Reading 1820 Blogs Daily!


  • sewing clothes
  • Page 1 of 4 ( posts )
December 6, 2024
WIP Wednesday #156: Let’s make a fleece neck warmer! from Crafty Gemini

If you’re looking for last minute gifts or need to keep your neck warm from frigid temps this is the project for you!

In this episode Vanessa will teach you how to make a quick and stylish neck warmer using just fleece fabric and thread. It’s so easy any beginner can make one and it’s a great scrap buster, too!

Want to get right to the project with a step-by-step tutorial? Watch this version: https://youtu.be/rJA8H4aWs28?si=NpW-fNUcf4t3ufaW

If you have a sewing machine with zigzag capabilities and you’ve never sewn with stretch knit ...

read more
August 22, 2024
WIP Wednesday #143: Tips for Sewing Stretchy Fabric on a Sewing Machine from Crafty Gemini

On today’s episode Vanessa is sharing more tips for sewing stretchy fabrics on a basic home sewing machine. You don’t NEED a serger or overlock machine to get started. She’ll even explain why for some projects she actually prefers to use a sewing machine zig zag stitch over a serger.

• Sign up for Clara Leggings Course: https://craftygemini.com/shop/clara-leggings-video-course/

• Jalie #3887 Clara Leggings Sewing Pattern: https://craftygemini.com/shop/jalie-3887-clara-high-waisted-leggings/

• Techy Tote Online Course: https://craftygemini.com/shop/techytote/

• Signup for the FREE Westchester Dolman Top Course & Sew Along here: https://craftygemini.com/op/westchestersewalong ...

read more
July 31, 2024
July 2024 OMG Finish from Quilt Paint Create

My July OMG was making a shirt from red fabric I bought several years ago. The pattern was Butterick 6170, one of my favorite patterns from the 1990s. I sewed a straight XS, no alterations.

It turned out fine, but I had a lot of trouble with the grown on sleeves. Machine hemming them trashes the drape and causes them to do unflattering things. I ended up hemming them by hand to work around it.

This pattern will go in time out for a while. I’d like to try some different styles.

For all the other OMG finishes, visit ...

read more
July 28, 2024
Sunday Stash July 28, 2024 from Quilt Paint Create

I didn’t add any fabric this week, although I had many buying opportunities. I finished the shirt for almost a yard out. All the shirt details will be in a separate post.

We went to the Greater Ann Arbor Quilt Guild Quilt Show yesterday. Hundreds of great quilts, plus a gift shop and vendors. If you live in the area, the shows continues today from 11am – 5pm at Washtenaw Community College.

While we were out and about after the show, I found a screen printing screen at a thrift shop. That was a first. I’ve wanted to learn ...

read more
July 7, 2024
Sunday Stash July 7, 2024 from Quilt Paint Create

No fabric in this week. I pulled another yard of fabric to donate.

When I was digging through a closet looking for something I found another bin of fabric. I couldn’t bring myself to look through it. I’ll sort it when I do the declutter challenge again in 2025. That has to be the last of it.

In addition to quilting Remember Me, I cut out the red shirt and started sewing it. I need to buy more thread this morning. I use neutral thread for piecing and either rayon or polyester thread for quilting. As I use ...

read more
July 4, 2024
July 2024 Short List and OMG from Quilt Paint Create

It’s now the second half of the year. I’m happy with what I’ve completed so far, yet it feels a bit unbalanced. The rest of the year could use a wider variety of projects.

I finished stitching and framed Summer Flowers in June, then started a new stitch project.

I began The Short List many years ago to create short-term goals and a way to focus. I change things up as my priorities and interests change.

Project 1 (Stitching): Peace on Earth by Cottage Garden Samplings. This is the first I’ve stitched one of their patterns ...

read more
June 20, 2024
WIP Wednesday #134- My finished Ranunculus & Tips for working with Stretch Knit Fabric from Crafty Gemini

Join us for a chat all about working with stretch knit fabrics! Vanessa will be sharing tips and things to look for so you can choose the perfect fabric for your next garment sewing project.

Vanessa will also be going over the Jalie Bobbie v-neck t-shirt pattern, that we are making this month as a part of her latest sew along. Tune in to find out what you need to get started, what’s included in the course, fabric suggestions, etc.

This project is SUPER beginner friendly and can be made on a basic sewing machine with zig zag capability ...

read more
June 14, 2024
Choices from Quilt Paint Create

I’ve made baby steps forward pairing the shirt fabrics with patterns.

