Burda

Front on Dressform

Back on Dressform

Me Again!!

Muslin made from very sheer lightweight knit – (Cant remember the name)

Pattern Description:   Burdastyle Twist Front Dress

Pattern Sizing:  Tall pattern 72-88

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, once I realized the front facings were cut on.

What did you particularly like or dislike about the pattern?   I love the twist front but will probably make a FBA on my next go round with this one.  I saw a fabulous maxi Version on AllisonCSewingGallery and knew I had to make it too.

Fabric Used:  Ity Jersey from GStreets 2.97 table.

Pattern alterations or any design changes you made: I cut the 88 up top and 72 for the skirt portion but I didnt realize the upper portion of the skirt top goes into the twist which I needed for more coverage.  It’s pinned in the picture and I think I’ll tack it down more permanently but next time I’ll adjust.

Would you sew it again? Would you recommend it to others?  Yes and I will definitely make it again!  Maybe a couple more times

Conclusion:   I love this dress!!!

Muslin made from very sheer lightweight knit - (Cant remember the name)

Me Again!!

Back on Dressform

Front on Dressform

CRAFTSY – Have you Taken a Class

The courses are great!  I’ve signed up for quite a few previously and today noticed alot of courses available for $29.99.  I’ve learned alot but especially like the fact that I can go back and watch them at anytime.  The site also shows completed projects by people who’ve completed the class and actually made something from it which I have not.  Yet! LOL!!!  Anyhow these are the classes I’m registered for and they are all very good and very well done!

http://www.craftsy.com/

I have taken 5, thats right 5 of their courses.  The absolute best class and best deal is The Couture Dress with Susan Khalje is by far the best if you are into dressmaking.  She covered the muslin which includes tracing the stitching lines and altering for fit.  Lining instructions, pick stitching a zipper by hand as well as alterations, and matching plaids and much more  I learned alot and should do a more detailed review.  Maybe later. 

http://www.craftsy.com/class/The-Couture-Dress/53

I have been wanting to make Jeans for forever so when I saw the Jeanius class by Kenneth King I didnt hesitate.  It was another excellent class on this subject.  It’s from start to finish and he goes into how to copy a current pair to remake them.  I’ve read alot about copying and had not seen or heard of this method before.  It’s time consuming but definitely the most accurate.  (havent tried it yet)  He uses silk organza but is especially careful of the grainlines which would make all the difference.  He has step by step techniques on pockets, change pocket, zipper, topstitching.  Also, special instructions on the back crotch and an interesting idea on the waistband.

http://www.craftsy.com/class/Jean-ius-Reverse-Engineer-Your-Favorite-Fit/60

Gertie from Gerties New Blog for Better Sewing has taught two classes.  I’ve watched the Bombshell course which was excellent.  It covered sewing a dress with a foundation underneath including boning, bust padding, and waist stays.  It’s onsale now for $25

The other class offered by Gertie is The Starlet Jacket which includes a pattern that she created.  It is a completely tailored class.  It shows how to hand tailor (traditional method) and Fusible Tailor (Conventional Method) an entire jacket from start to finish.  I have only watched about 4 sessions but it’s a really good course.  I liked learning the padstitching.

http://www.craftsy.com/class/Sew-Retro-The-Starlet-Suit-Jacket/56

 

The last class is actually a quilting course.  I’ve always liked applique quilting and would love to do a modern picture Quilt.  I havent watched all of these classes yet either but what I have seen has taught me alot, once I decide to get started on this.

http://www.craftsy.com/class/Art-Quilting-Pictorial-Techniques/38

 

BLOGLOVIN

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Mission Maxi for my DD

I made the Mission Maxi for my daughter too.  Actually I made hers first back in early April.  The review is the same as my Review here but I thought I’d share the pictures.  I caught her before she left for school and made her stop and take pics!!!  She loves it!!

How she Wore it.

Front

Back

Vogue 8790

Catching up again!!

Back

Pattern Description: Close-fitting, pullover, mock wrap top has front extending into standing back collar and stitched hems. A and B: narrow hem armholes and sleeves B.

Pattern Sizing: 16-24

Did it look like the photo/drawing on the pattern envelope once you were done sewing with it?  Somewhat. I made an adjustment

Were the instructions easy to follow?  They were pretty good. It’s just meant to be very loose and was alot longer than I expected. I thought it looked long but knew it has to be ruched so left it.

What did you particularly like or dislike about the pattern?  I liked the look and versatility for my wardrobe needs.

Fabric Used:  ITY Jersey that I had in my stash.

Pattern alterations or any design changes you made:  I think I must have cut the wrong size because it was huge and while I was adjusting it, I ended up moving the wrap up much higher than the pattern intended. I didnt realize it until I removed the excess length by then it was too late. The shoulders were too large which is why I think I must have cut the wrong size. I didnt like the short sleeves that came with the pattern so I just shortened the long sleeve to a short sleeve.

Would you sew it again? Would you recommend it to others?  I will probably sew the long sleeve version in the fall.

Conclusion:  All of the other reviewers have had great results so I’ll try it again!!

Finished

Before Adjustments

Back

 

VOGUE 1282

I made this top about about a month ago. I’m trying to catch up on the things I’ve made but not posted.

Vogue 1282

Pattern Description:  Loose-fitting, bias, pullover top has draped front neckline with weight, no side seams and stitched hem.

Pattern Sizing: 12-20, I made th 18

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 liked the unique cowl.

Fabric Used:  Jersey found on Gstreets 2.97 table.

Pattern alterations or any design changes you made: It is a quick and easy top to make. Like the other reviewers it was entirely too low. I had to take a wedge out of it to get it to fit well. I raised the seam about 3 or 4 inches.

