T-Shirts, and More T-Shirts -- Fall Project #4

I've been sewing T-shirts this week.  It's fun to sew with knits.  Some people might not agree with me.  But, if you are sewing it with a serger, knits are not nightmares at all.

I am not trying to hide my face.  It's hard to take a selfie when you are using a big camera.  I am taking the pictures from a mirror.

I made 2 shirts, a short sleeved and a long sleeved one.  Here are the details for the first one.

And, the second one.

Two different ways to bind the necklines

I added cuffs for the short sleeved one.

I made a tutorial on how to sew the details with serger.  It is the way I used to sew the 2 T-shirts.  Here is the link.  

http://patterntopia.blogspot.com/2015/08/how-to-sew-with-serger.html

The follow are the patterns.  Do not leave sewing seams.  The knits stretch.  If you leave seams, your shirt could turn out too big.

These patterns are for Sizes 4, 8, and 12.  You can expand them to your size by adding to the size L.  For example:  The neckline of this front pattern is dropping 13.9 cm from the top for size 12.  If you are size 14 you can add 0.2, the difference between sizes L(12) and M(8), to increase you neckline.  Let's try another one.  The distance from neckline to the bottom is 34 cm for size L; by adding the difference between L and M (1.5), you will get 35.5 cm for size 14.  To make the whole pattern, you just have to keep adding the differences.  If you are 2 sizes bigger than size 12, you just have to add doubles.

Happy sewing!!

How to Sew with a Serger

The best way to sew T-shirts or cardigans is using a serger.  It is a little different from our sewing machines.  However,  it gives better "stretch" than a sewing machine does.

Here are some basic uses when you sew a T-shirt or cardigan:

Sewing seams together.

It is quite simple.  Just run through it like using a sewing machine, but first you have to turn the stitch to the lowest setting.

Sewing necklines

I will demonstrate two kinds of neckline.  Here is the first kind.  You will need to cut bias tapes for binding necklines.

Here is the second kind of neckline binding.

I also use sewing machine to finish the neckline.

Blind hem 

Sewing blind hem might take some practice, especially when hemming the sleeves.  Hemming the bottom of a T-shirt is easier, you will have more room to move the material around.

These are the basics I use to sew T-shirts and Cardigan.

Happy sewing!

A Wrap Maxi Skirt -- Fall Project #3

You can't live through fall without owning a maxi skirt.

Most of the maxi skirts I saw at the stores are mostly made out of knit material.  It is comfortable, however lack of elegance.

I come up with this wrap maxi skirt.  Maybe, you will love this one better.

Here are some details.

You will need a buckle and 3 eyelets.


Here are the patterns.

It is quite simple.

Have a lot of fun sewing!

How to Sew a Partial Button Placket

1.  Decide which side will be the top flap and which will be bottom.

2.  Move the cut line 1 cm toward the bottom side from center line.  The cut line should be shorter than the trim.

3.  Attach the trim to the top side.

4. Iron it down and turn it over.

5.  Form the pointed end.

6.  Sew it down.

7.  Attach the bottom flap.

8.  Iron and sew it down just like you did on the front flap.

9.  Back of bottom flap (the right part).

10.  Sew the top and bottom together.

If you have any question, do leave a comment.

Happy Sewing!

How to Sew a Button up Shirt Collar

You maybe avoiding sewing a shirt with collar because it looks too hard.  I made a tutorial just for the collar part.  If you follow every step, you will have a beautiful collar.  Try it!

1.  Match up the top and bottom parts of the collar and apply interfacing on the piece the will be shown.

2.  Sew the top pieces together.  Then, turn it out.

3.  Cut a very tiny triangular shape at the middle of top and bottom pieces where the two parts are going to join.

4.   Use the bottom pieces to sandwich the top piece.  Match up the cuts and align the edges.

5. Pin it down all the way, then sew it.

6.  After sewing it down, cut a little cuts at the parts that turns.  It will look prettier after you turn it out.

6.  Iron it down.  Now you have a very pretty collar.

7.  Finally, sew it together to your shirt or dress.  You will first sew the bottom flap to the shirt then fold in the seam of the top flap and sew it down.

That's all.  It might take some practice before you make it perfect, but it's a learning process, isn't it?

Have a lot of fun sewing.

How to hem a curved edge the easy way

There are many methods out there showing you how to hem circle or curved skirt.  The method that I am going to show you is the easiest I have ever known. First, you will push the fabric toward the iron as you move the iron along the edge of the fabric.  By doing this you will create some ruffles on the edge.  After you go through the whole edge, fold it in and iron down.  Then, use blind hem stitch to hem it. Here is a short film show you the action.

The video

This could take some practice to make it perfect.  Make sure to use your finger nail and the fabric to prevent from burning your finger.  

Be safe and Happy sewing!

Shirt dress? or Just Shirt! -- Fall Project #2

In the fall, I always like to wear a loose shirt with jeans or tights.  It is comfortable.  However, sometimes a classy shirt dress is always on the top of my must-sew list, too.

This pattern I made is for both.  With one pattern you can make both a Shirt and a Shirt Dress.

As usual, these patterns are for sizes 12 (L), 8 (M), and 4 (S).  If you want to make one that fits you perfectly, you might want to try to draft one with bodice pattern.  You can learn it from here.  http://sewingclassfordaughters.blogspot.com/

I used the same pattern to make both.  You just have to change the length.

Here is the pattern for FRONT.

I didn't do pockets for my shirt nor my dress, but I added it to the pattern in case you want pockets.

The pattern for BACK:

SLEEVE AND COLLAR

For the front opening, I already made a tutorial in the post "Little Blue Dress".  If you need that, you can check it there.  

However, I am going to give you a tutorial on how to put the collar together.  It's not very easy, but you can do it.

1.  Match up the top and bottom parts of the collar and apply interfacing on the piece the will be shown.

2.  Sew the top pieces together.  Then, turn it out.

3.  Cut a very tiny triangular shape at the middle of top and bottom pieces where the two parts are going to join.

4.   Use the bottom pieces to sandwich the top piece.  Match up the cuts and align the edges.

5. Pin it down all the way, then sew it.

6.  After sewing it down, cut a little cuts at the parts that turns.  It will look prettier after you turn it out.

6.  Iron it down.  Now you have a very pretty collar.

7.  Finally, sew it together to your shirt or dress.  You will first sew the bottom flap to the shirt then fold in the seam of the top flap and sew it down.

That's all.  It might take some practice before you make it perfect, but it's a learning process, isn't it?

Have a lot of fun sewing.