Tag: sewing

Still Stitchin’

~ Pamela Klingensmith ~ Leave a comment

Yes, it has been quiet here on a notion to sew lately, but scout’s honor (yes, I was a girl scout) I have been busy sewing and creating fun things to wear and to enhance the nest.  Here is a pink, spring jacket (Simplicity2728) in fine whale corduroy and another version of the Sassy Librarian Blouse done up in a beautiful Anna Maria Horner voile fabric.  I must confess, right here and now, I deplore having my picture taken, so I’ve procrastinated on photographing these so I can write pattern reviews.  Shame on me!  I must get over the camera phobia so I can share with other sewists how much I like both of these patterns.  That shall be my goal for the upcoming week.

On the home front, I stitched up a quilt top called Skipping Squares, and I am now in the process of quilting said project.  As I was pondering the quilting process, I envisioned a comforting, traditional, granny square throw to accompany this colorful quilt.  That’s what I need – one more project to complete!  Here is a photo of the progress of the aforementioned home projects.  Of course, I plan to post a full review of the quilt pattern when the quilting is complete.

Do you have multiple projects in progress at one time, or are you a focused, one-project-at-a-time sewist? 

Pam

Home Dec Sewing

~ Pamela Klingensmith ~ 1 Comment

I just can’t get enough of that Anna Maria Horner Loulouthi velveteen fabric.  I recovered all but about 4 inches of an old, tan colored, bolster-style pillow with some of the fabric that was left from my Colette Meringue Skirt.  For the other 4 inches I used Innocent Crush cotton sateen again by Anna Maria Horner.  Pink ric rac covers the seam between the two fabrics.  The raspberry pillow on the back left is a simple flange style done up in, yup you guessed it, Anna Maria Horner fabric (Garden Party).  The back right pillow with the little brown dingle ball trim is one that I made several years ago using a print by Anna Griffith.

 
 
After all the Christmas decorations were put away earlier this month, the house just seemed so empty.  I plundered through my supply of quilted throws and table runners, but it soon became obvious that I was sorely lacking winter-themed home dec items.  So I pulled out this table runner designs book that I purchased at a great quilt shop in Urie, WY last summer.
 
 
The pattern is called Winterstar.  It is done in neutrals and the applique pieces form a star-type shape.  I did use neutrals for my runner, but instead of the winter star appliques, I used hearts.  I plan to leave this one out through the end of February and I wanted to incorporate a bit of Valentine’s Day in with the winter theme.
 
The lace sticking out here and there ia doily that I placed underneath.
 
My Accu Quilt Go cutter came in handy to cut those applique hearts.  No need to cut the neutral strips since I used a Kona neutral solids jelly roll that I had on hand.  Gotta love those precuts!  The fabric for the hearts was left over from this bed runner project and the binding is extra fabric from my grandson’s quilt.
 
 
I am ‘sew’ thankful that I can sew for my family and friends, for myself, and for my home.  Isn’t it great to be a sewist (I think that’s the current politically correct term)?
 
Pam


Colette Meringue Skirt

~ Pamela Klingensmith ~ 6 Comments

The Colette Meringue Skirt pattern is definitely appropriate for beginning sewers.  It is a basic, straight forward skirt pattern with only two main pattern pieces (front & back) and a few facing pieces.  If you are opposed to waist facings (and most other facings) as I am, then you could eliminate the waist facing by inserting a lining.  I did not choose to line my skirt because, well, let’s face it – I got lazy and didn’t feel like the extra step!  A hidden side zip is used for the closure.  The scallop hem is the eye catching design element in this pattern.  But I won’t kid you, it was a pain in the rear to trim, clip, and press those scallops.  Just be patient and it is worth the effort.

I apologize for not modeling my skirt myself, but the lighting outside is most conducive to decent photos and it is just too dang cold out there (I’m talking single digits) to be modeling a skirt and sleeveless tank without a coat over them.  That said, I have plans to make a pink jacket to go with this ensemble.  Once that is done, I will model the entire outfit.  Until then, here is a picture of how I’m thinking to style it sans pink jacket:

The sleeveless top is Simplicity 1806. 

Last week, I posted my hesitancy about the fabric I was contemplating for this Meringue Skirt.  Boy am I glad I went ahead and used the Anna Maria Horner velveteen.  Thanks for the encouragement, Judith.  I have to admit, I adore this fabric.  It is such a gorgeous, bold print and I’m glad I stepped out of my comfort zone to use such a statement fabric.  I cut the front and back pattern pieces using the flat method, so I could line them up to have identical prints coming and going.  The velveteen was very easy to sew.  But I did take extra precautions when pressing so as to not crush the pile of the velveteen and so imprints from the seams would not show through on the right side of the fabric.  The pattern instructions called for the waist and hem facing pieces to be cut using the same fashion fabric.  Because the velveteen fabric has just a little bulk to it, I decided to use poly lining fabric for the facing pieces.  It worked out great because those areas are not bulky at all and the skirt lays nice and flat around the waist and tummy area.  I can’t wait to sew up the jacket so I can wear my new outfit.

If you’ve not tried any of the Colette sewing patterns yet, I encourage you to give them a try.  The instructions are very well written and the sizing is pretty much the same as RTW.

Pam