NINE

The number of vogue patterns I bought today. I know alot. Is there anyone as excited as I am. I rushed out on my lunch hour to purchase them at Joann's (Falls Church) 15 min away. While I was out that way I made my way over to G Street Fabrics. I bought a peice of there pant length wool. It was $12.97 a yard. I got two yards and figured it should be enough for a dress. Hopefully !! I dont go there enough, probably cause I would spend all my money. LOL. I am making a muslin of Vogue 8597.

In keeping my New Year’s resolutions (goals) I was thinking of taking some classes. Has anyone taken any of the classes on patternreview?

In case anyone is interested here are the patterns purchased.

Great Jersey shirt

Sheath!

Love Love Love it!

Beautiful in Chiffon!!

Love the back of this!

Great Feminine Suit!

Modern Classic!

Stretch Pants! Couldnt resist.

I think this would be nice colorblocked.

I want to make the cover photo version with the new G Street fabric.

 

V8603

Pattern Description:
MISSES’ SKIRT: Lined, straight skirts A, B, C, D, E, F in two lengths have princess seams, back zipper and waistline facing. A, B: gathered side front, side back and lower back. C: button trim. C, E, F: topstitching. E: contrast side front and side back. C, D, E, F: back slit. A, C, D: length is mid-knee. B, E, F: length is mid-calf.

Did it look like the photo/drawing on the pattern envelope once you were done sewing with it?
Yes.

Were the instructions easy to follow?
Yes

What did you particularly like or dislike about the pattern?
I loved the little ruffle in the back.

Fabric Used:
My guess is a rayon/poly blend with stretch.

Pattern alterations or any design changes you made:
I originally added fabric for my full tummy but had to cut it down alot. I also excluded the ruching at the sides.

Would you sew it again? Would you recommend it to others?
Yes, I will sew again in a better fabric choice and I would like to try it with the ruching detail. I would recommend to others.

Conclusion:
It is an easy to fit pattern and complimentary to all figures. I couldnt figure out the puckering with some of the seams. I just realized I used a stretch needle by mistake!! LOL!!!

The other picture is M5710 which I cut out along with a brown fabric with a burnt orange stripe. Although I made these before here, this time I had the hardest time. I mean the pair pictured above was waaay too big and the brown pair too small (which is why they arent pictured). They were cut at the same time so how on earth did I get two completely different sizes???? The other issue I could not get the crotch correct on this pair. In my quest to perfect pants I have copied (patterns only) two of my RTW pants that fit great. I want to try a muslin. I know I will probably have to work on pants all year before I hope to have a good pair. I have already cut out the Simplicity 2700 but I think I am going to wait. I dont want to do pants anymore. Later. I need a break. I am starting to yearn for spring and want to make dresses.

 

New Vogue Patterns!!

First I have to admit I am totally addicted to patterns. I mean I cant help myself!! LOL. Especially if they are on sale. I have gone through the tons I have to eliminate some. I created a stack to donate to a local sewing org here, but I think I have bought and replaced them all already and that is pathetic. But I just love the possibilities. Anyhow here are the new Vogues that I love and the next pattern sale (cause I dont buy patterns unless they are on sale). I am going to get em!!! Does anyone else mark there calendars for the fabric store sales????

I am not sure about he peplum with the pleated skirt but I think this suit would work well for a woman with curves.

Love this dress! Once I saw the line drawings love it even more!

Another wrap top for knits. I am interesting in the bindings

Who can resist soft flowy fabrics. I am a girly girl!!!

Wasnt sure about this one but once I saw the line drawings. Gotta Have it!!!

 

2010 RESOLUTIONS & M5710!!!

I dont know about everyone else but I say Goodbye 2009!! (and Good Riddance) LOL!!! It was a pretty rough year for me but starting a blog positive, enjoying all of the sewing blogs (priceless). I LOVE looking at everyone’s work and tutorials. I dont know anyone who sews, soooo I really enjoy meeting, greeting, and reading all of the bloggers out there!!! Anyways back to what I was saying. New Years Resolutions besides my normal lose weight (lol), I want to in a nutshell sew more as I didnt complete nearly as many projects as I dreamed of:

1. Sew more pants (last year the pant sew along was fun, I learned alot but never finished the pants. Part of the problem was the fabric was white and a little too see thru for me to actually finish them so they became a muslim or I should say a learning experience)

2. I am truly in love with the sheath dress and have 4 of them I want to complete.

3. I want to make a coat.

4. Take a tailoring class which would help me make some blazer style jackets.

5. Take a Quilting class maybe applique. I made my first quilt about 11 years ago. I was really obsessed with it stayed up all night to give it to my sister in law for my new neice. Wish I had a picture of it. It had a cute Teddy Bear appliqued on it.

