Quasi Fails: Finished: Vogue 8805 and WIP: Butterick 6183

Short and sweet...

Why it took me 2+ weeks to finish this dress, I don't know. And when I took these pictures, I wanted to wear it immediately!!

I used a charcoal ponte (FM), teal ponte (FM) and a navy knit from SR Harris. I don't know what to call it. It is lightly textured on the right side and smooth and shiny on the wrong side. 

I lengthened this one a tiny bit compared to the last one:

I like the first one better. Way better. See how not good I am at color blocking on my own!?! Sheesh. I skipped the top stitching on this one too. I just didn't think it made enough impact for the amount of time it takes. Which honestly isn't BAD, but ...

I'll wear it because this dress is so very comfortable, but it isn't love.

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I was so excited to get MORE B6183 tops because it really is an awesome pattern (Carolyn at Diary of a Sewing Fanatic has fallen in love with it too). 

I chose this peachy oxford cotton shirting from FM because of the color.

I wasn't familiar with the properties of oxford. Womp. Womp. 

This fabric would have done much better as a casual button front shirt. It wrinkles when you think about thinking about looking at it. Darn it.

I sewed it as before but decided to add an exposed zipper. But then didn't love the white zipper. But then decided, eh, my hair will mostly cover it.

Then I put it on...(Note: I made the first one in ponte and the second one in cotton poplin.)

The sleeves were UNBELIEVABLY tight! Like, I cut them while the shirt was on my body. SHEESH.

So I made bias tape to turn them into cap sleeves. Really, all I need to do is bind the sleeves and neckline and hem it. I need to just get 'er done.

wrinkled as all heck...

I probably need to cut the sleeves a bit more angled.

Random Thoughts (in photos) and a Wee Bit of Sewing

I love this outfit. I need a slim Obi belt; stat.

I love how Erica B. handled this sleeve. 

I think I will use pleats on the sleeve of the August Burda jacket when I make it rather than gathers...

I find it hilarious that Apple Music labeled this "Ratchet Pop"

I had little ones at my house this weekend who were enamored with the sewing room

I'm totally stealing this detail from her PJ top :)

I got new shoes (again?!?! Yes!). I thought they looked a bit "old" in the box but I wore them yesterday and they were supremely comfortable.

The brand is Soft Style; purchased from DSW.

I decided to track all of my spending for July. This is awful. 

Maybe I should ignore July...

I picked apart the waistband of those slim fit pants from JC Penney.

I should have taken more photos...

I had to take in a lot, as you can see by my chalk line.

I learned something...they used 1/4" clear elastic on the seam between the waistband and facing. I like that idea. They also sewed that seam with a triple straight stitch, also interesting. And both the waistband -and- facing were interfaced. I'm stealing that too.

The pants fit GREAT at the waist! But there is too much length at CF and I am acutely aware of it. Darn it. Better start perfecting a slim-fit pant pattern...

Also, I forgot to reattach the belt loop at center back  :-(

Lastly, I blogged this via email! So cool!

You can set up a unique email address in settings, write an email and POOF, it's a blog post!

I have mine set to post as a draft because who knows what foolishness might appear here otherwise... 

RTW...And Burda Mag (PHOTO HEAVY!)

Here I go with my frequent blogging again :-p

I shop for clothes so rarely and hate the inconsistent sizing found out there. So I tend to only buy from 3 places now:

Target (primarily tops, dresses and jackets)
JCPenney (Worthington is still my favorite RTW pant)
NY & Co (I can ONLY buy knit tops here. But their sales make it worth it when I do)

I had no plans today and a 15% off coupon for JCP and really wanted some cropped pants. I found LOTS of awesome things to try on though!

I've been wanting a maxi skirt and at $11 I liked this one enough to buy it. Even though my rectangle shape is so apparent.

I really, really liked the idea of this skirt but not the print, the length, the zipper...I do need to do a colorblocked skirt though. SOON!

I was NOT pleased with the imbalanced zipper tape! GROSS.

True to form; the size 12 pants were too tight in the thighs but fit PERFECTLY in the waist.

I absolutely loved this top. And yep...the Medium fit in the neck/shoulders but too tight across the bust, hangs up on the butt and too tight at the biceps, as seen below.

I got the large in a different colorway (white background). The sleeve bands are STILL too tight.  :/

My friend said "I'm sure there's a technical reason they're 'too small' but I think they look great." :) Drag line city at those big 'ole protruding thighs of mine. No. No. No.

This top reminded me why I love a peplum. Really helps balance my figure. This one was too tight...they didn't have my size AND the fabric was a weird feeling poly knit. No thanks...I'll make my own. I did like the slim Obi belt though!

These pants are a 14. They are about 2" too large in the waist. I'm getting ready to sit down with my seam ripper now.

WHO AM I?!?!

I am voluntarily doing alterations on RTW! :-) But I know I don't have time right now to fit a new pant pattern and I like these a lot.

I probably should have gotten this dress. I liked it but not enough to pay for $24 for it. :) Life of a sewer.

