I've got a new DIY bow tie sewing pattern in the shop, that shows you how to make a skinny bow tie with a vintage style clip in the back. There's two different variations included in the patter: one for women when a long hanging tie, and one for men without the hanging tie. They are pretty quick and easy to make, with only a tiny amount of fabric, which makes them pretty addictive.
The pattern is based on the really cute vintage bowties that are super skinny and minimal. They sew up well with either a silky style fabric or nice cotton. I also like perusing the thrift store for shirts/pants/dresses made out of interesting fabrics that I can repurpose, since so little fabric is needed. They have been a good way to use up old fabric remnants I have laying around my craft room too.
The pattern is written for all skill levels, and covers all of the basics, like how to add a buttonhole. Also, I did some research on where to buy the bowtie clips and found that you can pick up a dozen of them for pretty cheap over at B. Black and Sons.
I stumbled across this baby blanket pattern over at Purl Soho. I love the mixing of sewing and crochet! And this would be super quick and easy to make as a baby gift. Purl has the detailed pattern, but basically you just have to hem the edges of the blanket then crochet the border around, using 3 single crochets and chain stitch.
And while Purl recommends their fabric, which is fabulous, it's also pretty expensive. I researched some alternatives over at fabric.com and found some adorable flannel prints that would be perfect for a little baby. Here are some of my favorites. How adorable are those pink giraffes!! Ahh!
Edit: I just bought the giraffe fabric and will be picking up some yarn from purl next week. So excited to make this!
I've been trying to spruce up my apartment a little, and decided that my bedroom is looking pretty bleak in all black, white and gray. To add a bit of color, I figured it's about time to start my first, full sized quilt, and what better way to add color than use some pretty Liberty of London prints.
I went to peruse Purl Soho for some inspiration and they have these little Liberty bundles of fabric. I'm going to pick up the rainbow bundle, and supplement, if necessary, with some tiny busy prints that I pick up elsewhere.
I'm trying to decide on a final pattern for the quilt. I've been eyeing patches like the Oceans Wave, Flying Duchman, and Flying Geese. I'm probably going to use a muslin for the contrasting colors, paired with the Liberty prints to make it a soft beige to lighten up the room a bit.
I like the look of the finished Oceans Wave, which I stumbled upon on the Timeless Reflections blog. I'm still debating though, and put together an excel spreadsheet to quickly mock up some quilt patches, combining different ones in different arrangements. It's pretty neat and I'll post it soon....
As you've probably guessed from my (sorta) recent pattern-testing posts, I've had a new shop in the works. And, it's finally open! It's called I Make It; You Make It and has digital PDF sewing patterns and tutorials. The patterns are mostly fashion related with a vintage-inspired twist. Through the years, fashionable sewing patterns have been hard to come by, which generally led me to creating my own patterns. Now I've been digitizing them, and writing up easy-to-follow, detailed instructions with photos to go along with the patterns.
As a follower of the blog, take 20% off any of the patterns by entering GRANDOPENING when you checkout, available until June 25th. You can have a looksy at the DIY sewing patterns in the shop, or sign up to get an email whenever a new pattern comes out (about once a month).
The Patterns
Right now the shop includes:
A men's bowtie that is custom-fit to the wearer and closes with a hook and eye in the back.
A women's turban made from a stretchy knit that wraps around for a custom fit
In New York, it's finally spring-like out and my mind has suddenly started to drift towards chambray dresses, bright colors and pastel shoes and pants. And for the first time in months I was able to get out of the house without tights and a big heavy coat. yay, spring! even though the winter hasn't been too harsh, I'm super excited about pulling out my spring clothes from storage (it's always a surprise) and buying new stuff. I've already bought 3 new pairs of sandals! For spring fashion inspiration, I was perusing the steven alan spring 2012 look book and thought how pretty and simple everything was.
Or, I think A lot of these pieces could easily be made. Especially the chambray shirt dress, blue shift dress, striped tee, or the green dress. I think the patterns could easily be whipped up by the slopers and instructions included in the Built By Wendy Dresses book. I actually am 95% finished with a shirt dress identical to the first picture that I made with the BBW book, but in a blue and white striped seersucker fabric. Maybe it's time I finally finished it!
