Since I was a preteen I have loved sewing. I made all my own clothes for years, starting at about 12 years old, including prom dresses, jackets, and suits. I received a Kenmore sewing machine as a gift when I was 18 years old and I was thrilled to have my own machine. I used it exclusively for 45 years. The summer before I retired I thought it was time to buy a new machines with all the new technology. I basically needed to start from the beginning with my sewing skills, including learning how to sew a straight line. This led to me making many blankets and pillows, which I have given to friends and family. I will share my blanket stories in a future blog. With my new machine I have learned new skills and I love the hundreds of stitches. I topstitch almost everything. Two years later I am back on track making tailored items such as the shirts I have made for my grandson, Lucas.
For Lucas’ first “Nanna Made” shirt I used the McCall’s pattern 6016 in size 24 month. Lucas was Ace Ventura for Halloween and the first purpose of this shirt was for his costume. This project got me on track with making buttonholes on my new machine, sewing in sleeves and making a collar. All these things that I had not done in many years. This pattern was easy to use and requires only basic sewing skills. I did add some extra topstitching to make the shirt look more finished. The difficulty was in finding the right material. I could not find Hawaiian print material at the fabric store and asked Don, my husband if he would recycle a Hawaiian shirt for Lucas’ Halloween costume. Don donated two shirts towards this project.
I used the second donated/recycled shirt to make another shirt for our January 2020 trip to Maui. This shirt is a Toddler size 2 pattern that I found online. It is called the Thomas Shirt by Felicity Sewing Patterns. I think this vintage red fabric made an adorable shirt for Lucas.
The process of recycling a Hawaiian shirt is really quite easy and I have a gallery of some of the steps below. I used the material just as it was on the original garment such as front for front and back for back. Be sure you have all the pieces for your project before you throw away the scraps. I had only cutout one back yoke and made the inside yoke from a solid white cotton. Others have thought I did this on purpose, since it still looks finished and professional. I find shirts fun to make but some sewing experience is needed. All patterns do not include a lot of details and assume you know how to make a shirt.
This summer I decided to expand Lucas’ wardrobe with a couple of new shirts. As a grandmother, I am always looking for things to make for Lucas. The next two shirts are made from new 100% cotton fabrics that I found online. I made these for Lucas during the many hours we are are all spending at home time during the Covid19 pandemic. With each shirt I develop new skills and perfect my techniques. I like to use a fair amount of topstitching especially collars and pockets. I also learned how to make a completely encased yoke and front panels. These shirts have a more finished look. I see the value of a serger machine in finishing seams but with my machine I zigzag all the edges of the 100% fabric to prevent raveling. In addition, I am combining some of the skills I have learned about embroidery such as adding Lucas’ initials on the pocket of the gingham shirt.
All for now…keep knitting and sewing and stay safe my friends…Debbie
Debbie's Blog 
Hi Deb,
Patty Kolin here. Janet Condron sent me your blog.
Since Covid, I have also started sewing again. After we lost our house in the Tubbs fire, I replaced both my machines. I have the Baby Lock Soprano and the Imagine Serger, which I highly recommend for garments. I have taken this time to learn the new machines and get my skills back. Like you, I have been sewing since I was 8 years old. I made all my prom dresses and beautiful silk dresses in my 20’s and 30’s for special events. I sewed for the girls, dresses and costumes when they were in high school.
For now, I have been making the fun shirts for my grandson who is almost 4. He likes the character shirts, Simba, Lion King, Forky (Mc Call 6099). I also made him a Toy story apron (Kwik Sew K4284) this summer.
I have also started testing out patterns and sewing for myself. I used Vogue, V1395 for a cute resort dress, and top, V9006, New Look 6575 for a bathing suit cover-up, Simplicity S9048, for a wrap-look skirt.
I would love to have someone to share my fun hobby with. Please contact me when you have a moment!
Till then, Patty Kolin (Jeff’s wife)
707-292-9836; pattykolin@aol.com
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Hi Patty,
Thank you for reading my blog and I would love to share ideas with you. Sorry for the delay in my reply, I will call you sometime next week. I will take a look at your pattern suggestions. I am always looking for inspiration.
Stay safe and keep sewing….Deb
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