HI DARLINGS! Okay here is part two of the red jacket chronicles (part one can be found HERE) I thought I would talk a bit about the modifications. Now, remember for those asking about a tutorial… this is my SIMPLICITY PATTERN, so there is a sew-along already for this pattern. The only thing you would be changing is the collar addition and the zippers on the sleeves. You can sew this jacket by using that sew-along below and some of the tips I added in this post. So one the things I added was another smaller zipper pocket in the chest area. This is easy to do since I show you in the sew-along how to make the two front pockets and the process is the same, I simply made the bounding box smaller and the pocket bag smaller.

HI DARLINGS! This week is a little different than my normal postings because I am doing a three-part post on the red faux leather jacket I made last month. I have to admit that since the blog and the business of the blog have become so popular I find myself trying to get as many DIY projects sewn as quickly as possible so that I have enough to post for you guys… problem is that I don’t often get time to really enjoy slow sewing anymore. Well ever since I started teaching Norris to sew he has really fallen in love with it and his enthusiasm has re-energized me. He wants to make everything he sees, LOL! so last month we were walking by a shop and in the window was this amazing red leather moto jacket. Norris immediately said “babe, we gotta make that jacket” to which I replied “umm ok” so the next day off we went to find the “faux” leather (no way I was letting him use real leather, LOL) the perfect zippers (because he didn’t want small zipper teeth or pulls) the right snaps and pattern. Now,  I have a SIMPLICITY MOTO JACKET PATTERN #8174 but there isn’t one that Norris liked for men, so very much like he used my cardigan pattern to make a men’s version I told him we could use my moto jacket pattern and re-draft the shoulders etc to fit. We got our faux leather from a local shop in DTLA, we had to make sure it wasn’t too thin but not stiff either and that it would hold up to the top stitching. The zippers were going to be critical to the look of the jacket and we both wanted gold hardware. We found exactly what we needed at ZIP UP ZIPPERS. We also found our snaps, eyelets for the belt and buckles there. The zippers were too long so we also purchased extra zipper stops so we could cut the zippers to size. I know you guys are going to ask me about this red lip lining… I have had that silky fabric in my stash for a good 7 years lol! I knew one day I was going to have the perfect project for it and this was it. You can find some options HERE. Okay, so tomorrow I will share some of the process pics and tips. Thank you SIMPLICITY, FISKARS, FABRIC.COM, BABYLOCK, THE FABRIC STORE and MICHAEL LEVINE for supporting this years 6th annual and final conference!

HI DARLINGS! Ok here is my last third pattern from my SPRING COLLECTION for SIMPLICITY. I especially love this one because as you can see my baby girl Imani models my junior patterns. She is growing up so fast and looks so gorgeous that I just stare at these pics, lol. Pattern have all started arriving in stores so make sure to pick them up and follow along with the SEW-ALONGS of you need them. This jumper/short set with cropped top is adorable and can be made from several fabrics to take you from spring to fall. I hope you all have a great weekend! xoxo

HI DARLINGS! I am thrilled to be doing another sponsored post for thredUP. I did a fantastic Facebook Live with my last haul in December and it was amazing, if you missed it you can check it out HERE and you can still enjoy my 40% off coupon code by visiting THIS LINK and using code STYLE40 thredUP makes it affordable for me to buy brand name designers that I love. Sometimes I get totally brand new items with tags still on. If you have clothes you don’t wear anymore you can order a thredUP clean out kit, fill it with items you no longer want and place on your front door for pick up. Make sure to check it out! The first 100 people to use code STYLE40 get 40% off their first order (up to $50 off) *Sponsored by thredUP

HI DARLINGS! Well, here you have it, the second design from my spring collection. I love this pattern and its the perfect casual dress to rock with sneakers or add some heels and dress it up. The sew-along video are already on the  SIMPLICITY YOUTUBE and patterns have started shipping to stores so they should be at your local Joann, Hobby Lobby, Walmart and anywhere else that patterns are sold.

