Two so-simple projects 🪡 Pattern Destash 🪡 My Vow for

[@stylefalcon1913]

I like your #MMM goal - it's a great idea for everyone to assess what we have made and what's still wearable.

[@nancyhelpinstill1834]

Wonder Wallet is a TNT pattern for me! It’s also my standard wallet - the only one I ever use day to day. I make a lot of bags and make a matching WW for each one. I must have at least 25-30 by now! LOVE this pattern.

[@LeAnnRN]

Cute wallet. I made myself a crossbody bag and need a thin wallet to slide my cards and cash into. I just finished matching outfits for my grandsons and a shirt for my son. And I just got my sewing room put back together after the sump pump let me down. Kansas rains are no joke.

[@helenhamilton9473]

I've sewn in tucks or little pleats in the shoulders of wovens a couple of times and in knits I've unpicked the top half of the sleeve seam, then trimmed the sleeve head, re-basted the sleeve head to ease in the sleeve to fit the armscye and resewed the sleeve in. And your bags are great!

[@vickischlupp3412]

You’ve really been busy and yay for having fun sewing combined with productive de-cluttering! While I was watching I noticed the box on your desk because I have the very same pattern in a flatter, wider shape. It’s on my desk and when company comes I tuck all my cluttery papers inside it. It is also from the Container Store. We still have one in our area near one of the malls. I think you can buy online from them too. I hope warmer weather comes to you soon! Have a great week and I look forward to your next vlog.

[@ZeldaSews]

I reached 1K on my channel. So excited!

[@Monga_Makes_Things]

I’ve never heard of RFID but I’ve been wanting to make a new wallet so thanks for introducing it! Just the other day I was looking up Container Store, an old favorite, and found nothing local in Spokane WA. No similar stores either, just bits of organization things at the big box stores. Gone the way of online shopping like so many fabrics here!! -Addie

[@lindadavelaar6883]

Narrow shoulders here! I unpick the sleeve head (visualizing where notches would be on a sleeve pattern) from "notch" to "notch." Then cut down the shoulder 1/2" to 3/4" at the seamline, gradually decreasing the width of the cut by the time I reach the "notches." You end up with a crescent of fabric to toss. Then baste the sleeve head, easing to fit, and try it on. I've had good success with this method, but it does take practice and COURAGE!

[@kgflcreations]

Omg, I love Vera Bradley bags! I have many of them, but now I want to make my own. I also purchased RFID fabric, but I haven’t used it yet. I love the wallet and the purse is so pretty 😍😍.

[@victoriahannah1633]

Love the little wallet & the pocket book is so pretty. I haven’t been doing very much sewing this week as I’ve been doing some much needed housecleaning myself. Today we got the veggie gardens ready and tomato plants in. Tomorrow I plan on changing out winter things and getting summer things in. I’ve already done some purging of things but got more to go. We had a little thing though. I brought down our summer sheets for the bed and when my husband grabbed things for donations to thrift store he also grabbed the sheets and donated them. Someone got some nice sheets. So I had to go out & buy some more. I was working on a muslin for a dress and to be truthful it ain’t going to well. I’m supposed to get up with a neighbor who sews quite well to get some help and hopefully I can get on right track. I can’t wait to catch up on the housework & gardening and get back to my sewing.

[@JanineSews]

Oh no! I hope those weren’t sheets that you especially loved.

[@shelleymerrison3919]

Ha ha - the weather….we moved to a new neighbourhood in Calgary on Thursday ….in the SNOW

[@dawnjeffersramstad8401]

The Container Store still exists. I love it, they are primarily on line with occasional brick and mortar stores. For example, here in the greater Twin Cities, there is one physical store a few miles from the Mall of America. Makes sense to me as a destination store I only go to occasionally while I use their on line option with many organizing projects.

[@NancySchober]

On knit garments it's easy to make the shoulders narrower, either pinch and see it's there enough excess fabric to take in the top of the sleeve too. Otherwise remove the sleeves and compare to your sloper to recut the top of the armholes. HTH

[@kathleensmith1522]

Pamela Leggett has a pattern to use to make a garment smaller. On a tee shirt, for exple, you remove the sleeve, cut the sides down and make adjustments to the bodice and sleeve where they join. It is very easy and the garments I altered turned out great. Don't have the number ir name handy, but it is on her website.

[@JanineSews]

I have that pattern! It’s really helpful. I’ve never used it for anything but oversized tshirts and didn’t think of using it for something that fits to an extent. I’ll see if it will work. Thanks!

[@Beth_Ann_K]

Love the zip up bag. So cute for summer. Yes, Container Store still exists. Those pattern boxes are very nice. Glad you are purging your patterns. This way you always have a reason to pick up another one. Thanks for sharing.

[@JanineSews]

Yes! Thank you! I will always be on the lookout for that perfect pattern that fits right out of the envelope 😂

[@joanneblair2087]

When I take in a shoulder seam I leave the armhole size the same and grade up to the sleeve head and take I. The required amount. It has worked for me.

[@JanineSews]

Thank you!

[@patriciabennett961]

Love your bag! Beautiful fabric for the contrast. How fun!❤

[@ChristineSewsALot]

I love how all the different colors work and that you added RFID protection to your bag. The cutie bag is perfect for gifting. I really like your top and the fabric. I love The Container Store. It always makes me feel like total organization is possible. Have fun at the meetup!

