SewBaby News

High low hems are taking over the stores this season.  I wasn't sure if I could pull this look off, but was very tempted to try it.  When Vogue 8870 came out, I was first at the store to buy it.  This pattern has two options- one with a very slight high low hem, and another more dramatic one.  You can see the difference in these line drawings: You can see a gorgeous version of View B on Adrienne's Blog .  I decided to dip my toes in the water and try the more moderate view- View A.  Even though there is probably about a foot between the highest point in the front and the lowest point in the back, it doesn't seem that much when you are wearing it.  I added 2 inches to the length all over.  Here is the back view: The fabric is a rayon challis that I got in a mystery bundle birthday gift from my friend Priscilla.  It's wonderful to have a friend who knows what you really want for your birthday!  My family would never indulge me wit...

Once in a while, I like to take a chance by making a pattern in a fabric that is unexpected for that style.  McCalls 6603 pattern line drawing Take for example, this silk chiffon border print that I got in a mystery bundle last year.  It has a striped border along one selvage, and the rest is this beautiful floral watercolor print.  I had enough to make a dress, but I wanted to make something that I would wear more often.  I looked through my pattern stash, and saw this oversized pullover pattern from McCalls 6603 .  I thought- this is a pattern that I could wear everyday.  What if I made it out of the silk chiffon? I lined up the pieces so that the striped border would be at the bottom of the top and the sleeves.  You can see how the angle of the border changes if your arms are up or down.  You can see how much ease there is, and this is after I reduced each side by about 6 inches!  Yes, I think that you can safely say this patte...

3/15/13- Update: Here are some photos of my denim version of this skirt that I made to make sure this pattern was going to work, before cutting into the expensive lambskin.  This was a stretch denim, so I cut the side seams about 1/2" smaller for a closer fit.  I also didn't line it.  I really love this pattern- Burda 01- 2011-137A.  I did the topstitching in the classic gold and it shows up nicely.  Here's a back view of the vent and topstitching. I bought 4 skins of this pearlized blue lambskin leather a few months ago from an online vendor, not knowing what to expect. It was absolutely stunning.  So soft and supple, you cannot imagine!  Each skin was $15 (half off!), so my leather cost alone was $60 for this, not including lining, zipper, thread, etc.  This is a lot for me- so I had to be picky about what I was going to make with it. Burda Line Drawing -1-2011-137A  . I knew that I wanted to make a skirt, but picking the p...

Vogue 8871 is a new Vogue Very Easy dress pattern.  I gravitate towards these patterns, as they usually live up to their name, and sew up quickly and easily.  Spring is right around the corner, and I decided that I need some new Spring dresses to liven up my dreary winter wardrobe right now!  This looked like an all season dress- throw on some tights and a cardigan, and you can make it work for a cool March day, or wear it with sandals and you'll be set for a sunny May day.  

I love the feel of drapey rayon knits, but they don't love me back.  Every time I've ever made a shirt pattern with them, they show lumps and bumps that no one wants to see.  But, I keep trying, hoping that someone somehow will draft the perfect easy to sew t-shirt pattern that will show off this beautiful fabric, without showing my love handles.

What could be better than a Bernina 830 for your birthday?  Why, a Bernina 830 cake, of course!  Made by my fabulously talented daughter, Serena, with help from my other fabulously talented daughter, Alyssa. My daughter was picturing someone at my party saying, "Bernina?  Who is Bernina?  I thought this was Ann's birthday!".   -Ann

Happy New Year, everyone!  I can't believe it's been nearly a month since I last blogged.  Time has a way of flying by!  My first sewing project for the new year is from a pattern company that has been around for a while, but that I haven't tried yet- Silhouette patterns by Peggy Sagers. The pattern that I chose was Giorgio's Top , which is a top pattern designed for knits that gives the illusion of a peplum.  There isn't a separate waist or peplum piece, so it is extremely easy to sew.  The line drawing shows a set in sleeve, but the actual pattern has the sleeve cut on the side front and back pieces, so that there is a seam that will run down the center of your sleeve from the neck. Peggy's patterns are different in the fact that the sizes are listed with the finished garment measurements.   However, that didn't make choosing a size any easier.  I think that the waist and bust measurements got reversed on the back of the pattern envelope, ...