SewBaby News

I have generally stayed away from making pants because they are time consuming, and I can often get a better fit, and better fabric with ready to wear pants.  Pants are generally the supporting character in an outfit, so I put more attention into the tops.  However, I've been really excited by the trend that I've been seeing of printed pants, and the cover of this  Butterick 6028   had a really lovely fabric choice, so I thought that I'd give it a try.     Important!  There is a pattern error with this pattern, so if you are making these, please read to the end to save yourself much frustration! The fabric that I used is a canvas print by Marc Jacobs that Fabricmartfabrics.com had for quite some time.  It is a cross between an animal print, and a digital print.  The fabric quality if superb, and I like that it is in neutral shades, so I can pair it with any top that I want.  Here are the neat things in this pattern: 1....

Vogue 8962 is a wardrobe pattern that includes two tops, a pant and a skirt, all designed for knits! Most wardrobe patterns are for woven fabrics, not knits, so I was very excited to buy this when it was first released. The top has the high low hem that is so popular right now, plus an interesting bias cut back that wraps around to the front to give the top some interesting lines. The first one that I made was the cowl necked version out of a lightweight rayon knit.  You can see it is really long!  It's kind of hard to see the seamline in the print, but if you look closely, you can see it.  Here you can see the back view with the separate yoke and the center back seam. The next version is without the cowl, and is using a solid cream rayon/lycra knit.  I really love how the top drapes when you sit.  You can't see any muffin top, which is quite an accomplishment with a clingy knit.  Here you can see the back a little better.  The nec...

When I saw Vogue 8961 , my first thought was, "Perfect for work- something simple, comfortable, and super quick to make."  I've been admiring winter white dresses, and found this winter white wool gabardine in my stash.  I usually think of gabardine as something only for jackets or pants, but it actually has a nice drape and is great for dresses! I added in-seam pockets to this one, and since it was cream, I added a lining so that there would be no show through.  I did add some length- I can't remember how much, but probably 3 inches to fit my 5'9" frame.  I also skipped the sleeve options of ruching or open slits that are included in the pattern. Here you can see the seam that runs from the shoulder to the bottom of the sleeve.  I believe that this is a modified kimono sleeve, but if anyone else knows for sure, please correct me.  I did have some problems with the shoulder seam riding back after wearing it for a few minutes, and I corrected the ...

When I got my November Burda issue, and saw the cover photo, I said "I have that fabric!  I must make that coat!"  It didn't matter to me that it wasn't particularly attractive in the model, and that the model is a size 0 and I am NOT a size 0. Sometimes you just see what you want to see.I had this gorgeous piece of light blue boiled wool in my stash for a few years, and its time had come. The coat was extremely simple to make.  If you can pull off this style, there probably isn't an easier coat pattern out there.  I made it in one day- I kid you not.  However, then the problems began.  I realized that I had a styling problem with this coat, when I put it on, and felt that it looked like an old woman in a light blue bathrobe.  All I needed was curlers in my hair.  So, to remedy it, I decided to chop off 9 inches of the bottom of the coat.  It now hits me at my mid-thigh.  Because it is a bulky fabric that doesn't ravel, I...

My Mom, Barbara Atkinson Hello again!  I've been missing from the blogosphere for a few months.  My Mother was ill and passed away in January.  She was 85, and I was fortunate to have had her in my life for so long, but it is still hard to say goodbye.  Things are slowly getting back to normal. I was blessed with a Mom that shared with me a myriad of her talents.  Since this is a sewing blog, I will focus here just on one of those talents.  I owe all of my sewing ability to my Mom.  She taught me from the time that I was 8 years old until I was 18.  There were a lot of trips to the fabric store, long days of sewing for 4-H competitions, and many, many times when she ripped out my mistakes, so I wouldn't have to.  I know that she was proud of my sewing, and before she passed away, I got a chance to show her what I'd been working on.  I was putting together a capsule wardrobe with shades of aqua, cream and black, with a few touches...