This comes a few days early, but happy Mother's Day to all of you mother's out there! To celebrate, we're offering up to a 40% discount when you purchase the Pants Fitting Course on DVD combined with the Pants Kit.
When you purchase the combination of the SFD Pants Kit and Pants Fitting Course DVD, you'll receive a 10% discount off of the Pants Kit (reg. $37.95) and a 40% discount off of the Pants Fitting Course (PFC) on DVD (reg $79.95).
That's a grand savings of $35.78.
If you already have the SFD Pants Kit and you'd like to purchase just
the Pants Fitting Course (PFC) on DVD, you'll save 30% (Saving $23.98).
**PS,
if you're new to Sure-Fit Designs, please note that you will still need
to order the Designing Stylus for drawing your Pants Kit pattern.
If you're curious to know what's covered in the Pants Fitting Course on DVD click here.
It really is the next best thing to being here in Oregon with me in one of my Fit & Sew Retreats. Plus this DVD purchase includes a 1/2 hour Skype session.
I rarely wear white pants, but I got inspired by our (finally) sunny April days after a month of less than desirablegray skies and constant rain in March.
JoAnn Fabrics has white stretch denim. The fiber content is 70% cotton, 28% polyester & 2% Spandex. It's heavy enough to look similar to 100% cotton, but has the easy care of polyester and the stretch wearing ease of Spandex.
Since I didn't want to sew 'real jeans', I chose a combination of patterns and instructions from existing Sure-Fit Designs information, which is what I'm going to share with you. And the best part is that since my pattern was from a previous pair of pants, they were sewn in a day, qualifying them for a Made in a Day project.
The basic style is from the pants designing book - Pants that Mix n Multiply - Style #1: Flared Leg Pants with Elasticized Waist Edge.
I wanted skinny legs instead of flared legs. And I chose to crop the hem around calf length.
Watch this video on narrowing the legs.
Now the slightly stretchy fabric. Did I size down or not?
I tested the stretch factor (comfortably stretching on the crosswise grain).
With the 2% Spandex, 10 inches actually stretch up to barely 11 inches - 10% stretch, or what I'd call a Limited Stretch Knit.
If this had of been a blouse, I wouldn't have done anything with the pattern (my body blueprint). For these pants though, I used my pants pattern that already had been sized down to remove the 2" (5 cm) of ease that is in the low/full hip circumference (i.e. I'd already sized down about 1 to 2 dots) . So I cut them out without any further ease reduction. But because I wanted skinny and relatively snug-fitting pants, I decided to baste all seams at 3/4" (1.9 cm) for a 'try-on' including the crotch seam (I left CF open so I could step into them). Basting when working with fabric that stretches is always a good idea since all knits stretch and feel different on. I decided I liked the wider seam allowance, so I then ripped out the crotch seam and proceeded to sew them together.
Then I ripped the left side seam basting and inserted the invisible zipper -
I'll be showing you how to insert an invisible zipper in a soon-to-be-released new DVD Beginner Sewing Series - Make It Sew. Please watch your SFD newsletters and this blog for the release date information.
And on the inside, before I inserted the invisible zipper, I covered the bottom end of the zipper to prevent the 'zipper scratchies'. What the heck are 'zipper scratchies'? Take a few minutes to read this previous blog - http://surefitdesigns.blogspot.com/2015/03/zipper-scratchies.html
I definitely kept the 3/4" (1.9cm) seam allowance width on all seams.
Then hemmed the legs with my Coverstitch Machine (which I love and use every opportunity that I can). For those of you not familiar with a Coverstitch Machine, make sure to watch my Coverstitch (free) videos. I'll post video #1 here. To see all 3 in the series, please click here in the SFD Learning Center Video Library.
And lastly, I finished off the waist edge with1" (2.5 cm) wide, non-roll elastic. You'll find the direction for this easy application in with the instructions for Style #1: Flared Leg Pants with Elasticized Waist Edge in the Pants that Mix n Multiply designing book.
This was a fun and easy pair of pants to sew. They're extremely comfortable. I'm sure I'll get lots of wear from them as summer comes on. But primarily, I wanted you to see another easy project utilizing the Sure-Fit Designs resources that so many of you already have.
And just in case some of you are new to Sure-Fit Designs, the blouse I'm wearing is the Princess Line Blouse sewn from the Dress Kit and available as a downloadable Fashion Leaflet from this page -
A while back I posted a number of different videos - 6 to be exact) on how to design princess lines with your Sure-Fit Designs Dress Kitbodice blueprint. One of them was called: Princess Seam - Variation with Short Dart.
Joy (from Joyful Expressions and an avid SFD customer) has created her version of this process with this lovely blouse where she's used 2 different patterned fabrics but both in black and white. It's hard to see the little 'shorty' dart because of the print fabric...but it's there.
If you'd like to see the video explaining how to design this underarm princess seam and still end up with a small short bust-shaping dart, please watch this short video:
Here's the back of Joy's blouse.
