Friday, October 31, 2014

Back To Our Regular Programming!

:)

I have read every comment and wholeheartedly agree with you all. I love sewing and as a whole, I love the sewing community!!!! Let's get back at it!

FINISHED ITEMS!!

So, I've already written my October wrap-up and was going to post it today, but I have new stuff to show - woohoo!

When I got back in town from my work trip, I knew I needed to get started on my daughter's dress for her Sugar Skull/Dia de los Muertos costume. I couldn't make myself start it. Finally on Sunday evening I decided I had to sew something simple to jumpstart the mojo.

I had been meaning to do another version of my RTW copy top that I made for the FM contest and with 2 pieces and a banded hem, I decided that would work perfectly. I had this AMAZING rayon jersey from Fabric Mart and it was washed and ready to go. I assembled it on the serger and went to do a narrow hem on the neckline (the same as I finished the first one) and all hell broke loose. Suffice it to say that after removing stitches for the fourth time, I had all but given up, "But the fabric feels soooooo nice" I thought to myself, so I decided to bind the neckline. THEN, my sewing machine was happy sewing on it. WHEW. The inside isn't perfect and with all the ripping out I'm sure I stretched the neckline out a bit. I will have to add bra strap carriers - but that's okay. Because of the nightmare, I said, forget that noise, and banded the sleeves too. I *LOVE* it.


The fabric is very silky and luxurious feeling. WINNING.

So then I started her dress. This dress had the right shape and I thought it was SO cute. Why did I not say to myself, "Self, this has too many pattern pieces"


At least I was smart enough to leave off the pockets! This dress has 10 pattern pieces (x2) and pleats. It was Thursday evening and I was struggling to just get it finished. So it wasn't fitted much at all and some finishes leave much to be desired.  

I cut a straight size 12 and ended up doing 7/8" side seams. I used an invisible zipper instead of lapped. I chopped off like 4" from the length and did a top-stitched hem.

It's a little big in the upper body but she loved it. And I think it'll come in handy for her!



The dropped waist and pleats are fantastic! 

She wanted a peter pan collar but I just didn't have time to do so. I ended up bias binding the neckline.

I was off work today and I'm coming down with a cold so I was intent on relaxing today. I chilled for most of the morning and then decided I need to get sewing! :) I got myself too afraid ton start up on V1387 so I decided on 'easy knit project' -- again. Lazy.

Butterick 5789, view D. I sewed a size medium using my brand spanking new sweater knit from FabricMart.




There were instructions for finishing the collar such that you didn't see the stitching but I wasn't bothered by serger stitches so I just -zip- serged it in place. I did have to hem that entire, freaking, thing as a narrow hem. I cannot promise you that it's 5/8" and I cannot promise you that it's completely even...but it's done! :)


I don't like it buttoned though :-( It looks weird on me when it's closed. 

And I'm thinking the waterfall style just isn't for me. Maybe because I'm busty? I don't know, I realize I don't love my Vogue cardi with the waterfall and don't love this one either. 

There was no print matching attempts. Well, there was but I couldn't make it happen with the sizes of the pattern pieces and 2 yards of fabric. It doesn't bother me though. 

My pants are v.2.0 of Vogue 1411! :-D  I have a whole lot of this Maggie London ponte in black. I was smart this time and stocked up on it. It's such a good weight for so many things!


The stitching still looks super cool on all black!