Peppermint PJs Review

What great timing on the launch of these Peppermint Pajamas by Blank Slate Patterns. We’re heading into holiday season and I’ve always sewn family PJs for Christmas Eve. I’ve also always drafted my own (making different tweeks every year) and have yet to add pockets. Well, now I actually have a pattern (that fits!) and won’t have to spend as much time making my holiday pajamas!

Pattern

The Peppermint Pajamas comes with patterns for BOTH the woven pants and the knit top. This is like a 2-for-1 pattern with sizes ranging from XXS-3X (bust 30″ – 53″ and hips 33″ – 55″.)

The pants feature an elastic waist, roomy slash pockets, and a separate cuff. The bottoms can be made into shorts, capris (by leaving off the cuffs) and full-length pants.

For the knit top, it features a crew-neck with raglan sleeves. You can make cap sleeves like I did, or use the long sleeve option. It has a nice relaxed slim fit for shaping, but not body-con tight.

Fabric

I knew I wanted something luxurious for my first pair of Peppermint pants. I am usually a boxers gal and wear all of my old flannel Xmas ones in colder months. I’ve been very conscious lately of my fabric consumption and was happy to find this Rifle Paper Co floral already in my stash. It is a Rayon Challis and feels incredible!. It has a soft hand, wonderful drape and feels silky to the touch. However, with these features, it can be very slippery to handle. With Rayon, I always use twice as many pins I usually do and I try not to pick a design which requires fabric matching – it is already hard enough to sew a new pattern!

For the top, I dug into my stash again and found just enough of this Robert Kaufman Dana modal knit to make the cap-sleeve version. It’s a nice off-white cream color and so soft. The knit is a bit lighter and slightly sheer, but is perfect if you are looking for a tissue tee or for some great drape. I purchased this from Imagine Gnats, but this is a staple from RK and you can find it also at Fabric.com, here.

Modifications

With pants, I always measure all across the board. I’m a small in the waist and am in-between a medium and large in the hips. But since the Peppermint PJs are meant for lounging, I sized up to the large and then graded the waist to a medium since the elastic would pull the sides in more. I love the extra room – perfect for laying on the couch for family movie night! I also made my regular pants adjustments of extending the crotch by 1/2″ and deepening the seat by 3/8″.

Since I was working within my stash, I did not have a contrasting rayon that would work with my floral print. So I added piping where the cuffs attached to help keep the look cohesive. I also added piping at the pockets to balance out the look.

As you know, I’m also a shortie at 5’3″. I used the shorten/lengthen line to reduce the front and back legs by 2″. On the cuff, I took another 2″ off the total length because I didn’t want this delicate fabric to drag on the floor at all. So overall, I took 4″ off each leg.

With the top, I made a straight medium with the cap sleeve and didn’t make any additional adjustments. The length is great for a PJ tee and I think this is great pattern for any basic tee. It’s a great neutral to wear with jeans and a light jacket for fall!

Final thoughts

The Peppermint PJs were great basics to sew and I love the video on Melly Sews YouTube channel on making the waistband. It’s always great to get that double-check while sewing to ensure the correct construction! I think this is beginner-friendly and a great value with two patterns for the price of one! I hope you enjoy making this set as much as I did!!!

Hugs and Stitches,

Cristy

 

The pattern was gifted to me by Blank Slate Patterns, but I was not required to write a blog post. All thoughts and opinions are my own. Also, this post may contain affiliate links. You can read about all of my disclosures, here.

Emma Stadium Bag by Love You Sew

Tips and Tricks – Sewing with Clear Vinyl

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Expanding your sewing repertoire is always so exciting, but there can also be some challenges along the way. As I wrote the Emma Stadium Bag, I included some tips with construction specific to my pattern, but thought you might appreciate more general guidance when sewing with clear or other see-through vinyl!

First, let’s talk about vinyl. This term is used for a lot of different flexible plastic substrates, but I am referring to sewable 100% PVC (polyvinyl chloride,) which is generally polished on one or both sides and you can see through it. Vinyl is a tough and durable substrate that can be used to provide moisture and/or humidity protection. This type of vinyl is available it many different colors and even thicknesses.

