Simplicity 7796

This dress got so long, don't ask. I used version 3 and just cut a strip of the black freehand.
The bottom black band is shaggy and not hemmed.

Got to use buttons that I had on hand and this just slips over the head with no gymnastics of trying to do the buttons.

Heidi Daus necklace in case anyone is wondering.

This pattern was cut out in November of 2017!
Do you ever cut out patterns and let them sit that long?

Burda Style 4/2019 Style 120

 This is the dress traced from the Burda Style Magazine.

Now that summer is finally here I've been in a tropical mood and cutting all my fabric that is similar to this. The white fabric was from clearance last year at JoAnn Fabrics and the green from the stash.

I did read the Burda instructions once, then just sewed. I hate their instructions!

Love all the green.

I always sew the size 44 and add to the back bodice an add to the hips. It ended being a little large at the waist so I may add elastic later. I also think the sleeve flounce is a little too fluffy, less would be better. Great comfortable easy to sew summer dress!

Burda Style 8/2018 114 Dress

This is from the Burda Style Magazine, 8/2018. I think I pretty much love every pattern from this month. This was easy to sew and it really helped on the sleeves to have the illustrated instructions.

The fabric is a super-soft knit from LA Finch Fabrics. I used the largest size and made the hips larger and the dress longer.

 The neck is quite wide, but it doesn't feel like it's falling down, so it's comfortable to wear.

I get the magazine every month and if the pattern does not have too many pieces, I go ahead and trace it. If there are a lot of pieces I splurge and buy the PDF pattern online.

McCall's 7606

I had this fabric from the stash for this pattern, but when I got around to cutting it I couldn't find either! I had to buy another pattern and I had to search different fabric boxes because it had materialized (ha, ha) magically into another box. Then the pattern wouldn't fit the fabric so I had to do some creative pattern layout. I'm glad I persevered because I really like the skirt. And even with the wind blowing nothing is showing.

The jacket is Vogue 8193, from awhile ago. I like everything about this jacket except the machine made buttonholes. Bound buttonholes would have been so much better, but I have never done them and I guess I'm chicken to do them. If I had a bucket list that's where bound buttonholes would go.

Burda 6401

Kind of in the hippie mode, but I had to wear comfortable shoes for walking around. The first time I purchased this fabric I only got about a yard and a half, and since the boarder is only on one side, it was not enough to make anything. I found it on Fabric.com and ordered two yards. I had to use this pattern because the model dress is very similar. But I still did not get enough fabric, so I had to go sans embroidery on the sleeves and on the back bodice. I added an applique to these areas.

 I cut out my normal size and it was still way too large, so I added darts to the front and the back and it still could have fit better smaller. Since I have large upper arms I used the puffy sleeve version and cut it off straight and added a little length to the bottom sleeves.

This is a comfortable dress and I received compliments while in the Mall, so that's a plus.

Vogue 1511

Vogue 1511 is a superbly drafted pattern, one of the best I've sewn for a long time. Everything was spot-on. The fabric is from Joann Fabrics, it is crepe that I would describe as "bouncy". The collar is faux leather from Joann's as well. The one thing that saved me when sewing the faux leather is a fabric glue stick, make sure you have one or two on hand.

 I wanted to use the fringy salvage as the hem, I was a little worried because the pattern had a slight curve at the hem, but it turned out fine.

 Since I'm in Minnesota and all we do is talk about the weather...today it is raining...raining all over the frozen ice, no going out unless you have a hankering for some broken bones, a good excuse to stay indoors and sew!

McCall's 7834

 This is my winter version of this dress made from pinwale corduroy. Please excuse the large wet mark on the hem. I wore boots and my dress was dragging in the slop in the parking lot. Oh, I love Minnesota!

Speaking of love...I really love this dress and I'm going to blatantly copy Mimi G and her summer version that is so cute.

On Monday the jewelry store that I worked at for ten years part-time closed it's doors. It was in business for fifty years and it had the best selection of jewelry in the Twin Cities and even beyond.
So sad.

This is my notebook system for fabric organization. Yes, each page is a box. So, that is the one thing I love about Minnesota, basements and basement storage.

McCall's 6176

 I've had this pattern on my sewing wish list for a long time. It calls for a knit and nothing in the stash seemed like the right choice. It's different because the shoulders go on the fold, so I had some trouble lining up the top exactly. I'm glad I used the version with the knit cuffs and neckband. The dress needs an area of solid color.

This is how I wore the dress (blue fur vest) all day. Should of also worn a belt, maybe next time. Luckily I don't follow the Marie Kondo method because I had a sweater that I thought would look great with this. But when I put it on it was ugly. I really liked the vest with this, especially because it has been so cold. How many times do you find the perfect match to your fabric just because you keep clothing for awhile? It's great fun and many people ask if you bought it together!

New Look 6346

Once again, only one picture.  I made this skirt twice before, but in the button down version. This is from a quilted, embroidered jacket material from SR Harris. Originally I purchased this fabric with a longer vest in mind. Then I had some thoughts that a skirt might be more wearable, but how weird is that? Went online and other sewists had weird quilted skirt thoughts as well, so I wouldn't be the only one! I made a lining and let that hang for awhile before hemming (it had grown about two inches).
 It is still below zero in Minnesota, hence the snow boots indoors.

McCall's 3994

This is what's happening today in Minnesota. Big YUCK face, but we are setting a snow record for the month.

I get to use the word FrankenPattern once again! This pattern for the top and cut the skirt from a pattern I've used before.

Only one picture turned out. The fit is good and the fabric is thick and stretchy. I did have a fear with this pattern that the shoulders would be too big because it was made for shoulder pads. But the pattern turned out fine.

McCall's 7803 and 5238

 It's cloudy, but the sun is once again in my eyes. Normally, it's better to take pictures outside, but not lately. Sorry about the bad pictures. Did I mention how much I love the word franken-pattern?  I used version B of McCall's 7803 for the top,and McCall's 5238 for the skirt. The top was out of the envelope with no adjustments.

I measured the peplum of the top and took that much off the skirt and just sewed them together.

The fabric is a light moleskin that has been in the stash for years.

 Battling the static electricity.

McCall's 7625

Trying not to get the double chin, not working so well. So...my slip is showing, went to a party that way, hope they thought it was on purpose!

 This is made from my favorite winter dress material, flannel. It's the stuff that's on sale at Jo-Ann's for three bucks. I got five yards and had to go back for more.

 I was concerned making this pattern, because it emphasizes the hip, but I figured for three bucks a yard I should just go for it.

 

You can see the dress better here...did you notice the cardinal buttons? Anyway, I ended up liking this dress, it's warm, soft and comfortable.

McCall's 7650

This dress is just okay. If you like something that is straight up and down, this is for you. The shoulders are too wide and the side panel is bunchy because with the lining it's too much fabric. Although, when you look at the sample on the pattern envelope, that's what it looks like.

 The weather has been crappy here, so I am staying indoors and sewing, but taking the pictures is another story. It's hard to see but I used a velvet for the side panels and an embroidered material for the main portion of the dress. I'll keep this dress for a little while, but I think the pattern needs to go.