The Saturday class is sold out but you can still get a spot at Sew Inviting on Wednesday, November 11 from 2-4 pm.

This is the Basic Sergery class for those that haven’t taken their machine out of the box or need to brush up/expand their knowledge of a great sewing tool that can be intimidating.

Go to Sew Inviting for more info and registration:

https://www.sewinvitingmn.com/module/class/603480/serging-basics

Amy’s Garments:

Drop shoulder, boat neck, loose fitting top.

Bias finish on neckline. 3/4 or short ruffled sleeves. First time I made the shorter ruffled sleeve and prefer the look and the fit.

I like the use of elastic for a hint of waist :-). You can do elastic on both front and back, just one, or neither. Good summer top if you like the loose fitting look.

Pattern calls for a band in self-fabric attached to the front and back, right sides, to encase elastic. Good approach for a semi sheer fabric. Instead, I used a sheer tricot knit bias tape (1-1/4 inch–1-inch would probably work) and put the casing on the inside of the top.

Armhole darts. Edgestitched and topstitched neck and armhole facings (no understitching).

Side vents and topstitched hems. High hip length. Make any size adjustments on the hip before cutting out, since there are side vents. Probably best in a solid color fabric–due to topstitching of neck and armhole facings.

I need to adjust fitting before I make this again. Not sure whether the armhole bust dart improves fit or not…..

Makes a nice two-piece dress when paired with a skirt from the same fabric–I made a pencil skirt, mid-calf length (Loes Hinse Brussels skirt OOP).

This avoids having the emphasis (the knotting) focus right on the belly, which happened for me on this make. To fix that, I added a panel of fabric and attached it to the side seams and the high hip horizontal seam. This way, there is not a gap that your eye goes to.  Ideal fabric would be same (or v similar) on both sides, because the back side of the fabric peeks out of the knot. I did a few hand stitches to control that. 

Kristin’s Garments:

After giving in to the obvious pattern choice (tuxedo bib and collars-duh!) Omitted the back center pleat and added a seam at each shoulder blade.

I cut backs and fronts apart to give more A-line shaping. The pattern has fold over front plackets so I a made separate placket pattern piece to keep the center front long line.

Then I cut the last 12” off of the bottom of the dress pattern for the bottom border. I probably could have done that better…but it turned out fine.

The side seams of the sleeves were widened to get the kimono style width.

The long points of the collar were the icing on the cake

All fabrics were pretty great to work with.

Used the same size I had used for Alabama Chanin/Marie Claude and it was perfect! Had to cut off a few inches from the hem so it wouldn’t show under sheer dress.

No hem-just cut off cleanly.

Made a size 16 but took only 1/4” side seams and inseams.

Used the front pocket pattern and like the construction. Got a bit thick tho with the velvet.

Zipper went in well. Contoured the waistband for a better fit. Cut off 3/4” from bottom hem and turned up 1 1/2”.

November-cohost Linda Kallio

Wednesday, November 11, Sew Inviting, St. Paul

Thursday, November 12, Creative Sewing, Apple Valley

Saturday, November 14, Open Studio, Mpls.

Last chance (in October to show us what you’ve been sewing: Wednesday, October 14, at Sewing Lounge! 10:30 am!

Thursday at Creative was the first meeting and then we were at Ginny’s in Rochester for our Saturday meeting. With the nice weather do you sew warm clothes or cool clothes??

Lucia’s Garments:

Wanted to experiment with new patterns this summer.

Liked different lengths offered – did shortest tie option. Regular body length was good! Did a high round adjustment which I always do, but, because pattern was new also did a forward shoulder just in case. Not sure I needed it.

Was planning on do elastic at bottom of sleeve but like the look without it – shortened sleeves 3 inches.

I’m definitely not a fan of photo directions. The words and photos to do the burrito turn of the tie did not make sense to me. For me, pale print fabric choices also did not help.

Love Couture Workshop 2025/Vogue 7881 pants/Rayon from Emma One Sock

Didn’t try making these until 1/26 and ran into all sorts of issues with the waist and gave up. Loved the legs and the crotch fit.

Decided to retake the workshop and tried these on for first time since Jan at the workshop and voila – all the shaping I had done at side seams and CB had worked!! Who knew!

Just this week partially disassembled, finished seams and put contour waist band on. They are very comfortable – perhaps a bit too fitted? Haven’t worn them enough to tell.