Lastly, I ran across two items that captured my HEART! I will try to recreate them; soon.

I was thinking of the new Vogue (V1465) when I saw this one but L pointed out that S1070 is a closer match because it has the yokes

Where can I get faux leather bias tape?

I saw this as I was walking out the door and gasped. I LOVE it! I got lots of suggestions on IG for recreating it so hopefully this one will come sooner rather than later!

WHEW!!!!

Yesterday, I got my August Burda in the mail and really loved several of the garments. I rarely review Burda as so many bloggers do an awesome job at it already...

I think this is so different and interesting!

I skipped past this in the preview but I kind of love that it's a chiffon "sweatshirt"! I am going to make this! With jersey for the bands

This bias cut skirt is simple but looks so beautiful on the model.

The construction is baffling to me though. The front has a facing but the back has a waistband.

I love e.v.e.r.y.t.h.i.n.g. about this jacket! The collar, the puffed sleeve, THE POCKETS, all the buttons. It's just beautiful. I will splurge on some wool for this at some point and make it over our long winter.

There were some beautiful plus size patterns too. One day I'm going to work up the nerve to grade down a plus pattern!

A plus sized top with lovely details and shaping! :-O

This little capelet is ridiculously gorgeous to me.

Yes. Okay, this can go into 'shapeless sack' territory but I think it has enough interesting details to be elevated.

Still here?

And then Westmoon (she always has the digs), posted the September preview and I lost it. There are A LOT of fantastic garments in this issue, IMO and so far, these are my faves.

VERY interesting lines in this little jacket/top

Gorgeous. Gorgeous. Gorgeous. 

This is what Saturday's in October in the Midwest were made for. Must have.

Beautiful! And you know I loves me some wraps.

This coat made me SQUEEEEEEEEE!  I will do a length between the two but yeah...

Did you know that if you're in the US, you can get a subscription to the REAL Burda (not that janky US Edition) through GLP News? (nayy) You can also buy individual issues for $10-$13 (I believe), depending on when you catch them in the mailing. 

So that's the end of the epic post of epicness...LOL!

Finished: McCall's 7193

EEEK!

I cut this out Friday night and finished it up this afternoon. At around 4.5 hours, I consider this a pretty quick make!

I didn't feel like making a muslin and decided to use a size 14 neckline and shoulders and a 16 everywhere else (I will give myself more hip room next time). I used a magenta poly crepe from Fabric Mart (still here) which handled fairly well. I used a size 10 needle and slightly contrasting thread.

See? I think more space across the back will stop it from hanging up on my butt. However, this will NOT stop me from wearing this top!

Usually with narrow hems I serge the edge and use that 1/4" line as a guide. I didn't feel like messing around with tension (to prevent stretching things out), so I just stitched a scant 5/8" line and then folded on the line, and then turned the raw edge in to the fold. Not too bad.

I serged the side seams (there were too bulky for French seams), used French binding for the armhole opening (as per the pattern), and slip-stitched the yoke facing (as per the pattern).

Yes. I followed the directions.

If you make this, you should just follow the directions. So yeah, If you're not super experienced...just follow the directions...

LOL!!!

They have you narrow hem the front and a portion of the lower front. Then sew the side seams and apply the French binding (I love this by the way). Then you sew the yoke and yoke facing together at the neckline and armholes. You sew the yoke to the front and back and then slip stitch by hand. 

I was all "I'm not doing all that hand sewing!" but I am SOOOOO glad I did! It really looks great!

The color in the last pic is most true. I cannot wait to wear my new top! I'll likely make the sleeved version at some point and would like to make the other view too but would muslin that. I wouldn't want that front portion to turn into maternity wear.

Now to start on my bright cottons and rayons! :)

Fall Vogues and More

I'll start by saying, my Hancock had them in stock and I only bought one, V9132.

I love this for a fall skirt! I might try to color block, we'll see. The finished length is 19" so I will add a couple inches. The 19" length could work with tights once the weather cools way down.

Other patterns I liked, but not enough to add to the 500+ collection:

V1466; the jacket didn't move me but that skirt! It looks like it would have so much life.

V1465; the pieces are interesting; I just don't think I need them.

V9136; super cute. This one may make it in at some point.

V1460; Beautiful. For the right body type...

V1463: again, gorgeous details but...I'll pass for now.

V1464: SAILOR PANTS! With BUTT PRINCESS SEAMS!!!

V1467; I love this jacket but helloooooo! I know McCall Co could have done something about the blingy buttons.

And then...

1458 is a hard no for me. Too many details to the point of looking ridiculous.

1457 had my interest until I looked closer...

Meh.

9124: WHY?

9128: I don't know about those seams on a full bust...

So yeah, kind of a middle-of-the-road release for me.

I am still needing to hem my V8805 dress (tomorrow?)  But of course I've since started a new project:

I've placed a couple of FM orders recently and for now, this stack of fabric has my attention: 

1&2) Cotton shirting for B6183

3) rayon challis (pattern undertermined)

4&5) Cotton shirting for Burda 7136

That's the plan at least!