Category: Fabric

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Simplicity 2184: Godet Skirt

Simplicity 2184: The Godet Skirt

I am one of those people who think PANTS and rarely SKIRTS when it comes to getting ready for work.  The Simplicity 2184 Godet Skirt turned out so nice that I may re-think what I wear to the office.

For my Simplicity 2184 Godet Skirt, I picked a cross between view C (maxi) and view D (shorter), because I like to wear my skirts long. The godets are what really “make” this skirt because they add some twirliness to the bottom. Godets are long triangles added to the front seams. In the pattern view below, you can see the godets in the yellow skirt in the top left corner.

Simplicity 2184
Simplicity 2184

I have accumulated many skirt patterns, but I like this pattern except for one thing…I prefer a waistband and it has elastic only. Elastic does make the project go a lot faster (see 2 HOUR printed on the pattern), but it doesn’t seam to drape and fit as pretty as one with a waistband. Next time I make this pattern, I will add a waistband…

The material is a turquoise cotton blend, actually left over from another project (the quilt project bag). I like floral fabric and was digging around in the sEaMcRaZy stash, and my eye fell on the turquoise. Why not? Well, I will be sure not to wear the skirt the same day I am carrying the quilt project bag!

The pattern is very easy and the non-godet views would be great for a new sewist. The non-godet views A & B are cut on the bias and as such, will have some swing.

You really can’t see the godets in the photos, but you can see the flare from them when I wear the skirt. After finishing the skirt, I had some material left over and made a belt/sash. I added some beads to the sash for weight and style. I like they way they pull the sash down, and give it some character when I walk. I simply used some jewelry-making beads that matched the fabric. I threaded the beads on the needle and back up through using some heavy thread.

Godet Skirt Beading
Godet Skirt Beading

I paired the skirt with an olive top and light olive light sweater. Adding the sash is a good pop of color on the green.  I also have a turquoise top that I can wear with this skirt to give me another option. The fabric background is navy blue, so I could use a navy top also.

Simplicity 2184: The Godet Skirt
Simplicity 2184: The Godet Skirt

All in all, I think the skirt turned out well, and I plan to make the Godet Skirt in a maxi length, perhaps in a knit next time. And with a waistband. 

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Easy Cool Top

Simplicity 1615

Spring is finally warm here! I made this EASY COOL TOP using Simplicity 1615 to celebrate~

Simplicity 1615
Simplicity 1615

 

I chose a light cotton with small flowers. I think it will be COOL and just right over jeans.  I wear a lot of T-shirts and this new top gives me some options.

The pattern was very easy, and I love the sleeve and collar detail. I followed the directions which include using bias tape to enclose the seams around the neckline. Next time I make this blouse, I will make some bias tape because I am not crazy about seeing the white bias tape inside the blouse. I am kind of particular about the inside looking as nice as the outside. As usual, I also sewed with french seams – I know – it’s more work but that is just “me.”

Mother tried on the blouse and she wants to make one, too. I have some soft fabric that drapes better that would be great in this pattern.  I am sure that I will make this top again, perhaps view E (the green one) next time?

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Whimsy Row by Row Quilt

Whimsy Row by Row Quilt

Edna sewed a beautiful quilt for granddaughter’s first birthday.  She used the Whimsy Row by Row quilt pattern by Fresh Water Designs for EE Schenck Co.

We bought the pattern and fabric at Sew Much Fun in Columbus, GA, and worked diligently to finish it in time for the party!

The fabric is called “Whimsy” and includes these inspirational quotes:

Take Time to Breathe!

Be Curious. Explore!

Create Whimsy in Your Life!

Find Joy in Living!

Wonder About Possibilities!

The colors are so fresh and delightful. I truly fell in love with the design and colors as we worked.  We used the swirl fabric on the back and a similar swirl pattern for quilting. Blue Crab Quilt Company in Richmond did the longarm quilting for us. They did a fantastic job – I am sure we will use them again soon.

Here is a close up of the front and back:

Whimsy closeup  Whimsy back

And here Sweet Grandaughter  is inspecting her birthday present!

Whimsy birthday

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Easy DIY Fabric Pin

DIY Fabric Pin

I sewed a blouse set using some knit red and butterfly/flower material that I picked up at Hancock’s. The red made a cute shell and the butterfly/flower material looks great with black pants. Before I wore my new blouse set for the first time, I went through my jewelry drawer to see if I could find something that matched well. Nothing really captured my eye…so I decided to make a DIY Fabric pin!

