JemJam

It's Time for Dresses

One day, as I was hanging my daughter's clothes in her closet, I realized that she's outgrowing her dresses.  I like sewing dresses, but they take more time than whipping out a skirt.  I remembered that I bought a magazine years ago with an easy sundress pattern from Oliver + S in it, so, I got busy on tracing the pattern and selecting fabrics.  This is what I produced:

 

I want to make more because it is a great way to use some fabric that I have stashed here, but, there's not much going on as far as shape, so maybe four is plenty for a summer.  Well, maybe just two more...

You can find this fast pattern for free at Oliver + S's blog.  

 

Speaking of Oliver + S, Above All Fabric is doing a sew-a-long for their Family Reunion Dress!

The sew-a-long starts on June 13, 2011, so there's plenty of time to get ready!  Get all of the details on Melanie's blog.

I am participating and I'm excited about it!  My spawn needs a few dresses (obviously) and this will be perfect to get me going!  The pattern can be made into a dress or a blouse, so, I imagine that I'll be doing both.  The pattern sizing is 6 months to 12 years old, maybe you know someone that will want one!

 

I am hoping that everyone is safe today after the past few days of tornadoes in the midwest!  

 

Perfectly Pleated Clutch!

Well, my pleated clutch is done!  This is the size medium and I could not be more pleased with the results.  After pleating the panels, it sews very fast and I just winged it on the pleats, I stopped measuring after the second pleat--it may be obvious...

 

It's roomy inside, I may start using it everyday for a little while.

For anyone making the bag:  

After finishing my bag, I decided that the handle should be sewn to the band for stability--it sagged a little after putting things inside.  I sewed the handle to the band and my problem is no more!

So, I made this to match my clutch:  

we attended a wedding this weekend and I thought that I would have a new dress for the event.  Oh yes, the lining of my bag is the same print of my dress.  

The dress pattern is the Anna Tunic by Amy Butler.  I used a voile for the dress and the lining and it feels oh so great.  It was not very warm this weekend so, I had to wear a cardigan and cover the back.  That's okay, though, I'll wear it at least once more!

 

I wanted to do a sew-a-long for this bag, but, since I was on a strict schedule, I did not have time to take pics. I am considering whipping up another to take photos and post, what do you all think?

 

 

Style Stitches Monthly Bag Challenge 2011- May's Bag

May day!  It's time to get our next project started for the Style Stitches Monthly Bag Challenge 2011!

We will be making the PERFECTLY PLEATED CLUTCH from Chapter 5.  

 

Fabrics for PERFECTLY PLEATED CLUTCH---

Yardage requirements will vary depending on the size clutch that you would like to make.  Please refer to the finished sizes to decide what is best for you.  I am making the medium clutch.

 You will need one print for exterior

1/4 yd of a coordinating solid/print for the exterior bands and handle

5/8 yd of a second print for lining

 Here are my fabrics:

 

ADDITIONAL SUPPLIES:

We will need up to 1 1/8 yards of 20" wide FUSIBLE woven interfacing.  The testers in the book used Shape Flex by Pellon SF-101, just make sure that it is fusible and intended for light to mid-weight fabrics.  I am in love with SF 101, that stuff is an interfacer's dream!

1 zipper (refer to book to determine size)

 

You can purchase the zipper and interfacing at your local shop that sells fabric.  

Are you new to using interfacing?  Kathy Mack at Pink Chalk has a helpful guide to fusible interfacing that you may enjoy.

 

Style Stitchers, this is what we need to do for May:

• Select/order fabric and notions
• Show us the fabric that you are using on the Flickr group page, if you desire
• Cut out pattern pieces for PERFECTLY PLEATED CLUTCH
• Make bag following instructions from book
• Ask questions if you have any (you may use the discussion board on our Flickr group)
• Look for a sew-a-long??
• Take pictures of your PERFECTLY PLEATED CLUTCH and upload them to the FLICKR GROUP.  Alternatively, you may e-mail them to me and I will upload them to Flickr.  
• Meet back here on 1 JUNE 2011 for details for the next bag and to see a few of the photo-submitted bags and find out who won gift certificates to this month's sponsors:
•  Above All Fabric ($25), 
•  Fat Quarter Shop ($50), 

 

IF YOU WANT A CHANCE TO WIN A GIFT CERTIFICATE FROM OUR SPONSORS, PLEASE READ!

--PERFECTLY PLEATED CLUTCH pictures must be submitted by 31 MAY 2011 to be eligible for the gift certificate drawings.  The winners will be randomly selected.  

--Once the winners are announced, the first person to respond gets to select the gift certificate that they want. I will give further instructions on the 1 JUNE 2011 post. 

 

Questions?  Comments?  Did I forget to mention anything?

**New to the challenge?  You can read all of the details on this post & then get sewing!**

Here's a button with the code below:

Now, go get your clutch started...

If you are looking for the completed checkbook covers and winners from April, go here.

Beautiful Balance Checkbook Cover--Completed and 2 Winners

Well, we have completed our checkbook covers and I'm already dreaming about sewing my bag for May!  This month's project was pretty fast to sew!  Seriously, it took longer to cut and fuse than it did to sew.  I see a few more being made for gifts by the year's end.  There were not a lot of submissions for this project--it really was easy and a great project to learn how to layer pockets and use magnetic snaps if you have not done that before.

If you are considering this project, you just need scraps of fabric (maybe from a previous project in the book), I made cardstock templates for easy cutting.

I would love to hear from the Style Stitchers that DID NOT use home decorator weight fabric--How do you like your result?  I used home dec fabric and I love it, it is very nice and crisp.  

Here is a picture of my inside: 

 

I'll follow up with a better lit picture(s) tomorrow, it was a dreary day today and I missed out on good lighting.

 

Highlights:

Maria shall laugh every time that she uses her new wallet...

Emily's bag has dots and more dots...

 

Here's a bright cover from Sperluette, it will not get lost in a bag!

 

 

Everyone (even if you are still working on your bags) should give yourself a pat on the back and put cheese on your next sandwich!  You deserve it.  Congratulations on making your bag, they are all great, by the way! 

 

For April, The Style Stitches Monthly Bag Challenge 2011 sponsors are:

 

Above All Fabric, who is awarding a $25 gift certificate!

 

 Fat Quarter Shop, who is awarding a $50 gift certificate!

 

 

Now, let's announce the 2 winners for this month's challenge.

I used Random Number Generator to select the winners...

Pamela

And Adrian!!

 

Congratulations, ladies!  

Now, you must SEND ME AN E-MAIL TO CLAIM YOUR GIFT CERTIFICATE.  The first person who sends me a message gets to pick first, the second person gets the alternative gift certificate.  You can reply to this post if you like, but you must send me a separate e-mail to claim your prize.  

My address is jemelliahilfiger AT yahoo.com.  I suggest copying and pasting it to get it correct.  

If you have not e-mailed me within 7 days, I will draw for another winner.

 

Congrats to everyone who made a bag for the challenge, told someone about the challenge, or both!

 

A very big thank you to our April sponsors!

Fat Quarter Shop and Above All Fabric!

 

Check back tomorrow for May's bag post.