Garment Sewing Finishes

The last few weeks have been busy with visits with our grandkids and children.

I like to have lots of time to plan and contemplate when I work on quilts.

But garment sewing is different for me. I can pick it up and sew a bit in spare minutes.

McCalls patterns were on sale this week for $2 each. I bought five patterns - four for tops for me.

This llama knit was on sale, too. Then I went in search of stretch needles and twin needles for my sewing machine. In no time at all this knit top was finished. I love the fit and it was very easy to make.

A new pattern, McCalls 8115, I changed the back and sleeves. I left out the elastic in the back and made the sleeves longer.

This top was made from my fabric stash. I bought the fabric to make a maxi dress many years ago.

I used about half of the fabric to make Butterick 5999, view A.

The fabric is light weight and presses easily. I think I will wear it often.

Same top on a hanger.

Another easy top to make.

I shared this one last week.

This is the second time I have made this pattern and it was easier the second time.

New Look 6374, modified view D.

I tried two new patterns this past week.

Thinking about going back to My Small World quilt.

But wait! I have ordered some cute crossstitch kits from DMC.com.

I will share when they are delivered. Look forward to some hand sewing while I watch TV. 

This and That

I've been doing a little of this and a little of that since I last posted here.

One of our local fabric shops is going out of business and having a great fabric sale.

I bought 2 yards of 15 different cotton prints. One was too light weight to use in a quilt.

So, I made a top. This is the second time I have made this pattern and this time I followed the directions much more carefully. I cut out two tops yesterday and finished one today.

Very pleased with the fit. Even got a compliment from Mr. M.

The pattern I used is below. I made view D without the center panel.

Well I didn't exactly follow the directions. 

I made the pleat in the back the opposite by mistake.

Let's say it was a design choice.

I replaced the handles on this vintage tote bag.

I broke a needle sewing through all the layers.

Grandson David did not know who Chip and Dale are but was happy to have 

bag for all his treasures.

The smock below was a panel. It will be fun for dress-up play but I don't 

think it will be much of a paint smock. It could keep clothes clean from

glue or clay play or just when a little one feels like an Artist.

That's all from me. We have grandsons here for the week end.

It's very hot so water play and movie night with popcorn are on the agenda.

Small section finish and detour

Continuing slow work on My Small World.

I finished the bottom of section 2.

I fussy cut a dog, cat, and butterfly for the windows.

Looking through some boxes of clothes to pass along for our expected grandson, 

I found this crocheted jacket my mother made for me over sixty years ago.

I took a detour from sewing on my quilt to make a sundress for Ava.

Views of the back above and the front below.

I used a light blue micro check skirt, eyelet ruffle, and a fat quarter for the pockets and yoke.

It took less than a yard for the skirt and about 2 1/3 yard of eyelet. The pattern

called for a ruffle but I wanted a different look. The eyelet was quick and easy to sew.

The pattern is the London dress from Violet Field Threads.

It's free to download.

The yoke is faced with the microcheck and ties are bias cut microcheck.

I made the original version but added pockets. The pockets are lined with the microcheck fabric.

It has been mailed to Ava. Can't wait to see how it looks on her.

Finished section one

I finished section one of My Small World quilt.

Below are some of the individual blocks.

Here are some more.

Two spaces are just fabric cut to the right size.

I machine appliqued the bottom left and middle blocks.

I'm not much of a hand applique person, although I have tried.

I used a very small machine blanket stitch for the applique blocks.

The small bears in a cave block is also appliqued.

I sewed the blocks together in 3 columns.

Most of the seams were ironed open.

Next to last part - sewing the 3 columns together and pressing those seams open.

Finally top and bottom sections were sewn together! Looks pretty good. 

Here are a few of the extra blocks I made as I worked on section one. Next up - working on section two.

Starting a new quilt

Last October when I visited our daughter I bought a Jen Kingwell quilt kit at  Gotham Quilts. It has been waiting for just this sort of time. A time with no interruptions and lots of time to think and plan.
I was hesitant to start cutting the fabric and not sure where to start so I made notes through the book. The kit doesn't have the exact fabric as the quilt in the book. I have decided to use some of my own scraps to make it more personal. I will hang it in the grandchildren's playroom. They may notice fabrics used in quilts I have made them.

Below you can see some of my notes. I also looked online at blogs where some others have made the quilt.

I started with section one on the left above.

One blogger said she started with the sky, so I did that first.

Below are the buildings in the top part of section one.

Here are the blocks I have finished this week.

Next I will work on the rest of section one.

I have going to take my time choosing, cutting, and sewing.

Hope you don't get bored seeing my progress.

This quilt came out in 2015 and maybe you made one, too.

Our blueberry bushes are full of berries.

Below are the first pickings.

I love having something so easy to grow and yummy to eat right in my backyard.

What are you sewing?

Have a good week.
I forgot to link up with Peacock Party so I'm going to share with a new group.
Linking up with From Bolt to Beauty. Hope I do it right.

Half square triangle variations

Half square triangle blocks can be arranged in so many ways.

I use my left-over fabric to make a second batik half square triangle mini quilt.

Same number of half square blocks.

Trimming is so tedious.

My first idea was to make diagonal lines. 9 by 12 like the original.

But I wasn't happy with mixing in different fabrics in the lines.

Zigzags had the same problem.

Then I tried diamonds in a 10 by 12 layout.

But there were spaces left open.

What to do? Make more half square triangles?

I decided to cut some background squares and move the black pieces to the top and bottom.

I sewed in columns instead of rows.

It made sense to my brain.

I cut the backing earlier and had to make sure it was still big enough for the 10 x 12 new layout.

There was enough room for the border and that way all the points would show.

All quilted and ready to hang.

Two mini quilts from one kit.

I'm keeping this one and donating the other to our silent auction.

You can check out the first mini here.

What are you sewing?

Have a great week!

Sewing for boys

This week I have been sewing for the boys in my life.

I crocheted this little hat for grandson we are waiting to meet in October.

The yarn is soooo soft. I am working on a blanket to match.

Photos of blanket soon.

The patterns below are the ones I used to make lab coats for Liam and David.

What? Girls shirts for lab coats?

I used the shirt/coat patterns for the shoulders and sleeves.

I used the collar on the top pattern for both coats just made one larger for the larger coat.

I lengthened the top pattern and cut the front with an added interfaced edge.

The bottom coat pattern was squared up at the bottom and had an added collar.

Not too hard since I have done lots of garment sewing.

Below is the larger lab coat made with the Butterick pattern with collar and top pocket added.

The second one is smaller. I used the Simplicity base pattern and added length, pockets, and front opening.

Here they are. Ready to mail to the 'scientist' and his 'assistant'.

Liam and David are making science videos as they quarantine in New York City.

Their grandparents are their biggest fans.

Can't wait to see the next episodes.

What are you sewing?