The Nature Walk pattern includes two items: a pullover top (which I described earlier) and this pant, which took its inspiration from a favorite pair of yoga pants that I’ve worn for years. The pants pattern is certainly the fastest pattern to sew that we have ever developed. It has very few seams and, as [...]...
You look brilliant! That is one of the many little phrases printed on this cotton fabric, and the phrase is peeking out of the zippered pocket in this photo. There are lots of cute teddy bears, too. I bought this fabric in Korea last February because I liked the quirky design. I used it to sew a birthday gift for Howie's...
I often save old clothes to up cycle into something new, but rarely to I actually get around to using them. This time when a grown up pair of PJ pants were destined for the bin I got enthusiastic (having recently made a pattern block) & got started. I salvaged the pocket, which I repositioned once I had cut out the...
A week or two ago I had a little brainstorm one morning and dropped into the Oliver + S discussion forums to ask if anyone wanted to give it a try. In fact, several people expressed an interest. Here is the original idea, roughly explained: And here are the results. First, from Karmela G: and [...]...
Favorite Back to School Pattern: Little Smarty Pants from Favorite Things......
Favorite Back to School Pattern: Rosie Posie Ruffle Pants and Top from Pink Fig......
In our box of boy hand-me-downs, we have tons of shirts but barely any pants. I've been wanting to make Simon some pants to accommodate his big cloth-diapered heinie, and this morning I gave it a try. I just used my favorite pants pattern and got some pointers from this tutorial. I'm really happy with how they came out! I'll be...
The Sewing Dork guest blogs over at Brown Paper Packages with a tutorial showing how to make a pair of apron pants for little girls. These sweet play pants are made with a little apron across the front. …...
Yay! As I had hypothesized (and have now proven with a sample size n=1), wide leg pants do not turn petite women into stumps when correctly proportioned! My Vogue 1051 alice+olivia pants are done and I am celebrating by staring at them endlessly in the mirror. Plus- double whammy bonus- it turns out that cuffs [...]...
Jamee from Fancy Pants and Homemaker shares a tutorial for adding a contrast cuff to a pair of kids’ pants. This is an easy way to add a punch of color or pattern to make a…...
Did you know that I'm part of the Down Under Doll Quilt Swap ? It was organised an embarrassingly long time ago by the gorgeous Kate. In true kootoyoo style I've left it & left it & left it some more. Don't get me wrong...there's been plenty of think time & in my head the finished quilt is really, really beautiful....
Yesterday I had a tiny window of sewing time and I made some white pants from a tablecloth I've had kicking around here for a while. White pants for Miss Pepper!! What was I thinking? What two and a half year old can stay clean enough to wear white pants? Certainly not mine. Maybe it was a wish for that sort...
These poor pants have been sitting for 3 days waiting for thread! Can you believe that I didn't have navy thread around here?? Well, I finally got some, hemmed and stitched the casing, and these babies are ready to go! This is New Look 6816 (again), which I have also made in brown jersey here. This is my wearable muslin for...
The absolutely best pair of pants for fitting opportunities (especially for those that have a flat seat) because you can fit the princess seam in the back under your bottom! Shown here in polyester gabardine with piping in the front seams…...
I am obsessed with summer white pants! With the glorious summer months swiftly waning by the minute, I find myself almost at the mid point of August, but I just had to get yet one more pair made for the season. I promise that this is the very last white pair as I am a little old fashioned when it comes...
equals a new pantsuit! After making the Vogue 9220 dress, I realized that I really didn't want to spend Sunday trying to race through a dress/jacket combo to come up with another outfit for work. That's when I thought of the black linen pants that were still languishing on my to be sewn list. I have this black midwt linen jacket...
Who says sewing for boys isn’t fun? Molly AKA The Creative Maven shares a free pattern and tutorial showing how to make her Sweet Dreamer PJ Pants for little boys. Patch pockets on the back give an opportunity…...
I have a very adorable friend named Helen. She’s actually a former grad student of mine, but really more like a sister. If I had to use one word to describe Helen, it would be sunny. She is smiles, whereas the Selfish Seamstress is scowls. She is blue skies, while Selfish is drizzles and gloom. [...]...
This is my second pair of high-waisted capris using a 1950s pattern. Pattern used: More information can be found here....
What is that sound you hear? Perhaps the tiny footsteps of my mojo coming home?? I hope so!! In view of how happy my knit dress made me, I decided to keep with the theme and sew some quick knitwear. New Look 6816 has been a favorite top for some time. I've sewn it here and here. These continue to be...
Hi, my name is Megan. I have been watching "sew retro" for a while, and finally decided to join. I am a first year fashion student with a love of vintage - styling, fabric, design, and glamour. I knit, draft and sew my own patterns and commercial patterns. I love seeing your creations and look forward to showing you mine. I...
