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Sew Everything Workshop Den of Pin Pincushion - Getting My Sewing Materials Together!

My sewing progress continues, confirming that my new sewing category was not too hasty of a move. 

This latest project is also from the Sew Everything Workshop book, my go-to sewing instruction book.  And perhaps most exciting, this project features materials that I ordered from the Sew Everything Workshop author herself, via Diana Rupp's Make Workshop online store.

Pin Cushions - Both Completed

And the exciting outcome from this project - it organizes a critical sewing accessory, helping to cement me as a true sewist.  

Pin Cushion - First Completed

As one can tell from the above picture, this simple project (which turned into projects after I made the first one) is a simple pincushion, stuffed with polyfill.  

I used some leftover cotton for the top of the pincushion and felt for the bottom.  The pincushion was then accessorized with some embroidery floss for a polished look.

Pin Cushion - Fabric Cut

Pin Cushion - Side View

This project only requires one use of the sewing machine, to sew three edges of the top fabric to the back.  The remaining edge is then hand-sewn using a slipstitch, which took me a few tries to understand and complete a clean-ish edge.

Pin Cushion - Fabric Being Sewn

Pin Cushion - Stuffing

Pin Cushion - Sewing Last Edge

Pin Cushion - Edge Sewn Shut

Pin Cushion - Completed Top

Pin Cushion - Top Side View

I am really pleased with how these pincushions turned out, and I can see myself making more in the future!

September 09, 2020 in Sewing | Permalink | Comments (0)

My First Commercial Sewing Project - Wrap Skirt by Diana Rupp

I've been slowly learning how to use a sewing machine since purchasing my first in 2014 (a Brother).  I was initially convinced that I would be self-taught through the internet, books, and online Craftsy classes, but as years past, I realized that a pure DIY approach wasn't going to work. 

So I signed up for my first sewing class at the New York Sewing Center in 2016, a skirt-making class at the Brooklyn Craft Company in 2017, and then an alterations workshop back at the New York Sewing Center in 2019.  In between, I made pillow covers, altered some clothes, and tried to experiment with similar small scale projects.

But remaining elusive was a full commercial sewing pattern.  The great New York Sewing Center team recommended I take a longer class with them that would cover commercial sewing patterns, but I couldn't find a date that worked with my schedule.  And so I recently turned back to my DIY attempts, this time successfully using Diana Rupp's fantastic Sew Everything Workshop book and accompanying online class I bought years ago on Craftsy (now Bluprint) to complete my first commercial pattern!

Make W Skirt - Skirt Completed

I will caveat that this wrap skirt pattern is from Rupp's book, so it had more guidance than a standard commercial pattern.  But I still had to cut out pattern pieces, figure out darts and other shaping, and put together multiple pieces of fabric.  Eek!  

Make W Skirt - Pattern Pieces

Make W Skirt - Pattern Pieces Over Fabric

Make W Skirt - Pattern Pieces Cut

The project took several days, especially because I watched and rewatched Rupp's videos to master each step.  The most laborious effort was figuring out how to cut the fabric and then transcribe the markings without dressmakers pins and a good sewing chalk.  By contrast, sewing, including my first darts (pictured below), was a breeze.

Make W Skirt - Darts Wrong Side

Make W Skirt - Darts Wrong Side Full

Make W Skirt - Darts Right Side

I couldn't be happier with the final result - with the adjustable tie, I can wear this skirt a few different ways.  I look forward to premiering it outside of my home mirror, and to taking on my next professional pattern!

Make W Skirt - Skirt Full

Make W Skirt - Seams and Darts Right Side

Make W Skirt - Madhu Skirt Modeled

June 30, 2020 in Sewing | Permalink | Comments (0)

A New MadhuKnitsandCooks.com Category - Sewing! (Face Masks)

I'll skip over the perfunctory introduction of my inspiration for this project, and just get to the topic - face masks.  I've started making them.  Lots of them.  On my sewing machine.  And I've declared sewing a permanent hobby, so I've created a new MadhuKnitsandCooks.com category - sewing (!).

Masks 5 and 6 - Completed

My first face mask pattern was Bluprint's, which was linked in an email I received.  The pattern seemed easy enough, but you really needed bias tape or a bias tape maker.  I didn't have either and wasn't inclined to order either, so modified the pattern to use t-shirt cut ties instead.  

First Sewn Mask - T Shirt

That worked fairly well because of the density of t-shift material, but the sides still felt weak and I didn't have confidence that this mask would survive multiple wears.  While I think that is largely a material issue - the t-shirt material is too dense and flexible (not rigid enough) - I think the pattern flaw is more fundamental.  The side ties not only secure the mask to your head, but they are also hold the pleats of the mask together, which I think is too much for these thin ties to do.  

Ok, so on to another pattern.  I am not sure how I found the Sarah Maker pleated face masks pattern, but I have really enjoyed it so far.  The construction of the mask is more complex than the Bluprint version, but it has far more reinforcements across the tension points of the mask.  You can also easily make the fabric ties from strips of fabric without a bias tape maker.  I haven't tried this pattern with elastic ties yet, but I have some elastic coming so will be giving that a try too.

Mask 2 - Leftover Skirt Material for Ties

Mask 2 - Leftover Skirt Material Ties Pinned for Sewing

Mask 2 Starting to Put Together - Sewing Edges

Mask 2 - Skirt Material  Pinned for Pleats

Mask 2 - Skirt Material  Done!

The pattern also has a slit in the middle of the mask for putting in an additional filter, which adds to its versatility.

Mask 2 - Andy Modeling

Mask 3 and 4 Completed

Masks are here for the near future so I look forward to making more and more of these over the coming months!

June 10, 2020 in Sewing | Permalink | Comments (0)

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