Inspiration

Happy May 2024 Everyone!

I'm so excited about May. It's the time of year we share all our makes!  And the great part about Me Made May is that our makes can be anything! Garments, accessories, home decorating, crafting, quilting, and the list goes on and on!  

Thanks go to Zoe Edwards @SOZOBLOG for creating and hosting this wonderful creative event each year. Follow her on Instagram and download her workbook!  There are so many ways to challenge ourselves and enjoying every step of creating!

My Pledge for Me Made May 2024

This year, I'm challenging myself to learn how to sew pants and build a cohesive capsule wardrobe, minimizing fabric waste by using project scraps.

What is your pledge? And, remember to make it substantial and trackable. 

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Each day I will add my make to this blog. Check back often to see the fun projects I'm sharing or making in the month of May!

Follow us on Instagram, Facebook, and join our Facebook Group to see all our inspirational posts!

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May 14, 2024

Batik Rayon is one of my favorite fabrics to wear. Where Batik Cotton Jersey Knit has a stretch and feels soft and luscious, as a woven fabric our Batik Rayon has no stretch and is soft, lightweight, drapey and oh so comfy! My favorite garments to sew (and wear) are simple no fuss pullover tops with a slightly loose fit. Butterick 6416 is a great example of a fun and simple top worn every season!   

Fabric: 45" Batik Rayon - Liriope (Single Border) - Twilight Blue

Longer tunics are also a wonderful way to showcase fabric with a border design. Our Liriope, Durum Dreams, and Downton Border fabrics are all designed with a stamped border running along one selvedge edge, changing in design across the width of the fabric to the hand dyed shade on the other selvedge edge. 

In order to achieve the look of a border running along the hem of a tunic, top, dress, skirt, or pants we must change the direction of pattern layout. It's simple and very effective in creating a uniquely individual garment where the fabric is truly the focus of your garment. 

I really love working with our Batik Rayon and the border designs. Definitely feel comfortable designing a garment or look featuring a border designed fabric. 

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May 9, 2024 - May 10, 2024

What happens when a garment pattern designer launches a beautiful new pattern? I drop everything to purchase, download, and sew!  This time I found pre-washed Batik Cotton Jersey Knit ready for a mission. Our mission is the new Algarve Top Garment Pattern designed by Itch to Stitch Designs. 

   

Fabric: 72" Batik Cotton Jersey Knit - Hand Dyed - Lake (1 Yard)

This is a loose fitting simple summer top. It features an integrated sleeve, wide boat neck complemented by back and front yokes. Elegant gathers below the front yoke add softness with a simple back attached to the back yoke. Simple arm and garment hem complete this simple garment design.  

I love the fact that this top can be worn under a jacket and/or cardigan. I'm finalizing a simple tutorial for our YouTube Channel and hope to launch it yet tonight. 

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May 8, 2024

Scraps, scraps, and more scraps. My scraps of Batik Canvas are piling up! I had just enough fabric for a pillow! Patchwork from Batik Canvas is a wonderful way to combine fabric shades and this older Amy Butler Oval Patchy pillow pattern is full of ideas, shapes, and sizes. 

   

Fabric: 57" Batik Canvas Scrap Packs

This is one large pillow isn't it!! The two market bags are not small. I had a bit of fabric leftover from each market bag project. Squares make up the top of the pillow and one complete fabric is used for the back of the pillow. If you don't have one full piece leftover for the back of the pillow, continue with the patchwork design on the back. My next project will go towards a rectangle pillow from the same Oval Patchy Pillow Pattern. 

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May 7, 2024

When I saw the new Delaware Jacket Garment Pattern designed by Itch To Stitch Patterns I instantly went to our Batik Canvas Collection to select my favorite fabric. I LOVE this great jacket!

Fabric: 57" Batik Canvas (5.0 oz) - Flock Together - Natural Sapphire

One of my goals for 2024 is to improve my sewing skills by sewing zippers, fitting jeans, and enhancing garments with embellishments. By sewing the Delaware Jacket I added a zipper, lots of pockets with button closures, and cording/cord stops. The jacket fits beautifully and I'm so happy with the results. I'm looking forward to sewing another jacket - but as a vest!

57" Batik Canvas (5.0 oz) is our light to mid-weight cotton batik canvas. I love the weight of this canvas when sewing jackets, pants, and handbags. It's noticeably heavier than batik quilting cotton from our 115" wide Batik Cotton Collection. 

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May 6, 2024

Me Made May is not only for garments and I'm happy about that!  I have been challenging myself to learn bagmaking skills and this project - the Got Your Back backpack designed ByAnnie Patterns was a challenge for me. 

Fabric: 57" Batik Canvas (5.0 oz) - Medora Flora - Delft, 57" Batik Canvas (5.0 oz) - Hand Dyed - Delft ( handles / straps ), Batik Cotton - Phoenix - Clifton Garden ( lining ). 

The Got Your Back pattern is a simple backpack to construct because of the wonderfully clear instructions and illustrations. This stylish travel-friendly backpack is loaded with features. 

• Quick-grab padded handle
• Straps for easy on/off your back
• Front magnetic snap closure secures quick access business cards, credit cards, keys and notebook
• Back zipper pocket is large enough for a notebook or travel papers
• Inside is spacious and perfect for your laptop, notebook
• Deep inside zipper pocket and slide-in storage pockets

57" Batik Canvas (5.0 oz) is our light to mid-weight cotton batik canvas. I love the weight of this canvas when sewing jackets, pants, and handbags. It's noticeably heavier than batik quilting cotton from our 115" wide Batik Cotton Collection. 

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May 5, 2024

The perfect summer dress!  The combination of Batik Rayon and the Fringe Top/Dress pattern designed by Chalk and Notch is delightful. 