HI DARLINGS! I don’t know about you, but I have spring fever already! The kids and I partnered with Old Navy again this month to show off our favorite spring looks. You know I love bright colors and dresses so when I saw this YELLOW FLORAL beauty I knew she was coming home with me. One of the things I love most about OLD NAVY is how affordable it is to shop for the entire family. Imani can always find bright TOPS and PRINTED JEANS which she loves to wear, and my baby boy is always the cool cat in the family with his POLO SHIRT and SHORTS. Spring is the perfect time of the year because it’s so easy to layer with a denim jacket or lightweight sweater. Adding colorful tops and prints to your wardrobe helps to pull looks together that may need a little pick me up. PINK ESPADRILLES that I loved so much I took home a pair for me too. BOAT SHOES. I love all thing nautical, and they add such a great look to his shorts and shirt. OLD NAVY for amazing deals the entire family can enjoy!

HI DARLINGS! It’s that time again, we have just started shipping my new SIMPLICITY SPRING PATTERNS to stores. They will also be available online soon. This #8341 pattern is one of 3 since I did another juniors pattern too! I will post my other ones tomorrow. The sew-along videos are already on the SIMPLICITY YOUTUBE so as soon as you get your hands on  the patterns you are good to go. My fabrics for this pattern envelope all came from THE FABRIC STORE  on LaBrea here in Los Angeles. Oh! I almost forgot I made the cover of the latest Simplicity Catalog again 😉 I also thought it would be cool to share some behind the scenes pics of the process.

HELLO DARLINGS! We are so excited to finally announce the launch of SEW IT ACADEMY MEN’S EDITION. We have been quietly working on this for some time now and we are thrilled. The requests from men asking us to do a SEW IT MENS EDITION was incredible, so after months of going back and forth, we decided we couldn’t leave the fellas’ out because #dopemensew too. The SEW IT MEN’S subscription works just like the women’s. It’s a totally separate monthly subscription designed for men where we will be making menswear only, BUT if you are a woman who wants to learn to sew for her hubby or sons you are welcomed to join. If you are a current member of Sew It Women’s you get a special discount so make sure to check your email since we sent notices out today. Table of Contents JOIN SEW IT MEN or LEARN MORE THINGS TO KNOW CURRENT & UPCOMING COURSES JOIN SEW IT MEN’S! JOIN SEW IT MEN or LEARN MORE THINGS TO KNOW You can start at any time! Cancel your membership at any time! There is no limit on when you need to start a course or how quickly you need to complete it. Designed to be taken at YOUR pace. Your monthly membership is automatically deducted so you never miss a course. Courses never expire as long as you are a current paid member. CURRENT & UPCOMING COURSES FEBRUARY: Course #1 The Basics Part One Introduction & What to Expect This Is a Sewing Machine: Parts and Functions Setting Up Your Basic Sewing Kit Learning to Sew a Straight Line: Practice Worksheets Threading Your Machine & Winding Your Bobbin Basic Stitches & Terms: Examples, Worksheets and Printable PDF Homework Assignments Course Projects MARCH: Course #2 The Basics Part Two Pressing: Why and How Sewing Straight Lines & Curves Sewing & Treating Convex Curves Sewing & Treating Concave Curves How to Sew Half & Quarter Circles Clipping vs. Notches Stay Stitching: What, Why & How Under-Stitching: What, Why & How Top Stitching: What, Why & How Practice Worksheets & Printable PDF’s Course Projects APRIL: Course #3 Working with Knits Identifying Types of Knits Best Practices: What to Use, How to Use It, and Why Seam Finishes and Techniques Tips and Tools Needed MAY: Course #4 Copying Your Favorite T-Shirt Drafting a T-Shirt Pattern Design Modifications Fit Adjustments Creating a Sloper Step-By-Step Sewing Finishes and Homework JUNE: Course #5 Basic Tailoring Learn to alter your ready to wear pants and shirt Waist Adjustments Hem Adjustments Leg Tapering Shirt Side Seam Alterations Sleeve Alterations JULY: Course #6 Basic Zip Up Jacket Using Sloper to Create Zip Up Jacket Working with Zippers Adding Pockets Working with Bands Working with Cuffs Adding a Collar AUGUST: Course #7 Let’s Make a Duffle Working with Duffle Pattern Attaching with Zippers Adding Pockets Creating Bag Lining Attaching Hardware SEPTEMBER: Course #8 Drafting Pattern for Joggers/Shorts Creating Pattern Based on Measurements Choosing Fabrics Testing Pattern & Creating Sample Making Fit Adjustments Adding Casings & Elastics Attaching Eyelets & Drawstring OCTOBER: Course #9 Intro to Working with Commercial Patterns Reading the Envelope Understanding Terms and Symbols Choosing the Right Size How To Cut the Pattern How to Modify the Pattern NOVEMBER: Course #10 Classic Button Up Shirt Cutting Pattern Testing Pattern Creating Sample Garment for Fitting Learning Basic Fit Adjustments to Body, Shoulders, Neck, etc. Choosing Fabrics Classic Sewing Techniques Classic Seam Finishes Step-By-Step Sewing Using Classic Techniques DECEMBER: Course #11 The Perfect Slacks Cutting Pattern Testing Pattern Creating Sample Garment for Fitting Learning Basic Fit Adjustments to Length, Waist etc. Choosing Fabrics Classic Seam Finishes Step-By-Step Sewing Using Classic Techniques Design Modifications/Options Additional courses beyond the first 11 will be posted at a later date but include a blazer course and coat course. JOIN SEW IT MEN’S!

