SewBaby News

Burda Plus isn't being produced in English anymore (I don't think- please correct me if I'm wrong), but I really love having all of the plus size patterns in one issue, so I ordered the French version from Burdastyle.fr.   It took a month to get here, and I am thrilled with it!  The dresses above are style #407- a Blouson Dress for knits.  I, like many, don't fit into a standard single size pattern, and with the Big 4 patterns, I have so many adjustments to do, that sometimes it's just too much trouble- especially if it's a simple design.  Typically, I have a full bust adjustment, rounded back adjustment, narrow shoulder adjustment, narrow chest adjustment, and length adjustments.  You would think that I was a terribly oddly shaped human being based on all of the adjustments I have to make to get a pattern to fit!   However, I can usually wear the Burda plus 44 without hardly any adjustments- maybe just narrowing the shoulders a bit and adding ...

The tragic murders of George Floyd, Ahmaud Arbery, Breonna Taylor, and the events of the last few weeks have brought to the world's attention that racism is alive and well, and deadly.  The grief that each of their families must be going through is heartbreaking.  Each one of us has a responsibility to stand up and fight against racism in our own communities. I've been reading a lot of accounts from black people who are sharing their life experiences and feelings.  It has really made me reflect on the times in my life when I could have stood up to say something to combat racism, but didn't.  I grew up in a small Midwestern town where there were just two black families that I knew of at the time. I ended up being best friends with the daughter in one of those families, and she was the Maid of Honor at my wedding. We first met in first grade, and I can honestly say at that time, I didn't know that there was any difference between us.  All I knew was that ...

Addendum 6/2/20.  I have to say that writing a blog post about sewing during this time of intense social upheaval feels very strange.  The photos of myself smiling for this post belie the fact that my heart is breaking for the black community and the injustice that they have had to endure.  I stand with the protesters and support change in our justice system and equality for all in our society. With Compassion, Ann **************************************** Today is my youngest daughter's 27th birthday.  Ahh, how time flies!  Unfortunately, we can't spend it with her because she lives in California, as does our middle daughter.  It was my plan to visit both of them this summer, but it looks like those plans are on hold until a vaccine is developed.  But, in my Illinois imagination, I have made this ocean blue watercolor like caftan, as what I envision a California mom would wear by the poolside to celebrate her adult daughter's birthday....

I love new pajamas!  They signify the changing of the seasons, and this year, in particular, I was really looking forward to when I could wear something lighter and brighter! I don't see too many people posting about sewing their own pajamas, so either people are too shy to pose in them for photos, or they are happy to sleep in an old t-shirt- which I did for many, many years!  It wasn't until I bought a pair of high end pajamas at a store on clearance that I discovered how luxurious real woven pajamas can feel! For these pajamas, I used a rayon challis in a coral pink lattice print.   For the pattern, I used McCall's 7696 which is a two piece pajama set with various sleeve options. 

I've gone my whole life thinking that yellow was a color that I couldn't wear.  If you look through my decade of sewing blog history, you won't see me wearing yellow.  For some reason, now, I decided, I don't care anymore- I love yellow and I'm going to wear it! This cardigan and top were made using Simplicity 8141 for the cardigan and Vogue 1049 for the tank.  The cover doesn't show the shorter version of the cardigan, but that is the view that I made- View D.   The front is one piece that starts out with one shoulder on the bottom of the piece and one shoulder on the top, you narrow hem both sides, and then flip the shoulder seam up, creating this beautiful drape. I used a very sheer rayon knit from Fabric Mart.  The tank is two layers of the fabric, and the cardigan one layer.  This project was a fabric hog- I had 3-1/2 yards of fabric, and used it all for these two pieces.  For some reason, I don't think that 8141 was ever done...

When Hancock fabrics was closing a few years ago, I bought this black coated denim fabric.  I always had a raincoat in mind to make with it, but since I have a couple of other trench coats, I didn't want a trench coat style pattern.  I saw this coat pattern in the March 2019 issue of Burda magazine, and could envision the lantern sleeves done in the coated denim, so it was a match!  I also really liked the pocket style which is an integrated welt into a princess seam. 

It's been a few weeks since my last post, and oh, so much has happened!  I've been sheltering in place here in Illinois for the last 2 weeks, and am so concerned with the pandemic, that I've been spending most of my time on the phone with friends and family.  I've also been doing a LOT of sewing.  I'm so glad that I have something that can provide and enjoyable distraction during this high stress period.  I hope that you are staying safe, and if you are one of the essential workers during this time, thank you for all that you are doing!