What Are Quilters Blogging About Today?

I’m not sure what trail of cookie crumbs led me to Ann Tilley’s Magic Pants, but OMG they are!  After I gave birth to our older son, over 30 years ago, I decided that elastic waist pants are pretty much essential.  As the years wore on, I abandoned any other style for 90 percent of my pants wardrobe.  But sometimes you want to look nicer yet still feel comfortable–these do that amazingly well.  So when it came time for my Autumn Janome  Artisan project, I knew **exactly** what I would make!  I had purchased the supersoft pinwale ...

 Several years ago, I added some improv quilt bits and hand stitches to a denim jacket I found at a resale shop. I've loved wearing it and get lots of compliments when I do! Since my granddaughter had admired it, I decided to make her a similar one for her birthday a couple weeks ago.

I found this improv block in my orphan block bin and it was perfect to add to the back panel! I added lots of big stitching to it which was really fun!

I even had enough of the block left over to add two ...

Let’s chat about sewing garments!! In this episode Vanessa chats about some garment sewing patterns and share some tips. We’ll chat about choosing your next make, hard copy patterns vs. PDF patterns, and so much more.

If you’ve been thinking of sewing your own clothes this year, tune in! You may feel inspired to give it a go after today’s episode.

• Jalie sewing patterns & courses in our shop: https://craftygemini.com/?s=jalie&post_type=product

• Clip & Slide Measuring Tape: https://craftygemini.com/shop/clipslidetape/

More about sewing clothes on the blog: https://craftygemini.com/category/clothing-tutorials ...

The time has come!!!!

Say hello to beach days and fancy refreshing drinks while lounging in your backyard!  Tangerine Fabrics by AGF Studio is here and it’s sending us a cool retro Summer, filled with charming florals and playful designs. This collection reminds me of my days living in South Florida and my weekend getaways to Key West. Popping on my me made Summer dresses and my sunnies and riding on mopeds all day weaving in out of the endearing streets of this island's rich history. I am so excited to start sewing up some of the ...

In this episode Vanessa is kicking off the January 2025 Sew Along with the Jalie Charlie Bomber Jacket! All the details for the sew along is inside the course. If you already own the course just login at https://craftygemini.com/my-account to access it (and all your Crafty Gemini Video Courses!).

Tune in for fabric selection tips and see the progress Vanessa has made on her most recent Charlie Bomber Jacket.

For those of you that already know how to sew we are kicking off a new Sew Along this month for the Jalie Charlie Bomber Jacket! Tune in ...

In this episode Vanessa chats about her new beginner sewing course called Sewing Made Simple: Clueless to Confident in 30 Days! Today is the last day to get in at the sale price. At midnight tonight the price goes up.

For those of you that already know how to sew we are kicking off a new Sew Along this month for the Jalie Charlie Bomber Jacket! Tune in to get all the details and make sure you’re on the email list so you don’t miss out on the fabric sale and the sew along details. If you are ...

It’s time for some summer fun–in this case a lightweight summer jacket that has languished since last summer!  The pattern is the Moss Jacket from Helen’s Closet Patterns and the fabric is this one from Blackbird Fabrics in Canada.  I’ve ordered from Blackbird before and luckily had no issues with US customs.
I love a super light jacket–I don’t care for the feel of 99% of sunscreens, but I burn very quickly.  This type of garment is my solution.  When making a garment, the first thing I do is figure out my fabric layout ...

Hard to believe the ninth and final lesson is here already!  Thank you for following along.  Links to all nine of the posts in this series are now listed at the bottom of each lesson and on my Resources page!  If you remember this down the line, the fastest way to find it is put “Plaid” in the search box at right on the blog OR look for a link to the Plaid Top Tutorials on my Resources page, here.

To recap, we have:

• Lesson 1:   Choosing a Pattern and Starting Tips
• Lesson 2:   Making a Muslin, Fitting and Sleeves ...

Today we move on to another fun technique:  a lined patch pocket.  I kinda made this up along the way (my first photos are not included because I figured out a better way…this is the revised and improved method!). The flannel is SO soft and comfy–in part because the weave is dense but not terribly tight. That means I might be able to wear holes in the bottom of the pockets, so I decided to give them some strength and structure by adding a lining.  The hand-dyed blue was in my stash and worked well enough  I also ...

