In my previous post I listed the patterns you ought to try (in order) if you’re a new sewer. If you missed it, check it out here. My goal for these posts is to create a list of patterns to sew that gradually build sewing skills while increasing confidence through repetition. A sewing curriculum of sorts. I’ll be including learning objectives for each pattern beneath the options. I’m a former teacher. I’m all about some learning objectives. I’ll also be linking up all the patterns to various shops. Hopefully that will introduce you to the different sewing shops in the United States/on the Internet. Speaking of fabric shops, let’s talk…
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Part One of Sewing Curriculum: Beginner Sewist? Start Here.
Are you interested in sewing? Not sure where to begin? Here’s my list of patterns to try in order. This list is designed to first build confidence and then slowly challenge and build your abilities. This is the list I wish I’d had when I started sewing. It would have saved me a lot of heartache (think attempting to make blankets with minky….the devil fabric). I’ll be including learning objectives for each pattern beneath the options. I’m a former teacher. I’m all about some learning objectives. I’ll also be linking up all the patterns to various shops. Hopefully that will introduce you to the different sewing shops in the United…
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Children’s Corner Eleanor/April Hack Draper James…yes please!
Who doesn’t love Reese Witherspoon’s Draper James clothing line? No-one. Everything in it is timeless, tasteful, and fun. Sometimes I like to browse adult clothing lines to try to find inspiration for children’s clothes. Or just to see how others have obviously been inspired by classic children’s clothing. Draper James is one of the sites that I frequent for inspiration (particularly for Mama-Baby matches) I am not alone in this (slightly nerdy) hobby. My sewing mentor and friend, Margy recently texted me this picture from Draper Jame’s and asked if Maria needed a child equivalent of this outfit. My response: I need the adult equivalent and yes please. We brainstormed…
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Harper + April Mash-Up
Y’all this combo. I am a sucker for a bubble…and this combination is most certainly my new favorite. First off; the patterns are extremely well written and easy to follow. It’s obvious that Children’s Corner goes out of their way to ensure that any level of sewist can pick up a pattern and understand the instructions. Because of this, it is super easy to combine the two. Another thing I love about both of these patterns is that they’re both lined. Patterns that are totally lined tend to have great body. I have found that I love lining my patterns with a Fabric Finders broadcloth or a fabric with a…
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Attaching Gathered Fabric to Flat Fabric-quick tip
Don’t you love it when people show you a quick tip that changes your sewing life? I absolutely love it. My sewing mentor recently dropped this little gem on me so I thought I’d share! When attaching gathered fabric to flat fabric you can use this little tip to keep your gathers PERFECT. So next time you attach gathered trim to a sleeve, a skirt to a bodice, or gathered trim to beading, this is a quick trick that will make your life easier. Gather your fabric (in my case trim) as normal. Making sure gathers are nice an straight and evenly spaced. Lay a paper towel down on your…
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Bulk Sewing
My entire family recently got the flu :(. Not fun. I’d had the flu shot so it wasn’t debilitating, just annoying. During our quarantine this nesting mama went a little nuts. I sewed everything and I’m out of things to embroider. If you find yourself in this situation or just want to prepare for the summer, here are some tips for sewing en masse. 1.Choose your pattern wisely. Pick something that does not have smocking. The fewer pieces the pattern has, the better. A few options I’ve had success with are the Children’s Corner Patterns Johnny, Creations by Michie Jumper, and the Children’s Corner Patterns Robert. 2. Choose similar fabrics.…
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Modify the Children’s Corner Robert into a jumper!
First of all..the Robert is now offered in larger sizes guys! This is great news for all the younger kids wanting to learn to sew-the pants would be a FANTASTIC first sewing project in my opinion! Now; as I’ve explained before, I often use images on instagram as inspiration for new sewing projects. I recently saw this adorable jumper and had to recreate it. The belt on the jumper made me immediately think of the Robert from Children’s Corner store. Using the Robert I was able to whip up this cute jumper in one nap! Directions: Retrieve the appropriate front belt piece from the pattern. This is the only piece from…
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Knit Nightie with a Smocked Insert
I am all about super soft and warm fabrics right now. Something about having a winter baby makes me want to sew with nothing but flannel, corduroy, brushed twill and knit. Probably some evolutionary need to keep the new baby as warm as humanly possible. Isn’t it crazy how hard-wired we are sometimes? Anyway, I LOVE the Children’s Corner Knit Nightie. You can find it here https://goo.gl/8SWfPR. Its available as a digital download! It is a quick sew, and in the newborn size you can usually get two of the actual gowns out of one yard of fabric (it takes some inventive fabric folding while cutting but it can be done!) I have…
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Children’s Corner Jamie…in knit!
I am on a bit of a knit kick. Well, not really just a knit kick, a Sea Island knit kick. I can’t sing enough praises for this fabric y’all. It is the perfect fabric for newborns. Heck; it almost feels like a newborn. Part of the reason I got into sewing with such a vengeance involved the absolutely absurd prices of baby clothes made out of good quality fabrics. Brands like Kissy Kissy and Magnolia Baby make the sweetest, softest clothes at a not-so-sweet price point. I have found that I am able to make similar clothes with the same fabrics for about half the price…with the added…
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Convert any Gown into a “Converter”
Let’s get one thing straight, I am a mom ALL day and a sewist for only a few glorious nap-time hours. Because of this all day mom-ing, I like to sew items that are first practical and second adorable. I know that there is no way I will grab an item for my child to wear that is impossible to get stains out of, extremely uncomfortable for her, or an impediment in any way to the car seat. Perhaps in the future, if I’m lucky enough to be a grandmother, I will allow myself to follow my every whim in the sewing room (sigh…). Until then; I’ll spend the extra…
