Sharon Sews

I'm doing it!  Pushing myself out of my comfort zone again and joining in on the Style Arc Ziggi Jacket sew-along co-hosted by the lovely StacySews and Sew Maris. Why do I say "out of my comfort zone"?   I have yet to sew anything from a Style Arc pattern, In fact, I purchased from Style Arc for the first time just a month ago. I haven't sewn or worn a jacket of this style in many, many years.  But I've seen soooo many that appeal to me in the fashion magazines that I wanted to jump in on the trend. I have never sewn leather before.  Oh I have some leather sitting in my sewing room, but that's as far as I've gotten.  One large gray suede leather skin I purchased from SR Harris Fabric Outlet two years ago but never worked up the courage to cut into it and stitch it up into something!   I was hoping it could be used as the contrast shoulder section of this pattern but I'm not sure the colors will work together.  To get over my fear of sewing

How to sew a panel skirt for an 18" doll I'm excited to have little ones in my life again that enjoy having me sew clothing for their dolls.  I created and sewed this skirt for both an 18" and Barbie doll as well a girl's size 5 (tutorials coming - I'll provide links once they're up). This doll skirt is easy to sew and is a great way to use up your scraps.  Materials needed: Six 3-1/2" x 5-1/2" fabric pieces.  One 18" x 4" fabric pieces. One 18" piece of 1/4" elastic. Coordinating thread.  Let's get started shall we?    Step 1:   Cut your fabric: Six 3-1/2" x 5-1/2" rectangles and one 18" x 4" rectangle.  My sample used three coordinating polka dot prints for the panel and a contrast color for the bottom band. Step 2: Using a 1/4" seam allowance, with wrong sides facing stitch the six rectangles together along the 5-1/2" side; leave one end unsewn. Step 3: Fo

Whaddya think? To be honest with you, I wasn't positive I would like this style. It's out of my comfort zone as I like my clothes a little more fitted and a little more tailored.  But after tossing it on to take a quick pick I could hardly wait to tell you how comfy this little dress is! I was immediately drawn to the gray version when this pattern was released recently and purchased it during a Club BMV sale .  It's a Marcy Tilton design, Vogue 8975 , with some great details and interesting pieces - like a puzzle (as Martha already noted when reviewing her fabulous version !) Soon after purchasing the pattern I stumbled across a multi-colored stripe cotton knit at Hancock Fabrics and knew I'd found the fabric for the dress. I paired the stripe knit with a black ITY knit which worked beautifully for this design. Those pockets are to die for!  So cleverly constructed and the front drape is created with a simple tacking the bottom of the dress to the pocket