Tag Archives: sewalongs

Scout Tee, Once Again

July 9, 2013 By in finished object Tags: , , , , 162 Comments

Hi, guys!  Hope you all had a lovely Canada Day and/or 4th of July, if you celebrate!  I spent the long weekend at home, hunched over the sewing machine (OK, OK, maybe I took some breaks for pug snuggles and movie watching).

Here’s one of the products of my weekend sewing.  It’s another Grainline Studio Scout Woven Tee, photographed just in time for the Kollabora Scout Woven Tee Sew-Along deadline!  This wasn’t at the top of my to-sew list, but I love Kollabora (even though they’re basically evil because they bombard me with so much awesome inspiration each day that my to-make list is absurdly long!), I love Wanett (the head honcho of the sew-along), and I’m basically a Grainline addict, so I couldn’t help but join in on the sew-along fun!

I used a length of chambray that was left over from my first sewing project— a super stash-bust!  My plan was to use the sweet birdie fabric that Sew Busy Lizzy sent me for the Sew Very Merry Christmas Swap, but I wanted to try out some modifications on less precious fabric first.  I rounded the hem line a little bit and tried to give it a hi-lo hem, but it’s so slight that you can’t really tell (whoops!).  I also added a pocket (from Jen’s Tiny Pocket Tank pattern) since the chambray is pretty boring on its own.

This isn’t the most exciting top I’ve ever made, but it’s super wearable and will hopefully last a long time (since I French seamed the entire thing so it’s nice and tidy inside).  I’m hoping to make a few more versions of this top in the near future!

What are you guys sewing these days?  Anything exciting?  Who’s made the Scout Tee?  Wanna be my friend on Kollabora?

Ginger Made: Banksia Top

November 5, 2012 By in finished object, sewalongs Tags: , , , 123 Comments

Hi, guys!  It’s getting COLD out, people– the puggies and I were freezing when we took our walk this morning!  Luckily, I finished this top just in time for chilly weather.  It’s Megan Nielsen’s Banksia Top, and it’s a pattern I’ve been wanting to make for a long time.  When Megan announced the sewalong, I jumped at the chance!

Isn’t my neighborhood lovely? Sigh…

I wanted to make this really feminine top a little more my style, so I used an inexpensive buffalo check flannel from A.K. Fabrics in the Garment District.  I love flannel– it reminds me of my grandfather, plus it’s so cuddly and soft that I feel like I’m wearing pajamas at work!  The fabric had a few downsides, though– I started noticing flaws in it as I was cutting things out, plus any time I had to use the seam ripper, small holes developed in the fabric.  Yikes!

Look, I’m turning my patented outside-photography-in-the-cold shade of purple!

I love this collar paired with the lowered neckline– it makes the top a little more grownup-looking, but still cute.  I used vintage buttons from Etsy, and decided to do 4 buttonholes instead of 3.  I made a size XS with a 1/2″ FBA, and next time I’ll give myself a smidge more room through the mid-back and armscyes (yeah, yeah, I made a muslin, but for some reason I didn’t put the sleeves on… d’oh!).

I’m always standing some crazy way that makes my clothes hang goofy. What’s up with that?

The pattern is really simple to put together and the directions are really clear.  I had a little trouble lining up the placket exactly using the 2nd method, but that’s just because I’m clumsy.  Like several other people, I had to extend the collar to get it to meet the placket in the middle.  I was careful to staystitch the neckline, so I’m pretty sure that it didn’t stretch out.  Not the end of the world or anything, though.  It really is a unique pattern and looks cute on everyone that makes it– try it if you haven’t already!

What have you guys been up to lately?  I’m sorry for my lack of commenting on your blogs and posting on my own– the internet is still down in my neighborhood.  😦  Luckily, I’ve had cell service, so I can at least keep up with everybody on Instagram and Facebook– NECESSARY FOR SURVIVAL.  Hopefully you’re all well!

