I love the Tee shirt refashions! I did the same thing this summer. My me-mades were all precious and I realized I wanted some easy wash no worries tops. I also wanted a sturdy white cotton tee which cost a fortune in fabric alone. So I took a Costco men's undershirt tee, popped a grown on sleeve pattern on top, cut front and back together and resewed the seams neck and hem. STRONG, very nice cotton! Then I took a couple of my husband's music tees from festivals he played and did the same thing ( both of us are musicians but I got rid of mine because they looked terrible on me) . So much fun. I even bought a black men's cotton tee at Michael's for $7 (Canada) and did the same thing. Best deals ever and exactly what I wanted. Such a great idea for those casual days, but they still look and feel good! Show us more when you do this :)
No worries, Janine. You are one busy lady! I hope you have a wonderful time at Frocktails tonight!! I finished a chemise type dress in a light knit and wore it to church last week. It had an open seam from knee to hem on the left side. I loved wearing it. I also shortened about 4 tshirts recently. Otherwise I would not have worn them. Thanks for sharing about the crew neck because think I need to do that on a couple of them. I have a new sewing machine I’m trying to get used to, and had to scrap my overlock 😢 I’m hoping to make Simp 9590 for the fall, a lightweight overall. There are very few dress fabric suppliers here in southern NJ, just the “J” store 😜) so it has been difficult to find fabric. I’m hoping to go to one I found online that’s in a farmers mart to see what they have. I always get so much from your videos. You have a nice easy way about yourself that is very calming. Happy sewing!
Janine, that Chanel looking fabric, Navy/Grey is gorgeous-MAKE a jacket for yourself, you can wear it with jeans, shorts, skirts, you can wear it anywhere you want, it is a traditional staple!
Hi Janine! I have made the Carlyle top 2 times and I knew that the front band would be to wide for me so I took in the neckband about a inch, adding about 1/2" to bring in the neckline to the center front also. And when I use thin knits for any band I double the fabric up 2 layers. Try a sample on a scrap of thin knit. Hope this would help .😎🌴☀️ Liz
I have made the Carlyle with draped fabric too…I had great success with threading a piece of elastic thread through the top of the back side, between the corners. I left big knots on each side since it was a test. It worked pretty well…it did take a sharp yarn type needle. Hope you found peace at your event…Chris in Florida
Hi Janine, All the best for Frocktails. Your vlog reminded me that I too have some tweed on my shelf that’s been there for too long. I am now planning to make it into the Bobbi Bomber jacket from Style Arc which will fit in better with my lifestyle than a Chanel style. Love Liberty Tana Lawn . My go to patterns for Tana lawn are Harrison Shirt, the Brenda Blouse and the Maggie Top both by Style Arc.
Definitely get the committee photo and your photo Janine. Your sewing is what I love to see. Have the best time at Calgary Frocktails. I know the sponsors are very appreciative of their local sewing community that you help keep motivated. I'm doing my best to support local sewing businesses as I travel around.
I am making travel clothes for a big trip in a few weeks. When we get home, I will make my husband a robe, a dress-up capsule for my retired life, and adapt the LoveNotions Largo Caros as a needed alternative to jeans. Jeans are fine once or twice a week, but every day is too much. 😊
I also try to avoid the company we all know you are talking about. I can usually find what I need elsewhere. I have a small piece of a Chanel type fabric I'm going to incorporate into a baseball style jacket. I go out for lunch every 6 to 8 weeks with some friends and try to dress nicer than everyday retirement clothes. I'm very intrigued to see what your precious fabric is, and what you will make with it. Also I assume you read the comments and certainly don't expect or need a reply. I just appreciate the time you take to share your sewing with us.
Hi Janine! The Liberty fabric with lots of drape would make an awesome Love Notions Forte top. I lowered the seam on the bust so that it doesn’t sit midway after watching Island Socialist on TH-cam. It’s very flattering. I agree with SewTexas that you should go ahead and make the Chanel style jacket. There are lots of patterns for that style of jacket out there and I actually prefer some of the more basic looking ones. It’s kind of a fresh take on a classic look. When you mentioned sewing things to suit your lifestyle, maybe you and hubby should go out for a nice lunch here and there and wear some of your fancier tops or jackets. That’s where my husband often will appreciate some of my “creations” and tell me how amazed he is that I made it. Cheers!
