Hannah just got even better!

November 27, 2020 stitchesbychristyLeave a comment

Sonia Estep Designs Hannah was already perfect as a quarter zip hoodie! Then Sonia gave us the neckband option for the perfect basic top that is super quick to sew! Then there was a kids version for the mommy and me outfits! But this week she really outdid herself with the hood add on…for women and kids!!!!

The new add on is separate from the original pattern, so if you don’t already own Hannah you will need to purchase it. But not to worry, because there is a sitewide sale and all patterns are 40% off! Well, except for the hood add on..it is 50% off or you can get it free with purchase using a code in the Facebook group!!! The add on includes a standard hood and a crossover hood.

First, I will show you the Hannah’s I made for my son. This is the standard hood version using a triblend french terry.

Fabric is from So Sew English Fabrics! https://sosewenglishfabrics.com/

The next two are the crossover hood. He was so excited to have new hoodies (mom has really dropped the ball lately)!!! He told me ~and I quote~ “This is amazing…I have so many hoodies with pockets now!” LOL

This olive french terry was in a mystery bundle from So Sew English!

This is a brushed french terry that came from Knitpop! https://knitpop.com/

Now for mine! I LOVE the crossover hood, so I have not made myself a standard version yet. My first one is using a coral quilted knit from Surge Fabric Shop https://surgefabricshop.com/.

#2 is in a charcoal hearts quilted knit from So Sew English https://sosewenglishfabrics.com/

My last one is lighter weight and may possibly be my favorite…I think…but just by a tiny margin! They really are all so good!!! Oakley sweater knit from So Sew English Fabrics is my favorite fabric ever and how cute are the gnomes and dots?!!! Oakley is ridiculously soft sweater knit, but it’s also breathable without being too thin! https://sosewenglishfabrics.com/

I hope you love all of these but mostly I hope you make your own and love them just as much! Here is my Sonia Estep Designs affiliate link if you would like to help me out. Affiliate links don’t cost you anything extra, but I do receive a small commission anytime someone clicks through it…which just helps me buy more fabric!http://sonia-estep-designs.myshopify.com?aff=8

Happy Sewing! ~Christy~

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Danielle Cozy Cardigan…and a sale!!!

November 15, 2020 stitchesbychristyLeave a comment

Do you just love being snuggled up in a cozy blanket? That is exactly the feeling you get with the newest release from Sonia Estep Designs!!! Danielle is a cocoon style cardigan that is flattering on everyone! It is a very quick sew and takes less than 2 yards of fabric! I’m serious about it being quick…I can make it in about half an hour-cut to finish!!! You choose your size based on either your upper bust or hips (whichever is larger) and it has plenty of wiggle room! So what this all means is that it’s perfect for gift-giving! I mean, who wouldn’t want to get one of these for Christmas?!!!

Side note: I did not use any filters…the sky was so gorgeous when I took these photos!

Now, in case you didn’t notice, the title of this blog post also mentions a sale!!! Sonia Estep Designs is starting Black Friday early, so all of the other patterns are 40% off! Danielle is 50% off for the release. But let’s say you want Danielle and want to take advantage of the 40% off of other patterns too…You can get Danielle for free!!! Yes, I did say free. If you join the SED Facebook group and look in the announcement post, there is a code only for group members!

And since all of the patterns are on sale, I should tell you about the rest of my outfit. All of the fabric I used came from Surge Fabric Shop https://surgefabricshop.com/. My Danielle is in a coral/white marled hacci sweater knit and it is dreamy! I NEEDED a new top to wear underneath so I pulled out a charcoal french terry and whipped up a basic Mandy! Then for the pants…pants are hard to get a good fit, so once you find one you stick with it!!! I used the Iris shorts pattern because I love the fit on my thighs and backside! LOL. I used another pants pattern to determine the length I liked and lengthened my shorts, tapering in to the ankle. I made these in a knit denim so it looks like real pants but feels like pajamas!!!

Head to Sonia Estep Designs and take advantage of this very generous sale…trust me, you need all of the patterns!!! http://sonia-estep-designs.myshopify.com?aff=8 . This is my affiliate link, which does not cost you anything extra but it does give me a small commission that helps me to support my love of fabric! Thank you for being here and supporting my sewing journey!

Happy Sewing! ~Christy~

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Composition Book Zipper pocket add on tutorial

November 9, 2020 stitchesbychristy1 Comment

I used the Composition book cover pattern from Spencer Ogg and it is a really great pattern but I thought it would be handy to have a zipper pocket on the front to hold my pens, so I hacked the pattern a bit and this is what I came up with! I will show you here how I did it.

The first thing you need to do is buy the pattern https://www.spencerogg.com/product/composition-notebook-cover-sewing-pattern/. I will not give any dimensions for the original pattern pieces because those are someone else’s hard work. For the pocket add on you will need a zipper at least 10″ long and scrap pieces of fabric. I also like to use wash away hem tape to hold my pocket in place for sewing!

*Cut out all pieces according to the pattern.

Additionally you will cut:

4 pieces that are 2.5″ x the length of the main piece plus interfacing for all 4
2 pieces that are 2″ x length of main piece-no interfacing for these
4 zipper tabs 1.5″ x 2″-no interfacing

*Work from the pattern tutorial until you have the outside and lining pieces prepared (edges hemmed, etc)

Now we will start on the pocket! Attach your zipper tabs to one end. Lining piece facing up, zipper facing up and main facing down. Sew across the end then flip so right sides are out and topstitch. Trim your zipper end.

For the other zipper end, lay it on top of your main piece and mark where you should cut your tape. I attach the zipper tabs before I cut anything just in case I need to adjust it! Tip: I make a tiny snip in the zipper tape so I know where I want the tab. Sew it the same way you did the first one. Trim up both sides of your tabs.

Now you will lay one lining piece face up, zipper on top facing up, then the main piece face down. Stitch down the side (making sure all your edges stay lined up). Tip: a zipper foot is a great investment. Flip them out so that the pieces are wrong sides together and topstitch. Repeat with the other side.

Your pocket should be about 5″ right now, but that is a little too big and will hide all your pretty fabric on the front of your cover! We want to trim it down to 4″, so cut half an inch off of each side.

It’s time to make the binding to conceal the raw edges! Fold your 2″ strip in half and crease to find the center. Open it up and fold both sides into the center, then fold the entire piece in half. Easy peasy!

Slide a binding piece over the raw edges on each side and clip in place. You will topstitch only the open edge of the binding for now. Leave the outside edge un sewn.

Take your main piece that has already been hemmed and fold it in half to find the center. Make a small mark on the front side that is 2″ over from the center mark. This is your pocket placement mark!

I like to use 1/4″ wash away hem tape on the edges of the wrong side of the pocket. Stick the pocket down with the left side lined up with the mark you just made. Start at the top and topstitch down the right side, across the bottom, back up the left side and across the top.