Leggings are popping up everywhere, and I love how fun they are! It's like having crazy pants and leisure pants, all built into one. Below are some of my favorites to buy, or if you're feeling crafty, here's a list of DIY leggings patterns to show you how to make your own leggings!
P.S. now I've got silly ZZ Top stuck in my head. When I was about 7, for some reason the She's Got Legs video translated for me "what it meant to be a woman". Lacy socks + heels. I saw the video and thought, I've got socks like that! I ran and put on my sunday school ruffle socks and a pair of my mom's heels, and wore them around the house thinking, So this is what it feels like.
P.P.S. speaking of heels...i am SO excited...I just spent the most amount of $ I ever have on a pair of shoes, and bought these PINK swedish hasbeens. I've wanted some for forever, and I couldn't resist 20% off via A Cup Of Jo with code ACUPOFJO.
This sewing tutorial explains how to make a pocket, gives you a pocket pattern, and tells you how to add an in-seam pocket to any dress (or pants, or anything really), making it SO MUCH MORE USEFUL. Pockets are essential, otherwise, where are you going to hide your hands and uneaten snacks?
Keep reading for the pocket pattern/tutorial, or you can check out my other DIY patterns.
Step 1: Print out the pocket pattern (And start hoarding your snacks)
Download and print out the pocket pattern; cut out 4 pocket pieces. (the pattern stretches a little into the margins — sorry, i like big pockets!)
Step 2: Rip those Seams
Beginning about 3 inches below the natural waistline, start ripping the seam until you have a 10" hole. **Note, this is your natural waistline, which is much higher than where your pants waistline is. Your natural waistline is a few inches above your belly button.
Step 3: Sew your Pockets
Place 1 pocket piece on the front of the skirt, right sides together, 3.5" below the natural waistline, lining up the edge of the pocket with the edge of your skirt. Pin in place. Now do the same thing on the back of the skirt, pin another pocket piece, in the same location (also, right sides together).
Step 4: Start Stitching
Stitch the front pocket to the front of the skirt, using 3/8” seam allowance. Stitch the back pocket to the back of the skirt the same way. (You are using a 3/8” seam allowance so that in the end, your pocket fabric actually starts a little inside the skirt seam allowance…making it invisible from the outside)
Step 5: Press
Press the seam open...
Step 6: Press again
...then fold over the pocket and press it flat.
Step 7: Stitch all the way around
Turn your skirt inside out. With front and back skirt pieces right sides together, stitch along the seams and around the pockets using 5/8” seam allowance…in one continuous stitching line. Make sure your seam allowance matches the existing skirt seam allowance, and stitch over the existing side seams at the top and bottom just a bit to make sure everything is put back together nicely.
Step 8: Clip and snip
Clip into the seams where the pockets join the skirt. (This makes your seams lie flat without any bunching.)
Step 9: Finish things up
Press side seams open. Turn right side out.
Now, repeat steps 2-9 for the other side of the skirt.
Now fill them up with stuff!
EDIT: Thanks to all of my volunteers! Right now I've gotten enough participants for this wallet pattern, but if you're interested in future projects, email me and I'll let you know when the next pattern is available.
hey guys! i've got a new project up my sleeve and am looking for beginner/intermediate sewers interested in testing some digital sewing patterns, in exchange for the pattern. i'm going to have a few of these patterns coming out soon, and you're welcome to test out one or many.
Requirements
you are a beginner/intermediate sewing
you have a sewing machine and the other materials listed below
you'll need to take a photo of your finished product and email it to me within a 7-14 days
you'll need to fill out a short questionnaire with detailed feedback about the pattern within 7-14 days
The Pattern
You can sign up to be notified of future patterns available for testing. right now, the pattern being tested is this simple wallet. it uses very little material, and is completely stitched up with just 3 short stitches! and the material is not your usual fabric - you'll want something with edges that do not fray. things like: a repurposed 'stiff plastic' shopping bag, oilcloth, repurposed tablecloth, leather, suede, stiff felt, laminated paper, or if you're in a pinch just use plain paper.
