Swing Is In Full Spring...
…yes, you read that correctly -
May is a perfect time to keep exploring ways to enhance your crafting skills and plan for creative projects ahead, because: SUMMER! Dresses and skirts with full swing are in - ready to design and make yours? Spring is only here until June 19th, so let’s go, get started, and sew on.
With the cold season behind us, this edition of our blog delves into the latest trends in summer fabrics and fashions, the advantages of learning new sewing techniques, mastering knitting stitches, and much more.
Your crafting journey continues year-round, and strategic planning can greatly influence your creative outcomes and financial investments. Before diving into any major projects, consider seeking guidance to tailor your approach. What you put in (learn/explore) now, will greatly pay off in the future.
Welcome may:
let’s prepare for summer and make our wardrobe stand out!
Let’s kick things off by investing in a trusty sewing machine.
If you've already dipped your toes into a few sewing lessons, you've probably figured out whether sewing is your jam or not. But if you find yourself getting a kick out of sewing and crafting, owning your own machine becomes a game-changer. It's like having your own crafting superpower to tackle projects between classes. Plus, when you get assigned "homework," knocking it out before the next lesson feels like acing a pop quiz. Consistently sewing a little each day, or every other day, not only reinforces your skills but also gets you cozy with your machine.
We suggest starting with a full-size machine in the $120-180 range. No need to splurge on all the bells and whistles right away. As long as it's a reputable brand like Brother or Singer, you're getting bang for your buck. Every good, standard home machine should have the basics covered: straight stitch, zig-zag, and a few handy extras like a buttonhole stitch and presser foot. An automatic needle threader and a variety of included presser feet, are nice little extras. The rest? Well, they're like sprinkles on your sewing sundae—nice to have, but not essential until you're a pro.
Circular skirt in dark gray, cotton blend; blouse with bell sleeve, in hazy purple silk with lace front - both by Sew Dandelions.
Now, onto the fun stuff—sewing Skirts and dresses for summer!
Summer-weight fabrics are like a breath of fresh air—light, forgiving, and perfect for your first dress project. Adding volume to your skirts and dresses opens up a world of possibilities, whether you're playing with bias cuts, adding ruffles, or twirling with circles. Volume equals flowy, easy-breezy, and forgiving (hello, extra ice cream scoops!). Once you've got a pattern down, you'll be whipping up dresses and skirts faster than you can say "bobbin". Cut, sew, and repeat.
And guess what? You can slap pockets on EVERYTHING!
Mastering the straight stitch is just the beginning of your sewing journey. To achieve that profesh finish, you'll need to finesse your seams, tackle darts, pleats, gathers, hems, zippers, buttons, and folds—phew, that's a whole syllabus right there! Let's nail down these sewing essentials before we dive into pattern-making. Basic sewing facts.
Ah, cotton—the unofficial mascot of summer fabrics!
Cotton comes in all shapes and sizes, from 100% pure cotton to blends with synthetics and other natural fibers, making it the MVP of fabrics. Poplin, lawn, seersucker, gingham, voile, batiste, stretch cotton, linen, chambray, even cheesecloth—they're all lightweight, breathable choices that will adjust to your body temperature and keep you cool as a cucumber in the sweltering heat.
Remember, each fabric has its dos and don'ts when it comes to finishing touches—know the difference to sew like a pro.
Top by Brunello Cucinelli.
Hey, did you know summer knits are totally a "thing" now?
Take a stroll through any store, and you'll spot delicate knitted and crocheted pieces adorning the shelves—for everyone, even the guys.
The yarn scene is buzzing with options tailor-made for summer vibes. Picture this: plant-based yarns like bamboo, cotton, hemp, and linen, all designed to keep you feeling breezy and dry even on the hottest days.
Hmm… And here's a thought: if you were to dive into a knitting lesson right about now, imagine knitting up a sweet summer tank top just in time for a July vacation. Bonus? You can rock that tank year-round, just layer it up when the mercury drops.
Now, check out this (photo) stunner—a knitted top by Brunello Cucinelli, retailing for a cool $1,795 at Bergdorf's or Saks (Spring ’24).
But hold up! You could totally whip up something like that yourself, no sweat. Just you, some quality yarn, and some good old fashioned one-on-one instruction with a stellar teacher, to guide you through the stitches. Easy peasy, right?