Things that I rarely have:
-The required amount of fabric for the pattern (3 yards you say, we are gonna make this work with 2)
-the correct notions, in the correct color, size and quantities (why do I feel like a hoarder but I never have the darn elastic I need)
-Time to shop (3 days until my son’s birthday and I have yet to shop…can’t be just me, right?)
You know what is much more satisfying and less stressful when it comes to sewing? Having everything, perfectly suited for the sewing project, delivered right to your door. If that sounds like something that may bring more joy to your sewing, you will want to check out a new product available at Minerva.
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What are Minerva Sewing Kits?
Minerva now offers a variety of sewing kits to help make preparing for your sewing project super simple. Kits include the paper pattern, fabric, matching thread, machine needles, and notions with the options to completely customize your kit. Sounds pretty cool, right? There are a ton of different pattern options, from beginner to more advanced. Simple projects like t-shirts all the way to sewing your own jeans. Each pattern has several different fabric options that have all been specially selected to work with the pattern. Here is a look at my unboxing and review of one of the Minerva Sewing Kits. While I was given the kit for my review, all opinions are my own.
What is in the kit?
For my kit, I chose the Tilly and the Buttons Billie. Inside I had the following:
–Tilly and the Buttons Billie Pattern
-Fabric – I chose the Mustard Yellow Fleece-backed Sweatshirt. The kit comes with 2.8 meters of fabric, plenty to do either the dress or sweatshirt option. I was able to sew the sweatshirt with more left over for another project. If you know you will only be needing a certain amount of fabric, you can change the quantity on your box to customize it for your needs.
-Gutermann Thread in a color match for my fabric
–Stretch Sewing Machine Needles – a variety pack of 5 needles
-A project planner from Minerva with spots to record details about your project and information about posting on the Minerva Website
Thoughts on Using a Sewing Kit
Well, knowing that I actually had all the needed supplies to make the project is a huge bonus. I live 30 minutes from a craft store with any kind of decent selection for fabric, pattern, and notions. When I am in need of clear elastic, it is not just a quick 5 minute trip for me. So, knowing that for once, I wouldn’t be digging around my room, looking through every scrap to see if I had enough of something was absolutely delightful. I openly admit to not always planning my projects well and I often need one or two little things to complete it. When I have to stop and figure that all out, it gets me off track and delays finishing projects. Sadly, I have been known to put things in the “to-do” bin until I have the right supplies, and I am pretty sure every project I have ever placed in there is still waiting- LOL.
Shopping online for fabric, knowing the content and how well it will work for a project, especially knits and the required stretch, can be tough. If you are new to sewing and unfamiliar with all the different things to consider when choosing fabric for a project, this part of the kit alone is worth it. It is like having your own personal shopper, selecting great fabrics that will give you the look you are after, without the hassle of trying to figure it all out yourself. Even better, they match the thread for you. No more guessing at the online color swatches and hoping for the best.
I also liked that you are given the paper pattern. Having the pattern in hand is nice for tracing off multiple sizes. I like to grade my patterns to fit and I often hack patterns for different looks. Doing modifications is easier on the paper pattern, rather than my projector that I love to use with PDF patterns. Although it takes more time to trace off the pattern, I enjoy having the printed copy to keep over the years . In case my size fluctuates, or I want to make the pattern as a gift for someone else, I like that I have every size available.
How Did My Project Turn Out?
If you checked out my video, you noticed I thought I would be sewing up the puff sleeve top. And I did, originally. After going through the trouble of gathering and attaching the sleeves (on both sides) and finishing the seams with my serger, I tried on my top and decided the puff was just a little, well….too puffy. Don’t get me wrong, I love a puff sleeve. Clearly, I have made a few like this one and this one. But there was something about this puff in the heavier sweatshirt that I didn’t love on me. And, I wanted to love this sweatshirt. After all, it was in my favorite color and I want to wear this lovely fabric. So, I took off the sleeves and cut out the 3/4 sleeve instead. I am much happier with the classic sleeve in this top. I think I will get many years of wear in this classic look. The only part of this project that I got a bit concerned about was the neckline. This fabric does not have a ton of stretch and the neckline on the pattern is slightly tight. I was able to get it off and on just fine, but I do have a small head. If you tend to have a larger head, you may want to make the neckband longer and enlarge the neckline slightly to help if you are using this fabric.
Thank you so much to Minerva for allowing me the opportunity to try out a sewing kit. These kits take all the hassle out of your next sewing project. It would also be a great gift idea for the sewist in your life if you, yourself don’t sew. What a great way to buy someone fabric, patterns, and more without having to know much about sewing at all. The shopping has been done for you and there is no concern about buying the right fabric for the right pattern, matching your thread, or making sure you are set up for success with the right needles and notions. Minerva does all the work. This is also perfect for the beginning sewist who may not feel completely confident in selecting all the needed parts of a project or for the person like myself, who has been sewing for years but still manages to be missing one little thing with each project. Give yourself a break, and treat yourself to a lovely kit where all the gathering is done for you and you can just bask in the joy of sewing.
Have a look today at all the gorgeous kits available from Minerva.
Until Next Time,
About 18 years ago I decided to teach myself how to sew. Long before blogs and resources available today which meant it was often disastrous. But I never gave up because I loved it so much. Today I love helping others get started on their own sewing journey. You can read more about my family and I