Friday, September 25, 2009

Finished Lily's quilt


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Originally uploaded by WeeBeaks
I started this quilt when I was pregnant with Lily and had just found out we were having a girl. Well, she will be 2 years old in a month or so and I'm finally finishing it up! She loves it though, and so do I. And I'm glad to have it done as I hate to having unfinished projects lying around. Now I have to paint her room with fresh paint to be a nice backdrop for her quilt! LOL

Thursday, September 24, 2009

New Pants!


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Originally uploaded by WeeBeaks

Zach is very hard to fit now that he is 7 years old, pretty average height, but still under 50 pounds with a 20 inch waist! We have been getting those adjustable waist pants with okay results, but each year they get baggier and saggier as he grows up but doesn't grow out much. It is especially hideous looking in dress pants, so these became a necessity to sew. I settled on Simplicity 5732 for my pattern for him and sewed these up. I measured a bit off the first time, and these too are a little large, but much better than typically and a belt makes them definitely wearable. I just picked his size based on hip/waist and lengthened them. I will definitely be sewing this pattern again. It had a lot of nice features seen in menswear, such as the back seam sewn last extending into the waistband for easy alterations, real fly, side seam pockets, pleats, belt carriers, etc. It did have the hidden button plus hook/eye closure in the front, but I modified that to have a hook/eye plus a snap as I thought the button would be a little difficult for him still. And he will have a nicer shirt than that t-shirt when he wears these. :)

Monday, September 14, 2009

PJs for N and nephew


PJs for N and nephew
Originally uploaded by WeeBeaks
Sew Mama Sew blog is having a Pajama Party and I'm joining in. Well honestly I usually sew jammies this time of year anyway. Here are two pair I made Saturday. The pattern is the Ottobre Magazine 4/04 issue, the leggings and the long-sleeve t-shirt. The smaller ones are for my nephew as part of his birthday present, and the larger set is for my son, Noah. The fabric is a nice thermal knit from Joanns with vehicles all over it. This is the beginning of my PJs for the month, but not nearly the end as Noah still needs more, and so does Lily need a couple sets. Luckily I have plenty of fabric ... some would even say too much! LOL

Wednesday, September 9, 2009

Start of Fall Sewing


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Originally uploaded by WeeBeaks
It is finally cooling off just a tad here, so I started a few fall outfits for Lily. This is the first one, cool enough to wear today but will be worn with cotton tights for fall/winter. The turtleneck is Simplicity 5936. The jumper pattern is a vintage Butterick 3949. I did the applique on the front with various scraps.

Wednesday, September 2, 2009

Finishing a neckline with stretch lace

Finishing a neckline, armhole or waistband with stretch lace can add a nice touch to a top, unders, a cami, etc.



Start with your pattern and sew the neckline, armhole, etc., together so you have it done except the edge finish. If your pattern contains seam allowances on those edges, go ahead and trim off the seam allowance on the edge.

Once the edge no longer has a seam allowance included, take your stretch lace and align the lace over the top of the edge, matching the raw edge of the garment and the outer edge of the lace. Then sew the inner edge of the lace, using a stretchy stitch. I like to use a 3-step zigzag. Use thread to coordinate with your lace color.

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Go all the way around. At the end of your circle, you are back to where you started. I like to fold in the last of the end.

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Here is what it should look like approximately from the back.
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Now, you need to trim off the excess fabric underneath the lace you sewed on. Trim it very very close to your seam line that attached the lace to the garment.
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At this time you need to go back to where the lace formed the circle and close the circle completely. [Don't do it before this time unless you first fold back the garment fabric or else your garment fabric will be in the seam and can't be trimmed away.] I stitch over the edge of it where it overlaps, again with a 3-step zigzag (just my preference), perpendicular to the original stitching line. Now, the lace is completely joined in a circle.
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All done! Easier than binding for sure. This makes a great neckline, armhole, waistband, etc.

Tank top

Tuesday, September 1, 2009

Outfit for me


Whole outfit
Originally uploaded by WeeBeaks
Today I sewed for me for fall. I did McCall 5434, which has an asymmetrical hem wrap top and pull-on pants. I really like how those came out. The pattern also included a strange tube top for underneath. I skipped that, and instead made a camisole style top from Ottobre Woman magazine, issue 2/07, pattern #1, the tank top. I did lace edges instead of binding on the top for a cami look. We'll see how long a white top lasts with the kids, but for now I'm pleased.