Sewing Workshop Patterns 2

[Mercedes]

Movinon,  you should finish your Ikina Jacket.    It's an easy "Eileen Fisher" style, but you can do it any way you want.   On this one made from a textured hemp blend, the bias band about drove me crazy because the fabric is double cloth with both sides textured.   I ripped it out at the bottom, and re-sewed a couple times before it made me happy.   I haven't included the side flaps on any of mine.  The others I just used a crossgrain collar piece --- and in knits it's a no-brainer with a lot of style.    They become addictive.  

Link to my Ikina jackets on Flickr

The kits and stuff are on the ProjectSewingWorkshop site .    What I liked was that they put it together.    You can buy a kit, coordinating buttons, or just fabric if you already have the pattern.   I went with the kit for the   this Liberty jacket .   It's high quality, heavily textured fabric and beautifully coordinates with the buttons (by number to the kit).   Since I didn't have the pattern yet, I got the matching Valencia pants kit with blue/grey linen .    I think it's a great value, especially if you don't have a great fabric store nearby where you can put coordinates like this together.  


 
 

I love the fabric where can one find nice fabrics now a days

[Terri K]

Hi Mercedes!   I found that hemp blend at Fabric Mart Fabrics.    They used to send out sets of free swatches periodically but now it's a paid subscription thing.   That piece was swatched.   I don't belong to any subscription services anymore because the temptation is too great LOL.      The fabric for the Liberty jacket came from the Sewing Workshop and was less than $13 a yard as I recall.      If you are anywhere near Atlanta, come to the Sewing Expo starting March 11 because Louise Cutting, and probably others will be there with quality fabrics.      There are a number of internet fabric sources who will send swatches and sell quality fabrics at great prices.     Many of us got some great finds at Fabric.com when they bought a truckload of fabric from the end of the Vera Wang Lavender line.   I felt like I was stealing it at their prices, so I went back for more. 

And thanks for all the nice complements on my latest Ikina, the addictive jacket      I had fun with it and will pick up where I left off on the one with the interesting sleeve I posted about. 

[Janis]

Terri, that Ikina jacket is just stunning!  I bought that pattern at Puyallup last year, but could never get inspired to do anything with it.  You've changed that!  That fabric is a show stopper!

I may revisit the Urban T, as well.  I wear mine (usually with a cardi over the top ), but I'm not happy with it.  I think I can do much better the second time around.  It really does look great in a stripe.

[lessalt]

Terri,
That Ikina is stunning and very EF. I have made the Ikina twice now but in Fall fabrics. You are such an inspiration - I just went to my stash closet and found a piece of linen to make another.

[shams]

Janis, can I just say how much I love the outfit in your avatar pic?

And Terri, did I say how gorgeous that floral Ikina is?  I'm not typically drawn to florals, but that is one beautiful piece.

There's some really great sewing going on here lately.  Is it all the snow that's keeping most folks inside and busy? 

[Terri K]

Thanks for all the kudos on my Ikina.     I can't deal with big florals either Shams, but it was the texture and potential texture (after washing) of this double sided fabric that I liked, and besides it was half price 

[artistwhosews]

Maybe we can have an Ikina sew-along inspired by Terri!

[bessiecrocker]

Terri, I'm trying to figure out from the photos how you did the collar on the textured hemp version of the Ikina jacket. Did you leave off the whole collar piece, or cut it narrower, etc? The hemp version would work on me...the normal way is too overpowering on me (I'm small). I've hesitated about trying this pattern because of the big collar and the side vents. Now that I know I can skip the side vents, that eliminates one concern. Help me with the collar problem, please. I'll sew along, too. You are all so inspiring!