This is the center front seam that creates the cowl affect.  I raised it a couple of  inches and slanted it inward about 3 inches to remove some excess fabric at the waist.

Would you sew it again? Would you recommend it to others? Yes I’ll be sewing this one again and recommend to others but you may want to go down a size.

Conclusion:  Great Wardrobe builder.

Here is a picture of me in the top and how I wore it to work.    Fun Top!!  BTW, my husband pointed out my lack of smiles in my pics.  I’m so busy trying to concentrate, pose, and get the picture right in 10 seconds that I dont even focus on smiling!! LOL!  So these are much improved.  I’m constantly learning this blog stuff.  It looks like in my attempt to pose for the picture I got a crease or fold in the neckline but that was my mistake when trying to hurry and take the pics before work.

The Mission Maxi

<b>Pattern Description: </b> A soft Flowy Maxi dress pattern with plenty of options to choose from: halter top, godet back, and a tank top.

<b>Pattern Sizing:</b>2-18; I made the 18

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

<b>Were the instructions easy to follow?</b> Yes; very easy

<b>What did you particularly like or dislike about the pattern?</b> I love the godet and racer back.

<b>Fabric Used:</b> Bamboo knit from $2.97 table @ Gstreet

<b>Pattern alterations or any design changes you made:</b> The only change I made was to take the bindings and sew them together first before sewing them to the neckline and armholes. It would seem much easier to get the stretch you wanted in those areas. The pattern has you sew the bindings to the neckline before actually sewing the front and back together. I liked this way better.

<b>Would you sew it again? Would you recommend it to others?</b>
I will definitely sew again. I want one with the godet and maybe the halter too.

Conclusion: I would love one in every color!! It was super quick and is even more comfortable to wear.

Simplicity 1804

<b>Pattern Description: </b>V neck Maxi dress with all in one short sleeve and drape.

<b>Pattern Sizing:</b> 14 ( bought the wrong size but given the fullness of the skirt, I just did a FBA and it worked.

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

<b>Were the instructions easy to follow?</b> Yes

<b>What did you particularly like or dislike about the pattern?</b> I liked the twisted drape.

<b>Fabric Used:</b> Jersey bought at Sarai’s

<b>Pattern alterations or any design changes you made:</b> I did a FBA which included lengthening the bodice, next time I’ll reduce it by an inch. I also lengthened the skirt by 2 inches. If I make this again (an I plan on it) I’ll double the bodice and eliminate the facings. I had a hard time with these and eventually used some fusable tape to make them hold. I tried to understitch them but that didnt work.

<b>Would you sew it again? Would you recommend it to others?</b>Yes I’ll sew this one and one of the other views again. I highly recommend this pattern.

<b>Conclusion: </b> This is a great dress!!

First project of 2012– Catching Up

My husband is a welder and thought it would be great if i could make him a bag for his hood.  I was apprehensive about this little project and wasn’t sure if he understood the time I’d have to put into this customized bag for his supplies.  It changed from just for the hood to being able to hold multiple items and multiple sizes.  He had an idea of it being made out of something nylon-esque but I thought duck cloth would fit the job better and more durable.  It was his bag so I went along with his choice but used some duck cloth for the bottom.  It took me almost an entire day to complete one bag!! LOL!! I had no idea it would take that long and he laid on the couch in my sewing room the entire time sleep  watching t.v.  In the end he loved it.   I kind of created it as I went along.  There are two zippered pockets on the outside.  One is shorter than the other so I decided the opening that was left on the outside was a great place for his welding goggles.  There are also 6 pockets on the inside in varying sizes.  I used a paper bag pattern (McCalls I think) for groceries and adjusted from there.

Two Tops – B4789 Again & OOP B5035

I’m back once again!  It’s been too long I know.  I’ve taken dozens of pictures for everything that I’ve been working on but at first couldnt find the time to blog about them.  My job has been unbelievably busy (Doing this post right now at work LOL)  I’ve been working alot of 10-12 hour days –so whatever time I do get free, I try to sew something.  I had my laptop crash on me and I though I’d lost all of my pictures for about a month (because I’d been too busy to figure out where they were), thankfully I have everything once again.  I’m going to try and blog about everything I’ve been working on.  These two tops I completed back in January.

B5035

Close-up of sleeve slits.

 

 

Pattern Description:   Tunic A has dropped open shoulders and angled shape lower edge, raw edge finish. Tunics B, C have semi-fitted, bust darts, angled shape lower edge. B: bias tape armholes and back neck edge, faced front neckline. C: bias tape neck and armholes, sash with narrow hem finish.  I did View A

Pattern Sizing: Large – XL,  I think I did Large but it was really big.

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?    Thought the twist would be unique.

Fabric Used:    Jersey from Gstreet 2.97 table– Love this fabric but was only able to get a one yard cut.

Pattern alterations or any design changes you made:    Accidentally cut the length too short while adjusting.

Would you sew it again? Would you recommend it to others?   Maybe I’ll try this one again.  I would recommend.

Conclusion:  While trying to adjust the fit I did something wrong and couldnt get it to feel comfortable on it was really twisted.

 

 

B4789

Pattern Description: Pullover top A and dress B have twisted front detail, back darts, extended shoulders, V-neckline front and back.

Pattern Sizing: Cut the 18

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, since I’ve used this one before.

What did you particularly like or dislike about the pattern?    I love the knot

Fabric Used:    $2.97 G street Cotton Knit

Pattern alterations or any design changes you made:    I took out about 3 inches from the center front seam under the bust to the hem.

Would you sew it again? Would you recommend it to others?    I might sew this again and would definitely recommend.

Conclusion:   This was a quick and easy top to make and the pattern does not use alot of fabric.