Making the Perfect Skirt--for You!

I hardly ever wear skirts. It's not because I don't like them, it's simply because I can never find a ready-to-wear skirt that fits my proportions properly and comfortably. Well, I decided to take matters into my own hands and learn how to draft a skirt to fit my body type! Keep reading to learn how I did it!

Simple Zipper Pouch + Fabric Bundle Giveaway!

Yesterday, my kids were arguing over a pencil pouch. One claimed the other took it without asking. Since I have no idea who the pencil pouch was originally purchased for, I decided to go make a couple of quick ones so they would both be happy.

I found the perfect pattern and instructions for making these simple zipper pencil pouches in Craftsy's Bag Making Basics: Reversible Tote and Zipper Pouch FREE mini class (affiliate link)! I printed out the materials list and cutting instructions and then grabbed some colorful fabrics I had received from Blend Fabrics. I used four different prints from Maude Asbury's Geofabulous collection. These were the perfect to make both a masculine and a feminine pencil pouch for each of my children.

Did You Know...

Over the last few months, I've been blessed with some new opportunities in the sewing and blogging community, and I have added a few new features to the blog here.

For instance,

Did you know...

sewVery Sunny Tops Preview

A huge weight has been lifted, and I feel I can relax for a couple of days.  My sewVery Sunny Dress & Top Pattern has been sent to testers! I'm so nervous even though I had the three sizes in the free version tested last month without many issues. So much work goes into creating and preparing a clothing pattern, and even if you have sewn and tested for years, you just don't know how time consuming it is until you try it!

So, while I twiddle my thumbs and anxiously wait to see some finished test versions and receive their feedback on the pattern, I thought I'd share with you some more photos of the sewVery Sunny Tops in Option A (with the neck ruffle) and Option B (without the neck ruffle) of the full pattern.

sewVery Sunny Dress Tester Photos Round-Up

A couple of days ago, I released my first graded digital pdf sewing pattern--for FREE! It's the sewVery Sunny Dress Pattern in Sizes 5, 6, and 7.  Boy, was it a labor of love, but I had so much fun making it that I plan to complete the grading and add a couple of variations to the design.

In order to make sure the pattern pieces were graded properly for a good fit and the tutorial instructions were clear and thorough, I requested the help from a group of ladies via a tester call-out on my sewVery Facebook page.  Didn't they do an amazing job?

Two Giveaways Ending Today! Hurry and Enter!

There are two giveaways ending today that I want to remind you to enter if you haven't already.

The first is the Craftsy Quilt-As-You-Go Tinker Tote Bag Class Giveaway!  Click the link HERE to go to the original post, scroll down to the bottom of the page, and enter the contest by signing up for or signing in to Craftsy.  One entry per person.  Winner will be announced here on the blog and on my sewVery Facebook page tomorrow, Wednesday, August 28th.

The Craftsy class winner is Chelle (aka Kweenbee)!  Chelle, just log into your Craftsy account to see the class waiting for you!

I haven't made the bag yet, but I did test out my quilt-as-you-go skills that I learned in the class by making this cute potholder!  The class shows you how to make one, too!

It's not too bad for my first attempt (at least I don't think it is)!

The second giveaway I want to remind you to enter is for the $20 gift card I am giving away to Spoonflower over at Pattern Revolution.  This contest closes in just a few hours, too, so be sure to enter HERE in my guest post on How to Make Your Own Clothing Labels.  Again, the winner will be announced tomorrow, Wednesday, August 28th, here and on my Facebook page as well as on Pattern Revolution.

The $20 Spoonflower gift certificate winner is Cynthia F. Cynthia, I'll be emailing you shortly!  Congrats!

You can make a ton of labels, like the one below, in a variety of colors and sizes using my tutorial!  Please be sure to check it out!

See you all here tomorrow with the names of the winners!  Thanks for all your support and friendship!

Craftsy Class Giveaway!

Have you ever taken a sewing, crafting, or quilting class from Craftsy?  They are great if you are just learning to sew or learning a new sewing technique--like me!

Today I'm reviewing the Craftsy Quilt-As-You-Go Patchwork Bags Class by Tara Rebman. Craftsy provided me with this class free of charge, but all opinions provided in this post are my own.

As many of you know, I love to sew clothes and bags, but I'm not too much of a quilter.  I've quilted a few small projects, but I am definitely not well versed in "quilting" language or techniques, so I was excited about this opportunity to take an online class to learn a few new sewing tricks and eventually make a bag!

Now, my review today is solely on the class itself.  Presently, I have not had the time to actually try out these methods and the pattern, but I am anxious to do so!  Now to find a little extra time!

The great thing about a Craftsy online class is the flexibility to take the class when you have time to take it.  You can also skip over sections of the lesson that you might already find familiar or replay over and over again parts that you don't!

In the online quilting class that Tara offers, I learned a technique called quilt-as-you-go (QAYG). For those of you not familiar with this term (like me), you essentially take scraps of fabric one piece at a time and quilt them with straight-line stitching onto your batting.  You continue to piece the scraps of fabric together while alternating your stitch direction with each new piece.

Tara not only shows you the steps of the QAYG method, but she also shows you how to create the fabric membrane for a Tinker Tote Bag using this technique.  The pdf pattern for the tote bag is included with the lesson.

The Tinker Tote Bag is a medium to large size bag with built in straps.  Tara provides tips on how to make the bottom of the bag with leather or with fabric, and she gives you a step-by-step tutorial on how to make both an interior slip pocket and zippered pocket as well as how to attach a magnetic closure.

Overall, I'm very impressed with the class and the pattern.  I learned some new quilting terms and techniques that I can't wait to try out when I find time to make my own Tinker Tote Bag!  I think I'll get a little practice first by making a pot holder like she shows you how to do as well.

This Craftsy Craftsy Quilt-As-You-Go Patchwork Bags Class is great for either someone wanting to learn to quilt or a quilter who wants to learn to make a bag!  And today, you can enter a giveaway for a chance to win this very same class from Craftsy!

To enter the giveaway to win the Quilt-As-You-Go Patchwork Bags Class by Tara Rebman, just sign up for Craftsy using the link below, or if you are already a member, simply sign in using the link for an entry. Only one entry per person.  The winner will be selected at random and announced here and on my sewVery Facebook page next Wednesday, August 28th!

CONTEST IS OVER
and the winner is
CHELLE (aka KWEENBEE)

Once you've signed up for Craftsy and entered the giveaway for the QAYG class, be sure to click the link here for the FREE Mastering Zippers Class!

FREE Mastering Zippers Class

Thanks again to Craftsy for allowing me to review this great class.  I can't wait to make my own QAYG Tinker Tote Bag!