Wedding Guest Dress: A Planning Post

Thanks for all the kind comments on my last post! I replied to most but not all.

And the navy and white skirt has found a new home - yay!!!

This past weekend I traveled to Chicago (my hometown) to attend a bridal shower for one of my cousins. I have 26 first cousins (only 1 is under 18) and 6 adult second cousins on my dad's side. It was fantastic to see (almost!) all of them - I love being part of a big family!

I love Dunkin Donuts coffee...mmmmmm....We don't have DD in the Twin Cities. Darn Minnesotans and their love for bagels.

I visited the brow threaders. Also not too big here yet. A place will pop up here and there on my side of town but they're never any good.

I seriously drove from home to the threading shop. I didn't see anyone. I didn't go to anyone's house. I took 94 straight to get my brows done! Hahaha!

And I wore my striped Burda dress to the shower. I love this dress so much! <3

Now it's time to decide on a dress for the actual wedding!

I had a dress in mind but now that I look back at it, the neckline is way too high.  I know what you may be thinking, "you can change/lower/scoop it".

Meh. My pattern hacking skills involve...oh wait. Nothing. The intricacies of pattern design isn't interesting to me. Sorry. I don't want to learn to draft or drape or any of that. Okay changing a neckline isn't rocket science but still; that aspect of sewing does not excite me in the least. And I have an extensive pattern collection so I knew there would be something that I'd want to make. I think with most anything, fabric choice will make or break the formality of it.

The wedding is in mid-August and while it is inside; it's still likely to be hot and humid as we go through the day. And I decided this weekend that I'd like the skirt to be swishy. Browsing the collection (and Burda!), here are some that interest me:

Option 1: Burda 11/2015. Sweet and simple. Straps are wide enough for a bra, it's simple but in a good way. This is one that definitely can go from 'casual backyard bbq' kind of dress to something more formal depending on fabric.

Option 2: Burda 3/2014. Just gorgeous. The shaping on this one is so pretty. BUT it has sleeves and I'm not sure how removable they are, based on the upper body structure.

Swoon. The other view of this one in the mag is done in a brocade, which is gorgeous. But this one looks like it would move beautifully.

Option 3: Burda 11/2014. I love the neckline and the flippy skirt.

Option 4: From the same issue. I have wanted to make this dress since the first time I saw it! THE CAPELET! Swoooon! But will the capelet be a liability in the August heat?

I was a bridesmaid in an August wedding and we had to wear wraps with our strapless dress inside the church. They were made from the same poly satin as the dress and I swear I was up there melting.

Option 5: Burda 3/2016. I love the seaming, the neckline, the pleats...I just love this dress!

Option 6: Vogue 1447. Like the dress above, this one just captured me. But I have concerns: finding complimentary fabrics (I would definitely like to mimic the cover photo; but not in black) -and- fit. I feel far more confident with the Burda patterns.

Option 7: In-House patterns Sophie dress. I really love this dress and again, it can go day dress to formal dress depending on fabric. And I love the front/back double-v.

In case you're wondering why March and November Burda...March is the wedding issue so there's always formal dresses included. November typically has holiday/party dresses.

So lots to think about and consider. I'm not sure I have anything in the stash that I'd *prefer* to use. And I think I'd love a small scale print over a solid. This may call for a trip to SR Harris! And who knows, maybe I'll fall in love with a fabric and that'll determine which pattern 'wins'?!?

I haven't touched my machines in almost 2 weeks :-O I need to get my Fabric Mart project done (ahem, by Thursday!). And then I'll have just about 3 weeks to get fabric and pattern matched and get this W.G.D (wedding guest dress) SEWN! :)

A Trip to Wadderville

In House Belle blouse

Yesterday I cut the final item in my mini-wardrobe, the black V9032 pants. And I bought a (much needed!) white V-neck tee from Target which will also sub in photos for the below fail.

I don't have any plain white tees or any plain white shirts for that matter, and the white rayon challis Belle Bow blouse was supposed to remedy that. Only it did not work out. Not at all.

Like, I have put it on my body approximately 19 times, made a face and then took it off. So we all know that if it remains in the closet it will never get worn. Sigh. It has such a pretty, almost vintage feel to it :( And I used nice buttons!!!!

I love my first Belle blouse. Love.Love.Love. So, I blame this fabric. I think I like rayon challis a whole lot; in very simple garments (like, front, back, hem, done).

I washed and dried it before use but it seems to grow and grow and grow. And it wrinkles if you consider looking at it.

Ah well.

