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Knitting: Heart Hats for Valentine's Day

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 I had a lot of fun knitting the  Heart Pom-pom Hat from Fox & Pine Stitches  for the grandkids for Valentine's Day.  Using Lion Brand Wool-Ease Thick & Quick  yarn made for some warm and squishy hats! This is a lovely free pattern, but I did find the sizing to be a bit small. Modifications to the number of cast on stitches solved that minor issue. These knit up so fast, and is now a go-to hat pattern for me. Check out Fox & Pine Stitches: she has so many cute patterns!    -Patty💖

Casual in Linen: Pattern Emporium Low-Ley Cami with Love Notions Allegro Pants

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The second outfit I've sewn for my upcoming travels to Napa is my favorite so far,  a cute, casual number made in Robert Kaufman Brussels Washer Linen Blend . This 55% linen, 45% rayon blend was just perfect for this set of garments: cool, drapey, and with a minimal amount of the wrinkling that one finds with 100% linen. I can't say it enough: I sure enjoy sewing with all types of linen these days! Again, the Pattern Emporium Low-Key Cami did not disappoint and was a perfect choice.  Since I had already made this top for my rayon lounge set, this one was a quick make that had already  been adjusted (1/2" removed from front armhole, 2" added to cami length) for the perfect fit. The Love Notions Allegro bottoms have been on my radar for a while now: I've had the pattern printed and ready to sew up for some time. I ordered this linen for exactly this pattern: I wanted to try a pair of the linen joggers that I have seen trending lately. What a fun and easy make, and

Loungewear: Pattern Emporium Low-Key Cami with Peppermint Magazine Lounge Set

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I have recently been spending some very enjoyable time in my sewing space working on some  garments for an upcoming trip to Napa 🍷🌞🍇......Happy Retirement to both me and my husband!! First on my list was this loungewear/PJ set: Here's a great mash-up for anyone looking to sew a very comfortable lounge set/PJ set! The  Pattern Emporium Low-Key Cami is great combined with the Peppermint Magazine Loungewear Set bottoms.  I purchased this lovely and very soft rayon challis at Vogue Fabrics in Illinois last April, with just this idea in mind, and was attracted to the border print, as well as the soft and drapey hand of the rayon. The option of the Low-Key Cami's wider straps helps to keep this bra friendly, which allows for the possibility of wearing this set as loungewear as well as PJs. This project has also shown me why the Peppermint Magazine Loungewear set is so popular: these pants are nice and full, with an elasticized waist and convenient pockets.                      

Me Made May 2021

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MeMadeMay Week 1 , pulled from my closet this week:  Mon-Simplicity 8825  Tuesday-McCalls 7975  Wed- Sloane by Love Notions  Thurs- Laundry Day Tee dress by Love Notions  Friday-KwikSew 4083.  The Sloane and the KS tunic are both ‘wearable muslins’ that need fit adjustments, but I still wear them sometimes. My favorite in this group?: the Laundry Day Tee dress :-)                                                                 

My Birthday Dress: Butterick 6674

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                                                               My Birthday is a month away, but this is the dress I made to celebrate turning 65.....how did THAT happen?!!  I wanted a cotton day dress to wear for the warmer summer weather, and I feel this is it! I had watched Whitney from TomKat Stitchery on YouTube post a sewalong for this pattern,  and I loved everything about it: -shirtdress style -princess seams -custom cup sizes and -a fit and flare silhouette This 100% cotton fabric with sliced lemons and blue stripes is just quirky  enough for this milestone birthday. And the color scheme is absolutely perfect  for the weekend I'll be spending with my daughters in Ann Arbor: my old stomping grounds as a University of Michigan alum. Although I usually prefer to line my dresses, I wanted to keep this one cool and comfortable, so I followed the pattern directions for bias bindings on the neckline and armholes. (I may need to wear a slip, though!) And after auditioning white bu

Seychelles in blue linen

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                                                                  I have fully transitioned to sewing for Spring and Summer here in the Midwest, and this bright blue linen from Fabric Mart was calling to me from my stash.  My records show that I purchased this in 2018....time to use it! I knew it would be perfect for the  Seychelles top from Itch to Stitch . The 100% linen has just enough structure for the pleated sleeve cap. And look at that lovely faced V neckline: the drafting is spot-on, as well as  the instructions  I will be making this again in a flowy rayon for sure! Happy Spring and Happy Sewing!                                                             

The Toaster Sweater + The Magic Pencil Skirt together!

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I purchased this cobalt blue houndstooth stable knit during a visit to Vogue Fabrics in Chicago in October.....I just love the houndstooth check pattern! Initially, I had planned to make a dress, but I love wearing my first make of the  Sew House Seven Toaster Sweater  pattern, and so I thought pairing it with a slim skirt (  The Magic Pencil Skirt from Pamela's Patterns ) would give me the look of a dress with more options. The fabric is a stable, bonded knit, and worked well with both patterns.                                     Although I love sewing and wearing dresses, I am excited about                            this idea of  matching separates. Curious to see what road this takes me on as                                    I start to get the itch to plan a Spring wardrobe module!