Imaginesque Pictures Are Now Pinnable! :)

You probably know those pictures that have the "Pin it" option show up when you move your mouse over them, right? A very handy option, but I had no idea how to do add it to mine, because tech-savvy I am not...
Planning to look for information on it soon(ish), I came across it when visiting a quilt blog to find out about batting (go figure...).
A lovely dutch lady has written a post explaining how to go about it, and she made it so easy to understand that even I managed to get it right in one go! :D
So now all my pictures are all nice and pinnable :)
Want to try it for yourself? Her blog is called "Phebe and Jane" and the post can be found here. And if you're a quilt lover you'll want to visit there regardless ;)
If your dutch is a  bit rusty and your browser doesn't automatically translate blogs to your own language, don't worry; you'll find a translator gadget at the right side of the blog.
Have fun making your pics pinnable :)

Free Skirt with Overlap Sewing Pattern

It looks odd because it's
a quarter scale model
(and that's the story I'm
sticking to...)

The second sewing pattern, which, again, took way longer than it should have...
I thought this was going to be easy, I mean, it's a skirt, how hard can it be? But then I decided I wanted it fully lined, oh, and with as little hand-sewing as possible, and, hmm, those seams really need to be pressed open to prevent excessive bulk, but that flap makes that rather tricky...
So it took some doing, but I think I managed to meet all my criteria (whether it meets YOURS is most likely a whole nother story...).


You can find all the details (size, length, etc.) in the sewing instructions,there is also a pattern layout page for all sizes, and of course the PDF patterns.
The size range is limited to the four "most common", but I'd be more than happy to make "uncommon" sizes, if that's what most of you are interested in :) 
So if that's the case, please let me know in the comments. The same applies to questions, suggestions, problems with either the patterns or the sewing, or whatever else you would like to share, so don't be shy ;)

Fully lined

Again a big thank you to Kathleen Fasanella of Fashion Incubator, for her wonderful centered zip method. If you find video easier to understand than pictures, you may be interested in FD 50 - Basic Apparel Construction Lesson 5 - Basic Seams and Zippers Part 3 by West Valley College.
Since the video is over an hour long I'll give you the time frames that show how to attach the facing to the zip:

• 19:10 start
• 22:10 sewing facing to zip
• 24:15 folding zipper coil inside and sewing waist (25:55 folding other zipper coil)
• 28:50 end

If you have some time to spare I highly recommend watching all their sewing videos, they have four playlists related to sewing. 
I just love watching people sew without pins :)

Skirt with overlap, front and back

 Please click the "Read more" link for the PDF patterns and the sewing instructions.

Sewing: Adding a Patch Pocket to the Top Pattern

Top with patch pocket

Another variation for the free top pattern, a patch pocket this time. Probably not very compatible with the previous variation, but then again perhaps it is? :)

The pocket has a self facing and a lining and is attached to the garment with topstitching.

Please click the "Read more" link for the pattern pieces, sewing instructions and some stitch examples.

For larger pictures, please click any image

Sewing: Adding a Pleat to the Top Pattern

If you've visited this blog before, you  may have noticed I like "variations on a theme". I'm even worse when it comes to sewing patterns, but unfortunately there's only so much you can cram into a single pattern...

Enter: pattern adaptations!!! :)

I'm also working on a new sewing pattern (a skirt!), so if your lucky this may be the only adaptation I'll be posting, but I'm not making any promises...

The top with a box pleat and with an inverted pleat 

If you haven't already: print out the free top sewing pattern.

This added pleat doesn't require any drafting experience, it's nothing more than a strip of paper, in this case 7cm wide and the height of the bottom part of the top pattern. And since a box pleat and an inverted pleat are basically the same thing (different sides of the same pleat) you get two for the price of one ;)

Pattern with strip of paper to create a pleat

Beading: 3D Wavy Star Thingy Pattern...

Needless to say I'm rubbish at coming up with design names lol.
The pattern was made over a year ago, but I never got round to taking pictures (read: I  kept putting off taking pictures...).
The lovely geometric beadwork of Kate McKinnon and Jean Power made me want to try it out for myself and this design was the result.
(Please click images to enlarge, and click the "Read more" link below for more pictures and the pattern.)

Top view

Bottom view

Another view of the bottom

It's not very hard to make, but since the points tend to stick out in all kinds of directions it can feel a bit awkward. Having the points going in alternating directions (1 up, 1 down and so on) as soon as the work allows it makes it easier to handle. The centre seems to determine what the best direction is for each point, but you can always check this once your finished, since the object will remain flexible. The type of thread will most likely influence how structured the object feels, I just used invisible sewing thread (because that's what I had...), other thread types will probably lead to different results in rigidity/flexibility.  

Blackwork Fill Pattern

Have fun :)

Single element
10x10 stitches
(please click to enlarge)

Fill pattern
(please click to enlarge)

Mill Blackwork Fill Pattern

Enjoy :)

Mill fill pattern
(please click to enlarge)

Twin Size Pads Tutorial

Recently I made these notepads and took some pictures of how I did it, hoping to turn them into a tutorial of sorts.  They were made "two-in-one", which may sound confusing, but it will all be made clear in the tutorial."Tutorial" may be too big a word for it, by the way, but "This-is-how-I-make-stuff-through-trial-and-error-and-I-hope-you-find-it-useful" seemed a bit long for a tag...

Find out more after the jump and please click any image to zoom.
Have fun :)