Janine your top is beautiful! I wonder if you could make the slight V look intentional (a V sweetheart ?) with a little ruching there. Yesterday I finished my first Carlyle. The mitered neckline 😖 let’s just say my seam ripper got a workout. I still have a pucker but I might sew a button at each corner 😂. This month I plan to make a few dresses for Project Dress A Girl, and an Ellie and Mac Heart and Soul Twist Top and Love Notions Crescendo jeans for myself. I’m glad to hear about Pamela’s tee makeover pattern. Enjoy Frocktails! I wish I could find just one fellow garment sewist in Spokane! -Adele
Janine…no apologies needed for not getting back to us. I’m only living vicariously through sewing bloggers right now because I’m relocating to NC, so my sewing room is all packed and on hold until we get the new home out of the 90’s decor! Can’t believe how popular floral wallpaper was back then (bathrooms only, thank goodness). Thanks for taking your time to film and edit these videos. I’m sure Calgary Frocktails will be a hit!
Yes! Just sew it! 😁😁 So easy to say, ah. I do like all your precious fabrics - that boucle is divine! I look forward to seeing what you do with your project! 😊 I've figured out that my current project must be a precious fabric (two fabrics, actually!) . I'm in the middle of putting together a wool coat, the wool for which I've had since Jan 2020, the lining fabric since before then. I hadn't thought of them as 'precious' because they aren't fancy in any way. BUT I haven't settled on patterns, they have been moved about, considered for sewing and put back away many times. The bag the heavy wool is in has to be moved every time I want to get to what's behind it. Last Saturday was the day I stood up and said "Just sew it!" It was a great feeling! 🥰
I love Marshall’s! Such a great store. Emmaline is perfect for bag supplies and of course Fabric and Flow is perfect for athletic wear fabric, swim etc. Thanks for giving them a shoutout. I have been boycotting that other bib box store for several years now. There’s always great alternatives out there that need our support!
I've been taking my T-Shirts and remaking them with Pamela's Patterns and it is so great to have well fitting t-shirts that are flattering. I liked your tip about just stretching the neckband to make the neckline into a v-neck. I'll need to try that sometime. I've just been sewing a small hemline around the neck but using the neckband would be much preferable.
Love your shout outs to sponsors and fabric shops. 😊 I need ideas on where to buy on line as it can be difficult to find where I live, as not everyone ships to us. I also appreciate your acknowledgment and support for the project sponsors as they often don’t get enough credit for these kinds of events. The shirt you’re wearing is just lovely on you. Hope it survives the cut😅. Have a wonderful time at your Frocktails! Suzanne
Forgot to say, I’m adding a few Classic shirts this fall. Just ordered 2 lovely striped blue and white fabrics from spoonflower and working on a woven check shirt now. I realized that I had plenty of pink shirts but none in blue, which is one of my absolute favorites for my casual life. 😊
I love the fabrics. However I can understand if you really don’t need them. I’m super frustrated right now. First pants muslin turned out pretty good. I still wasn’t ready for good fabric. So I went to Joann and just got some cotton for hopefully a wearable muslin. The pants fit wonderful all over. The waistband is being an ornery booger. For the life of me I just can’t work out the tucks and wrinkles. Tried everything .
OK, I thought it was intended to be a bit of a cowl neckline and I thought it was pretty, so you had me fooled! I love Pamela's cardigan and am not surprised the t-shirt would be wonderful as well. Your refashions worked out great! As for your kitty - you are talking and she wants to as well 😸! Love the Liberty fabrics! I would make any kind of casual jacket with that gorgeous tweed and wear it with jeans, khakis, and a cream shirt and enjoy it. Would the blue flannel-like fabric lend itself to a shacket-style of jacket or some kind of not-fancy cardigan or pullover so you could enjoy that as well? I also have a very casual lifestyle so I know what you mean about not needing dressy clothes, but a casual style in a dressier fabric is nice to have for trips to the doctor, going out now and then and so forth. I will be making warm things to wear with jeans but right now am finally putting the buttons on an easy Vogue tank top I cut out a month ago but life conspired to keep me from finishing before now. I was determined not to let it be put away unfinished. I avoid online shopping b/c I want to see the quality in person, as well as for other reasons. I hope Frocktails went well and can't see any reason why it wouldn't. Please don't worry about responding to this comment - like the kitty, I just want to make myself heard 😄! Thank you for all the work you do to make your videos and I hope taking a break to produce this one was good for you.
Good luck at Frocktails!
I’d try some ruching in the center front neckline of that Cashmerette Top to make the droopinesss look like a design feature.
