Butterick 6318

I was going to wear this today, but the sleeves were too tight so I couldn't zip it up without my dresser (husband) who was out running errands. This would be a great dress for church, weddings or anything where you can just sit and look pretty. This was made from a sheet and before I bought it I unzipped the package and it felt so nice...but got it home and it was thin and polyestery. Uck. So, I thought I'd at least sew my first muslin in my life. I did learn a few things, make the sleeves wider, make the sash longer, the neck a little lower and I lined the bocice.

Simplicity 7649

Do you ever contemplate how lucky we are that we know how to sew? How often can we go into the store and find something that fits good, is nicely priced and matches your style? Plus, it's such a good creative outlet and we get to show it off too!

Another older pattern (1997). This pattern is good because it offers a lot of places for easy adjustments. I made the back wider and shortened the straps, pretty much par for the course.

How often do I share back views? You could use a different fabric for the front bodice and back straps, like a lace, how cute would that be?

The braid is sewn to the dress, I have quite a few lengths of braid, so might as well use it. The next dress in the works is pink and has braid too! Hate to change the thread...lazy!

Good pattern, might be worth a small investment if you find it online.

Simplicity 6882

Another "vintage" pattern, circa 1975. I did change it up a bit. The front bodice originally had a
V-shape, just straightened that out and used a straight gathered skirt. I didn't want the cats cut in half or standing on their heads.

I'm wearing a cat print dress and how old? Couldn't resist it's so cute, black cats trying to get at the goldfish. The fabric was purchased online, maybe Fabric.com can't remember, sorry!

Butterick 6587

This was a dress that I cut out last year after making all the wadders. I wanted something easy that would fit.

It was easy and it did fit, although the sleeves are folding up because I had my sweater on. 

The fabric was from the 70's, purchased at Minnesota Fabrics (later Hancock). Back in those days I couldn't afford to buy whatever fabric that captured my fancy and this was a splurge for me. It was probably the first to go in the stash since it was too special to sew. Funny how you remember things.

McCall's 3733

 Another dress that I really love and it's like wearing a nightgown, couldn't be because it's made from flannel, ha! I saw this on sale at Joann's this winter for about four dollars a yard. The colors were so vibrant that I had to get a few yards of this and some tie-dye flannel as well. No problems with the fit, just adjusted the upper arms on the sleeves and everything else was spot on.

 My mom made her mother of the bride dress from this pattern (for my brother's wedding). She used a beautiful brocade fabric and still has the dress. And my brother is still married after all these years to his wonderful wife.

 Got a few compliments when I wore this and that is always nice.

This would make a really cut summer dress.

McCall's 5677 and New Look 6346

I'm lazy when it comes to sewing, so instead of tracing out the Burda pattern from last year, I used my new favorite skirt pattern and a vintage pattern for the top. Shock and amazement when the top and bottom fit together perfectly with no measuring! I also like the armhole fit on older patterns, normally I get that front gaping.

 This is a lightweight corduroy and I wore this on Monday, brr. The fabric was from the stash.

McCall's 6210

 Way behind in blogging, but the weather has been really strange, wanted to finish up some winter things and went to Arizona. But anyway...I really love this pattern. It is "vintage" and it has four neckline variations and comes in my perfect size, 18.5.

 The fabric was purchased at JoAnn Fabrics. I thought it might be hard to handle, but not so.

Instead of the cuffs, I used metallic elastic, fast and easy.

Simplicity 8214

I put this on the sewing fast track because I saw it on Mimi G's blog and she looked great in it. I do like the pattern, but it needs some modifications for me.

 Notice that the bust darts are way too high and the sleeves too tight.

Normally, I don't like to sew solid fabrics, and I think that is a factor in me not really loving this dress.

I do love the attached tie and the button front (the buttons are dark green leaves to match the embroidery). It's finally spring here and we are at the Conservatory in St.Paul, so beautiful, fresh and warm.

Vogue 7494

Here is a dress made from fabric and a pattern that had been residing in the stash for quite awhile.

Luckily, I have a husband and they come in handy for zipping up dresses (and taking pictures). However the fabric was too thick for an invisible zipper so I could hardly get out either. I went to the store and got a heavy duty zipper, so I will re-install that when I get motivated.

The fabric is a moleskin with a fringe that was already cut...love!

This is one of my favorite makes of the winter, except for the zipper problem.

Simplicity 1284

Not much to tell one this one. I had the fabric for quite awhile and didn't want to cut up the print too much. The pattern has darts in the shoulder and they kind of pouf out. I'll try pressing that area flat.
It also really comes together at the neck so it's hard to show off a necklace. Other than that it's a good pattern.

McCall's 3074

This pattern was very easy to sew and it fits nicely too! All I did was grade out at the hips.

 I saw another great version of this dress online (beautejadore.com), she used the uneven hem and I think it made the dress look more modern, so I had to copy that idea. I love sewing blogs and use them for inspiration and fitting tips.

Fabric from the stash, embroidered moleskin and crushed velvet.

Butterick 6052

 This is a pattern that I've been gazing longingly at for so many years and then when I finally made it, it was such a disappointment, kinda like a bad date.

 How do I begin? The shoulders were way too wide. I had to rip them out and re-cut the shoulders and the sleeve. Look at all the wrinkles by the bustline. Yikes!

 There is a front zipper, but had to rip that out and start over on that too! I like the fabric and the color, but that's about it. I'll probably wear it one more time and donate it.

Vogue 8921

 This is a super easy pattern that everyone should have if you love dresses.

Just changed the back pleats to gathers. I will make this again, but I would sew the version with the waist band feature.

McCall's 6792

 Only two pictures turned out in this batch. This is a double faced knit from Vogue Fabrics. It is hard to see the contrast in the inset. I did  not like the plain back, so I cut out two fronts and it didn't seem to make a difference in the fit. I also cut it as long as a could with the fabric I had.

I added the strap with the buckle, just because it needed a little something extra. I do like this dress, it is easy and comfortable.

Vogue 2713

 Here is a Koos pattern that I've had for a very long time. I had wanted to use some fabric that I had made a failed outfit from. I used some for the back, but for the front I cut it out going the wrong way, argh! The front is mainly fabric from JoAnne's and the back made up of stuff from the stash.

You never know what you are going to get with a Koos pattern, and this one worked out.