20 gauge (above) vs 12 gauge (below)

Vinyl is measured by gauge number. This refers to the thickness of the vinyl sheet. Most big box craft stores carry from 8-20 gauge and hardware stores can carry even thicker products. But for our sewing purposes, I think 8-20 gauge is within our wheelhouse. The 8 gauge is the thinnest at 0.008″ which is the most flexible and the easiest to sew. I think this is a great size if you are using this for a window in a pouch or organizer project. I wouldn’t recommend this for the body of a bag or pouch because it would be able to hold it’s shape well (unless you are going for the slouchy look!) On the opposite end, the 20 gauge is thickest at 0.020″ and is more rigid, but still flexible. I would recommend this thickness for projects which you want to keep the shape intact, like a tote or pouch. However, not all domestic sewing machines will be able to handle the thickness. My semi-industrial Juki 2010Q can handle this after some tension adjustments, but I think 12 gauge is the best bet to start for most machines IMO. Please test the gauges and see what you like best!

Let’s start with vinyl prep and handling. The following are a few tips to get you started:

  • Do NOT use your Favorite Fabric Scissors – Use your “paper” or “all-purpose” scissors to cut through the vinyl because it could dull your fabric ones – especially if you are using a higher gauge. I have an old rotary cutter marked for all-purpose use. Generally, when my fabric rotary blade gets dull, I move it over to the “all-purpose” Fiskars cutter and use that on these special projects and when I’m trimming PDF paper patterns.
  • Use Clips to Hold Vinyl Together – Whether you like to use Clover Clips or binder clips, these all do the same job. They hold vinyl together without leaving a permanent hole like a sewing pin would. I’ve also heard of others using paper clips and even bobby pins too.
  • Do NOT Directly Iron onto Vinyl – This will melt and leave permanent marks on the plastic. If you do have deep creases that you would like smoothed out, you can hover the iron above the vinyl or use a pressing cloth with light and quick presses. A heat gun or a hair-dryer (on low setting) can also help. Make sure you don’t have multiple layers of vinyl directly touching each other as you use heat or they can melt together.

Now, let’s get into sewing with vinyl! Below are tips from my own experience. Please let me and other readers know if you have any additional tips of your own in the comments section below. I would love to read them!!!

Left to Right: Teflon Foot, Walking Foot and Zipper Foot (with washi tape)
  • Use a Teflon Foot (preferred) or a Walking Foot – Vinyl is notorious for it’s “stickiness” when rubbed against a metal presser foot. A smooth Teflon foot doesn’t create the same friction as a metal one would and allows the vinyl to pass through the feed dogs. I prefer this foot for it’s slim profile and the ability to maneuver around more than the clunky Walking Foot. However, the Walking Foot does do a great job with the extra set of feed dogs to help shift the vinyl through. Other machines may have leather/vinyl specific feet as well with rollers. I don’t have these with my Juki and can’t speak to them specifically. Relieving presser foot pressure (if available on your machine) will also help reduce friction.
  • Grab some Washi Tape – If you don’t have any of the feet mentioned above, you can try to use washi tape (available at most craft stores) and adhere it to the bottom of your regular foot. I use this method with my zipper foot (pictured above) since I rarely have the need for a Teflon one. I will caution that you do need a higher quality tape where the sticky side remains where it’s suppose to and doesn’t transfer to the non-sticky side. $1 bin tapes are usually like this and if you have any tackiness on the right side of the tape, it pretty much negates it’s use.
  • Reduce friction on your Sewing Machine Bed – Some vinyls are stickier than others when moving across the painted table of your sewing machine. (It glides over smoothly on the bare metal plate.) You should test how the vinyl glides against your machine before starting. If there is quite a bit of sticking, I recommend detaching the extended table and/or laying down several pieces of washi tape on top of it. This will allow the vinyl to glide a bit more. You may also have to lift the vinyl as you sew to avoid contact with your machine, working a few inches at a time.
  • Use Regular/Sew-All Polyester Thread – You want a nice strong thread with the vinyl, but you don’t want anything that is too thick because it will create more rubbing. This is the same if sewing with faux or real leather. There is more friction when you use a thicker thread and although you can also switch to a larger needle, sometimes you just can’t get a needle large enough and will end up with skipped stitches.
  • ALWAYS use a Brand New Sharp Needle – Since you are puncturing plastic, a brand new needle is essential. If it is dull, this can effect timing and can lead to skipped stitches.
  • Practice sewing on scraps – Vinyl will leave permanent holes, so it’s important to get your tension and stitch-length right before sewing. As you increase thickness, you may also have to increase your stitch-length to compensate.

