Playing with Stripes

 

Front of striped pillow

     I decided to try playing with some striped fabric I had in my stash.  Fo the front of the pillow I chose to have vertical stripes and diagonal stripes.  I joined the pieces and pressed open the seam.  Then I serged it to a lining piece.

Back of striped pillow

     For the back, I chose to make a cross pattern.  I cut one triangle using a pattern piece I drafted.  I then used the piece I cut to get the other pieces.  Initially I cut them all the same but then discovered the color of the stripes wouldn't match.  It's a good thing I had quite a bit of the fabric to play with as I was able to recut two of the pieces as more of a mirror image.  Using a lot of pins, I aligned the stripes to match and pressed the seams open after sewing together.  Once again I serged the piece to a lining.

Zipper opening

     I cut the zipper strip to match also.  For the covered cord I used some corduroy fabric that when cut on the bias gives a cool looking cord.

Dog eared corner and covered cord

     Normally I trim my corners to get rid of the dog ears but with the stripes I felt it would look strange.  Another fun pillow sample.  Can I help you with some unique pillows for your home?

Loft Dress Alteration

 

Loft dress

     I saw this really cute dress online at Loft.  When I went to order it, the smallest size they had was a medium, I really wanted a small.  I ordered it anyway to see how it fit.

Sleeve removed

     Well it was way too big on top but the hips were okay.  I decided to take it in at the top but I couldn't just quickly stitch up a side seam because then the sleeves wouldn't be right.  First step was to remove the the sleeves.

Armscye pattern

     Then I traced the armhole cutting line on some pattern tracing material.

New side seam

     I stitched up a new side seam, now the dress fit better at the top.

Cutting the armscye

     I then laid the pattern I had traced and recut the armhole opening.  This ensured that the sleeve would fit back it properly.

Stitched on sleeve

     I carefully pinned the sleeve in place and used the sewing machine to stitch it together.  This allows for better control than the serger.

All serged

     Afterwards, I used the serger to finish off the seam.  Now it fits nicely and I can enjoy wearing it.  This did take some time, having to carefully remove the sleeves and all.  I will do alterations like these for myself but it doesn't pay to do them for others.

After School Sewing News April 2021

 

Zoey and her drawstring bag

Victoria and her journal cover

Val and her drawstring backpack

Timothy and his patchwork tote

Sophie and her pincushion

Sophie and her book bag

Sam and her patchwork pillow

Kali and her drawstring backpack

Isy and a sundress for her cousin

Donna and her drawstring bag

     Its been a while since I last wrote about what everyone is up to in sewing class.  I have had students drop out and new ones start.  Some have finished their 12 projects and are moving on to doing their own thing and others are just staring.  Some of the older students have moved on to their own projects after just 6 projects.

Ava and her drawstring bag

Donna and her book bag

Donna and her pincushion

Kali and her apron

Libby and her sport shorts

Sophie and her hot chocolate cozy

Sophie and her pillowcase

Val and her apron

     January brought three new students.  Unfortunately one of them had to take a break for medical reasons.  

Zoey and her pincushion

Zoey and her book bag

Val and her coin purse

Val and her card holder

Lucy and her patchwork pillow

Katie and a bunting for her baby

Kali and a mask she made

Kali and her coin purse

Kali and her card holder

Jay and her patchwork pillow

Donna and her pillowcase

Donna and her hot chocolate cozy

Ava and her pincushion

Ava and her book bag

Anna Catherine and her patchwork pillow

Aly and her cold shoulder top

     As I am posting these photos, I am amazed at how much sewing my students have done.  Each batch is a month of projects.  Wow!

Anna Catherine and her book bag

Anna Catherine and her drawstring bag

Anna Catherine and her pincushion

Ava and her hot chocolate cozy

Donna and her journal cover

Katie and her hot chocolate cozy

Lucy and her drawstring bag

Victoria and her patchwork tote

Zoey and her hot chocolate cozy

Zoey and her journal cover

Zoey and her pillowcase

     Well that covers up until the end of March.  Soon the after school classes will end as we transition into summer camps.  Camps are starting the week of June 7.  Come join the fun and you too can be part of all this.