The Sew News Pepernoot Coat Sew Along Begins!

It's finally here!!! The Pepernoot Coat from Waffle Patterns finally begins. It seems like it's been a long wait. You can find my post on the Sew News blog HERE.

This week we talk about the pattern, and the layered aspect, which is great. You may remember that I did a short video just to walk you through the process of choosing the size you want so that you can print just that size, or the sizes that you choose.
Here's the video just in case you would like to take another look, or a first look :-)



I also give you a few hints on the zippers. Remember, there are zippers in the pockets as well as a zipper down center front. 

As we move along in the sew along, I will show you a few options for the pockets. The pocket that was designed for the coat can actually be a patch pocket, so no zipper or tricky opening. Might be nice if you've never done a zipper opening or a welt pocket and this is not the first project that you want to try it out on.

This time around, there will be a Pepernoot sew along going on in Denver, Colorado. Sadie Fox of http://www.sadiefox.com/blog/  will be posting the work that her students are doing in her studio. So I think this will give you lots of inspiration for your own projects. You can also follow her HERE on Instragram.

Let me know if you have any questions. I'm always happy to help. Just leave a message here on this post, or you are always welcome to email me at sewbussted@yahoo.com

Happy Sewing! 
Rhonda

Sunday Night Reflections

Behind most Afghan girls who succeed

 is a father who recognizes

 that her success is his success. 

                                                                                                Shabana Basij-Rasikh

What if....
All fathers felt this way about their sons and daughters?

Sunday's Supper/Chicken Pot Pie With Puff Pastry Crust

My husband tells people that he's a vegetarian by proxy, in other words, he eats what I cook :-) I think he may want people to feel sorry for him, but actually, it's worked out rather well as when he goes in for his yearly checkup, the doctor tells him that if all of his patients were like the 2 of us, he wouldn't have a practice! But, from time to time, I do feel a little sorry for him and make a none vegetarian meal. He's like a kid in a candy store...beyond excited!!
As I've shared in the past, I love the blog Design Sponge. It's just a well of great information and inspiration. From time to time, they do an article on a chef, or just share a recipe that sparks my interest. My husband absolutely loves chicken pot pie. If I'm out of town and he's on his own for supper, he is very likely to head to the store and buy a frozen pie. In my opinion, not the best. so when I saw this recipe, I decided to treat him to a lovely homemade chicken pot pie. He was in heaven!
Below is the pie featured on the Design Sponge blog. It does look great! You can find the original recipe HERE.  

Since the recipe calls for frozen puffed pastry, the pie is really quite easy to put together.  
As usual, I made a few changes, actually, just additions. The recipe calls for 2 Idaho potatoes, or as my grandmother always called them, Irish potatoes. I used only 1 potato and added a rutabaga turnip. I love the sharper taste of the rutabaga, and I especially like how it blends with the other vegetables. I also added a half pound of baby portobello mushrooms.   

Above is a picture of Chef Shields' pot pie ingredients, and below you see mine. The mushrooms were added after I cooked the onions, carrots and celery. In the picture below, I have yet to add the chicken. 

The addition of the rutabaga turnip was perfect and I liked the added color. 

So now an apology is in order as I completely forgot to take a picture of my pie before my husband tore into it. At least you can see that it was a hit! 

Be sure to add salt and pepper to taste. If you look closely, you'll see that I used quite a bit of black pepper. 
The recipe makes up quite a large batch of the filling for the pie. So much so that I had enough to freeze for a second pie. The dish that you see above is a fairly large size casserole bowl. 
The pie is so lovely when it comes out of the oven. This would make for a wonderful meal to serve for a casual at home dinner with friends. Pair it with a salad and I think all will be quite satisfied. Just a great comfort meal.  
If you give it a try, I hope you enjoy it as much as my husband did!
Rhonda
BTW, in case you are wondering about what I ate, I chopped up extra vegetables for me, and basically followed the recipe except using a vegetable stock. So more vegetables and no chicken. The recipe will adapt easily to a vegetarian version.

Fabulous Free Pattern Friday/Geometric Dream Jacket

It's been 3 1/2 years since I made the Geometric Dreams Jacket! When I initially made it up for the Fabulous Free Pattern Friday post, I always intended to make up another in a nicer fabric. Sadly, that did not happen. But the jacket has been my go to jacket any time I'm a little chilly, and that's most of the time.

