Category: Sewing

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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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Our Abbey Bags

Our Abbey Bags

We decided on using primary colors in polka-dots for our new Sewing Room. For each of our machines, we are sewing matching Table Aprons and Abbey Bags. The polka-dot materials are anchors to our patchwork-quilt theme. So far, we’ve completed “Blue,” “Black,” and “Red” Abbey Bags with plans to make “Green,” “Yellow,” and “Orange.” We’re pretty certain we will be sewing more than six of these….

I just love how they turned out! Of course, “Red” is sEaMcRaZy Edna’s favorite (she just LOVES RED) and my fave is “Blue.” Each thread scrap bag is anchored by a flower pincushion at the top. If you look closely, you can see a little pocket which is the perfect size for our little snipping scissors. And seam rippers, which get a lot of mileage at my house.

We used ground walnut shells for the pincushion stuffing. Honestly, it took me several tries to get the shape just right. At first, I had filled them too much and they looked like footballs. Next, I got them rounder and they looked like softballs. Not cute. At all. There is this little trick to getting them round-ish and flat-ish to look right. I think I finally got the shape right:

[pe2-image src=”http://lh3.ggpht.com/-Woxjs4adxmk/UxFOH1uyekI/AAAAAAAAEgg/bUbEL_gAaS4/s144-c-o/SDC12043.JPG” href=”https://picasaweb.google.com/110956043075394460751/Seamcrazy02#5985651276341475906″ caption=”” type=”image” alt=”SDC12043.JPG” ]

These little cuties sit right beside our sewing machines. They don’t fall off because of the weight of the pincushions with ground walnut shells inside, plus they have a circle of vinyl shelf cover underneath them. I literally took some liner out of one of my kitchen cabinets, cut it up, and glued it to the bottoms!

I confess we are terribly messy seamstresses…putting pins down wherever we happen to take them out of the fabric. So there is this little pile of pins beside every machine. Now, we have our cute little Abbey Bags pincushions for our pins. These are great little additions to our sewing tables!

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Mother/Daughter Christmas Aprons

Here we are in our Mother/Daughter Christmas Aprons after a long day of COOKING. We used a smock pattern and contrasted the colors rather than make them identical.  The front panel at the waist is really a pocket, and we used Velcro at the neck in the back. Mother can put hers on and take it off because of the Velcro. I think our Mother/Daughter Christmas Aprons turned out great!

We had so much fun making the Aprons that we have decided to make Christmas Aprons every year. So if you are a-cookin’ at my house on Christmas – plan to make an Apron! Hopefully, next year Daughter Amanda and Granddaughter will be making Mother/Daughter Christmas Aprons as well.  🙂

The Holidays are a time for reflection and thinking about family. The last few years have been difficult for our family because of illness and my Father’s passing. But through it all, we have held onto one another. Mother and I have spent a lot more time together, sewing, shopping, cooking, and just talking. It is good to see her smile and laugh. Doesn’t she look beautiful in her new apron? Creativity really does mend the soul…

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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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Hot Stuff Hot Pad/Mitt

Here’s a hot story – don’t get burned by evil cook pots and pans! This Hot Stuff Hot Pad/Mitt makes the kitchen a little bit more bearable.

I think it turned out nice; and it’s been given a test run with some hot microwave baked sweet potatoes yesterday and some biscuits today. I like the fact that it doubles as a hot pad and a mitt.  With Insul-bright insulating batting inside, it protect hands and countertops.

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Red Wheelchair Tote

Red is Edna’s favorite color; if she ever has a choice of fabric, the red fabric ends up on the cutting table. She recently made this very nice Wheelchair Tote in – you guessed it – red floral cotton.  The Tote hangs from the back of the chair by ties.  She added a velcro top closure, two velcro closure pockets on the outside, and two on the inside. She used self-fabric buttons to give it a tailored look. It will match the wheelchair, which happens to be red, by the way.