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Why revamp the website?

May 2, 2017 By: SewIstacomment

Under Construction - Revamp

I never planned a revamp but in March, the server where SewIsta was hosted, crashed. Since my hosting provider always had backups when I previously needed it, I never bothered to make the effort to do my own. Well lesson learned..! When their servers crashed they lost everything. They have been able to retrieve a lot of things, but not my website information.

I have been holding off working on re-doing the website. Hoping they will be able to retrieve at least some part of my site. But then the 100day goal from The Business Bakery came across my Facebook feed one day late in April. Right there I decided the time for waiting was over! I will make it my goal to restore my website AND make it better. AND add my online store (which I’ve been putting off for some time) all within 100 days.

I joined the 100 day goal Facebook page and started reading up about the challenge. Julia supplied lots of tips & tricks and also a guide, which made planning much easier. I made my lists of everything that needed to be done and then started working on my goal a little bit every day. We are on day 17 today and mostly I have kept up with the micro actions I set for myself.

As for the original content of the site. There are some posts which I do have copies of, and those I will be putting back on the website, but I will be creating a lot of exciting brand new content.

Let me know if there are any specific topics that you’d like me to post about.

Testing the Kerry Capelet by DesignerStitch

August 2, 2016 By: SewIstacomment

This testing call came just in time for the latest cold spell here in South Africa. The Kerry Capelet by Ann Grose from Designer Stitch is on-trend. Offering the look of a jacket but the design of a cape without the usual fullness. The Kerry is fully lined with front arm openings and comes with 2 length choices.

I always find it very comforting to work with Ann’s patterns. Probably because I’m used to paper patterns and for me Ann’s style very much resembles them, this time was no different.

I initially struggled to find the correct fabric and had to visit 4 different stores! At the last store I found a black & grey hounds tooth woven. It was the only bolt & print they had so even though I wasn’t crazy about it I didn’t have much of a choice. While sewing however the fabric “grew” on me and by the time my cape was finished I loved it.

Because of the size of the pattern pieces this pattern needed a whopping 60 A4 pages. I wasn’t looking forward to cutting and pasting that amount of pages and opted to have the A0 version which was only 3 pages printed at a local printing shop. Because the file is layered, I asked them to just print the size I needed.

Cutting out and sewing up the cape went relatively quickly. When you are attaching the collar you will be stitching through up to 6 layers of fabric when going over seams. I recommend taking it slowly especially if using a thick fabric like I did.

If you have any trouble along the way join the DesignerStitch facebook page, Ann is always happy to help out and she is a great teacher.

NOW, How gorgeous is this capelet!?

To see what else Ann offers or to buy this pattern, visit the Designer Stitch website.

Wild & Free Lounge Pants by Coffee & Thread

April 22, 2016 By: SewIstacomment

The talented Olga Becker from Coffee & Thread has outdone herself with this pants pattern!

I feel very privileged to have been chosen to test this pattern and my daughter loves the pants.

I used a brushed cotton fleece for the pants. They haven’t got the greatest amount of stretch, but they fit very nicely.

Wild & Free Pants

The pattern features two options; you can either make the pants with plain legs (like I have), or you can add the cute 3D animal faces which will be a hit with any child. My son just saw a pair that one of the other testers made with the Fox faces. He promptly declared that those are boy pants and he desperately needs a pair like that. What can a sewing mommy do? I will have to oblige.

The fun pockets made my daughters day, but you have the option to omit them to sew up a super-fast pair of pants. Wild & Free Pants

This confident beginner friendly pattern is available in sizes 9-12months up to 12 years.

Olga’s user friendly PDF file includes:

*A computer generated, tiled pattern that can be printed on 8.5”x11” or A4 paper; it is layered so you can choose to print just the size you need

*A choice of two files to print at a shop (I haven’t tried to have it printed here in South Africa yet, but I’m sure its possible)

*A detailed, step-by-step tutorial

*Cut files for the animal faces for plotters such as Silhouette

*a glossary of sewing terms

Join the Coffee & Thread Patterns Facebook Group to see the awesome pictures of what other testers has done with this pattern and get inspired. If you need any assistance or have any questions regarding sewing up your pattern, this is an awesome resource.

The pattern is currently on sale for $5.00 (regular price $8.00) until next Thursday 28^th April 2016, so get yours here now 😉

NOW, How gorgeous is this capelet!?

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