6. Last but not least BLOG MORE CONSISTENTLY. I am hoping for once a week but 4 times a month I know I can do!!

M5710

I’ve had these on my list every since I saw them on the mahogany stylist blog.
I actually started them in 2009 but finished them this year so I am calling them the 1st project 2010. I bought the fabric at G street in August of 2008. They are black with a pale magenta stripe and a faint white stripe. I am not sure of the content but the have a little stretch to them. Now the pictures. This one is without make-up and now you know why I love my MAC!!!

Here is the one with make up, much better.
</a

Here is the problem. I need to get rid of these lines on the back view.
>

Finally a side view. My daughter took these pictures which is why I am looking at her funny. We gotta practice more. LOL!

I liked the pattern although I had to take a couple inches off the sides but I believe it is a wide pant pattern. I am gonna make them again and see if I can get rid of those wrinkles. I absolutely love them. I wore them to work already and they were soooo comfortable. I am planning on making a few more. I have cut out another pair using Simplicity 2700. Any help is much appreciated!!!

 

It’s Been Soooo Long!!!

I am sorry I havent responded to any emails on my blog. I decided to finally take my last two courses and complete my degree. It really takes up most of the small amount of free time I have. I have been sewing a little here and there. It helps to relieve the stress to get my creativity flowing. I will be finished with my courses in two weeks. LOL!!!!!!!!!!! I have copied a few RTW items and am plans to complete these items soon.

 

Been Gone Too Long!!!

I have been really busy with my day job yall. It was the Fiscal Year end from Hell. It’s almost over. I havent done much sewing but thought I would post an update on my status. I did get to order a dressform. It took me two days to pad it to my dimensions. FUNNY lookin at your self in 3D. I have been working on a top to test out the fit and so far soo good. I will post a picture of the dress form as soon as I get the camera and take it. I actually purchased the medium form even though my dimensions suggested the large. My frame is medium so it worked out well. The large wouldnt have worked for me at all so I am glad I went with the medium and hope to lose some weight. LOL!!! Meanwhile I do have some pictures to show. I bought a couple of retro patterns at the thrift store for twenty five cents each!! Believe that. I couldnt pass them up just cause of the price.

 

LOOK AT MY BABY!!!!

New Haircut

Finally it is done. I didnt see any of those wrinkles yesterday!!LOL. She is growing up. Mom is feeling a little old!! This is her 8th (that’s right 8th grade) formal dance dress. I had to take 3 inches off at the waist yesterday. I decided to take off the zipper take it in there and reapply. It worked. Then I had to make the bow which was easy except CONFESSION HERE I cant tie a bow. Believe that I can make a dress but can’t tie a bow. LOL. Anyhow here is my review:

Fabric: Crepe – Satin backed [See other projects in this fabric]
Pattern Description: Create It!! Make it your own with mix & match pattern pieces

Pattern Sizing: 12

Did it look like the photo/drawing on the pattern envelope once you were done sewing with it? Yes

Were the instructions easy to follow? Mostly I didnt follow all of the patterns directions

Any changes made? I added a molded foam bra cups for support in between the lining and interlining.

Fabric Used:Crepe back satin and black lace

Pattern Alterations or any design changes you made: I added about 5/8 inch to the bust for modesty

Would you sew it again? Would you recommend it to others?I would recommend it. I probably wont sew it again as it is formal.

Conclusion: It was a very good pattern.

 

I’m Back!!!

Sorry I have been busy, busy, busy!! I have been working on budgets and staying late into the night at my day job to finish. I was too exhausted to sew much of anything and before I knew it, I needed to finish a dress for my daughter’s 8th grade formal dance. Then we had some drama with that. My little girl picked out a dress she loved and after I got the muslin just right she says Mom! This doesnt have any sleeves!! like she didnt pick out the dress. So back to the drawing board I went. She picked another dress that she again loves!! but this one is strapless. I said honey your shoulders are out again. She said oh I can wear a jacket with this one. She tried this one on in the store (the other was she picked off of the internet) and I think the dress is cute but I thought it was too grown. It is a strapless mini. I told her no way was she wearing that even with a jacket. Soo we went to the fabric store and guess what she picked out of the patterns. The same dress, I told her ok. I will make it longer and she can still wear a jacket. I am still working on it and it has to be done by Friday!!! May 15. I have completed the bust portion and midriff. I will be attaching the skirt which is the puffy one and thank god I dont have to hem. I will attach the skirt and zipper tonight. She chose a burgundy satin with a black lace overlay for the midriff and bow. It actually looks pretty good. I wasnt sure about her color choices. (shows what I know) Tomorrow I am going to look for an inexpensive jacket (wont have time to make that) and shoes. The dress is McCalls 5850.

