Sewing Vortex

Nothing say "SUMMER" in my opinion, quite like a go-to pair of shorts. Around here, summers get hot, sticky. When air is thick with humidity, it's hard to move and pants or jeans are just not realistic. You need a good pair of shorts! Itch to Stitch has just released the Hermosa Shorts , and it ticks all my boxes for shorts this summer.   Pattern Details Hermosa Shorts is classically designed shorts pattern with a little twist on the traditional details. I made my version from stretch denim, but they are definitely more interesting than your standard "jean shorts". I especially love the high waistband, which makes them flattering and stylish. There's no shortage of options for Hermosa Shorts . Zip or button fly and 3 lengths so you can make shorts you feel good wearing. The lengths for each leg are drafted individually, giving you the right amount of taper in the leg for the length you choose. Check out the announce post HERE to see all the d...

At 10:07pm the plane lands. There is no Welcome Party to greet me. In fact, I am alone. The Triplets: My Little Brother, The Original, Fat Singer Though air conditioning was promised, my accommodations are muggy and dank. Is that the sound of crickets in the distance? No, just the sheers trimming away the bulk. I see The Triplets waiting patiently and I give Fat Singer a mistrustful side-eye. We've never done business before. She offers little guidance and I'm unsure where to draw the line. By 11pm, she has me seeing double. The hum of machinery drones on in the background, but any coolness it pumps out is negated by the heat of concentration on my brow. "I've got a bad vibe over here!" My Little Brother spat at me through the din. "Suck it up, Buttercup," I retort, "This is no time to be falling apart!" Two hours in and it is finally time for some back-half action. The pace quickens. 27 piec...

I'm really exited to share Itch To Stitch's newest patter with you today: Belize Shorts and Skort . This is a wonderful, quick shorts project with several detail variations that you will want to make over and over. In the week long testing phase, I made 3 pairs without having to rush or rearrange my free time. I'm going to just jump in and tell you about them because I have several more versions I want to get made THIS week! Version# 1, Half Moon At Noon: View C (no skirts or pockets). My hips measured in between a 6 and an 8 on this pattern, closer to the 8, so I sized up for this nylon fabric that has no stretch at all. This version has a very loose fit through the thigh and hip, but because the elastic is customizable, they sit firmly right where they should at my natural waist. I can walk, play with the dog or lounge on the couch comfortably without having to pull my pants back into place. The first thing my Non Sewing Friends had to say about this version was that th...

During the last Itch-To-Stitch sale, I grabbed myself a copy of Emily Culottes . I don't know what drew me to the pattern. I mean, I've always dismissed the trend as Not For Me. All I know is I was standing in Joann's, buying a length of lovely Nicole Miller floral twill and thinking, "This needs to be culottes." The pattern has several different options. I decided I wanted the pleated front for extra swishy skirtishness as well as the welt pockets.  Choosing welt pockets means you jump in immediately to some slow and precise stitching. I may or may not have accidentally fused my interfacing over a marking pin. Oops. No worries, I removed it without difficulty.  I am no stranger to welt pockets, having made several over the years, but for some reason I just could not envision how these would come out. I think the reason is two-fold: 1. I've always used a two piece pocket bag. This pattern has a 1 piece bag that folds back on itself once i...