Let is Snow Let me Sew

  I attended an ASG sewing retreat early in Feb. on the weekend when a big snowstorm was expected. While traveling to the retreat site, before the snow started, we stopped at Ragtime Fabrics in Harrisonburg VA. They had this sign in the window

 So appropriate.  We had already made arrangements to extend our stay for an extra day, until the roads were cleared. One more day to sew. Many ladies left early. They were concerned that even though major roads would be cleared, neighborhood roads would not.  A very real problem in both Richmond where I live and Northern Virginia where many of the other participants lived.  

I made four items at the retreat.  

1.  SisterMagPatterns - Buttercup Sweater with inserted collar

  #SISTERMAGPATTERN694

Fabric: synthetic green sweater knit with gray fleece backing. Source unknown.  So, it is easy to finish the collar and cuff edges by turning over 3/8 to the opposite side and zig zag stitching the raw edge.

Fleece backed knit

I also made a quick matching hat using the Spiral-design Hat Sewing Pattern from mc2patterns on Etsy

 

SistermagPatterns Buttercup Sweater 

This top was super comfy and warm. Also very quick to sew.

3 -  SisterMagPatterns “Hush” Fleece sweater with attached scarf

 

#SISTERMAGPATTERN673

Fabric: Poly lace fused to acrylic knit backing.  JoAnn’s Fabric 

This top is not a favorite. I think it makes my top half look like a blob with the shape and extra fabric at the neckline.  Maybe in a solid fabric it would look better. i would also make the cuff more arm hugging. 

SistermagPatterns Hush sweater 

SisterMagPatterns – Has some really unique styles. My experience is that the PDF's are easy to assemble, info on finished garment measurements is accurate. Good instructions. Very good YouTube video tutorials.  Both styles I made seemed to be drafted for much shorter bodies. I needed to add length in the torso and sleeves to both patterns.  Both patterns had unique sewing instructions. The inserted collar on the Buttercup has a different seam allowance than the bodice part you are sewing it to. This is to facilitate a sort of flat felt seam on the inside around the inserted collar.  Watch the YouTube video for a clearer explanation.  The Hush sweater has an underarm gusset. Gussets are challenging for me in wovens, but in knits, with a tendance to curl, super challenging. I hand basted them in place before sewing with a machine. 

4 - SewistCAD  Two Color Blouse

I love a pattern piecing puzzle, both in clothing and quilts. My latest one was the 2755 Two-color Blouse Sewing Pattern from Etsy vendor SewistCAD. 

SewistCAD Two-color Blouse

 

SewistCad appears to be the Etsy shop of www.LEKALA.com. After I purchased this pattern, I was sent a coupon from Lekala to order the same pattern or one other pattern using my custom measurements from the Lekala site. I have done this before with little success. Customized patterns software does not handle age related body differences such as high round back and forward neck, or asymmetry, well.   I prefer to make my own changes to standard size patterns.

Cotton Chambray

The fabric was cotton chambray from the stash in green and blue. I made a size large which fit well except that the bust dart was huge.  I am a B cup. I reduced the dart size and readjusted the front bottom to match the back. Loved how this turned out. Instructions for this brand are minimal.

Two-color Blouse

Two-color Blouse

Fashion for the Bed

Well, I would call a bed skirt fashion for a bed.

We recently completed renovations on several of the bathrooms (they were circa 1970) in our home.  Updating them now so that they will appeal to buyers when we downsize homes in the near future. Renovations on the bathroom attached to the main bedroom spurred renovations on the bedroom also. Installation of in-ceiling lighting, painting, new carpet and drapes, and bed skirt.  The bed is one of those high colonial styles that require steps for small children and pets.  But that means there is loads of under bed storage for out-of-season shoes and clothing.  To hide the storage boxes, I sewed a bed skirt. A king size bed skirt with a fabric decking that goes between the top mattress and the box spring mattress.

Bed Skirt

I chose to make a flat skirt, rather than gathered or pleated, because the box springs rests on iron bars that slot into the side frame of the bed. This meant I had to sew faced opening in the skirting panels at exact locations for the iron bars to go through.

Bed skirt opening for support bar

 It was tedious to plan and sew, but I am so happy with the way it turned out. It coordinates with a Lone Star quilt I made 20 + years ago. 

I also sewed some bed fashion for me. Specifically, a pajama set. 

The 2025 garment challenge for my ASG group was a camp shirt.  We had meetings where we discussed choosing patterns and fabrics and did actual fittings of muslins.  I already have many camp shirts, so I decided to make a set of pajamas, which essentially is a long sleeve camp shirt with matching pants.

The pattern was the Liesl + Co. Havana pajamas.

Liesl + Co Havana Pajamas

The top has a classic convertible collar with shoulder yoke, much like their Camp Shirt style but with the popover placket and a front pleat instead of the button placket. 

Fabric: Viyella print from @Fabricmart purchased in 2002 in a salmon color I overdyed with blue Rit dye, and it came out green which was a bit of a surprise. Viyella is a blend of wool and cotton first woven in 1893 in England, and the "first branded fabric in the world" It was made of 55% merino wool and 45% cotton in a twill weave, The fabric feels like a heavier cotton flannel. 

Viyella Fabric - original color

The pattern has a lot of wearing ease, so I sized down. I did not like the ½ inch seam allowance. I prefer a 5/8-inch seam allowance because I typically do a French seam on sleeves, pant and top side seams. 

Match the hotel decor sleepwear

I don't usually wear pajamas like this to sleep in, except when I am traveling.  I have had the hotel fire alarm go off in the middle of the night and had to exit and huddle in the parking lot in skimpy sleepwear covered by a sweater. Never again. Now I am prepared.