FINALLY! Finished Items M5523 & M3830

It took forever for me to be home and there to be daylight - at the same time.

I've made McCall's 3830 before along with half the internet so I won't belabor the construction.

I will say I cut a size 16, took a 3/4" wedge from center front and pegged the hemline just a *little* bit. I didn't want it completely straight.

I used a length somewhere in between two lengths because I am a rebel. :) The fabric is a stretch denim (remnant!) scored at JoAnn. Took less than 1 yard to make which is another reason to LOVE this skirt pattern.

Next time I'll op for an invisible zipper.

And - my McCall's 5523!!! I love this skirt! It's lined and it's wool and it feels so expensive to wear. Even if I really have no place to wear a wool skirt to right now.

So, I started this in a frenzy because I had a funeral to attend. Long story short I did not attend the funeral for reasons that will be left unsaid. So I made NO adjustments to the pattern at all. Sewed a straight 18. When (not if) I make it again, I will sew a 16 waist as it is a bit too large in the waist.

I love the lining - "drafted" simply by copying the pattern pieces, leaving off the upper flounce. Hemming this was a beast though. Sheesh. But I persevered and did a blind hem and my zipper is so invisible! hahaha!

One Giant Blog Post: FO S2700, WIP, Me Mades

I will try to make this less wordy because I have a TON of pics to share! Three of the past 4 days, I've worn a me-made item. All 3 were things that I initially found lots of "problems" with and had yet to wear, then I wore them, and I love them all!

On the 4th of July (Happy Birthday America!), I wore NL6025 - My winning top (2nd place) for the Pattern Review Challenge contest. I won a Fitz Like a Glove! ironing board cover and a Best Boy pressing cloth - they're amazing! The top was paired with white shorts.

Bathroom pic - sorry. 

On July 5th, I wore S2443. I was about 6 weeks into sewing when I made this. I did a horrible job gathering the skirt and have puckers in the bodice. But I really like this dress!! I'm sure I'll remake it.

Then July 6th was my birthday! Yay!! I'm 34 years old now and looking forward to what the next year will bring. I didn't wear a me-made item today, but I did have good food, fun with my husband and kids and cake. Mmmmm. Cake.

I also did a little crocheting because I decided I should have a little doily for my teakettle. 

Made with Sugar 'n Cream cotton in red. (Ravelry review here)

I also snuck in a little sewing, and started another version of M6751 in a patterned cotton lawn I got from Fabric.com. I don't have enough white bias tape to do the endless neckline so I'll have to finish it one day this week - full post and review to follow.

Today, my hubby and I ran errands and I wanted to look a little cute so I wore my M3830 (BEST pencil skirt pattern ever). Paired it with a navy and white striped top I've had since forever (and that's consequently a little snug) and white sandals.

Banana popsicles are the business!

FINISHED OBJECT: Trousers!!!! S2700 is finally done! Woohoo!!!

This I think is caused by the massive amount I had to take in in the front crotch. Version #2 of this pattern will be very nice.

The pièce de résistance - I got my tags from GutenTAGS!!!!  I wanted them to be the longer tags, but I was still happy with what I received so I didn't want to complain. 50 tags for $20 (I got 4 bonus tags!). These puppies will be added to everything I make!

The front reads "K. Smith"

The back reads "made by ME"

GO! Go and get you some today!!! :)

Finished Item: New Look 6130 Top

I've been so busy that I haven't had much time to sew - boooooooo! I have a few almost done projects. My dress I intend to wear on Mother's Day is almost done. My black pencil skirt is almost done. My red shirt is ready to start.

Hopefully I'll have some time this weekend to sew, we'll see!

This top was just awaiting finishing. I ended up having to sew two pleats into the front because it was gaping badly. Now, what I noticed, is that I didn't account for how much I'd take it in with adding the bias tape to finish the neck and arm holes so now it's slightly snug. Oy! This is what happens when you make a fitted garment with no muslin. Lesson learned.

Also - INVISIBLE ZIPPERS ARE THE BEES-KNEES!!!!!!!!

Why doesn't everything include an invisible zipper?!? So much easier than the silly top stitching. And a lapped zipper? Pfft. No thank you. All lapped zippers shall be forever replaced with invisible zips.

**I've been watching the Great British Sewing Bee so it's a 'zip' and not a 'zipper'. :-) With that said - Congrats Ann!!!! Impeccable sewing and a lovely personality to boot!

I'll have to get better pics when I wear it, but here's a quick one with my M3830 skirt.

Love the new fake hourglass figure! 

Review:

Pattern Description: 

Misses' peplum top with neckline and sleeve variations.

Pattern Sizing:

8-18, I cut a 14 (I could have cut a 12 and made some alterations)

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

Yes (except I left off the ties)

Were the instructions easy to follow?

Yes.

What did you particularly like or dislike about the pattern?
I love the peplum. I don't know why I waited so long to sew a peplum!!! I love the shape it gives me. I love the flirtiness of the style.

Fabric Used:

Stretch cotton twill from SR Harris 

Pattern alterations or any design changes you made:

My front neckline was gaping something awful (and I of course hadn't made a muslin! so I made a couple darts in front). My neckline in back is too high, I have to figure out how to fix that. I think I'd lengthen the bodice just a bit. I keep pulling it down. 

I left out the facings because I hate facings. I did bias tape on the neck and armholes.

Would you sew it again? Would you recommend it to others?

Yep! I want to make it in a polka-dot.

Conclusion: 

Cute, easy and great wardrobe staple, especially in black.

Then, I've been meaning to finish a tutu wreath for a friend's daughter and I ran out of pink tulle. And lost the letter. And yeah...that was a week and a half ago. But I found the letter! And I bought more tulle!!! It's prettier in person.

Also, I was looking at old pics today, choosing which to frame and adorn my bookcase with at work, and came across this pic of the boy next to me (right) from last May. He's taller than I am now. That's ridiculous. He's not supposed to grow that fast! Just wait! Hold on a minute!!!! Alas, he's only 13 so I may see another crazy growth spurt at some point. Darn kids.