Stacy Sews

Tommy Boxers v.3

Stacy — Wed, 16 May 2012 09:03:44 +0000

With school out this week (can you believe it’s already time? Where did the year go?) I have come to the realization that summer is right around the corner. That also means it’s time to ramp up my summer sewing – the first item on my list? Tommy Boxers! This is one of our all-time favorite summer loungewear patterns – even my mom has requested for me to make more! Consequently, up on the cutting table are 3 new sets: one for all the girls in the family.

Project Details:

Pattern: SisBoom Tommy Boxer

Fabric:
Sleepy Owl fabric from Hobby Lobby

Skellanimals print from Joann’s

Bryant Park print from Sew Much

Materials & Cost:
Pattern……..stash
Fabric………$23.39
Notions……..$3.98
Total……….$27.37

A Matching Top

Stacy — Tue, 15 May 2012 09:42:53 +0000

What’s a workout skort without a matching top? I used the rest of the material from my Jalie 2796 project to whip up a second zippered V-Neck. I wanted it to coordinate with the skirt fabrics, but didn’t want to do any color blocking so instead, I made the top exterior out of the light gray (these are the side panels on the skort), used a dark gray\blue contrasting zipper and used the dark gray\blue fabric for the lining – if you look closely when it’s unzipped you can see that the material peeking out.

I can honestly say that this top went together much smoother the second time around, although the fit is different from my first top – I now realize that this material does have a lot less stretch. Consequently, it’s a lot more snug – especially around the bust area. Maybe all this working out make me lose a few pounds and help with the lack of stretch\fit?

The Workout Skirt Solved!

Stacy — Mon, 14 May 2012 09:33:44 +0000

It’s amazing how stretch can really effect the way a garment fits. I managed to ‘solve’ my hot pant dilemma by using a fabric that had 4-way stretch (which was recommended by the pattern envelope if I would have checked first!). Not only does it fit, but is super comfy. The down side? It’s beige\nude. I didn’t have anything on hand that was remotely similar to the main fabrics I had chosen and I didn’t have anything black in a 4-way, so I went with something ‘fleshy’. Now that it’s all put together, I’m not sure if that was a good choice or not – when I bend over, you can see the hot pant underneath so I’m pretty sure people will be wondering if I’m even wearing underwear!

The fit is a bit snug – I’m thinking that it’s because the fabric doesn’t have as much stretch as the previous wicking material that I worked with, but overall, I’m pleased with how this turned out – and I love the pocket details on the side of the skirt!

Hot Pants Dilemma

Stacy — Fri, 11 May 2012 09:06:23 +0000

I’ve got good news and bad news.

The good news: I started my skort. You can see from the picture that the front and side panels are attached and the ‘hot pants’ are ready to be attached.

The bad side: The hot pants give my thighs muffin tops. Shortly after I snapped this photo I decided to give them a test fit – I had decided to use elastic around the legs and had a lot of difficulty even pulling them up to mid thigh… so I cut a second pair, this time skipping the elastic and just hemming the legs instead. The fit was better, but still way too tight. Since there isn’t a quick and easy solution to the hot pants (i.e. eliminating the elastic), it looks like I’m back to the drawing board.

Edit: As I sat drinking my morning coffee and mulling over my hot pants dilemma, something occurred to me…. my fabric doesn’t have 4 way stretch. I ran down to my sewing room and sure enough, the pattern recommends a 4-way! Unfortunately, this means my hot pant will not be the same color(s) as the main pieces, but on the bright side, I know it will fit (or at least I hope so). The moral of the story? Always read your fabric recommendations before you start sewing (and if you run into trouble, mull over your problem with a great cup of joe)!

Linky Thursday

Stacy — Thu, 10 May 2012 09:44:15 +0000

Would you like to be featured on WeAllSew and win $1,000? Then you’ll want to enter their second challenge – Make Yourself At Home.

It’s graduation season which means it will soon be time to hand out gifts. If your present includes gift cards, then check out this great tutorial for a gift card case\business card holder.

Pillowcases don’t just have to be for sleeping or little girls dresses. Now you can transform one into a top for yourself.

Speaking of pillowcases, I stumbled across this tutorial for a great looking, 15-minute pillowcase (with french seams). I think I may make a personalized one for Taylor when she goes to cheer camp.

If you’ve been admiring Maria from Denmark’s kimono tees, here’s your chance to make your own.

I didn’t think it was possible to make a ruffled tote without sewing, but this tutorial proved me wrong. I still think I’d stick to sewing, but this is a good guideline on how to cut your fabric, etc.

Have some fabric scraps or just a great rainbow assortment of fabric? Then you’ll definitely want to check out this sewing kit tutorial…. it would also make a great mother’s day gift too!