Vogue 8904

The Christmas dress did not work out either.

Not only did it turn to a giant blob of pepto-pink, it was so short and tight that I can't even SHOW the back!!!

I was careful with all my marking 

ooh! Shingles!!!

Err? 

I cut a size 16 based on BMV experience as there are NO finished measurements anywhere (c'mon Vogue). Once I had the front fully assembled, I was doubtful of it fitting and sewed it with 3/8" seam allowances - still too tight! 

I wonder if, with the shingles cut all sorts of ways; you're not really using the stretch of the fabric. Would this be better in a 4-way (2-way? however it works) knit? Do I just size up to an 18??

It's also short. short. short. And yes, I know I should have measured the length. Bad, bad sewer. I tried adding a band to the bottom; did a crappy job on that, ripped it out (put it on my head as a headband) and continued to marvel how this dress went so wrong when it looks so great on everyone else. Maybe I'll try again this spring :)

But alas, there is hope!!!!! To be fair, both of these wadders occurred in 2014.

Remember this muslin?

I could not stop thinking about this top so I pulled it back out and decided what needed to change to have it be wearable.

1) fabric with more drape

2) more bust room

3) wait, more room everywhere

I used an inky navy blue ITY, still used size 16, but sewed 3/8" seam allowances at the front raglans, 1/2" at the back and 3/8" side seams from sleeve to hem.

After trying it on it was a bit too baggy at the armpit so I took it in to 5/8" from about 2" on either side of that seam.

I liked it SO much that I got up early Tuesday morning to hem it and wore it to work that day!

The color makes it a bit tough to get photos...

I will definitely be sewing this one AGAIN. I just have to be mindful of the fabric choice as it'll affect the way the collar sits.

**I could get zero contrast so I had DD take the pics. I told her I needed "pictures of the shirt" and she cut off my head.  Sigh. :)

Vogue 8597 (OOP):

One thing you don't see is that this pattern has 2 piece sleeves. I keep finding myself confused about 2 piece sleeves and then having some sort of epiphany. I suppose this 2-piece sleeve eliminates the need for a dart on the raglan? Did I get it right?!? :)

It has nice deep hem allowances (1 1/4") and a decent length in the body and sleeves. So if you're tall, measure first! I have somewhat long arms for my frame and took a 1.5" sleeve hem and still have considerable length.

The cowl is not low at all and in the right fabric seems to sit rather nicely. 

I want to make view C (with attached cowl) in the longer tunic length, with those crazy long sleeves. Mmmmmm in a soft jersey I bet that will be heaven!

FINISHED: IH Kimono Tee & My Jelly Roll Quilt!

The quilt was a huge hit!

I was over the straightline quilting after oh, line 15 or so. I posted on PR and got the "there are no rules!" response and ran with it! LOL!

I mimicked the beginning pattern on the other end and did some random lines in the center. One section is all crazy but hey, that's character!

The endless amounts of bias tape that I made didn't make me happy with it's 1/2" width so I ended up using storebought. It performed fine but I wish it were a deeper shade of pink. No matter, I'm sure it'll be well loved regardless.

OMG! mitered corners are some kind of black magic and I couldn't do it. I ended up doing some kind of overlap and sewing it down and yeah...

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Since my wrap dress turned out a little flirtier than I originally planned and since winter is back in Minneapolis (it was 50 last weekend), I was thinking of something FUN I could wear today on my day off to the ortho.

Yesterday I scored a jean jacket at the thrift store. It's a little snug but it has some stretch and it'll be fiiiiine over thin tops and dresses. I decided it would look REALLY cute layered over the kimono tee but I needed some color!

I had this gorgeous Maggie London ITY in the stash (yep, Fabric Mart) and recently bought stretch lace that SURPRISE! was a perfect match!

I forgot to adjust the sleeve opening but remembered to add length! I added 3/4" to front and back. I did a much better job on the vneck this time :)

Worn with the thrifted jacket, black S2061 pants, and brown boots (I like brown and black together when other, brighter colors are thrown into the mix!)

THEY'RE OFF!

I am ecstatic with my 'new smile' and allllllll the days and weeks were well worth it! :)

Revised Staycation Sewing Plans

I had it all planned out, I was going to sew and sew and SEW!! But my parents are coming!!!!

I only get to see them once a year -- maybe twice if I'm lucky -- and they will be here for 4 days over Christmas - YAY ME!!!! I'm not a 'mama's girl' or a 'daddy's girl', I'm just my parents BABY GIRL and I am so happy when they are near. Ahhhhh...