HI DARLINGS! If you can’t tell after this post that I love THIS PATTERN you’re not paying attention, lol! I rarely ever photograph something I have made and posted again but I am smitten with this pattern. I posted this dress HERE but I also knew I was going to wear it with jeans so I reshot it. Then I made the PANTS and TOP which I posted yesterday HERE. I  wore it with this great ZARA coat I bought a few weeks ago. The coat is no longer online but HERE is a similar one. I am also wearing my GUCCI PUMPS and ZARA Jeans. The fabric for this dress sold like hotcakes and I am not sure that there is much left but you can order HERE and another colorway can be found HERE.

HI DARLINGS! Today’s DIY is from CYNTHIA ROWLEY’S  #8246 pattern which I made as a mini dress  HERE it also comes with these awesome pants and a top version. I loved the pattern so much I had to make it again. I used a STRETCH SATEEN for the pants and a really nice DOUBLE KNIT fabric for the top. My shoes are old from Steve Madden. This pattern sews up quickly and is so adorable that I plan to make the pants and probably the top again very soon. My sunnies are from Steve Madden and my jewelry is a mix of different brands. Our 👉🏽ONLINE👈🏽 sewing academy is perfect for beginners. ✔️Courses can be taken at any time. ✔️Designed for true beginners. ✔️Start and work at your own pace ✔️Monthly payment is automatic so you never miss a course ✔️Each new course builds on the last ✔️Only $11.97 a month Sign up at WWW.SEWITACADEMY.COM

HI DARLINGS! Ok I know it took me a while but here it is, as promised, my DROP CROTCH PANTS TUTORIAL. I first made these in November and posted it HERE. I made these out of a light TENCEL DENIM fabric and plan to make them again out of a knit fabric. These are so comfy and can be worn with heels or sneakers. Enjoy the tutorial and remember to tag me @mimigstyle on IG if you make them. If you want to learn to sew and have little or zero sewing experience sign up for the SEW IT ACADEMY! You may have noticed in the video that I was using some amazing tools to cut my fabric. Using the proper tools makes all the difference.  I started off cutting my paper pattern with my FISKARS scissors but since I have just started using a rotary cutter (I have been dead set on scissor cutting) I was eager to try these new ROTARY CUTTERS  and OMG they are awesome. They are sharp and cut through like a hot knife on butter. I made sure to use my SELF HEALING MAT and one of the coolest things ever… the FOLDABLE RULER!  It has become my favorite new toy.

HI DARLINGS! As promised here is my recap of my trip to Kansas City for an in-store event with JCPENNEY. I had the opportunity to partner with JCPENNEY again to share my tips on getting healthy and active as a busy mom. It was so great to spend time with everyone who joined me. JCPENNEY is my one stop shop where I get everything I need for me, the kids, the house and they also have Sephora Inside JCPenney which is everything you can wish for, lol. It makes shopping for everyone affordable. #soworthit Before the event began I got a little time to do some shopping and I snagged some really great items at awesome prices. I even picked up a pair of NIKE running shoes for $49.99 JCPENNEY.COM or in-store.