Hello again!

I hope you're still there after my loooong break from blogging. Im still over here creating and improving my craft of sewing on the low. My skills have improved greatly and I want to document more details of my journey. If you follow me on IG you know my story, but if not lemme fill you in. Back in 2017 I decided to challenge myself to stop buying ready to wear (Rtw) clothes and sew my own clothes. It has been the best challenge! I find myself thinking about what items are actually needed in my closet. No more impulsive clothes shopping for this lady. Im sewing what I love, and my me made clothes are worn the most (insert sewhappy dance here). The past few years of sewing my wardrobe has taught me so much. Already made a backpack multiple pairs of jeans, tops, dresses, skirts and I even made a bucket hat! You can trust this sewist is thirsty for more. Lately I've been wanting to learn more about undergarments and outerwear, so that is my next goal. My sewing mentality is... if I think I can make it, I can, And do(see it, want it, make it). This is how I have kept true to my handmade wardrobe that I love so much.

More recently we took the kids to visit my mom, bother and grandma in Arizona. The weather was much warmer there allowing me to get a head start on my spring wardrobe. I was successful in making a few items to pack for the trip and will be sharing them in later blogs. In this blog I wanted to reintroduce myself and share a couple of new tools I brought home from AZ.

Grandma gave me this double sided seam ripper. Which is amazing! and I was able to find a cute retractable measuring tape at the market. It's a small list of items, but they are getting good use already.

DIY Cameron dress for girls

After finishing the Cameron dress I knew my daughter needed one!

I knew I had this fabric forever but never knew what to do with it until now!

 I drafted my pattern using one of her tank tops and skirt. Remembering to leave myself 1in. Whenever I came across a seam; for sewing allowances.

Next I took a sheet and made a mockup from my pattern. Since I knew I made the pattern myself I didn't want my good fabric to be ruined if I made any mistakes.

I was so happy when my girl tried on the mockup and it fit perfectly! That ment it was time to cut the real deal.

I had to remember to keep in mind the way the fabric streched and how the pattern would look when the pieces were sewn togethere. 

        Using the leftover fabric and the doll Cameron pattern I was able to make a dress   For her doll too!

                                                                Two happy campers!

To order a Cameron dress for the little girl in your life contact Mizzizjohnson at sewnbymizzizj@gmail.com

Cameron dress for dolls

This shirt was given to me with the intentions of a transformation. I love when i receive items like this. It makes me think outside the box.

I had to evaluate my fabric to find out what would work. I finally decided to go with a dress. I had more than enough fabric to make it work. I made a pattern that was basically a tank top and a skirt with a band joining them in the middle.

This was the finished product. I call her Camron. Don't you just love Before and afters❤

Do you have an old clothing item you want turned in to a Cameron dress?
Contact mizzizjohnson at sewnbymizzizj@gmail.com

Easter Sunday Clutch

I was given this fathisastic zip for my birthoutdoor ouple of years ago. I originally thought I would make a skirt when the right fabric came around. Well the right fabric did come around and it changed my vision.

I had forgoten I bought this fabric. It's an outdoor fabric that is bright yellow. Perfect for a clutch.

Not very much experience with this kind of material, But I love how it turned out. I even lined it with a dark grey fabric which I also had on hand. I was abable to take it for a test drive Easter Sunday and it fit all my belongings well and it's the hottest color for summer. What's not to love. 

Doll Clothes pt.1

One of last week's project's was a skirt and shirt for the girl's American girl dolls. Currently I have only used patterns that I have created myself. This time I decided to step out of my comfort zone. Why not!? I had saved a bunch of no longer worn clothes and fabric remnants already...

I finally found the time to start my sewing challenge. I pulled this "fabric" from my stash and got to work.

A pair of the girls shorts from years back 😲. Yup, the stash goes back that far.

And the remnants from a pair of dress pants I tailored for a family friend.

I told Mr. Johnson it only took me two days per garment!. He looked at me puzzled and reminded me that I work during the day and only sew for a couple hours a night. lol! oh yeah😂.

I'm delighted at how the well t turned out and the girl loves the addition to her doll clothes.. ♡

Summer dress

Over the summer my niece had a glow birthday party. At the last minute (As usual) I wanted something new to wear.

I had been thinking about this floor length white dress that had only been worn twice and it was now taking up space in my closet. I began thinking. Why don't I wear it? Well, that answer was clear. It looks like some sort of wedding dress and it was too long.

After wearing it the first time I knew it was too long. I brought the hem of the dress up so i wouldn't trip on it for the second time I wore it, but it still felt bridal.

The only way to fix that was to chop it. So that is what I did. It was a super simple adjustment that made a big impact. Now I'm happy to say this dress has earned her spot in my closet.

Two Toned!

This shirt used to be too big and all the same color. BORING! So I updated it by adding sheer white fabric to the front and back.

I have not made too many shirts for myself. For the most part I have only tailored shirts to my size, but this shirt really excited me. I got to completely take it apart (minus the ft. Pocket) and put it back together. First I set up to make my pattern next I un assembled the shirt and got to cutting. After all my pieces were cut I pinned the fabric back together. 

That is what you see in the first two pictures. Unfortunately my before picture magically deleted from my camera.. -Pretty bummed that this is becoming a habit for me.., but back to it! Finally the existing part came the part where my vision becomes a reality. I put it in my sewing and let the magic happen.

So happy my new shirt is a success and will most likely be in the fav category. Having something new to wear to work always a bonus!