Simplify: Scrap-busting Yoga Bag & Plastic Bag Dispenser

Sewing in NYC means I have a finite amount of space for fabric. This is it, folks:

In an effort to make the best use of this space and keep my sewing area neat and organized, I hope to use the scraps from my sewing projects quickly or toss/donate/recycle them.

I used Amy Butler’s free pattern for the basic measurements and instructions for this yoga bag made from the scraps of my Ann Taylor Copy Cat Pants. Her bag is lined with a pocket. I skipped all this but added some lovely appliqués from my scrap bin.

Took it to yoga last night. Success!

Using the scraps from my Date Night Jean Skirt, I made this plastic bag dispenser. The measurements and instructions came from this site. I used one piece of fabric (obviously), skipping anything decorative since it is going to hang in our utility closet. The instructions were simple and easy to follow although I made the hem for the elastic at each end wider since my denim made threading the elastic through near impossible.

We’ve been using this for a few days now. It holds plenty and keep the closet neat. Success!

Success: Hair Pretty

One of my sewing goals is to simplify my wardrobe. I have one big dresser and about four feet of closet space. These should contain pieces I like to put on and that make me feel good about myself. As it stands now, this space is overflowing with mostly orphan pieces bought on sale or in desperation that I curse every time I have to find something to wear.

I’m adding a new category to my blog to keep track of my progress towards this goal. Since “un-cluttering my closet and my dresser” isn’t very romantic, I’m going with “Simplify, Simplify.”

This is my latest Simplify project. I used this stretch velour t-shirt (which I loved but that went with nothing else, bought at Goodwill 7 years ago)

and the video on creating a Knotted Headband found here.

There are lots of pictures and several tutorials on the Knotted Headband (even some etsy shops) but I recommend the video.

I’ve worn this headband twice in the last week which is twice the number of times I’ve worn the shirt since 2006.

Simplify!

Success: Jalie Hoodie

Spring is *almost* here! But beware that tempting sunshine. You *think* it’s warm outside until you rush out the door to catch the bus for T ball practice and are hit with a blast of cold wind. So don’t forget your new hoodie!
This pattern has a ton of pieces and takes up a lot of fabric. There are a lot of “cut 4″ pattern pieces, too, so the cutting out takes longer than usual because you have to cut and then move and cut again which takes a bit of forethought.
After you’ve got her cut out though, she comes together very quickly. The top stitching is such a nice detail but be prepared to re-thread your machine / needle after every step.

I took the great advice of another blogger and edited out a bunch of bulk by using athletic mesh for the inside of the pockets rather than more fleece.

Thanks, Funky Seamstress!

And added some bias-tape binding to the seam closest to the front of the hood. It’s one of my favorite details and something I might consider for more of the inside of my next version.

I think it would take some concentration but you could also line the inside with a fun knit if you wanted to add some more interest and another layer of warmth.

Now I move on to another pair of pants (before the weather gets too warm!). Before another hoodie, I think I might attempt a few other outerwear pieces. I love this wrap from Jalie:

The inside swoops out to make those big pockets so there are all kinds of wonderful things to imagine with contrasting fabrics. I really love the version by Dawn.

I’m also tempted by this Kwik Sew jacket. Maybe in corduroy? With a flashy lining?

The further I get from some of my first Kwik Sew patterns though the more I realize that more difficult patterns often produce a nicer product. Let’s not waste any time on things that aren’t fabulous to put on, right? Even the pictures here make me a little suspicious. Is that white version even well fitted? Maybe I need to keep looking . . .

And I might try my hand at some rain gear using Sewaholic’s newest pattern release:

Here is my write up on PatternReview.com. Thanks for reading!