As for the care of vinyl, it is always a good idea to keep any type of it away from prolonged sun exposure. This will keep your vinyl the same color as purchased and keeps it malleable. You can use a damp cloth to wipe away messes.

Now that you have the tips and tricks down, are you ready to sew with vinyl? All of the clear vinyl bags in these images are 12 gauge clear from JoAnn Fabrics (aff link.) If you stop by the store, you can ask for swatch samples in the other gauges. You can also order clear vinyl from Fabric.com (aff link) which ships to many countries. If you are into some of the specialty vinyls, I LOVE Sew Hungry Hippie’s shop (aff link.) This is where I bought the rainbow vinyl in the pictures above and I’ve been eyeing up all the glitter offerings.

You can grab the Emma Stadium Bag digital pattern here for your first clear vinyl project 😉

Hugs and Stitches,

Cristy

 

This post may contain affiliate links. You can read my full disclosure here.

Emma Stadium Bag by Love You Sew

The Emma Stadium Bag – Intro

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Emma Stadium Bag by Love You Sew

Right before I left for a college football game last year, there was just something that made me check the stadium’s bag policy, even though I’ve attended games at the same venue for years.  Thank goodness I did because it turned out, I couldn’t bring in the bags I always used to!  I could either bring in a small wristlet that couldn’t even fit my phone, or opt to bring in a clear bag to accommodate more of my stuff.  With this game being out of state and lots of walking around the campus, I knew I had to bring a clear bag.  With some remnant vinyl and scraps of canvas from my stash, the Emma Stadium Bag was born.

At first, I didn’t think this bag would be a pattern.  It was a just a quick late night project based on need rather than want.  But with public safety on the forefront of large gatherings, there has been a continuous change of bag policies across other public venues and schools.  We are seeing the need for more and more clear bags to ensure safety for all.  Even with this movement, I know us, bag-makers still love to add our own personal spin to a make.   We have the power to make things our own and I hope you are able to use the Emma Bag to keep your own style and show off your personality while out and about.

Original from Fall 2018 – I didn’t have the right hardware late & improvised with leather and plenty of rivets

The Namesake

As with all my bag patterns, they are named after one of my eleven nieces.  Emma is the youngest girl on my husband’s side of the the family but she is far from the “baby” of the bunch.  This young lady has so much grit and confidence from being her household’s resident jock.  Emma has played travel, club, and high school soccer which allows her to criss-cross the midwest for tournaments.  She is also an incredibly talented track star, so it’s only fitting that the bag inspired by sports venues is named after my strong and beautiful Emma.

Features

The Emma Stadium bag is based on using clear vinyl as the main body with a fabric zipper top.   This makes the zipper easier to sew on and allows you to use your favorite fabric to stay unique and stand out from the crowd. Not only does the zipper keep your belongings from falling out, it keeps strangers’ hands out too.  It helps protects your phone and wallet from the elements, as well as from that possible beer spill 😐

This is my first pattern offered in multiple sizes.  I did a little crowd-sourcing on Instagram and asked all of you about my ideas for this bag.  Initially, I thought I would write a pattern for the maximum sized bag allowed in the NFL – thinking you would want to maximize your space.  But you told me smaller was actually better!  So, I listened hard and have THREE different sizes available for all of your needs.

  • Small with Wristlet strap – This size is for the light packer who just needs the essentials.  It fits a cell phone, sunglasses, a small wallet like the Shuffle Cardholder, plus tissues, keys and lip balm.

  • Medium with Cross-body Strap- This a great size to hold more items while still having the ease of a cross-body.  You can hold items for a whole day’s worth of activities from tail-gate to the game.  I like this size in colder weather to hold earmuffs, hand warmers, and gloves.

