I love to sew. I've been sewing since I was 9 years old. Like everything, sewing has gone through many changes and I don't even try to keep up with most of them. BUT, one thing that was new to ME was patterns that you can download and print yourself. I've been doing a lot of sewing for my grandson-to-be and while searching for cute boy patterns, I came across a site called Peek-a-Boo Patterns . . . and my mind was blown haha!
Here's the way it works: You purchase the pattern (most are only 6-10.00 compared to 15-20.00 in a store), you print the pattern pieces and instructions, you assemble/tape the pieces together and you're ready to sew. Is it worth the extra work of printing and taping . . . 100% YES!!
What is the biggest, most wonderful advantage? Most companies now are offering multiple size patterns. When you open it using Acrobat Reader (free download), there are 'layers'. Click on that and voila . . . all the sizes are there. Simply unclick the other sizes you don't want to print and you're printing only the size you want to make now. Kids grow right? Come back in 3 months and print the next size and make it!
Just like regular patterns, the patterns often come with multiple styles (short sleeve, long sleeve, with feet, without feet etc.).
This little sleep sack was a breeze to make - going to make more of these! Most of these patterns are designed for knits which I used to be afraid of working with but seriously, it's not a big deal and I don't even have a serger. I just use a knit stitch on my regular machine.
Brindille & Twig is another company I just tried. This romper comes as pants or shorts. The t-shirt is their pattern as well. Again, these are multi-size so I can make more of these as baby grows.
This is another Brindille & Twig pattern - cute little cardigan! There are also patterns for adults at both sites but these two are mainly geared to infants and kids. I am TOTALLY hooked on a site called Style Arc. They have patterns for us grown ladies and oh my, they are so beautiful! I will definitely be trying those as well. With the adult patterns, typically you get one size although at Style Arc, you can pay a little extra and get one size up and one size down in addition to the size you purchase. They also offer print patterns that you would receive in the mail.
Many of these sites offer some free patterns so you can try them out and get a feel for how it works.
Like many others, my employer has us working from home. I'm very fortunate to work for one of the campuses of our church and they have been wonderful. There's not a lot of work so I'm finding that I have more time to fill and sewing is keeping me busy.
None of us knows what tomorrow will bring but I am so grateful I serve a God who is UNCHANGING. Find peace in these words, Jesus Christ is the same yesterday and today and forever. (Hebrews 13:8) and these words from Psalm 59, But I will sing of your strength, in the morning I will sing of your love; for you are my fortress, my refuge in times of trouble. O my strength, I sing praise to you; you, O God are my fortress, my loving God.
