S1610 | Floral & Leather Dress

Hellur, Happy Friday!!

I made this dress about 3yrs ago, it's been in draft mode waiting to be published. :-(
I posted this photo, in the FB group showing how I was attaching my faux leather trim..
It was extended, to make ties, but the pleather was stretchy.

M6696 | A Shirtdress that Fits

Hey Sew Family, missed you!

I've always struggled when it comes to finding a great fitting shirt, blouse or even 

shirtdress for that matter. When you're top heavy or a big busted gal, nothing ever fits right 

especially if it buttons up! Off the rack I often deal with the infamous gaping, or have to settle for

 a full blousey, or shapeless fit. This is one reason why I love sewing, "fit and options"!  When I came across this pattern I immediately loved all the options, full or straight skirt, sleeveless, short sleeve and quarter length sleeves. I love a yoke back but most importantly, "no need to do an FBA"  

this baby includes multiple cup sizes!!! What's not to love!

V1027 | Tye-Dye-Ombre' Twirl

This dress is an oldie but goodie!

I made the longer version for my B-Day a few years ago.

I was influenced by Mimi, to make this shorter version. Her style is amazing!

She rocked it and I loved it, so of course I had to copy!

How ya doing......

I'm still here!!!  Just been too swamped to blog. The funny thing is, I have 17 posts in drafts that I never could figure out how to post on a schedule, and those were in June!! O_o    Anyways, I've sewn up quite a few projects since then, but no use in keeping the others in draft waiting so I'll began with this one from McCall's.

             
                                                          McCall's 6503

            I made this one up some time ago, and it's been in heavy rotation every since! I
                 made view A, in a faux denim, size14, with unneeded alterations, lol.
                                       Lemme explain.

Maxi Love

                     This summer I've developed a true love for Maxi's. It's already blazing hot here, so I've added quite a few to my collection.

 While digging thru my stash, I came across Simplicity 3503.  I originally purchased this one because 

It was the best of 2009 of course.

Leanne Marshall and the bombshell...S1876

 A couple of months ago, I got super addicted to the, Craftsy website and I really love their sewing classes!! I'm lovin how interactive they are, how clear the videos are shot, from supplies needed, preparing the pattern, alterations needed, really true step by step for visual learners like myself.  

 Now, I've taken other online classes before, but there's always some type of time factor involved, online chat sessions (which can get boring to read and scroll thru) with a picture here and there etc. and I just can't learn anything without seeing how you do it, seriously lol.

Ever been to a Toga Party?

Me neither, lol  but I've been to a few cocktail parties ya kno!  When I first saw this Grecian inspired dress, by Cynthia Rowley I knew I had to make it. I loved the one shoulder idea, it's so Roman-like.

 

I always kept this photo I saved from asewnwardrobe blogpost for inspiration. 

I love the color combo, even the shoulder strap and that bag!

My First Jalie's

Jalie 2804

This is my first Jalie pattern pattern, and I must say I love it! The instructions are pretty clear, and this top took no time tat all, lol! The only changes, I'll make in the future (cuz I can see me sewing up a slew of these, lol) is, I must do a FBA. Other than that, great top for work!

Pattern Description:

Empire crossover top with 4 sleeve variations. View A has a double-layer lower front with ruching at side seams. View B has a single-layer flat lower front. The sleeveless version has a casing and tie at shoulder seam for adjustable ruching.

Pattern Sizing:

There are 27 sizes.

Did it look like the photo/drawing on the pattern envelope once you were done sewing with it?
Yes

Were the instructions easy to follow?
Yes, very easy

What did you particularly like or dislike about the pattern?
I liked that this didn't take me all day to sew and the fitting is great.

Fabric Used:
I used a ITY knit fabric from Denver fabrics.

Pattern alterations or any design changes you made:
I made none, however in the future I will do a FBA.

Would you sew it again? Would you recommend it to others?
Oh yes, I need more simple easy to make tops for work and I think its easy enough for beginners!

Conclusion:

As mentioned before this was pretty fast and easy to sew, and I like fast and easy. I can see myself making more for work, but of course with an FBA, it will be even better.

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Jalie 2908

This is my second pair of Jalie jeans, but my first time reviewing. I, like many others on PR, love my Jalie jeans! The fit is fantastic, I can hardly believe I made myself some jeans, lol. I thought I'd be different and embroider some sculls on my arse, lol.
Okay, well I thought they were special anyways, sooo....I got the sculls from urbanthreads.com I juz love how fun their designs are. I really would like to slim the pant leg, and make these just straight leg eventually. The fit is so good, it gives me a butt!