 Just to refresh your memory, the jacket begins as a basic shrug.

The bottom portion of the jacket is basically a half circle and a triangle. 

The time has finally come for a new jacket in a much nicer fabric. I decided to do a little experimenting as I wanted to see if the jacket really did need to be made in a knit fabric. It does not! This jacket is made out of a woven fabric with a little Lycra, so basically a stretch woven.The fabric is wool with about 3% Lycra.

The jacket is basically the same as the first except that I allowed more for the collar, and I added a little to the length. My half circle for the lower portion of the jacket is wider than my fabric would allow. In order to have the width I needed, I had to cut 2 half circles that are more like a rectangle with a rounded edge.

Again, since my fabric was not as wide as the fabric I used for the original jacket, so I needed to add cuffs to the sleeves. I cut the cuffs on the bias just to give a little definition. 

In the future, I may give the jacket another go in a less subtle plaid as I think it might be a lot of fun.

If you would like to make a Geometric Dreams Jacket of your own, you can find the instructions HERE.
Have fun!
Rhonda

Thrifty Thursday/Free Pant Pattern From Style Arc

I am VERY late to the party on this one, but I just made up the Barb Pant from Style Arc patterns, and I LOVE it!!! Once I got the pants made, I slipped them on and I immediately grabbed another piece of fabric and made a second pair, that's how much I like the pattern.

I read a few reviews, and some said that the waist was too high. I didn't find this to be a problem. I made up the size 10 and made just a few adjustments. The waist was just a little too large, about 2" overall. I also made a small adjustment to the crotch, but that was it. I like the width of the leg. It's straight and slim, but it doesn't hug the leg.
The pattern was named the Best Pattern of 2015 by Pattern Review. I think that pretty much says it all. It's a great, simple pant pattern. Easy to pull on since they have an elastic waist. 

I got my pattern for free and I was afraid that the promotion might be over, but I gave it a try just a few days ago, and I was still able to get the pattern for free. In order to get the pattern, you will need to sign up for their weekly newsletter. I have actually enjoyed receiving their newsletter and seeing the new patterns.So if you're late to the party like me,  here's the link to the Free Barb Pant Pattern, 
http://www.stylearc.com/threads-promo/

I know you would like to see me in the pants. I promise to do a fashion show post in the next few days as there are so many pieces that I need to share with you. But in the meantime, just to prove I did make the pants, here are the 2 pair that I made.
This pair are just all out fun.

This pair did not photograph all that well. They are made out of a gold stretch cotton velvet. They have been hemmed since I took the picture :) And BTW, I don't wear my pants this high!!!

The black and white pants have a lot of stretch to the fabric. I was a little concerned about the cotton velvet, it has a good bit of stretch, but not as much as the black and white fabric. But all in all, a great fit and I'm happy.

If you are like me and late to the Barb Pant Party, be sure to download your pattern ASAP as I don't know how much longer the promotion will be available.
Enjoy!
Rhonda

The Wednesday Showcase

So many succumb to the idea that having a blog would be lots of fun, and it is. When I look at my list of blogs that I am following, I'm always a little disheartened by the blogs that have not had a post in over a year. Either they are a little disheartened, or they find out that it can also be a lot of work and give up. 

I especially wanted to showcase this next blog as I think it is such a great idea. It's hosted by a group rather than just one person. They all live in Denver, Colorado, so their proximity to each other is quite helpful. And the nice thing about it is that the entire work of the blog doesn't land on just one person. They call themselves the Denver Sewing Collective and you can find them here, http://denversews.com/

There are 6 ladies in The Denver Sewing Collective. On the side of the blog, you'll find the list of contributors. Just click on their icon and it will take you to all of the posts that this person has done.

I just had to showcase this dress, such a pretty 1940's...1970's dress. She called it her Moby Dick of a dress. Click HERE and you can read the entertaining story that I'm sure we can all relate to.

Each person brings something unique to the table. Love these organizers.

And aren't these little train cases cute?!!

One of the ladies took this beautiful silk panel from Anna Sui...

 And made this gorgeous kimono. 

Check out the beautiful stitching detail. Is that inspiring or what?

