Tuesday, January 31, 2012

New Look 6097

I saw this pattern and had to make it. I love the wrap top and the pockets and the skirt...great dress!



Well, it was a bit frustrating trying to pick out a size. I measure for an 18, but 18's never fit me. So, usually I make a 14 or 16 and then cut a smaller shoulder/neck area since I am short waisted. I don't sew too many New Look patterns so I'm not sure if this is standard or not, but it had seperate pieces for about 3 sizes. So cutting out a 16 through the bust but 14 in the shoulders would have been tricky. I think the 16 top pieces had the 12, 16 and 20 on it. I usually grade the shoulders to the smaller size.

I was really torn on the 14 or 16 for this. The bust finished measurement is only 1 inch ease if I remember correctly, so the 16 measured 39 inches. But the waist measurement had, I think, around 5 or 6 inches of ease built in. Then I realized the waist had an elastic casing in it to snug it up. Now to me, the dress looks all across rather form fitting. I don't get how the elastic waist with that much ease would look. Long story short, I decided to cut the 16, even though when I put the Vogue 8379 bodice piece that fits me great(which is similar) on top of the 14 and 16, it matched the 14 pretty well. Doh!!!

So, I'm wishing I would have cut out the 14. The bodice is droopy and has gapiosis, but if that was gone there would be excellent coverage. Now, I'm not sure, but this could be a technique issue. They have you fold a neckline facing piece, stitch it on then understitch. It seems mine got stretched out in the understitching even though I had the tension and everything correct. It got kind of wavy. I thought I had pulled enough "extra" through on the bottom of the bodice when I basted it but it still gapes. I don't feel like I'm going to expose myself though and with a cami on under it, it looks ok. Next time, I will skip the facing and just fold over and use clear elastic.

Next time, despite the finished measurements, I will cut out a 14, or if I cut a 16, I will take up the shoulders a good inch! There is a lot of extra room in the bust, even on me!

The pockets are another issue though. They have you stitch them then topstitch them...wavy!!! I though about sticking some clear elastic in between before the initial stitching and wish I had.

And the waistband, they have you create a casing when you sew the skirt to the bodice. Then, to secure it they have you tack it at the sides. I went ahead and created a casing by folding up the seam allowance instead. There is a seam line visible but I didn't want the casing flipping around on me.

All in all, this is a nice dress. This one is wearable but if I make it again I will tweak a few things. I think the lines of the dress are slightly different than what is represented on the drawing and picture. The picture seems very form fitted but I think if sewn up according to the pattern it would be less fitted.

I skipped the belt too.





Sunday, January 29, 2012

Playing Catch Up

I've been too busy to blog lately and I was reminded by someone that I hadn't updated my blog in awhile...lol! So here is a quick pictorial update of what I have been sewing.

I have been participating in the Fabric Stash contest but really just don't have time to document everything with reviews. But, at least I am sewing stash fabric.

First up...Dress up clothes.






Midi Length bias cut skirt..McCalls 6438. I modified it to cut on the fold and bias. I'm not sure if it was the changes I made or the pattern but the waistband didn't match up right. It's just kind of an ok pattern. I cut View C.


It's an ok skirt. The fabric was cheapy stuff off the red tag tables at Joann's but it's really soft. Not my most stellar work.


Butterick 5243:



I've had this pattern for years. I think it was one of the first patterns I bought. The fabric was a Fabricmart mystery bundle cut. I don't know why I haven't made it. I'm glad I did now. I made a straight size 14 and it fit well, except if I make it again I will add an inch to the bodice. It isn't a hard pattern but the collar adds some time to it as does all the gathering for the sleeves. I think I might make this again for summer with the short sleeves. I really like the lines of the pattern.





Next Vogue 8581



Once again, another stash fabric and pattern I have had forever. I have been tormenting myself with gathering!!! Both the neckline and sleeves are gathered on this. I made a second one which I don't have a picture of with casings and elastic on both instead of gathering. It is a slightly different look but went together so much faster. I will be making this for summer too in the short sleeved version. I really like it. My favorite thing is the high armcyes! It's a peasant top but it doesn't look like I'm swimming in it.



Elepant Skirt...I think it's Butterick 5466




I think I have a couple more things to post but need to take pictures. The sewing room is going to get broken down and minimized to put the house up for sale. So the sewing will be less...

Wednesday, January 11, 2012

Dress Up Clothes

Ok, well I'm going to give these a try. Some of this fabric is going to be hideous to work with but it doesn't have to be gorgeous.

I picked up a pattern for 99 cents at Hobby Lobby, McCalls 5732. Despiste the horrible pictures, it has a couple cute dresses.





Here are the lovely fabrics.

From L - R: Poly charmeuse, open weave crochet in pastels and glitter, purple poly charmeuse, lavender acetate lining, turquoise poly something, some poly chiffon stuff.



Green poly stretch velvet...ooooh



I think I'm going to start with the green stuff and View B on the pattern. Kind of going for the medieval princess thing...then if that works I'll go on to some of the other fabrics.

Wish me luck!

Thursday, January 5, 2012

Fabric Stash Contest

2012 Fabric Stash Contest

Well, I entered! I'm not sure how much I will sew up but I will try. I'm out of town one weekend and another weekend is my son's first gymnastic meet. I think I will be saving all my hand sewing for that weekend.

I do have two pairs of PJ pants for him completed.




Up next is a bias cut plaid flannel skirt I've had cut out for awhile. Then I think is a pencil skirt out of this fun fabric I've had for quite awhile.

I was doing a Fabric Fast as well and doing pretty well...for me at least. I bought one piece of fabric, some special Milly Peacock fabric from Gorgeous Fabrics that I could not pass up! I bought some back in November from FabricMart and while I had been able to control myself in December, I fell off the wagon today! FabricMart had a some nice things on sale, then threw in a 10% off coupon on Facebook, then there was the free mystery bundle for a $75 purchase...damn, well I caved!

Oh well!

I was going through my stash and pulling out fabrics I would never make anything wearable out of for me. I started thinking about fun play/dress up clothes for kids. My good friend's daughter loves dress up so I think I'm going to make some things for her out of it. Maybe some fun twirly skirts, a cape, and maybe a dress.