Free Patterns!

I found a site that has several free patterns and I thought I would share.

Here is the link: Print Sew

At the top of their site is where it says, "Free Patterns."

There are several that are very very cute, so be sure to go. I have made Neue Mode before and I really like their instructions.  They do not have seam allowances, but you know I can help you with that (haha).

Have a fun Sunday!!


Claire

Thurlow Pants and Ottobre Woman top

 Sewaholic's Thurlow Pants are wonderful! This is my second muslin. There are still some fitting tweaks but overall a flattering fit and wearable. This is a 21 wale cordoroy with a slight stretch. I am not usually too keen on cordoroy because it tends to make one look heavier. So, I am guessing when I make this in twill, it will be even more slimming. (yay!).  My first muslin, I made a weird adjustment. Besides taking an 1 1/2 off of the length (they are still too long), I angled the zipper seam back 1/2 inch tapering to zero 3 inches down.  There seemed to be too much fabric just in the front middle.  I definitely have a tummy, so I am wondering if it is just the angle of my hips.  

The obligatory shot from behind.  One leg has wrinkles and the other not so much. Hmmmmm, I am usually pretty careful about grainline. Maybe one thigh is larger? Let me know what you think.  The Ottobre top from 5-2012 needs a sway back adjustment. More on that pattern later.
Some notes on the pattern itself:
The instructions are good.  I automatically grade my seam allowances on waistbands and other bulky areas, but it is not mentioned in their instructions. I used a lining fabric on the inside of the waistband and should have used the corduroy. The hook and eye closure that I used had prongs instead of sewn.  The prongs needed a more substantial fabric to latch onto. I also omitted beltloops because I never wear my shirts tucked. On step 17 the dotted sewing line goes straight at the center of the waistband when it should angle back in order to accommodate the folding down of the waistband. The back seam has a wide seam allowance to adjust fit. I used the actual chalk line because of my sway back. I also scooped out the back crotch 1/4 inch. I compared the flexible ruler version of my crotch curve to the pattern's stitching line.

Ottobre tee shirt from 5/2012:
Nice tee shirt pattern.  The arms are slim fitting and it is fitted at the hips. The brown fabric  is a stretchy rayon knit and the pattern fit OK with this fabric. The black and white Escher print from Fabrique! fabrics was more stable. I added width to the pattern at my hips to allow for this difference.  I forgot to add a bit of width to the arms and now they are a somewhat tight. I did a forward shoulder adjustment to the Escher top which improved the looks. I still need to shorten this top at the back waist and add a sway back adjustment. Both tops have a FBA.
I am just starting on fit issues and I am looking forward to getting this part of my sewing better.

Sewing hugs!
Claire

Giveaway!

Ok, I loooove Fabrique! Fabrics. Not only do they sell the heck out of my rulers but they have the best fabric in Dallas. I just got back from there and decided to do a giveaway of some of their fabric and an EZ Shirtmaker template. The fabric in the picture are 2 yards or just under 2 yards except the lace, which is approximately 1 1/4 yards. These fabrics are super nice and retail at Fabrique! for $10 a yard to $45.00 a yard. I do love me some gorgeous fabric!

Particulars:
“Like” SA Curve on Facebook and at the end of the month I will random generate a number and announce the winner on February 1st. Now, if you want to double your chances, you can send me a cat video too.
Happy Wednesday!
Claire

Sewing Room and new Facebook surprise!

Above the cutting table

As you walk into the loft. To the right is a doorway into a small bedroom (sewing room)

Left wall of the loft.

Looking from the loft area to the small sewing room.

Pulley for the water tank.

Above the ironing board.

To the left of the ironing board. My missing sewing machine is being serviced.

As you enter the small bedroom.

Looking to the right in small bedroom.

Where I am right now.

To the right of the computer.

First wall and stash closet as you enter the small bedroom.

Believe it or not, I have cleaned this area up quite a bit.  My sewing machine is getting its yearly checkup and I have been missing it so much. I guess this is proof that I love notions and thread and am a bit of a pig. Anyhoo, I have put a Facebook page for my rulers and templates. On the left of this blog is a link where you can like my page.  I am going to use it to announce coupon codes and possible new products. I am thinking about buying a case of those huge ziplock bags for my Jalie patterns and pattern magazines and medical exam paper. So if this would interest you, let me know.  I will totally keep the prices down on those items. My sticking point with the paper is how to package and ship cheaply. I do have a surprise offering coming up soon, so be sure to go and like me!! Because I like you ( I couldn't resist :) )

Happy Day to you,

Claire

 

Well, looky what I received from Art Attack!  How cool is this! I am so excited to share some of my favorite bloggers too.   Art Attack is one of my absolutely favorite bloggers. I think I buy almost all of the patterns she shares on Pattern Review because she has such incredible style and I want to be just like her!  ;) Vogue definitely needs to hire her.  She is my sewing heroine too!

My nominees are Anne with Petty Grievances. Because she is probably the funniest sewing blogger that I know of.  You have to visit and sign up for her posts, you will adore her like I do.  She only uses prints, never open toed shoes and she loves Disney. 

Another incredibly talented and funny blogger is Fit for a Queen. Who can't love a seamstress that names her recent title, "Hoochie Mamas and Hems"? Not only do I learn so much from her but she is the queen of alterations.

