SewLSC

  With the colder weather settling in, I wanted to make something warm and easy to wear for my grandkids—especially for car rides when bulky coats aren’t ideal. I pulled out McCall’s 6431 and got to work making two: one in an XS and one in a Small. Why a Car Poncho? Winter coats can be a safety hazard in car seats. The extra bulk prevents the harness from fitting snugly against the child’s body, which can lead to dangerous slack in an accident. A car poncho solves this problem by providing warmth without interfering with the harness. With a poncho, the child gets buckled in first, and then the back of the poncho can be lifted over the car seat while the front drapes over their lap for warmth. No compressed padding, no loosened straps—just a safe and cozy ride! Pattern & Fabric Choices McCall’s 6431 is designed for woven fabrics, but I opted for fleece since it’s soft, warm, and doesn’t fray. I let the kids pick out fun prints. Both opted for trucks. Instead of the hood options ...

  Everything that is old is new again.   This project was designed for the Pattern Review Modernize Vintage contest but was not completed on time. It was also part of the January 2025 Pop-up Sew-along: Nothing But Stash and a part of my year long commitment to the 2025 Fabric Fast and 2025 50 Yard Dash . I used Vogue 2288, a 1979 pattern that was part of the Vogue American Designer series by John Anthony to make my dress. Although the pattern featured both a coat and dress, I made only the dress. The dress pattern was described as follows: Loose-fitting, straight dress, four inches below mid-knee length has bias turtleneck, shoulder pads, back zipper, pockets in side seams, side hemline slits and narrow hem. Full length sleeves narrow at wrist. Topstitching. The completed dress did like the photo/drawing on the pattern envelope once I was done sewing,  except I "modernized" it. Sorry John Anthony.   The instructions were easy to follow. I really like...

  This project is my second entry for the Pattern Review bag contest. I have never sewn with leather before. I had some small pieces of leather gifted to me years ago that I never used. I thought this would be a good time to learn how to sew a leather bag and use up stash. This is the 5th bag I made with this pattern. This month. The first three were muslins made from upholstery fabric gifted to me from my grandmother, may she rest in peace, when she was reducing her stash. The fourth was a mystery fabric that may be "pleather" or vegan leather. This final project accomplishes my goal of sewing a leather bag, although I have no idea what type of leather. This was a small hide. Photos: 1. Front of Bag 2. Back of Bag 3. Sewing details: added interior and exterior pockets, darts for shaping 4. From hide to bag 5. Comparing new and old bags Pattern Description: Simplicity Bags in Four Styles by Elaine Heigl Designs 9803 Slouchy lined bags have indie style. ...

This project is my entry for the bag contest. It is the 4th time I've now sewn this bag. This month. The project is also part of the January 2025 Pop-up Sew-along: Nothing but Stash and a part of my yearlong commitment to the 2025 Fabric fast and 2025 50 Yard Dash . I've never made a handbag before, and I wanted to use this contest to learn how to do so and to duplicate a bag style I love.   Reversible Ergonomic Bag Worn as Healthy Back Bag I made three wearable muslins for this project: • V1: S9803 Sling Bag made with Upholstery Scraps  with Matching Makeup Bag and Matching Coin Purse • V2: S9803 Sling Bag w/ snap front pocket also made with Upholstery Scraps • V3: S9803 Reversible Sling Bag w/ zipper front pocket made with Blue & Printed Denim Scrap The project was made to replace a favorite bag that I used for years until it finally fell apart. The lining was torn and soiled. The hardware of the bag was broken. My cobbler told me to get a new bag. You can...