 I've been experimenting in the sewing room lately because I've been inspired by many of the details you sewists out there are putting on your clothes. I'm ready to make fewer garments with more details and embellishments. My lifestyle and the climate I live in really lend itself to simple, comfortable and easy to wear clothes. The Coffeehouse Pants are just that and are a blank slate for creativity!
These are an elastic waist, straight leg cropped pant. I've made so many of these and I wear Coffeehouse Pants at least 4 days a week. But in all of my makes, I've never embellished the pant leg. I've been experimenting with "couching" which is a technique where you take a fiber, in my case I used scraps of yarn that I had from left over crochet projects, and use the zig zag stitch or other wide stitch to anchor it down.  I used the "trial and error method" (turns out I've used this method A Lot in my sewing career... eh-hem!) with lots of different feet on my machine and found there were actually several ways to do this. I tried (from left to right) the piping foot, regular foot, clear view foot, pintuck foot and open toe foot. All but the open toe foot worked for me but my favorite is the clear view foot (that little arrow keeps me right on track and I'm able to load the yarn under the back of the foot and through the opening keeping it feeding smoothly). This foot or a foot very similar probably came with your machine so you may be able to get by without purchasing something new...although new feet are really fun!    To experiment I used worsted weight yarn, double and triple yarns and scraps of fabric. I'm not gonna lie, it was difficult for me to decide which way to go. I decided to go with the creamy colored nubby yarn (you can see how I loaded it through the foot above) but do expect to make other pairs with the same fabric and different colored embellishments. Already, I made a denim top with black and white yarn. To say I got obsessed with all of this could be accurate but I prefer to think of it the same way my friend Cari did..."Diane, you have your creative flow going." Yup, that's it, I have "flow". Everybody needs a friend like that!  I used a 4 ox. dark wash denim which really is the weight of a chambray, widened the leg slightly and added a twill drawstring with grommets. I added the yarn to the pockets and 3 rows of stitching 3/4" apart beginning 2 1/2" from the hem. They're comfortable, fun and it feels good to make something creative and unique and "in the flow"!  Here's sneak peek of the top I made with black and white twisted yarn. It's a pattern that's coming out very soon!
The Thanksgiving Sale is here so now's the time to grab the Coffeehouse Pants pattern or ANY PATTERN FOR 20% OFF, no code needed now through the 28th! Happy Sewing Friends! Diane
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 I have a brand new pattern just in time for fall and winter! The Wintertide Poncho is an easy to sew (I mean really easy!) and quick cowl neck poncho pattern with contrast bands. And as an added bonus...no need to worry about fitting! Make it up in a beautiful wool sweater knit for a sophisticated topper or sew it in a tie-dye French Terry you can throw on instead of a hoodie. Gift giving season is coming soon and this would be a quick and easy piece to sew up for a friend! It's on sale for just $6 so grab it and enjoy! I'd love to see what you make so tag it #wintertide poncho!    So really, how many times can you use a pattern? Time, money and space are all valuable to us and as sewists, using a pattern multiple times is a great way to use the resources we have. Today, I bring you a quick blog post packed with lots of photos to show how, with the "$15 Summer Pattern Bundle" that includes the Morrison Top and Dress and the Coffeehouse Pant PDF patterns, you can create loads of garments.
I start with the Morrison Top and Dress pattern which can be made up in both a knit and woven fabric. This simple pattern (the top is only 3 pieces) can be made up as a maxi-dress, an elegant silk shell, paired with the Coffeehouse Pants a faux jumpsuit, flouncy dress and a casual t-shirt. There's more inspiration out there in ready to wear and Pinterest (check out the Morrison Board). I even have a sewing friend that made 5 beautiful pair of summer PJ's using the Morrison Top and Coffeehouse Pant patterns. I'm inspired!
The Coffeehouse Pants are also a quick sew and fun made up as a beachy pant but also nice in a plaid or striped suiting. You can add a button placket to the hem (there's a post here) or a drawstring or even a paperbag waist.    The Coffeehouse Pinterest board has more ideas including playing with stripes and adding embroidery.
These are just 2 patterns that I love but there are so many more we can use to build our wardrobes. The options for reusing a pattern are really endless! I'm working on a project using up some remnants that I will share soon! Have fun sewing! Diane  I wanna be your Valentine this year so I'm offering all PDF patterns in the store at 2 for $14 with coupon code BEMINE. It's only one day!!!! Offer ends 2/14/18 at midnight PST! Enjoy!
 I’m very excited to start the new year with a new pattern! Say "Hello" to the Coffeehouse Pant! It’s an easy to wear and even easier to sew ankle length pant with front notch pockets and an elastic waist. It's available today and is on a NEW RELEASE SALE for 20% off here on the website and at Upcraft Club until January 14th!  Let me introduce you...
 The Coffeehouse Pant sews up nicely in light to medium weight fabrics ideally with some drape. Linen, challis, crepe and chambray would all be good choices. Look at the darling pants Kyla from LifebyKy made out of a soft suiting.  Grab a copy at 20% off at Upcraft Club and on the BDP website through January 11th! Don't forget to tag all your makes #Coffeehousepant and #Bluedotpatterns. Enjoy!
 The kitchen is clean the family is gone...it's time to sew! Bring in the holidays by sewing something new for you or someone you love. All patterns are 25% off through Monday November 27th. Use the code: THANKFUL
Enjoy!  It's a 3-day weekend which means there's more time to sew! Let's celebrate with 25% off all PDF patterns in the store now through 9/5/17. That means all patterns are only $7.50! Use coupon code "WEEKEND" for the discount.
Sew away the weekend and enjoy! The Georgia Top is one of those patterns you can use over and over (and it's on sale right now!) I've been inspired by sewists out there that have done some amazing Georgia hacks. This one from Mahlicadesigns is one of my favorites. And this one from That'sSewAmy is a don't miss. I've said it before, I love nothing more than seeing someone get creative with one of my patterns. I thought I'd show you how to take the simple Georgia pattern and make it up in three VERY different tops.  This is Georgia in a cold shoulder version. I made this so quick I sewed it in the morning and wore it to work in the afternoon. Check out the blog post on how I did it.  Here's Georgia View A in her purest form straight out of the package. An adorable easy to wear dolman sleeve top in a black and mint green rayon stripe knit.  Georgia isn't just for knits but also for wovens. I took this dreamy Anna Sui cotton/silk vintage print and made it up adding a bias neck binding, pintucks and a keyhole neck. I have all the details in this post.
I have a Georgia Pinterest page with even more ideas. I'd love to see your makes! Send me pics! The Georgia Top pattern is 25% now through July 4th! Enjoy!  That's right folks! Today is my birthday and no matter what I do they just keep comin'. So why not celebrate? Use code ITSMYBIRTHDAY now through January 20th and received 25% off all PDF patterns in the store. And feel free to eat cake too!
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About MeHi! I'm Diane, a wife, mom, sewing teacher and pattern designer from sunny Southern California. I share my sewing adventures here on the Blue Dot Blog formerly Gatorbunnysews. For more info click here. 
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