Latest Minerva Project – Sewing Faux Leather

My latest Minerva project – sewing faux leather was challenging but fun to work on. There’s a lot to keep in mind when using this fabric, so that’s some of what I want to touch on in this post. I was gifted the Minerva faux leather as a Minerva brand ambassador.

Here is the post I wrote for the Minerva website.

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The Fabric

The name of this fabric is Minerva Core Range Soft Supple Stretch Faux Leather. You can check it out here. It really is soft and supple and there is enough stretch to make your garments very comfortable.

Minerva faux leather in Cornflower blue

This is a fabric I didn’t prewash like I do for every other one. Shrinkage of faux leather shouldn’t be an issue. Machine washing in cold water, then hanging to dry should work well to care for the garment.

The Pattern

BurdaStyle magazine 03/2019 #107

Above is a picture of the pattern I used for the jacket. It’s a biker jacket from 2019. I find that BurdaStyle magazine patterns are trendy but often timeless. That’s a good thing, because it can be quite an undertaking to trace the patterns from the pattern sheets in order to sew them up! This faux leather jacket is actually the second time I’ve used this pattern. Here is the post I wrote back in 2019.

Sewing Faux Leather

For the actual construction of the garment, I used a #12 jersey needle. Although some say to use a jean needle, I felt that this would be too large a hole in the fabric. The jersey needle worked out great! Sewing this is not like going through denim. The stitch length I used most often is 3.0, then topstitching was done at 3.5-4.0 stitch length.

I used a 1/2″ seam allowance which gave me more room and was what I needed (even though I allowed for 5/8″ seam allowance in my pattern). I added a FBA (full bust adjustment) in the muslin I had made for the previous jacket. I’m glad I saved that, which made making this latest Minerva project sewing faux leather much easier.

Clips are great for holding the fabric pieces together. Not putting too many pin holes in the garment is important.

I made the lining from two remnant pieces I had on hand. Having something fun inside a coat or jacket can really brighten your day.

Overall

Sewing faux leather is easy. You just have to keep a few things in mind. The only downside is that you won’t get a nice, crisp pressed garment. But you certainly get get an awesome garment!

Silver Rib Knit For The Win!

For this particular Minerva project, I chose a gorgeous silver rib knit for the win! It is beautiful to look at, easy to sew, and can be the basis of some show stopping outfits. So, let’s get into the details.

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The Fabric

The fabric is called Lurex Rib Textured Stretch Knit. As a Minerva brand ambassador, I was gifted this fabric by them. I requested 3 meters (they are in the UK, so I order in meters, even though I think in yards). FYI: 3 meters is roughly a little more than 3.25 yards.

As you can see in the photo above, this material is like a rib knit, but with the silver threads. It does not have a high amount of stretch so it’s more of a stable knit fabric. The under side is smooth, so you don’t get the scratchiness on the wrong side.

Sewing this was easy. For the top I used a 4-thread overlock stitch. The skirt was sewn on a regular sewing machine using a stretch needle.

The Project

My first make with this was the top. As soon as I received it, I knew a cowl neck-type top would be in order. So I used my go-to pattern (TNT) and made the Ruched T. It’s an Angela Wolf pattern that has different collar and sleeve options. This is the “high” collar. Quick and easy to make on the serger it took no time at all for me to complete this project.

The only change I made to this from previous times is that I made the top 1″ shorter (it has a 1″ hem). I think this one turned out to be the perfect length!

Bonus Project

After finishing the top, I had a little more than a yard left. So I decided I wanted to make an additional garment. I chose the Kate skirt. It’s another pattern I’m familiar with and also designed by Angela Wolf.

While the pattern is designed for woven fabrics, I have used a ponte knit before for this. There is a zipper in the side seam which I kept in this one as well. I used a 5/8″ seam allowance for installing the invisible zipper. On the opposite side seam, I did increase that to 1-1/2″. That was what I needed to get a snug but comfortable fit with this particular fabric.

I lined the skirt with tricot knit that I’ve had for years.

There is no elastic inside the facing of this skirt (I did use it in my previous one).

But that’s basically it. Silver rib knit for the win, indeed!

Here’s my video on this project if you haven’t seen it yet…

Back To Basics Sewing: The Black Turtleneck

This Back To Basics Sewing: The Black Turtleneck is the latest in my “occasional” series of sewing those items that can be so necessary to mix and match with other garments in your wardrobe.

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For this one, I used one of my favorite patterns: the Wardrobe By Me Trudy turtleneck. I really like how this one fits. There are options for a traditional turtleneck collar, a low collar (think mock turtleneck), with sleeves and sleeveless. By the way, if you’ve never had a sleeveless turtleneck, they are a great layering piece to have, especially under long sleeve jumpers or dresses, sweaters, etc.

The Why Behind This Choice

This is an item that I have wanted to have for years. I never got around to buying one. Living here in the eastern part of the United States, the winters are often cold, so turtlenecks are very comfortable for me. I know some people don’t like things on their necks because they feel constricted (my mother was like that). So I get it. Personally, I love them! And I want more in different colors.

woman wearing black turtleneck, jeans and boots

The Turtleneck

I made the traditional shirt with the high collar that we always think of with a turtleneck. The fabric is a black cotton interlock (bought at JoAnn Fabrics). Interlock is great for something like this because it’s so comfortable. It’s breathable and easy to sew.

woman wearing black turtleneck and jeans back view

With only four pieces (back, front, sleeves, collar), this is also a good beginner project for someone new to sewing with knit fabrics. It really is hard to mess this up. Once you get your sizing right, it’s quick to put together.

I did use a twin needle for the hemming. Duckbill scissors are also great to trim away some excess fabric once the hems are done. Here’s a link to the video I made about using a twin needle.

If you have a serger, this can be even faster to make. But I wanted to show you some of the items I was able to put together with this one basic item.

woman wearing black turtleneck and black skirt

Above is the black turtleneck I paired with a black knit skirt. The skirt is made from the Angela Wolf patterns Kate skirt in knit.

woman wearing turtleneck with black and white jeans

Next I’m showing the top with a pair of black and white jeans I made a while back.

woman wearing black turtleneck with jeans

Last, this is probably my favorite way to wear this. A black turtleneck with jeans can be a quick, easy and stylish option. I hope you can see why I call this back to basics sewing: the black turtleneck!

Here is my YouTube video on making this terrific top.

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