And all’s good! So after completely messing up and trying to put an invisible zipper in this thing, I ended up going to the store, buying a regular zipper and Installing it really, really badly. Having just read a bit in one of the Palmer Pletch books about using a tab of fabric to cover [...]...
Katie from Explanation Required guest blogs at All Things Vintage Sheets showing how she used some strips of vintage sheets to turn an outgrown pair of pants into a cute little skirt for her daughter. So cute!! …...
The Sewing Dork shows how to make a pair of reversible pants or shorts with an elastic casing at the waist. The pants/shorts are sewn together in such a way that there are no rough edges on the inside. The…...
I recently finished sewing my first pair of pants from this 1950s pattern. Pattern used: Finished project: Edit: I fixed the link now. Sorry about that! More details can be found here....
First it's on, then it's off, on again, then off the next day, now it's back on again! I guess I'm officially addicted because I want to scream when I'm without my internet service! All I could do was grit my teeth because I'm certainly not going to pull out my hair (took me too long to grow it back). When...
I don't know how I got this in my head, but I'm dying to make some Laura Petrie pants. They're basic tight, slightly-cropped black pants, and I am pretty sure they would go with everything from a flowing floral blouse to a form fitting sweater, and I must make some at the earliest opportunity! Probably got in my head from seeing...
Photo from the Brooklyn Museum Costume Collection. 1939! Are you surprised? I was! Many of you were spot on with your guesses, though so good for you! And my hat goes off to fuzzylizzie who correctly guessed both the era and the designer! Elsa Schiaparelli designed this menswear inspired pant suit for her Fall/Winter collection in 1939. This was quite "outside...
Cook Clean Craft shares a tutorial showing how to refashion a pair of men’s pants into a much smaller version for toddlers. This is a great idea for pants with holes or stains further down in the legs. Get the how-to. [photo…...
OnlineFabricStore.net shares a tutorial on their blog telling how to add a lining to the next skirt or pair of pants that you make. A lining can serve as a layer between a scratchy fabric (like wool) and your skin, or…...
I saw this posted over at View From the Hamster Wheel. I think it will be a big help to me when I'm trying to decide what really needs to be done that day and in which order should it be done. The Mayonnaise Jar and the Coffee When things in...
Happy Fathers Day to the daddy in our house. He got a nice sleep in A mug from Lucy that she made at pre-school A bookmark and card made by Charlotte...
I headed off to the country today with Mr X and Moo Moo in tow, to celebrate my mums birthday Gypsy the mini shetland It was cold and windy and wet.......
I did it! The crumb coating worked like magic. Today's work on icing and decorating the cake was another two and a half hours, which adds up to six and a...
It's only a few days left before the Eid celebration, and I'm down to the last two of this year's order. I am recording them for future reference. I had so...
My three love a good party and this morning the bribe for good behaviour during church was the party we were going to afterwards! And it worked......plus a bag full of...
This Sunday are tons of accessories to finish that vintage look. Enjoy!...
Vanessa from V and Co. shares a tutorial on her blog showing how to make colorful bowtie pasta for a child’s play kitchen out of scrap fabrics. These are sooo cute! And...
The rain is pounding against the windows of the bus and because there aren't any window seals, it's pouring down the inside of the vehicle and soaking everything within a five-foot...
That's how I'm feeling — upside down. Don't you think Chili is illustrating that perfectly? ;-) I miss talking to my son. I miss knowing that he's going through all sorts...
Sometimes ,I make a garment that I think is just the “cat’s meow” after I try it on,a few minute after it comes f the sewing machine. Truth is ,I should...
Like? I do. This is Lila Tueller’s Bohemian Bag. The fabrics are all from Anna Marie Horner’s Garden Party line. This was a 2-day project, mainly because you have to wash...
Here is the latest picture of my sewing room. As you may notice, I've made an addition. When my sewing room was highlighted on The Blue Gardenia blog, I mentioned that...
Just a few pics to quickly update you on my Doll Quilt Swap 9 quilt-and then its back to work for me! Here it is with all the pieces fused down...
In October I made up New Look 6802 & really liked how it came out. I promptly pulled out another another knit to make it in, and then ended up packing...
OK so admittedly it was back in August (I've been a TERRIBLE blogger) but back in August my guy & I visited my fave Aussie city for a few days. Four...
This is the cushion cover front I made at Sewjourn. A gorgeous wool felt background and wool scrap circles and this is the arty wobbly shot that is meant to distract...
By now you're very aware that I have been busily sewing for the Living Smart Festival which is on next Sunday at Speers Point Park. Today (Sunday) we are experiencing gale...
I know that everyone is looking for a new garment but somehow I never manage to sew my first day of vacation. Today I actually spent a considerable amount of time...