So I decided I need to get some things started sooner. I cut out all of the new-to-me patterns while catching up on Hell's Kitchen with my daughter, and on Friday, I muslined the Vogue top.

Well, this is what really happened:

Self #1: hmmm...do I REALLY need to muslin this?

Self #2: remember all those recent revelations about you and the tops you've sewn...

Self #1: yeah but look at how straightfoward this is...and the finished measurements look good.

Self #2: I don't know... it has that odd construction AND raglan sleeves...how will that work?

Self #1: Meh. It'll probably be fine.

Self #2: But you REALLY love that teal jersey...

Self #1: Ugh. FINE.

So into the knit scrap bin I went!

(sorry for the toilet)

Bleh. LOL!

I don't dislike it, but there isn't enough room, Something funky is happening at the front raglan sleeve (too tight across the bust?) and in the few minutes I had it on I must have adjusted that cowl like 13 times.

I think I would love it a size bigger, with a rayon type knit, and tunic length. So I might make it again.

PLUS, I did not like the idea of it with cardigans. And that made me rethink the tops I chose and how they would layer. Minnesota = layering. Period.

So I changed things up a little bit. And chose a different cardigan with a "collar" and another shell vs. a top with sleeves. I need more solid colored shells anyway.

Same color scheme because I really like it

M6996 in animal print

M6078 in mustard

B5493 in teal

S1945 in the black/gold sweater knit

Belle: Still in white challis

Sandra: Still in denim

V9032: still in black suiting

I am still quilting the quilt. It needs to be complete by Thursday morning. I did NOT quilt on Sunday and instead decided to start the "easy" knit projects.

Well, they went so fast! (YES L! THEY as in multiple! lol!!!!)

I was going to "sew the major seams" of M6996, M6078 and B5493.  And ended up finishing the cardigan and the mustard top. B5493 still needs finishing.

I WILL muslin the Sandras this weekend.

Sneaky peeks, reviews of patterns to come!

here the cardigan is unfinished

finished!

Win Some, Lose Some: Vogue 9032, InHouse Kimono Tee, Butterick 6104

Another pair of Vogue 9032 pants! Dark denim so details were hard to capture...however I love them -  of course!

We shall say I put the fly shield this way on purpose; a design feature of sorts!! ;-)

Can never get that part of the waistband to turn when I use contrasting fabric for the facing. I don't tuck shirts so it's not a big deal but...grrr!

I added 1" to the waistline as I was afraid the denim wouldn't have enough give. I don't think I needed it...

These are an awesome addition to my wardrobe!

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Earlier this week, Pattern Review had 20% off all pdf patterns and I had PayPal money 'burning a hole'. I went ahead and scooped up the In House Kimono tee (and the Named Jamie jeans).

When I should have been quilting; I was sewing a new tee! 

I have a lot of this animal print fabric (I made capri length leggings for pj pants from it) and knew I would have a black scrap big enough for the yoke. I decided this would be good muslin material -- if it failed I could have a crazy animal print pj set and if it was good I would have a cute little tee!

And SCORE!

The medium has a finished bust of 43.75" AND the same measurement at waist and hem. In some magical, mystical way, this shirt manages to be boxy and flattering. I really, really like it!

I think the center front is a tad too short (but I like the slight dip in the back hem) and I need some more room in the arm opening. 

Gathers at the shoulder? Awesome

V-neck? Awesome

Speaking of...I've not yet sewn a v-neck and was a bit nervous to do this one! The instructions were straightforward but I still managed to screw it up a bit. I did this part on my machine (no way was I going to attempt it on the serger!) and it's *okay* but I know I can do better. I'm almost certain it will not stop me from wearing this tee. tomorrow. 

There's a seam at center front and back. You could eliminate the CB seam if you weren't going to say, do a swayback adjustment or if you are using stripes and aren't trying to have extra seams to match up!

Again, this pattern is drafted for a D cup which is a total and complete WIN for the busty! 

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Yes, I did say you lose some.  I finished my B6104 jacket and was so excited!! But it doesn't work. It just does not work. It fits so differently from my red one and I don't like it :(

I'd worked pretty hard on it too!

Looked good here...

Pretty insides!

The faux-pels...

I made a 1/2" shoulder pad and pinned it in on the right side so keep that in mind when you look at these photos! LOL!

ALL of these pictures to show that no matter what I did, I STILL did not like it.

Hopefully I can find it a home.

*I bought my denim fabric from Hancock fabrics and animal print knit, brown wool and pink pongee lining from FabricMart! :)