Although I chose a pattern for the blue fabric, I’m undecided. Looking at the view in the top left, the off the shoulder style concerns me. I’m not one to walk around with my bra straps showing. I would have to wear a cardigan or jacket and keep it on.

For the red fabric I chose an old favorite. It’s between one of the middle views, although I wouldn’t do the color blocking.

I’m also considering a long term stitch project, most likely ...

read more
June 9, 2024
Sunday Stash June 9, 2024 from Quilt Paint Create

No change in the numbers.

There’s been a lot of thinking about new projects here. I pulled a couple cuts of clothing fabric out of stash for a second project to alternate with quilting Remember Me.

The red fabric is a woven from Fabric Mart. The blue fabric is a knit from Field’s Fabric. I have enough of both the make a shirt, but haven’t matched the fabrics to patterns yet.

I’m hoping a second project will motivate me to sew more.

Fabric In: 11 yards

Fabric out: 16.375 yards

Net Fabric Used: 5.375 ...

read more
May 16, 2024
WIP Wednesday #131- Sewing with Stretch Knits & Ladies Top Sew Along from Crafty Gemini

Struggling sewing with stretch knits? This is the show for you! Vanessa is sharing all sorts of tips and tricks to sew with stretch knits fabric.

Tune in to WIP Wednesday #131 to hear all about Vanessa’s sew along for this beginner friendly knit top for women. Pattern includes sizes S- 3XL. We’ll be making the Westchester Dolman Top! It’s a perfect first garment pattern!

• Sign up for the FREE Westchester Dolman Top Course & Sew Along here: https://craftygemini.com/op/westchestersewalong/

• Get everything you need to make the Westchester Dolman Top: https://craftygemini.com/product-category/featured ...

read more
May 9, 2024
WIP Wednesday #130- FREE Ladies Knit Top Sew Along & Answering Questions from Crafty Gemini

Tune in to WIP Wednesday #130 to hear all about Vanessa’s sew along for this beginner friendly knit top for women. Pattern includes sizes S- 3XL. We’ll be making the Westchester Dolman Top! It’s a perfect first garment pattern!

• Signup for the FREE Westchester Dolman Top Course & Sew Along here: https://craftygemini.com/op/westchestersewalong/

• Get everything you need to make the Westchester Dolman Top: https://craftygemini.com/product-category/featured/

What we’re covering:

0:23 – Welcome to WIP Wednesday!

1:42 – Intro to the Westchester Dolman Top

4:18 – The Westchester Dolman Top pattern + sizes

10 ...

read more
March 7, 2024
WIP Wednesday #123: QuiltCon Haul, Answering your Sewing Questions from Crafty Gemini

In this show Vanessa will show the couple of things she bought at QuiltCon 2024 in Raleign, NC and answer some of your pre-submitted sewing questions.

Tune in LIVE and hear Vanessa’s tips and answers to viewer questions!

• Sign up for email updates: https://craftygemini.com/newsletter/

• Get your FREE Beginner Garment Sewing Tips & Tricks PDF here: https://craftygemini.com/op/garment-sewing-freebie/

What we’re covering:

0:38 – QuiltCon Haul, including:

1:41 – Ruby Star Society

3:32 – Stitch Supply Co

4:40 – GE Designs

6:00 – E Bond from Free Spirit

9:41 – Latifah Saafir

13:24 – Riley ...

read more
February 29, 2024
WIP Wednesday #122- Raw Edge Reverse Applique Demo- Hoodie Embellishment from Crafty Gemini

Join us for WIP Wednesday! In this show Vanessa is doing a demo on how she uses a raw edge reverse applique technique to add a fun embellishment and texture to a fleece hoodie.

Tune in LIVE and hear Vanessa’s tips and answers to viewer questions!