Fabric: 45" Batik Rayon - Violetta - Copen Blue  (3 1/4 yards)

The Fringe pattern is a woven dress and blouse with two views. View A has a button up front, elbow sleeve and sleeve tab. View B has a pull over, notched front with a cuff. Both views include two cup sizes, optional waist ties, and the sleeve/cuffs are interchangeable. I love this dress because of it's casual style and the fun curved hemline! Oh- and the side pockets are a must!!

45" Batik Rayon is feather-lite weight drapey rayon, perfect for garment patterns like Fringe which won't be as fun in any other fabric!

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May 4, 2024

A basic tee shirt!  There is nothing easier to sew and wear all year long. Today I'm featuring the Butterick 6848 short sleeve tee and our Jersey Knit fabric with my favorite Gardenista Vine motif in the shade of Barolo. 

Fabric: 72" Batik Cotton Jersey Knit - Gardenista Vine - Barolo  (1 yard)

Knit tops start with basic style - round, square, boat, or v-neck options, sleeveless, short, 3/4 length or long sleeve!  There is nothing easier to sew as a new sewist or experienced expert! And, every tee shirt requires less than 2 yards of Batik Cotton Jersey Knit. Shop our collection of fashional Tee Shirt Garment Kits and get started on your summer tee's before the summer heat arrives!

72" Batik Cotton Jersey Knit is soft and provides 20% stretch.  This is a mid-weight jersey knit perfect for tops, tunics, dresses, jackets, and loungewear. 

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May 3, 2024

Batik Cotton Jersey Knit in a tunic style pull-over top is my go to everyday garment! My favorite (so far) is the Simplicity 9275 garment pattern. 

 Fabric: 72" Batik Cotton Jersey Knit - Violetta - Malbec  (1 1/2 yards)

Knit tops start with basic construction and then - we add variations. This sleek knit top is a simple knit top with sleeve and hem variations. We can't forget about the pocket!  The slit in the hem extension is identical to the sleeve cuff. Very sleek and stylish in deed.

72" Batik Cotton Jersey Knit is soft and provides 20% stretch.  This is a mid-weight jersey knit perfect for tops, tunics, dresses, jackets, and loungewear. 

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May 2, 2024

One of my favorite rayon garments is the long version of the Roscoe Top/Tunic designed by True/Bias.

 Fabric: 45" Batik Rayon - Gardenista Vine - Ocean Teal   (3 1/2 yards)

The Roscoe Blouse and Dress pattern is the most comfy garment in the world. It is designed as an oversized garment with a gathered neckline and raglan sleeves. The neckline is finished with a center slit and neckties. The sleeves with agathered hem are designed to hit a few inches above the wrist. The garment I'm wearing is View B measuring approximately 35" long with a narrow ruffle. 

45" Batik Rayon is feather-lite weight drapey rayon, perfect for garment patterns that scream movement.  

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May 1, 2024

One of my favorite shirts is the Fitzroy Blouse designed by Liesl & Co. 

Fabric: 115" Batik Cotton - Animal Skin - Charcoal   (1 1/4 yards)

This is a classic shirt with front button closure and a uncomplicated simple neckline. The sleeves have two pleats and a button cuff closure. The back includes a center pleat just below the back yoke adding the right amount of fullness to the shirt hem. A shirt tail hemline is perfect for leaving your shirt out or tucking it in. 

115" Batik Cotton is my go to for all classic shirts and patterns requiring a more structured woven fabric. 

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Happy Sewing, Smiling, and Sharing!

Diane, SewBatik

 

Summer brings outside activities, family picnics, gardening, and so many other pulls for our time. Sewing might not be on your priority list. I've started planning my August sewing projects.... Read on...

Throughout the year we change our home decor to match the season. Spring is the perfect time of year to add bright and lively accents to your kitchen. It's time for a refresh.

My friend Kris "LOVED" her outfit!  I had wanted to make a complete outfit and mix and match Jersey Knit with Batik Rayon for some time. Cashmerette patterns made it easy to construct a cardigan, tank top, and pant - perfect!  Let's start with the Fuller Cardigan.

Easy. That is the name of the game for Holiday Season 2022. There are so many pulls and tugs in all directions. This year take a few hours and take care of you. There is nothing easier than a simple tunic length tee from fabric that says "happy holiday".

What can we do with nine half yard cuts of Nuance Gradation shades? Well, a great deal! We are making a very simple quilt, pillows, and coasters. What will be left over? Not much!

Not everyone has the luxury of a large cutting area or ironing area in our home sewing spaces. It can be so difficult to wash, press, fold, and cut large cuts of fabric like the 115" wide cotton - most often used for quilt backings. 

Simplification is easier than you think. 

Decorating for each season is a wonderful way to show your style throughout your home. Each fall we change our decorating to bring the fall shades into our home. An easy way to decorate is - the dining room table!

There is nothing more comfortable than the basic tee shirt. We all have them and we all wear them from time to time. 

Sewing a basic tee shirt is the perfect project for learning basic sewing skills needed when working with a stretch/jersey fabric. 

Read more for pattern suggestions, measuring recommendations, and the basics of sewing with a serger. 

Do you have too many patterns that you think "might be" the perfect summer top? I definitely do. I found one top that I'm in love with and it's the Seychelles Top designed by Itch to Stitch Designs...

Learn the simple steps to follow to care for your batik linen. This couldn't be easier.

The classic shirt is one of my favorite garments to sew and to wear. Fabric selection is always a big decision for me. I try to picture the finished garment before finalizing my decision. Follow along as we share the process we took to select the fabric and how the fabric becomes our classic shirt.