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