Almost a wadder!

019, a photo by becky b.'s sew & tell on Flickr.

This is a combination of two patterns, Butterick 5603 for the top and Vogue 8488 for the bottom.

I had some lovely vintage silk for the top. The banding on the top was so hard to do because no matter how much I clipped the seam, the band was way too small. I got it on but it's narrow in some areas, not even. I put the bows over the narrow portions instead of in the center. Kind of fixed, but not perfect. Because I had such a hard time of things I still have some hand sewing to do.

The bottom skirt was no problem.

020, a photo by becky b.'s sew & tell on Flickr.

McCall's 5859

McCall's 5859, a photo by becky b.'s sew & tell on Flickr.

The coordinating jacket is from 2009, a very good year for both jackets and skirts. The fabric is a denim with embroidered flowers, so cute, and from JoAnn Fabrics (not currently). I love this pattern, great fit, easy and fun to sew with the piping.

Butterick 3312

Butterick 3312, a photo by becky b.'s sew & tell on Flickr.

I've had this pattern since 1985! Yikes! I made this at the beginning of summer but did not wear it because I thought it was too small, turns out I just needed help with the zipping. Normally off the shoulder bugs me, but on this it fits good so no straps falling down too far.

Butterick 5878

Butterick 5878, a photo by becky b.'s sew & tell on Flickr.

This fabric had been in the stash for about a million years, and I almost gave it away about a million times, but I'm glad I didn't. This pattern was perfect for this fabric.

We are having a few more summer days here, so we have to take advantage of every last day. I'm hoping to get in one more swim, but it may be too cold for that.

Butterick 5878, a photo by becky b.'s sew & tell on Flickr.

I did not alter the pattern at all just used it out of the envelope. I always hate gathering so I tried the zig zag method again. This time I sewed over button hole thread instead of the heavy string I used last time...much better.

Butterick 5878, a photo by becky b.'s sew & tell on Flickr.

Simplicity 4546

Simplicity 4546, a photo by becky b.'s sew & tell on Flickr.

This is one that almost didn't get worn. When I tried it on the dress was way too short. I didn't have any more gray fabric, so I decided to use the pattern piece that came with the pattern and add the border in a contrasting fabric. Sometimes things turn out better when you have to punt.

Simplicity 4546, a photo by becky b.'s sew & tell on Flickr.

I went to the stash and found this pink coordinating fabric. But it was way too much pink so I cut out the gray petals from the left over fabric.

Simplicity 4546, a photo by becky b.'s sew & tell on Flickr.

A closeup of the petals. No hems, just stitched on.

Be "koi" dresses

Simplicity 2281, a photo by becky b.'s sew & tell on Flickr.

I do have a thing about koi fish. Here a two dresses in that theme. This one is Simplicity 2281 a Cynthia Rowley pattern. I really like it and it's been on the sewing list for a long time. I did not want the off the shoulder look with this dress. I sewed it together then tried it on and that's just what happened. Had rip out the sleeves and cut off about a inch (just like on the Cambie Dress) you think I'd learn! I also trimmed down the waist band by about an inch and used the maxi skirt pattern piece.

Simplicity 2281, a photo by becky b.'s sew & tell on Flickr.

Simplicity 2281, a photo by becky b.'s sew & tell on Flickr.

Simplicity 1797 and 2209

Simplicity 1797 and 2209, a photo by becky b.'s sew & tell on Flickr.

I used two patterns for this dress, the top is 2209. I only had a small piece of the koi fabric, so I matched it with a sheet from Pottery Barn.

Simplicity 1797 and 2209, a photo by becky b.'s sew & tell on Flickr.