Category: Londa’s Sewing Projects
My Rolled Knit Trim How-To’s in Sew News April/May 2018
How To's for trimming with knit strips is the subject of my column in Sew News on the magazine racks now - April/May 2018. When the editors accepted my proposal, I had no idea how much ADDITIONAL knowledge I would gain as I tested and tested and tested knit strips, grain, and rolling. Which Way DO Knit Strips Roll? I always assumed that cross grain cut stripsRead More
Adding a Ruffle to Lengthen a Top Pattern – a Peek at Londa’s new Trendy Tunic Tops pattern
Take just a few minutes to take a peek at my new pattern: Trendy Tunic Tops. You'll learn how I was taught years ago in college fashion class to add 'grace' to your rearview, how to adapt ready-to-wear fit, and more. Order your printed pattern for shipping Feb. 26, 2018 at this link HERE. Trendy Tunic Tops covers how to add length to an existing garment, and also how toRead More
Preview Londa’s New Pattern: Trendy Tunic Tops
Pattern writing/recording is going well - AHEAD of schedule! Take a peek at just a few of the garments developed in the design process. PRE-Orders are being taken: Printed - click HERE. PDF - click HERE. Honestly, publishing a pattern is pretty much like 'giving birth'! I'm very excited to share all these techniques with you - to create knit tops either with your existing pattern(s) OR with existing topsRead More
Design Time with Londa – Project Survey
2018 is off to a very creative and FUN beginning! I spent the first few days digging into my stash AND got 1/2 price at the local Thrift Store on New Years Day. I also pulled several garments from my closet that I haven't been wearing and added them to my 'up-cycle', 're-make' stash. I taped a 'tour' with some how-to's for organizing...plus some 'reasoning' for WHY we sew!!! CreativeRead More
Poncho of 2 Rectangles – How to Draft & Sew
Creating a poncho of 2 rectangles is nothing new - but since I'd never done it before, I wanted to give it a try for Christmas Gifts for a niece and friend. Here's what I figured out regarding this classic style. Above all, it is quite simple to do, indeed! PATTERN SPECIFICS Below are the measurements I figured out to use. Draw yourself diagrams and it will make sense. ChildRead More
Kenzie’s Christmas Doll & Sleeping Bag Sewing How-To’s
Just as my Grandma made me my 'Lucy Doll' - gee, about 63 years ago - this Christmas it was time to create a similar cloth doll for my own granddaughter. I found this 'Poppy' doll pattern at Etsy - ran it by my daughter for approval, and it was a 'GO'. HERE is a link to purchasing that pattern for yourself. Here's my (ancient, original) 'Lucy' doll. Well-loved andRead More
Frayed Edge Shawls
Making these Frayed Edge Shawls for Christmas gifts did not turn out to be quite the 'quick and EZ' that I had thought they would be! Like so many project 'directions', my feeling is that the directions are too general, and lack the detail that the vast majority of DIYers need to be successful. Of course, I cannot find the original 'pin' on Pinterest from which I got the idea, butRead More
Toddler Poncho How-To DIY
Today, I share my How-To's for creating a simple poncho - AND it gives me the chance to show off my sweet, gorgeous granddaughter! Her mom requested a poncho for ease in keeping her warm in the car seat without the bulk of a heavy jacket. Off to Jo-Ann's I went, and looked at the top quality fleece. I found this nice and heavy one in lovely shades ofRead More
Toddler Felt Christmas Tree – Grandma’s Gift Sewn with Love
My prayer as I worked to create this Felt Christmas Tree and Ornaments for my granddaughter was that I was creating a family heirloom that will entertain and bless little ones in our family line for years to come. Felt became my friend as I created and engineered, with E6000 Glue, and monofilament thread close behind. I share my creation in hopes you might put a project like it onRead More
Pea Coats: History and Take a Peek Inside One to Mend