Sharon Sews

I have so many things I sewed last year that I've neglected to add to my blog so some upcoming blog posts are going to be past makes.  As much as I enjoy putting a quick photo on Instagram, and a short pattern review in my YouTube makes videos , I find it difficult to search for specific details on a pattern when I want to reference a past make. Blogging what I've sewn will help me remember more of the details.  Like my red Christmas dress. Well, it's actually a red top and skirt. The pattern is Vogue 1037, a Bill Blass design from 1983. I stumbled across the pattern a few months ago while searching for Vogue 1174, a Claude Montana pattern.  I found the Montana pattern at Pattern Zoo, but it was sold out.  Of course I had to have a look around and see what other designer Vogue patterns I might find :-)  I purchased a different Montana pattern in addition to this Bill Blass pattern.  I really liked that back drape.  But I had to make adjustments to the shoulder area after

Zip-up knit jackets are a stable in my workout wear.  To be honest, the ones I wear most often were  purchased about ten years ago from either Costco or Sam's Club.  They've served me well, and I've never had a burning desire to sew myself one.  Until Itch to Stitch released the Nazare Zip-Up Hoodie pattern ,  That indie pattern company is one of my favorites, and when she put out a tester call I signed up. I liked the lines of the pattern, thinking it would be great fun to do colorblocking.  Well, as you can see, THAT didn't happen. Best laid plans and all that.    Let me explain.  The pattern calls for a 22" separating zipper (for the size I sewed). I have a BOX full of zippers of all sizes and types. (I had purchased a grab bag of zippers from  Zipper Stop a few years ago.) While I checked that I had a 22" zipper, I neglected to check that it was a separating one.  Something I discovered when I was prepared to begin stitching my jacket.  Silly rookie mista

About six or seven years ago I purchased an ugly Christmas sweater cookie cutter. Every December my daughter and I would spend a Saturday baking and decorating ugly Christmas sweater cookies.  We had a lot of fun, but I'll be honest with you. I'm much better at sewing than I am cookie decorating!  After we moved, I realized it's not much fun to bake and decorate cookies alone.  So last year when I pulled that cookie cutter out, I used it as a template to create ugly Christmas sweater mug rugs that I sewed for gifts.  I even filmed all the steps for a YouTube tutorial video, but never edited the video. If I find time I'll do so yet this year - maybe :-) This year I used the same concept and created these ornaments as a post on the BERNINA We All Sew blog .  Not only are they quick to sew, they are small enough to be a great scrap-buster. Get the free tutorial here .

My latest blog post for the BERNINA We All Sew blog was just published - this cute reversible patchwork apron!  I love to bake Christmas cookies and since I'm quite the messy baker, I always wear an apron.  Personally, I like half aprons, which is why I designed a half apron for this project.  I was inspired by a Riley Blake Christmas Joys 5" stacker I bought at my BERNINA dealer ( A Nimble Thimble in Tyler, TX). The retro print is just so cute!  The step-by-step instructions can be found on the We All Sew blog here

I'm a sucker for any knit garment that includes a drape or a twist. In fact, I've sewn quite a few over the years. Unfortunately I don't have many photos of them as I've misplaced the zip drive that held the pics of many of my sewing projects.  When the McCall's fall 2022 patterns were released, I knew I'd purchase this one when it was on sale.  Why? Because of that twist front! The dress pattern is McCall's 8339.  There's no description provided with the pattern, so you have to look at the line drawings for details.  Oh wait, I checked the website.  It is described as: Fitted twist-front dresses have different lengths and sleeve variations. View B and View C have front slit. At least this pattern included finished garment measurements, making it easier to determine how close-fitting it's designed.   For example, the size 14 body measurements are 36" Bust, 28" Waist, 38" Hip. The finished garment measurements are 39-1/2" Bust (3-1