Pattern Therapy

Top stitching and making unique pocket designs!

I'm at it again.... I cut these out months ago, but haven't made time to finish them. I love this pattern. The first pair turned out well but subsequently shrank because I didn't pre wash the fabric enough.  Uhhh...yes, I still wear them! 😉👍 My signature feature on any pair will be creativity on the pocket details (or, at least, that's the plan!). 

Well…the past few months have been exciting! While it appears I haven’t been sewing, I have completed a few garments…. I have also been busy launching a new book as well! I'm reviewing 4 garments in this post!  

Columbia Style WeekNatalea and I were asked to construct some of the garments for this year's event.  It was our first time working with "drafted patterns."  It took a bit of getting used to the idea, but we both managed to complete the garments for which we were responsible!  I learned that I routinely underestimate how long it will take to complete a garment.  I made both jackets (Natalea made the blouses).  My estimates came in at about four hours each.  I will at least 4 hours short in both estimations!  We were constructing right down to the day before.  It was a great experience, but I prefer not to sew under that sort of pressure.  I think I'll pass next time :-)


McCall's 6564 and NewLook 6107I love this fabric, and the top is great, too!  It ru…

So here is the BIG ANNOUNCEMENT! COMING SOONto a local and online bookstore near you....

He Makes All Things Beautiful: God's Transformation of Our Emotional Wounds, Scars, and Brokenness by Marvita Franklin
God has been amazingly faithful throughout the writing and publishing process! More details soon on availability and formats.  Love and blessings, Marvita




About the Book What do we do with the emotional wounds and scars that cast shadows over our lives? How do we respond to the brokenness we experience from disappointments, betrayals, and abandonment?

Wounds need time to heal. Scars disappear over time—or they don’t. Whether they do or not, God has made you beautiful. Your wounds don’t turn God off. He knows why they are there, and He is committed to causing them to work together for your good.

Transformation occurs as you begin to see yourself as God sees you, say about yourself what He says, and embrace the truth about you as He speaks it. That is the point at which you will begin…

Hello, 
I will be updating in the next few days.  I have been off of the grid for a while working on a few projects.  I haven't made time to post.  I also have some exciting news coming soon as well!!! 

Pattern Description: Lined jacket has shoulder pads, side pockets and two-pieces raglan sleeves. Skirt has a raised waist.

Did it look like the photo/drawing on the pattern envelope once you were done sewing with it? Yes...for the most part. I'll explain in more detail below.

Were the instructions easy to follow? Yes, they were.

What did you particularly like or dislike about the pattern? I really love the look of raglan sleeves. It may be that I don't wear them well. I like the skirt, too; however, I find that Vogue patterns sometimes have too much curve in the hip.
Fabric Used: A woven tweed--the quality wasn't that great.

Pattern alterations or any design changes you made: I eliminated the pockets.

Would you sew it again? Would you recommend it to others? Probably not.... I found there was too much fullness in the sleeves. I typically have to make an FBA for most patterns. However, I didn't have to do that for this one. Also, if you at the pics closely, you can s…

You gotta check this out!  It's Project Runway for the home sewer....  The Great British Sewing Bee! 
Home sewers in the UK are put to the test....

This is a re-post for the last call to join the Sew Your Own Wardrobe For A Year Challenge. This is a year-long challenge to create fabulous "me-sewn" wardrobes, enhance our sewing skills, and find encouragement along the way.  We currently have 40 ladies who have taken up the challenge.  April 15, 2013 will be the last day to join the challenge. 

Feel free to post this announcement on your own blogs as well as the link to the Welcome & Intro Video.

I'm all done with this one....

I'm not sure I'll do it again.  I love the color (fuchsia).  I also loved the embroidery detail on the linen blend.  I used that piece on the top and a plain (non-embroidered) version for the pants.  I love the pants  in this pattern and will likely use it again.  I will, however, move the zipper from the side to the back.  The pants are a good fit--even thought I tend to wear my slacks a bit loose.  

The top is another story....  I love peplum tops and this one is really cute.  However, I'm not sure that a "full-busted" girl should wear a jewel neckline w/embroidery.  It just seems like waaaaaaaay too much fabric happening above the waist to cover "the girls!"  Perhaps it just me, but a few times I caught a glimpse of myself in the mirror and thought I saw a "bright pink version of the Michelin Man driving an ice cream truck...."  It's just a whole lot of pink moving at one time!  LOL!!! 