  • Large with Shoulder sStraps- The large bag, will hold the most when you want to bring in all of the above plus an extra sweatshirt or blanket.  It can hold seat cushions and all the game-day merch you want to buy!  *While it does not exactly conform to the NFL/PGA policy.  It IS the same on a volume basis.  I don’t know if you would run into issues, since all security is different.  You can open the zipper when going through security if they ask to measure the bag.

  • Although each size has it’s own instructions for straps, you can mix and match the styles along with two different ways to attach D-ring tabs.  There is a short optional that leaves an “ear” on your bag while the long option sews the tab back onto the body for a smooth side silhouette.
  • Pockets – The medium and large sizes include instructions to include slip pockets for extra organization.  This is perfect for your tickets and slim wallets.
  • Vinyl side seams are sewn down for smooth interior – Your hands won’t be scratched by hanging seam allowances, especially if using a more rigid vinyl.
  • Fabric Zipper Top completely encloses the vinyl body for a clean finish inside and out

The Emma Stadium Bag is definitely not just for sporting events.  Many concert halls have similar policies and many schools are adopting a clear bag policy.  If you’ve ever worked in retail, there has generally been a clear bag policy to avoid theft.  The large size can double as a school/work bag with its generous sizing.   The medium size makes for a great project bag for yourself or the kids!  It can hold lots of art supplies and you can easily wipe down the sides.  It’s also a great toiletry bag for travel and the gym.  With the TSA a permanent fixture at airports, the small can be used in lieu of all of those quart sized bags – saving the planet and your contents from spillage!

Fabrics

The body of the Emma Stadium Bag is about 2/3 vinyl, so there is not much fabric involved to make this bag.  The zipper top was designed to use Quilt Cotton and other similar weight woven fabrics.  This allows you to use your favorite fabrics and customize each of your makes.  All of my examples are using a waterproof lightweight canvas which makes them great for the outdoors and for my traveling adventures with the family.

Vinyl thickness is measured by gauge number – with the smaller number being thinner compared to a larger number.  A 20 gauge will provide a more rigid bag, but a 12 gauge is easier to sew and more pliable when trying to manipulate your bag under your sewing machine.

Supplies

Tester Inspiration

Check out all of the amazing tester versions of the Emma Bag.  I love their uses of different fabric and how they decided to use their bags.  Click on each image to find the maker on Instagram.

I hope you enjoy making the Emma Stadium Bag as much as I have loved designing it!  You can find other examples of the bag by following #EmmaStadiumBag and find my other patterns with #LoveYouSewPatterns.

Hugs and Stitches!

Cristy

This post may contain affiliate links.  You can read about my Disclosures here.

90s Flashback Paper-Bag Waist Shorts with McCall’s M7726

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I know it’s after Labor Day aka the “unofficial” end of summer, but all of a sudden a heat wave just took over here in Ohio.  For the past two weeks, it’s been unseasonable cool with me even wearing a COAT to my nieces soccer game just this past Saturday  – and today it’s 90*F!  This means that summer really isn’t over yet and I’ll be breaking out all of my shorts, including this McCall M7726 (aff link) in View A.

McCall M7726 by Love You Sew

The 90’s influence is definitely still around the fashion world and I’ve been wanting to make this pattern since the beginning of the summer.  This pleated high-waisted style completely reminds me of my childhood…before flares jeans took over. LOL. I was drawn to the loose fit around the thighs, the pleated details and of course, that high waist!  It doesn’t hurt that this pattern is drafted for wovens I wanted something different from your typical denim and twill short options!

McCall M7726 by Love You Sew

FABRIC

I picked up some Robert Kaufman Brussels Washer Linen late spring in this gorgeous Pink Clay.  This was my first time using the Brussels linen and now I know why it has a cult-like following in the garment world.  It’s still light-medium in weight and breathable like with traditional linen, but has a softer hand and drape with the added rayon content.  It’s incredibly soft and I love how many colors are available.  I have the pink clay color which had been a bit difficult to photograph because it looks more salmon in some light and more orange in other.  I would definitely call it a brown-based coral though.

