Friday, July 27, 2018

Harem Pants

Image result for k3701 sewing pattern

I made this T-shirt and harem pants... both very easy...
Great little quick T-shirt with a ribbed knit and or cotton knit
works well for under silky sheer shirts...  Pants were quick drop crotch pants
and have pockets


These are really baggy Harem pants... but I thought they were cool... I did not put a zipper in... just used elastic and a turnover waistband tied in the front.  Sorry, I did not take a picture, they were beautiful see through silver metallic, and a rush job... like I stayed up all night and made three items... so--who remembers to take a picture..'I didn't'

Wraps and Coverups


I update my blog pages sometimes by adding pics...  This one will have additions within a few days with pics of the actual item I made.



Wrap directions with two straps and front crossover   <----


This is for the customer discussion at work yesterday...

Of course, I don't know exactly which wrap you were talking about, so here are many...patterns and blog instructions from others.  Looks simple so I will try this one today and put a picture.

So you should be able to put your right arm in the loop^ your fabric will be coming around the front by wrapping under your left arm and then when you bring the fabric accross the front it will then get your left arm in the loop so it will be crossing over the front

Your front will always fit because your loops are always going to be your body width from hanging on your shoulders and the drape and wrap in back is determined by the width of this piece of fabric from loop to loop

                                                1                                      2                               3

The effect is the wrap diagonal accross the front 3


Here are some other easy patterns too:




Short one takes 2 1/2 ... Long one takes almost 4 yds of fabric


The top method is very easy.... BUT for me... I like to be totally covered lightly... so probably the second pattern because it is looser and the usually free flowing jacket pattern I use out of a gauze or net type of material so I feel like you are not looking at my almost 70 years of wear and tear...HAHA

Also... my rear view might not be so great in the easy loop one... .... I will make both and post a picture by this weekend.

Thanks for discussing... and reading...  You help inspire me and I will help inspire you....  Sewing for 60 years and still loving it every day!!!!

It Is ALL ABOUT THE FABRIC-----  click for MY favorite store mmmmmm fabric



Sunday, July 22, 2018

Easy Comfy Work Outfits - Yardages

Pants                        Simplicity 9597 (Leggings... into Tubins')  Your length plus 3" most 1.25 yds 60")
Drapeneck Blouse   Butterick 3131      Flattering for shorter necks (2-2 3/8 45" or 1 3/8-1 5/8yds 60")
Jacket                       Butterick 5045      Free Flowing... Fits anyone   (2.5 yds 60")
 (shortened about 4-6 inches to go with pants, but is a long jacket for dresses)


This is a great pattern... I have used all items... shortened the jacket I am 5'2"  so took 4-6" off... just below bottom back, but used all the same sloping on edges to keep drape.  This is the jacket in picture.

Suits-Pencil skirts with easy Jackets and drapeneck blouses  - same blouse pattern quick and easy as above - Poly Poplin only 5.98 a yard... -yard for pencil skirt and any easy jacket pattern side piece from blouse for scarf.



Blouse piece layout below- (I cut multiples at a time from matte jersey)


Very quick and easy flattering blouse for me-long side piece is scarf
I cut these in multiples and put by sewing machine

I use this blouse pattern and add a little in drape.. can be matte jersey or silk -does not have to be stretch fabric



1.  Sew the legs first... you will have a right leg
and a left leg... do the hem, I just turn it up twice about 3/8 wide and top stitch... so you now have two legs...
Match your crotch right sides together back and front so you will have one long curve matching your inner leg seam... stitch

Pants - make legs to ankles and straight instead of tight-quick one pattern piece & elastic waist




Quick pants - any legging pattern with elastic waist - has one pattern piece all you need is your pants length plus hem and waist turnover and a piece of elastic your waist size.

Make the elastic circle how big you want your waist stitch first... lay over top of pants sewn together and still turned inside out...fold over the top with 1/4" turn under and top stitch the elastic circle in without stitching through the elastic and you have quickpants.  I leave a slight opening where I start at the front seam so that when I want the elastic to be tighter or looser I can easily pull the elastic through and also marks the front for me when putting the pants on.