Very Easy Vogue V9347

Corduroy from Sewing Lounge

Looked like a fun transitional top – to wear over a T-shirt.

Made a Sm muslin based on measurements but shoulders seemed a bit tight in front so this is a Med. Fun and games – the collar was an 1/2” too short. Shortened the main sleeve 2” and the lower part 1”. Shortened the gathered piece 1 1/2” on muslin because I didn’t have enough fabric but decided to keep it – didn’t want it to overwhelm. Tapered to Sm at cuff and even Sm cuff was way too long. Put buttons on cuff for looks.

Since it’s an older Vogue it has a shoulder dart which I like but might move it a bit forward next time. Also did a HR.

Because I thought iron on facing wouldn’t stick well, I use a cotton batiste in collar and on facings. Used a square of silk organza behind snap w/button for more support.

Sterling Jacket Sewing Workshop

Solid ponte (nylon/rayon)

Plaid ponte (polyester)

This is a bonus project. Started it on Sewing Retreat but didn’t plan or expect to finish it.

Went together pretty fast but directions are for finishing all seams with rolled hems. A few brief suggestions if you want to do seams. Did run into more issues with that than I thought I would.

Used buttons from my mother’s stash. Used silk organza behind the placket bands so buttonholes would be secure.

Really like the darts in the sleeve. Decided, instead of folding under the heavier ponti for a seam or leaving it raw – to put the thinner plaid as a facing on the outside – thank you Kirstin

Vogue 7881 and Fit for Art Eureka Pants/Love Couture Workshop 2026

Cotton/Denim from EOS

This is a muslin and it had lots of surprises, too many to write down but will relate.

Did make this into elastic waist – very easy. Started to try and make a bunch of little adjustments and decided to only scoop out the back crotch to closer match the 2025 pair.

Very positive result – I now have 2 pants patterns that I can work back and forth with. One is form fitting the other quite loose.

This is a solid foundation to build on.

Spill the Tea Variation

Pattern Emporium and B6026 K Tilton

Hemp fabric from Marcy Tilton

Well this was fun. Sewed center front same way as for the tie version.

Wanted a more fitted sleeve so used arms eye shape/size and sleeve from well fitting Butterick pattern.

Since I’ve never had to use a forward shoulder on the Butterick shirt, and, I was using same should height from bottom of arm hole to shoulder didn’t think I’d need a forward shoulder. Wrong!! Very annoyed as I love everything else about this – fabric is a great weight.

Kristin’s Garments:

Moroccan Vest Burda 5869

Amy Butler Bundle of kantha squares

Strategically flat locked all squares together to fit on pattern pieces. Narrowed shoulders. Bias binding all around applied with flatlock and hand stitched on back side. Reversible except for closure.

Tee and Rashguard/Tina Tee Jalie

Gorgeous green knit that I wish I had more of

This is a revised tee pattern from Jalie. The sleeve is no longer on the fold. I like how they split the pattern pieces-makes it easy to go between sizes. Jalie stayed loyal to its close fit.

Squared Neckstand Claudette Shirt by Jalie

Cotton shirting

Diagonal corners instead of a rounded collar stand and the same feature on the cuff. I like the crispness of it and looks better than my rounded collar stands This is drafted to be a more generous fit.

Alabama Chanin At Last! Marie-Claude Raglan

Alabama Chanin knits

A fun project that fills my artsy cup. It’s full now Love the two layers of knit stitched together.

MIA Preview Party-Saturday, October 3, 8-11:30 pm

October-cohost Amy Frankfurt

Thursday, October 8, Creative Sewing, Apple Valley

Saturday, October 10, Ginny’s, Rochester

Wednesday, October 14, Sewing Lounge, St. Paul

Sew Social meets on Thursday, August 20.

There’s room for one more in the Rolled Hem serger class on August 19 at 3:30 at Open Studio.

Basic Sergery class on Saturday, September 12 at noon at Sew Inviting has 4 openings.

Go to store websites to register. More classes will be coming for fall.

September Garment Sewing Group Cohost-Lucia Turner

Wednesday, September 9, Ginny’s, Rochester

Thursday, September 10, Creative Sewing, Apple Valley

Saturday, September 12, Sewing Lounge, St. Paul

I’m hoping to turn my Amy Butler squares from Morocco into a wearable garment for September