Men's Vintage Blazer to Backpack DIY #JackPack

Men's Vintage Corduroy Blazer Re-purposed into a backpack AKA #JackPack

Blazer: Thrifted Corduroy Men's XL $1.99 Goodwill
Men's Shirt: Thrifted Ralph Lauren $1.99 Goodwill
Pageboy Hat: Repurposed/Upcycled old Louis Vuitton Handbag and Men's Blazer

HoodyPack BackPack

The Happy #HoodyPack

For the basic backpack, I used Simplicity Pattern #1388 View A 

Pattern Link: Simplicity 1388 BackPack Pattern

I drafted the hoody using the main fabric and a piece of vintage leather I had laying around in my denim and leather stash box.  

It took me 3 tries to attach the hoody because I kept putting it on backwards!!!! LOL!!! Luckily I basted it on instead of using a permanent stitch.  I did not use the D-Rings because my son wanted the pack to "hang-low." 

The fabric is a woven jacquard fro Jo-Ann's.  I used 2 different prints. I love the black and white Aztec look of the fabric.  It's apparel fabric but is heavy enough to make a backpack.

Link to fabrics:

Diamond Black & Ivory 

The other print is out of stock but here is a similar print:

Azure Zig-Zag

Kwik Sew #4185 Laundry Bag

My Daughter's Laundry Bag

Fabrics: 

Shopkins Print Cotton Fabric 44"-45"

Heavy 14 oz Denim (Bottom)

Pink Cotton Bag Lining

Pink Canvas Bottom Lining

Notions: 

Heavy Interfacing

56" of 3/4" Wide Cotton Cording

Pattern: 

Kwik Sew #4185

Pattern instructions were easy to follow and sewing it up was easy peezy.  I will be making another bag for my son in Comic book print cotton fabric.  Now they can sort and do their own laundry!!  I may just make them a mesh bag to put the socks in.  I never can find the matching socks once they get washed and dried......

African Print Ankara & Kente-The History

A Little Bit of History

You may have heard them referred to as ‘African wax prints’ or ‘tribal’, but what you may not know is that the fabrics are usually neither made in Africa nor designed by Africans. They are actually European-made textiles certain African countries have embraced and made their own.  

Read the Full Story Here

Wax Print African Fabrics

Non-African Fashion Designers Use African Prints in Their Designs

Cultural Appropriation?

African inspired fashion is the new rave in the fashion industry, again. This trend infiltrated the mainstream in 2010 and has received a significant presence in the runway at fashion shows all over the world! While Western and other non-African Fashion designers have incorporated African elements in their designs, this trend is identified by the use of African print fabrics, such as Ankara, Kente, and the embodiment of African themes in designer creations.

The Originator(s)! 

Cultural Appropriation?

Vintage Serape Blanket DIY REMAKE!!! #NOLIMIT

Authentic Vintage Serape Blanket (Before).  Size Approx. 82" X 60"

Serape blanket Goodwill find $2.99. 

Top & Skirt  (Vintage Italian Wood Buttons)

Serape Clutch with Batik Lining

Sewing with Serape' Tips: Fray Check, Fray Check and more Fray Check!!!!  This s@$%t frays like shredded lettuce!!!  Serge the edges!!!  I used fray check on ALL cut edges and I let it sit for 2 days before beginning to sew.  I also serged ALL edges. 

Pattern used: Kwik Sew 3555 Size M View A 

    Usher Feat. Young Thug "No Limit"

Denim Corset Simplicity #8129

Denim Corset Simplicity 8129 View D

Simplicity 8129 View D

The lining was not part of the pattern, but I had a small piece of African Print fabric so I added a lining to my corset.

Hand made bias binding made on my 

Simplicity Bias Tape Maker

Ride side binding added to corset.

Last few steps is to add binding to the entire corset.

Pattern: Simplicity #8129 View D

Fabric: Denim from my stash

Lining: African print fabric from my stash

Threads: Denim and Gutermann Top Stitch (Heavy Duty)

Machines: I used my Bernina 1008 for the top-stitching and my Bernina Artista 200E to sew the corset and lining.

