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Wednesday, January 31, 2018

Knit Top and Scarf

Knit top with scarf


      I had originally bought the knit tragic to make myself a twin set.  However I had already made several and I wanted something different.  After buying some tops that were fitted through the shoulders and bust but flared out lower, I realized I liked how they fit and they were flattering for my body type.

Pattern I used


     I found this pattern in my stash and I knew it would work just fine.  Usually I need to adjust the size to make it larger through the waist and hips but since it had so much ease in through there, that was not necessary with this top.




     I used the bias fusible tape to stabilize the shoulder seams and then used the double sided fusible to press up the hems before machine stitching them.  It really helps to prevent stretching while sewing.




   
Close up of scarf

     I went searching through my fabric stash to find a print that would match.  I found this piece that I originally bought to make a skirt.  I am not into print skirts anymore but I knew it would make a pretty scarf.

Knit top

     I did change up the pattern directions a bit.  Usually when I sew a t-shirt I set the sleeves in flat and then sew up the side seam from the hem of the top to the hem of the sleeve.  This pattern called for you to set in the sleeve.  I don't find that necessary when working with knits and just did it my usual way.  Much faster and easier in my opinion.  I really like how this top and scarf turned out, I can't wait for it to warm up a little so I can wear it.

Wednesday, January 24, 2018

Velvet Top

Completed top

      I wanted a velvet top for the holiday season.  When I went shopping all I was finding was short sleeve or sleeveless.  I needed something warmer.

Snipping the selvedge edges

     I found a pretty crushed stretch velvet in a pretty cranberry color at JoAnn Fabrics.  I had a pattern in my stash that I had been wanting to try that had a small cowl neck and three quarter sleeves.

Pattern used

     I needed to snip the selvedge edges of the fabric so it would lay flat for me to do my pinning and cutting.  I used my serger for constructing the top and it went together quickly.

 



   I used the bias tape in the shoulders to prevent them from stretching out and I used the double sided fusible to hold the hems in place for easier stitching.




   
Back of the top
     
     A few hours of sewing and I had a comfy, pretty velvet top to wear for the holidays that was much warmer than something sleeveless.

Wednesday, January 17, 2018

2017 Christmas Stockings Part 3

Finished stocking with Christmas owls

     My sister wanted a Christmas stocking for her granddaughter.  The theme for my grandniece has been owls.  When she was born I made some owl baby things for her.  Now my sister had been looking for a Christmas stocking with owls but was not able to find one.

Templates in place

     I did a search on line for Christmas owls and sure enough, one of my favorite sites had them, Designs by JuJu.  I picked out three that I liked and printed out templates to help with placement.

Stitching out the first owl

     I used a pattern I had from doing stockings using designs from Embroidery Library.  I did change up the colors because I wasn't sure I really wanted pink and purple owls on a red stocking.

Detail of owl design
 
     I stitched out the designs and then sewed up the stocking.  I added her name to the cuff before assembly using a font in one of my embroidery programs.  It was fun to be able to make a stocking that fit my grandniece perfectly.

Name on cuff of stocking

Wednesday, January 10, 2018

2017 Christmas Stockings Part 2

Hooped using the under-the-hoop method


     I had a client call me looking to re-do the name on a Christmas stocking.  I told her I could and that she could save a lot of money by removing the stitching of the old name herself.

     She did remove the stitching, leaving a couple of small holes.  She remarked that it was really difficult and I agreed with her.  Removing the stitches of a design is not easy and sometimes can't be done or it damages the item.  I prefer a client to do it so I don't have that liability.

Stitching the name

     I added some iron-on interfacing on the back of the cuff as it had multiple holes.  This added some body but also a smoother back surface.  Because of how the cuff was attached to the stocking I couldn't remove it for easier hooping.  I chose the under the hoop method to do the embroidery.

     I hooped a piece of heavy cutaway stabilizer and then cut a window for the embroidery.  I then pinned the stocking underneath and slipped it over the bobbin arm of the embroidery machine.  I had to be sure to rotate the name so it stitched in the correct orientation.

Finished

     If you look closely you can still see the outline of the first name that was stitched but otherwise it turned out exactly like the client wanted.


Wednesday, January 3, 2018

2017 Christmas Stockings Part 1


Original stocking

     This past Christmas I had three different stocking projects.  The first was to make three stockings to match an original one as much as possible.  The client could not find velvet fabric in the shade of red and green she wanted so she bought a double face quilted cotton.

Base stocking

  I used a pattern I had from Embroidery Library that was very similar in size and shape.  I cut two outer pieces and two lining pieces for each stocking.  Even though the quilted fabric was finished on both sides I like a contrast lining for the stocking, looks more finished I think.

Lining

     I sewed the lining pieces together with right sides and then the same with the outer pieces.  I then just tucked the lining into the outer stocking with wrong sides facing and basted around the top.

Finished cuff

     I bought some plain cotton fabric to match the quilted one and also some cord that had a lip on it so I could sew it into the bottom of the cuff.  The client had bought a pretty twist cord but it didn't have a lip.  I tried couching it down with an invisible thread and also a matching thread but neither of those worked.
     For the cuff, I embroidered the name on one piece and then added an iron-on batting to give it more body.  Then I sewed the cord in place along the bottom and then added the back part of the cuff.  Turned in right side out and basted the raw edges together.

Separating the cord from the lip

     To make the hanging loop, I removed the lip from the twist cord and just used that for the loop.  I basted it in place and then added the cuff.

Hanging loop basted on

     The cuff was placed inside the stocking with the right side of the cuff to the lining.  I added a couple of pins and then just stitched the circle.

Cuff pinned in place
   
     I then flipped the cuff to the outside and the raw edges are all hidden under the cuff.  I usually serge or overlock stitch the seam so it looks nicer.

Finished stockings

     Three finished stockings for the new family members, matching as closely as possible to the original.