Imitating is the best form of flattery

I love shopping! Who doesn’t? Especially window shopping! As a sewist, I’m always on the look out for ways to improve how I sew and use my tools; my sewing machine, serger, embroidery machine and coverstitch. I’m all about the details.

While shopping at your favourite mall, look at ready-to-wear for inspiration, check out the decorative stitching or how has the hem been done.  Are there facings on that beautiful jacket? I came across the most amazing edge finish on a sheer top. The raw edge had been stitched with what looked like a blanket or applique stitch.  But by the time I got home I couldn’t remember! My daughters who were with me said I should have taken a picture. Cell phones are not just for taking selfies! Snap pictures of those little details you know you won’t remember by the time you get home!

This black and white jacket was beautiful! It was a crazy price and I knew I could make it.  The picture below is the collar  lapping over the front.

Use the binder foot to add binding to the edges of your jacket instead. Trim off the 5/8″ seam allowance around the edge you want to bind. Place pieces wrong sides together, baste and apply binding.

The edge of this pricey blouse was finished with strips of fabric cut on the bias and stitched with a chain stitch showing on the right side. Hmmmmm, I could do that on our CoverPro 1000CPX. Use the center  needle and stitch on the wrong side of the fabric. The chain stitch is formed by the looper on the underside.

A lovely soft housecoat with just a touch of detail on the upper chest just below the shoulder seam. Created simply with 5 row of pin tucks and then stitched across, alternating the direction of the pintucks.

And lastly this very cool purse! I realized I didn’t take a picture of the whole purse. But it was in the $300 range. It was a layer of faux leather over a layer of shiny faux leather.  The cut out layer could be done using the Cameo Silhouette cutter. The design is just a series of squares and rectangles.

I’m still on the hunt for that edge finishing I mentioned. Let us know if you’ve seen something worthy of imitating!

Happy Sewing, Linda P.