What Are Quilters Blogging About Today?

We’re finally ready to finish our Simple Pull-On Skirt with a double hem!

This hemming technique is very popular because it is a very easy way to conceal all the raw edges to create a strong hem with no fraying edges.

It’s also pretty simple because you just need to turn and press the hem under twice, then topstitch and you’re done!

Next up we are going to work on the Simple A-line Skirt. This pattern introduces some new techniques like following a pattern, sewing darts and using interfacing to create a flat-front waistband.

If you’re ...

In today’s video we will be attaching the lining to the skirt and sewing a casing to fit in the elastic waistband.

The way Stephanie Brennan has chosen to attach the lining is super simple and the elastic casing will also close in all the raw edges, so there won’t be any stray threads poking out with wear or washing.

If you haven’t gotten your lining yet any lightweight woven cotton will work. We suggest this solid from Paintbrush Studio. It is extra drapey and very smooth to touch: https://shop.quiltaddictsanonymous.com/product/painters-palette-rice-paper-for-paintbrush-studio-fabrics/

For the ...

In today’s video you will be learning how to sew a French seam. I know the word “French” immediately makes it sound intimidating, but I promise it’s super easy.

A French seam is basically a seam that you sew twice to enclose all of the raw edges. It’s a great way to create professional looking finish and a strong seam that will hold up to multiple washings.

Plus, it means that there will be no frayed edges even if you don’t have a serger. And it looks a lot nicer than pinking the edges.

Make sure ...

In today’s video we’re going to cover how to cut the skirt panels for the Simple Pull-On Skirt using the measurements we got in our previous video Transferring the Body Measurements to the Fabric.

Make sure you watch that video and our video on How to Measure a Body for Clothing here before you start cutting: https://www.quiltaddictsanonymous.com/introtogarmentsewing/

The skirt Stephanie Brennan is making on camera is for my daughter, so we only need one panel for her skirt. But most adults will need two to three panels depending on your hip width, so make ...

The last skillset you absolutely have to have to make garments is learning how to measure a body. We’re going to show you how in this video demonstrating the techniques on three different body types so you have the knowledge you need to get the correct measurements on yourself.

Starting with accurate measurements that were taken correctly, and in the right spot, are very important in creating a garment that fits you perfectly.

Accurate measurements also help you determine which size to make. Like pants at the department store, there is no standard sizes for garment patterns.

You need ...

Figuring out which fabric to use for your garment project is more complicated than finding a print you like. You can to make sure the fabric substrate is suitable for the pattern you want to make.

In today’s video we’ll talk about the difference between quilting and garment fabric, let you know which fabric manufacturers’ substrates, or base cotton, would work for the skirt patterns in this course and introduce you to cotton lawn, which can be used in quilts or garments.

We also cover which fabrics absolutely will not work for the Intro to Garment Sewing course ...

Today’s blogpost takes you through making an entire blouse, which presser feet I use on my Janome (I’m a brand ambassador and compensated, but I’d say all this good stuff anyway…they rock!) m7Continental, why and offer tips and tricks for garment ...

I've been having a lot of fun participating in sewing challenges this year. I made something in February for the #bhmpatterndesigners challenge (you can read about my Hug Hoodie here) and in March, I decided to play along with Ruan (@theyorkshiresewgirl) and Sam (@frugalisama) for #sewfrugal22. The goal of this challenge is to:

1. Pick a free pattern
2. Choose a fabric from your stash
3. Make the project during the month of March
4. Post a picture of your make on Instagram, tagging both Ruan and Sam, and using the #sewfrugal22 hashtag.

Itch-to-Stitch released a new pattern recently - the Carmo Top - which I found out via their newsletter. When I saw the tester versions, I knew I was going to purchase the pattern and make one for myself at some point before the end of the Winter. But then I saw Megan's video on YouTube (Megan was a tester and I'm a subscriber to her Channel - check her out!), the pattern jumped at the top of the list!

The Pattern Features

Most of the Itch-to-Stitch patterns that I've been interested in are what I would call "basics with a ...

I'm back to the blog today with a pattern review and my entry to the #BHMPatternDesigners challenge organized by Nateida from Sew Natural Dane. To participate in the challenge, you have to make something from a black pattern designer during the month of February and post your make to Instagram using the hashtag #BHMPatternDesigners. The entry doesn't need to be a garment - could be a knitted project, a quilt, a bag... anything! 