21 Wale is a wonderful sewing blogger.  She is the mom of five and sews a ton.  She holds a special place in my sewing heart because she was one of the first to belong to my blog.  She also loves Ottobre like I do.

Kadiddlehopper is another great sewing blogger.  I subscribe to her Flickr sewing mail and she is also KidMD on pattern review. She not only is a wonderful seamstress but a mom and a pediatrician.  Whew, her life would be like stepping into a tornado.  

  

Blue Mooney  I have actually met in person. She, like myself, is part of the huge Dallas -Ft Worth Metroplex. Not only is she a super nice person but she is a fabulous resource for shirt making and other sewing endeavors. She has started back doing illustrations and I adore her sewing ones.     

Speaking of shirtmaking, if you do not already know about Pam's Off the Cuff Style sewing blog, you are in for a treat. She has the best shirt making tutorials and truly the best interfacing out there. Pam, may not know this, but a couple of years ago, I emailed a pdf of my first SA Curve ruler. When she replied positively, I was totally going to jump off the deep end and make my rulers. 

      

 Shirley Ann's sewing blog.  Shirley Ann, is one of my best online sewing friends. She loves Jalie and Ottobre like I do! She has one of the best organized blogs that I have seen.  Check out her son's cargo-type pants, they are soooo cool!

Last, but certainly not least, is Dixie DIY.  If you have not visited Dixie's blog, you are in for a treat. She has loads of style and the most amazing bra making resource on her blog.  I am dead to try her patterns, they are sooo cute.  She is also a fellow Texan and I know she keeps this heat in mind when she sews.

The last of the requirements of this award are to list 7 things about yourself. 

1. I adore sailing in high winds.  Otherwise, I am a pretty tame person.

2. I started sewing regularly about 10 years ago.  I thought I would make a shower curtain for my weird accessible bathroom (son) and was talked into a serger too.  Oh my, I loved that serger and just kept making any and everything with it.

3. I was making blanket ponchos (I will never make another poncho again) for a friend who needed samples for a QVC adventure and realized he may know how to get my rulers produced at a reasonable price. 

4. I play the piano.  I have played the saxophone, flute, and drums in a school band. I wish I could sing.  My daughter is now the resident vocalist.

5.  Some of my college (1985) was spent at the University of Vienna. Oh how I would love to go back there.

6.  My brother in law is an unbelievably amazing professional Clown.  He is called Tharpo of All Occasion Performers.

7. This is for Art Attack because of her survival training with her sisters(so funny).  I have 3 brothers and my dad used to take us to learn sailing on a very small Butterfly sailboat.  I think we were all pretty worthless at it and I do have some funny memories of that time.

                              

1. Thank the person who nominated you (THANK YOU ART ATTACK!!)
2. Add The One Lovely Blog Award / The Very Inspiring Blogger Award to your post.
3. Share 7 things about yourself.
4. Pass the award on to 10 nominees (or a few less if you are short on time)
5. Include this set of rules.
6. Inform your nominees by posting a comment on their blogs.

Kwik Sew 3807 Leggings

Here is my daughter wearing the Kwik Sew leggings. She wanted this legging pattern because of the cute zip on the leg.  The ones I made here are sans zip.  Yes, those are a magazine print in cotton lycra from Fabric Fairy. I thought, cool, when she is bored she can just read her legs.  You can tell I am almost 50 and she is almost 17. This is a a one pattern piece pattern.  It is super easy and absolutely no problems with any of the construction. She is wearing it with black shorts in the pic and a tunic top from Aritzia (her fav store), Modcloth jacket and her itsy bitsy Coach purse. She is 5 foot 2 inches and about 108 pounds.  I made the extra small for her.

If you need a legging pattern that is super easy and great fit, then this is a good choice.

Happy Sewing

Claire

Vogue 8565 and Simplicity 2181

This was my attempt to mesh two patterns together. I like the outcome, but I will be doing this differently on my next one.
The Vogue is out of print and I believe Style Arc has a similar tee. I can tell you how I think you can make this without those two patterns, because I am going to try this again without either of these patterns.  On this top, I used the sleeves from S2181 and traced the front portion of the armhole to the front pattern piece and the same for the back.  After I sewed this up, the shoulders were to wide. I fixed the cap by sewing it deeper into the body which gave medium results. This is the reason the next version will be with a TNT like Jalie, Kwik Sew or Ottobre's basic tee.  ( more on my hypothesis later)

Changes besides the sleeves,
 Lowered the neckline by 2 inches
Neckline with self fabric:  See my video on how to put on a knit neckline without measuring.
Lengthened top by 2 inches

What I will do next time, or if you do not have this OOP Vogue:

I will take a portion of my knit fabric designated for the top and sew down the pleats.  These pleats are marked 1 inch apart and 9 inches long. They are sewn down with 1/4 inch seams. The pattern has 12 pleats going to the center, mine are all going to the left and 11 pleats.  Then I will lay my front pattern on top of this and cut it out. That way the sleeves will match the pattern used.  I guess you could also spread your TNT top pattern 12 inches out for the pleats if you are using a one layer pattern front.

If anyone has done this similar to my above hypothesis, let me know if it worked out or should I do something different.

Happy Sewing!

Claire