Bright and Colorful Duster

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Bright and  Colorful Duster   

I know, I know!  This duster is quite colorful!  But what a fun print.  😎

This fabric is another peach skin print I purchased from Hancock Fabrics...in 2014. My guess is that I bought it the same day I bought the black and white print I used to make the previous kimono! I think I was thinking of scarves when I bought this one as well.
It must have been a crazy print purchase day! LOL!

The print has just a bit of yellow in it and I thought it would be fun to wear with my yellow dress.

Click here to see the dress details.  

I hacked the same self-drafted pattern I used for the my acid washed duster that I made last fall.  Click here to see it! 

My hack was fairly simple...I cut the front of the duster back just enough to make it an open front duster, made the sleeves wider and squared the corners. 

Of course I print matched the shoulders and side seams!

I would have liked the sleeves to be a few inches longer, but alas...there was not enough fabric.  Remember...this fabric was originally destined for scarves! Ha! Not!

The duster was constructed entirely on my Juki MO 1000 Serger with a 4 thread setup.  After cutting, I completed it in about 2 hours from start to finish. Look at those bright colors!

I used a 3.0 stitch length to add the black 1/2" double folded bias binding that I purchase in bulk by the roll.

I also purchase white binding and red binding by the roll. 

No running to the store in the middle of a project. Who's got time for that?? Hahaha!

As you can see, I didn't use pins...OK...I used 2...one for each of the mitered corners.  I really like using flower head pins because they are long and very sharp.  But I recently saw Magic Pins which are heat resistant and have a comfortable grip. A couple of my friends bought them and love them! So, I'm going to purchase them and hopefully eliminate the need for including glass head pins in my stash.

When I got to the mitered corners, I used the tip of  That Purple Thang to ease the corner under the foot. I love that little tool, I use it for so many things!

I'm quite happy with the bias tape finish!

And then I wore it when I met up with my FaceBook friend, Sandy!  We've known each other for  about 3 years, but had never met.  She won the Brother 110 year anniversary contest, which included a trip to Florida for the Brother Sews Back to Business Convention, a new sewing machine and a class with Angela Wolf! 

We were SEW excited for her...her name was randomly drawn from over 25,000 entries!  Yep, I'd entered the contest, too.  But I can't think of any person who is more deserving!

  

She had a long layover in Chicago on the return trip, so I was able to meet and hang out with her and her hubby!  It was SEW wonderful to finally meet her...that was my prize!

Sandy asked me if I'd made the duster...of course I said, "YES"!  She should have known! LOL! 

I paired it with a peplum top and jeans! It felt quite comfy, but not too dressed down.

I think my next pairing will be with a pencil skirt!

I'm loving my duster makes!  And of course I'm loving wearing my makes!

Don't forget to watch for my upcoming virtual sewing classes!

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

Happy Endless Sewing!

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Coming soon: Virtual Sewing Classes

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What's On Top?

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TOPS, TOPS and More TOPS!

Many of you may have seen my Facebook and/or Instagram post about this beautiful Kente print.  I had used it for so many other people and projects, that I think I became a bit envious and decided to make something for myself!  

It's 100% cotton Ankara fabric from LeeLou Designs 720 and was perfect for this peplum top.

I used McCall's 6896 as my base.  I chose this pattern because the bodice and peplum are all one piece.  I really don't like the look of peplums that are attached to the bottom of the bodice...that seam line just does not look good on me.

Of course I hacked it! There is just no fun in using patterns or in sewing if you don't hack something.  So this was the hack of the day! 😄

I wanted the look of view E, because I loved the slight open V front. Sorry, I did not get a great picture of that part.

I definitely had to do some print matching, which was fun, but oh so tedious!  I usually use as few pins as possible in my projects, but for print matching those tiny diagonal white lines, I needed pins.  I then used my walking foot to help keep them in place.  I've seen this print in RTW and it was not matched at all and looked horrible.  I was determined that my top would not look that!  LOL!

