Rori's second summer outfit

It has been about a week and a half since I've been in my sewing room.  We went to camp and then had to recuperate.  After cross-stitching for a few days, I decided to jump back into the projects sitting on my sewing table waiting to be finished.  One was this outfit that was started during the school year.  So, here is where I started yesterday.  The pattern is McCalls 5610.  I liked it when I bought it, but I LOVE it now that it's finished!! 

  Everything was cut out and the bodice top was complete with straps.

This is the outfit finished.  I had to take in the straps by taking off 2" from the right and left side.  And, I had to take in the pants by 1" at the top and 2" on each side.  I am finding that ALL of the bloomers are way to big when using commercial patterns.

Sorry for the mess.  We were hanging out in the sewing room and as soon as I finished, I put it on her.  She pointed to the camera, so I just snapped some pictures right there.

Technique Tuesdays: Convert winter sleeves to summer sleeves

Today, I am going to show you how to convert your child's winter wardrobe into a summer one.  Since it is rare that a child will wear the same size from one winter to the next, I always convert the long sleeve shirts into short sleeves or sleeveless. 

First, you find a short sleeve shirt with your preferred length.  

Measure the top shoulder seam to edge.

Measure the bottom seam from sleeve seam to edge.

 Measure the seam allowance used by the manufacturer.  

You don't have to use the manufacturers seam allowance measurement, you can use your own if you have preference.

 Take the measurement from shoulder to edge and seam allowance and add them together.  My measurement was 3 1/2 inches.  Measure and mark.

 Take the measurement from bottom seam to edge and seam allowance and add them together.  My measurement was 1 1/4 inches.  Measure and mark.

 Cut from mark to mark making a slight curve up.

 To make both sleeves match.  Lay the cut sleeve on top of the uncut sleeve and use it as a guide.

 Cut second sleeve.

 This is what it looks like cut. Not yet sewn.

 I usually serge the edge.  You don't actually have to serge the edge if you are cutting T-shirt fabric as it doesn't fray.

 Use your measured manufacturer seam allowance to turn under and pin.  My measurement was 1/2 inch so that is what I used.

 Turn under , measure 1/2 inch, and pin all the way around.

 Sew on serged edge.  If you didn't serge, then sew 1/8 inch from edge.

 This is what it looks like after I steam the edge.

This next one will work with a ragan sleeve or if you what to make a sleeveless shirt.

I love this shirt after finished.  It's my favorite. And, perfect for hot summer days.

 I cut the sleeve off leaving a 1/4 inch piece of fabric from seam.

 I turn the 1/4 inch piece of fabric under and sew.

This is what it looks like after sewn.

I actually had two colors.  So, this is the shirt in pink after altered.

What I do... during the school year.

 I wanted to show what I teach in high school, and show off one of my students that graduated this year.  First, I teach my students how to sketch.  Second, I teach them the basics of sewing.  Then I teach them pattern manipulation.  We practice a lot of pattern manipulation.  For the final project, my students have to design a line and choose one of those drawings to create the pattern and the half size. 

 This is the front view of the half size.

This is the back view of the half size.

At this stage, we would create the full size pattern by doubling the measurements and then create the full size sample.  Next year we will be doing the next step when my students design clothing patterns for children with special needs.  We will making those patterns available for free from the schools website.  I am really excited.

No Rick Rack

 So, I used a McCall's 6303 to make this dress for my daughter.  I cut it out of a size medium which claims that it is for 16-18 lbs, but Rori is 22 lbs and this dress is still a little large for her. It could be that she is really petite.  Her cloths have always been a little wide for her.  I had to bring the button down further than called for so that it would fit her high enough to wear.  I decided to not put rick rack.  I figured I could add it later if I couldn't live without it.  I think I like it just the way it is.

It was really tough to get a good picture of her.  She doesn't stand still for very long.

 Here is a side view.

 This is as much of a back view as I could get.  The hat isn't straight, but it's on. She doesn't like anything on her head.

This is what she does with hats.  The hats are so cute, but she'd rather through them around.  :)

Father's Day Challenge Complete

 So, I finished my husband's Father's Day quilt with 30 minutes to spare on Sunday.  I have to say that the biggest challenge was reading the pattern.  It was very difficult for me to understand.  I quilted it myself so I used straight stitches.  I used a wool-like cotton by Moda for the back which is super soft.  My husband LOVES it.  So, it was worth it.

It took me approximately 15 hours to piece the front and an additional 6 hours to quilt and bind. 

Father's day challenge

I purchased this quilt kit at sample spree in Kansas City in May for my husband.  The quilt pattern is called "The Maze" and the company is Mountainpeek Creations.  The fabrics are a collection of batiks by Hoffman fabrics. 

I am going to attempt to finish the top of this quilt for Father's Day.  So, I am calling this the Father's day challenge.  I will be starting this quilt on Wednesday, June 13.  I am also going to time myself to see how long it takes me to complete a simple quilt.  I usually don't complete one project at a time, so I really have no idea how many hours it truly takes me to finish a project.

  This is a quilt that I finished for my son last year.  It is a queen size.

Technique Tuesdays: Relieving Bulk

This is a hat brim that will need to be graded, clipped, and flipped.

There are two types of grading in sewing.  One definition of grading is to take one size pattern and make that pattern grow or shrink to create other sizes.  This picture actually depicts another type of grading which is used to relieve bulk.  Any time two or more pieces are sewn together and flipped to create a collar, hat brim, or facing, you have to trim each piece of the seam allowance at different lengths to enable the fabric to gradually become less bulky when flipped.  

 

 

 

The out side of this hat brim has more fabric as it goes out, so the fabric has to be cut out to relieve bulk.  Triangles are the best way to do this.  The more curved the fabric, the more triangles are needed.  The less the curve, the less triangles are needed.

The inside of this hat brim has less fabric as it goes in, so the fabric just needs to be clipped.

This is how it should look after the fabric is clipped.