McCall M7726 by Love You Sew

FEATURES

For the shorts, I made View A, but this pattern also comes with a tapered pant, tapered crop pant, long wide leg pants and and optional sash — I may have to make some pants later into the fall/winter season 😉  This pattern has nice large slash pockets which I love.  The construction is  a bit different than I’ve made before, but it’s only because the pocket was drafted to blend in with the pleats.  Speaking of, there are eight large pleats all around the waist giving that full 90s look we love!  The pleats provides that nice fitted waist while allowing for all that extra ease around the thighs.  I’m sick of shorts digging into my thighs and these don’t do that at all.

McCall M7726 by Love You Sew

McCall’s 7726 also includes a full zip fly, which I definitely put in on the wrong side of the shorts…But no will ever know beside you and me 😉  Can you believe how well this zipper I found in my stash matched the fabric???  The only thing I wish this pattern also included was a zipper shield.  The zipper is fully exposed on the inside.  Fortunately, I’ve been able to tuck in shirts to reduce the rubbing against my stomach.  But this could be a problem for those who may wear a crop top or not tuck in at all.

McCall M7726 by Love You Sew

MODIFICATIONS

I’m sure you already know that McCall’s patterns add quite a bit of ease into their patterns.  I range between sizes 6-10 in indie patterns and 7726 said I should make a 14/16 in the waist and 16/18 in the hip.  Fortunately, there are finished pattern dimensions and I followed that table instead with a size 10.  After wearing these shorts quite a bit, I think I could have sized down to an 8 since the Brussels Washer Linen does relax a little more after wear.

McCall M7726 by Love You Sew

Other pattern adjustments:

  • Omitted the cuff  –  There is already a lot going on with the pleats and I wanted a clean hem to balance that out.
  • Reduced the rise by 2″ – This is my typical adjustment with high-rise pants.  I’m 5’3″ and these shorts still sit about 1 1/2″ above my navel after the mod.
  • Deepened the seat by 1/2″ and Extended the crotch by 3/4″ – These are my typical adjustments for all pants since I have a shelf booty (one that sticks out more toward the back vs more on the hips.)

PLEAT FITTING

This brings to me how I also had to adjust the pleats.  When I first sewed the pleats as instructed, the back pleats shot out from rear at a complete 90 degree angle instead of falling down to the ground as they are suppose to do.  Yeah, not pretty at all!  So I ripped the stitches and refitted the pleats so they would redirect the fabric back down.  As you can see above, I sewed the pleat as directed 2″ down from the fold (to the blue marker.)  Then for the remaining 1 1/2″, I angled each pleat outwards following the shape of my buttocks (to the red marker.)

McCall M7726 by Love You Sew

After a good press directing the pleats down, the fit is SO much better!  This was my first time fitting pleats and it might not be the textbook way to adjust, but I made it work for me.  Also, I should point out that the pleats are folded to the inside of the shorts and I kept those all as instructed (straight seams.)  I hope this works for you if you decide to make this  McCall’s M7726 pattern!

McCall M7726 by Love You Sew

PROJECT SUMMARY

Please let me know if these pleat adjustments worked out for you or if you have an alternative method!

 

Hugs and Stitches,

Cristy

 

This post contains affiliate links.  You can read more about my policies here.

Maya and Harper Travel Changing Set DIY Sewing Pattern

Out of all the sewing patterns I’ve written so far, this Maya and Harper Travel Changing Set is definitely the most sentimental for me.  Long before I had this blog, a sewing business, an even an Instagram account, I made these items just for myself and my babies (who are now 8 and 6 years old!)  It’s been a long time coming, but these patterns are now available to purchase in my shop, here!

Background

As a new mom I was packing SO much stuff in my diaper bag for any type of situation and it was bursting at the seams.  I was digging around for changing supplies and knew I needed some kind of organizer.  But of course, there was nothing modern and slim back in-the-day.  All the retailers had the same cutesy animal prints in the same four pastel colors. (Cue eye-roll.)  With my new found sewing skills, I developed these patterns and they both have gone through MANY revisions over the years.

One of my early designs. The one I first carried had a button and elastic loop closure.

