Sewing Vortex

Figuring out your color season is a thing this year in my Get Your Pretty On style group. The 2021 Annual Membership came with some resources to explore what my personal Color Season might be. As I worked through the materials, I  struggled with Bright Winter vs Bright Spring. So, the next day, I spent my coffee time considering my color analysis and photos taken of myself in this last year. (Even though I haven't blogged in the last two years, I'm still sewing, testing and sharing regularly in my FB groups.) I have come to the conclusion that I am a Bright Spring, but that I can pull a bit from Bright Winter, depending on the color/combination. I never thought that I had a warm skin tone, I feel pale and pink. But the evidence is below and it appears that I usually look better in a warmer, brighter color! Go figure! My Style Of Draping: SELFIES! These seem to be my best colors. Bright and saturated, neither too dark nor too light. Left: modified Uvita, Balboa skirt both from I...

We are on the brink of HOLIDAY SEASON. To feed the sewing bug during this time of craziness, it's important that projects be quick, easy and possibly run double duty as gifts.  If this sounds like just what you need this season too, I heartily recommend you check out Itch to Stitch 's newest pattern, Cape Cod Capelet . Whether you are looking for a unique handmade gift, or want to treat yourself to a stylish not-cardigan cover up, Cape Cod Capelet is a great option! What I Made I'm going to shock all of you now and announce that I didn't make a muslin for this. I mean, I did start out intending to, but quickly discovered that it wasn't necessary.  I selected a size M based on the only measurement needed for this pattern: the bust. Cape Cod Capelet is a very loose garment built for layering. There's plenty of ease, yet even shorties like myself are not overwhelmed with too much fabric. Itch to Stitch really has nailed that balance with Cape C...

My wardrobe has a serious lack of solids. They don't make very flashy or exciting garments to share; I find solids can be pretty dull to plan and boring to sew. However, I frequently despair of not having enough solids in my closet. I think the best way to make sewing solids fun is to choose an interesting pattern. Kosice Top & Dress , Itch to Stitch 's newest release has this wonderfully delicate looking neckline, making it very interesting to sew!   Pattern Details I love unique details and a feminine feel without too many frills. Kosice Top & Dress definitely fits that description! It's a little boho, a little peasant blouse and a little button-up shirt ..but not too much... all rolled into one. This pattern is drafted for light weight fabrics with a little more body than you might expect. Like shirting. Rayon can drape beautifully, but it is limp in the body department and can cause drooping through the sleeve seams. Chambray and lawn can be nice c...

Quick. Easy. Versatile. Feminine. Wardrobe-builder.  Spring is springing here in Michigan. I recently went through my closets and pulled out all my warmer weather wear. Sifting through it, I'm realizing I have mostly pretty closet orphans. What I really need to make is some better-than-basic basics. This is where Isidro Top from Itch to Stitch comes into play. Isidro is quick to make, feels great to wear, can be worn a million ways, has great feminine details, but is still basic enough that you can have many, and not look like you are wearing the same top over and over. That's kind of a magical balance. Pattern Details Isidro Top is drafted for knits with 50-75% stretch. Most sizes/views need only 1 yard or less fabric! (only the larger sizes with sleeves need a smidge more... like 1.25 yards) Testers used everything from DBP (like me) to rayon spandex and even light French terry. With some cute details, it's a quick but not boring make that can coordinate wit...