Made in a Day!

WELCOME...Made in a Day!

I'm opening up a new page in this blog called Made in a Day.  You'll see this page on the top navigation bar immediately to the right of the Home button. The garments you'll see featured are ones that could generally be easily made in a day.

I know some of you sew faster than others.  I know we often have unforeseen 'oopses' that take longer than we wish they would to correct.  And I know that many of you due to family and work commitments don't have a full day to devote to any project, much less a sewing project.  But all things considered, the projects you'll see will all be ones that could be made in a day under ideal circumstances.

Simple to design...simple to sew...that's the objective.  There are all kinds of designs already offered within the Sure-Fit Designs instructional materials and information that would fall into this category.  So for those of you who are either new to sewing or new to designing and sewing your own garments, these suggestions would be excellent starting options.

Sometimes there might be a Fashion Leaflet that shows you how to design/sew the item.  Sometimes the project will already be featured in one of the kit instruction books or in one of the designing books (Pants that Mix n Multiply or Beyond Bodice Basics or Sew Sensational Shirts).  Sometimes I might have produced a video for your instructions.  Other times, it might just be instructions within the blog.  One way or the other, you should be able to access enough information to make the project.

You'll be able to recognize the project by the new logo 'Made in a Day'.

I'd love to hear what you think of this idea, so please use the comment box below and let me know what you think.

And for those of you who have your own blog, please feel free to share this SFD 'Made in a Day' page with them...the more the merrier!

Kindly,
Glenda...the Good Stitch!
P.S.  I'd love to know what sewing projects you've made in a day (or ones that would fall into this category).  And I'd love to see your photos.

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5th Edition Designs Come Alive

You all know that in early January 2014 we released the 5th edition Dress Kit Instruction book.  Two of the new designs offered in this edition were the funnel neck (featured on a jacket) and the high/low hemmed Swing Top.

 I'm always appreciative to see the results of my efforts.  And these are the first (I hope of many) photos that you will send to show off your work.

This first photo shows Gudrun (from Germany) in her funnel neck pull-over variation.  You'll notice she faced the neck and CF opening with a contrasting fabric.  Not only that, she combined the instructions for the empire design line which is one of the designing instructions featured in the designing book Beyond Bodice Basics.

Next, she's whipped up the high/low hemmed swing top, which she sewed from a stretchy jersey.

The sleeve design she chose to finish this top is the Flounce Sleeve from style #1, which is also featured in Beyond Bodice Basics.
Gudrun says it's still winter weather in Germany, but when the temperature is higher she says she will 'pull on the swing', but prior to that she'll be sewing a matching pair of SFD pants with narrow legs.  Needless to say, she thoroughly enjoys fitting, designing and sewing with Sure-Fit Designs.

Thank you so much for sharing your sewing projects with all of us.  You've done an excellent job.

And of course, I invite more of you to send finished garment photos.  Everybody always likes to see what other have designed and accomplished.
Kindly,
Glenda

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Cowl Collection

Everybody's loved the cowl neck blouse designs in Beyond Bodice Basics.  For those of you who have this Dress Kit designing book but haven't undertaken a project yet, let me inspire you with these cowl neck blouses.

This is Style 3, Variation #1
Let's just call this one the regular 'vanilla version'.

One of my Fit & Sew Retreat students, Kathleen, chose to draw this pattern as her bodice project during the workshop.  At first she said that she was a little intimidated by the instructions, but once she got into drawing the pattern, she realized that the instructions were very clear and logical.  It all came together just like it was supposed to.  Here's what Kathleen's pattern looked like.

 And here's a happy student in her finished blouse.   A drapy, soft knit is a good choice for this pattern design.

And from Kentucky, we also have Cowl Neck blouses contributed by some of the members of the ASG Fit & Style group.
Shelby Smarte chose to design and sew a sleeveless version. Nicely done, Shelby.

From Kathy Wille, we see her lovely finished blouse.  Looks fabulous.  I bet it looks even better on you, Kathy!

Cowl necks - different body shapes...all look lovely.  Thanks for the group photo ladies!

Another Kentucky contribution from Marilyn Neel in her summery sleeveless cowl neck dress that she called 'Summer Breezes'.  She loved it so much, Marilyn sewed the same dress with 3/4 sleeves, which she called 'Shades of Autumn'.  That's gorgeous fabric in both dresses, Marilyn!

This is Style 3, Variation #2
This particular design variation features curved shoulder detailing. It's based on the same drawing technique for the drapy cowl front, but before you begin the neckline drape, you cut away the curved shoulder shape.

And this last photo contribution is from Gudrun K. from Germany.  She's sewn a coordinating outfit of pants and blouse.  Good job with the shoulder detailing!

Thank you, ladies for sharing your work.  If any more of you have sewn the cowl neck blouse and would like to send a photo, I'd love to see your accomplishments.  You likely know the address: info@surefitdesigns.com.

And for those of you who need a more 'visual' nudge, remember that your Beyond Bodice Basics designing book comes with its own how-to DVD.  You be able to see exactly how these cowl neck designs are drawn from your basic Dress Kit bodice.

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The Bobbsey Twins in Lace

I'm sure many of you know that Joy (from Joyful Expressions) loves using her Sure-Fit Designs patterns and that she's sewn a 'million' tops from the SFD Dress Kit Bodice pattern.

When Joy read my blog 'Sheer Experience Revisited', she commented how much she liked the sheer lace fabric I used.  For those of you who missed this blog, just click here - 'Sheer Experience Revisited'

And, if you don't want to go back and read it...I next to never wear lace or sheer fabrics. But my girl friend had sent me miles of this fabric after she'd finished making a couple of tank tops and I decided it would look great with the new black slinky outfit I was sewing.  Since I had lots left over, and Joy commented that she'd love some, I shared the remainder with her.  Here we are, the Bobsy twins (well...not quite), in our matching Comfy Cardigans from Beyond Bodice Basics.

Joy doesn't like her tops too long, so obviously she designed a much shorter version.

In addition to this photo, Joy loves making videos, so the following 3 videos recount her experiences of drawing up the pattern, dealing with the extremely bouncy, stretchy selvage (PS - I cut mine off too to get the fabric to lay flat - I'd also never seen anything quite like it!), and her final show and tell.   In the third video, she talks about sewing the back neck seam and some of the issues she had.  I think we were going about making that seam happen in two different approaches.  If you have a Beyond Bodice Basics designing book - this is on page 22 - step 7.  The process to do this type of enclosing seam works well, and Joy is right that you have to roll much of the body all up like a sausage, stuff it inside, sew the seam and then pull the stuffing out.  Maybe I should do a video on this step.  It's easier to see it done than it is to write the directions.

Lace Cardigan Video #1

Lace Cardigan Video #2

Lace Cardigan Video #3

Joy, I'm glad you're having so much fun and success using your Sure-Fit Designs patterns.  Thanks for being such an avid supporter!
Kindly,
Glenda

PS - The Bobbsey twins were actually brother and sister. But oh well, I'm sure not many of you would know that unless I told you.  Aren't they cute?

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