SYNTRYZ Stitches

Jumpsuit to Dress:  A Red Knit Transformation with Vintage Style Welcome back to the Syntryz Sewing Room ! If you’ve been following my recent projects, you know I love a good garment transformation. For my latest challenge, I took a bold red knit jumpsuit and turned it into a chic, vintage-inspired dress using Simplicity Pattern 5500 . The Inspiration The original piece was a bright red, long-sleeved jumpsuit with a lot of potential but a silhouette that didn't quite fit my vision. I wanted to keep that striking color but transform it into something more versatile and elegant—a dress that feels both modern and timeless. I had been wanting a red dress, but didn't want to spend a lot of money on fabric. When I saw how much this jumpsuit had for yardage, I hoped I could make a dress out of it.  The Project Details The Original Garment: A red knit jumpsuit with long sleeves and a gathered waist. (Perfect for a 70's singing group, but not my style!) Cost $10 The Blueprint: Sim...

Dress Redo Challenge #3: The Paisley & Eyelet Transformation Ever look at a dress in your closet and think, "I love this fabric, but the style needs a serious glow-up"? That is exactly where I found myself for my third Dress Redo Challenge. In this project, I took a vibrant floral paisley dress and gave it a structured, modern twist by incorporating navy blue eyelet linen from a skirt. The Vision The original dress had a beautiful, flowy print, but I wanted to add some contrast and a more defined silhouette. By mixing the busy paisley pattern with the solid, textured navy eyelet, the goal was to create a "mixed media" look that feels both boho and polished. Materials & Tools To bring this vision to life, I used: The Base: A floral/paisley maxi dress. (I loved the fabric but needed more coverage) Cost $10 The Contrast: Navy blue eyelet linen skirt. (In a size I will never fit in as is!) Cost $2.00 The Blueprint: A Butterick #3756 sewing pattern to help restru...

Title: Why You Need a Serger! (And Why My Recent Video Went Viral) Intro: If you saw my recent video on YouTube , you know things have been a little crazy in the Syntryz Sewing Room this week! I shared a quick look at why the serger is my absolute favorite "secret weapon" in the studio, and it clearly touched a nerve with fellow creators. Many of you asked: "Do I really need one?" or "What does it actually do that my sewing machine can't?" After 25 years of sewing, I can tell you—it’s a game-changer. Here is the breakdown of why a serger (overlocker) is the one tool that will take your sewing from "homemade" to "high-end boutique." 1. The Professional "Store-Bought" Finish Have you ever looked at the inside of a t-shirt or a pair of jeans? That clean, encased edge is a serger stitch. It trims the excess fabric and wraps the edge in thread all at once. No more fraying, and no more messy raw edges inside your garments. 2....