[Terri K]

Bessie,   the green hemp version is actually the original collar - original width cut on the bias and sewn per the instructions.     This jacket pattern fits like Eileen Fisher jackets of the same styles and so do the cropped pants.   The new Sewing Workshop patterns are NOT oversized and I've been sewing the size medium for all of these.   Go to the Flickr Set for the Ikinas to see fit and details.   The bias collar treatment can be tricky since the bias shifts.    I believe I ripped out the bottom seam of the collar (parallel to the hem) of that wiggly textured hemp blend on the bias SIX or SEVEN times and re-stitched.     You can make the collar any width you want or just do the single layer -- remember it's your design and you get to do your thing  

I need to check out Hellenne's hand painted silks to see what might work for a lovely Ikina collar!     Here's what it looked like from my sewing room window (two large 2nd floor windows) yesterday.   It never got below freezing yesterday or last night.  Today the sun is shining, temp about 35 - same as yesterday, and the snow is still there but no longer falling  

[Carolyn]

Terri, what gorgeous pictures.  I would never want to leave home!  What a beautiful setting to sew in.

[marciae]

Terri, what gorgeous pictures.  I would never want to leave home!  What a beautiful setting to sew in.

I agree - beautiful!!

[emelle]

Just to enable, fabric.com currently is having an easter sale and has many SW patterns (several of the newer ones too) 20% off....and of course if you order a few or more (like I did) shipping can become free. Also there are plenty of web coupons out there at the retail me not website that you can use too.....so I also was able to get an extra 25% off....    Any penny can help right now, I know.

Sorry I am finding it hard to click and link with this mac I am on, but if you go to the easter sale part of the fabric.com website, it's easy to find the patterns....nayy of course.

[Patti B]

Emelle, thanks for mentioning the fabric.com sale. You've reminded me that I wanted to ask for SW pants pattern recommendations! I have the Urban tee and pant pattern but is there another pants pattern that is tried-n-true? I know it depends on your figure but I thought I'd ask anyway. ;-)

[marciae]

Maybe we can have an Ikina sew-along inspired by Terri!

Sounds good to me - but I have lots of questions!!   I'm sure they've all been answered in previous posts - but humor me please - Terri - what size do you use - does the pattern run big/small ?? - I'm noticing that I need to 'fix' a slight hump - - you really can't see it - but my clothes tend to ride up ever so slightly in back unless I add a wedge to the CBseam.... so, would a CB seam work or would it change the integretiy of the jacket??  I noticed there are two darts at the neckline - are they such that I can do something with them?  It looks like such an easy classy jacket - Thanks for 'holding my hand'!

[shams]

I don't have an Ikina to show yet, but I finally made a Valencia jacket.  This pattern is deceptive in that it looks very oversized, but is actually fairly true to size through the upper back, so if you just cut a smaller size all around, it may not fit.

Anyway, it's a nice pattern, though I may shorten the sleeves further next time and narrow the collar a bit.



More on my blog:  http://communingwithfabric.blogspot.com/2010/03/sewing-workshop-valencia-jacket.html

[marciae]

Great jacket - - like the fringe on the fabric - nice touch!

[NancyDaQ]

You've reminded me that I wanted to ask for SW pants pattern recommendations! I have the Urban tee and pant pattern but is there another pants pattern that is tried-n-true? I know it depends on your figure but I thought I'd ask anyway. ;-)

The Valencia, Plaza and Urban Pants are all basically the same pant and have the same fit, just different details. The Valencia is a plain one-seam, the Plaza has tucks at the center front of each leg, and the Urban has a seam (easy to lengthen the pattern and eliminate the slit detail). Linda Lee says this is her favorite pant and has made many of them in the 3 versions.

The Mimosa pant is also nice, I haven't made it but I've tried samples. It's a nice basic pant, more fitted with a zipper instead of elastic.

[Terri K]

Shams great jacket and you are working that fabric as you always do!    I have made the Valencia pant but not the jacket yet.  

