Back-to-school = Back to 'me time'

Editor’s Note: With the kids back-to-school, there's more time to sew! From Sept. 6-15, we’ll be celebrating “back-to-school” season in a number of different ways -- from ideas for sewing for children to inspiration for sewing for yourself!

Back-to-school isn’t just for kids! In fact, for those of you with empty nests, it’s a wonderful opportunity to find some creative “me time.” For today’s post, we’ve gathered together some of our favorite clothing designs for women. Whether you’re looking for an heirloom lace blouse or a comfy knit jacket, there’s something to suit any style:

Daisy Top (left) and Timeless Lace Heirloom Blouse

Daisy Top – When we first spotted what has come to be known as the “Daisy Dress” hanging among a collection of Martha Pullen’s antiques, we knew our readers would fall in love with a reproduction dress. What we didn’t know was that it would inspire Helen Lively to make an irresistible top for adults, but here it is. The clever designer worked up a contemporary version in black voile with ecru cotton trim. She changed the shape of the sleeve to fan out a bit more than the original girl’s dress and added a drawstring inside the lower bodice seam for a more fitted silhouette at the hips. Download the Daisy Top instantly and start working on this project today!

Timeless Lace Heirloom Blouse – For the past few seasons, a number of highend designers have infused their collections with touches of heirloom sewing. But as to be expected, at the same time they’ve made purchasing an age-old tradition extremely fashionable, they’ve also made it a very expensive proposition. You, however, have the goods and the sewing talent to capture this trend for little expense using scraps of lace and fabric in your stash. It’s a very savvy and stylish way to use up those small yardages you’ve been accumulating. Here, Andrea Birkin used the pattern "Vogue Basic Design Custom Fit 8689 View C (multi-sized)," and created lace panels for each side of the center front placket and one down the center back. She also created lace blocks for the yokes. Instructions for recreating the lacy embellishments are in Sew Beautiful issue #152.

Cape Cod Jacket (left) and Shana Tunic

Cape Cod Jacket – This basic, stylish Cape Cod Jacket designed by Nancy Zieman can be made quickly, and it looks and feels great. The garment has three variations and was designed specifically to work with knit fabric.

Shana Tunic – The Shana Tunic from Sis Boom combines a comfortable fit with a classic appeal. The design features a unique keyhole neckline with delicate tucks. This top is free fitting, yet gently curves in just the right spots to accentuate the figure. The bell sleeves add flair and femininity.

Patricia (left) and Fleecy Rose Scarf

Patricia Tunic – The Patricia Tunic from Sis Boom is cool, comfortable and elegant. It is just as perfect for running errands as it is for an evening out on the town. Wear with cropped white pants, jeans or even a skirt. With lots of size, length and finishing options, you can create a range of looks for yourself and your friends.

Fleecy Rose Scarf – We can’t leave out the accessories! This simple-to-sew scarf featured in Kay Whitt’s Sew Serendipity Workbook will keep you super warm while looking stylish, all at the same time. The construction is so easy that you will find reasons to make more than one! The scarf is composed of two layers of fleece, so you could easily get a totally different look by using two coordinating or contrasting colors. The addition of elastic down the center with a hidden opening to pull the end through makes the scarf slightly springy in nature adds to the comfort level. The roses are optional, so if an unadorned look is more your style, simply leave them off.

Shop our "Back-to-School" sale for a variety of women's patterns at 50 percent off - plus the fabric, notions and more you need to complete your "me time" projects!

We're hosting a huge “Back to School Sale” in our online store. Almost everything is 50 percent off, including the patterns and products mentioned above! Click here to shop and discover the savings!

We also have 30 specially selected products on sale for $9.14 the entire month of September in honor of National Sewing Month — click here to see a list of products included in this offer.

July Book Blog: Sew Serendipity Skirt Sew-Along!

Hello, sewing friends! Shannon here, and welcome to our July book blog on Sew Serendipity: Fresh + Pretty Designs to Make and Wear by Kay Whitt. I have been wanting to make something from this book since it first came out, but it just hasn't happened yet; so, join me in a sew-along over the next few weeks as we make a Tailored Skirt (below)!