Pattern Description:
Zip front hoodie and jacket, according to the pattern envelope.
Pattern Sizing:All sizes included in one envelope. Jalie instructions are to use your full bust measurement which should have put me at a size W but a quick test with Swedish tracing paper told me this was too small. So I “flat measured” the pattern pieces as some other reviewers mentioned and landed at size BB. This might have been because the pattern calls for material with a lot more stretch than my fleece, which has hardly any. Also, I expect to wear this hoodie over other shirts (layering is essential in the city) so I wanted some breathing room. However, BB was way too big. After I had the basic pieces basted together, I had to take 1″ out of each side seam and moved the zipper in another 5/8″. It fits well now, but the proportions are all off. The princess-like seam (I don’t think it’s a true princess) needs to be moved in a bit and run higher before it turns to the sleeve seam for it to really flatter my body shape. The back is wide, too. These are all changes I’ll make next time.

Did it look like the photo/drawing on the pattern envelope once you were done sewing with it?Yes!

Were the instructions easy to follow? Although they are really sparse, Jalie instructions are very easy to follow. It makes me consider those Japanese pattern books I’ve seen others using that require you to rely on pictures.

What did you particularly like or dislike about the pattern? I love all the top stitching. Especially on a piece like this–lots of one color without a lot of shape–I think the topstitching gives it a bit of depth, interest. Without it, I think I would feel like a big sage blob.

Fabric Used: Almost every inch of a 2.5 yard piece of fleece on sale for $10.50 from Denver Fabrics / Fashion Fabrics Club and a yard of athletic mesh from Fabric.com for $2.50. The pattern was $12 so this is a $25 hoodie. Of course, I would never plunk that much cash down on a RTW hoodie for myself but that dollar amount will drop since I am definately going to make more of these and I think this fleece is far softer than a lot of RTW fabric I’ve seen out there.
Pattern alterations or any design changes you made:
I took the great advice of The Funky Seamstress and used athletic mesh for the inside of the pocket to help reduce bulk. I also had to skip the last bit of topstitching along the zipper and collar because I ran out of thread. If you make this pattern, buy extra! I added some bias tape along the hoodie seam to hide the most visible seam and really liked the added detail!

Would you sew it again? Would you recommend it to others?I see a new hoodie each year in my sewing crystal ball. I would like to try some color blocking with all those pieces (14, I think!), maybe a great charcoal for the body and a plum for the sides and underside of the sleeves. Or if I can find a fleece that had a bit of sparkle to it maybe accent the center front pieces a bit. I think I would also like to try a version out of fabric that is a bit more athletic rather than cozy.

Conclusion:
A success! This is going to be worn a lot. It has already been out for a long day of Tball / picnic / playing at the park and it will be great to have on hand for the plane ride to MO.

Success: Something to Wear to the Opera

Just a quick note of the best kind: I had something to *WEAR*!!!!!!!!! A fun night out with a great friend and it wasn’t preceded by all kinds of stress about what I would wear or dampened by disappointment in whatever I pulled together.

I made this dress last spring to host another friend’s baby shower and I loved it then, too. It is icing on the frosting of the cake that there it is, hanging in my closet, ready when I need it.

Back shot:

These pictures are heavily photo-edited because I didn’t realize until later that one son or the other had blurred the lens with finger prints.

The pattern is Butterick 5602

And here is my original review on PatternReview.com posted back in 2012:

Pattern Description: Fitted, lined dresses A, B, C have front and back darts, neckband, back zipper and above mid-knee lengths. A: contrast neckband, hemband and bow. B: short sleeves with sleeveband and bow. C: contrast V-neck band and welts. I added the sleeves from Vogue 8409.

Pattern Sizing:
8-14. I cut a 12, then a 14.
Did it look like the photo/drawing on the pattern envelope once you were done sewing with it? Yes! Except the sleeves I added.

Were the instructions easy to follow? I think that the instructions had some issues. I had to send an SOS email to marec about the collar and I found the instructions for the zipper confusing. I called my mom and checked out some youtube videos to figure out what how to put in an invisible zipper with a lining.

What did you particularly like or dislike about the pattern?