Hong Kong seams are a thing of beauty–a little extra work but a secret delight!  So even though I didn’t use them in this plaid top, I’m including them with all the seam lessons in this series of technique posts.  I did use them on both my Simplicity S8883  top, full blogpost here, and the Brumby Skirt.   I also used this finish on a jacket I made for my daughter-in-law some years ago that I swear I wish she could wear inside out LOL!

That lime green on the shoulder and princess seams is a Hong Kong ...

 I'm here at the retreat! We're back at Retreat at the Farm in Shelbourne. I arrived at 7 PM, and it's good to be back even if I have to work most of the week. Hey -- I have presentations to prep and samples to sew, but I can have more fun doing that while visiting with friends than being at home. 

I brought most things I need, and whatever I'm missing, then we'll make it up! There is one thing that I have a big issue with my phone charger. I have two, but again ...

Lapped and flat-felled seams are two sides of the same coin.  Both are found in ready to wear–the lapped seams I see most often in men’s dress shirts.  Flat-felled seams are found on jeans…they’re that heavy, bulky seam!  The double stitching makes it strong, so it is good for seams that endure strain–like tight jeans!  They can also be used decoratively with contrasting and/or heavy topstitching thread. Let’s start with the ….

Please note:  I am affiliated with Janome as a Janome Artisan and am compensated.  However, my reviews are honest and I would ...

Please note:  I am affiliated with Janome as a Janome Artisan and am compensated.  However, my reviews are honest and I would say what I say whether affiliated or not.  I’ve also chosen to be affiliated with Janome since 2003 (!!!) because their machines are so good and they are so responsive to the interests and needs of their customers.

To make a French seam you sew the seam twice.  My example is on a 5/8″ seam which is standard in the US.  Please adjust accordingly for your pattern and practice.

First, sew the seam with the fabric WRONG ...

I am NOT an enabler, although I hear someone else bought that grain elevator panel! I know --- we're preserving history. And that sounds like a perfect excuse to buy it. I am waiting for my panels to arrive, and then I need to make a quilt so it can return to Saskatchewan in a couple of months. 

Oh, those girls --- they are needy! It's not good that we have been home so much these last couple of years because now they think we are HERE for them always. And Murphy is especially "bad." I can be on a ...

Nothing beats a beautifully finished garment, one that is so pretty on the inside that you enjoy it every time you put it on.  Though you might be tempted to wear it inside out it’s so pretty, it remains a secret just for you!  Top technique for a beautiful inside is using a seam finish to hide the raw edges.  Not only does it look nice, it also protects the edges of the fabric, prevents fraying, can improve the way the seam functions, and contributes to a garment that will last longer.  After all, you’ve spent money and ...

While visiting a favorite local shop in nearby Rockland, Maine, Clementine, I happened to fondle this amazing thick, soft flannel and thought it would made a perfect winter top.  The plaid adds a bit of complexity and opportunity to teach a few more advanced skills along with a fairly simple pattern for this series.

Please note:  I am affiliated with Janome as a Janome Artisan and am compensated.  However, my reviews are honest and I would say what I say whether affiliated or not.  I’ve also chosen to be affiliated with Janome since 2003 (!!!) because their machines are so ...

At the end of Lesson 1, I was showing you how far off the fitting is in this pattern when applied to my body: broad shoulders, small bust.

Please note:  I am affiliated with Janome as a Janome Artisan and am compensated.  However, my reviews are honest and I would say what I say whether affiliated or not.  I’ve also chosen to be affiliated with Janome since 2003 (!!!) because their machines are so good and they are so responsive to the interests and needs of their customers.

There’s a LOT of detail in this post, but if you ...

I thought it would be fun to teach some basic garment sewing techniques using a simple “T” top in woven fabric as the platform, tossing in a few special lessons along the way. This isn’t a class in how to make a blouse–rather it is a way to teach several techniques that are useful in garment making and home dec across the board.  There will be 9 posts total that will publish on Tuesday and Friday through March 21. As they go live, I will update a list at the bottom of each ...

Yes, I made a dress - from Kaffe Fassett fabrics of course!

I like to wear 100% cotton dresses in summer, but they're getting harder and harder to find in the shops.  So I decided I would just have to make some dresses myself.    

I used the Style Arc June Sheath Dress pattern with a few modifications around the neck line.  I cut the neck line lower, based on a dress I already have.  

I'm really pleased with how it turned out and I'm looking forward to wearing it soon. 

Update: Yes, it's regular quilting Kaffe Fassett ...