Carol Scott attended Sew Kansas this summer and wore a really cute variation of the eTee that resulted from her running out of fabric! We asked her to share her process.
threadWEAR 301
This is the perfect look to transition from summer to fall weather. I'm starting to layer, but still want lightweight options. This has quickly become one of my favorite ensembles!
The Eureka Top is a simple scoop-neck, boxy tee that has become a staple piece in our wardrobes. Linda took that classic shape and added some pizzazz by dividing the pattern and creating an altogether new garment, the Divided Eureka. Read on to learn how to create this fun variation!
We get a lot of questions regarding the finished garment measurements for the Liberty Shirt. Here is the chart for easy reference.
We are so excited to debut our newest pattern...the Madrid! This relaxed fit, hip-length top has a unique diagonal button front, which curves into a funnel collar. The flattering tapered sleeves and Asymmetric hemlines will look great on many body types and, depending on your fabric choice, the Madrid top can be worn as a shirt or a jacket. The pants are fitted with a contour waistband that sits just below your waist.
As we have been developing the pattern, we have enjoyed experimenting with a variety of fabrics. It is fun to see how one jacket style can look so different, just because of a new fabric choice. Check out some of our favorite looks below...
I love the look of long vests and sleeveless blazers. Our Mimosa Top has a lovely shape and crossover neckline that gives it that perfect structured look.
Our customer Nancy Means has used the Tremont Jacket pattern to make some fantastic vests. She is our guest blogger for this post. Whether you like sleeveless for summer, or layering vests for the cooler months ahead, we think you'll like these ideas.
In the December 16, 2015 blog post called French Terry Topper, I described the process of lengthening the Chicago Jacket to make a longer version in French terry. The coat looks and feels great, but I noticed after it was made that it wants to fly open at the bottom a bit, even when just hanging on a hanger.
At our latest Sew Kansas workshop, Jan selected this stunning Japanese print cotton to make a Liberty Shirt.
Have you seen the Barcelona Top? Our brand new pattern is perfect for summer with one easy modification - shorten the sleeves. See how easy it is to make your Barcelona comfortable for the heat wave!
We love pattern debuts around here at the Sewing Workshop! We finally get to spread the love about what we've been working on over recent weeks or months. The Barcelona Top has had many forms during it's design process. Through trial and tribulations, we're so happy with the result. A year round garment, depending on your fabric choice, the Barcelona looks great in lightweight knit gauze with short sleeves for spring and summer or try it in a medium-weight, stable knit for fall and winter, like this Houndstooth Print Pique. Here are a few of our favorite fabric choices.
Martha Myers is a wonderful customer and Sew Kansas participant. She writes about many of her projects on her own blog. She made this amazing variation of a Peony Vest so we asked her to share the story as our guest blogger for this post. Enjoy and prepare to be inspired!
Pants silhouettes are ever-changing, but one constant in the last few seasons is that pants tend to have interesting shapes and details on the lower portion of the legs.
Every time I fly to Chicago, I always make time to walk through Neiman Marcus on Michigan Avenue to see the Eskandar line of clothing.The pieces are simple. The designer basically turns out the same designs every season and simply changes up the fabrications and perhaps a length or two.
I've known Ellen March, editor of Sew News magazine, for a long time. I wrote articles for her and even fielded questions in the Q&A department for years. When she called me and asked if I would be a guest on her Sew It All TV show, I couldn't resist an opportunity to work with her in another format — on camera!
So, I had this brilliant idea for a stretch denim top that ended up looking awful...
We are excited to launch our new pattern, the Fillmore Duster!
The inspiration for this jacket came from an OSKA advertisement. It was a yellow felled-wool jacket that had all the "bones" of our Zona Jacket. I love to create garments with boucle nylon and wool fabric using lapped seams and raw edge techniques.
I can attribute my re-entry into sewing in 1986 to my friend and tennis partner, Hildegard McManus.
One of the pleasures of having my daughter home for Christmas is to get to sew for her. This year's request was for a plaid shirt.
When my sister wanted a tunic to match her new leggings, I chose a combo with a floral print. Since some people really dislike florals, I made sure to check with her first. She agreed it would be acceptable in small doses and not near her face!
French terry is a type of jersey knit fabric that has vertical ribs on one side of the fabric and fine loops on the other side, unlike terrycloth, which has loops on both sides. It has entered the fashion scene once again and is used by designers for all kinds of ready-to-wear including coats and toppers.
This Metallic Terry Knit is very unique. Soft and warm with the perfect amount of sparkle. A traditional sweatshirt or jacket just wouldn't do. The new Tremont Jacket pattern has a great fit. So why not try a vest?
The Liberty Shirt pattern is among our favorites here at the studio. And apparently we're not the only ones!
Introducing the New Pattern TREMONT JACKET only $18. Loose-fitting, a-line jacket with one-button closure, asymmetric, angled front hemline with side vents. Three-quarter sleeves with soft-fold cuff detail.
