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.

McCall's 8721

As you can see these pictures were taken this fall. This jumper was fun to make. I used the pattern in my normal size and it fits nicely.

 It's made from faux leather and moleskin.

Butterick 6519

 I tried taking pictures inside to no avail, that's why I'm wearing sandals in winter. I saw this pattern on Etsy and had to have it even though it is for maternity wear. From the front it looks good, but from the side it kind of poufs out.

 Guess what? I'm wearing shoulder pads, but the dress fits so much better with them. I made the placket longer so I wouldn't have to insert it into the front contrast panel. It still was a bear because the stretch denim was so thick. Also, decided to use a pin instead of buttons, since I have some cute pins that I never seem to wear.

There is a zipper in the side seam, but I forgot and it's not a problem getting into it. The fabric is light purple on on side and dark on the other. It has been aging for quite some time now.

Butterick 6425

Sorry about the bad pictures, but it has been so cold that I don't even want to step foot outside the door. Another new pattern. You could easily modify a pattern by cutting the cap of the sleeve off, but then how would we have the fun of buying new patterns?

I also added a back facing, the instructions said to use bias tape and make a slit in the back, no reason to do this on this view. The fabric is a double knit from Vogue Fabrics.

Butterick 6409

Finally a current pattern. This is Butterick 6409. Super easy to sew, but warning, I added at least two inches to the length and it's still too short (I'm 5'8"). The facing goes to the front so I would recommend doing a row of stitching as a guide then folding the facing under then top stitch.

The pattern is new but the fabric is old, a lightweight corduroy from Mill End Textiles when they were still in business.

I love shoes and boots, but would always prefer to go barefoot, but when that's not possible, I recommend these faux suede over the knee boots, no need for tights!

Simplicity 2054

 Dig the groovy pose, ha ha. Another easy to make dress. This fit true to my normal size. The fabric is a heavy double knit from JoAnne's. I used just the single layer of material for the scarf because the fabric is metallic on the other side and because it is so thick.

 I also did not split the sleeve at the elbow, don't need to cool down that area of my body.

Yes, we have put away the tree!

Simplicity 7639

 We are up and running with a new computer, hence the backlog of blogging. This was one of my original vintage patterns from 1997 and I finally used it in 2017, that's only twenty years! I'm sure many (older) sewing bloggers can relate.

I've been trying to use simpler patterns lately, just because of all the bad sewing karma last summer. This was very simple, I just added a zipper in the side because I did not want a tie in the back to take out the fullness.The fabric is from the stash, an embroidered moleskin from JoAnne's.

Vintage Vogue 8294

I hope everyone had a Merry Christmas and is working on a good New Year!

I made a few new year's resolutions, one to do with sewing. If it does not fit, or if I don't like it, I will either donate it or cut it up for another project, and I will do it in a timely fashion. I'm also going to donate two things a day (too much stuff, and I always want new stuff).

This is another vintage pattern, Vogue 8294. I had been putting off sewing vintage patterns because of the fit. I got over that by using similar patterns that fit as a guide, and it seems to be working. This has the zipper in the front, set in with the centered method. I really wanted an exposed zipper, but did not have an appropriate zipper on hand, and also have not really mastered that technique, probably should do a practice run...

 

The fabric is from the stash, velvet on top and embroidered moleskin on the bottom. I don't know why more people don't wear dresses, it's like wearing a robe all day!