Regaining My Sewing Power

Why does 2020 seem so long ago? Two years ago I was busy sanitizing groceries, making sourdough, homeschooling my child, etc. I always told myself that it was temporary, a couple weeks. I would get to sew “tomorrow” and tomorrow never came. The hobby that I enjoyed so much started to feel like another chore. It didn’t matter if I sewed something for myself, I was living in sweatpants. My sewing was consumed with masks, repairing masks, and the occasional make for my growing child. I was mentally exhausted. I didn’t realize that I was in ‘Groundhog Day’. Fast forward almost two years to the day and I decided that I was sick of feeling this way, I needed to think of something that would make me feel like myself, not something that I was sewing for someone else, just something for myself, that was NOT a mask.

I started with the Rain City Pattern Company Tight Tank with Heavy Rayon Spandex.

From there I moved on to a few new sports bras. I like the FREE Hyacinth Pattern from OhhhLulu. I used Tricot and Powernet and I added a band. Do you know what started to happen? Putting on something that was new, basic but new, gave me that quick boost of confidence that I forgot that I missed. It felt sooo good to wear something that wasn’t just that same pair of sweatpants. To be fair, I was alternating between two pairs of sweats.

Alas, the joyous spark was ignited. Then I started to think about what I could make that wasn’t so “casual”. At the same time Chalk & Notch released the Wren. I like that it is drafted for different cup sizes and has a shirt and dress within the same pattern. I used Rayon. One technique that I always use is French Seams . I love the finish of them. Yes, it takes longer but I do sew for longevity and it is worth it.

Next on my list is:

  • This gorgeous top from True Bias. It’s called the Roscoe Blouse and includes a dress in the pattern also made by Jasmine Macias, made in Rayon

I hope this blog inspires some of you to also reignite the creativity. I didn’t realize how much was missing til I started it again. What is something on your list to make?

Melissa

Sew It Slow: Day 11

If your following along, share your progress using the hashtag #PheeSlowSew on social media. Don’t forget to catch all the posts for the sew along here. When you’re done, don’t forget to enter a photo of your creation to win some of our great prizes!

  • Cielo: hem
  • Fireweed: hem
  • Floreat Sleeved: hem
  • Geranium: patch pockets (optional)
  • Hinterland: hem
  • Larkspur: hem
  • Matilda: buttons
  • Sedona: hem
  • Trevi: buttons
  • Washi: hem

Sew It Slow: Day 10

If your following along, share your progress using the hashtag #PheeSlowSew on social media. Don’t forget to catch all the posts for the sew along here. If you’re already done, don’t forget to enter a photo of your creation!

  • Ashland: finish cuff or attach armhole facing
  • Betty: hem
  • Cabin: complete sleeve and hemline facings
  • Cielo: sleeve cuff
  • Fireweed: secure lining
  • Floreat Sleeved: sleeve (set-in)
  • Floreat Sleeveless: hem
  • Geranium: hem
  • Hinterland: attach skirt to bodice only placket, buttons
  • Larkspur: sleeve facing/hem
  • Matilda: button holes
  • Sedona: sleeve button tab (optional)
  • Trevi: button holes
  • Washi: sleeves + armhole bias facing

Techniques

  • stitch in the ditch
  • buttons
    • flat
    • shank
  • additional seam finishing option

Sew It Slow: Day 9

If your following along, share your progress using the hashtag #PheeSlowSew on social media. Don’t forget to catch all the posts for the sew along here. If you’re already done, don’t forget to enter a photo of your creation!

  • Ashland: Inseam pockets (optional), side seam + optional patch pockets
  • Betty: facing and shoulder seams
  • Cabin: side seam
  • Cielo: side seam
  • Fireweed: zipper + back seam
  • Floreat Sleeved: facing
  • Floreat Sleeveless: back opening
  • Geranium: buttons
  • Hinterland: placket + button holes
  • Larkspur: side seams
  • Matilda: collar + hem
  • Sedona: sleeve placket + cuff
  • Trevi: hem
  • Washi: side seams

Techniques

  • hems
    • blind catch stitch
    • slip stitch
    • flat catch stitch
    • mitered
    • narrow
    • bias hem

Sew It Slow: Day 8

If your following along, share your progress using the hashtag #PheeSlowSew on social media. Don’t forget to catch all the posts for the sew along here. If you finish early, don’t forget to enter a photo of your creation!

  • Ashland: shoulder seams, sash, sleeves and optional cuff
  • Betty: back seam
  • Cabin: bias facing/binding at sleeve hems and bottom hem
  • Cielo: sleeve (flat)
  • Fireweed: bodice to skirt
  • Floreat Sleeved/Sleeveless: sides seams
  • Geranium: Button holes
  • Hinterland: gather skirt; attach skirt for full placket only
  • Larkspur: sleeve (flat)
  • Matilda: placket
  • River: hem
  • Sedona: side seams + sleeve (set-in)
  • Trevi: armholes
  • Washi: facing

Techniques

I’ve moved today’s techniques of button sewing to this weekend. Tomorrow I will also cover a bunch of different hemming techniques, including some that are not listed on the schedule.

Sew It Slow: Day 7

Sew It Slow Day 7

If your following along, share your progress using the hashtag #PheeSlowSew on social media. Don’t forget to catch all the posts for the sew along here. If you finish early, don’t forget to enter a photo of your creation!

  • Ashland: zipper, back seam + back neck facings
  • Betty: zipper
  • Cabin: shoulder seams + neckline bias facing/binding
  • Cielo: neckline (facing or bias)
  • Fireweed: skirt (attach skirt to waistband for gathered skirt)
  • Floreat Sleeved: shoulder seam
  • Floreat Sleeveless: facings
  • Geranium: attach bodice to skirt + secure lining
  • Hinterland: skirt inseam pockets + side seams
  • Larkspur: inseam pockets
  • Matilda: sleeve bands + waistband
  • River: neck binding
  • Sedona: collar
  • Trevi: neckline
  • Washi: shoulder seams

Techniques

On the schedule for today, I had listed securing lining/facing, but I’m sure you know how life goes…I couldn’t remember what exactly I had planned for this and failed to take notes on what I had in mind. If there’s something particular you are looking for, feel free to leave a comment on this post before the end of the sew along, or leave a comment in the sew along Facebook group.