No one would ever guess that this shirt started it’s life out as a handkerchief. Learn how to make one for yourself…. maybe in silk?

Who says diaper covers have to be boring? This one upcycles a fun t-shirt.

Smock an XL men’s shirt to transform it into a little girl’s dress!

I love purse frames (but I think I’m too chicken to try one) so I was immediately attracted to this tutorial on how to make your own using recycled and vintage coin purses.

Sport Skort

Stacy — Wed, 09 May 2012 09:40:53 +0000

I wasn’t kidding when I said that I was going to work on a skort next – I even have the traced out pattern to prove it! I may not work out a lot, but I really do love their cute and comfortable clothes (plus I’m thinking that Taylor may want to wear this when she golfs this summer)… plus I’ve had this pattern in my stash since last year so it’s high time I give it a whirl. I’ve decided to go with a low-waisted, hot pants design in a gray\steel gray wicking material that reminds me a lot of the model on the pattern cover. The rest of the details of this project are listed below:

Project Details:

Pattern: Jalie 2796

Fabric:
Light Gray wicking fabric from Needle Nook Fabrics

Steel Gray wicking fabric from Needle Nook Fabrics

Materials & Cost:
Pattern……..$14.99
Fabric………$14.25
Notions……..$3.20
Total……….$32.44

Miscellany

Stacy — Tue, 08 May 2012 12:14:58 +0000

Whew! The sample sewing for a very large project is ‘in the can’! Even though I still have the tutorial write up left to work on, at least I can resume all my ‘regularly scheduled’ sewing plans. First up? A second Jalie zippered V-neck and matching skort.

FYI: I also did a search for Transfer Artist Paper locally and came up empty handed. While my brick-and-mortar stores didn’t carry the product, I did find that Joann’s had a 5 pack on sale for $3.89 (70% off!) so I snagged up 2 packs – even with shipping this was a great price! Looking for fun ways to use this paper? Then be sure to check out this recent article at WeAllSew.

Melted

Stacy — Mon, 07 May 2012 12:41:28 +0000

They say that even though we’re not still in school, that it’s important you learn something new every day. I can say that this definitely happened over the weekend. In fact, it’s a valuable lesson on what not to do (and I’ll never forget it): Don’t use a hot iron on (or near) glow-in-the-dark thread…. it melts (it still glows, it’s just melted, smudged, and ruined!).

This poses a bit of a dilemma if you intend on using any sort of interfacing on your fabric after you have stitched out the design. My suggestion? Cut your fabric, interface it, then embroider (or stitch out your design) – that way you don’t have to get a hot tool anywhere near your finished work.

Cutting & Cutting

Stacy — Fri, 04 May 2012 12:57:13 +0000

I really had expected that by this time this week I would have a sneak peek of a project for you. Instead I have found myself doing lots and lots of cutting for this design. While the photo on the right doesn’t look like much, I can assure you that there are many of pieces piled up in there (the worst part? I still have a few more to go!). For me, cutting is the ‘worst part’ of a project – not just because it can be so tedious, but it feels like I’m not really accomplishing much even though it’s an essential part of sewing.

This weekend I am also in search of some Transfer Artist Paper – I have a Mother’s Day project that I’m dying to make this year. What is everyone else whipping up for next weekend?

Linky Thursday

Stacy — Thu, 03 May 2012 09:39:20 +0000

Not only do I love the shape of this Retro Travel Bag – the color combination and chevron stripes are to die for!

It’s amazing what a little bleach pen can do for a shirt.

One of the easiest ways to keep your sewing machine running smoothly is to keep it clean and dust free. Help with this process by making a new machine cover.

My neighbor has a new set of bows in her daughter’s hair almost every time I see her… and apparently they’re quite expensive. Instead of spending lots of cash at the store, learn how to make your own.

Traveling this summer? Then you’ll definitely want to check out this Airplane Pillow Cover tutorial – it’s snuggly soft when you’re needing an in-flight nap!

I think I’d approach the construction a bit differently, but I love the concept of turning a blanket into a Weekender Tote. This Feedsack Messenger has a similar feel.

Something every little boy would want: a felt truck. The best part? If they throw it, it doesn’t break (or hurt)!

My son was a swaddler. Even though he ‘demanded’ to be wrapped up tight, he still managed to wiggle his way out of the blanket. I think there would have been no way that he could have gotten himself out of this one: Peanut Swaddler.

Looking for a fun, summery dress for your little girl? This halter dress not only looks easy to make, but has a fun ruffle and lots of ‘twirl’ appeal.

Teacher appreciation week begins May 7. If you’re still stumped what to get, check out this Summer Relaxation Kit (& printable) – it’s adorable although there’s no sewing involved (but you could easily make your own beach bag, like this one from Elle Apparel).