• Get your FREE Beginner Garment Sewing Tips & Tricks PDF here: https://craftygemini.com/op/garment-sewing-freebie/

• Hoodie Making Course: https://craftygemini.com/shop/jalie-4131-laurent-t-shirt-pullover-and-hoodie-video-course/

• Order the sewing pattern we’ll be using: https://craftygemini.com/shop/jalie-4131-laurent-sewing-pattern-only/

What we’re covering:

0:03 – Welcome to WIP Wednesday

1:30 – Hoodie demo intro + choosing fabrics ...

read more
February 26, 2024
Week 8 of 2024 from Thread Head

This week I sewed a little jacket out of leftover French Terry from a project I had made years ago.
The pattern is from Lutterloh - a vintage reproduction #77 from supplement 320 Spring 2021. I modified it by making it out of a knit (when sewing a Lutterloh pattern designed for woven out of a knit we are told to go down a few sizes - I could have made mine smaller), I added length to the body and the sleeves, made the collar a bit smaller, the sleeves a bit narrower towards the wrists, placed the back on the fold ...

read more
February 15, 2024
WIP Wednesday #121- Answering questions about the Jalie Laurent sewing pattern & course from Crafty Gemini

If you want to finally make comfortable clothes that fit this is the course for you! Bring your questions as she will be answering questions LIVE as well!

In this episode of WIP Wednesday Vanessa is answering any questions you have about the Jalie 4131 Laurent sewing pattern and online video course!

If fears and doubts are holding you back from beginning (or restarting!) your garment sewing journey we can help! Tune in today and learn how Vanessa’s straight forward teaching approach has helped thousands of students over the years. You can sew clothes, too!

Tune in LIVE and ...

read more
February 8, 2024
WIP Wednesday #120: I want to sew clothes! Where do I start? from Crafty Gemini

Have you ever thought “I want to sew clothes but I’m not sure where to start”? Then this is the video for you! In this episode of WIP Wednesday Vanessa is answering a bunch of pre-submitted questions about sewing clothes!

If fears and doubts are holding you back from beginning (or restarting!) your garment sewing journey we can help! Tune in today and learn how Vanessa’s straight forward teaching approach has helped thousands of students over the years. You can sew clothes, too!

Some of the questions she’ll be answering include:

• What basic sewing supplies do I ...

read more
September 21, 2023
WIP Wednesday #106: How to use a twin needle, fabric grain lines and more! from Crafty Gemini

In this WIP Wednesday episode Vanessa will be discussing:

– How to use a twin needle in your sewing machine

– Cutting pattern pieces on grain or along width of fabric

– A Charlie Bomber Jacket course sale (this week only!)

Submit your own question to be answered on a future WIP Wednesday here: https://forms.gle/D2qMCVJxfAgJHvWb7

What we’re covering:

0:53 – Using a twin needle

5:49 – Different types of twin needles

10:44 – Threading a twin needle

19:26 – Hemming with a twin needle

20:56 – Do the threads in a twin needle get twisted?

23:04 – Ironing knits ...

read more
August 17, 2023
WIP Wednesday #102: NEW Cardigan Sewing Class for Beginners is OPEN! from Crafty Gemini

On this episode of WIP Wednesday Vanessa is answering all your questions about her NEW cardigan sewing class for beginners! Tune in and see if this class is for you.

If you have a sewing machine that can sew straight and zig zag stitches this would be the perfect beginner sewing course for you! You will be able to make this cardigan and it will be wearable! Just follow along with Vanessa’s clear and concise step-by-step video instructions.

Join the course here: https://craftygemini.com/shop/jalie-karine-raglan-cardigan-video-course/

The pattern for this course is sold separately. If you need sizes ...

read more
July 12, 2023
WIP Wednesday #97: Crossbody Bag Course, NEW boxy pouch tutorial, NEW Sewing Retreat and more! from Crafty Gemini

In this WIP Wednesday episode Vanessa will be discussing:

– NEW Labor Day weekend bag sewing retreat (fill out this form to enter the lottery: https://forms.gle/gfe2deFs5XtwcAUT6)

– The progress she’s made on the summer camp quilt for her daughter

– How she prototypes new tutorials (a boxy zip pouch is in the works!)

– A new cardigan pattern she made up & thoughts (new class coming!)

– How to determine how much stretch a knit fabric has

Submit your own question to be answered on a future WIP Wednesday here: https://forms.gle/D2qMCVJxfAgJHvWb7

What we’re covering:

1:11 – Westchester Dolman ...

read more
January 27, 2023
What Next? from Quilt Paint Create

The challenge quilt has been my focus, but it no longer has a deadline. The group will not submit quilts to AQS this year after several members had a whole lot of life happen recently, not in a good way. Maybe next year.

My attention switched back to the pinwheel quilt, which should be finished in the next week. I will continue working on the challenge quilt (note to self – come up with a real name), but I need another project. The creative possibilities for the challenge increased when the time constraints disappeared. Sounds like an opportunity to experiment.

Sticking ...

read more
  • sewing clothes
  • Page 1 of 4 ( 61 posts )