Category Archives: Clothes

May 30, 2014 · 1:37 pm

Jorna in Perfect Pattern Parcel #3

Hello, Summer. Hello, Jorna.

Remember this dress pattern? For a limited time it’s available in the Perfect Pattern Parcel #3 bundle!

This bundle includes:

Poppy Tunic by Make it Perfect
Water Bottle Tote by Radiant Home Studio
Jorna Tank Dress by Jenna Brand
Staple Dress by April Rhodes
Bombshell Swimsuit by Closet Case Files

Bonus Pattern:

Choose a price of $28 or greater for Parcel #3 and you will automatically also be sent the Bonus Pattern! The Bonus Pattern for this Parcel is Prefontaine Shorts for Women by Made with Moxie. This shorts pattern has a retro trim, loads of pockets, two inseams and are so comfortable you won’t want to take them off. Includes sizes 0 – 24. Exclusive launch on Pattern Parcel. Be the first to own this pattern!

CUSTOMERS SET THEIR OWN PRICE! And at PPP, customers are encouraged to allocate part of their Parcel price to the charity Donorschoose.org in order to help classrooms in need. Pattern Parcel donates all profits after expenses from Parcel sales to the charity as well. Together they’ve raised almost $4,500 towards eliminating educational inequality.

SO go out and get that bundle, ya’ll!

Tubular Bandana Buff Tutorial

Where it around your neck!

Yay for Spring! I actually like yardwork and gardening quite a bit and nothing helps keeping hair out of your face, bugs of your neck, the sun from burning your ears, or sweat dripping everywhere like the perfect bandana!

Gardening style- keeps hair up and ears covered.

It’s totally TUBULAR like they wear on Survivor.

Stoner beanie! Or bold fashion turban! Or crazy bag lady!

The most popular brand of these is BUFF brand. They are seamless tubes so they must loom their own tube-tastic fabrics or something.

Apocalyptic home improvement expert!

But you can make one with simple jersey at home on a basic sewing machine! Let’s make ours with a sort-of-kind-of-flat felled seam / french seam. Read on for the tute.

Girl with the pearl earring!

Continue reading →

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Filed under Clothes, Pattern, Techniques, Tutorial

February 21, 2014 · 10:28 pm

Lillestoff Jorna!

Have I really never blogged about this masterpiece?!

My friend Rae just posted this great blog about her favorite knit fabrics. Since I am SO LUCKY and get to sew with her at Sew Ann Arbor meet-ups, she has seen me use some Lillestoff… specifically, this amazing if not pretty racist “Indian” fabric.

Of course I made a Jorna in tank length.

Was it ever warm outside? Were there ever flowers? What does grass smell like?

You can see lots of amazing different Lillestoff fabrics here, and you can even own your own racist Indian fabric by buying here.

5 Comments

Filed under Clothes, Fabric, Pattern, Shop

February 20, 2014 · 6:22 pm

Catnap Dress Contest

Lizzy House had the best idea ever to hold a dress contest for her fabric line Catnap. Participants chose to either make an adult dress or one for little girlies. I opted to sew myself a full skirt sleeveless dress, perfect for wearing to cat tea parties:

The pattern is Simplicity 1873 by Cynthia Rowley, Style B. I had to merge two sizes in order to get the perfect fit and I added an inch to the bodice length.

Nope, these aren’t my kids. I went to a girls-only party at EmmmyLizzy’s so I could hang with these darling ladies in their Catnap dresses!

More pictures and one tip for sewing pleats after the jump!

Continue reading →

11 Comments

Filed under Challenges, Clothes, Fabric, Kids, Pattern, Techniques

December 31, 2013 · 9:28 pm

Katniss Sweater

If you saw the Hunger Games: Catching Fire, then you might have noticed this amazing sweater vest cover-up dealy worn by Katniss. I sure did!

I put it in the back of my mind that I wanted to make one, and then my friend (Nicole from Owen Faye) asked if I knew how to crochet or knit so I could make THIS.

It looks like maybe Two of Wands has stopped selling the pattern? Not sure what’s going on there, but here are two similar other instant download patterns…

Enough is enough! I have to 1. buy this pattern 2. learn to crochet 3. learn to knit 4. make this thing.

I did it! I actually think this is a great first-timer project. Sure, you have to learn a bunch to get the final product, but the bulky yarn makes things go fast. Also, the whole point is to get an organic looking product. Drop a stitch? So what! Katniss made hers from a BRANCH.

If you would like to dive in the deep end like I did, might I recommend these youtube videos?

5 Comments

Filed under Clothes, Crafts, Pattern

December 24, 2013 · 1:45 pm

Reindeer Fabric Palooza

One night last spring I was drunk and bought 4 yards of holiday Fair Isle printed jersey fabric.

The first time I’ve ever gotten a rib-knit neck right on the first try!

That’s a lot of fabric for not having any projects in mind.

Drafted a t-shirt pattern for my husband!
Jorna tank for me.

