Newsletters and Saturday Night Live Webcast- Are you missing something?

"Saturday Night Live Webcast"

I considered not sharing a copy of the last email newsletter which went to my subscribers only. However, I figured I’d let you know there is a conversation going every week, that you may want to join.  If you don’t want to miss our private conversations,you can participate here::  Join the SewToFit conversation... Newsletter 1/17/2019 Thanks to everyone for checking in on the livestream last weekend. I hadn't realized how much you enjoyed these Saturday night livestreams on youtube. You showing up, tells me I must be doing something right! The next webcast is this Saturday, 1/19/2019 @ 8pm CST. (Set your reminder.)

Saturday Night Live Webcast...1/19/2019

This week we are discussing the "Jasmine" tunic pattern design from the new "Let's Design" Video Series. If you missed it, here's the link for you to catch up before we go live: Designing a Tunic Top

This week on the blog: If you haven't seen this little number, it was on the blog last week. I discussed how I took it from a "maternity" dress for my daughter-n-law, to a well fitted tee-shirt dress for myself. More on this will also be discussed on the webcast.

What you missed: If you missed the last email, which contained the free Angie Vest pattern, don't worry, more patterns are coming up the pike. You will need to check your email regularly for these random pattern giveaways. They will happen often.

Links to remember: --To schedule a call with me: http://bit.ly/SewToFitClasses --Check out my online courses and patterns.: http://bit.ly/ShopSewtofitE1

Until next time, see you on the other side of the internet!! Andrea

Converting The Red Baby Bump Dress- Wardrobe Building

This dress was originally made for my DnL, when she was pregnant, way back in 2017.  She had thoughts of wearing one of those slim fitting dresses with all the ruching up the side, in order to reveal the bump that was soon to be my grandson.  I made three dresses for her, all in one week, trying to get the look she wanted, before I realized, that I was not a "forever 21" mass production line. I finally decided to just make a simple wrap dress using this matte rayon jersey fabric in black.  I was so happy she didn't like this one!  What was I thinking!!!

I guess you could officially call this one a "save", since I drew it from a pile of lost souls, aka UFP- Unfinished projects, just in time to cut the pleated/gathered side seams off and slim the dress down to  my waist size, stitch the hems and get out the door for our family Christmas Party.  I was intending to make a cute dress with that buffalo plaid you see around my neck, but I just plumb ran out of time.  

The dress is a simple tee-shirt dress designed from my basic dress block.  I figured it should be easy to just throw together a dress with some ruching up the sides, as she had requested.  The original dress was made with added length up the sides to give it the pleating she wanted.  The neckline was made simply by creating a binding from the self fabric.

The original dress was shown on my instagram and the video of me making the "maternity dressform" is on my youtube channel here: https://youtu.be/VumIU4fPlzc 
The length turned out just perfectly for the look I was hoping for, since I had wanted a red column dress for a while now.  The sleeves are the perfect length for any occasion.

Construction Details:

Pattern: Self Drafted from my dress block, sold here.  

Fabric:  Torch Red Rayon Knit Matte Jersey from Sew Much Fabric. 

Finishing:  I finally decided to use my cover-stitch machine to hem my knits.  What took me so long, I have no clue.  I think we become so set in our ways, that the thought of learning something new scares us.  Well, at I think that's the case for me.  

The infinity scarf was made from a rayon poplin that I got from my local fabric store, High Fashion.  I used this fabric to make three other dresses for the family's buffalo plaid themed holiday party.  More details to follow on my regularly scheduled Sewturday Night Live WebCast. 

I teach virtual sewing, pattern fitting and design lessons.

Go to my lessons page for more details.

Holly Hat Pattern: 2018 Holiday Sew-Along

This is the fourth year I'll be sewing my family's holiday gifts while Livestreaming.  I cannot believe how many years I'd been doing this, and neither did I realize, you all were looking forward to my live holiday sewing chats.  Back in 2015, I choose to make a habit of sewing #Sewtofitlastminutegifts, while livestreaming in an effort to avoid rushing out into the stores to shop.  So, this year, I'm embracing that which is me, and inviting you to join the fun.  I will be "Sewing While Live" this Friday, 12/21 @8pm CST, and want you to join me!

Let's see how many hats we can make in a couple of hours, as you sew-along with me while I broadcast Live as I sew my #SewToFitlastminutegifts on my YouTube channel.   I challenge you to prepare your list and gift bags as well, since you never know how many you may need for those last minute parties.  Personally, I know I'll need at least 7 for sure!  Whew!!!  It's about the same every year, so I'm always ready with a manufacturing style setup.

Sew-Along Details: 

The pattern we will be using is the Sew-To-Fit Holly Hat.  The SewToFit Tribe subscribers were sent the Free Pattern Download via the newsletter, on Monday, 12/17.  If you haven't already seen your email, make sure to check your spam folder!!   If you are not a "Team SewToFit" subscriber, or haven't already received your pattern and want to participate, download your pattern here.  You will be automatically signed up for the email list when you download the pattern.  The "FREE Pattern" Code is already applied for you at checkout.

Date & Time:

The fun starts at 8pm Central Time(USA) on Friday, December 21st. 2018.  You will be able to ask questions in the live chat, as I sew-along with you to get these out.  I'll also be giving sewing tips.  Make sure you wind your bobbins!!  We will be moving fairly quickly to get these done.  

IMPORTANT LINKS:

Live Sew-Along:  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qUu_RXzECiY

The HOLLY Hat Video Playlist:  http://bit.ly/HollyHatYTPlaylist 

Making Preparations:

I will demonstrate the cutting and sewing from start to finish, but I plan to have most all of them cut out and ready to sew.  Here are a few tips to help you make the best use of your time and to get the most done.

• NOTE:::  If using a woven fabric, you will need to make different fitting considerations.
• Have all your different fabrics cut out in coordinating colors so you won't need to change thread colors.
• Cut all your pieces and label them together for each hat.  
• NOTE:  Lining:  I lined my hats, so my pieces 1-Crown top and 2-crown were cut twice.  
• Wind multiple bobbins and have ready.  (You can use serger or regular machine.)  The grey hat below is a knit and was sewn completely on the straight stitch machine, with a 3.0 stitch length only. NO zigzag.
  
• Cut the Band the length needed and adjust the lower crown as needed.  (This is the only item which creates the sizing.  The pattern is ONE SIZE for ALL.
• Consider the fabric bulkiness if using sweater knits.  I have researched an article for you on how to sew bulky sweater knits...(not my expertise) Check out O'Jolly's article.
• Use a rotary cutter and a cutting mat to save time pinning.
• I am using fleece (unlined) as well as other lightweight knits and sweater knits.  Be sure to check out O'Jolly's article if you need help with the sweater knits.

Well, that's about it for now.  Make sure to set your reminder for the Livestream notification.  Please remember to use the hashtag #sewtofitlastminutegifts and tag me in your pictures @sewtofit.  Thanks for a great year!!