Stitchin' in My Kitchen

This post originally appeared on the Cali & Co. Blog for the Fabric Obsessed . There are a few types of fabric that I am obsessed with since I’ve been sewing, but never would have bought off the rack. Faux fur is one, and sequins are the other! (You can take the girl out of New Jersey but….) Maybe some of you have a similar relationship with certain fabrics? I had wanted to make a sequined jacket for the holidays, but those came and went and it didn’t happen, but it stayed on my to-sew list. So even though it isn’t entirely seasonal, my new blog project is a sequined blazer! Some of my inspiration: Tom Haverford, Park and Rec, "Treat yo self" Chris Jericho, WWE wrestler Cali Fabrics has a great selection of sequin fabrics, including the amazing reversible sequins they've added to the site recently. For this project I chose to work with their matte silver ‘micro sequins’ . I’ve sewn with micro sequins before and they are pretty easy to work with...

Just in time for an El Nino winter, I just completed the Sewaholic Cypress Cape. Described as  "perfect for cycling, dog-walking, and long walks in the rain. Wide semi-circular sleeves allow you to easily stretch your arms and reach in front, with pleats at centre back for extra mobility. A hood keeps you dry in wet weather. The Cypress Cape is unlined, to keep it light and packable. Hems are bound with bias tape. The cape closes with a centre front zipper, which is covered by a windflap with velcro closures. Add optional reflective piping for extra visibility. Flap pockets give you a place to keep your keys or cards." My old raincoat was disintegrating so I decided to sew up this pattern.  I headed to Fabric Outlet in SF in search of fabric - they always have a good selection of water-resistant/proof fabrics, but back in November I hit the jackpot - in addition to the neutrals they usually carried, they had bright pink, yellow, turquoise, bl...

This isn't really a pattern review because I have at least 3 Hollyburns in my closet already.   I was seeing a lot of leather skirts in easier silhouettes (as opposed to sexy and vampy - not that there's anything wrong with that!) in magazines, and decided to make a version for myself.  I bought some black vegan leather from Califabrics.com: I was really happy with this fabric when it arrived - it's beautiful, and looks really high-quality for pleather. It had been sold out (because I bought the rest since I liked it so much, ha!) but looks like they've restocked here . I sewed a size 6 like I usually do with a Hollyburn and sewed version B. The only difference was to use a teflon foot for the pleather and lengthen my stitches, especially for topstitching the pockets, etc. I had no issues sewing the pleather, it was easy with the teflon foot!  I did some test stitches on a scrap, which I usually do and would recommend any time its a new fabric or technique. I...

I know everyone and their mother has bought this panel chiffon from Mood but I was a sheep and bought it too.  I wanted to make a simple blouse without a lot of seams to show off the print.  I had a Burda pattern that might work design wise, but I'd been having blouse issues lately. Basically, nothing fits over my huge head.  Another example - this sleeveless version of the Sewaholic Pendrell. I'd made the sleeved versions before, in knit. This time I used a poly crepe-de-chine from Califabrics.com. I cut a size 2, sewed it up, and then tried it on. I had to call Tim to bring a stick of butter to get it on over my head!!! (Same thing with Burda and that one HAD A SLIT AND A BUTTON ON THE BACK). To go with my elephant-size head, apparently. Also, there is a lot of ease in the Pendrell waist, which I don't love. I feel like its out of proportion with the bust. So I decided to draft my own little pattern.  Something my head would easily fit thru. I made a t...

I don't know how I feel about maxi skirts.  I haven't worn one since I was 22 probably. I was intrigued by Sewaholic's new Gabriola pattern, so I decided to roll the dice. I was intrigued by the yoke design. I decided to make in in this chartreuse, laser-cut microfiber fabric I found at Gorgeousfabrics.com This is my high-fashion inspiration. Maxiskirts are fabric hogs, and this was no exception, plus the lasercut fabric is peekaboo, so I had to line it. I used some white cotton voile. 3 yards of each! So I basically made it twice, and it was fairly time- and fabric-consuming (and cash consuming!) I cut a size 6, which is what I always wear in Sewaholic skirts and dresses.  I cut, and cut, and cut out pieces forever!  I sewed the green shell with my machine and just sewed the lining with the serger.  It was easy to sew, no real issues other than there are a lot of pieces. I attached the waistband, inserted the zipper, hung it up for 2 days to let the bia...