For my entry, I decided to make a sweater with the pattern Hug Hoodie by Made It Patterns.

This was my second time using the pattern ...

I went through my cool weather patterns recently and thought it would be fun to make a list of my favourite ones and share it with you!

When making the list, I had these criteria:

• The pattern needed to be appropriate for a beginner
• I had made a garment from it multiple times
• I wore the garments often

The Blackwood Cardigan by Helen's Closet

I made 4 cardigans from this pattern - one short and three long. This is probably ...

I'm always looking for cute and professional tops now that I'm working from home (there are currently no plans to send us back to the office) and I think I found a really good one in the True Romance Bishop Sleeve Top by Pattern Emporium.

This is a boatneck top with many different sleeve finishes - 5 in fact - and 4 different hems. You can make this top with a bottom band at the waist, at the hips, leave it unbanded or simply turn the hem up like you would a tee.

I made the dramatic cuffed sleeves with ...

I'm back! I sort of lost my sewjo last Fall due to new responsibilities at work and being extra tired at the end of the day. But the 2 weeks off over the Holidays did wonders for my energy levels and my desire to start sewing again. I even made a few things as gifts for Christmas!

I thought I would kick off 2022 by making some plans... some Make Nine plans to be exact. This challenge (and hashtag) has been all over Instagram the last few years and I really wanted to play along this year.

Without further ...

Another new make on the Janome M7 using various stitches and features to make a great dress perfect! I found a link to a free blouse pattern on the Australian Peppermint Magazine on Spoonflower. Following the trail of cookie crumbs (or thread bits), I then found the Wide-Strap Maxi dress pattern, which is a free PDF download. They ask if you’d like to make a donation to support the cost of the site, so I did, and I GOT A THANK YOU! Nice! Click on the pattern name or here for the hotlink. Along the way I took pictures ...

I've done the Cielo Top by Closet Core Patterns three times now. The first one wasn't a great success - the fabric choice was all wrong. The second one was much more successful and I've been wearing it regularly so really wanted to make another.

Pattern Details:

The Cielo Top and Dress by Closet Core Patterns came out a couple ...

My little brother turned 50 yesterday and over the weekend, his wife organized a small family backyard party. I really wanted a casual dress for the event and decided to make myself the Sunday Romper by Love Notions.

The fabric is a pencil navy stripe from The Fabric Snob. It's doing all kinds of weird things to the pictures and to my computer screen, but it's an amazing fabric! It's really, really comfortable and it sews up beautifully.

Before I started sewing my own garments, I was never a fan of button-up shirts on me. I've always been busty and in order for there to be no gaping at the bust, I always needed to size up and then the fit was all wrong at the shoulders. Of course, sewing my own clothes means I could remedy that and make myself a few nice shirts. 

For my second attempt at a shirt, I chose to use the Itch-to-Stitch Bonn shirt pattern.

Pattern Details:

The Bonn hasn't yet been updated in Itch-to-Stitch's full size range - it ...

The Antrim Dress by Itch-to-Stitch had been on my list of garments to make since it's release. I love crossover bodices and the full skirt really looked awesome and I thought would look really nice on me. I purchased inexpensive ITY fabric from Minerva.com some time ago and decided this past weekend was the time!

I completed my second Spring/Summer capsule outfit over the weekend: the Itch-to-Stitch Tierras Joggers and Newport Top.

The Tierras Joggers pattern is very similar to the Arden Pants pattern I love so much - elastic waistband, side pockets and straight legs, but the rise on the Tierras is lower, which I personally find more comfortable. These hit me about 2 inches below the belly button and will be perfect to wear with the tops I've made that finish at my high hips.

They are a tiny bit long for me so I rolled them up to right above the ...

My very first Me Made May challenge is over now and I loved taking part. Not only did I have a great time carefully choosing my me-made garments and outfits every day, I also got so much inspiration from all the other participants. I found a few new sewists to follow on Instagram and also found a few new patterns to add to my wish list.

I'll recap the me-made garments I wore during the last week of the challenge and then list the things I learned or want to focus on moving forward in my garment sewing journey ...