With the ease of all of Kay's patterns, this is a great project for beginners -  not to mention a perfect summertime skirt to spruce up your wardrobe for the last few hot months ahead. So gather a copy of Sew Serendipity and all of your materials, and let's get started.

Before we start, you'll definitely want to take your measurements (Kay provides great guidelines for this in the front matter of Sew Serendipity) so that you know what size to make. I also highly recommend pre-washing your fabrics. If you want, you can make a muslin to practice the techniques and adjust the fit to your liking - but I'll be skipping this step.

I have selected a couple coordinating fabrics from Anna Griffin's gorgeous Honoka line. I've been dying to use the lacy Japanese Blossom print, and this will be the perfect project to showcase it. For now, trace off your pattern pieces and cut everything out.

Next Tuesday, on July 16, we'll dig into construction by preparing the waistline facings, creating the pockets and stitching the skirt panels together (steps 1-4). On July 23, we will finish piecing the skirt body and add the zipper. Then on July 30, we'll wrap things up by finishing off the hem band.

I can't wait to get sewing with you. Please be sure to share your progress in the comments as we go along, and join me for the next three Tuesdays to see how my own skirt is coming together!

Shannon Miller
Senior Editor, Sew Beautiful

Repurpose Challenge: Petticoat Lace Blouse

This asymmetrical blouson top was made using a commercial
pattern and a deep, tiered-lace hem from an antique petticoat.

In last week's newsletter, we shared with you a lovely triple ruffle bonnet from Martha Pullen's antique clothing collection. Martha has accumulated piles of vintage white garments over the years, and many - such as that bonnet - are extraordinarily special and have been handled with care. However, others were purchased in priced bundles so the pieces were in less-than-perfect condition, stained, torn or otherwise marred.

Rather than discard these less-than-perfect pieces, our staff has taken on the challenge of remaking them into something beautiful and heirloom-inspired.  I (Amelia) made this asymmetrical blouson top - which was featured in our March/April 2013 issue - using a commercial pattern that was drafted with a shoulder ruffle. Instead of using self-fabric for the ruffle, however, I used the deep, tiered-lace hem from an antique petticoat. 

If you would like to make a similar blouse from an antique petticoat, keep in mind when you are shopping that there are many beautiful options. They aren't all rows of lace like this one; some have lace shaping, tucks and embroidery. Look for pieces that are damaged above the flounce as they can be more reasonably priced. If Martha's stash is any indication, there are countless skirts and petticoats still in existence with all sorts of lace designs begging to be revived as part of a modern blouse, skirt or baby gown.

Beautiful vintage lace should not go to waste tucked away in an attic.
Find new life for it on a modern design.

How to make it:

I used Burda Pattern #7549, but any off-the-shoulder top, tunic or dress will work. Follow the instructions in the pattern and instead of using a fabric flounce or ruffle, incorporate your antique piece. Choose a lightweight silk or cotton fabric like China silk, cotton lawn or batiste. I chose the best of both worlds with a silk/cotton blend of Martha's Elegance fabric from the Martha Pullen Store.

You will need 1/4-inch-wide elastic for the off-the-shoulder top edge and 3/8- to 1/2-inch-wide for the bottom casing. If you would prefer to use new laces, create your own stacked flounce with 6-1/2 yards of lace and use the pattern as your guide. You may finish the top edge with a row of lace edging to cover the elastic casing by butting and zigzagging the lace header edge to the top edge of the blouse before you insert the elastic. 

TIP:  Salvage some of the skirt fabric for a seam allowance above the lace (usually 5/8 inches). If this is not possible, add a strip of fabric to the lace so that you can connect it to the top of the blouse. Rather than pick out the flat felled seam above the lace, I just used it in the seam allowance.

I removed the last two rows of lace to narrow the width of the flounce.

Speaking of Burda patterns, F+W Media (our parent company) announced a new partnership with Burda Style last week, and we couldn't be more excited. Welcome to the family, Burda Style!

For more spring sewing inspiration, be sure to check out our huge Spring Clearance Event happening now at the Martha Pullen Online Store.

Sew On, Sew Well, Sew Beautiful, 
Cyndi and Amelia