January 23, 2010
Wool Felted Zen Shirt Instructions
The white felted wool jacket on the cover of Threads March 2010 #147 has created quite a stir. So here are the instructions for making the Zen Shirt of the Now and Zen pattern.ZEN WOOL FELTED JACKET
The Now and Zen shirt pattern (Zen Version) from The Sewing Workshop Pattern Collection was the inspiration for the white jacket on the cover of Threads magazine, March 2010, Issue 147. From there, the design morphed into something quite different.
To cut out some of the straight boxy shape of the shirt, I drew and then sliced a curved princess line in the pattern tissue from hem to front armhole and repeated that on the back. I shaved a little more shape into the waist on the tissue. Because of the size of the washed jersey piece, I also made a back seam and shaped that a little at the waist. Then added the necessary seam allowances to the split edges of the pattern tissue.
I rounded off the corners of the neck edge and lower front.
The Zen shirt pattern departs from the traditional right-over-left buttoning and buttons left over right. But I buttoned right over left for this jacket.
The ruffle came out very different than first planned. I set aside about 1/2 yard of wool jersey before washing to use as the thinner layer of the inside ruffle. I thought the selvedge edge of this yardage was a finer finish than most jerseys, so I used the selvage edges for both of the ruffle edges – both washed and unwashed layers. I cut the one strip of unwashed jersey 3 1/2” wide and one strip of washed jersey 3” wide – both on the selvage if possible. I placed the unwashed strip over the washed strip with the right sides together and stitched them together using a 1/4 inch seam allowance along one edge. I then wrapped the unwashed jersey around the stitched seam allowance. This is the same technique as a Hong Kong finished seam allowance. I stitched again on the washed side along the seam line (in the ditch) to secure the "wrapping", making it look like piping. The wrapping process makes the unwashed jersey a little narrower than the washed ruffle side.
I placed the ruffle on the 5/8 inch seam allowance of the neck, front and lower edge. The ruffle was "stitched in the ditch" of the previous stitching to make the piping. This attaches it to the garment. The inside seam allowance was then trimmed with pinking shears on the inside. You can barely see this on the picture on the front cover of the magazine.
One of the fun aspects of the washed wool garments is they can sometimes develop into something completely different in the construction. On the white jacket, I was just going to add a single ruffle to it like a garment I saw in the Neiman Marcus catalogue, and somewhere the thinner wool got into the act and a double ruffle was the result.
Hope you are able to start a fun project with the washed wool. It is one of my favorite fabrics.
December 15, 2009
WE'VE MOVED!!
Our studio has moved! The Sewing Workshop has finally moved into a wonderfully renovated space near downtown Topeka. In the spirit of downtown, our walls are brick & stone, the ceiling & piping is exposed, the finished walls are a modern blueberry purple & moss green, our lighting is simple & industrial with a nice, open space for all of our beautiful clothing, fabrics, and patterns.
Here's a quick view into the imaginative space that creates The Sewing Workshop Pattern Collection!
Front Window View
Front Fabric Stash & Project Sewing Workshop Swatch Display
Project Sewing Workshop Display
View Towards Back of Studio ~don't you just love the lighting & ceiling clouds~
Fabric Stash Bins & Closet ~we're finally organized: what a great feeling!~
View Towards Back of Studio
Please contact us at our new address:
The Sewing Workshop Pattern Collection
301 South Kansas Avenue, Suite A
Topeka, KS 66603
1.800.466.1599
patterns@sewingworkshop.com
October 01, 2009
Sit & Sew Workshop with Linda Lee & Louise Cutting
Come join Linda & Louise at the new Waechter's Silk Shop location November 1-4. Join the owner, Joyce in celebrating her new fabulous store! Here she is showing off her beautiful Trio T-Shirt & Top.
SIT & SEW: Sometimes we just need to do something for ourselves. For three days and nights immerse yourself in sewing, collaboration, inspiration, and learning. You will have a hands‐on sewing‐oriented learning opportunity. Give your work that polished look. Create the right finishing details for hems, bindings, miters and more.
For more information about this workshop, visit Waechter's website.
June 01, 2009
If I could do it again.......
If I would have been a little more prepared for my recent trip to San Francisco, this coat would have definitely made it into my suitcase. This orange Soho Coat would have been perfect for the misty rain that wouldn't go away during my trip. And the bright & summery color would have lifted my spirits through the dark fog. Now don't get me wrong, the trip was fabulous. But this coat would have given my wardrobe the extra kick it was lacking. Thanks for the inspiration!
Check out more Soho Coat pictures in our gallery.
~Erin
May 11, 2009
Spring Sale!
In need of a jacket this spring?
Select jackets styles are on sale now. Get these great patterns for nearly 1/2 off the original price, at only $11.50, plus postage & handling.
Carnelian Coat
Deja Vu Wrap
Equinox Jacket
Haiku Two
Inventor Shirt
Joplin Pullover
New Yorker Jacket
Nikko Jacket
San Francisco Coat
Equinox Jacket
Inventor Shirt
Enjoy this sale for a limited time only. Sale is good through May 18, 2009.
May 08, 2009
Layering
I just arrived home from a week long vacation in San Francisco. This was my first time to the city. So the best advice I received before heading out was the importance of layering. The weather is unpredictable, always misting but that doesn't stop anyone from seeing the sights. The only solution-layering.
Here are some great ways to layer our patterns, using garments from The Sewing Workshop Pattern Collection, as well as Shapes.
Trio T-Shirt, Top & Pants-get all these great garments in one pattern!!
Four Good Measure Top, Trio T-Shirt with the Zigzag Pants
Plaza Vest paired with the Zigzag Pants
So go out and enjoy this spring weather, from morning until night!
~Erin
March 10, 2009
Bag Kits
Our BAG KITS were tremendously successful during the Sewing & Stitchery Expo that we decided to introduce them on our website for a limited time. Choose from a variety of colors and prints to create a unique and brilliant bag. We have 5 Laminated Linen colors ranging from black to pearl white, red, green or turquoise. We've paired these linens with colorful prints in upholstery-weight cottons &/or linens for extra stability.
Also, don't forget the ULTRASUEDE for handles, pockets, binding, etc. We have coordinating Ultrasuede colors for each color of Laminated Linen. The durability and overall look of Ultrasuede can't be beat! It's also easy to sew!
