Teal Velvet Top

 

Finished top

     Recently I sewed several tops for myself.  At the beginning of each year, I make a list of sewing goals I want to accomplish during the year.  I put on the list for this year several tops I had in mind.

Pattern used

      The first of these was this teal crushed stretch velvet top.  I found the pattern and fabric on sale at JoAnn Fabrics.  I had wanted another 'velvet' top but this time with long sleeves.  The last one I made had 3/4 sleeves and just didn't do anything to keep me warm.

Button from stash

     I found buttons in my stash that matched the fabric perfectly.  I was considering a contrast button but didn't want to limit what else I could wear with the top.

Shoulder detail

     I chose view A with the long cuffed sleeves and the button up shoulder.  I did change a few things.  First I opted not to do buttonholes and used snaps instead.  My thoughts were that trying to button something up on my shoulder would not be easy.  Also I sewed the opening closed a little bit, just leaving enough of an opening to pull it over my head.  Since the front and back facings had interfacing, the fabric no longer had any stretch.  The one part of the directions that I didn't agree with, was doing the buttonholes at the very end.  Not sure how easy it would have been to try to do one close to the shoulder seam.  

     All in all I did think the top went together well and I like the shirttail hem. It is comfortable and pretty.

Saint Patrick's Day T-shirts

 

     My two oldest grandchildren asked for new t-shirts for St. Patrick's Day.  The ones I made a couple of yeas ago no longer fit.  I still had some shamrock knit and green ribbing left from the last time.  I also had white knit from some other t-shirts I had made for them.

    I looked at my designs and found these fun boy and girl 'leprechauns' from Designs by JuJu.  I cut out their t-shirts using the same pattern that I had used for their birthday t-shirts.  I did the embroidery and then sewed up the t-shirts.

     It is 'sew' fun to be able to make things for the grandkids.

Summer Sewing 2022

 

    Good news, my summer sewing camp schedule is ready.  I will be offering Beginning Sewing Camp the week of June 13, July 11 or August 1.  Earn your sewing machine "driver's license" with this beginning sewing class. After learning the basics of operating a sewing machine, you will make a Patchwork Pillow, a Drawstring Bag and a Book Bag using the Avery Lane Designs program. Come learn from a Trained Sewing Educator in a small size class that allows for personal attention. All supplies are included.  The cost is $250.

     I also have intermediate camps for those who have finished the beginning sewing.  The first one is Purse-onality Fun 7 the week of June 20.  The cost is $180.  In this class you will make a purse, tissue holder, coin purse and a matching billfold. Just a yard of double faced pre-quilted fabric plus a few other supplies will be all you need.

     The next camp offered is Color Me Crazy the week of July 18.  The cost is $225 and includes a kit with glues, dyes, etc.  Have fun with unique dyeing ideas. We will be using glue, markers, dyes, bleach and shaving cream. Learn different ways to create unique fabrics. We will use some pre-made garments but you will also sew a pillow and a mini wallet with the fabrics we create. Be prepared to get messy ☺.

     Next on the calendar is Travel Time the week of July 25.  The cost is $190 and includes the vinyl for the projects.  Going on a trip? Even if all you are going to do is stay overnight at grandma’s house, these trendy travel accessories will let you travel in style. We will start with a roll up travel case for your necessities, then make a luggage tag, a cord ‘taco’ and a vinyl zipper bag. Have fun with mixing and matching fabrics.

     The last camp is Sport Your Own Sport Bag the week of August 8.  The cost is $220 and includes the pattern, fabric and thread.  Ready for something new this year? You will sew a large sport bag (23 x 10 x10) including a shoulder strap and mesh pocket. Everything is included except for your basic sewing supplies. You tell me the color combo you want and everything will be here for you the first day.

     These camps all run from Monday thru Thursday from 9-12.  

     There is also a one day camp on June 27 from 9-2.  It is Baking Bread and Keeping Cool.  The cost is $85 and includes food.  We will bake some bread using a bag as a mixing bowl. To be sure we don’t get burned, we will sew a hot mitt and a potholder. Yum – fresh baked bread with butter and jam.

     Email me at sewmuchfungrayslake@gmail.com for more info and the registration form.

Pleated Frame Pillow

 

Completed pleated framed pillow

     I wanted to try another framed pillow.  This time I pleated the frame pieces before assembling the pillow.

Pleating the frame pieces

     I cut strips about twice the finished length and then used my 3/4" pleater to make the pleats.  I sewed close to the edge as I folded the fabric.  Then I pressed the pleats in place and sewed close to the other edge.  

Interfacing on the back

     I applied lightweight fusible interfacing to the back to hold it all together.  

Closeup of finished frame piece

 

     I then serged the outer edge to prevent any raveling.  I realized later that this step was not necessary as I serged a lining piece to the completed front.  These completed strips were then cut the length of the finished pillow edge.

Stitching the corner

 

     I sewed the corners at a 45 degree angle, stopping at 1/2" from the inner edge.

Completed frame

     I pressed the seams open and then stitched the inner piece into place, pivoting at the corners.  On this pillow I did not add a cording between the inner piece and the frame.

Ready to finish

     I then serged a piece of lining to the completed front and stitched in the ditch around the framed fabric. I made a covered cord out of the same fabric as the framed fabric and stitched that to the front piece.  I completed my back with the zipper opening and then sewed it all together.

Corner detail

     I did not cut off the dog ears on this pillow as I did not want to change the size of the frame.  This was a bit more labor intensive than just a plain frame but it did add detail to the pillow without detracting from the pretty center fabric.

Button and Bows Pillow

 

Button and Bows pillow

     I had saved some articles from old Sew News magazines with clothing detail ideas.  I don't think I will use them for clothing, but I thought they would make great pillow details.

Sew News article

     This article from December 2012/January 2013 had some fun bows and covered buttons.  I looked through my stash of fabrics and chose the brown corduroy that I had bought for slipcovers for my son'd chairs and the cream linen like fabric that I had gotten from a friend.  I also looked through my stash of buttons and found some cool wood ones.

Article details

      I thought the wood buttons would show up better than matching covered buttons like in the article.  Using the dimensions in the article I cut the three pieces for the front of the pillow.  I fashioned the bows and sewed everything together.  I found loop fringe in my stash and used that for the pillow edge.  Usually I cut my pillow fronts the size of the pillow and cut off the dog-ears.  This time I cut the front and back one inch larger (cut 19" for an 18" pillow) because I didn't want the cover to be tight on the form and pull too much on the bows.  Also because of the wale of the corduroy, I kept the edges straight and didn't trim off the dog-ears.

Bows and buttons details

     I think I will make a few more pillows with these two fabrics and see what other 'dress details' I can use. 

Fringe detail