Reusable Coffee Filter

So simple and so kind to the environment. I'm actually shaking my head as to why I didn't think of this sewing project earlier.

I jump on this as a sewing project when I spotted a version on the Java Works website. I knew I could make my own with supplies in the stash.  And of course, I had to brew a pot of coffee to test it out. 

Here's to saving the planet one pot of coffee at a time.  

Project Details

Seams:  2.2 length

Seam Finish:  Serged

Tips:  If you know a coffee lover who makes their java in a drip pot, this might make a sweet stocking stuffer.  

Fabric:  0.2 metres (unbleached cotton)

Pattern:  A disposable coffee filter

Additional Tools and Supplies:  Cutting table, scissors, tailor's chalk, ruler, sewing machine, serger, threads and coffee.  

Stay Safe and Happy Sewing!

Replacement Sewing: The Tulip Dress

Once upon a time, many months ago, I made a toile that turned out to be a pretty sweet dress.  That means it fit. And I had plans to make another. Life had other plans and I lent the dress never to see it again. It just meant that it's time to get to work on the post-toile version.  

Two changes were needed before cutting out the fabric. I added 1/4" to the seam allowances because I prefer sewing with a 5/8" allowance. It made for easier serging. The pattern instructions actually suggest finishing all the seam edges before stitching the seams. And there was 1 1/2" added back onto the cut-too-short length of the skirt. 

Changes that were part of the first make that were duplicated include: finishing the hems and neckline with seam binding, inserting the sleeve flat, changing the order of steps and raising the position of the pockets.  

This fabric has been in my stash for many many moons. It was about time that I made something with it as it was starting to fade at the fold line. Thankfully, I was able to cut the pattern pieces around these spots. The fabric was pre-treated with at tumble in the washing machine followed by the dryer before hitting the ironing board for a steam pressing. This is a medium weight cotton / linen blend with a quality that is hard to find now-a-days, a clue to it's age.  

At the moment I don't have any immediate plans to make another version of this dress. There are no plans to lend it out eliminating any risk of losing it. Although, it is a very comfortable style so there might be another one in the works.  

Project Details

Seams:  2.6 straight stitch

Seam Finish:  Interior seams are finished by serger.  Sleeve hem and neckline were finished with seam binding.  

Tips:  Invest in a seam binding maker.  It's easy to make your own seam binding when you have the right tools and it comes in handy when your city is under another lockdown.  

Fabric:  3 metres

Zipper:  55 cm invisible

Basting tape:  1.2 metres two-faced tape

Pattern:  The Assembly Line Tulip Dress

Additional Tools & Supplies:  Measuring tape, measure gauge, tailor's chalk, pins, wrist pin cushion, clapper (used a weight), scissors, iron, ironing board, sewing machine, invisible zipper foot, regular zipper foot, regular presser foot, tweezers, lint brush, mini vacuum, screwdriver, threads, serger, thread clippers, seam ripper, bias tape maker, and coffee.

Stay Safe and Happy Sewing!

Basic Black Bias-cut Knit Skirt: Vogue 1730

I really like this skirt.  It's very comfortable and it looks good with this shirt.  They both have asymmetrical hems that compliment each other.  Gotta love it when a new make works with another piece.  

Sewing this project was easy once it came to sewing.  

First, I had to shorten it.  The pattern doesn't come with lengthen / shorten lines but the front and back pieces include an extension.  It's this point that I used for shortening the skirt length by two inches.  

Next came to cutting it out.  Yikes!  The pattern pieces and single layer of fabric won't fit on my cutting table and meant this had to be done on the floor.  And for this reason, I doubt I will be revisiting this pattern.  

This skirt pattern does not have as much ease as the pants.  

The fabric is a ponte knit that was in the stash.  No idea how long it's been there.  I didn't prewash this piece of cloth before cutting into it.  

