serger to sew the skirt to the bodice.  The skirt is lined with black ambiance rayon lining.

And now it is confession time.  In my zeal to get this dress cut and onto the sewing machine, I forgot to take up the center back seam allowance where the zipper should have been inserted.  Instead, I simply put the back pattern piece on the fabric fold and cut the piece.  Therefore, it was necessary for me to add a pleat to the back waist.  LOL

An embroidered rose on my sweater adds just a touch of color to the ensemble.
I used my embroidery machine to add the rose to my very well-worn (as you can tell by the pills) black sweater.

I like this dress very much and I plan to sew up a cropped jacket of some sort to wear with it when the weather turns colder.
Until next time –
Pam