After my wonderful retreats at Alabama Chanin in Florence, Alabama last summer and again this summer, my obsession with AC-style stitching is unrelenting—not driven, but truly relaxing and satisfying.
Introducing the New Pattern FLORENCE SHIRT only $18. Long sleeve, button front tunic has back yoke with mock button band, collar and stand. Pleated left breast pocket, deep center front tucks create lantern shape, soft hem.
The tulips and irises are blooming. The toes are painted and sandals are out. It's spring! Wearing dresses is a simple way to get dressed in the morning, year round. But it's essential in the spring and summer to stay cool. In an effort to make every pattern into a tunic or dress, I tackled the Now Shirt.
We love preparing for the Spring 2015 Tradeshows - starting with the Sewing & Stitchery Expo in Puyallup, WA. This year we had a big pattern debut the first day of the show - the Bristol Dress & Top. We love showing off our new designs in different fabric combinations so customers can really see how creative you can get with just one pattern!
And the stitching goes on! Using the new eTee download pattern and the Alabama Chanin organic cotton knit in Dark Grey, Kathy created this darling t-shirt that she claims is "girly", but we love it anyway for its creativity and charm.
Fall in love with The Classics all over again! We've unlocked our pattern vault and reimagined these popular styles wth modern fabrics for a fresh new look. Don't miss out on sewing these fun patterns! Buy & download yours today. Just $12 each! Check out the Peony Vest, Era Jacket and the Fuji Mt Top.
Scarves are definitely an accessory trend that isn't going away. A scarf can update and perk up any outfit! When wearing an ordinary tee and jeans, add a scarf and you instantly look polished.
After moving on from making pieced infintiy scarves, I decided to try a NO-SEW option. Perfect for a lazy night craft. Only one problem, once you start making them, you can't stop.
Sometimes the best garments are simple, easy to wear and comfortable. Clothing that will take you to work and to the park on the weekends.
Introducing the Eureka Top & Skirt. A pattern all about simplicity with a few creative details.
Here's a look into Kathy's way of wearing the Eureka.
"Pieced Eureka Top: I saw a short boxy sweatshirt in one of the fashion magazines that was pieced in several different fabrics. I found several knits on our shelves and gave the piecing a try. The skirt is a black knit. (Also shown with the Verona Jacket)
Whistle-less shirt in a handkerchief weight stripe linen that is easy to sew and wear.
I don't always want a zipper closure on the Quincy Top. I can't always find the exact color and length of separating zipper - at least quickly. Also, the fabric that I used, EBL004 Linen - Frosty Pink & Green, was so soft and semi-sheer, that I thought a zipper would be too heavy. So it is possible to convert the front to a button closure with some simple adjustments.
One of the most interesting features of the Liberty Shirt is the beautiful hem finishing. Since the back is longer than the front, there are two corners that need attention in a special way. The bottom hem in the back is a 2 1/2” finished hem and the adjacent side vent hems are 1 3/8”. The instructions for mitering this corner condition is just one of the seven mitering techniques that Linda has written in her book, Mastering Miters.
I do believe that spring is going to grace us with it's presence this weekend. Finally, I can wear floral without a wool cardigan, scarf & gloves. What a concept! I'm ready to pull out the lightweight linen, colorful florals, and vivid accessories.
And when the garments in my closet don't excite me for the upcoming season, why not create something new? Using a pattern that never fails, Linda created a fresh new San Diego tunic.
We've had so much fun the past couple of days doing a photoshoot! We're like kids in a candy store. Playing dress up: putting on garments, mixing & matching, layering and adding accessories. What better way to spend an afternoon.
Linda, Kathy & Erin each have their own unique style. We decided put together a few looks to introduce our latest pattern, the Tosca Dress. Three different people, wearing the same pattern in completely different ways.
I also used the coordinating Porcella Fabric Trims kit to bind the top of the pocket and the bottom of the sleeves, plus I inserted a bit of flat piping into the collar seam. I used the bold and colorful plaid doupioni pieced with the black and white check to make my bindings. Just as Yvonne does in her award-winning quilts, the addition of the black and white gives everything a spark. I love using the Extra Fine Fusing Tape to "nail" down my bindings before stitching, especially when sewing two slippery fabrics together.
With serged seams and simple double-fold hems on the front and bottom edges, this jacket took no time at all to make, but the look is there. I get compliments everywhere I go - well, only when it's raining.
You can see lots of Yvonne Porcella garment renditions and techniques in my next webinar (Porcella's Portfolio) September 22. Go to Bernina USA for more details.
September 22: 10am, CDT
September 22: 6pm, CDT
~Linda Lee
I like to layer my clothing so I can adapt to seasonal changes or to temperature variations in buildings, and the one of the best garments to make for that purpose is a tank.
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