I just love this top!  By the time the Sew Your Own Wardrobe challenge is complete, I will have many in my collection.  The next colors will be black, off white, and purple!!! 

Challenge intro:  http://sewyourownwardrobeforayearchallenge.blogspot.com/2013/04/and-sew-it-begins.html

Loving the peplum top....

My first pair of jeans complete!  It was a 3-day project....  I loved every moment of it.





Pattern Description: At waist, fitted jeans; five options--slim leg, straight leg, boot cut, flared leg and straight leg w/hook and eye closure. I cut the boot cut view 
Pattern Sizing: 16-18-20-22 

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? Yes...I think they were.

What did you particularly like or dislike about the pattern? The design is easy to follow and the fit works out great. 

Fabric Used: I used a stretch denim (10 oz). 

Pattern alterations or any design changes you made: This was my first pair of jeans. Consequently, I cut them a size larger to ensure they would fit. In the end, my seam allowance was almost 2". I realized I could cut the correct size and still have one inch seams in the stretch denim. I followed Lisa's tutorial at Sew On and Sew On to make the back pockets. That worke…

I'm having sew much fun on these jeans they might be my new favorite garment to sew!  They have come together well.  I'm in the process of fitting and preparing to attach the waistband.  I've been digitally documenting every detail.  I love the topstitching details.  I chose a funky twill for the pocket lining.  Even the zipper details came together nicely....  More pics later showcasing the hem and once the fit is finalized

I started on the indigo jeans....  First, I must give a huge SHOUT OUT to Lisa at Sew On and Sew On for her jean pocket tutorial.  I followed her counsel on construction.  The guide sheet takes you a different route.  I used one of the decorative stitches on my machine with a jeans topstitching thread.  I'm not a huge fan of how the thread performs in the machine.  However, I love the look of it.  

Lessons learned so far: Use a woven fusible interfacing on the pocket wherever there might be decorative stitching.  It keeps the thread from bunching and tanglingGo slow...decorative stitches are a nightmare to rip outI'm gonna love making jeans!  

Sew...I'll be busy working on these projects over the next few weeks:

Butterick 5682--my first pair of jeans. I've chosen an indigo denim (looks black to me). It's a 10oz denim with just a bit of stretch. The project will expose me to new techniques and may find me using my embroidery features of my machine.  I started working on this one today, and I'm so excited!!!  

Simplicity 1699--I've had a pink/fuschia linen blend with a coordinating embroidered piece in my stash for a long time. This is finally the season.... This peplum top and pants should be adorable as Spring makes its entry!

Butterick 5382--I love the neckline of this dress. I cut it in a blue knit that may not have enough stretch. I may have to find someone it will actually fit when it's all over. I have a two-way stretch stand standing for the do-over just in case I'm "stitch-slapped" during the first round! 😁

New Look 6150--I had great success on this one the first go 'round. Thi…

I was helping "The Fearless Seamstress" create a dream wedding gown for the reaffirmation of her vows with her husband.  She refused to buy a pattern to create the dress.  She was inspired by a designer gown she had seen elsewhere....  She's pretty amazing in her fearlessness!  She has given me permission to share a few pics here.  We created a muslin pattern based on her measurements and vision.  I blog more about my insights from the journey on my other blog, "A Victorious View."  

So this is the pencil skirt from Butterick 5249. I really like this pattern.... There are no darts and the fit is great! As you can see I made the belt loops as well. I haven't done that since high school.  I'm trying to push myself to do things I haven't done before (or that I've shied away from).  I figured I'd better get some practice since Lynn convinced me to try Jalie 2908 (yay!)  I even stretched myself and constructed the belt for the skirt. I had some trouble there and will have to work on technique.

Of course, my biggest concern was that the garment would scream "home made." I don't mind telling you it's home-made, but I don't need it to look home-made!! Anyway, I managed to make it work and I'm pleased with the outcome.


Conversation with my son:
Me: Buddy, I need you to take the pics of my outfit
Son:  Which one?
Me: The one I wore Sunday...
Son: Oh...you mean the one with the blouse that looked like it was exploding! And the col…