PJs - Kwik Sew 3945

I'm just a bit late for the December Birthdays of my twin grand-nieces, Molly and Hannah.  I decided that age 10 was an appropriate age for fancy lounging pajamas.  The only pattern I could find that had lots of variations for cuffs, pockets and collars was Kwik Sew 3945.  So, here they are....

I must say Kwik Sew is not my favorite pattern company, as cute as this pattern is.  They call for 1/4 inch seam allowances which I would never use on a grown up garment, but for pajamas it worked out fine as I serged all seams.  It also does not call for a back facing.  The side facings go as for as the shoulder seams and are tacked down.  I did this as I was in a bit of a hurry, but next time I would definitely draft a back facing.  It doesn't take that much time and I think it is a more polished look. 

It also called for finishing the cuff prior to stitching the entire leg length, then stitching the leg and tacking down the seam at the bottom.  This made no sense to me.  I stitched the entire leg without folding up the cuff, then folded the cuff to cover the seam allowance where it attached to the rest of the leg and topstitched --  much better looking.  It was, however, a bit bulky where the all serged edges met -- next time I don't think I will serge the cuff side seam but will only stitch it and press the seam open since that seam will be completely closed once the cuff is folded and topstitched. 

So, they are ready for delivery.  Since they live a long distance away, I can only hold my breath and hope they fit!!

Slan

A Review: Linda Lee, Underneath It All

I just finished taking Linda Lee, Underneath It All, a Craftsy class, and I have never enjoyed an on line class so much.  First, a bit about Craftsy classes.  I came late to the table taking them.  Someone whose opinion I value recommended them to me and so I hesitantly waited until they went on sale (they do go on sale for almost half price periodically) and signed up for a few.

I have always admired Linda Lee, the owner of Sewing Workshop patterns.  I think she has wonderful technique, that her patterns are beautifully drafted, but most particularly because she brings beauty to the simplest designs by her innovative combinations of fabrics in unexpected ways.  I find her work to be elegant.

In this class she covers various interfacings, facings, interlinings, underlinings, and linings (including drafting a lining when your pattern provides none).  She teaches calmly, methodically, and thoroughly.  The classes are divided into chapters and some of them are as long as 38 minutes, but the time flies by.  I honestly took away so much new information, so many new ideas, and so much reinforcement of things I may have known once but had forgotten.

If you have a chance to take this, please do.  Another side note about Craftsy classes.  I did take one on bridal veils that I felt was not up to the standard it should be.  I had found as much information on the subject from on line blogs and a book or two.  When I brought it to Craftsy's attention, they apologized and credited my account.  I hadn't asked for or expected that.  But, I think it speaks to their desire to present high quality classes that even seasoned sewers can learn from.

Slan