Simplicity 1325

I've actually been on a good sewing spree lately. This was touch and go for a while because I tried it on and it was tight, too tight.

I added a very sturdy zipper instead of an invisible zipper and I added a godet right under the zipper. I really like this pattern and may even sew it up again. The fabric is a faux leather from JoAnne's from a few seasons ago. The fabric sewed up easily with no problems.

Pattern of the Year

Love Butterick 5985, Normally I make a pattern once, but I've sewn this one up in various forms three times. This time I added the bodice and collar from Simplicity 9602.

The pictures are terrible thanks to the cold weather we've been having in Minnesota, you don't want to step outside unless you are forced to. This fabric is from the new SR Harris Outlet in Burnsville. It is a double knit fabric with silver metallic dots.

I once again used the middle flounce only and omitted the zipper.

Vogue 2782

Another vintage patten sewn. In general, I've found the vintage patterns to be more fitted and less revealing than the newer patterns.

So, keeping that in mind I did cut out everything a little bit larger, but it's still a little tight for my tastes, but still comfortable to wear. Since this is a knit fabric I made sure my head fit through and omitted the zipper. I also used bias tape in the neckline instead of the facings.

Did you notice I have a thing for digital print trees? The fabric is from the new S.R. Harris outlet in Burnsville MM. This store has less fabric, but I came away with a lot more because it is a great selection and you can see everything because of the sun coming in the windows. Fantastic!

Simplicity 1801

At first glance this dress looks pretty good, right? Well, not so much. The fabric is so pretty, but it stretched like crazy. Even though I put stabilizer on the neckline it still grew to be gigantic. I should have sewn darts, but I gathered for some strange reason, so I have gathers all over the back (not a good look). Plus the top is way too low cut. And did I mention how the fabric wrinkles? Oh well, on to some fall sewing projects.

I had some other summer dresses all made up, but no more temperate weather. Sad...

Another Vintage Pattern

This fabric came from Treadle Yard Goods in Saint Paul, MN. I saw someone carrying around the bolt and I was bummed because there wasn't much fabric left. So I did some more shopping and turned around and there it was! This is another nice fitting pattern. The instructions call for you to make a slip top that is attached, but I didn't bother because the fabric was not sheer, nor can you see into the sleeves.

How do you love that necklace? We were at an Asian street market/festival and I had to have it.
Feelin' groovy!

This is Simplicity 7332. I really like this pattern. Normally when I make this kind of bodice it is not deep enough. I did try this on while sewing and it seemed perfect, but when I went to wear it, and it was a little loose in the top. After adding a elastic it became a little too tight. At least it will stay up.

The fabric came from my favorite church rummage sale. It is very much like denim. At first I thought I skirt was in order and then this pattern showed up on the internet and was the perfect match.

Unintentional Frankenpattern

I started off with a Koos pattern Vogue 1301. This had been cut out and waiting for sewing over the long winter, so I thought I better get on it since winter is once again lurking. Let me say this is the worst pattern ever! The armholes are around your waist and the serging on the front does not look good. It just looks like an ugly nightgown.

Since I had just completed Butterick 5985 and since I had fabric that matched in the stash I decided to move forward.

I cut off the top and used it as an over skirt, It's wearable but not my favorite. It took a long time to sew and I don't think the fabric I used for the main portion of the dress will wear well, it was pilling as I was sewing it.

At least I'm smiling.

Butterick 5985

I really love this pattern, so much so that I made it twice. This is the first time. I used a knit fabric that I purchased online I think at Fabric.com. Since it was a knit I eliminated the lining and used bias tape for the finishing. I also went sans zipper. I used the second flounce pattern only and just fused the hem.

I think this pattern would look on everybody, can you imagine it on Mimi G?

Another Vogue 8723

This dress was cut out last summer and I finally got to it this summer. This fabric is older than most of the sewing bloggers out there! I got it at the old Minnesota Fabrics (now Hancock). I really like this pattern, it's easy and has simple design lines.

I was going to show off my maxi skirt today also, but I think I forgot to take my cute pill or my photographer was having a hard day...so some other day. One thing funny about this dress is that unbeknownst to me my husband wore orange today too. Don't you hate it when couples wear coordinating outfits? The other day we both wore bright green...YIKES!

McCall's 6958

Believe it or not, this is a current pattern and fabric that is still in the store! The fabric is a knit that is perforated with a floral design and has almost a leather look (scuba?). It is from JoAnne's. This was super easy to sew, I left out the zipper and the facings and left the hem raw. I didn't do any alterations to the pattern except make it longer. I may use this for the top of a copy of the Anna pattern. I went to buy that pattern but it ended up being fifty dollars for two patterns and shipping, YIKES!

McCall's 6073

I think this is my favorite maxi dress pattern. The only thing I would change is to overlap the front more, so it would be more covered up. You could also easily add a twisted band or a tie at the waistline.