Here’s how I did my DIY Fabric Pin: Using pinking sheers and fabric scraps, I cut out 5 petals of red and 5 of butterfly/flower material. I covered a 1-1/2″ Dritz Half Ball Cover Button in red. Then, I sewed the petals in a circle and sewed the covered button on top. Fabric glue came next, with a small circle cut from red material to cover the sewing underneath. A safety pin through the small circle holds it in place on my blouse. The DIY Fabric Pin took about 15 minutes to do and turned out so cute. What do you think?

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A Trip to Mary Jo’s Cloth Store, Gastonia, NC

Mary J's Cloth Store Mugs

sEaMcRaZy Edna and sEaMcRaZy Cindy recently visited Mary Jo’s Cloth Store in Gastonia, NC.  Mary Jo’s is a paradise for sewers! If you are a quilter, it is heaven!

After buying way more fabric than we “need,” we saw these mugs at the register and just KNEW we had to have them.

After all, sewing is cheaper than a psychiatrist!

Could you have passed these up?

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Sewing Machine Series: Kemore Model 1430 158.14301

Our Sewing Machine Series profiles some of the machines “in the family.”

In 1974 when I was 15 years old, my parents gave me a Kenmore Model 1430 158.14301. This little machine has certainly sewed miles and miles and miles! It sews basic stitches and makes buttonholes using a cam attachment.  I can’t say exactly that I learned to sew on Kenmore; Mother actually taught me on her Singer Golden Touch and Sew.

When I got fairly proficient on basic stitches on her machine (translation: did not sew my fingers), my new Kenmore 1430 was used to sew lots of wild 1970s colors and fabrics.  As I grew, so did my projects. Years later, my own daughter started sewing and she sews with my Kenmore 1430 now.

I really miss my old Kenmore! This week, Daughter brought it over to do some sewing and visions of those 1970s fabrics started swirling around in my head, along with the baby clothes that followed!

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Sewing Tools #1

Favorite tools

There are some sewing tools that I just can’t do without.  I have my favorites because they do the work I want them to do.  I’d like to introduce you to just a few of my best friends on my sewing table….

Let’s start with the sharp stuff: I’m a big fan of Gingher scissors and shears. I am very persnickety when it comes to having sharp scissors to work with, and my Ginghers have never failed me. I use a pair of Dressmaker Shears and Embroidery Scissors. Never, never, NEVER, let your good shears cut paper, and always treat them with great respect on the cutting table. I keep the Embroidery Scissors on a lanyard around my neck while sewing so that I don’t have to dig around when it is time to clip a thread.  My Ginghers cut very straight and never give me grief. I use Fiskars Softgrip pinking shears for cutting cotton fabrics and cutting around curves. This pair with the orange handles is very ergonomic for my hands.  When buying scissors and shears, select a quality brand like Gingher or Fiskars.  Before buying (because they can be expensive), use a friend’s pair for a day or try out a pair in the store so that you can see if the handles and general feel are good for you.

Ball point pins are my favorite type of pin, but even if they are not ball points, I still like pins that have bead heads or something that helps me handle them (rather than the flat head of a standard pin).  I have a pin cuff that I wear around my wrist when pinning a pattern.  Actually, I have a couple of these, some of which are magnetized. Chopsticks are very useful for turning and for making corners just right, and in the photo you can see two types: one with a pointy end and another with a square end.  I use both depending on the job to be done.

Choosing the right sewing tools can make the difference between a frustrating day and a pleasurable day sewing.

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Fall & Fabric

It was a beautiful fall day today and a great day to go fabric shopping!  We enjoyed the sale at Joann’s, where so many things were 40-60% off.  We ended up with some flannel (60% off!!), fleece, thread, and more patterns. You know, you just can’t have tooooo many patterns.  On the way home, we stopped at Saladworks and picked up supper (Edna loves her some salad).  At home, we took it easy, checking emails and such, because tomorrow is SEWING SUNDAY and we have a few projects to work on.  I have plans to finish two projects and Edna has to finish up a tote bag that hangs on the back of the wheelchair.

It’s great to get out and visit a fabric store…but we always buy more than we anticipated and have a great time doing it.