Burgundy Corduroy Skirt

 This skirt was designed using the skirt block I made in Brooks Ann Camper's Skirt Skills class. Before starting her Smarty Pants, Brooks Ann suggested that students go back to their skirt blocks to check fit. Since we would be using the skirt block in the pants drafting class, it was a good time to make any changes that were needed. I made the same skirt design I had made a few week earlier including pockets and a side zipper. The fabric was a remnant from Pam's mom and there was just enough to make this skirt. 

Starting layout for skirt

Thread marking the hem line

Pocket is pieced due to fabric shortage

Construction went fairly quickly on my Bernina 1230. I had matching thread for the top-stitching. It was already too late in the season to wear a skirt outside without tights, but it layered well and I wore it work. Classes were already being conducted remotely by then and I had some free time between sessions to get a few pics.

Looking great for Zoom day of class

Hmmm, a bit wrinkly after a day of work

Definitely a visible zipper

Sitting in comfort

Blind hem and skirt innards

Red Tamarack Jacket

 

Tamarack Jacket

The fabric was purchased from Ginny's Fine Fabric in Rochester, MN a few years go. Originally, I had planned for a tunic type shirt, but now I'm glad I waited for this pattern. I had made the Tamarack Jacket from Grainline Studio a couple times already, and I started by tracing out a smaller size 12 than my last size 14. I kept the added length and curved hem at the sides seams. There were three layers to cut out for each piece. The outer layer (red and white for me), the middle layer of cotton batting, and the inside layer which was a light color cotton remnant from Pam's mom. 

Front side of jacket

After cutting each outside layer, I laid it out with the batting and backing and then hand-basted the layers together before trimming the bottom two layers.

Sleeve with layers

The outer fabric did not have a clear distinction between the front and back of the cloth. As you can see I had pin-basted two of the same jacket fronts. but caught the error before finishing basting. 

Fabric looked very similar on front at back

Once I had the pieces quilted, I started looking for a coordinating bias tape.  The tape was to be used for the neckline, front opening, hem, and sleeves. I searched through both my stash and mom's stash for a suitable red, but ended up going out to Joann's to find a good red match. I cut strips of fabric and made my own bias tape.

Strips for bias tape

Adding bias tape

These fabrics are complementary

For the pockets on the front, I opted to create some patch pockets that would be large enough to fit my hands and phone. The pockets were quilted with horizontal lines to match the jacket front.

Front pockets

Inside of pockets

Front pockets attached

Here is the finished jacket before washing

I used blue chalk to mark the quilting lines on this jacket and it needed two runs through the wash with cold water to get the chalk washed out.  All the quilting was done on my Bernina 830 Record using the walking foot. The machine handled all three layers beautifully.

Blue chalk still visible

The finished pictures were taken at school during remote learning. For the three weeks between Thanksgiving and Winter break I taught from my classroom while my students were remote. 

No front closure

Both the front and back were lengthened a couple inches

Seams finished on my serger

Quilting visible on inside

Grade for this project

Charm Squares Quilt

Hanging in the sunshine

 This quilt was started on July 19th and the binding and sleeve were finished on Nov 3rd. Most of the fabric is from a charm pack I purchased at a quilt store in Naperville. I had taken two of my computerized Berninas in to be serviced and since it was a bit of a drive to get there and back twice, I treated myself to some fabric and a couple clothing patterns I found in the shop. I used all of the squares from the charm pack, but I wanted the finished quilt size to be a bit larger so I pieced a few blocks from my collection of scraps.

Starting to lay things out on the floor

The sewing was done on my Bernina 830 which was set up in the living room. I moved my ironing board into the living room temporarily as well. Piecing the blocks went smoothly and the finished top sat for a couple weeks until I found a suitable backing. I ended up using a piece of turquoise fabric that needed a small patch in the corner. I had used corner cut-out as a block in the quilt before I realized it would make a perfect backing so I had to patch another corner back in. This quilt is the first one I have done in a long time where I didn't generate more scraps from cutting blocks. I used the entire charm pack, scraps from my collection, and backing I already had. The batting was also pieced together leftovers from other projects.

All of the quilting was done by hand on my my 16" square Q-Snap frame. I traced out a template from one of Todd's pizza boxes for the blocks and then free-handed inside the white rectangles. 

Quilting template

The binding was pieced from the scrap collection, sewn on with the Bernina 1230, and then finished by hand. 

Trimming before finishing the binding

Hand sewing the binding

Pictures were taken on Election Day. The sun was shining and it was in 60's. I was trying to take advantage of daylight for pics since I'm rarely home during the day.

The finished size is 35" X 35"

The blocks and the quilting are all straight lines

One gray corner patched in for the backing

Changed out the wallhanging in the living room

A Linden Sweatshirt Before School Started

The weekend before we went back to school I was feeling a bit anxious and my thoughts were racing.    Sewing is a good way to distract myself from work thoughts and to calm my anxiety. I ended up pulling out a pattern I hadn't sewn in a couple of months, but one that comes together pretty quickly. I used the Linden Sweatshirt to make myself a couple shirts that I could wear later in the school year. 

The fabric for the first shirt is a bright floral that came from Ethel. There was enough to make the entire shirt including the neckband and arm bands. There was even enough left at the end to do the hem band, but I decided to just put in a 1/2" hem instead. 

Bright yellow, orange, and green

When laying out the pieces to cut, I was able to center the big yellow flowers on the front.

Pattern pieces

There was a bit of a pucker in the neckband the first time I put it on. I had to take out a couple inches of serging and redo the seam. 

Pucker under green leaf on neckband 

Neckband a bit narrower, but pucker is gone

Finished shirt on dress form

We are now starting the third week of school and the weather has been too warm for a long sleeve polyester shirt. I did take advantage of my blooming sunflowers and a willing camera person to get a few finished shots though.

Bright flowers everywhere

Length is good without added hem band

All the sunflowers are taller than me

This will be a fun addition to my fall wardrobe