After I made the ones for myself, friends started commenting on them which led me to make them as gifts for awhile. Then after a lot of encouragement, I started to make these baby accessories to sell and opened my Etsy shop  in 2013!  With over 1,000 sales in my shop and countless ones vending at indie craft shows, I knew I had some special accessories.  Now that I’ve retired from selling retail product, it was time for me to share these patterns with you!

More early designs with different closure options I offered in my shop

With most of my patterns, I name them after my nieces.  Maya and Harper are my sister’s sweet and ridiculously adorable girls.  Since they are quite the pair and are usually decked out in matching outfits, I knew they had to be the namesake for these patterns.  They are two little people that go together just like how the Travel Changing Pad and Diaper Clutch go together!

Maya Diaper Clutch

The Diaper Clutch was designed to hold diapers, wipes, bibs and large enough to also hold the Harper Changing Pad.  It has a slim design which will expand with your needs.  It has the following features:

  • Two Large Slip Pockets for diapers, wipes, bibs, etc
  • One Zipper pocket for ointments and creams
  • Detachable Wristlet strap for easy carrying
  • D-Ring which can be hooked onto diaper bags or backpacks
  • Metal Snap for one-handed opening and closing

This is a great project as a beginner sewist. You will learn how to use heavier fabrics, create a welt  zipper pocket and install a magnetic snap.  You also will learn how to make a wristlet strap.  This same technique can be used across other pouches and accessories whenever you want that extra feature!

Harper Travel Diaper Changing Pad

The Changing Pad was designed to have a waterproof surface for changing, while being able to use beautiful fabrics to match your personality.  Let’s face it, changing diapers is not glamorous at all, but you might as well look good doing in!  Making the pad in a pretty fabric helps to lessen the pain…LOL.  The pad features:

  • A Slim profile to help you better utilize that diaper bag real estate.  I was not into the incredibly thick mats that came with many diaper bags…There was no reason to carry around a sleeping mat IMO!
  • Waterproof side for changing
  • Fabric side to show off your favorite fabric
  • Hook and Loop Closure for one-handed accessibility
  • Quilted design to make folding easy

The Harper is another pattern perfect for a beginner sewist.  It is a very quick and satisfying project while you learn how to use laminate and/or other waterproof fabrics.

Material Sourcing

  • D-Ring, Swivel Clasps and Magnetic Snaps – I’m a loyal fan of Emmaline Bags (I carry their products in my other bag kits,) but also love the quality of Ning Bags on Etsy (aff link)
  • Zippers – Like most of you, I grab mine from ZipIt Zippers on Etsy (aff link) or I grab them from Wawak when they’re on sale.
  • Canvas – Fabric.com (aff link) always has a steady selection of different canvases…from organic to solid, to other great modern prints. It’s a great spot for the most selection, especially when making a gift 😉
  • PUL (Polyurethane Laminate) – You can find a lot of great prints in PUL, but my pattern uses the smooth laminate side as the “right” side.  The designs are usually printed on the soft knit side of the fabric which would be hidden.  So make sure you read the fine print when ordering!  Joann’s carries the Babyville line of PUL which is thicker than other brands.  I like how the white is fully opaque and is available 60″ wide.  Diaper Sewing Supplies is a great spot for Eco-PUL which is more environmentally friendly, but is slightly transparent and thinner.  I like DSS for the solid color selection, but would stay away from the light colors or because you’ll see the seam allowances through the Harper Changing Pad. You can also find great waterproof oxford at DSS which is heavier and you can find fun prints to use.

Project Inspiration

Enjoy all of these incredible versions of the Maya and Harper Travel Changing Set by my tester group.  Click through each image to the maker’s IG feed if you would like to follow them on their sewing journey!

Please note, the position of the magnetic snaps were adjusted after testing on the final pattern templates.

 

I hope you enjoy making sewing baby gifts as much as me!  Please don’t forget to tag your projects with #MayaAndHarperTravelChangingSet and #LoveYouSewPatterns so I can see your fantastic makes on social media!

 

Hugs and Stitches!

Cristy

 

 

There are affiliate links in this post and you can read up about my disclosures here.