Repurposed denim jacket by StyleArc!

Do you subscribe to sewing magazines?  I do and there are some great articles and inspirational pieces.  In the July 2017 issue (Number 191, pages 66-69).  Below you can see the author's use of recycled denim jeans to make her jacket.  I absolutely fell in love with this and just happened to fall upon the Sewing Pattern Review contest of upcycling.  Bam!  It was an inspiration made just for me and the timing was perfect!

If you'd like to read more, click on the link!    http://www.threadsmagazine.com/item/66974/jeans-to-jacket
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I really needed a few more spring/summer/fall jackets and thought about this Stacie Jean Jacket by StyleArc.  I had made it previously in red and love everything about it!

I enlisted the help of the hubby and he picked up four pair of jeans at a local thrift shop.  Here you can see I had started taking them apart.

Playing with the placement of the pattern pieces was interesting and a fun task.  I didn't have any issues until I tried to find a piece that would fit the center back of the jacket.  Everything else fit, just not that piece.  So, I slept on it, and then decided to try and have some fun with the fabric! 

So here is a glimpse of what I did with the back section that just wouldn't fit anywhere on the jeans.  Recently I found an article on a 'woven' jacket.  Of course, I couldn't find that article anywhere so I will have to tell you about it!  

I cut 3.5 inch strips of the denim, folded them in half, folded 1/4" in on each edge, and then stitched them together.  Next I wove the strips into a pattern that fit the back of my jacket!  It worked!

I purposely used some distressed pieces because this project is all about highlighting the re-purposed denim.  Wow, was it windy today!  You can see what the wind is doing to my hair!

This is how I started.  I started cutting strips and laying them out on the pattern piece.  

 This was the most fun of the entire project.  I played with it until it fit.  

I love the different colors of the denim and how it looks well-worn in some areas.  That was my plan!  After I had these strips in place, I sewed on each side of the edges in order to secure them in place.

Those sleeves are legs.  I took out the lower hem, topstitched along the seam and then re-hemmed.

I knew I wanted about 3/4 length sleeves and that is what I ended up with.

Had I not used the leg of the jeans with the seam, I would have struggled to make this work.  

There are some nice color variations on the front as well.  I decided to just stitch the pocket flaps to the jacket so they didn't flap.  The flaps are made from the back pockets of one of the pair of jeans.  

An inside peek!

I used jean buttons along the front and regular buttons at the flaps.

I purposely cut one of the front yoke where a pocket had been.  I love how faded the rest of the denim looks.

Here is a closer-up of the sleeve.  If you look closely you can see the topstitching I did in the white thread.

And of course the jean buttons on the front.  

Thanks for reading!  

So tell me, have you ever read an article in a sewing magazine and then created the garment based on the article?  If so, please tell me about it!  I love the inspiration!

Sue :) 

The Cleo Dress by StyleArc

What took me so long to purchase this pattern?  The classic style is enough to realize you need this in your wardrobe.



This is the Cleo Knit Dress by StyleArc.  It has optional front and back darts and a V neckline with a neckband.  You can also make this sleeveless.

Ignore the sort of sneer on my face.  My photographer snaps many photos and of this angle, this was the best.  :)  

This one shows how I feel about this dress!  This is a Nicole Miller knit from JoAnns.  The quality was great and it is a lycra blend.  I believe it is cotton/poly/lycra.

I love this print.  It reminds me of a cross between tire tracks, Aztec print, and some sort of reptile.

And here DH caught me not smiling but in sort of motion to turn.  He really likes telling me to turn, etc.  :)  

I opted to not do the darts.  This is pretty fitted anyway and since I plan on wearing this to work and church, darts didn't appeal to me.  

Darts would however make this fit like a glove.

I am really happy with how the neckline turned out.  I always stabilize my neckline with Staytape by Dritz.  Next, I attach the neckband, turn to the inside, press and then topstitch from the right side.  