Fabric Used: Cotton twill from Gorgeous Fabrics for the body. A gauzy fabric for the arms and trim with some satin crepe for the flip-back cuffs.

Pattern alterations or any design changes you made: Oh, my, goodness. I made so many changes to this pattern. Lowered the apex, moved the side darts back, changed the darts in front, took in the hips a bit, made the shoulders narrower, took in a pinch off both back shoulders so it would not gape. I used an invisible zipper. And, as mentioned, I added sleeves from a vogue pattern.

Would you sew it again? Would you recommend it to others? I can’t decided!!! I have worked so hard on perfecting the fit on this pattern. I don’t know if I want to put it away and never make it again or if I’m going to just make it over and over and over again.

Conclusion:
I feel like this dress needs an acceptance speech. The dress would like to thank my husband, for taking the kids on several Saturdays and lots of nights after work so I could get the dress done in time for hosting my baby shower high tea. I want to thank my mom for listening to my every thought, mistake, decision. My 9 month old Max for learning to sleep through the sound of my sewing machine. Marec for responding to my email.
The best part about this dress is that after I finished it (two days ahead of the party!!) and wore it out, I came home ready to sew sew sew something else. With other projects, once I got done–usually just in the nick of time–I wasn’t in love with the piece and knew I would never wear it again. I also put my machine away afterwards for a while. But, I came home today eager for somewhere else to wear this dress and hoping to get a few minutes in to sew my next project before my husband got home with the boys.

Success: Copy Cat Ann Taylor Pants

Folks, these are my favorite pants of all time. The are comfy, have a bit of an urban edge, and have absorbed more stains than I care to recall. Unfortunately, they don’t really fit. They are just perfect for chasing the boys at the park but not really fit for anywhere else. So I tried to really figure out what I loved about them. First, the fit: they sit at the hips. Second, the detailing: lots of top stitching. Sewn on pockets. Flat-felled seams. A fat hem. I think I also love the worn look, but that will come in time, right?

I found a pant pattern that sits at the hips and then copied as many of those details as I could. The fit is just a little different in the back but over all, I’m super thrilled. I see a lot of these in my future. I’ve already cut another version out of black denim.

Pocket & top stitching details:

Some poor shots of the fit (I need to address my camera issues, I know.)

The cool facing:

Here’s my official review from PatternReview.com:

Pattern Description:
From the pattern envelope: Women’s pants in three lengths and shorts in two lengths

Pattern Sizing:
6,8,10,12. I cut a size 12.

Did it look like the photo/drawing on the pattern envelope once you were done sewing with it?
Sort of. I made a lot of surface changes to make them look like my favorite Ann Taylor pants.
Were the instructions easy to follow?
Yes! I feel much better about putting a zipper in after putting together these pants. The instructions for my Vogue jeans made the process seem much more difficult.

What did you particularly like or dislike about the pattern?
I jumped at this OOP pattern (found on ebay) after another reviewer mentioned that the pants/ shorts sit low on the hips. This is how I wear everything but if it isn’t made to sit on your hips, it creates a baggy look I’m trying to get away from. The pattern also has darts in the bag. The first pair of pants that I made–Vogue jeans–have a very unsightly gap at the back. I read through the posts in the jeans sew-along and it seems that these darts can help fix this issue. So I love the fit and design of the pattern and as a plus, it’s so basic it can be modified quite a bit. I have already made a jean skirt out of the pattern (pics on my blog, here)
Fabric Used:
Heavy cotton from A.K. Corp in the garment district. I actually wore my Ann Taylor pants to the store and said, “I want to make these.” The clerk / owner took me right to what I needed. He also helped me calculate how much I needed of the raspberry denim to make a skirt. I had totally overestimated! He talked me down to just under a yard and a half. Both pieces of fabric sewed up beautifully.