I decided to spread it as far as I could into as many holiday outfits as possible for several of my favorite people:

flashback tees for my boys.

My niece and nephew!

Jorna Junior!

Jorna Juniors!

Fancy Pants Leggings by Titchy Threads

happy holidays.

2 Comments

Filed under Clothes, Fabric, Holiday, Kids, Pattern

November 17, 2013 · 2:02 pm

Infinity Sweater

Karen from One Girl Circus has a great new pattern out called the Infinity Sweater.

I love the look of an Infinity Sweater in Jersey, which can be worn in countless ways, but for the cold end of fall, I longed for something super warm.

So I made a version of the Infinity out of flannel! And not just any flannel! Made by Rae’s flannel Fanfare Foxes!

Sorry for the grainy photos here. Terrible fall lighting + dead camera + blogging with kids = my excuses.

The first time I saw Rae’s little foxes, I just wanted to drape myself in them. Screw kid’s clothes – it was time to ensconce myself in flannel. I am a modern-day George Costanza.

George ensconced in velvet

But I didn’t stop at the foxes! I made another version for a friend out of some really fun woven fabric.

Blankets as fashion – this is me:

These “tribal” sweaters (ugh – there’s a better word I’m sure, but that’s the one getting used) are so hot right now. Check out this one from Anthropologie:

And I made one more. This one I made from just cheap JoAnns flannel, as it was my first experiment with a flannel Infinity. A wearable muslin, if you want.

So cozy! I love it. I love all three of them and they are WARM. If you’re looking for a socially acceptable way to wear your slanket out in public this is it.

A couple tips if you want to try this look yourself.

Get the pattern – it’s awesome and can be made as-is, or given slight alterations to take on INFINITE design ideas.
Go a size-up – the Infinity is designed for stretch fabric, and if your fabric doesn’t stretch you should account for that for a better fit.
Play with the front-flap lengths. If you’re making this from a thin fabric (like most t-shirt jerseys) then you could keep them full-length so you can wear the cardigan in multiple ways (as a wrap! tied behind your back! over your neck!). But if you’re making this from a thicker fabric and know you’ll ONLY wear it open, you may want to shorten the flaps.
For the foxes Infinity, I shortened the flaps so it’s all the same length around when worn, and I actually hand-tacked a fold to keep a certain look in place. Let’s call the a couture hand-sewing element, rather than a weird cheat ; )

2 Comments

Filed under Clothes, Fabric, Pattern

October 3, 2013 · 7:07 pm

Echino Kimono

After seeing the awesome, simple tutorial on Elle Apparel, I knew I had to make a “kimono.”

Rather than silk, however, I was dying to use the Echino Rhino print. It’s a 85% cotton/15% linen blend, but I like the way it hangs, especially after a wash. The design is so awesome, I literally felt the need to drape myself in the fabric.

This has been a great way to add a touch of fashion to my tees and jeans wardrobe.

1 Comment

Filed under Clothes, Fabric, Tutorial

September 18, 2013 · 3:41 am

Make a Jorna with me!

I’m teaching a class at Pink Castle Fabrics all about sewing with stretch knit fabric. AND WHAT BETTER WHAT TO LEARN ABOUT SEWING KNITS THAN BY SEWING A JORNA! ::fist pumps::

Make a jumper! Wear it with jeans!

In this class participants will be given the complete pattern for the Jorna dress, the Jorna junior, and the maternity-style Jorna. Throughout the class you’ll learn tips and techniques for working with jersey knit, how to do an all-in-one bodice lining, and you’ll leave with a finished garment!

The Jorna dress comes in sizes XS-XL for women, 2T-5T for toddler aged girls. The “Knocked-Up Jorna” is for pregnant women sizes XS-XL (pre-pregnancy sizes). The patterns come with length options, making this a garment you can make again and again, achieving different results that are always flattering.

Make a dress!

Prerequisites: Students should be comfortable sewing a straight stitch on their machine.

Price per student: $60

Length of class: Meets once for 3 hours

This class will be taught on: Saturday, September 28, 2013 // 10:30am – 1:30pm

BOOK YOUR SPOT!

Make a sexy and comfortable tank!

Make a Jorna Jr.! 2T – 5T!

Cover that bump! Luxe Knocked-Up Jorna is super awesome.

Knocked-Up Jorna Maternity Dress Pattern

Are you in the family way? Baking a bun in your womanly oven? Then I’ve got GREAT news for you! A brand-new Jorna pattern – the Knocked-Up Jorna!

This dress pattern will fit pre-pregnant sizes XS-XL. A comfortable knit dress, perfect for the growing pregnant form. A semi-fitted bodice that extends to an empire waisted flounce. This jumper is long enough to be worn on its own during hot days, but looks great with skinny jeans or leggings. An outfit that can grow with you and remain in your rotation post-pregnancy.

This pattern is recommended for stretch knit fabrics, such as jersey or rayon-poly blends. Four pieces, no darts, no zippers, and no binding makes for a fast assembly! All-in-one lining creates clean lines at the neck and armholes.