They even had a challenge where each person had to show their sewing space. This one is so compact, but so perfect. I think I need to have her come help me organize!!!

If you've thought about a blog, but are a little intimidated by the work, maybe team up with a few friends. It'll spread out the work and make it fun for all. Did you notice that The Denver Sewing Collective has a dynamite logo? The scissors forming a mountain is genius! 

Next up is a very energetic young woman. Her name is Helen and her blog is simply, Helen's Closet. Cute! 

She recently took a trip to Mexico with her family and they camped on a beach!!!! I am not a camper, so this seems a little incredible to me, but it looks like they had so much fun. And what does someone who sews do to prepare for their trip? Why make new outfits of course!

Helen made this adorable swimsuit. So perfect for Mexico. She actually made 2, so check out her blog to see the other.

She drafted and made a new pair of culottes for the trip. If it were me camping, I know I would not look so well put together.

This was not for her trip, but I thought it really nice and that you might like to see it. It's the Cascade Duffle Coat from Grainline Studios. Love the treatment along the zipper.

Helen also has a pattern out, and it's free!!! The bag features a snap closure or a flap. She hosted a sew along recently and you can find all of the posts HERE. Just click HERE to get the pattern. All you'll need to do is sign up for her newsletter.  

So once again, so much inspiration on the Wednesday Showcase. 
If you have a number of friends that you can pair up with to do a blog, I hope you will. I think this is just the best idea. Great for any sewing group too!
Happy Wednesday Everyone!
Rhonda 

Master Sewing and Design Certification/Drafting and Pockets

Whether you are sewing for yourself, or for clients, having the ability to make changes, even simple changes to a pattern is a skill that will come in quite handy.

When I initially made the Clover Pant from Colette Patterns for Sew News, I was pleasantly surprised by how much I liked the pattern. The pants are a slim fit, with a side seam zipper. 

I decided that I would like to use the pattern again, but I wanted side pockets and a fly zipper. 
To do this, we will only need the front of the pant. 

Measure over from the side seam 2 1/2" at the waistline. 

At the side seam notch, fold an angled line from the notch to the mark we made at 2 1/2" from the side seam.

From the folded edge, at the waistline, measure in 3 1/2" and place a mark. 

From the side seam notch, measure down 4", and place a mark. 
Now draw in the shape of the pocket as you see below. 

When I do drafting exercises, I like to use white paper. You can purchase a roll at your local office supply store. The cost is minimal. My roll is a fairly good size roll and I paid about $5.00 for it.
Take a piece of paper and slide it under your pattern. copy off the shape of the pocket. Be sure to transfer the grainline.

Add 1/4" to the angled line of your pocket for seam allowance. I incorporated seam allowance into the measurements that I gave for the rest of the pocket. This will be the pocket facing.

Now, fold the angled edge of the side seam back and trace off the pocket once again. Be sure to transfer the grainline. This will be the pocket insert.

To cut out the pants, fold the angled line back in and pin in place. When cutting the pants, BE SURE TO REMEMBER TO ADD 1/4" SEAM ALLOWANCE  TO THE ANGLED LINE.

Cut 2 pocket facings and 2 pocket inserts.  

Now that we have the pockets drafted and cut, it's time to put them together. 

Begin by matching the pocket facing to the front pant, right sides together. Stitch along the 1/4" seam line.   

Open out the pocket facing and edge stitch along the side of the pocket facing.

As you can see below, the seam allowance should be laying towards the pocket facing. 

Fold the pocket facing back inside the pant and stitch along the edge. We have now stitched the pocket opening edge 3 times. All of the stitching will help to keep the pocket opening edge from stretching when putting your hands in the pockets.  

You can see the stitched edge a little better in the picture below. 

Now lay the pocket insert over the pocket facing and stitch the 2 together. Finish the seam however you choose.

Now we have the pocket assembled. 

Before we begin to insert the zipper, we need to baste the pocket  to the pant leg along the side seam and the waist line.   

We now have a pocket where there was never one before!!!
Adding a pocket to a pencil skirt or a pair of pants is so easy to do. This is a basic pocket, but once you've mastered a simple pocket, you can do anything.
Hope you enjoy adding to pockets to all of your pants and skirts!
Rhonda