Pattern alterations or any design changes you made:
Lots! I edited out the pattern’s slash pockets so I could copy the Ann Taylor pockets. I added belt loops and back pockets, too. All the top stitching is my own addition, too.
The fit in the back and through the legs is great but I need a touch more room in the waist which is frustrating. I will only wear these on “skinny” days.
The length was too short, too. I had to stitch on 2.5 inches to the bottom
and then folded the additional length under to create a hem. This pattern might be OOP because there was no “add / remove length here” line and one of the shorts pieces was labeled as sleeve binding. lol.
I have made this pattern twice and both times my waist facing came out completely wonky. This might be me of course, but I am suspicious.
It has been so long since I put a zipper in that I forgot that I like to move it further under the fly just a bit more than the pattern instructs. I need to change that next time, too.

Would you sew it again? Would you recommend it to others? Oh yes! I already have anther version cut out. I added the length in and a bit to the side seams so I can attempt some flat-felled seams this time. And, as mentioned, I already made a jean skirt using this pattern as a starting point.

Conclusion:
My first TNT pattern! I love it!

Lightning Strike Inspiration: Let’s Sew Up a Storm!

I’ve been sick. My family has been sick. We’ve been busy with various plans. I haven’t been sewing.

Sometimes when I get too far from my sewing, it starts to feel more like a chore than like a hobby. My machine sits back there in the bedroom haunting me just like the mop in the closet, “When?” and “I see you. You’re not using your time wisely.”

But as quick as a lightening strike, I am inspired to sew up everything I have. Today, this Leuinda Oleta is back at her machine thanks to Sallie Oleta (check that out, Mom!) and this fabulous picture / dress / hair! If I had just a touch less self control (and less guilt over the cost of all my Bra Maker’s Supply purchases) I would have already ordered this pattern from independent designer Victory Patterns. But I’ll use it as motivation to work through my already endless queue of projects and tag this particular dress for fall.

This isn’t your Grandma’s knitting (see instead your Great Great Great Great Great Great Great Great Grandma)

I am very new to knitting but feel myself totally drawn to its simplicity. While sewing requires special cutting tools, marking chalk, pattern weights, tracing paper, a different type of sm needle for every different kind of fabric, knitting requires two sticks and a ball of yarn.

I also appreciate this difference: While sewing requires cutting fabric into all different shapes and then re-assembling it again, knitting–at least the knitting that I’m doing right now–creates something out of the one continuous length of yarn.

While completing a few rows last week, I wondered about the history of knitting. Here are some highlights from Wikipedia:

> The word is derived from knot and ultimately from the Old English cnyttan, to knot.

> Most histories of knitting place its origin somewhere in the Middle East, from there it spread to Europe by Mediterranean trade routes, and then to the Americas with European colonization.

> The earliest known examples of knitting have been found in Egypt and cover a range of items, including complex colorful wool fragments and indigo blue and white cotton stockings, which have been dated between the 11th and 14th centuries CE.

>The first known purl stitches appear in the mid-16th century, in the red silk stockings in which Eleanora de Toledo, wife of Cosimo de Medici, was buried, and which also include the first lacy patterns made by yarn-overs.

>The English Queen Elizabeth I herself favored silk stockings; these were finer, softer, more decorative and much more expensive than those of wool. Stockings reputed to have belonged to her still exist, demonstrating the high quality of the items specifically knitted for her.

I also love all of this about the health benefits:

> Studies have shown that knitting, along with other forms of needlework, provide several significant health benefits. These studies have found the rhythmic and repetitive action of knitting can “help prevent and manage stress, pain and depression, which in turn strengthens the body’s immune system”, as well as create a relaxation response in the body which can decrease blood pressure, heart rate, help prevent illness, and have a calming effect.

> Pain specialists have also found that the brain chemistry is changed when one knits, resulting in an increase in “feel good” hormones (i.e. serotonin and dopamine), and a decrease in stress hormones.

> Knitting, along with other leisure activities has been linked to reducing the risk of developing Alzheimer’s disease and dementia. Much like physical activity strengthens the body, mental exercise makes our brains more resilient.

Cool, eh?