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....

 New Hobby Challenge I've fallen in love with a new sewing challenge. A few months ago, I wanted a few new outfits for a class I was taking. At first I wanted to go to the fabric store but since I already have a pile of fabric just sitting I didnt want to spend too much money plus I new that even just a few yards would cost me around $30 an outfit, so instead i checked out a local discount store and they had some beautiful clothes marked down to just $10, yes some we not my size nor style but I saw potential in the fabric. Each post will feature the before and after, so stay tuned. I don't know how each will turn out until they are done.  Before... This one-shoulder number was definitely not my style, but the fabric was a good weight, and the color was oh so perfect. I also found this blouse for just $3.00 with this beautiful embroidery. I knew these were meant to be together.  During... I found a vintage pattern from my Mom ( Simplicity 5500 ) that I've used before. The ...

  Bluebonnet Keychains made in Texas I'm currently working to restock my bluebonnets keychains. It's getting past bluebonnet season here in Texas, but I still love all things bluebonnets. I'll soon be designing new items along this theme, and I'm also hoping to plant my own field of bluebonnets for next spring so I can have lots of real-life inspiration. If you'd like to purchase one of these ready-made keychains, you can visit my Amazon store and also see all the other keychains and small gifts I have available. Here is the link:  https://amzn.to/43JgL9E  Thanks for stopping by, and I'll be posting more real soon. As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases. #ad #CommissionsEarned

  Cotton Yarn Octagon Crocheted Dishcloth  Dishcloth or Coaster Pattern For Coaster, finish off after Row 3 or 4. Crochet hook size G/6-4.25mm Cotton yarn Chain 5, join In the loop, 8 sc, join Row 1: Chain 1, 2 hdc in each sc, 16 hdc total, join Row 2: Chain 1, (1 hdc in next st, 3 hdc in next) 8X, join Row 3: Chain 1, 1 hdc in next, 2X, (3 hdc in next, 1 hdc in next 3X,) repeat 7X, 3 hdc in next, 1 hdc in next, join Row 4: Chain 1, 1 hdc in next, 3X, (2 hdc in next, 1 hdc in next 5X,) , repeat 7X, 2 hdc in next, 1 hdc in next, 2X, join Row 5: Chain 1, 1 hdc in next, 3X, (2 hdc in next, 1 hdc in next 6X,) repeat 7X, 2 hdc in next, 1 hdc in next 3X, join. Finish off See more of my patterns on Etsy at:  https://syntryz.etsy.com

Crochet Pattern for a 3X Small Dog Sweater History You don't know how many of these I've made over the years. I've had the pattern in my head for the longest time, and I especially like to see people watch me when I have to wait for appointments, and I can go from a ball of yarn to a tiny sweater before my name gets called. Usually, people then ask me what I'm making. I've also had young girls want to learn to crochet after they see what can be made, that's why I've been wanting to write this pattern down to share.  It would be especially cute to make a few of these for your pretend toy dogs. I know they make some that go with many dolls that I think are just adorable.  Also, I've always thought a nice gift for someone living in a small space that doesn't have room for a real pet anymore would be to buy them a small toy animal and give them different sweaters and their own little wardrobe.  Patterns As promised, I'm listing the pattern for my sma...

   I must be getting old! (or I've always been) Because even though I love the whole YouTube movement where we can practically learn anything just by watching a video, I still like following a crochet pattern.     I've been questioned by my friends: how do you read one? It doesn't make sense. And it got me thinking that I couldn't always read crochet patterns; I needed someone to help me.  Free PDF Printable below! How to read a crochet pattern printable guide, page 1 Image Preview    Thankfully I had my mother to help me from an early age. She never sat down without her fingers wrapped around a crochet hook and it's been said by ones who knew that my little baby fingers would imitate her hand movements as I watched her. I do remember growing up and always seeing her with a paper in her lap that she was reading. As I learned how to read regular writing I would start to pick these papers up and wonder: What is this? Some secret code, a mystery lang...