Materials
sewing maching
notions: scissors, thread, pins
home printer, 8.5x11 paper, tape, ruler
'fabric' 1/4" wide. see above for a description
How To Sign Up
send me an email at acommonthreadshop gmail com letting me know your level of sewing experience, and if you've had experience reading sewing patterns in the past. from there, i'll send you over the wallet pattern!
i have a slight fascination with detachable collars, and with fall/winter approaching thought they would be adorable to make in a fun faux fur leopard print. you could use the same diy detachable collar tutorial (with the same or different pattern) and just use faux fur instead of cotton. they look great in the peter pan pattern, or minimal pointed shirt collar style. here are some inspiring ones:
lately, i've been making a bit of progress on grandma's quilt. after taking it over to my friend's house for an evening of quilting + dinner, i ambitiously thought i could draw out the fans, lay the pieces out and baste the 'quilt sandwich' together in the span of 3-4 hours. after 4 hours and i'd barely been able to draw out 1 row of fans i knew i needed to re-evaluate. this thing is HUGE. also, that clover water soluble blue marker only drew about 2 rows before it gave out completely.
the next day, i headed over to one of the only quilt stores in NYC, the city quilter, and picked up some water soluble mechanical fabric pencils (one in white; one in gray). the markings from these aren't as dark, but i was able to mark the whole rest of the quilt using just a few leads.
the first 2 pictures are the clover marker marks, and the second the mechanical pencil. i ended up drawing the fans using this little cardboard guide. i made it by cutting a long strip of cardboard, drawing out a straight line down the center, and then stabbing it to make little holes every inch. the first hole at the bottom is the anchor (and i'd stick a pin through it and never pick it up till all of the fans were drawn), then i'd stick my pencil in each hole, one at a time and swing it around, drawing the arcs.
i made my template with the largest arc at 13". i'm realizing most people stop at 8". my quilting hoop is only about 11" so i have to do some partial arcs sometimes. i'd go with 8" next time.
also, 2 straight days of marking this quilt, i came across this amazing blog, with instructions on how to freehand baptist fans. which i may try the next time. marking these things seriously was the worst.
however, in the end it's turning out pretty well. i've quilted a few fans so far and all seems to be going well. i even love the fans on the plain muslin. you can really see how they stick out. i'm realizing this is going to take MONTHS to finish though. yikes.
this DIY detachable collar pattern shows you how to make a peter pan collar with just a little bit of fabric and a ribbon. one thing i love is a good peter pan collar. obviously since i've mentioned this several times now. the best is making a portable one to mix and match with dresses or blouses or even tees. here are some of my favorites...
the detachable peter pan collar pattern comes in 2 different styles: mini peter pan collar and the pointy detachable collar. Both printable collar patterns are available in an 11 page booklet full step-by-step instructions, pictures, and sewing tips in the shop. You can read below for a description for a quick tutorial and an overview of the collar instructions, if you have your own pattern.
Materials & Supplies
* Pattern: mini peter pan, pointy collar, or your own
* 1/4 yard of fabric (cotton or a lightweight woven)
* Optional: 1/4 yard of light-med fusible interfacing
* 2 feet of ribbon (I used about 1/4” grosgrain)
* Notions: thread, scissors, tailors chalk, pins, needle
* Tools: home printer & 8.5" x 11" or A4 paper, sewing machine, iron
DIY Tutorial: How To Make The Collar
Step 1.
print out or make your own collar pattern. this pattern is designed to fit really close to your neck, to overlay high-necked dresses and blouses. if you want a deeper neck collar, or one that is perfectly fit to a specific neckline you have in mind, you can make your own pattern. just lay paper over the neckline of your shirt/dress, and trace around half of the collar (mid front, around the side to mid back), extend it out about 2.5” and round your front collar edge.