Pattern Alterations/Changes: I did not use boning as called for in the pattern. The denim is a nice weight with no stretch (Approx. 5-7 Oz).  I used a heavy interfacing instead which worked well. The back will be laced but I added leather band/trim with grommets and 1/8" leather lacing. I purchased the notions from Joann a while ago and had them in my stash for some time-see links below:

1/2" Leather Band with Grommets

1/8" Leather/Suede Lacing

My New Bernina 1008 Mechanical Sewing Machine

Bernina 1008 Mechanical Machine

I absolutely loooove this machine! I'm so in heaven when I sit down to sew on this machine. It sews smooth through the thickest fabric like denim.  I made a denim tote bag on this machine see post here: Denim Tote Bag. 

It also sews the most beautiful gathers with the gathering/shirring foot. 

The presser feet are quite expensive but I found a set of 10 on eBay for $100.00!  That is cheap considering they can cost $25 to $35 or more per foot! I also bought the extension table to go with.  I haven't used my other machines since I got this one last month.  I feel bad lol!! 

The Bernina 1008 is a great machine for beginners as well as advanced sewers.

Now to add the Bernina Artista 200E or the 630E to my collection.  I would also like to grab a Bernina 1130 or 1230!!!

More information on this machine here: BERNINA 1008 

The Sewing Blab with That Black Chic aka Michelle Morris

This image is property of "That Black Chic"

Here is the link:

That Black Chic on the Sewing Blab

Not sure what the "Sewing Blab" is but I am going to check it out tonight @ 7:30 PM EST 4:30 PM my time (Seattle, WA). It sounds like a whole lotta fun for the sewers!

  Stay tuned.......

What to Do with Old Denim-Up-Cycled Denim Tote Bag

Denim Tote Bag!!!!

Front-Wham!!!!

7-For-All-Mankind Jeans Pocket

 Back-Kapow!!!!!

Inside-Bam!!!!!

Machine:

Bernina 1008 with #8 (OS) Jeans Presser Foot

My Bernina 1008 is a mechanical machine and sewed through the thickness of the fabric and cording/belting easily-smooth like butta baby!!!

Link to Machine Review Below:

Bernina 1008 Review

Materials:

Up-Cycled Denim Squares (8X8)

Comic Book Cotton fabric for Lining

White Cotton Cording/Belting for Handles

Gutermann Gold Top Stitch Thread (Upper) and Denim Thread (Bobbin)

Celebrate National Sewing Machine Day!!! June 13th, 2016

It's national sewing machine day!!!!........June 13th, 2016.  What are you working on today!? I'm working on another quilt for my baby cousin who will be arriving to the world in approximately 48 hours. 

Will post pictures when finished........

History & Timeline of the sewing machine:

Click this link for interactive timeline:

History of the Sewing Machine

Mannequin Haul!!!!!

Victoria Secret Mannequins

I bought 4 mannequins for $50.00 off of Offer Up!!! Winnning!!!!

Denim Crazy Quilt

My Son's Denim Crazy Quilt

Materials Used:

• My son's old jeans
• Embroidery & Sewing Machine
• Old Coach handbag
• Vintage Leather jackets

I took all of my son's old jeans he did not fit or want and cut 9X9 inch blocks and sewed them in strips.  Some have embroidery images (Tupac/Mad Basketball/Angry Birds etc.).

DIY Halter Dress Burda Style 7065 Sew with Mimi G

Burda Style 7065

From Halter Top to Halter Dress

Fabric: ITY Knit Hancock Fabrics

Burda Style 7065

DIY Sew-A-Long with Mimi G.

Simplicity 1421 Sew Along with That Black Chic

Sew-A-Long with That Black Chic

I completed the Simplicity #1421 Blazer

I followed the Sew-A-Long with That Black Chic

Simplicity 1421 Sew-A-Long

That Black Chick

Winner: Pretty Girls Sew 2015

New Bernina Ambassador 2016

She's one of my favorite bloggers.  