Marcia,   I sewed the size medium in all the ones I made.   Yes those darts are functional and I sew them everytime.   You could place the back a few inches from the fold and make a pleat like the Zen shirt or others with a pleat.      I just thought of that when I read your question and I might try it too.     This new Ikina is 2" shorter than the regular length because I had to compensate for the longest collar piece I could get.    You could lengthen the jacket too.    I had thought of that and have my pattern master lengthened (just in case).     In that case I would seam the collar band at the back of the neck.    

DH and I had some errands to run we weren't able to accomplish yesterday.    We could have gone out since our roads were clear but just didn't feel like it then.    I wore the textured Ikina with some light gray stretch wool Mimosa pants and a grey melange funnel neck top.   The short Ikina looks good with those pants.    We were in the neighborhood so I stopped in to see Joyce at Waechter's to show her since it's from their fabric and I got the pattern there.    Joyce and her staff always like to see what I've come up with.     And they are getting some new fabrics for spring in, especially these TDF rayons and silks.   Here's a photo.

Two pieces of silk burlap -- the rest are lovely weight rayons    

[shams]

Thanks, Marcia and Terri.  Remember when I was planning to use the Valencia jacket to mimic a blanque top I coveted?  Well, the store marked the top down by 60%.  I bought it.  In fact, I wore the Valencia when I went to buy it.   

This top is made from that fabulous Japanese double gauze -- it is plaid on one side and reverses to a check.  It's extremely floaty and drapey and I love the denim color.

[Tamara]

I don't have an Ikina to show yet, but I finally made a Valencia jacket.  This pattern is deceptive in that it looks very oversized, but is actually fairly true to size through the upper back, so if you just cut a smaller size all around, it may not fit.

Anyway, it's a nice pattern, though I may shorten the sleeves further next time and narrow the collar a bit.

shams, this jacket is lovely!  Is that fringe the selvage or did you have to do it yourself?

Terri, I have been banging around this site for a couple of weeks now, and everything you make is heavenly!

Tamara

[shams]

Thanks, Tamara. 

The fronts of the jacket are placed on the selvedge.  The hem of the jacket and sleeves are fringed.  There is a small section of the jacket hem that is not on the cross grain, so I sewed a cross grain strip to that section and fringed that.  I did this before I sewed the side seams.  You can see that detail here (and on my blog):

[fzxdoc]

Really nice, Shams. Love the colors.

Kathryn

[Patti B]

Shams, gorgeous fabric for your jacket. Yum! I love to see how you play with patterns and fabric. And good score on the boutique jacket.

Terri, ooooh, aren't those new fabrics lovely? Spring will come ... eventually.

Nanflan, thanks so much for the advice on the pants patterns. Maybe I'll just play with the Urban pant and let this sale go by.

[Janis]

Patti, I love the Valencia pants. They are my favorites.  I also like the Trio pants.  They fit nicely, especially around the hip area.

Shams, your top is fabulous!

Terri, looking forward to future eye candy from all those gorgeous fabrics.

[jodiwell]

Terri, Thanks for confirming the sizing on the new patterns. I bought both the Verona and Zig Zag, tried on both samples in a small annd was a little concerned that they were tad TOO small considering the medium SanDiego Jacket had me swimming. I'm going with the medium in both. Fabric ready for both!

jodi

[PatTM]

Shams - I love your jacket!   I checked out your blog and was happy to see why the front looks bias.  That really shows off the fabric.  I have this pattern, but have never made it.  Your version is a motivating example. 