Step 2.
cut out your fabric and interfacing. double your main fabric, right sides together, and cut out 2 of the collar patterns (with the doubled fabric, that makes 4 pattern pieces). Optional: if you're using interfacing, then double your interfacing, right sides together, and cut out 1 pattern piece (which results in 2 interfacing collars). Iron your interfacing to 2 of your collar pieces
Step 3.
with right sides together,stitch 2 of the collar pieces at the back seams with a 1/2” seam allowance. repeat for the other 2 collar pieces. press seams open (important! don’t skip that!) and finish your seams (i cut them with pinking shears.) now you should have 2 pieces (complete upper and complete under collars)
Step 4.
pin your upper and under collars, right sides together. also, sandwich your ribbon in between the 2 layers, making sure to only catch the edge of the ribbon in the corner seam. the left collar edge in the photo above is flipped back so you can see the placement of the ribbon, and the right collar edge is what it will look like after you place the collar on top.
Step 5.
stitch all around the edges of the collar with a 1/2” seam allowance. make sure to leave a gap of about 2” to turn.
Step 6.
trim your edges to 1/4". clip curves and trim across corners. press seams open.
Step 7.
turn your collar right side out (through the hole) and use something sharp (a turning stick if you have one, otherwise a chopstick or knitting needle works great) to go all along the edges and especially corners to make sure it’s completely turned out all of the way. press flat.
Step 8.
hand stitch up the hole that you used to turn the collar using a blindstitch. basically just keep stitching the hole with the placement i have the needle above (where your thread stays on the inside and is invisible from the outside). if you need more guidance, here’s a nice short blindstitch video.
Step 9.
topstitch all along the edges. you’re done!
this collar is pretty basic, but there are so many variations you could do.
make it in a bright print fabric
use a contrasting thread for topstitching
make it oversized
make the edges scalloped
if you make the collar, let me know! send me photos! and you can also check out my other patterns and tutorials.
since summer probably going to be winding down a bit soon, i'm looking for nice transitional outfits to seamlessly blend into slightly chillier fall weather. style-wise, fall is my absolute favorite season. this summer, i've loved the maxi dresses and maxi skirts, and i think they can move their way into fall pretty easily, just by adding a cropped jacket, boots and maybe a more substantial purse/satchel.
looking around the internet, i bookmarked so many cute and transitional maxi dresses from my-wardrobe. my favorite things are: the styling, the prints, the cuts and the fabrics. i think you could take any simple maxi dress pattern (or even a mini-dress that you extend) and make it out of an interesting print, and have it look spectacular. you can't see it but the zig-zaggy one above is just a simple tank at the top. and i LOVE the shape of the shirt dress extended to maxi length.
this idea for this next one is amazing. it's like wearing a gigantic cashmere sweatshirt. like a snuggy, but beautiful. i think wearing something like this in public would be the equivalent of daytime pajamas. and the last, again, i love prints and especially tie-dye. so great for summer-to-fall.
the patterns...
so after getting inspiration from those pieces, i pulled some of my favorite patterns. the easiest way, of course, is to find a dress pattern already in maxi-length...although, i think the selection of those may be a bit more limited. another approach is to find a suitable shorter length dress and easily modify the pattern to make it maxi-length. this opens up the door for so many more pattern possibilities.
of course, burdastyle has a dress for everything. the first is a very elegant and regal looking maxi dress, slightly reminiscent of what an 8 year old would wear to a christmas party...for adults. the next one is just a basic shirt dress pattern, which would need to be modified slightly to make it long (not hard!). there's also a great basic shirt dress pattern in the Built By Wendy dress book too.
next are the vogue maxi patterns. ok, looking at the illustration of the first one, i cringe. but then once i squint to avoid the stepford face, and think 'cashmere, not 101 dalmatian print' things start to look a little brighter. i think it could definitely come out looking like the madeleine thompson version. and the second one is a bit dressy, but could be the perfect maxi dress! and finally, a simple tank dress would be pretty simple to make from a basic sloper, or a basic tank pattern, like this one at burda.
what are your favorite maxi or maxi-convertible patterns?