Over the years I've made hundreds of crochet roses. I first learned how to make these to put on crochet doll dresses but they are also used extensively in Irish Crochet. They are crocheted separately from a larger piece and either sewn onto the finished work or sometimes you start crocheting around them and they become the center motif. They are a great little project to carry with you in a small bag and you can always pull your yarn out and complete one or two. I realized after watching this video again I need to make a better one, so I'll add that to my list of things to do but till then I hope you can make out enough to figure it out. This is the pattern below. You will start wanting to adapt it as you get going, you can make them bigger by adding more rows with more stitches and you can make tiny ones using bedspread weight cotton. Any questions, please feel free to ask. Yarn Bernat Satin Worsted Weight Color: Silk 04007 1 oz Needle: 5.0 mm (US H/8) Rose Flower Working in...

  60 Inch Tape Measure printed on 8.5 by 11 Inch Paper   FREE PRINTABLE PDF CLICK THIS LINK We've all been there. You own dozens of tape measures and yet when you need one you feel like they've all run off and hid from you. That was one reason why I created this back in 2016, I also needed something to share with online customers who did not have a tape measure handy, when people are starting a custom order with me I'll often send them this file to make it easier on them.  Now if you look back in my archive you'll see that I tried posting this on here before, but at the time I didn't know how to post a pdf so I ended up putting it on my Etsy site and I had to charge a small fee for it on there. So I'm trying this again. If you've found my blog and this download works, congratulations you qualify for a free copy. I just ask two things. Please do not share the file download itself. If you want to share it just send people the link to my blog. [ syntryz.blogspo...

So, are you anxious to know what I have in store for this blog? As you can see below I plan to have categories I will keep writing different articles about.  Inquisitive Papillon Dog with chin on sofa arm looks like she's asking a question.     My Favorite Things will focus on some of my favorite tools in the sewing room to some of my reliable suppliers for sourcing crafts.     We all love Free Patterns , don't worry I'm not going to post other people's work as you see on some sketchy websites, these will be small patterns that I've customized for my work and you can use them on your own creations.     I love sewing machines and between my Mom and myself, I have a few! I've always wanted to write Sewing machine reviews about them [I've also always wanted to work at a sewing machine shop but that's for another day]. Even though sewing machines get old they have a much longer shelf life than electronics and I know from experience th...

 Here in Texas it has just quit raining. Our first spot of rain in several days of triple-digit heat. It's so refreshing and the air smells so much better. Just like this rain, it's time for my blog to get refreshed. The purpose of this blog  I kind of didn't have a purpose for it before but I've got some new ideas now. This blog will focus mainly on sewing and crocheting. At my, last craft show, I got to talk with a lady about sewing and I realized how much experience I have. It's been more than 25 years since my Mom started to teach me how to crochet and then how to sew (which is amazing since I still feel like I'm 21) I know I have many that want to ask me questions or get advice but often they are either busy themselves or think I'm too busy to help. So now I want to use this blog as a resource for what I've learned and am still learning so it can easily be shared with others. Sometimes I'm not the best teacher when it comes to explaining things ...

Just finished this beautiful dress for my little niece. Can't wait to see how it fits her and hope she enjoys dancing in it. The pattern was purchased from an awesome designer on Etsy. Here is the link to check out the pattern.  PatternsbyHalina  

New Dog shirts coming soon to my shop and these polka dots are among my favorites!

Today I finished this blanket that I had started at a friend's house who had a hand knit blanket making party. It was quite fun and I almost got mine made but I wasn't really happy with how it was looking with the accent yarn I had chosen so I decided to tear it out and start over and film it. Didn't make it quite this fast but it did take about an hour to remake. 

 Recently I took an online course on the Harvard edx program called the Architectural Imagination. I had to design a 10 by 10 meter house that was sandwiched in a row of houses and it was to be a clear story design. This project was a lot of fun and helped me learn new skills in my sketch up program. Now I have more ideas I want to try out. 

This is the video version of my Small Crochet Pattern that you can play on youtube. As of now, I have the printed version of this particular sweater pattern for sale on my Etsy page, which I will provide the link for you to purchase. Or I'll give you a hint, if you look in the descriptions of the videos on youtube I also include some instructions listed there.   Etsy Shop