I love the Tee shirt refashions! I did the same thing this summer. My me-mades were all precious and I realized I wanted some easy wash no worries tops. I also wanted a sturdy white cotton tee which cost a fortune in fabric alone. So I took a Costco men's undershirt tee, popped a grown on sleeve pattern on top, cut front and back together and resewed the seams neck and hem. STRONG, very nice cotton! Then I took a couple of my husband's music tees from festivals he played and did the same thing ( both of us are musicians but I got rid of mine because they looked terrible on me) . So much fun. I even bought a black men's cotton tee at Michael's for $7 (Canada) and did the same thing. Best deals ever and exactly what I wanted. Such a great idea for those casual days, but they still look and feel good! Show us more when you do this :)
No worries, Janine. You are one busy lady! I hope you have a wonderful time at Frocktails tonight!! I finished a chemise type dress in a light knit and wore it to church last week. It had an open seam from knee to hem on the left side. I loved wearing it. I also shortened about 4 tshirts recently. Otherwise I would not have worn them. Thanks for sharing about the crew neck because think I need to do that on a couple of them. I have a new sewing machine I’m trying to get used to, and had to scrap my overlock 😢 I’m hoping to make Simp 9590 for the fall, a lightweight overall. There are very few dress fabric suppliers here in southern NJ, just the “J” store 😜) so it has been difficult to find fabric. I’m hoping to go to one I found online that’s in a farmers mart to see what they have. I always get so much from your videos. You have a nice easy way about yourself that is very calming. Happy sewing!
Janine, that Chanel looking fabric, Navy/Grey is gorgeous-MAKE a jacket for yourself, you can wear it with jeans, shorts, skirts, you can wear it anywhere you want, it is a traditional staple!
Hi Janine! I have made the Carlyle top 2 times and I knew that the front band would be to wide for me so I took in the neckband about a inch, adding about 1/2" to bring in the neckline to the center front also. And when I use thin knits for any band I double the fabric up 2 layers. Try a sample on a scrap of thin knit. Hope this would help
.😎🌴☀️ Liz
Thanks for listing the local businesses of which I hadn't heard before. Good luck to you and your Frocktails committee. It will be great😊
I have made the Carlyle with draped fabric too…I had great success with threading a piece of elastic thread through the top of the back side, between the corners. I left big knots on each side since it was a test. It worked pretty well…it did take a sharp yarn type needle. Hope you found peace at your event…Chris in Florida
Hi Janine,
All the best for Frocktails. Your vlog reminded me that I too have some tweed on my shelf that’s been there for too long. I am now planning to make it into the Bobbi Bomber jacket from Style Arc which will fit in better with my lifestyle than a Chanel style. Love Liberty Tana Lawn . My go to patterns for Tana lawn are Harrison Shirt, the Brenda Blouse and the Maggie Top both by Style Arc.
I'm in the US, but am looking into using some of your suggested stores. Thank you❤
Definitely get the committee photo and your photo Janine. Your sewing is what I love to see. Have the best time at Calgary Frocktails. I know the sponsors are very appreciative of their local sewing community that you help keep motivated.
I'm doing my best to support local sewing businesses as I travel around.
Thanks for reminding us all to support local business. It’s so important, and it’s fun!
I am making travel clothes for a big trip in a few weeks. When we get home, I will make my husband a robe, a dress-up capsule for my retired life, and adapt the LoveNotions Largo Caros as a needed alternative to jeans. Jeans are fine once or twice a week, but every day is too much. 😊
I also try to avoid the company we all know you are talking about. I can usually find what I need elsewhere. I have a small piece of a Chanel type fabric I'm going to incorporate into a baseball style jacket. I go out for lunch every 6 to 8 weeks with some friends and try to dress nicer than everyday retirement clothes. I'm very intrigued to see what your precious fabric is, and what you will make with it. Also I assume you read the comments and certainly don't expect or need a reply. I just appreciate the time you take to share your sewing with us.
Hi Janine! The Liberty fabric with lots of drape would make an awesome Love Notions Forte top. I lowered the seam on the bust so that it doesn’t sit midway after watching Island Socialist on TH-cam. It’s very flattering.
I agree with SewTexas that you should go ahead and make the Chanel style jacket. There are lots of patterns for that style of jacket out there and I actually prefer some of the more basic looking ones. It’s kind of a fresh take on a classic look.
When you mentioned sewing things to suit your lifestyle, maybe you and hubby should go out for a nice lunch here and there and wear some of your fancier tops or jackets. That’s where my husband often will appreciate some of my “creations” and tell me how amazed he is that I made it. Cheers!
Janine your top is beautiful! I wonder if you could make the slight V look intentional (a V sweetheart ?) with a little ruching there. Yesterday I finished my first Carlyle. The mitered neckline 😖 let’s just say my seam ripper got a workout. I still have a pucker but I might sew a button at each corner 😂.
