Stitchin' in My Kitchen

I'm already planning my fall/winter sewing, and it's going to a lot of jeans, blouses, and blazers (I've been watching Samantha Bee's show in part for blazer inspiration!).  I recently bought one of StyleArc's newer pattern releases, the Holly Woven Blouse, and decided to make a trial version.  I ordered the size 10, even though I've usually worn an 8 in StyleArc tops, because I wanted to make sure it wasn't too tight across the back and shoulders (thanks yoga!).  The fabric was a herringbone rayon challis I found on fabric.com, which was both inexpensive (for my first pass at this pattern) yet surprisingly nice quality.  It was very easy to cut, sew, and press. This is rated as a "Medium" pattern and I would agree.  There isn't anything too tricky, construction wise, and mine sewed up pretty quickly.  The instructions, as you'd imagine, are typical StyleArc.  They sometimes read like they've been translated to English from another...

KwikSew 3504 and I are old friends - I've made that pattern close to a dozen times as jeans, corduroys, shorts, pants, whatever.  Since the light is at the end of the tunnel for Tim in terms of finishing grad school, he asked for some "interview pants", aka chinos or khakis.  I decided to try KwikSew 3267, since I've had a good experience with 3504. The pattern is described as "Flat-front pants and shorts have front side pockets, a fly zipper, waistband with belt loops, back welt pockets with button closures."  Different pockets and no yoke, basically, from what I'd been making.  I used a stretch cotton twill from Mood Fabrics in a chocolate-y brown color: I will agree with the reviewer that the fabric is a bit cooler in color than how it photographs.  It has a slight stretch, but not too much, which is all I needed. Also I love the description: "Sew it into a pair of classic chinos or use the stretch to your advantage for a pair of equestri...

Cesaro happens to be my favorite WWE wrestler, and he recently disclosed in an interview that he sewed the tear-away suit he wears for his entrance.  Before his WWE days, he used to sew all of his in-ring gear - pretty impressive. Now if you'll excuse me, my new ambition is to be a WWE seamstress, and I'm going to work on my spandex sewing skills.

Every summer I plan to sew up a bunch of cute casual dresses, and then, I just don't.   They aren't always as practical for work (somedays I need more mobility than a dress allows, so I frequently wear a knit top/skirt combo this time of year, or one of my many Lady Skater dresses), excuses excuses.  When I first started sewing I made a bunch of dresses that I don't get to wear very often (Icing v Cake I believe the sewing world calls it).  I've been really into making pieces that I will wear daily.  But last weekend I went thru my pattern and fabric stash and made New Look 6447. I made View D, sleeveless and above the knee.  I like dress patterns with a midriff piece because I find it's easier to fit if you tend to grade between sizes in the upper and lower body, which I often do. Although I cut a straight 12 this time and it fit pretty much perfectly. I used some Cotton & Steel octopus cotton lawn that I bought last year.  Black is usually th...

I sew a lot of button-down shirts for my partner, mostly Negroni by Colette patterns.  He's happy with it, we've perfected the fit to his liking, why change horses?  But I was cruising Etsy and found this vintage pattern (circa 1974), bought it, showed it to Tim online and he wrinkled his nose and said "No, I don't think so." I was crushed, but I had a feeling he would like it and I decided to make it anyway.  My pattern actually had the embroidery transfer in it still! (which I didn't use)  I cut the size 40 and decided to use this heavyweight chambray from Califabrics.com that I had leftover from a skirt I'd made. It was very easy to sew - the instructions were excellent and it's pretty straightforward, especially if you've made a tailored shirt before.   I had wanted to sew this because it has a two-part collar, and the Negroni shirt is a camp collar, and I decided it was time to tackle the more complicated collar. It went together 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...

I love a moto jacket, and bought Simplicity 1070 as soon as I saw it. It's described as: Misses' knit sportswear pattern features a ponte moto style jacket with leather or faux leather front panel, long sleeve top in hip or cropped length, and slim skirt and pants. I started with the jacket.  I used a really nice heavyweight black ponte and a black vegan stretch pleather, both from Califabrics.com. I cut a size 12  - full disclosure: this is a gift for my sister. She is taller and bustier than I am, so it is not only a gift but a way to check the fit before I make one for myself, haha! Generous or evil, or both? I started this one afternoon and surprisingly had most of it sewn in a few hours! There are a lot of pattern pieces but the sewing is straightforward.  It took more time to finish the bottom facing and slip stitch it in place than it did to sew the main body of the jacket. The instructions were fine. I used a combo of my machine and my serger, because of ...