August Wrap-Up and...The 'Elephant' In the Room

This was a good month!! It started out very quiet and mojo-less. I knocked out my FM project the first weekend of the month knowing the next 2 weekends would be occupied. I was so excited to sew the border print sateen and then the almost finished skirt sat for 2 weeks. New look 6481 renewed my mojo and got me back on track! :-p

This month I sewed:

• New Look 6481 jacket in black suiting - 1.5 yards
• Butterick 5760 x 2 in olive sateen and border print floral sateen - 2 yards total
• New Look 6123 dress in polka-dot chambray - 2.25 yards
• McCall's 7382 dress in maroon jersey knit - 2.5 yards
• Burda 2/2013 #125 bomber jacket in printed ponte - 1.25 yards (Fabric Mart project)

M7382 - IDK about that one. It is currently hanging before hemming (one side has already grown about an inch). I think I dislike the CF seam. Perhaps in a print it would be okay but in a solid it just looks odd. Otherwise it's a flattering style. So this may be called a muslin and I may revisit this when I have a better fabric for it.

NL6123 is a favorite of mine. I really like the fit of that pattern. And it's POLKA-DOT!  I'm wearing it today and it makes me happy!! Review to come.

Favorite: The one dress is iffy but otherwise all are very solid additions to my wardrobe. IDK if I can choose a favorite. Both jackets, the NL dress, both skirts...I really like them all.

FAIL: I failed to stay on task but what else is new?! HA! 

Accomplishments: Hmmm, I did nothing noteworthy this month, but that's okay. I have a vision in my head for my fall wardrobe which means not everything will be 'the greatest item since sliced bread' but so far, it's all coming together.

I'd cut out M7382 Saturday night and made some adjustments and then zipped it up through the serger the other day (that part is fast; not looking forward to hemming but think it'll be better hemmed vs. left raw). Once I realized it needs to hang a good while, I was ready to move on to something else. I laid out the fabric I scooped up at SR Harris for v.2 of NL6481 and at that moment (it was weird, seriously), I looked over and saw a UFO peeking out from a bin and of course, I decided it must be finished right.now.

Sigh. LOL

I had picked up this cotton/lurex faille back in December 2013, of course, via a FM sale. I wanted to make a blazer but the fabric is a bit rigid and I was still very new to sewing, so I wasn't sure it would work. Into the stash box it went.

About a year ago, I decided to make a fall jacket and pulled it out. I got the pieces all cut out (had just enough fabric!), sewed up the lining first, went on to assemble the shell and there it stalled.

Butterick 6141

Photobombed by boys and cats.

It fits better now too!

Fronts and backs are sewn, sewn together at the shoulder, but that's it. I realized this morning that one of my pockets was sewn on wrong (I sewed it pocket right side to fabric wrong side). I wonder if this made me toss it in a box?? Looking at my posts around that time, I went on to sew a couple of tees for myself and t-shirt dresses for my daughter, all from M6964. That was probably the reason -- "shiny".

I need to sew the side seams, the front bands, set sleeves in both jacket and lining, sew the collar (which is a simple style - I'm sewing view C) and bag the lining.

September plans is to keep working the fall plan. I hope to get a couple things done over the long Labor Day weekend but I again have 2 non-sewing weekends this month.

I WANT to sew the Jalie cardigan, Ottobre sweater and Burda dress. But those are definitely for cooler weather (even though it was 57 degrees when I left home today).

I SHOULD sew the Kwik Sew jacket and Vogue pants (suit). I'm using this navy/white mini-check suiting. I'm kind of excited about these two as well!!

So what's up with that 'elephant'...

I was talking with a friend after she laughed at my fall sewing plans. Hey, I told her I don't really believe I'll get ALL of those things sewn... :-p She mentioned that I must have a huge wardrobe.

I DO have a lot of clothes. I always have. I will probably never subscribe to the minimalist wardrobe concept. Even before I learned to sew I had a lot of clothes. I LOVE CLOTHES! Not so much fashion but clothes. I like putting looks together, I like having fun with my wardrobe. This is especially true since I'm no longer in a lab environment and without clothing restrictions. 