This month I plan to make a few dresses for Project Dress A Girl, and an Ellie and Mac Heart and Soul Twist Top and Love Notions Crescendo jeans for myself. I’m glad to hear about Pamela’s tee makeover pattern. Enjoy Frocktails! I wish I could find just one fellow garment sewist in Spokane!
-Adele
Janine…no apologies needed for not getting back to us. I’m only living vicariously through sewing bloggers right now because I’m relocating to NC, so my sewing room is all packed and on hold until we get the new home out of the 90’s decor! Can’t believe how popular floral wallpaper was back then (bathrooms only, thank goodness). Thanks for taking your time to film and edit these videos. I’m sure Calgary Frocktails will be a hit!
Yes! Just sew it! 😁😁 So easy to say, ah. I do like all your precious fabrics - that boucle is divine! I look forward to seeing what you do with your project! 😊
I've figured out that my current project must be a precious fabric (two fabrics, actually!) . I'm in the middle of putting together a wool coat, the wool for which I've had since Jan 2020, the lining fabric since before then. I hadn't thought of them as 'precious' because they aren't fancy in any way. BUT I haven't settled on patterns, they have been moved about, considered for sewing and put back away many times. The bag the heavy wool is in has to be moved every time I want to get to what's behind it. Last Saturday was the day I stood up and said "Just sew it!" It was a great feeling! 🥰
I love Marshall’s! Such a great store. Emmaline is perfect for bag supplies and of course Fabric and Flow is perfect for athletic wear fabric, swim etc. Thanks for giving them a shoutout. I have been boycotting that other bib box store for several years now. There’s always great alternatives out there that need our support!
I've been taking my T-Shirts and remaking them with Pamela's Patterns and it is so great to have well fitting t-shirts that are flattering. I liked your tip about just stretching the neckband to make the neckline into a v-neck. I'll need to try that sometime. I've just been sewing a small hemline around the neck but using the neckband would be much preferable.
Love your shout outs to sponsors and fabric shops. 😊 I need ideas on where to buy on line as it can be difficult to find where I live, as not everyone ships to us. I also appreciate your acknowledgment and support for the project sponsors as they often don’t get enough credit for these kinds of events. The shirt you’re wearing is just lovely on you. Hope it survives the cut😅. Have a wonderful time at your Frocktails! Suzanne
Forgot to say, I’m adding a few Classic shirts this fall. Just ordered 2 lovely striped blue and white fabrics from spoonflower and working on a woven check shirt now. I realized that I had plenty of pink shirts but none in blue, which is one of my absolute favorites for my casual life. 😊
I love the fabrics. However I can understand if you really don’t need them. I’m super frustrated right now. First pants muslin turned out pretty good. I still wasn’t ready for good fabric. So I went to Joann and just got some cotton for hopefully a wearable muslin. The pants fit wonderful all over. The waistband is being an ornery booger. For the life of me I just can’t work out the tucks and wrinkles. Tried everything .
Could you make a lightweight coat with the blue wool blend, lined with liberty? I’m working on the Smith jacket from style arc
OK, I thought it was intended to be a bit of a cowl neckline and I thought it was pretty, so you had me fooled! I love Pamela's cardigan and am not surprised the t-shirt would be wonderful as well. Your refashions worked out great! As for your kitty - you are talking and she wants to as well 😸! Love the Liberty fabrics! I would make any kind of casual jacket with that gorgeous tweed and wear it with jeans, khakis, and a cream shirt and enjoy it. Would the blue flannel-like fabric lend itself to a shacket-style of jacket or some kind of not-fancy cardigan or pullover so you could enjoy that as well? I also have a very casual lifestyle so I know what you mean about not needing dressy clothes, but a casual style in a dressier fabric is nice to have for trips to the doctor, going out now and then and so forth. I will be making warm things to wear with jeans but right now am finally putting the buttons on an easy Vogue tank top I cut out a month ago but life conspired to keep me from finishing before now. I was determined not to let it be put away unfinished. I avoid online shopping b/c I want to see the quality in person, as well as for other reasons. I hope Frocktails went well and can't see any reason why it wouldn't. Please don't worry about responding to this comment - like the kitty, I just want to make myself heard 😄! Thank you for all the work you do to make your videos and I hope taking a break to produce this one was good for you.
It's a shame about your top as it's such a lovely colour on you. You could try threading some elastic through the neckline to see if it helps.
Janine I would to see how you do the v-neck. THANKS🧵🪡 FIESTA 🎉