 Check Her Out Here

Sew Kitty Sew!!!!!

Sew Kitty Sew!!!!!!!

I need some Kitty Cats to help me sew......

Finally Finished!!!!! Vogue #1484-Pattern Review

Vogue 1484 & Spiegel 60609 Reviews!!!

Pattern: Vogue 1484 by Zandra Rhodes

Did it look like the photo/drawing on the pattern envelope once you were done sewing with it?

Yes it did.  I did not use velvet or mesh/lace fabrics for contrast.  I used a heavy 100% cotton fabric from a collection with contrasting prints but the same color schemes.

Were the instructions easy to follow?

Somewhat until you get to the collar, I drafted a neck facing instead of following the pattern instructions. It was much more easier this way. 

Fabric Used?

100% Cotton Heavy Weight.  I love the color scheme and the prints of this fabric. The lining fabric is a simply silky solid from Joann. I purchased this fabric from Hancock Fabrics (GOOB-Boo Hiss!!!). I have enough left over of each to make a skirt, shorts, crop top or jacket for Summer. 

Pattern alterations or any design changes you made:

I just changed the collar by adding a collar facing and added horse hair braid to the hem to give it a little extra added flare. I did not stitch down the lining to the dress I wanted it to move freely underneath the dress.

Would you sew it again? Would you recommend it to others?

Yes I would recommend this pattern to/for the more intermediate/advanced sewists.

Conclusion:

I like the pattern but probably won't sew it again.  I will probably use a different pattern that is similar if I want this look again.

Sewing Machine: Spiegel 60609

I loved using my new Spiegel 60609 to sew the project above (see review Vogue 1484).  For $300.00 you get a lot of bang-4-your buck! The machine is pretty user friendly but there are a few things that I would change on the machine.  It has been getting great reviews and I heard by November 2016, there will be an updated model out for sale.  I wonder if they will name it Spiegel 60610?  I can't wait to see.  I love gadgets, especially my sewing machines.  Once I start teaching sewing classes, this will be at the top of my list for machine recommendations!  I wish I could get my hands on at least 3 or 4 of these to begin teaching.

Likes: 

User friendly, creates beautiful, even stitches and there are an over-abundance of them (350 built-in). The stitch cam is really cool!  I attached my Samsung 10.1 Tablet and My iPad 2 as well.  It was a little tricky at first but I finally got them both connected. This would be a great machine for beginners who wish to work their way to the intermediate level sewist.  I have already gotten my other projects lined up for May #MeSewMe and I will be using my Spiegel!  If you are the proud owner of the Spiegel, you can join the FaceBook group. 

Dislikes:

The biggest thing I had a problem with is when the needle down button is pushed the needle does NOT stay in the down position once you begin sewing and then stop to turn a corner etc., you have to push the needle down button again.  I hope on the updated model coming in November 2016, this will change.  The speed is a little slow for me at only 900 SPM.  I got used to using my Singer S90 Limited Edition that sews 1300 SPM.  I like to go 'n' sew like speed racer! The zipper foot only has a groove to one side of the foot.  I used my universal invisible zipper foot as the dress (see above) required an invisible zip.  There were not to many things I did not like about the machine. 

Where to Purchase:

Walmart

Cost $296.00 just shy of $300.00

Offers protection plans for machine.

Create and Craft

Offers flexi-pay payments

4 easy payments of $100.00
This is a great option for those who do 
not have the $300.00 up front/all-at-once!

Spiegel 60609 Information:

Spiegel 60609 FaceBook Group

Spiegel 60609 YouTube Playlist

Men's Shirt & Tie Upcycled & Re-Purposed Pillow Cases

Men's Shirt Re-Purposed Pillow Cover

YouTube Tutorial

Viking Designer I USB up FOR SALE!!!!

Viking Designer I USB Up For Sale!

 Check out the eBay listing here: Viking eBay Listing-For Sale
Check out the Designer I in action here: Husqvarna Viking Designer 1 USB

 Selling because I am looking to upgrade to a newer model machine