Simplicity 8376 Serger Knit Top

Hello sewers and sergers!

Here is an easy, quick, nice-fitting pattern for your summer tops.

Simplicity 8376 gives many options for pattern hacking.

This one is View 1, the Base Pattern.

It is the perfect pattern for not only new-to-knit sewers,

but also for experienced sewers who might be new to using an overlocker.

You do not have to sew this on a serger/overlocker,

but the pattern and the overlocker make a perfect pair.

If you are in the local area, I'm teaching this as a Baby Lock Serger event

at Wimmers in Layton on Saturday, April 28 from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m.

My Silhouette Cameo teaching friend, Dana,

will be joining me to show you how to add a monogram to your top.

Price of admission includes

your fabric (the fabric has a beautiful drape - it is viscose and spandex),

vinyl monogram, lunch, and lots of fun.

We will discuss knit fabric choices,

I will give you tips for matching stripes,

we will attach a self-fabric neck band,

and we will stitch the entire top using Baby Lock sergers.

Okay, let's go sew some new summer tops.

Thanks for visiting.

The Valentine Dress That Is, and the Blog Post That Almost Was

Happy February, sewing friends!

This is McCall's 7186.

My intent was to blog a review of this one in late January.

My photographer has been traveling out of town extensively, so no pics.

*sigh*

Perhaps a photography session will take place near the end of the month

when we are both in town.

Until then, this is my only picture of this close-fitting knit beauty.

The fabric is Stretch Crushed Velvet English Floral Mauve on Black from Fabric.com

Sorry for the teaser, but there will be a full post toward the end of February.

For those of you who are machine embroiderers,

here is some cute inspiration:

This little ornithological creation is an in-the-hoop design from Pickle Pie Designs.

I used inexpensive felt from Hobby Lobby.

Clear vinyl was used for the cute little peek-a-boo-belly heart window.

I put the jelly beans in their own little clear bags and heat sealed them closed

before they became part of the owls' abdominal contents.

On the back there is a lapped closure in which to insert sweet treats.

It doesn't show up so great in these photos, but I used glitter felt for the eyes.

I appreciate the time you spend reading my blog.

Thank you so much for stopping by.

Have a l❤vely Valentine's Day.

"Un-Beweavable" Ruffled Scarf

If you are a serger owner, I would like to recommend the book:

Serger Essentials by Gail Patrice Yellen.

This book includes advice on threading, tension, differential feed, and needles

relevant to all models.

It also give tips for using decorative threads and techniques

 - and -

it includes instructions for 5 simple projects

This lightweight knit scarf is one of those 5 projects.

It is also the project for my February 28 Baby Lock Serger Class

at both Wimmer's locations:  Layton and Ogden

I had this very, very (almost sheer) lightweight spandex knit on hand,

so I decided to give it a try.

The instructions call for t-shirt weight knit fabric.

I'm actually quite pleased with the scarf.

The edges are finished with a rolled hem

and serger chains are woven into the slits that are cut into the scarf,

using a skip cut rotary cutter blade.

Then beads are tied onto the ends of the serger chains.

If you are in the local area, head to Wimmer's and sign up for the class.

I would be pleased to meet you in person.

Thank you for visiting.

McCall's MP239 M7261 Exercise Leggings

Hello sewers!  Thank you for stopping by my blog.

I hope you all had a blessed Christmas.

With the new year just ahead of us,

it's time when many of us think about starting an exercise routine,

or changing up an existing routine.

I try to exercise throughout the year,

but I am an eclectic exerciser.

To me, that means I play around at many types of exercise.

I get bored easily with the same routine,

so I switch up my exercise routine A LOT.

I also get bored with my exercise clothing.

And it was time for a new pair of leggings,

so I chose McCall's pattern number 7261.

Just as new exercise routines keep me interested in exercising,

so do new workout clothes.

This is the only pair of leggings I have that are not one solid color.

The panels of color in the mid leg make me happy.

I purchased both fabrics at Joanne.

The black is performance fabric so it helps hold in the jiggle!

The galactic print is a little bit lighter weight spandex knit.

As with all leggings, this is a really quick pattern to sew.

I used my Baby Lock Triumph serger for the entire project.

I was able to neatly sew, trim, and finish the edges of all the inside

seams with just one pass through the serger.

I then used the cover stitch to keep those seams from "rolling" around.

Here's a close up of the outside and the inside of the garment:

I really like this pattern because the waistband does not have a casing or elastic.

