Sharon Sews

Have you ever purchased fabric online with a project in mind, only to have the fabric arrive and your plans change?  That's how this cape came to be. This lovely wool blend fabric was purchased online from Emma One Sock in September 2017. I loved the laser cut out border.  So much so that I didn't read the description closely. When the fabric arrived I discovered it had a black fusible attached to the back giving it a lot of body but also making it a bit stiff.  It was destined to become an outer garment, but which one?  How could I best show off that fabulous border? I pulled out multiple coat patterns while trying to decide which one to sew.  I thought about sewing a coat and have a colorful lining pop through the laser cut design, but decided I wanted that portion to remain unlined.  I ended up sewing Vogue 8674 (now OOP), deciding it was the perfect pattern. The body of the cape - the vest - is fitted and lined, while the cape portion is single ...

This is a simple cropped jacket sewn using a sequined wool knit.  The lines of the jacket are very simple, with darts in the front, a center back seam, and two-piece sleeves.  As I'm trying to sew my stash as much as possible, I choose to sew this using fabric purchased years ago from Hancock Fabrics.  I always intended to sew a skirt with the fabric, but this simple jacket - Burda 08/2015 #109 - is something I'd wear more often than a sequined skirt.   The jacket is fully lined so I didn't finish any of the seam edges on the inside.  I choose to use a contrasting, lighter weight fabric for the facings. I added interfacing to the jacket hem and sleeve hems, as well as small shoulder pads. Rather than bag the lining, I followed the instructions and hand stitched the lining in place at the hems. The label is from Dutch Label Shop .  I've ordered from them multiple times and have been very happy with every label. The only thing I don't like...

She may have taken months to complete but she's finally done and in my closet ready for her first work appearance.   Previous construction details are here Total cost: Pattern: Simplicity 2343 ($1.99) Fabric:  1 yard of pear gold wool/rayon from FabricMart Fabrics ($9.99) Thread:  Gutermann gold ($2) Lining:  Cream color (stash) Zipper:  Invisible cream color (stash) Contrast Stitching:  Cream color silk embroidery thread (stash) Time:  Forevah!  (at least it felt like it) *****************************************************

Remember my post about being shorted 4" on a piece of wool during my last shopping excursion at Hancock Fabrics? (You can read about it here if you haven't already. ) Well, I needed the full 1-1/2 yards for the dress I had planned to sew - McCall's 5971 , view B. Yes, I could have sewn view A with small partial cap sleeves, but it just wasn't what I had in my minds eye. I even thought the mini houndstooth dress would look kinda cool with an exposed back zipper ala Gertie . (Still gonna borrow that idea - love it!) But four inches less than 1-1/2 yards meant there would not be enough for the dress, so I did the next best thing. Whipped up a skirt using one of Simplicity's newer releases - 2451 . The skirt only required 1-3/8" of 60" fabric, so I was able to make it work. The skirt is has six panels and flares out at the hem - a short mermaid style if you will. It also has a curved yoke, front pockets (yea!) and decorative tabs with 1" buttons. I fi...

Another post about Hancock Fabrics ( sorry! ). Don't they realize I'm on their side? But they're making it hard, very hard indeed. Let me tell you my little story. Stopped at Hancock Fabrics recently to spend a gift certificate. After selecting patterns and buttons I wandered into the fabric section. Tried not to get too excited, but they had their wools marked down - 50% off. Yes! In an effort to be thoughtful with my purchases, I carefully selected my fabrics with specific items in mind. Went to the cutting table just as another customer was finishing. Placed one bolt on the cutting table as I patiently waited for the clerk to finish clearing the cutting table. Another customer arrived after me and asked clerk if anyone else was cutting, to which she replied no, it's just me and I have to have this cleared off before I can start cutting or I could cut things wrong. Oooooo-kay. Once she was ready I handed her my first bolt and told her how much I wanted. I pulled o...

First off, Gaylen , just because you asked .... the skirt on a real, live person. As you can see, the released pleats are surprisingly flattering. And very comfortable. But I do think you need to choose your fabric carefully or they could flare out. By the way, I'm freezing in this shot as the short sleeves and no hose look is better suited for June than it is for February, even though temps did almost climb to 40 degrees today (whoo! hoo!) Carolyn , I'm actually thinking of sewing Sandra Betzina's jean style jacket - Vogue 1036 I'm not certain if it will work with the skirt or not, but who needs to be matchy-matchy all the time anyway? The fabric will look great in that jacket with white topstitching. Becky , I know exactly how you feel. I eagerly awaited the arrival of my subscription every time someone would review one of the patterns on their blog. Tracing the pattern YaYaOrchid - yes, the patterns from Burda World of Fashion need to be traced. I admit that is m...

Just because it looks like denim doesn't necessarily mean it is denim. After all, wouldn't you say this skirt looks like a denim skirt? Sure it does, but it's actually a lightweight wool - cool huh? The look of denim without the bulk. Enough about the fabric - let me tell you about the skirt pattern! It is skirt number 105 from the January '09 issue of Burda World of Fashion. Isn't it fabulous? I was drawn to the uniqueness of the design. The waist is shaped by large angled pleats, which are topstitched in place with the fullness released below the hipline. A decorative zipper, with the zipper tape partially showing, is secured in place topstitching. The back has the same two angled pleats with the topstitching. The stitched down pleats give the skirt a slight tulip shape. The double rows of topstitching hold the hem in place. The hem really is that deep! In the BWOF instructions the skirt is not lined. However, I added a lining because the wool skirt wou...

One last sewing project before 2008 draws its last breath - a luscious berry colored wool double knit lined jacket. Pattern: Simplicity 4635 - Stash (now out of print, but available in a number of places online .) Jacket: Two yards wool double knit from SR Harris - Stash (purchased in 1994) Lining : Silk charmeuse from Fabric Mart Fabrics - Stash (purchased in 2007) Notions: Thread, interfacing, 1/4" shoulder pads, one hook and eye - Stash Time: Four hours