P.S.  Did you see that Stephanie from makes the things opened up an Etsy shop?  Check it out– she’s got some cool pieces!

Ginger Made: Colette Hazel Dress

July 9, 2012 By in finished object Tags: , , , , , 102 Comments

Hi, guys!  I’m really excited about finishing the first dress for the Sew Colette 2.0 sewalong!  Hooray!  It’s just so fun to make something alongside lots of other fun ‘n’ fancy gals!  I’m really excited to see your dresses!

OK, are you ready?  Here’s my Hazel dress!

First things first, a huge thank-you to my sister for surprising me with this pattern!  Ain’t no pattern like a free pattern, AMIRITE??  Thanks, B!

In keeping with the whole cash-efficient theme of this dress, I opted to stash-bust and used this cream/slightly peach cotton shirting that I bought from Mood last summer.  It’s really sheer, so I underlined the entire thing with cotton batiste (also in my stash!).  I thought this fabric was so sweet when I bought it, and I still really like it, but from a distance, it looks exactly like muslin!  Whoooooops!  It’s got a subtle stripe to it that’s really pretty up close… you’ll just have to trust me on that!

Thank goodness for pockets… I’m like Ricky Bobby– I don’t know what to do with my hands in photos!

This dress came together so quickly and easily!  I kinda couldn’t believe it… there’s usually SOMETHING for me to fight with!  I made a straight size 2, and it just about fit perfectly right outta the gate.  I really liked the unhemmed length, so I added 5/8″.  The bust darts were too long, so I shortened them, but then they stuck out like crazy, so I returned them to just about the original length.  Too long is better than crazy pointy, right?

See? I told you it was striped! You should have believed me.

The bodice fit PERFECTLY when I made the muslin, but after I wore it for a while, I decided that I wanted a tad more ease.  Look– it’s hot, it’s sticky, and I don’t really need a sundress clinging to my sweaty stomach.  So it’s a little more loosey-goosey (and a little frumpier, to be honest) now, but I can deal with that.  We’re all about comfort right now, folks.

I played around with lace trim and little buttons down the front, both of which were cute,  but in the end I opted to keep this really simple and unadorned.  It’s probably kinda boring this way, but it just seemed cooler and breezier without any added trims or doodads.  I pinned on a felt hair clip from Gertie in Roses today, and that was just the ticket to jazz it up a little.  I’m looking forward to trying out new accessory combinations with it!

Next up, the Macaron dress!  I’m looking forward to making this– I’ve had the pattern in my stash for a while, and I’m excited to prioritize it!  If you haven’t been following along with Sew Colette 2.0, now’s a great time to join in on the fun!  Anyone out there making the Macaron?  Have you chosen your fabric yet?

Ginger Made: Scout Tee

July 4, 2012 By in Uncategorized Tags: , , , 74 Comments

Hi, guys!  Happy 4th of July, Americans (and a belated Happy Canada Day to my neighbors up north)!  You may notice that I’m posting on the LAST POSSIBLE DAY for the Summer Spark Sew-along (unsurprising).  I made it (but just barely)!

You may remember that my grand plan was to sort out the Iris Shorts pattern for this sewalong, buuuuuut… I’m telling ya, they licked me!  I just don’t have the chops to figure out why they don’t fit.  I even had a private lesson at the Sewing Studio, after which I transferred all the changes to my pattern, cut a new muslin, and they looked worse than before!  I was so frustrated that I couldn’t even stand to look at them!  So.  I decided to try out a different kind of summer staple and made Grainline’s Scout Tee.

I used a lightweight cotton from Paron’s that I really like.  It’s a sort of irregular, geometric print, but it’s fairly subtle and interesting.  It makes for a breezy, cool tee, which is awesome.  The style, however, is probably not the best for me.  I really like that it’s an easygoing, casual fit,  but it doesn’t really do any favors for my kinda rectangular shape.  My poor choice, not the pattern’s fault. The combination of the boxy shape and a fairly crisp fabric makes it stick out a bit.  Not my favorite, but not awful.