If you'd like to see the remaining videos in the princess seam series, just click on over to the Sure-Fit Designs Learning Center - www.sfdlearningcenter.com/Dress-Videos-Designing.html and look for D.13.1 through D.13.6.
Joy...thanks so much for sharing your SFD creations.
I've recently had a SFD customer write to tell me how pleased she was with using the Sure-Fit Designs Children's Kit. She designed and made this great fitting shorts for her 9 year old daughter. She added this cute pocket detail that she copied from a pair of designer shorts from one of her daughter's friends. See her 'back side' highlighted by the white oval below.
Our SFD customer, Miranda (who prefers to remain anonymous), so kindly agreed to provide you a photo story of how to go about designing and sewing these pockets for your sewing projects. I thought you might like to see how this detail is accomplished.
Step 1:
In case you can't read the cue cards:
The 'Bow' pieces consist of one rectangle 6" x 5" and one piece 3 1/2" x 2 1/2". The larger one being the 'bow' and the smaller one being the 'knot'.
The 'Pocket' pieces are two 5" squares that are cut on the bias.
Step: 2
Sew bow and knot pieces in half the length of the rectangle and sew with 1/4" wide seams.
Fold the pocket pieces in half. Measure down 3" from the top. Use the SFD Designer's Companion to curve the bottom of the pocket.
Step 3:
Turn the 'bow' and 'knot' pieces right side out and stitch ends of small piece.
Curve bottom of pocket and smooth out any ridges or bumps.
Step 4:
Top of pocket - fold over 1/4" and press toward inside.
Slip 'bow' through center of 'knot' positioning the 'knot's' seam toward the underside. Then baste either side of 'bow' structure to the sides of one of the pocket pieces.
Step 5:
With right sides together, pin the pocket pieces together. Sew the sides and lower curved edge. Leave the top edge open for turning.
Step 6:
Turn right sides out. Top stitch the upper edge closed. Then simply attach to pants, shorts, shopping bag, coat, blouse or whatever project you think this pocket would look good on.
Have fun!
And thanks again to Miranda (from the Pacific NW of the USA) for sharing her success story with all of us and providing the pictorial tutorial.
Got a muffin top? And not the kind you eat. How best to deal with the SFD Dress Kit bodice waist-fitting dart and how to choose style most appropriate for your shape...that the focus of this blog and video tutorial.
What's a muffin top? It's that little bit of extra fluff that you might have above your waistline. Perhaps best shown in this illustration.
So what do you do with the waist-fitting darts when they initially taper down into a narrower waist?
This video will give you suggestions for a couple of alternatives when drawing and sewing the 'dart' for your test bodice.
And after you've finished your test bodice, you'll see 10 tips for actually dressing this body shape and styles that the experts say are most appropriate. Of course choosing styles that skim your body and don't shape in completely at your waist are likely going to be best.
Here are some ready to wear design ideas.
And here are some of the style options that you can find with Sure-Fit Designs in our Digital E-Goodsdepartment.
How to clean your Designing Stylus? That's the topic of this blog. I know I suggest that you use a regular pencil for drawing all your SFD patterns. And after a time, the graphite from the pencil lead marks and smudges your Stylus. This happens to everyone's Stylus.
One of our Australian customers asked how to clean it, so I went right to the source...the plastic material supplier. I used to use regular soap and warm water, which did an adequate job. But no more. You want to get one of those Mr. Clean Magic sponges. In Australia, for all our down-under customers, it's called 'Chux Magic Eraser'. It's one of those weird little white sponges that has some kind of an cleaner embedded in it. Wow...does it work well. Use it dry.
Here's a before and after photo.
BEFORE:
The customer who sent this photo put it next to her Designer's Companion which hadn't been used yet to show the difference in what the pencil graphite did. I've seen them much smudgier than this after 6 days in a Fitting Retreat.
AFTER Mr. Clean Magic Sponge:
It cleaned up as good as new! Clean the front side too...it won't take the SFD markings off.
Here's a short little video showing you just how well this works:
This little sponge is also great for cleaning the iron's sole plate after stickies have melted on it.
Make sure to add this inexpensive to your collection of necessities in your sewing room. You can get these little wonders at stores like Walmart, Bed Bath and Beyond, and Target.
Recently I was asked that by a beginner seamstress 'What's a facing'? When I ask my husband a question and he looks at me as if I'm from outer space...I say to him, "I wouldn't have asked the question if I knew the answer"! We all have to start somewhere.
There are 2 types of facings - sewn on and turn-back facings. A facing is either separate piece of fabric or an extension of the fabric that is used to finish and enclose a raw edge The shape of the facing is a repetition of the area to be faced. The videos below will help to make this all more understandable.
Here are 3 video tutorials. Two of them have to deal with drawing facings, but the first one you'll see is on how to add a button extension. In essence, a button extension, when it is turned back into the inside could also be considered a facing treatment for the area of the garment where you want the buttons - whether that be the front, back or side seam of a garment.
