Hems on Stretch Garments

Here’s what I’ve been doing for a year-and-half now and I have lots of perfect hems. I buy soft fusible tricot. Using my rotary cutter, I cut strips the width of the interfacing. I cut them however deep the hem is (1-1/4″, 1/2″, whatever). After the side seams are sewn, fuse the interfacing to the wrong side (inside) all the way around the hem so one edge is at the cut edge of the hem and the other is at the hem fold line. Then fold on that fold line and press. What a beautiful clean hem! Then hand wind … Continue reading

Not Ready for Vacation!

I’ve been trying to finish up some UFOs (UnFinished Objects). This top, from Vogue 8912, was started before our January vacation to Mexico, but it just didn’t reach completion before the plane took off. So I mulled it over for a couple of months before finishing it a week or so ago. Here’s the review: Pattern Description: From the envelope – Very loose-fitting top has neck and front bands, pockets, slightly shaped front hemline, and narrow hem. A: uneven hemline (wrong side shows), and purchased bias tape finishes armholes. B: fold-back cuffs. Semi-fitted shorts or tapered pants have elastic waist, … Continue reading

Bonnie Bucket Bag

First, I must tell you we had a taste of Real Spring today in Northeast Ohio. When I opened my basement sewing room window, this is what I saw. What a relief to have a day with decent temperatures and no precipitation. You’re going to see more bags on my blog and coming off my sewing machine in the near future. If you follow my writing, either here or on Facebook, you know that I have a job that is supposed to be mine imminently, starting in mid-January. Oh, wait—that was three months ago! As I continued hearing about discussions … Continue reading

In Search of the Perfect Fit

So, we’ve been eating a little differently around here. The Jazzman is on the elliptical every day for 45 minutes or so, and he’s lost pounds—pounds, I tell you! I’ve lost ounces. But there have been enough ounces so far that I’ve had to buy new bras. The new measurement was 2″ smaller in circumference, but (of course!) a larger cup size. Last October, my SIL-Equivalent in Columbus showed me a t-shirt she had made in a class at a local fabric store. The pattern is the Renfrew t-shirt from indie pattern designer Sewaholic. I loved Barb’s version. She chose … Continue reading