Sometimes You Just Have to Try!

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Another kimono make from my stash! 

I purchased this sweater knit from Hancock Fabrics many moons ago and used it to slightly hacked

Simplicity 1108! 

As you can see it is very sheer!  So sheer that when I pulled it out to finally decide what to make with it, I didn't realize that it was folded in half.  So when I opened it up fully, it was even sheerer (is that a word? 😃) than I thought!

I've styled it here with my tent/swing/trapeze dress! Click here to see the details of the dress!

This was a fun, quick make!  I constructed it entirely on my serger...then had to consider my options for finishing the edges!  The pattern called for a wide band, but I knew the fabric would not support it, nor could I successfully interface it.

I considered using packaged cotton binding (due to my current binding addiction, I have tons of it).  But I felt that it would be to heavy and pull on the kimono.  

The it hit me...I've had fleece binding in my stash for years! 

If it's fleece added to a sweater knit, that should work, right?  

I had no clue, but decided to try it anyway!

 Drumroll!!!! 

It worked!

The fleece binding was not too heavy, the two fabrics played nice together and it framed my duster beautifully!

And I love what happened with the sleeves!  They ended up with a sort of bell shape!

 I could have prevented that effect, but I decided to let the fabric combos work it out!

Isn't it interesting - amazing really - how different fabrics have different looks!  

This kimono is from the same pattern as the kimono below.  But notice the attached band!

Check this one out here!  

It was a trial of a different sort...I wanted to see if I liked the silhouette on me!

I love it! 

And I really love the way both fabrics drape!

I also paired it with a peplum top, pants and boots!  It's a fun casual look!

I have obviously fallen in love with kimonos and dusters!

You will be seeing more on my blog, soon! 

Happy Endless Sewing!

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My Sheer Duster - Last Make of the Summer!

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Chiffon Border Print Duster

This was yet another fabric piece that was initially destined to be scarves, but once I got on the "duster and kimono route" I kept at it when I found this in my stash!  

It is a lovely chiffon border print.  If you didn't know already, I LOVE border prints.  

I have a pretty large stash of them! 

I really love this one - I think it's my favorite! It literally floats! Sew fun to wear!

I used the same self-drafted pattern that I used for the "Bright and Colorful Duster" that was posted a few weeks ago. Then I added side splits! Oh yes!

Check out those long side splits! Sew fun!

I've styled it several ways. Here it is with skinny jeans and heels.

The seams were done with French seams.

Of course I had to do some print matching - which I love doing! 💓

The edges were bound with 1/4" double folded bias binding.  It was the perfect binding weight - it allowed the duster to retain it's airiness!

Then I switched to cropped pants and heels!

Of course I couldn't leave out my yellow dress! LOL! 

I really love this bright yellow under this sheer fabric!

I also really like the look of it with my tent/swing/trapeze Pinterst Interest Winner dress!

It's not fall yet, right? 

We are expecting temperatures in the high 80s this weekend. 

So I'll wear it then -  and put it away until next spring! 

Have you started your Fall sewing?  I have one jacket started. I always seem to be sewing during each season vs. prior to each one. But there are no rules, right? LOL

My virtual sewing classes will begin on September 24, 2018!
Registration is still open! Class size is unlimited! 
Click here for more information and to register!

I welcome your comments and questions and invite you to visit often for sewing tips and tricks!

Happy Endless Sewing!

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Kimono Trial

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Kimono Trial

I have to admit, I wasn't sure how this kimono...or any kimono or duster...would look on me. And of course I wasn't fully dressed when I tried it on after I finished making it.

But I went with it and I love, love, love it!  

There will definitely be more duster styles to come, including this one! I think I will make this one again in a lightweight scuba or a ponte knit.


I used Simplicity 1108 - View A. I actually made this in December, so my excuse for not wearing it was that it was too cold and it would not work under a coat.  So I stuck it in the closet and actually forgot about it!

Then last week I wanted to wear black and white and I remembered it!  

I decided to wear it with black cropped pants and a black knit peplum top. 

Yep! I added a peplum under it!

I got so many compliments that I was quite taken aback!

I purchased this peach skin fabric from Hancock fabrics several years ago to make scarves. But each time I pulled it out, I knew it would not work well for scarves...so back it went into my stash again and again.