M5850 The gold one

I have been working on a couple of things which I have put on hold until Friday:::

V1027 DKNY

[caption id="attachment_267" align="alignnone" width="510" caption="V1027"][/caption]

This dress was coming along fine but I think I cut the wrong size it is way too big in the bust area which wouldnt be too bad I could just adjust the side seams but this has pleats in the wrapped portion so I have to RIP seams which of course I dont want to do which is why this is still unfinished. I have made a promise to myself to finish this along with two other projects this weekend. I actually love the red which is unusual for me. I tend to stick with Brown, Black, and Navy. I decided this year I will add color to my wardrobe.

OOP Butterick 6502 Rimini

OOP

I have loved this pattern for a long time. The high neck did not work for me and was a little uncomfortable and I saw this round opening on another site (Burdastyle) and thought it would work well for this top. I then had to come up with a pattern to cut the top out with. I actually had a top with a big circle cut out of the neckline, took some paper and copied it. It worked well!! I now have to finish the hem of the sleeves, top, and skirt. Then I need to purchase a belt to go with it. But I love it. I am not sure what the material is. I bought it at Hancocks about a month ago for about $4 a yard. It looks woven but has alot of stretch to it.

Vogue 8576 Sandra Betzina

I loved this pattern the moment I saw it. I couldnt resist doing it in the same color as on the pattern when I saw this linen mix at Joann’s. It was on sale and I got it for $4 a yard. The dress is coming along nicely but there is alot of peicing. I also had to lengthen the bodice 6 inches in the front and 4 in the back. Which is tedious because there are alot of peices. Then you have to true them to the shape. I did two muslins to make sure it was ok before I cut into my fabric. I dont know if you can tell from the picture but I have attached the bottom to the top but not the sides. I wanted to make sure my seams all lined up cause it will show if it does not. Also there is alot of topstitching which I think I didnt do too bad with. All and all I cant wait to wear it. I will post pictures of all of my projects with me wearing them soon!!. Hopefully I have a productive weekend and can post them one day next week.

Oh two more things. (I know it is a long post forgive me I havent been on here in a while!!!)
1. I will be redoing the pants for the pant sewalong but in linen. Vogue 1040

V1040

I havent touched the twill ones not even to put on the waist band. They really arent that bad I just cant yet. I have read about 25 different Threads articles and there is alot of info on pants in them. I am determined to make a decent pair this year. LOL!!!

2. I finished this work shirt for my hubbie. He actually loves it!! So much so he has asked me to do one in denim because it will be too warm for the duckcloth one soon. It wasnt difficult I just want to finish my stuff first!!! I know selfish sewer but hey I gotta have something right. Anyhow here are the pictures.

S5366 On Hubby

[caption id="attachment_251" align="alignnone" width="510" caption="S5366"][/caption]

S5366 Pockets

 

Those Pants !!!!#:J#IO!!!

Stain of some sort

muslin welt with contrast thread

Zipper Closed

Zipper

Welt

Let’s just say I am still working on them!!! I am not happy with the fabic. It has a good weight to it but still see thru, so much so that I tried to cut most of the front pockets off which showed through like to giant letter C’s on my front thigh. I only hesitated at taking them out completely because I worked so hard on them with that pocket stay. The zipper came out perfect!! I am very happy with it. I made a few other changes though including extending the back crotch with the protruding seat adjusment and lowering the front crotch by 1/2 inch. I created the pocket stay and extended it into the zipper expecting the pockets to lie flat. They do not. Somehow I got a stain on the back welt pocket. (why did I do white again) I just have to add on the waistband and hem them, but I keep looking at the pants bottom and want to let them out a little. So I may do that. I like boot cut pants. At the last minute I decided to try the welt pocket technique from the link on the right but they did not come out even. I should have followed the directions from the pattern which turned out ok in the muslin. Last night I read an article in Threads #122 on welts and I think this would have been a much better way to achieve accuracy. Needless to say I am still working on them. I hope to have pictures up with them on me by this weekend. Sorry for the late post I had to take a break from them. I will post later what I worked on while on hiatus!!

 

FABRIC ADDICT

Well I was planning on posting some of my plans for the future, just so I could stay on track. I have to admit I am addicted to FABRIC!! I have just ordered fabric that I had no business buying, until I complete some of the other things I have!! I can’t believe the amount of fabric that I bought this year. I have a problem and thought I should blog about it. Below is fabric I bought so far this year that I can remember. HELP ME!!

The ones without patterns were ordered today and the others are my previous finds this year:

Vogue Dress

Dress

Dress

Dress

Skirt

Skirt or Top

Dress

Skirt