So here you go. Part 1 - Adding a Button Extension
Most of you know that we ran a 'Win a Dress Kit Contest' (or $50 toward the purchase of SFD items) in celebration of our new Little Black Dress online course.
The contest is over and the lucky winner is Mikki Boyd.
Mikki is brand new to Sure-Fit Designs. She said, 'I'm so excited to win this fabulous prize. I've been wanting to place an order but was waiting for the (contest) announcement of the winner...and it's me!! I can't wait to try out this fitting system. I've heard great reviews about it. I've been watching and learning from your videos too. You're a fabulous teacher! Thank you again for offering this wonderful prize...so glad I'm the lucky winner.' And I'm delighted she is too.
And just in case some of you missed the Little Black Dress announcement, my latest online course - Designing and Sewing the Little Black Dress', is being offered exclusively on Curious.com. It can be accessed via this link - http://bitly.com/sewtheLBD
Here's what the dress looks like:
In the course lessons, I actually sewed the Little 'BLUE' Dress since black is really hard to light up and photograph or video. The details are much more visible sewing with the blue fabric.
Once again, congratulations Mikki, and welcome to the Sure-Fit Designs community.
Happy Sewing!
I love sharing designing ideas with you. And if you're not currently a member of our Sure-Fit Designs Facebook group, you would have missed the latest designing project.
It's called the 'Kimberly Blouse' in honor of one of our recent Facebook group members.
The most interesting part about this entire project is that it was Kimberly's first ever Sure-Fit Designs project. Not only that, Kimberly had just recently acquired her SFD Kits. In less than 1 1/2 months, Kimberly tested and finished her test bodice blueprint and then went immediately into this first project.
I thought this would be a great story and project to share with everyone and Kimberly so graciously agreed to be the topic of one of our Sure-Fit Designs how-to videos. If you haven't yet seen this video and you have a few minutes, I think you'll enjoy the entire story.
I needed a new blouse and what a great way to show you the exact designing process by way of designing one for myself. Totally fun, easy to do and almost qualifies for one of our Made in a Day projects.
And needless to say, Kimberly didn't stop there. She is literally charging down the road and has sewn what she is calling her 'Spring Collection'. If you want to see more and aren't yet a member of the SFD Facebook group, I invite you to join - all you need is a Facebook page, and then simply request to join. It is a 'closed' group. All this means is that photos and comments shared are shared only within the group, not for the whole world to read/see. But you are still welcome to join. Sure-Fit Designs Facebook group
Here are a couple more pieces that Kimberly has sewn. Yes, of course, all from her Sure-Fit Designs Dress Kit pattern.
So many of you have wanted a Sure-Fit Designs Fit & Sew Retreat this year...I was planning on a hiatus...but the best laid plans of mice and men often change. The good news is that there will now be one Retreat June 4 -9, 2016 in Eugene Oregon. This Retreat has been offered to my 'short-list' of interested attendees and currently there is now only (one) 1 student space remaining.
This is offered on a first come first serve basis. Meaning whoever calls (541 – 344-0422 – Oregon PST) and books the soonest will be able to attend.
This Retreat is limited to 5 students – you really do receive individualized attention. There is 1 space remaining.
Dates: Saturday June 4 through Thursday June 9, 2016. Time: 9 AM to 5 PM each day.
You would need to arrive by Friday June 3 if you’re flying in from out of town.
Cost: $899.00 (if you already have your Dress & Pants Kits, Stylus, Vellum and designing book Pants that Mix n Multiply). Otherwise, the cost is $999.00 if you need to purchase above mentioned kits & supplies.
Hotel: will cost $99.00/night + $10.95 tax. These suites have complete kitchen facilities – they do not provide breakfast.
What you will receive:
6 days intense, individualized instruction and fitting assistance, including a lecture/demo on fitting commercial patterns.
Gift bag including (some) drawing/drafting supplies
Non-stretch elastic for your Yoga/Travel/Comfort pants project
Waistband interfacing
High cutting table – 1 per student – no need to share your space
Use of a sewing machine and serger if needed – no need to bring your own
Transportation to and from the hotel to the sewing studio (You will need to take a shuttle/taxi from the airport to the hotel)
Lunch is provided on Day 1 – Saturday. Convenient restaurants are near the Sewing Studio.
Fabric shopping field trip. There are 2 (small) fabric stores within walking distance. We will go there on Wednesday or Thursday.
A deposit of $450.00 is required at the time of reserving your attendance. The balance is due April 19, 2016. Class fees are non-refundable.
Also, please note, this fitting class is not suitable for severe asymmetry (scoliosis or severe stooped posture due to osteoporosis) normal high/low shoulders or hips we deal with all the time. Nor is it suitable for plus size measurements that go beyond the master patterns graded measurements.
Currently, there is no additional information on my website therefore your reservation and payment will need to be done by phone. Please remember we are in Oregon – Pacific Standard Time.
These retreats always fill quickly. Please contact me as soon as you can decide. 541-344-0422 (OR - PST). Thanks so much for your interest, Glenda the Good Stitch