[kaaren]

At Puyallup, Linda did a one pant 6 ways lecture.  It looked like she had started most of them from  the Valencia or the Urban pant.  When asked, she did say that the Plaza, Valencia, and Urban pant are all the same.  The Trio is just very unstructured but fits all types of bodies.  If you are happy with the Plaza crotch stick with those three.  But the Miimosa, Hudson and are similar.  The Plaza pant generally works for a more squarish body without the hour glass figure and relatively flat coming and going.  Yup, so I stopped listening!  Of course, she was careful not to call her pants one seams, but they can easily be made that way.  Interestingly, Linda likes nearly 6 totally inches of ease and Louise is now making her one seams with just four inches of total ease.  Both versions looked good, but were really fabric dependent.  Linda showed more pants with a cropped look.  But both have versions better than anything I can buy.  Kaaren

[NancyDaQ]

At Puyallup, Linda did a one pant 6 ways lecture.  .....  The Plaza pant generally works for a more squarish body without the hour glass figure and relatively flat coming and going. ....  Interestingly, Linda likes nearly 6 totally inches of ease and Louise is now making her one seams with just four inches of total ease.

kaaren, thanks for reporting on Linda's lecture. When she was here last month, she had mentioned that she was working an article for Threads on this topic. So we have that to look forward to! I don't know about the squarish body assessment--I'm an hourglass, I've made and worn Plazas and an Urban, and I'm happy with how they fit. Linda does like a lot of ease in her clothes, more than I'd choose for myself. Take my comments with a grain of salt--we all have different preferences and sewing is a good way to have exactly what we want.

Louise has trademarked the term one-seams, so I'm not surprised Linda wouldn't go there with the terminology. But yes, the Plaza, Urban, and Valencia are all variations on the one seam style.

[NancyDaQ]

I finished my Urban Pants last night, and will post about them as soon as I get some free time (ha). I'm getting ready for a retreat this weekend, so I might not have time till Sunday.

I really enjoyed making them--same fit as the Plazas, but a different look without the big tucks.

[Karen Roth]

All I can say is WOW..... to the beautiful view out the sewing room window (so I don't forget!) to all the beautiful creations here, I know I'll miss some.  I kept only a few SW patterns as I decided they were just too overpowering for me but the Liberty shirt is not so much, perhaps I'll reconsider in the future.  But as always, the beautiful fabrics/treatments companioned with them here are what add the WOW factor!

[LauraS.]

I've been following along with this thread for some time.  I've only made the SW Lotus skirt last year, which I love to wear.  I'm about to order the Liberty Jacket/top and the Urban T-shirt from Fabric.com.  I'm also looking at the Tahoe pants and the 8th Avenue skirt.  I love skirts and this mimics one so well it looks like.  anyone made this up and any comments on it? 

So many nice garments on display here.  I hope to post one soon. 

Thanks much!

[PatTM]

The Tahoe pant is lovely.  It hangs so nice in a fluid fabric.  It does take a lot of fabric.  If you are hippy like me it is a great style.   I have also made the 8th Ave. skirt.  I made the longer length several years ago out of a heavy, but soft linen.  I really like the asymmetrical hemline.  Be careful of the fit around the waist and down about the hips.  I would make a muslin.  I did not find it hard to fit, but it is not real obvious on the pattern where/how you might want to alter.  I think when you look at the pattern pieces and read the instructions you will see what I mean.  I got lots of compliments on the skirt and it is an easy sew.

[shams]

I just have to share. 

Remember when Terri made the gorgeous Liberty jacket, using a fabric that came in a kit from the Sewing Workshop's secondary site that sells kits?  They offered two gorgeous fabrics, but only one is still available:  http://projectsewingworkshop.com/index.php?l=product_detail&p=147.

Well, both of the Dana Buchman fabrics are now available at FabricMart for $12.99 a yard.  Yes, I bought some of the blue.  So..tempting..to..make..the..same..Liberty..jacket..as..Terri.....

http://www.fabricmartfabrics.com/xcart/810889-Dana-Buchman-Poly-Blend-Jacquard-Floral-60-Wide.html
http://www.fabricmartfabrics.com/xcart/810888-Dana-Buchman-Novelty-Weave-Floral-Chenille-56-Wide.html

[LauraS.]

Thanks, Pat, for the tips.  I think I'll go with the Tahoe first.  Probably won't get sewn up till fall.... 

[NancyDaQ]

Shams, you enabler!