How to hem up jeans

Do you have trouble finding jeans that fit?  When you do find a pair that fits, they're usually too long and the ones that are the right length, don't fit around the hips.  Well, you can still buy that perfect pair that fits and hem them up and no one will ever know they were hemmed up. First, you 'll have to try on the jeans and fold up one pant leg, the  length you want it, pin it up, (you might want to use a zipper foot for the next step), sew along the original hem, as close as you can get, a zipper foot will get close to the hem.  A jean-a -ma-jig will work wonders on the bulky seams, but its not necessary to have.  Cut the excess fabric and iron the pant leg. Simple as that!

Lost letters Dress

This probably isn't the best suited fabric for a dress but I loved it when i saw it and thought, why not a dress?  It's 100% cotton, and makes a good casual dress, I just happened to have scrap fabric lying around, and it matched perfectly for a contrast color for the neck binding and welt pockets.  The pattern I used is Butterick 5602, view C.  I did make some modifications, I didn't line the dress, I haven't gotten to the point where I feel comfortable or feel like I'm that advanced a seamstress to fully line anything.  I will eventually work my way there, but for now, I will keep it simple.  I know all the reasons why you should line a dress, but overall I don't think it takes away from the look.

Wristlets

I've been in a sewing slump lately, I 'm not sure why.  I have lots of ideas, but haven't actually put those ideas to  work, just lazy I guess.  For my post this week, I thought I would feature the projects that first got me back into sewing, and that was making purses, wristlets and makeup bags.  Although I gave a lot of them away as gifts, I still have a few left over for myself.  I started with a pattern from Noodlehead, this is actually called a gathered clutch, to which I added a wrist strap to make it a  wristlet.  This wristlet is very practical, you can carry everything you really need, keys, phone, compact, lipstick, and oh yes, credit cards and money.  I made some with detachable straps, so you could throw them in your tote and use it that way, rather than as a wristlet.
 The other pattern I used, I don't remember where I  got. I use it as a makeup bag, I also put a detachable strap on it , should you decide you don't need it.  I think it's the perfect size for a makeup bag, big enough for all your essentials, yet small enough to fit in your bag.

Sorbetto top

I haven't had time to do much sewing this week, but I did see someone post a Sorbetto top and it made me think about my  favorite Sorbetto top.  I know everyone has a favorite pattern that you've used over and over again .  Well, Sorbetto would be my favorite, I made a few last year, but this one is my favorite.  I think it's the color that I like the most, not to mention that Sorbetto tops are so simple and easy to make and it doesn't take much fabric, that's always a plus!
Do you have a favorite Sorbetto top?

Nursery Rhyme Dress

Maybe I should pay close attention to fabric prints rather than picking fabrics out at first sight.  I bought this fabric thinking it was a blue willow print. Got
home, washed it and it wasn't until I was cutting out the pattern, I took a closer look at the print and figured out it was nursery rhymes!  Oh, well, by that point it was too late and I decided I'd finish the dress.  You really can't tell unless you get close and look at all the different prints, then you can really see the cow jumping over the moon, old mother Hubbard and Humpty Dumpty.  It turned out really nice and its a nice fit.  I will definitely be making this dress again it's B5639, maybe next time I'll pay more attention to the fabric print, but I won't make any promises!

I had to take a picture of the dress, close up, so you can see the cow jumping over the moon, little bo peep ( I think) I don't remember all my nursery rhymes!

Simple dress

I've been looking for a dress pattern with a low cut back, but I haven't been able to find something that  I really liked and I'm not very good at adding or substituting/combining two patterns, hopefully some day I'll get there, but for now, I just have to make do with what I have, which is -  this pattern (M6505) that I'd purchased awhile ago, with the intentions of making something for my daughter.  I used this pattern with some minor adjustments to make myself a dress.  First of all, I didn't use lace at all and I didn't line the dress, I also omitted the sleeves.  I wanted a very simple dress with a low back.  I did, however, add darts to the back, just to give it some shape, maybe I'll add some darts to the front also, I think it still  looks a little boxy. What do you think, should I add darts to the front  or not?

Retro top

Well this isn't really a retro top, but the fabric sure reminds me of some of those wild colors in the 60's and 70's.  The  pattern is  Vogue 1247 and I really  like it, it's a pull over top, made with rayon fabric, so it's really drapes well.  Because of  the bright colors I chose some faded jeans to wear it with, kinda tone it down a bit. Instructions for the top calls for french seams, but I think next time I make this top, I'll omit the french seams and zig zag or use my pinking shears on the  edges.  It tends to get a little bulky right in the middle where all the seams come together.  Other than than I'm very pleased with the outcome.