Pattern Description:
Women's flattering stretch jeans with slim fit through the hips and thigh and a flared leg, back and side front pockets, zip fly with button closure.
View A has a low rise (2-3 inches below the navel) and View B has a regular rise (at the navel).

Pattern Sizing:
There are 27 sizes!

Did it look like the photo/drawing on the pattern envelope once you were done sewing with it?
Yes

Were the instructions easy to follow?
Yes

What did you particularly like or dislike about the pattern?
I liked how easy these were to sew, I always thought jeans were too difficult to make.
So I really appreciated the gaposis fix tutorial, that Amy made, so no dislikes for me.

Fabric Used:
Stretch denim, purchased @ High Fashion Fabrics.

Pattern alterations or any design changes you made:
None really, I just used the gaposis tutorial, so that was the only alteration

Would you sew it again? Would you recommend it to others?
Yes, I already made another pair, and I think others should give it a shot.

Conclusion:

I really love jeans anyway, so to make my own, was a blast. The fit was great enough that I had to duplicate and make another pair! Now, I know why so many joined the great jeans sew-along.

My first Jalies, top and Jeans!
Seeya!

MOT #1, and more!

My first entry in the," Month of Tops." is NewLook 6952.

This is my 2nd attempt @ a FBA, so i think I'm getting better. I love button down type shirts so I plan to make a few more for work.

McCalls 5972, and my first FBA

First off, when I saw this I thought it was adorable! I love the ruffles and of course a sheath dress is a classic. But seriously, ...I have fitting issues, ... and this is a fitted dress! I really wanted this dress for a holiday party, but I have never done a bust adjustment, ...which is really needed. Well, I purchased this pattern when it was on sale, and traced the front and back bodice pieces to practice on. I also found my only and favorite book on fitting, Fit for Real People, by Palmer Pletsch.
I followed the instructions and they were really good, but I know I need more work on this. I made several muslins for 5972, and my dart placement is still questionable, lol.

It's not complete, I still need to finish the arm holes and hemming. I'll consider this a wearable muslin, lol. Eeeew, I could just scream, the chiffon, the chiffon well it wasn't very hard to work with as I thought. A little starch and she was easy to cut and sew, however, once again I did this......

Yep, I burned a hole, right in the front..............uh, huh, yes i did. I've lost several cool points for that, lol. And, and... my darts are too, I dont know..lol.

 Basically, I'm unsure on HOW to correctly place them after the adjustment. The fit is okay, but them darts are pointing to high upwards, or something, lol.

I love the dress, the instructions overall were very easy to follow. So I will muster up the courage to try this again, the party isnt until November so I do have a lil time.

I just need to go to FBA school, before I conquer another fitted bodice that's not a knit!

Seeya!

Hold up! I've got a parting shot for ya, see if you can figure out what happened here, lol....

Yes, it is what you think, like I said .....muslin!

Butterick 4985 completed!

I finally completed this blouse Monday, and it was pretty easy to follow. I'm just focusing now on better finishes. As I mentioned before, I'm getting more acquainted with my serger so that my projects can look less homemade, ya know. Since I'll be the only one, (and my daughter) wearing my experiments, were not going to worry about my white thread I used on the inside. lol I'm still learning! Plus, my nearest Hancock doesn't have a big selection on serger cone colors, and I'm sticking with that excuse for now

.
The inside looking better.

Me likey!

I know some reviewers on PR, didnt care for the puffy sleeves, but that's what attracted me to this pattern, it's that detail that makes it different from all my other similar shirt patterns. I'm still learning many basic techniques, so I'm not comfortable yet with altering patterns, but the bust area is a lil snug, thank goodness it's stretch poplin. A bust adjustment lesson is on my to-do list. I think the next time I make this, I'd want it a lil longer too.

Butterick 4985

I know this pattern has been done many times on PR, (B4985) but I still like it! I'm currently working on view "A" with collar. This is such a cute shirt, and I soo love collars,........but I am not good at all with sewing on collars, lol. I would really hate to mess up such a cute shirt, but I know I must conquer my fear of this! I purchased this really cute stretch pink poplin from Hancock, and I only purchased enough for this view, no extra. YIKES!!!! I've already cut out and fused the pieces, so when I get home tonight, it's on. I know in the future I need to learn how to alter patterns, which I've never done, and after closely looking at this shirt, and already cutting it out, I wish I knew how to make it longer, (bummer) I like long shirts, I'm like 5'9. Oh, and the FBA, I really need a hands on, or visual on doing that, my bodices never really fits great at all, they're okay but not great fitting, ya know? Well, I'll update soon.

Before I go, my next project I'm attempting...

This is Simplicity #2694, I'm working on this dress too! Similar to the view on the top left. I'm working with a slinky tricky fabric for the first time and it is a booger! lol

Later....