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.

Simplicity 8601 and Simplicity 1662

 The pictures are bad, but it is below zero with the wind chill. I had a hard time choosing the patterns to go with the fabric, but in the end it worked out to my liking.

 Sewing the back of Simplicity 8601 was annoying. I think because it was cut on the bias. I had to take a tuck in the facing and then when I put it on this happened. The problem was solved by using a decorative pin. I like the pattern, but if I make it in the future I would make the neck large to just slip on or use a zipper instead.

I went online first to see how the patterns sewed up. I was surprised to see how many had sewn the top, it's funny how some patterns just catch on and others don't.

The skirt was pretty straight forward. The fabric was from a long time ago. I've had the hankering to go to SR Harris, but I need to just shop the stash instead!

Vogue 9065

 I wasn't in the mood to sew any of the patterns I had cut out, and this one won because I had this color thread in the machine. I didn't have enough fabric for the bottom lapel-inside lining piece, so
I cut a full lining and cut the lapel piece and sewed the two together and just treated it as one
piece. It actually was a better solution because then you don't have a thick fabric acting as lining.

I had a whole stash of burgundy buttons that would have worked, but decided not to use any of them because I thought I'd probably always wear a necklace with this vest.

In this picture the underarms look too big, but this doesn't bother me and in normal life it looks good. The skirt is velvet, cut in half with a casing at the top. I almost gave this fabric away and glad I didn't.

When I was looking for a shirt or blouse for this outfit, I was shocked that in my collection I couldn't find anything...then I looked in one more place and voila!

Simple Sew, The Lily Dress and Other Failures

 Look at how cute this turned out. I had saved this corduroy for the perfect pattern and I thought this was it. The Lily Dress pattern is not the perfect pattern. I fits where it shouldn't fit (arms) and is way too tight in the upper bust, normally I call this area my hollow chest because this area is devoid of any extra fat. The opening wants to just gap open. At first I was considering leaving it that way and using ties as closures...I may have to let things marinate before I do anything. Another warning about this pattern: it is extremely short waisted. I added one and a half inches and it is still too short. Bummer!

This is my other failure. I made this out of a stretch velvet and the dress on just hung there and looked terrible. I just gave it away, didn't even want a picture of it. I'm going to keep the pattern a fabric with more body might work as long as you could also gather it up. Normally after a failure (or a few failures) I need to sew something quick and easy and something that looks good on everyone online. What do you do to get over a bad sewing project?

Simplicity 5097

I actually used a pattern again! Sometimes you see the fabric and you instantly know what pattern it belongs to. This time I used seam binding on the neck and sleeves and had enough fabric to make it longer.

Comfortable and easy.

This was the summer version.

Burda 6476 and Simplicity 8459

 I did make this outfit to go together, but looking at the pictures, this cuts me in half and does not look flattering. I will probably wear each piece with solid black. If you make the skirt, note that I added three inches to the long skirt, Yikes!

For some reason I thought the top was for woven fabrics, luckily the pattern was big enough for adding a back seam and a zipper. I also cut off length on the sleeves and the neck.

Might make the top again, but probably not the skirt.

McCall's 7812

 Not the greatest pictures, but it was really cold outside, so we only took four photos. I'm on a velveteen kick and many of the dresses I have cut out feature gathers and velvet.

 Do you get dressed-up everyday, even if you are staying home? Everybody at work tells me I'm weird, because that's what I do. When I had the chance to act as a stylist at my last job, I always loved it. I never liked doing hair though, you think they would go hand-in-hand.  I also love interior design but don't really care for landscape planning.

I feel comfortable in this dress, I would have liked the top tighter (including the sleeves), but that's hard to do for my body shape because you have to grade out so much for the hips and biceps.

This is very similar to a BurdaStyle pattern I had traced out and used, however that dress was too tight. Normally, I donate or re-use the fabric, but this one I kept, maybe waiting for when I loose weight, ha, ha!

Simplicity 8048

Do you ever think that sewists are too hard on themselves when it comes to constructing their own garments sometimes? I was thinking this didn't fit in the bust, and neckline as well as I would have liked, but then how many store-purchased garments fit better? I had to wear a sweater anyway...

I'm sure may of you have this fabric from JoAnn. It's easy to sew and pretty too.

I made the dress longer (as usual) and eliminated the seam from the front and made do without a zipper. I think I must be a slow sewer because it still took about seven hours to sew, even though it was very easy.

McCall's 6126

Both of the skirts shown are from the same pattern, just different views. This skirt is from a remnant. I had to make the back from the same fabric as the ruffle, because of the fabric shortage.

I was lucky enough to have a shirt that coordinated. Some might say that it's all too much, but it's my style!

 I made a huge mistake on this skirt. I sewed the lacy fabric to the wrong side and after I noticed it, it was too late to undo everything. When I tried it on, it was way too short and funky (in a bad way). Luckily I had some extra lace fabric so I cut a straight panel and sewed that to the bottom. Problem solved. Whew! That would have been an expensive mistake.

The bomber jacket came from Lane Bryant, it is made from the same fabrication. See that white stuff in the background? Yes, that is snow. We went from summer to winter, hence the hiatus from blogging.

Vogue 9311

This pattern looks so different on everyone. I used a cotton from the SR Harris sale table because it took about five yards of fabric. Luckily, the dress only was about $15.00 because I thought the flowers would be fine in the front, but it does look weird.

The weather here has been positively summer-like and I've been swimming in the lakes almost everyday this week, happy!

I made the top tighter and added a side zipper, because I hate ties in the back. I also added some gathers to the side of the skirt, because I usually need it there.

I'll probably wear this next summer a few times then donate it. Do love the pink and green together.