Then I saw this pattern and decided to just go for it!  

 I'm sure most of you know that I love print matching, but I wasn't sure how it would work with the band.  I'm very happy with the end result.

  The pattern and instructions were easy, but my brain had some trouble placing the circular band. LOL! But once I got past that, it was easy going! The sleeves are cut-sleeves, so there are only two main pattern pieces, plus the bands.

 Some parts of the band are interfaced and others are not.  If you make this, be sure to follow those instructions carefully as you don't want the weight of interfacing pulling your kimono. I used a very lightweight knit interfacing and am very happy with the results.

 I finished the seams with french seams.

The center back is slightly gathered and is a detail that I like for this garment.  It gives it even more draping.  After stitching the band on, I top stitched it down around the entire garment.  You can hand stitch it or stitch in the ditch.

 I finished the sleeves with a narrow hem, as I didn't want to lose any of the print there.  I spent too much time print matching to lose it to a hem! LOL!

Thanks for visiting and reading my blog! I look forward to your comments and feedback!

P.S.

 I finally figured out how to use some of the photo editing features on my phone, thus the black and white photo!  😄

Kimono Acid Washed Duster

Kimono Duster

This Kimono Duster was sew fun to make!  The only problem was tracking down this Modal Rayon fabric! LOL! I purchased it from Joann's, but I had to go to 3 stores over a 2 week period before I could find one continuous 3 yard piece. It seems to be quite popular!

I used Simplicity's Cardigan pattern # 8377: link here

But I hacked it a lot more than the pattern suggests:

* I used the medium length (the view with the pleat in the back) but cut it much longer as I wanted it close to floor length.
* I did not cut a set-in sleeve - I cut a kimono style sleeve extended from the shoulder - so I ended up with 2 pattern pieces - front and back.
* I rounded the bodice front more -  just because I wanted to!  LOL!
* Oh! And I rounded the hem as well!
* I finished the side seams - (including inside the sleeves) with French seams, as I really didn't want any seams to show.
* I did not use the facing - because I did not want the weight of it - I really wanted this Modal Rayon fabric to remain light and airy. Instead, after much thought about the finishing and color, I opted for black packaged bias binding - I am sew, sew glad I did! I love the outcome!

Then I simply paired it with a re-fashioned men's crew neck t-shirt, straight leg jeans and black heels. No, No, not high heels, just heels! 😄  More on the t-shirt in a later blog! Isn't it fun to be able to create and recreate clothing! 💓

I really do like the pleat in the back!

And I love the flowiness of this completed duster! I will definitely make a few more!

Photo Creds: My Granddaughter, Charlysse: Enchanted Photos

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Now...on to the binding!

I used 2 packages of 1/2 inch double fold bias binding. After joining the 2 pieces from the packages together, I simply inserted the edge of the duster inside the binding and used a straight stitch. I started with about a 10 inch tail...you will need this when approaching the end.

Take a close at your packaged binding. You will see that one side is slightly wider than the other.  I placed the wider side on the wrong side and stitched from the right side. This ensures that the bottom of the binding will be "caught" when stitching.  Take a peek at the wrong side periodically to ensure you are stitching both sides.

When I get about 6 to 10 inches from the end, I stop and overlap the 2 ends. The key is to overlap them the same width as the binding. So if your binding is a total of 2. 5 inches wide (when opened), you will overlap the the 2 ends 2.5 inches

The next step is to double check your measurements, take a deep breath and cut off the excess. Or you can choose not to breathe and leave the excess for insurance.  It's really up to you!  😊

Join the 2 pieces in a "T" formation and stitch at a 90 degree angle. Joining the binding at a 90 degree angle will reduce bulk at the seams.

Notice, for this demo, I did not cut the excess...I actually had too many distractions going on that day and did not want to have to do it over.

But alas...I did cut it! 

But only after I made sure I'd sewn it accurately! 

Then I folded the binding over the rest of the hem and completed the stitching.  I used the same steps for the sleeve hems!

I'm SEW, SEW happy with the results!

Don't forget...it's still National Sewing Month! What are you sewing?

As always, comments and questions are always welcome!

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