I did get many compliments on this dress, but I think it was because of the fabric, purchased at Treadle Yard Goods in St. Paul, MN, but I did see it online at Marcy Tilton Fabrics.

Vogue 8380

Another pattern that I've wanted to sew for ages. And once again a pattern that looks good on a lot of people. I found this fabric at Mill End when they just started their closing sale. It has everything New York as the theme of the print, so cute.

The one modification I need to do is to add stitching on the straps because the bodice slides to the center. Just a warning too, it's a dress that is harder to put on because of the invisible zipper and the layers of fabric at the waist and the straps fall down easily. Guess one needs a dresser.

Another Vintage Pattern

This pattern is from the 1960's and my mom made a dress from this pattern. I think she made it out of a pink textured double knit and she probably still has it somewhere! I tried on the dress (believe it or not) and found that it was running small. I just added two strips of fabric on the back of the bodice and it actually looks okay, not like a mistake. At least I can wear it now.

This was taken by my swimming hole at Lake Nokomis in Minneapolis. We are having a problem with flooding all over the state. Usually the flooding comes in the spring when the snow melts, but it was so cold that we had a gradual melting.

The pattern is McCall's 2630.

Vintage Patterns

I had been putting off sewing with vintage patterns just because of the unknown, even though I have many in my collection. You know how modern patterns run large? Well, these don't. Back in the older days people were just slimmer. All of the vintage patterns I've just sewn have been tight or way too small. I was so excited to sew this and I just went for it and it's the way too small one. I am going to finish it and keep it for awhile. Maybe I can wear it with a belt over a dress or loose thirty pounds, ha, ha.

 

Vogue 1300

I needed something easy to sew so I went to this pattern. I had just made two dresses, one that was too small to wear and one that was tight, but wearable. For this I went to the fabric stash. I had tried sewing on this fabric a long time ago with my old Kenmore sewing machine, but no matter what I tried the fabric would suck into the machine. Now that I have the Pfaff it wasn't a problem at all. This dress took about three hours to sew, no hems on anything! The dress could have been tighter but after the last few dresses this is fine for me.

Butterick 4284

 This is another pattern that has just been waiting for the right fabric for many years.

I am actually kind of shocked that the stripes matched up so well, considering each pattern piece was huge.
 

 The sleeves are from a New Look pattern, but I can't remember the pattern, sorry!

Another Vogue 8728

Another favorite pattern of everyone, probably because it's easy to sew and looks good on everybody. This one was done in a knit that had been in the stash forever. I had sewn this before in a woven, but it was a little tight in the waist so I haven't worn it yet.

Vogue 8900

As promised, wearing the dress instead of just on the hanger. With this pattern I do have to wear a top underneath. If I don't my bra would show, the cutout needs to be moved down. However this pattern looks hard to alter, but it could make a cute skirt.

Vogue 1175

This was a fun pattern to sew. I sewed it sans lining and the bubble hem. I have enough bubbling going on without adding more. I had to shorten the straps quite a bit, but that's normal for me. Once again this dress would probably look better with plain fabric, but that's not my cup of tea.

Butterick 5951

I have been doing a lot of sewing, but I did switch over to spring and summer sewing and maybe it's finally here! I've also had my fair share of clunkers, oh well, you just have to move on.

This is a combination of two patterns Butterick 5951 and Butterick 5589 for the skirt. I would have liked to use the skirt with the pattern, but just not enough fabric. I like this dress, but I do think it would look better in a plain fabric so you could see the gathers at the shoulder and at the waist. But I like pattern!

I'm not used to posting directly to blogger, I used to upload my pictures to Flickr and blog directly from there, but they don't support that anymore. Sorry if there are some glitches.

Vogue 1134

Vogue 1134, a photo by becky b.'s sew & tell on Flickr.

I've been wanting to sew this pattern for a long time and finally the fabric and the pattern came together. Many have said how ugly this pattern is but I like it. I made a few changes, the sleeves are from McCall's 4510, because I thought something sans gathers would be better and because they fit on the fabric when cutting out. I also did not gather the neck band but I put elastic in the band so it would fit the neck better. Also, I put in a zipper and no kick-pleat. After my few flops, I'm glad to have something wearable.

Vogue 1134, a photo by becky b.'s sew & tell on Flickr.

The fabric is actually current, not from the stash. It's a corduroy from JoAnne Fabrics.

Vogue 1134, a photo by becky b.'s sew & tell on Flickr.

McCall's 5974

McCall's 5974, a photo by becky b.'s sew & tell on Flickr.

This dress was copied from Amanda's Adventures in Sewing. I think everyone wanted to copy this dress, not just me (but she's still the cutest). Her clothing is always so beautiful and wonderfully constructed.

I rarely use patterns twice, but this pattern is worth using more than once! The fabric was from S. R. Harris in the Minneapolis area.

McCall's 5974, a photo by becky b.'s sew & tell on Flickr.