For the sleeve and lower hems, I decided to use a twin needle on my regular machine.  

I really love this dress.  The hubby complimented me numerous times and so did several other men and women at church today.  Isn't is just the bomb to sew your own clothing?  You can make it completely your own.  

Thanks for reading!

Sue 

Hello all and Happy Mother's Day!  I wanted to share with you my latest make: the Bobbi Bomber by StyleArc.

Is this fun or what?  

I love how SA has elevated a regular bomber into something super with the little details.  

Here's example one: Welt pockets.  

Example 2: Zippered pocket on the sleeve.  

 

Of course I wanted to make my zipper with a contrasting color, even if it is an invisible zipper.  I choose lavender since that is the same color as my lining.  I even made the zipper guards a lavender color.

Here you can see that contrasting zipper band down the front.  

Did I mention the sleeve bands are simply the reverse of the main fabric?  I had such a hard time deciding on silver or black!  I decided to incorporate both.

This is a designer satin made by Thakoon.  I purchased it from Fabric Mart.  I love it!  The lining is from FM as well.  The black ribbing is from my stash along with the zippers.

I added a few steps to the pattern.  Here they are: 

1.  Added interfacing to the welt pockets on the main fabric.  Since this is a satin, I didn't want it to stretch out of shape.  That would have looked really funky and with the effort that went into this, I decided to error on the side of caution.  

2.  Handbasting the zipper in place.  Again, this was due to the satin fabric I used.  

3.  Using bias tape in place of the zipper guards.  I was about done with the satin by the time I got to the zippers.  Handbasting kept my sanity.  

I hope you will try a fabric you normally shy away from.  I used to sew satin bride's maid gowns all the time--about 25 years ago.  I feel like I am learning to use this wonderful fabric all over again.  This won't be the last time I use it!  

Thanks for reading!

Sue 

The Mindi Skirt by SA

I made this skirt about a year ago, promptly hung it in my closet and forgot about it!  What?  

This is a StyleArc pattern and here is the description from their site: This fashionable skirt comes in 2 lengths - mini or knee length. Featuring a shaped waist band and center front open-end zip, along with optional zipped pockets. This is a great skirt to wear with your Ziggi Biker jacket.

I epic-ally sucked at taking photos.  I looked away at the wrong times, I missed smiling, etc.  But, it had been a long day and I decided to live with my goofy photos.  

Can you believe this is the longer version?  I can't imagine how short the 15" skirt would have been on me!

For reference, I am 5'7". 

It's hard to see the details on black, so here is a closer shot.  Those pockets are two pieces so you don't have to make a welt.

Here is a pic of the back and you can see the seaming details.  This is one of those garments that looks good on the inside and out!  I tried uploading a photo of that but it kept coming in upside down.

I really like this skirt.  I used a denim with a slight stretch.  Zippers were from JoAnns.  I am glad I rediscovered this in my closet so I can enjoy wearing it!

Thanks for reading!

Sue :)

A skirt for spring

I love making garments that can be worn in the spring and this skirt is a quick make, perfect when you want to whip something up.

I wanted an  instant gratification project and this pattern was perfect: 
This is the Taylor Knit skirt from StyleArc.  You all know I am a HUGE SA fan and this pattern didn't disappoint me at all.  It is drafted beautifully and the fit is exactly what I expected.

It was a little cold the day we took these pictures.  In fact, the following day, it snowed about 5 inches.  The date?  May 1st!!!  

I hope this summer I can wear this with a bright tee and sandals.  

There is just a dart to give this shaping at the sides.  Very clever!  

 The slit is just the right length.  It lets you walk and sit comfortably.

Here is a close up of the fabric I used.  I love the variegated stripes.  It is from JoAnn's and it performed really well.  Maybe JoAnn's is starting to up their game.  I hope so.  When I need an instant fabric fix, it is about my only choice where I live.

Next time I wear this, I hope it is with short sleeves and flats.

Thanks for reading! Sue :)