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.

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.

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.

Sew House Seven Toaster Sweater

It is challenging for me to find a comfortable, well-fitting sweatshirt in ready to wear.

The Toaster Sweater pattern by Sew House Seven fills that void in my winter wardrobe.

The style lines are such that it is comfortable without being overly bulky.

I like that it is semi-fitted, which is hard to find in a ready to wear sweatshirt.

The self fabric ribbing panel at the bottom helps the shirt stay in place,

which is necessary because this top falls just at or below the hip bones.

The funnel neck can be worn up as shown in this photo,

it can be "slouched",

or it can be doubled over itself.

I like having options.

With the extra long cuff on the sleeves,

I can wear them long (over my hand just past my wrist) on those chilly days;

or I can easily push up the sleeves and they stay up.

The pattern features dolman sleeves, which make the sweatshirt extra comfortable.

The forest green hemp French terry fabric from Fancy Tiger Crafts

is a perfect pairing with this pattern.

I'm anxious to sew up another Toaster Sweater in some stretch velour in taupe/cream

that I just ordered from StyleMaker Fabrics.

I stitched the entire sweater on my Baby Lock Serger, no sewing machine required.

(If you don't have cover hem capabilities on your serger,

you will need to use a sewing machine for the topstitching.)

Thank you for visiting.

Please leave a comment about your thoughts or questions.

I really enjoy hearing from my readers.

Have a blessed day.

Sew Over It Penny Dress

Hello sewing friends!

I just stitched up a comfortable summer dress.

Here's a goofy video to share my review of this pattern:

Have you sewn this new Sew Over It pattern yet?

Please leave your take on this pattern in the comment section,

I would love to hear your thoughts.

Have a lovely week.

Serger Sundress

#marthapullenlicensedteacher  #sundress #serger #sewing

Happy May, sewing friends!

This is the May serger pattern that you will receive if you are

in my #sergerclub.

The beautiful gingham fabric and spaghetti bias can

be ordered from Chadwick Heirlooms in Virginia.

No, I do not receive any compensation from Chadwick Heirlooms,

I just know they stock these supplies because I order from them.

😊

I had the mini pom pom trim in my stash, so I used it instead of the

spaghetti bias braid around the bodice/ruffle seam.

Here's the bodice detail.

Those are rows and rows of coverstitches using embroidery thread in the needles.

If you don't have a coverstitch machine, you could achieve a similar effect

on your sewing machine, using a twin needle and embroidery thread.

The back bodice opening has three covered buttons to match the ruffles,

and a big bow.

Covered buttons are so very easy with a covered button kit,

which can be purchased inexpensively at quilt stores or fabric stores.

They add a custom detail to your finished garment.

The ties for that big bow are simply stitched to the top of the side seam.

The techniques we will practice this month are:

Ruffles - using the overlock and/or coverhem

Rolled Hem - using decorative embroidery threads

Topstitching - with the coverhem or sewing machine

My sweet granddaughter is excitedly waiting to wear her new sundress,

but until we meet on May 13 for serger club,

it will be on display at Nuttall's in Layton.

Thanks so much for stopping by today.

Sewing for Self

Hello sewing friends!

Here it is December 24 - Christmas is fast approaching!!!

Sometimes, I feel selfish sewing for myself when it is a season of giving to others.

But I know that's silly!!!

Have you ever given a gift from the heart to a friend or loved one,

only to find out they never used your gift?

I know from Whom my talent comes (James 1:17),

and to show my appreciation

I decided to do some sewing for self this season:

1.  A spring dress

2.  Pajama pants

3.  A bed runner

1.  Summer Jazz Dress pattern by Snapdragon Studios

I'm sorry for not modeling this one, but baby it's COLD outside!

Most likely March will be the month this one gets to emerge from my closet.

I chose a lovely, hand-dyed batik fabric for this version.

It is soft, lightweight, and flowing.  Love that.

I plan to wear it with navy leggings in the spring,

and I'll wear it with 'naked' legs in the summer along with sandals.

C'mon summer!!!

The pattern is pretty straight forward.

The bodice is a separate pattern piece from the skirt,

and a casing is added to the inside front seam between the bodice and skirt.

Then you insert elastic into that front casing to get the gathering under the bust line.

I used a serger rolled hem to finish off the flutter sleeves.

The fit is nice, I did not make any alterations.

Just stay true to your measurements when choosing your size.

Since the dress is not fitted, a bunch of alterations are not necessary.

The back has a pleat at the empire waist seam line.

I chose to omit the inseam pockets.

Can't wait to wear this one.

2.  I ordered the ultimate pyjamas kit from Sew Over It in the UK.

The kit included the pattern, fabric, elastic, and ribbon.

Shipping was quick.

I received my order in just 2 1/2 weeks.

I was going to purchase the digital pattern and just download it,

but I also wanted the brushed cotton plaid fabric,

so I figured I might as well just order the kit.

I also purchased the same fabric in the navy/green color.

I'll use the green fabric to stitch another pair in January.

Can I just tell you - that fabric is delicious!

So glad I purchased two color ways.

Pajama bottoms are so super simple to sew; and this pattern is no different.

I appreciate the added detail of the ribbon in addition to the elastic waist.

The elastic is inserted as usual for an elastic waistband,

but buttonholes are added to the waistband to accommodate the ribbon.

I left the elastic length a little generous - just enough length that the

pajamas sit at my waist without falling down - but then I snug them up with the ribbon.

Great option.

 3.  The Thyme For Friends bed runner was another kit purchase.  This one was from Shabby Fabrics.

My guest room is decorated in lavender and green colors, so this was the perfect addition.

The log cabin blocks went together very quickly.

I used my Block Rockit to quilt the bed runner.  I'm quite pleased with how it turned out.

Merry Christmas Eve and thank you so much for visiting today.