That makes the leggings smoother on the tummy and more comfortable to wear.

Here's a short video that I made.

It shows a few more details and I also discuss how to choose your size.

How about you?

Do you already have an exercise routine,

or do you plan to start one in the new year?

Thank you for visiting with me today.

I enjoy your company so much.

Serger Tote for Rotary Rulers and Cutter

This is the December 27 Baby Lock Serger Class at both Wimmer's locations:

Ogden from 9:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m.

and

Layton from 1:30 p.m. to 4:30 p.m.

If you are nearby, I would love to have you join us.

Go to Wimmer's Web site to sign up.

Carry your quilting supplies in style with

the Rotary Ruler and Cutter Bag.

The pattern is from Martha Pullen Company.

The handle goes through the small loop to keep the bag closed.

The bag is large enough to carry a 6 1/2" x 24" ruler,

and it has smaller inside pockets to accommodate your

3" x 6" and 3" x 18" rulers and your rotary cutter.

Batting is sandwiched between the exterior panels and the lining panels

to give the bag stability.

I hope to see you in class!

Thank you for visiting.

Simplicity 8026 Girls Jumper

My littlest grandgirl was thinking she needed a new dress for fall,

so we headed to Joanne's and she chose Simplicity 8026.

She also chose her own fabric.

It is a very fine whale, lightweight corduroy.

She is an average sized 7 year old - not tall, not short, not heavy, not skinny.

I sewed a size 8 with no adjustments, and it is a perfect fit.

The bodice sides feature a tab (I used flannel) with a decorative button.

Yes, my grandgirl chose those buttons as well.

There is a hidden zipper and hook and eye closure on the back.

I finished off the neckline with Hug Snug, and the armholes with bias binding.

My Baby Lock Triumph did a beautiful job of finishing the inside seams,

and coverstitching the hem.

The pattern sizing is girls 8-16 and it offers sleeve variations

as well as the pattern for a pair of leggings.

Hopefully that girl will get lots of wear out of this jumper before she outgrows it!

Thank you for your visit, sewing friends.

Vintage Inspired Apron

This is the November 29 Baby Lock Serger Class at both Wimmer's locations:

Ogden from 9:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m.

and

Layton from 1:30 p.m. to 4:30 p.m.

If you are nearby, I would love to have you join us.

Go to Wimmer's Web site to sign up.

The pattern is Simplicity 1221.

I modified it to be sewn entirely on the serger.

Instead of purchased binding,

we will make custom binding using the binder attachment.

The patch pocket is sewn on using the chain stitch.

The ties are finished off with a rolled hem.

This would make a lovely,

new apron for you to wear during your Christmas baking,

- or -

it would make a thoughtful gift for someone special.

Do you use your serger for more than just finishing seams?

Let me know in the comment section.

Thanks for visiting today.

Candy Corn Garland

Here's a papercrafting project that also uses a bit of sewing, or serging, as the case may be.

This garland is hanging from the side window of my cute, backyard potting shed.

The candy corn cut file is a free download from Hey Let's Make Stuff.

I cut the card stock on my Cricut Maker and for each candy corn,
I cut two of each of the yellow and orange components
( one for the front and one for the back)
because I knew the back side would show since it was going to hang in a window.
That way my candy corn is double sided.

I've seen a number of paper, felt, fabric, etc. garlands stitched together with the sewing machine.

That is an effective way to quickly make garland, but if you have a coverstitch serger,

the chain stitch gives you more flexibility in designing your garland.

When using a sewing machine, the candy corn would have to be right next

to each other because sewing machines are not meant to sew without something under the needle.

But a serger allows you to endlessly chain off without anything passing under the needle.

I spaced my candy corn pieces about 12-15 inches apart from one another.

That way I didn't have to spend a lot of time making numerous candy corn pieces,

but I could still make my garland the length I needed to drape in front of my window.

I used Coats and Clark polyester sewing thread in the needle,

and I used Sulky 12 weight thread in the chain looper.

And I set my stitch length to 1.

That combination gave me a nice, sturdy chain for my garland.

I will definitely be putting my Cricut Maker and

my Baby Lock Triumph to use making more

seasonal garland in the upcoming months.

Do you make your own garland?

Do you use papercrafting, quilting, sewing, or something else?

I would love to hear about your garland decorating endeavors.

Please leave a comment, I enjoy hearing from you all.