Skip to main content

Reader's Pick Sew-Along

I'm fairly new to the blogging scene compared to some of you seasoned bloggers, and it takes some time to figure out the lingo. While working on a recent sewing project I relied a lot on sewing blogs, particularly sew-alongs. I have to admit I wasn't sure the real meaning of a sew-along except that you're documenting your sewing process. Then I'm thinking, well maybe I've been doing it all wrong! I'm sure there is no right or wrong answer, but I like the idea of a sew along being just that... Sewing along! I usually like to figure things out on my own, but sew-alongs actually help! After reading a specific step in the pattern directions 10 times and still not getting it, I turned to sew-alongs (and reviews) for advice. Wow! What a help! It's amazing how real images and different wording can help. The other great thing about sew-alongs is that if you catch it while the sew-along is actually going on, you can sew with other people, ask questions, get advice and share your finished product. Of course not all patterns have a sew-along to match them (independent pattern companies are great at sew-alongs), but the ones that do can be so helpful!


I thought it would be fun to try a sew-along with all of you! So I'm asking all of you to give me some ideas! What do you want to sew? Comment any pattern and I will pick five of those patterns. Then you, the reader, can vote on which one of the five you want to do a sew-along for. And on top of that, I will let YOU pick the fabric I use! My goal is to have the sew-along start at the end of March and run through the first two weeks of April. Of course timing will be determined based on what pattern you choose and how complicated it may be. A solid schedule will be provided once I see what pattern is chosen!

Sound like fun? Start getting those pattern choices in and let's get it started!

-Julie 

P.S. I'm going to be participating in the Mad Men Challenge by Julia Bobbin! Can't wait to give it a try!

Comments

  1. I vote pants! McCall's 5894 or 6707

    I have been thinking about doing the Mad Men Challenge too! Just need my fabrics!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. What is the Mad Men Challenge? Have not heard of it so how do I join?

      Delete
    2. Hi Senlin,

      The Mad Men Challenge is run by sewing blogger, Julia Bobbin. You can learn more about it here: http://www.juliabobbin.com/2014/02/mad-men-challenge-3-you-in.html

      Delete
  2. As a beginner I find the sew alongs very helpful even if I am referring to them at a later date. I love that there is more room for explanation on technique or fitting adjustments. A nice summer blouse would be great! The indie pattern companies do a lot of their own sew alongs - maybe something from the big 4 since their instructions are so cryptic? I've attempted 2 blouses with plackets that stop halfway down the shirt and they always look junky (if I don't give up...). - maybe some help there? Or something made out of ITY (just bought a bunch from you on sale!) - the appropriate negative ease needed on knits always throws me off. Thanks!

    ReplyDelete
  3. I have a feeling that ideas are going to be all over the place... Nonetheless, allow me to submit a suggestion for Vogue1233 - a Pamella Roland dress. It looks like it could offer opportunity to explore some techniques, and it's definitely a pattern that benefits from a perfect fabric choice.

    ReplyDelete
  4. Pauline and Alice- - Malvarosa or Tilly and the Buttons - Coco

    ReplyDelete
  5. I'm up for anything! New Look 6097, an easy knit dress for Spring because yes I'm obsessed with knits and I went a little crazy on your last knit sale.

    ReplyDelete
  6. I could start listing all the patterns I own... :)
    I would prefer any pattern from Vogue, Simplicity, McCalls, Butterick, or Burda. Those are always going on sale at JoAnn's.

    I'm just not at the point where I can see spending $20 on a pattern.

    ReplyDelete
  7. I would love to sew a blazer, been stuck on this blazer for a while, I cannot figure out how to attach the facings to the collar :(

    ReplyDelete
  8. any pattern but how about using the ultra suede that you recently had a great price on.

    ReplyDelete
  9. I'll join on in, just cause I like to have a kick in the behind to get things done. I don't care what pattern, looking forward to making something. :)

    ReplyDelete
  10. How about an indie skirt or dress pattern, like the Gabriola skirt by Sewaholic or the popular Anna dress from By Hand London?

    ReplyDelete
  11. Wow thank you for all the suggestions! Almost seems like you all are open to anything. Let me look up some of the patterns you are interested in and we will get started!!

    ReplyDelete

Post a Comment

Thanks for leaving a comment! All comments are reviewed before posting to help us eliminate spam. Your comment will be posted within 24 hours.

Popular Posts You Might Like

Made By A Fabricista: Revisiting a Pattern After Five Years

Have you ever used a sewing pattern and then immediately vowed never to sew it again? Well, I have. It all began in the spring of 2020 at the start of the pandemic lockdown. I tackled sewing projects that were more challenging to help me grow as a seamstress. There was one pattern in particular that almost did me in, the Seamwork Penny shirt dress. The Penny dress pattern has a classic button-up dress shirt style bodice with a gathered skirt and pockets. It is a beautiful take on a shirt dress, and my sister and I loved it. The only downside is that it was recommended for intermediate-level sewists and I was only an adventurous beginner back then.  I think I had only ever made one button-up shirt before attempting this Penny Dress and it didn’t even have a collar! Despite all of this, I thought “Why not try it, what’s the worst that can happen?”  Thankfully the worst didn’t happen, and the dress turned out surprisingly wearable, but I had some intense frustration at the end. I...

Made By A Fabricista: A Simple Frock for Spring

Hello friends! I’m really into sewing and wearing tent dresses at the moment. A tent dress is basically a wide A-line style gown. For this month’s project, I’ve opted to try out The Assembly Line’s Square Neck Dress. This style is a little avant-garde in its enormity and shape, and boasts the squared neckline it’s named after, plus some cute hem side slits.  All that volume is fun to move around in, plus there’s loads of air circulation which is cooling. This dress’s main feature–its wide and high squared neckline–really piqued my interest recently, and I added it to my Make Nine plans for 2025. I find it so satisfying to check off those boxes as I sew!  This beautiful shirtweight linen is a color I simply adore; a muted medium blue. Stormy skies, worn-in denim, and ocean waves all come to mind, and that is exactly what I want to be all wrapped up in. While I think a wild or large print would be amazingly on display in this big canvas of a dress, I also thought that a subtle ...

Made By A Fabricista: Bold Aspen Dress for Spring

 As I write this in mid-April, central New Jersey weather is showing small signs of spring. My neighbor’s daffodils are blooming and our magnolia tree is trying to unfold its vibrant magenta petals. I am in the midst of preparing my wardrobe for the warmer months, even if we are still huddling against windy 30 degree days. For me, warm weather means linen. I love breathable, floaty linen sundresses and drapey, loose linen wide-leg pants. My vision for a spring piece was something bold and bright, inspired by the natural colors of blooming flowers, but also something that could transition well between the warmer and cooler months. When I saw Fabric Godmother’s Apsen Dress, I knew that it had the sensible transitional opportunities I was looking for while also providing a blank canvas for fun prints, patterns and colors. With the pattern in mind, I then turned to the stunning linen collection that Fabric Mart always has on hand to see what colors or patterns would best suit my visio...