Err. This is an epic post of epicness...Don't say I didn't I warn you.
This month I sewed 10 1/4 yards:
- Style Arc Cara top in floral cotton (lawn?): 1 yard
- Burda 05/2016 #113 dress-as-nightshirt in floral knit and striped/patterned knit: 3 yards total
- Burda 6/2016 #105 dress in animal print cotton stretch twill: 2.5 yards (pattern calls for 2 or 2 1/8; I'm not sure about that. Could just be me and how I cut?? I used all 2.5 yards)
- Style Arc Cara top in white cotton eyelet: 1.5 yards (narrower fabric and wanted to use the scalloped edge)
- Vogue 9056 top in black/white striped ponte - 1 yard (WIP)
- M6886 dress in pale blue textured knit - 1 1/4 (WIP)
Favorite: I am head over heels with my Burda birthday dress! It's one of my favorite makes ever.
FAIL: An overall good month! If I had to list a fail, it would be procrastinating on the Burda. I knew it wouldn't be difficult, just a little time consuming, so I didn't push myself to get started, and I almost missed my deadline not ordering notions in time.
Accomplishment: I sewed all the things in my "planning" list from my May! Woohoo!
Mid Year Goals Check
At the start of the year, I had some goals:
Patterns:
Goal was to use more of the Style Arc patterns I've purchased and to use ANY of the Jalie patterns.
No and almost yes (ha!). I've sewn some SA patterns but they've been new patterns that I had to have and then sewed up right away. I have a decent stash of SA patterns and need to use them. I have sewn my first Jalie (Scarf collar top) and LOVE it!
Here is the muslin:
New Mid Year Goal: The illustrious Carolyn at Diary of a Sewing Fanatic has challenged me! She knows I lament on my pattern collection and then I buy more patterns. And then I have dozens of patterns strewn about all over...Sigh. So she has challenged me to No New Patterns! til the end of the year. No envelope patterns, no PDF patterns, no FREE PDF patterns. No. New. Patterns. The exception is Burda because obvs, I subscribe.
I accept the challenge!
Here is the muslin:
I remember buying this fabric thinking DD would love it; but she did not. So it's been awaiting it's turn to become something. I think I actually like it for this top! I wasn't paying attention and cut the back with the faces right side up but the front they're upside down. Plus I didn't want to waste fabric for the ties in case this didn't work out so I ended them where the fabric ended for the other pattern pieces. So this particular version won't be finished.
I've made a 5/8" swayback adjustment, small 1/4" armhole dart + cheater FBA. DO NOT be surprised if my next post has like 4 of these. Seriously. I'm in love with the fit through the shoulders and upper back and the length is perfect. I'm off work until Tuesday so sewing WILL happen :) just not today or tomorrow. One more trip to the college with my daughter until move-in day!
My other WIPs:
M6866 in this lovely blue-grey textured knit that is too thin for a dress. I'm going to copy a cami and lengthen it to a slip (from tricot). I love the fit too much to give it up or chop it to a top!
V9056 in black/white ponte.
I was sad-mad when I realized this view has no seam allowance at the neckline or armholes. It's to be left raw. No. No. NO! I made a binding that works. I was debating if I should hem it but I don't mind it un-hemmed...but those other raw edges would not work for me. Photos to come soon.
New Mid Year Goal: The illustrious Carolyn at Diary of a Sewing Fanatic has challenged me! She knows I lament on my pattern collection and then I buy more patterns. And then I have dozens of patterns strewn about all over...Sigh. So she has challenged me to No New Patterns! til the end of the year. No envelope patterns, no PDF patterns, no FREE PDF patterns. No. New. Patterns. The exception is Burda because obvs, I subscribe.
I accept the challenge!
Fabric:
I was starting to feel overwhelmed by the stash. I don't know how many yards I've added but I've only placed 6 (!!) Fabric Mart orders this year and 2 Fashion Fabrics Club orders. I visited the new SR Harris and bought 3 yards of denim and I purchased a couple of cuts from Hancock before the closure. In contrast, in 2015 I placed 15 Fabric Mart orders in the first half of the year--Plus who only knows how many visits to Hancock and SR Harris (a lot).
We'll call that progress!
Budget:
I never set a specific number but I know that I've spent less on sewing this year than any other. A large part of that is due to moving, my daughter's graduation and party, etc.
Skills:
I listed 6 skills in my 2016 post:
1) Floaty fabrics: Nope. All the nopes. I have yet to fully attempt to tame the floaty fabric beast.
2) Sew a blazer: Not yet. I want to, I really do. It'll probably be a Burda. And probably in August!
3) Sew at least 6 (for the year) Burda patterns: Done! This year, IMO, has been phenomenal for Burda. I've sewn something from each issue so far this year. And I'm planning to go the distance. Sewing at least one thing, for myself, from each issue of the magazine.
4) Sew a prom dress: DID THAT! It was challenging and I had to get creative at times and stretch myself. It was a fantastic experience.
5) Sew pajamas: I sewed 2 nightgowns! :) I still need pj shorts and pants. So this is still a goal.
6) Sew a summer wardrobe: Quasi completed. I made some dresses and tops. I think I don't really know what I want in a summer wardrobe! And one may think; well it's only July...but usually by August I'm moving on to fall sewing. Because September is hit or miss. And by October it can be winter. LOL! Ok, not winter, winter, but cold enough for tights and boots and coats...like how we have 55 degree mornings and it's the end of June!
I think I'm off to a good start for the first half of 2016!
I think I'm off to a good start for the first half of 2016!
On a personal note; with my birthday being in early July, it's always a reflective time. Halfway through another year...another year older. It always makes me take a step back and examine where I am in my life. So, I'll be turning 37 in a few days. I'll be getting divorced in a few months. I'll be sending my first kid off to college in 7 weeks. I moved this year and L-O-V-E my new house. June made a year at my job. I'm in a good place. I like it!
Okay fine...I just sneaked that in there. :-p It's been an uphill battle for awhile (as in >50% of the marriage) with blended family issues. Add in some other stuff and the best decision for everyone is to go our separate ways.
So...
Okay fine...I just sneaked that in there. :-p It's been an uphill battle for awhile (as in >50% of the marriage) with blended family issues. Add in some other stuff and the best decision for everyone is to go our separate ways.
July Plans
Guess what I have NOT done?
Worked on DDs quilt since like February. I'm a horrible mom. I don't know if it'll be completed before school starts. Maybe she won't notice. Maybe I can send it for her birthday - which is like 2.5 weeks after school starts.
Oy.
So...
-Quilt top
-Burda Challenge for July
-Burda Challenge for July
-Dress for a bridal shower
-Fabric Mart post (I need new skirts so perhaps I'll try to go in that direction)
I was just combing through my patterns for a skirt pattern for a cut of white rayon twill and found this for $10.
I was just combing through my patterns for a skirt pattern for a cut of white rayon twill and found this for $10.
It looks REALLY cute on me! I'll model it with my new Jalie tops :)
And I found this one but not in my size. I found it online and debated ordering it (I hate their $8.95 shipping and feel like cardholders should get a better deal). Well today they were having a free shipping special on all orders. Score! So for $25, I got this one too:
We'll have to wait for it to come to tell if it's love. The white skirt is a 14 and in-store they had this one in a 10. Hahaha! I put it "on my body" and decided it could be cute if it were, you know, my size.
