Sewing Blogs

Posted on October 14, 2012 by

I have been searching(over a long period of time) for more sewing blogs. I know there has to be more out there… I thought to make one right? :P My current strategy to find good sewing blogs(preferably clothes sewing blogs) is a little strange.

This is what I do:

  • Search the DIY/Crafts section on Pinterest for clothes DIY’s, sewing tips, inspiration etc.
  • Read comments on blogs I already follow to find other bloggers like me
  • Google “Sewing” like things
  • Check out Craftgawker(my new love!)
  • check out Instagram has tags in hopes of finding a link to a blog on someone’s profile(probably the most obscure thing I do)

    Sometimes I’ll find a lovely treasure of a blog that I wish I knew about sooner. Most of the time I can’t find any blogs I haven’t seen before.

    I like many different blogs:

  • Craft Blogs
  • Some Fashion Blogs
  • Sewing(duh) Blogs
  • Big shot bloggers
  • People with 0 followers

    • To me it doesn’t matter if you have lots of followers, it’s about content. I love blogs that post frequently. But sometimes blogs like Refashion Co-Op have some really strange things with a few treasures amongst the feed. Don’t get me wrong, everyone is entitled to their own fashion, style, etc. but some things just don’t need to have patchwork on them. I hope that someday my blog will resemble one that I would love to follow. I know that I don’t post enough… Haha Anyway… My point is that I know there must be more blogs out there, and I would love to find them, I just can’t find them anywhere! My current solution is not working out so well. So if you have a blog that you think I would like, or not, please share! I would be so grateful!

    Here are some in my current top blogs to follow:

  • DixieDIY
  • Closet Case Files
  • Tilly and the Buttons
  • Struggle Sews a Straight Seam
  • ISLY
  • Grainline Studio
  • Lexy Levin
  • A Good Wardrobe
  • Savory Stitches(recently found through a giveaway on Dixie DIY)

    Hopefully this helps others discover some neat blogs. :)

    Do you have an interesting method to finding cool blogs?

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    Recent and Current Projects

    Posted on September 23, 2012 by

    It’s been a while, but I’ve been incredibly busy lately. School is definitely taking off which makes it hard to find time for sewing. That doesn’t mean I haven’t finished a few projects along the way though.

    Recent Projects(Finished):
    Dixie DIY Concert Tee
    Self-Drafted Maxi Dress
    Self Drafted Maxi Skirt
    –all of these were finished over a month or so ago. I just haven’t had a chance to photograph anything.

    Current Projects(in progress):
    Colette Sorbetto Top – with self-drafted adjustments
    Tailored Shirt(tunic) for my Intermediate Sewing class. –This one is coming along nicely I just have to stay at the same pace as the rest of the class. No skipping ahead for me. It will turn out better that way. :)

    Here’s a sneak of my Colette Sorbetto in progress:

    20120923-122506.jpg

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    Vintage Sewing Machines.

    Posted on August 19, 2012 by

    Sometime last week my dad found two old sewing machines while cleaning out my grandmas garage… I knew she had at least one but I didn’t know there were two. I really wish I could ask her about them but I don’t think she would remember anything (she’s been in a home for the past couple years.)

    Anyway… The first is a Singer Touch and Sew: Special Zig-Zag Edition

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    The second is a Bradford Deluxe: Lightweight (I had to laugh at the “lightweight” bit because it’s so heavy!

    20120819-112543.jpg

    They are both pretty gross and dirty and, presumably, have never been serviced. We had them picked up on Tuesday to be looked at, I’m pretty excited to see how they turn out. The guy who picked them up said they would probably out live my sister and I (even if we were born yesterday). Weird, but cool. Haha :)

    If you happen to come across this post and know anything about these machines I’d love to hear about it!

    Thanks,

    -Kara

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    McCall’s 6519 View B

    Posted on August 12, 2012 by

    Hello blog, I’ve been super busy busy and somehow made time to sew! I completed four items that I’m pretty happy with. :) The first one I’ll be posting about is a top from McCalls 6519. View B. the rest I’ll try to share this week as I get time with school starting! Yikes! :D

    McCall’s 6519
    A close up of the line drawing…

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    View B is intended for a woven fabric, not knit. But I wanted to use it for knit. I had some orangey/coral color fabric from Joann Fabrics that I love and wanted to use for a soft loose fitted top. I went ahead and cut the biggest size which turned out well for the most part except the arm holes… My bad. Knit stretches out a bit if you aren’t careful. I didn’t read the instructions at all because it was so easy! Four seams and finishing edges and you’re done! Next time I’ll use a woven and possibly make a size smaller instead. I didn’t feel like messing with the pocket so I left that out. I added detail by adding some crochet lace(?) around the neckline. I love this part! I was looking for some bias tape to finish my edges because I didn’t want it to stretch too much and I couldn’t find any. What I did find was a roll of crochet lace. I’m not sure if it was something special or not but it was in with my grandmas stash of edging/zippers/ric rac/etc. I finished the edge of my neckline and topstiched the lace right on.

    Overall, I’m happy with this top. It could use to be a bit smaller but I’m ok with it. Also I’m still not that great at finishing edges… I’m practicing. :P


    The detail:

    20120812-160127.jpg

    The front:

    20120812-160209.jpg

    20120812-160225.jpg
    The side:

    20120812-160256.jpg
    The back:

    20120812-160333.jpg

      I hope you like it. :)

      -Kara

      p.s. don’t you just love self timer and wrinkles? ;)
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    Sew Crazy!