QUICK Elastic Waist -Straight or Pencil Skirts.... Slightly shaped(sloped) to waist from 7-9" below your waistline


                                      <------------------>        plus 2.5 for back seam to be wide

whatever width you like your bottom skirt edge+seam- cut two +seam but cut your back piece plus seam and plus 1.5-2 inch for back seam kick pleat 



 to have side seams to keep your elastic waist skirt centered then cut at fold cut your shape width you want plus seams and slightly shaped to waist- elastic will do the rest.
kick pleat in back as shown, whatever length pleat fold you want... your back seam will be 1.5 to 2 inches... you will fold to one side... usually the left and sitch accross that side to center back as shown... your flap edges and trimmed seam itself can be overcast


Fabric 58-60 inch width... your length skirt plus 1.5" waist turn under and hem 1.5 - 2" your favorite style hem (hem ribbon or turn under or surge and blanket hem machine stitch)

Now you can have lots of pants and skirts in every color that cost 3.00 to 3.50 each-just go to the 'Treasure Hunt Room'...........'Value Vault' ........'Fabric Hunters Delight' or just the 2.97 Room at

click for store info in Rockville, Maryland

 Next   I will add easy Jackets with Lapels
Easy Structured Pants with Pockets
Easy Swimsuits and coverups

Printed Matte Jersey....plus Black Matte Jersey


YOU CAN DO THIS!

Friday, July 13, 2018

Jams Jams and more Jams

Beer Mugs

Back Pockets with Velcro Tabs and side pockets

Beer Bottles

Velcro Tabbed back Pockets blend in and Side pockets

Old Cars

I sew everyday... if nothing else a scarf and matching earrings out of covered buttons.... This is what I do to make my self-esteem boosted.  Sometimes, I have to make things for others, my son, my brother, my mother... But I still squeeze in something that I can wear that day and feel like I am OKAY 'cause I made something.  

On my days off I run a few errands and try to get in some kayaking in my inflatable kayaks or other watersports if the weather is nice.  I take my camera and blog about kayaking also...


Sunday, July 1, 2018

knitted Chevron

2 and 1/2 yards of knitted chevron made jacket -scarf and earrings...1 3/4 yards did drapeneck blouse and scarf out of gray spandex lame'1 and 1/8 yards did the pants... I am 5'2"

Pants                        Simplicity 9597      (Leggings... made into Tubins')
Drapeneck Blouse   Butterick 3131      Flattering if you don't have a long neck
Jacket                       Butterick 5045      Free Flowing... Fits anyone
 (shortened about 4-6 inches to go with pants, but is a long jacket for dresses)


Old Patterns-can be purchased from Etsy and Ebay and sometimes other sites... just search the company-pattern number-sewing pattern and you will see who still has these patterns available...  People resell patterns they never used all the time...  These are my favorite patterns I use over and over again... 20 minute pants including cutting out.... drapeneck blouse maybe 2 hours... Jacket after cutting out sewing takes about an hour and half..... but simple sewing

Sunday, May 6, 2018

Carryon Made to Measurements

This Carryon Made to fit measurements.... Removeable Shoulder Strap on D Rings, or Tuckaway Tote handles in Velcro Closing side Pockets... Faux Leather, lightweight and self lined with removeable cardboard Flat Bottom.

Tote Handles Then Side pockets added to tuck, handles away and velcro shut

Tote Handles Hidden when side pockets velcrod shut

Side View of zippered closing before D-rings added for removeable shoulderstrap

Inside is self lined with a cardboard insert covered with same faux leather

Love this soft Vinyl Faux Leather from G Street Fabrics
Home Decorating 15.00 per yard wall.  

Would Make Great Clutch Bags etc.

This was filled with our Novelty Theme Fabric Jams, heading for HOT weather.




Beer Bottles, Mugs, Antique Cars, Bicycles and Dollars....

From the Cotton Novelty Theme Wall at G Street Fabrics


Used Self Fabric Drawstring coming out of Buttonholes at front of waist vs. elastic waist

Heading for Hot Weather -Need Jams!!

Thursday, April 19, 2018

Sewing Simple Jams

Bringing in Spring with Some Jams


Okay, spring is here finally.
It is a little Chilly.  Officially it is here with these Jams.
Fabric is from  G Street Fabrics   The cotton Novelty Wall-Great for theme Items


Simple Pattern for Shirt and Shorts... Here we made the shorts.


These are the simple Long Jams Front...Side Seam Pockets

Back Has 2 Back Pockets with Flaps and Velcro Tabs under Flaps

Back Pocket is camouflaged with this print

Pattern calls for one pocket... I did two for good measure...

I didn't try to match flaps or pockets, but they still camouflaged well.

This was an easy shorts pattern, so next we will do a shirt with it and see if that is one I feel is easy too.