I thought this pattern was drafted nicely and the sleeves went in easily, which is a huge bonus!  The neck binding is nice and neat (a first for me!), but it sticks out a bit (every time I bind a neckline, it always sticks out!  What gives?!?!).  Overall, it was super quick and easy to put together– yay!

Even though I don’t think this top is super flattering on me, I’m sure I’ll wear it a lot.  It’s hot and sticky today, and the loose fit is really comfortable for this kind of weather.  I may try this one again in cotton jersey and size it down one step, or maybe I’ll try it with a drapier fabric, perhaps a silk.

This was the BEST photo of the back view… eek! Maybe I just made it a size too big?

Big thanks to Ali, Alessa, and Sarah for hosting the sewalong!  I really liked the idea– one month to make one pattern that will be a nice summer basic!  Did anyone else participate in this one?

Ginger Made: Pajama* Party, or, the Pink Nightmare Pajamas!

April 28, 2012 By in sewalongs, Uncategorized Tags: 56 Comments

Hooray!  I made pajamas!!  Happy Pyjama Party Day, everyone!

Look how happy!!!

I’m so pumped up about these pajamas– I love them!  The pants are made from Simplicity 2116, and the top is Grainline’s Tiny Pocket Tank.  The pants were super easy to put together (although definitely MUCH easier if you don’t sew when you’re sleepy and sew your French seams inside out… TWICE… so much unpicking!!).  The fit was a bit granny-panty (who wants super high-waisted PJ’s?  not me!), so I folded down the waistband once more before inserting the elastic.  Easy!  The more astute reader may be asking, “Ginger, why does your Tiny Pocket Tank not have a tiny pocket?”  I ran out of time!  I finished up the top this morning and barely had time to snap a couple of pics before jumping in the car and blasting to Philly to meet up with my brother-in-law.  So I’m posting late in the day, but hey, it’s still officially “Pyjama Party” day here in the States!

Do people actually sleep in curlers? Is that even possible? It's like having tin cans strapped to your head! But man are they hillllllaaaaarious!

  This was a great exercise in stash-busting for me– I bought this lovely cotton-silk blend in Paris last summer.  It was in a bargain bin with 3m lengths for 10 euros at Les Coupons Saint-Pierre, and I’ve been saving it with the intention of making a dress.  But with all this talk around the internet about cake vs. frosting and making clothes that you will actually wear, I was inspired to cut into this for pajamas and I’m so glad I did!  And let’s be honest– lil ol’ tomboy me wouldn’t get much wear out of a cotton candy pink dress!  And dude… I spend A LOT of time in my pajamas.  Like, as much as possible.  I get home from work, walk the dog, and then it’s into PJ’s for the rest of the night!

This is actually my second Tiny Pocket Tank– it’s a lovely pattern, but I have been swamped lately and have been using every spare minute to sew, so haven’t had a chance to take photos.  I’ll review it properly soon, I promise!

Thanks VERY much to Karen for hosting this sewalong– I can’t remember the last time I’ve had this much fun!  Speaking of fun, I’m really excited to check out all your PJ posts tomorrow when I get back into town!  I’m especially excited to hear what you’ve been reading lately!  I must confess… I haven’t been able to read anything longer than New Yorker articles lately!  When I’m working on a TV show, I generally fall asleep the second I get into bed, but I’m really excited to do some reading after I wrap next week!  Bossypants is first up on my list, and I’m hoping to finish Moby Dick— I’ve been in the middle of it for a year or two and just haven’t had the time to devote to finishing.  The time I read a book was back in February when I was laid off for a couple of weeks, and I read Bel Canto.  It’s a lovely and unusual novel– I definitely recommend it!

Yay!  I’m so glad I got to party with you guys!  Can’t wait to see all your jammies!

* Can’t quite bring myself to spell it “pyjamas”… feels a bit inauthentic to an American gal like myself!