[@JanineSews]

Thank you so much!

[@kathyzawacki5017]

Yes I have lifted up the shoulder. I unpick the top half of the sleeve and move it up further on the shoulder. I have been successful doing this with some cute t-shirts. Many t-shirts don't have a side seam and the fabric can be very thin and stretchy. Other clothes I may remove the sleeve and recut the armhole.

[@ShirleyJarrett]

This is what I do as well.

[@JanineSews]

Great tip! Thanks!

[@careycraig3596]

Lifting pins & needles has a tutorial on KZbin.

[@JanineSews]

Thank you! I’ll look there.

[@josiejohnston2255]

Wow the zip it up bag is so cute. Great fabric selection

[@JanineSews]

Thank you! 🤗

[@velosews]

You crack me up re that loop and drooping.

[@marthasmith6020]

Cute bags...love the zippers on the bag.

[@JanineSews]

Thank you! 🤗

[@kaseycruze3662]

Hello again from Atlanta! I just wanted you to know that I look forward to your Friday Sews. ❤️

[@JanineSews]

Hello Atlanta! We were just reminiscing about the screened porch on the ATL house. Such a lovely place to spend the spring and fall.

[@dawnwyda7950]

I like the projects you've been working on. A great idea to add the protective fabric. I too am doing some wardrobe refashioning and repurposing. I have been successful in improving the fit of a top by taking in the armhole seam. You could start very narrow at the underarm with more of an increase at the shoulder going back to more narrow again at underarm. I took the sleeve off and basted it and tried it on. It was just a regular sleeve without gathers. This is probably not a tradition fix but it has worked for me.

[@JanineSews]

Thank you! This is a different way of going about it but I can see how it might work.

[@dianewilliams7931]

Janine, your multi-zipper purse is very cute! The RFID fabric is a great idea. I didn't know that was available to home sexists. I've also heard that thrift stores/charity shops won't put out clothing if it has no tag in it. Your point about the inconsistency in sizes is valid. I haven't donated any of my me-mades because I didn't want them to go to the rag bin!

[@cynthiavirissimo457]

I'm not sure if that is a regional thing or not? Here in Phoenix, Arizona USA, I donate my unwanted me mades without tags on a regular basis at my closest Goodwill and usually within a few days , they are put out in their store for purchase.

[@dianewilliams7931]

@@cynthiavirissimo457 I haven't used Goodwill so I'll check with them. Thanks!

[@Lorij83]

Look at the Maison Fauve patterns. I know there is one that kind of has visible tucks at the shoulders. It might be a way to fix the ready to wear tops that are big in the shoulders. Another good video!

[@JanineSews]

Thanks for the tip!

[@elsiebulva7872]

I am small in the shoulders. Most ready to wear and me make patterns are droopy on shoulder. I open sleeve seam and recut often the cap on the sleeve and cut a small amount off the shoulder till I find the sweet spot and sew it together again and it looks good. I have done it on jackets as well is not to complicated. All patterns I automatically get adjusted in the shoulder. A small pleat on the shoulder works as well id it looks like it belongs in the total look. Hope it helps. I adjust a lot on my me makes. I’m short on top and narrow across the shoulder. I have taught myself and experiment to find what works for me. Good luck

[@JanineSews]

Thank you for those tips, Elsie. I didn’t think about taking off of the sleeve cap. It makes sense!

[@dizzyquiltsandsews]

Love the new bag!! I had no clue RFID fabric existed - how cool is that?!

[@JanineSews]

Right?! The next thing I’m looking for is steel tape so my bag strap can’t be cut. 🧐

[@jandimarco3113]

An aside here about the makes you’re donating that might end up as rags.. how about recycling instead? If they’re made of cotton you could salvage the cloth to use for DressAGirl dresses, as I know you have sewn them in the past. I was given a hand sewn double duvet cover recently, a good quality one. It’s making two dresses. Just a thought if you don’t mind getting your scissors out.

[@loriforte274]

Hi Janine! Nice to see you, as I can't come to Calgary Sews Meet Up tomorrow - I enjoy spending a little time with you each week, I have a big computer screen set up in my sewing room, so I can watch you as I get on with my projects. Although, to be honest, right at this moment, I'm procrastinating about doing my workout. 🤣🤣 I really like that Zip Up Bag - any chance you could provide a few more details on it? (Source of the pattern and designer?) I am also curious about where you got your RFID fabric, such a good idea when sewing up a bag pattern! Was it local?

[@JanineSews]

Lori, we missed you today! Lots of good information. I believe I've found the bag designer! Hopefully, she either has copies or she will allow me to pay for a few and I can share those copies.

[@annewhitney8809]

Check out Luss upcycles ( could be misspelled) . She is in the Netherlands. I wish pattern companies would make their designs with narrower shoulders. I follow several sewing channels and guess what the #1 alteration is….narrow shoulders. It’s not difficult when you know how but it would be discouraging for a beginner. You are so right that me mades take time,money and inspiration.

[@JanineSews]

Thank you so much! I’ll look for that channel. I think the indie pattern designers gain a lot of fans with their built in adjustments. None of us are made like a mannequin.

[@wildflowerwind6941]

I am sad people don't dress up anymore. I loved dressing up and working in an office in the 90's.

[@JanineSews]

I also loved having 3 wardrobes - work, play and party.