Let's Make and Wear a Kaftan

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This was a fun make! I love the ease of making it, but I love wearing it as well!

I did a sew along on TIKTok (yep, I said TikTok) with a talented group of sewist and designers!  That made it even more fun! The talent is certainly there, but the hilarity often takes over - and I love it!! 

So much love, laughter and serious sewing!

The group is @blacksewing network. It was created by Carmen who has 2 handles:

@cagthemag on TT and @CAGReinvented Blog on FaceBook.

The patterns that were used are Simplicity 8877 and Simplicity 8911

They both required a good bit of fabric and because I'm still on a fabric fast - I couldn't find a piece from my stash that was long enough - soooo - I self-drafted a pattern that only has 2 pieces and used less fabric. That piece was not quite long enough to make it floor length.  So I decided to make it a bit shorter in the front and floor length in the back! 

I decided to use packaged bias binding for the neckline. 

Us creatives will always find a way to make it work!

The fabric is a drapey mystery poly blend snake print with a sprinkling of silver flecks.

I haven't decided if I will wear it outside, but I'll  definitely be swishing around the house in it!

It is SEW comfy!

Will you make one? Will you wear it outside?

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Yes! Another Duster

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Yes! 

I've made another duster!  This one is made of a lightweight, flowy poly charmeuse.  And ohhhh, the colors!  I'm not one who adheres to the colors of  the seasons...so this one is bright colors!  

And this one has pockets!

I demoed the making of this duster for AllBrands.com on their Facebook Live shows. Part 1 was demoed on Aug 19th and Part 2 was demoed on Aug 26th. Both segments are posted in my FaceBook Group as well as on the AllBrands.com facebook page.

This was an easy, quick make.  I used my Juki sewing machine and my Juki serger.  The pattern I used was Simplicity 8553. 

We started with the shoulders, then attached the pockets (yes...it has hidden inseam pockets). After that we installed the sleeves and stitched the side seams.

As you can see, we also added the front band.  This picture shows the "almost" finished garment.  

After the show, I tried it on and decided to shorten the sleeves and add bands to them.  It gave the sleeves a bit of weight and thus some additional body, which made the hang better.  I then hemmed the bottom with a 1 inch topstitch hem.  

And Tada...it was done!

I styled it with jeans and heels, then dressed it down with athletic shoes!

  So many choices!

What do you think of this bright colored print?  How would you style it?

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Chiffon Duster

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 I love sewing for my adult Daughter!

 Usually, I make garments from pictures that she sends me.

 But this time I decided to surprise her with a beautiful, self-drafted flowy duster for her Birthday!

She loves it!

I love how she styled it - nice casual look with this yummy chiffon!

This print was very unique!

This is the back view.

It is a repeating border print - stripes on the top and flowers on the bottom.  I turned the fabric so that the flowers ended up on one side and the stripes on the other side. If you look closely, you can see that the flowers are also intersecting with stripes. 

This is the front view.

  The unique print actually made it fun to work with!

I have more of this fabric and plan to make myself a duster - which will look different from this one. 😀

I used French seams on the side, shoulder and sleeve seams.  

It created a very nice, clean finish on this sheer fabric.

Look at that smile! 😃

I'm happy that she's happy!

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Tunic! It's All About the Flutter!

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 Open Front - Flutter Tunic!

I've had this Vogue Pattern #9305 for a few years, but never felt like I had just the right fabric for it.

Then along came this beautiful gifted fabric from Minerva.com and I knew it would work! The fabric is Diamond Dobby and is textured polyester suiting.

I love the silver-grey color and the tiny diamond shapes that are woven into the fabric.  It gives it a kind of monochromatic vibe!

I love this open front - flutter tunic...but I certainly won't be wearing it without leggings!

Who says we can't wear leggings after a "certain" age?  

They work perfectly with this tunic, and I didn't think the included pants would be flattering with it.

Sew...leggings it is!

As always, I hacked the pattern.  😉  I reduced the height of the neckline - high necklines are just not flattering on me. I shortened the sleeves by 5 inches (yes...5 inches) and lengthened the side split by about 3 inches...even with leggings, it was a bit too high -  so down it came! 

I also added a bit of shaping to the waist area.  The pattern called for a back zipper, but after lowering the neckline, I was able to eliminate it.

I chose to use fusible stay tape versus stay stitching the neckline.  After fusing the tape to the wrong side of the neckline, I serged it with a 3/8" finish using a 3-thread set-up.  The curve was then clipped and turned under and top-stitched. 

I also used the same technique for the hem.  

This dress is quite versatile...easy to wear...dress it up or down.  Flats or heels both look great with it! Wear jeans instead of leggings...or be bold and leave the leggings and jeans at home! 

It would also be a really nice swim suit cover up! Try a knit or a woven with some stretch. Use a solid or a bright or subtle print.  I'll be using a bright print knit for my next one. Yes! I'll make it again!  

How would you style this tunic?

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It's the Sleeves for Me

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Sleeve Replacement!

My client asked me if I could "patch" the sleeves on his leather jacket. I told him I'd take a look at it.

When I saw it, I told him 2 things:

1. It was not leather - it was faux leather (really vinyl)

2. The sleeves needed to be replaced entirely!

He gave me creative license - and I was able to find this cool faux leather. I liked it so much that I bought enough for another project for myself!

I removed the sleeves by accessing the interior through this opening. The jacket is a size small - so even though the other sleeve lining did not have this same access, I created one with my seam ripper to make the process easier.

After removing the sleeves, I carefully traced around them onto the fabric. I'd considered

making a paper pattern, then realized I wouldn't need or use it again.

So on with the tracing I went!

The sleeve is a 2 piece curved sleeve. The curve had been edge stitched, but I decided to top-stitch it. I'm so glad that I did, because the results added a great looking detail!

I used my roller presser foot, a 80/12 Schmetz needle and a 2.8 stitch length. Because the fabric is a lightweight faux leather, there was no need to use a leather needle.

After sewing the sleeves together, I added them to the jacket. Using the clips was great - pins would have left holes in the faux leather. 

Remember, I was working through those lining opening, so I had to do a bit of twists and turns to attach them.

I then pulled the sleeves through the opening and sewed the cuff and lining together...more twists and turns. Then I pressed them with a presscloth and my clapper.

After the jacket was complete...and after triple checking my work, I closed the lining openings with edge stitching.

I dropped the jacket off and loved seeing the smile on my customer's face.

He noticed the topstitching first!

He owns a hair salon and showed the jacket off to his wife and a few of his clients!

 There was some serious ohhhing and ahhhing going on!

Happy customers make me happy!

What kind of alterations or repairs have you done? Let me know in the comments!

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Floral Blazer

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This lovely stretch cotton twill that was gifted to me by Minerva was perfect for this blazer!

I used view C of Simplicity 1421.  Of course I made a few hacks! 😊

I added a border to the pockets to coordinate with the black facings and collar using black stretch twill. 

I also eliminated  the buttons on the sleeves.  Been there, done that!  LOL!

I made my own bias tape for the Hong Kong finish - using a pretty print from my stash.

I love princess seams and these didn't disappoint.

  I love the shaping on this jacket!

 This is my 2nd time using this pattern, so it has become one of my TNTs! 

I always use my buttonhole kit after stitching buttonholes.  I makes for a nice, clean cut! 

I will be wearing this jacket year round...with jeans and skirts.

Of course I added my label - to the facing!

Do you have a favorite jacket pattern...or two? 

Do you love princess seams?

Do you have a favorite jacket pattern...or two? Do you love princess seams? 

Let me know in the comments!

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