Project Details

Seams:  2.5 length (knit stitch)

Seam Finish:  serge

Fabric:  2 metres

Pattern:  Vogue 1730

Elastic:  1.4 metres

Knit 'N Stable Tape:  3 metres

Additional Tools and Supplies:  Cardboard cutting mat, scissors, pins, wrist pin cushion, measuring tape, sewing machine, serger, screwdriver, ball point sewing machine needle, threads, heat pad and coffee.  

Stay Safe and Happy Sewing!  

Corduroy Pants: Vogue 1730

I cut into a piece of corduroy fabric before testing out this pattern, Vogue 1730.  I know, risky business considering that we're in code red and just entered into a relaxed lockdown and fabric shopping is challenging at this time.  

It's not perfect, but it's wearable.  

It's hard to tell in the navy coloured corduroy but there are a lot of darts at the hemline.  These remind me of the shaping at the hemline of Marcy Tilton's coat pattern, out-of-print (OOP) Vogue 8934.  The line drawing would suggest that this are more of a straight leg pant that tapers in at the hemline.  Not so, perhaps you should think of these as in the style of jodhpurs or hammer pants.  Seriously, had to take in the side seams from the waistline to above the darts to taper in the excessive hip ease.  It's a little more baggy in the rear than I like.  I would suggest considering this fact if you plan to try out this pattern.  If I revisit this pattern I would taper in those centre back leg seams from the waistline as well.  

The pattern envelope describes these as cropped pants but since I'm nowhere near the height of a Vogue model, these are full length pants on me.  I'm good with this.  Love the size of the pockets.  

The fabric is a lovely small wade corduroy.  It was pretreated before hitting the cutting table.  

Project Details

Seams:  2.6 stitch length

Seam Finish:  Serged 

Fabric:  2.1 metres

Elastic:  0.5 metres

Pattern:  Vogue 1730

Additional Tools and Supplies:  Cutting table, scissors, pins, tailor's chalk, sewing machine, serger, thread clippers, iron, ironing board.  

Stay Safe and Happy Sewing!  

Rememberance Day: Poppy Dress

 

This dress is truly special.  

Nostalgic Fabric: Corduroy

I've always had a quiet admiration for corduroy fabric. There a nostalgic tie to this cloth that has been broken over the years.  Back-in-the-day it was easy to find corduroy fabric.  A corduroy blazer with patch pockets was once considered a staple in one's wardrobe.  

Now it days it seems to be considered a vintage fabric if you were to search the aisles of a fabric store.  Even though there seems to be a reimagination of the corduroy blazer.   

Although I'm not looking to recreate this iconic piece. I'm thinking about winter wear and would love to sew a pair of corduroy pants.  Ah, the memories of childhood, playing in the snow and having the snow brushed off my corduroy pants.  But I digress.  

Yes, I need a pair of pants.  Something to keep me warm this winter.  Something that brings cozy and happy memories of winters gone by.  Something made in corduroy.  

Stay Safe and Happy Sewing!  

Production-style Charity Sewing: The Aplat Face Mask

 There has been some production style sewing of late.  

These, plus five more, will be going to the hard-working teachers and educational assistants at a local school who wear glasses. I find the biggest issue with wearing a face mask all day is how do you get around your glasses fogging up?  I hope they will be well-received and the fit of the Aplat face mask offers the solution.  

The best feature which turned out being a big pain in the fingers were the cord and cord stopper feature.  That was not fun in a production line situation.  I'm happy they're done and ready to deliver. Fingers are crossed that they are well-received.  

 

Project Details

Seams:  2.4 straight stitch 

Seam Finish:  None

Tips:  The narrowest width of cotton twill tape is the most comfortable for over the ear.

Fabric (includes filter fabric):  4.8 metres

Twill tape:   27 metres

Seam binding (I ran out of twill tape):  3 metres

Cord Stoppers:  20

Pattern:  Aplat Face Mask Origami Design (Free PDF)

Additional Tools & Supplies:  Cutting table, scissors, thread clippers, pins, pin cushion, iron, ironing board, sewing machine, seam ripper, masking tape, safety pin, computer, printer, paper scissors and coffee. 

Stay Safe and Happy Sewing!