    Posted on July 25, 2012 by

    If I don’t get some sewing done soon the ideas in my head are going to make me implode! Yes, I have 2 shirts, 1 tank, and 1 dress unfinished… But my crafty ADD has gotten the best of me. I’ve got an idea(I hope it works) for a dress that can be worn 3 different ways! I’m going to try a maxi version …but I want to try the shorter version first in case I fail so I don’t waste that much fabric! ;)

    Wish me luck, I’ll be back soon!

    -Kara

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    Basic Tee

    Posted on July 18, 2012 by

    I’m still alive, I promise! I’ve definitely been a little lazy about getting my posts up lately… I just assumed(never assume! Haha) that I would have more time when school was out! Ha ha ha. Yeah right! I’ve been pretty busy just got back from vacation and working. Something always is more important than sewing. Unfortunately I didn’t get everything done that I had planned before I left, but I did get one thing done! I sewed my first basic tee! I’m really happy with it too.

    I used McCall’s 6288 view B. It was super quick and easy.

    20120718-201827.jpg

    I’ve worn it several times and washed/dried it a few too. So far it’s holding up well and I’m very please. I lot this jersey knit I picked up from fabric.com The fabric is lightweight and super comfy. The only bummer is that I didn’t test the fabric before I ironed it. >.< You can't really tell but there's a slight burn mark on one of the sleeves. So now I know to always test fabric before ironing! This only caused problems with the sleeve and neck bindings, but I don't think it looks bad. I recommend this pattern for sure :)

    -Kara

    20120718-203609.jpg

    p.s. sorry for not having better pictures! I hate having to awkwardly crop others out of photos. But I don’t want her to have to be on my blog. Lol

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    DixieDiy’s Sew-Along

    Posted on July 10, 2012 by

    Dixie DIY(one of my favorite blogs) is doing a Summer Swimsuit Sew-Along! I encourage anyone who has never sewn a swimsuit or anyone who has to check it out. I’ve sewn two and I could have definitely used these tips. I plan to follow along if I can as well. :)

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    Fabric Printing

    Posted on June 3, 2012 by

    New Obsession: Block Printing Fabric.
    I love the all the possibilities of making my own designs. I think it would be tons of fun too. The irregularity of the finished image is also really interesting. I would love to try this soon. I think that it would be so much fun to print fabric for bags and a great way to fancy up the hem of a dress. I love things that are unique and I have a hard time finding fabric that I actually like. I am picturing lots of cute designs in my head at this moment. Is there any great fabric paint/ink that will withstand washes? I have printable fabric from Joann’s for making tags, but even that has started to fade after many washes. I know learning new crafting techniques can be a bit pricey(crocheting, sewing!, painting, drawing, the whole lot of ‘em) but I’m going to attempt this at a low cost. Any feedback is very much welcome! :) Have you printed fabric before?

    Things to make with block printed fabric:
    -Bags(totes, purses, etc.)
    -Wallets
    -Curtains(for my closet)
    -Duvet Cover
    -Hemline designs (I think bows and hearts would be cute)
    -Gifts for friends.

    Kara

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    Men’s Shirt Refashion

    Posted on June 2, 2012 by

    I’m very excited to say that I finished my first “real” refashion/restyle. I say “real” because I have never taken an item of clothing and completely restyled it. Until now… :D
    So here it is: Men’s Button Down Shirt to my very own Sweetheart Strapless Dress!

    20120529-164421.jpg
    It was definitely an interesting process and I learned so much! This project helped me accomplish some sewing fears and goals. It also made me and my seam ripper bond quite a bit. ;) I will be trying some more refashions from Men’s Button Downs in the future for sure.

    The process:
    First I started with this – An XL Men’s shirt from RL. It’s very nice and I felt bad for cutting it up. Well, obviously, not bad enough. Haha.

    20120529-164921.jpg
    Then I was going to try and use my seam ripper to dismantle it. Ha! That idea lasted about 5min before I pulled out the scissors! I cut off the arms and around the collar. I also cut off the yoke on the back of the shirt. I cut the side seams, top seams, and the arm side seams. I made sure to slope the down the side of the shirt to straighten it out. I then cut off the cuffs and thats all the cutting. I wanted to use every bit of fabric possible.

    The main section of the shirt became the skirt and I used the sleeves and some plain cream/white cotton for the contrast.

    Examples:

    20120602-202631.jpg

    20120602-202645.jpg

    Continue reading “Men’s Shirt Refashion” »

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    eShakti Giveaway!

    Posted on May 23, 2012 by

    I was just scrolling about on some blogs that I followed and noticed an awesome giveaway!

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    Lazy Saturdays is hosting this amazing giveaway. I don’t usually enter giveaways…. But these dresses are SO cute! I don’t have many classy dresses like these in my wardrobe and I don’t think it could hurt one bit to get one. Personally I’m torn between the Two Toned Corset Dress and the Ruffle Front Dress. Again, SO cute!

    I encourage anyone to go check out Lazy Saturdays and enter the Giveaway! “Giveaway is open from 5/21/2012 to 5/31/2012 and is open to US and Canada residents only.” She lists many ways to enter so it’s pretty easy. The Giveaway closes on the 31st so hurry on up! ;) it’s ok if you don’t enter, that means I’ll have a better chance of winning :P just kidding!

    Best,
    -Kara

    update: I won the giveaway! Wow, I’m so blessed. Not to mention excited! I haven’t won a giveaway before. Thank you to Krista from Lazy Saturdays and eShakti for blessing me.

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