The Kayla Shirt

I recently took an online class for learning how to fit a shirt pattern.  The class was taught by Alexandra Morgan from In-house Patterns Studio.  I took the class because I needed a new shirt pattern before I make a shirt for the 12-piece core wardrobe that I committed to make and show at a sewing guild meeting next year.  However, I have been contending with a series of illnesses the last several months, so I haven’t sewn much.

I knew when I signed up for the class that I did not have much time or energy to give to the project.   I also knew Ms. Morgan only gives the class once a year, so I decided to go for it and do the best I could.  It is a class that I can reference as often as I like, even after the class ends.  Even if I did not finish in the regular time-frame, I could still finish the shirt at my own pace and have the material contents to reference later

I tried to keep up as the live lessons over Zoom were presented, but I eventually fell far behind.  I did finally complete the lessons after the live sessions were over and made a muslin that I used to fit the Kayla pattern.  The lessons were very detailed and covered each fitting alteration in the sequence that needed to be followed. 

I made sure to trace all the markings on the pattern onto my first and second muslins.  It was helpful during the fitting process to also transfer the horizontal balance lines to the muslins.  Those lines made it easier to see where the fitting problems were and how to keep the alterations on balance so that the shirt could be cut on the straight of grain.

I made all the alterations needed in the order suggested by Ms. Morgan.  I did the length adjustments first: center back to waist, center back to hip and overall length.  Next, I did the contour adjustment (cup size adjustment).  Then the width adjustments were done:  shoulder width, across back width and across front width.  The last adjustments were the girth adjustments:  high hip, low hip, hem girth, and bicep girth.

I knew it was important to write down all the alterations to the muslin as they were made.  Then I could make those same changes to the pattern and would have a workable pattern to use to cut my fashion fabric.

After recording all the changes onto the pattern, I cut my fashion fabric and made the shirt.  I like the fit of the shirt, so I will add it to my 12-piece core wardrobe that is now underway.  After I complete all 12 pieces, I will show the wardrobe and explain how the pieces translate into many outfits.

A picture of the shirt is shown below.

I hope your sewing adventures are going well!

Judy

 The Laurie Bag

In early September I posted about my plans for making a 12-piece wardrobe and several other items I wanted to sew to add to my wardrobe.  It seems like if I voice what I intend to do, something will inevitably pop up to throw a monkey wrench into my plans.  This time was no exception.  I have been having medical issues ever since I wrote that post.  I am doing better, so I hope my plans will still come to fruition.

A few days ago, I decided to make a small project to try to get back into the habit of sewing.  I promised a friend of mine I would make her a small bag that would hold the essentials.  It was time to make good that promise.  I found all the supplies I needed in my stash or maybe I should say I found them in my “resource center”.  I understand that is the new term to describe all the fabric and supplies most of us have collected over our years of sewing.

I designed the bag as I worked on it.  I used my cell phone to determine the size.  I made the bag a little larger than needed to accommodate my phone because I am not sure what size my friend’s phone is.  The finished size is approximately 9 ½ inches wide and 7 inches tall.  It has two separate sections, both closed with zippers.  The front section will hold a cell phone and a few other essentials such as car keys.  It also has a small pocket and two spaces to insert a ball point pen.  The back section has a divided insert that will hold a driver’s license and some credit cards.  There is room in front of the divider for paper money.

I made the purse from a piece of fabric I purchased from Zinck’s Fabrics in Ligonier, Indiana a while ago with the intention of someday making a purse with it.  It is sturdy and will hold the shape.  The color is black, which will make it a good, basic bag.  I added some decorative stitches using a variegated color thread on the front of the bag to add a splash of color.  The bag is lined with a fabric of those same colors.

Pictures of the finished bag are shown below.

 

 

I think I will call this bag “The Laurie Bag” in honor of the person for whom it was created.  I like the pattern and will probably make a couple for myself.  Thanks, Laurie, for giving me the idea and reason to create this bag.

I hope all of you will make something fun to add to your fall wardrobe.  Maybe you could try one of these small, simple bags.  They are great to take shopping because you won’t be weighed down with all that extraneous stuff that most of us carry in larger purses.  Just keep it simple!

Judy

Purposeful Sewing

Of course, I always sew with a purpose; that purpose usually being to add to my wardrobe or make a gift.    Now, I have another purpose to think about when I sew.  I am committed to giving a presentation to the Lansing Clippers (ASG chapter) in September of 2025 about a 12-piece coordinated wardrobe.  That should be relatively easy to do as long as I get busy sewing those twelve pieces now.  That means I only need to sew one piece per month for the next year. 

I know that I also need to add some other pieces to my wardrobe soon.  For example, I would love to have a new winter coat and winter is fast approaching here in Michigan.  I also have several pants in progress that need to be completed.  I should be able to accomplish these things along with the 12-piece coordinated wardrobe if I plan my sewing time and stick with it.  The difficult part of planning this wardrobe is to find fabric that coordinates with most of the pieces.  I did a coordinated wardrobe a few years ago and was able to make 72 outfits from the twelve pieces.  We will see how many I can get this time.

 I usually post about almost everything I sew.  I plan to do that with the coordinated wardrobe as well, but I will sprinkle in posts about other articles I make that are not a part of the wardrobe.  I think I will include the top with the wing collar and placket that I posted about August 25, 2024.  I believe that top will go well with the fabrics I chose for the three bottom pieces of the wardrobe.

I just completed a top that I plan to use for the wardrobe.  It is another tee top made from McCall’s M6964, but I changed the neckline.  Instead of the traditional round bound neckline, I increased the height of the neckline so that it would drape down slightly similar to a high cowl neckline.  A picture of the finished top is shown below.  This will also be a part of the coordinated wardrobe.

Some time ago, I purchased a machine embroidery design of a chicken from Embroidery Library.  I thought it would look good on a tee top, but it was too large for that.  I really loved that chicken and wanted to use it on something.  I decided to put it on the back of a white sweatshirt.  After all, it is almost sweatshirt weather here in Michigan.  Pictures of the sweatshirt are shown below.

 

 

I hope you are planning to sew something for your winter wardrobe soon.  Have fun!

Judy