The Shift Dress by Favorite Things
Meet Daniela our newest Blogger by clicking here

It’s Friday night, and I am finally finding a chance to sew.  I’m working on my first store project, “The Shift Dress,” by Favorite Things.  For anyone concerned about the timing, I have already completed my layout work and cut all of the fabric the day before.  It should probably take you about 15 minutes or less. I know now that this pattern runs a little large so you may want to go down a size or if you are between sizes pick the smaller one. 

Fabric pens, pencils, markers, highlighers...oh my.

One of the most popular questions we get here at the store is, "Which marking tool is best?" And, with the vast array of options that we have available, it's often far too difficult to explain quickly. The short answer is it depends on what you're making. And, the long answer is what inspired this blog post.

Chloe Dress Violette Field Threads [Part Two]

Wow... I do not even know where to start. It took me awhile to write this post because I wanted her to 1. wear the dress first and 2. it took me awhile to think about what to say.

If you would like to see how I started and why I started this project check out my first post by clicking here.

Investing in notions and tools: What's worth it?

When you first learn to sew there a few things that you must have to get started. We sell these things together in a goody bag of sorts for our customers. Each bag includes Fiskar Scissors, a hem gauge, magnetic seam guide, fabric pen, pins, a seam ripper, and a measuring tape. But, after you get your first project or so under your belt, you're ready to branch out from basic projects and explore more

What resolution should be on every seamstresses list this year

It's that time of year when we're all taking a more critical look at ourselves, our lives, and our habits. For many of us, that includes being healthier, doing greater good, trying new things and kicking bad habits. But, what about introducing new habits?

Amy Butler Rainy Days Hooded Raincoat and Runabout Jacket pattern review

I once heard someone say that she believed sewing was a "summer sport" because she couldn't think of anything she wanted to sew for winter. She had been sewing beach wraps, skirts, and cute summer dresses and couldn't think of anything she wanted to sew for winter.  Well, I believe this coat is the perfect answer for something you could sew in January and February when the weather is cold, the days are short, and we just can't wait for spring.

12 Days of Christmas Deals and Giveaways!

We are so thankful to have such amazing customers and students. It's been a great year with tons of new students and happy sewers (most of the time :-/). To help you all complete your Christmas lists with something hand-made, we're hosting our first 12 days of Christmas sale! The 12 days of Christmas starts TODAY (December 10th) We will be sending out daily reminders of each sale (and possible bonus offers!!), but you can also keep this Calendar close by for easy reference.

This is the biggest sale we've ever had and are so excited to kick it off. Remember you can purchase all of these great deals online and pick them up in the store.

Happy Shopping!

Review: Built by Wendy: Dresses book

At Five Eighth Seams we pride ourselves on having a vast selection of patterns and pattern books. On our bookshelf, we keep everything from One Yard Wonders to books just for little boys. A lot of these books, like the beloved Sew What You Love that Laura tackled this summer, are project orientated. Meaning, they come with a variety of projects from clothes, to bags, to home decor. Built By Wendy is NOT one of those books.

Win a Pattern Book of your Choice!

Five Eighth Seams recently launched our very own Instagram account! Instagram is a very popular photo sharing app and is a great way to show off all the wonderful sewing projects you're making in addition to what they call #foodporn (photos of delicious looking meals), photos of your pets/kids,

20 Patterns in 10 Weeks

Many of our customers may remember when Laura took on a sewers dream challenge this summer. She set a goal of completing 20 sewing patterns in the 10 week break she had from teaching high schoolers.

Sew Easy Elastic Skirt

I love quick projects and this one you can do in an hour no problem, with just a yard (or less) of fabric, and is custom fit to any body size. So, let's get started!


Step 1: Measure and Cut

Measure around the waist to get your waist measurement. To get your length measurement, measure from your belly button down to where you want the skirt to end. Usually, I can make this skirt for kids with just a half a yard or less  for adults you might  need one yard.

Cut the following piece of fabric and elastic:

Width =  Waist measurement X 2
(If you want a more gathered look multiply it by 3 or more if you want a less gathered look multiply it by 1.5)
Length = Length of skirt + 1 inch.
Elastic = waist measurement - 1 inch (so it is not too tight).

For example, I am using Braelyn's measurements. She wears a size 12 month snuggly and measures 20" around the waist. I want her skirt to be 9" long. So...
Width: 20" x 2 = 40"
Length: 9" + 1 = 10"
Elastic: 20" - 1 = 19"

If are using a chevron or an ombre that run the opposite way on the fabric you will need to cut two pieces and sew them together. If you using any other fabric you can just cut one long piece. If you are making a gathered adult skirt you may need 2 pieces.

Step 2: Sew ends together to make one large loop with a .5" seam allowance.
Because I am using the ombre dots I going to have cut 2 pieces and sew them together.

Step 3: Serge or Zig Zag all raw edges, including top and bottom. 

Step 4: Hem the bottom.

Fold it over twice about 1/4". Honestly, you can just do whatever hem length you are comfortable with (pattern allows for up to 1/2") just make sure you sew the hem near the top of the fold in the back so you catch the underneath. For a smooth finish turn your stitch length up a notch, a 3 or 3.5 on brother machines.

Step 5: Baste the top edge all the way around. 
Using the longest stitch on your machine go around the top edge of the fabric using 1/4" seam allowance. Do this again at .5" seam allowance. If you are doing a small skirt you only need to go around once. The larger your skirt the more likely it is that you will break the thread while gathering. Two gathering lines will save you a headache so go ahead and do two. DO NOT BACKSTITCH! Also if you mark the spot where the gathering stitiches start and stop, you can regather if you pull out too much.

Step 6: Change thread color...try to match your elastic as closely as possible.

Step 7: Sew elastic together by first zigzagging  the raw edge and sewing a straight stitch next to it. It is not a good idea to serge the elastic. You can but it is not good for your machine and the thread color might not match.

Step 8: Gather the skirt and pin to the elastic.
Holding the bobbin string, gather the skirt. I like to over gather then slowly pull it out while I match the skirt to the elastic. When pinning to the elastic it is good to match up a skirt seam with the elastic seam. If you've got two seams in your skirt like me, just choose one of them. I like to pin the skirt about 2/3 of the way down from the top edge of the elastic. You are pinning the right side of the skirt to the wrong side of the elastic with the gathers (wrong side of skirt) facing up.

Step 9: Sew the elastic on.

If you are using elastic thread in your bobbin (ideal) see below.
You want to sew about 1/4" away from the bottom of the elastic. Feel the elastic and line it up with the left edge of your foot. Use something (like a magnet (pictured above) or a piece of masking tape) to mark where the top of the elastic lines up. Use this as your seam allowance. You want your seam to look even on the right side. You will use a zig zag to sew on the elastic. This will help the elastic stretch. I like the number 3 zigzag on the Brother machines. If you think you will be stretching the elastic a lot, put two rows of zigzag.


NOTE: If you are using ELASTIC THREAD in your bobbin now is the time to change your bobbin. You will also have to sew on the right side of the skirt. So make sure you flip it out so the gathers are facing down. If you are using elastic thread you can use a straight stitch. Elastic thread is great because you get a clean look on the outside and a lot of stretch on the inside. Brother machines do not handle elastic thread very well. If you need help call or stop the store and we can help.

Step : 10 Cut your threads and take out any basting stitches that you can see.

That's it :) It's so simple, I went ahead and whipped up this one for our family's Thanksgiving festivities using Riley Blake's Brown Chevron and 1.5" orange elastic.

Quilt Sashing, Border, and Backing

We're getting there! It seems like forever ago that I started this project but it's finally all starting to come together. Just take a quick look...