I didn't want just any sleeve, so I drafted a sort of butterfly sleeve. I wasn't sure I'd like it, but after much thought about other sleeve options, I committed to it.  In the end, not only did I like it, I loved it!  

Per the instructions I inserted a back zipper, but I chose to use an invisible zipper. I finished all the edges with black .25" purchased bias binding.

And...if you haven't guessed it already, this black top is the same pattern! I used a lightweight stable knit from my stash.  My hacks for this top was to eliminate the back seam and zipper, make the sleeves elbow length (my favorite sleeve length) and lower the front and back neckline about 1.5 inches.  The hems are narrow hems.

I paired it with a self drafted maxi skirt that I think I'm still working on. I'm just not sure I like it.
I purchased this ITY print last summer from Vogue Fabrics. 

I also paired it with black cropped pants.  Don't you just love versatile pieces in your wardrobe? 

Why are all my necklaces crooked in all of these pics?  LOL!

And for this final top...final for this post...there will never be a "final" top! Hahaha!

My sewing sisters are kinda on this Walmart hunt for fabric, as it seems that Walmart has upped it's fabric selection game...at least in the South.  Even though I'm not in the South, I was not to be outdone!  So I went to my local Walmart (which doesn't sell fabric) and kinda demanded that they find out which store nearest me sold fabric.  I was nice, but insistent!  LOL!

It turned out to be only about 15 minutes from the local store. So I went there and found this fabric, which was perfect because I'd been hankering for some camo fabric. This is a very lightweight knit...who knows what it really is...there was no "content" listed on the bolt.  

But not to be defeated, I prewashed it and treated it as an ITY knit and used one of my self drafted patterns.  I added stretch lace from my stash to the upper bodice and sleeves to make this "hard/soft" top.

Walmart fabric or not, I love this top and have worn it at least 5 times since I made it. It has held up quite well to machine washings.

Yes, I made my cork tote bag.  It is getting a lot of use as well. So much so, that I'm going to make it again with upholstery fabric!

In fact, I love all of these tops sew much that I'm going to make some variation of each of them again.

Don't be surprised if you see one in pink...I've committed to a PINK CHALLEGE.

And you know how much I like challenges!

And last, but definitely not least:
I am excited to announce that I will be starting my ONLINE SEWING CLASSES in the very near future...maybe a month or so from now. 

:-)Classes will be pre-recorded with a few FaceBook live tutorials. There will also be some content on You Tube. Of course my blog and tips will continue here.

I have a ton of ideas swirling around in my head, but I need your feedback regarding what types of sewing classes and/or techniques you are interested in.

Please comment below on your class ideas, needs and wants. If you are not comfortable with commenting below, please feel free to send me a PM.

Thanks for all of your support thus far! Can't wait to see your ideas! 

Ankara Coat of Many Colors

 Ankara/African Print Coat/Duster 

This very colorful Ankara/African Print Coat/Duster was my last "make" for National Sewing Month!

I entered it into an African Print Challenge!

I'm loving these challenges.

I learn sew much with each entry!

I had much fun and a few challenges putting this "puzzle" together. I really had to pay attention to the direction of the print on this Ankara/African fabric for each piece...even the band...I wanted to be sure the black side showed when I wear it... not the printed side. I tried it on more than I usually do to get it right!

Hacks:
* I hacked McCall's 6844 - https://mccallpattern.mccall.com/m6844

* This pattern is designed for knits...my fabric is a woven...I had to make several adjustments to the flounce to make it fit properly. 

* I lengthened the jacket about 15 inches

* Just before I started construction, I decided to add side-seam pockets

* I also cut the sleeves short and added a flounce and lined them with the print fabric. After all, this is the year of the sleeve!

* I finished the side seams and sleeves with a Hong Kong finish - another element I decided on during construction

* I finished the hem with black bias binding - I really didn't want the suggested narrow hem to be seen and I love that the bias tape brings all of the black accents together.

Someone called her my

Magical Wizard Sewing Cloak!

 What would you call her?

  I think she needs a name!

 ❤

 As always, please feel to free to leave your comments/questions below!

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