I live in the tundra - which gets upgraded to "The Frozen Tundra" in winter (or is that downgraded??). So I essentially have 2 wardrobes. I separate fall/winter from spring/summer. Cold weather will begin around October/November and will persist through April and sometimes all the way until the end of May. So you get really sick of dark colors, heavy fabrics, etc. and I take great joy in shuttling those into storage bins around the so-called start of spring! :) 

And because fall is my favorite season, around this time I am just itching to wear jackets and boots and layers. Even though I don't look forward to the cold that is coming. So I've already put away a few things but it'll be a few more weeks before I do a full swap. 

It also helps that I've always had a ton of storage space. 

Now, with respect to sewing, I've been sewing since January 2013. So not a long time. I've progressed a lot but as far as my wardrobe goes...Most of the stuff I made in the beginning is no longer around. 

I remember finishing a dress and being so proud and I wore it out to date night. Sometime last year I pulled that dress out to wear and had a good laugh at it! LOL! The hem was wonky as was the neck binding. The gathers were uneven and it had shine spots from pressing. :) So best believe, the wardrobe has been culled. Also, I don't discriminate. If it doesn't work...it doesn't work. And that goes for RTW and handmade items. 

• 2013: I have 2 items from 2013 still. And one is a pair of yoga pants, the other is a raglan sweatshirt.
• 2014: I have 22 items from 2014. Progress! 1 is pajama shorts and then there are 4 outerwear items and 2 special occasion dresses.
• 2015: I have a lot of stuff from 2015 still in my wardrobe. 

I sewed A TON in 2015, but it was a very stressful year for me and sewing was my salve. While I still sew a lot by most standards (it's the fast sewing!), I sew WAY less than I used to. I don't feel the need to hole up in the cave all the time. Feels good too :)

Fast Sewer + Desire for a large wardrobe + Lots of storage space + "new" job (It's been 14 months already!) + A definite style that is starting to emerge + Fabric inspiration + Pattern inspiration =  Lots of pieces being added, still. And that's okay by me. 

Not *too* Boring Basics: Butterick 5760

versions 5 and 6... :) Hey, that's what TNT's are for!!!

I'm at the point where I really need to retrace this pattern onto something nice and sturdy, it's starting to look a little beat up.

As per usual, I cut a 16 front and 18 back. I removed the excess fabric from the front skirt that is supposed to be gathered. The side seams are always basted before being sewn - different fabrics or if it's lined or unlined affects the fit. Both of these are unlined, they're both sateen with a slight stretch, so both have 5/8" side seams until just after the hip and it increases to 1-1 1/4". I haven't adjusted the pattern for the pegging - even though I often peg it - because you just never know. I do like the skirt in it's original width, it just depends on the fabric I'm using...and it doesn't take much to tweak side seams.

The one thing I DO need to change on the pattern is the hip curve. I don't need that much curvature and always remove it.

I finished the panel-print sateen skirt 2 weeks ago. Honestly...where does the time go!?!  I'm sure some of you have seen this Maggy London sateen 'in the wild'. I passed on it twice and then saw a dress made up on PR and the next time it went on sale I managed to snag a panel.

I *just* eeeked out my skirt with the single panel!!!

just scraps remain!

I tried to match at the side seams as best I could.

I ended up having to cut the facings from a different fabric. I rummaged through the scrap bin and used this lightweight suiting (I made a bias cut skirt from Burda mag with it last year). It is white/black on one side and black/white on the other.

I went with an invisible zipper and topstitched hem.

The color is really 'me'. I have a few tops in my wardrobe that I can pair this with. I love it with this coral tee (Target) and my new jacket.

My son was in the room while I was taking photos and he had me laughing the entire time. You can see how terrible my posture is on this back photo :/ Also, it is a "sensitive time" and I seriously look 4 months pregnant about 2 days a month. I always manage to want to photograph something fitted during this time! LOL!!! 

Because olive is one of my favorite colors, I have plans to add a few more items in this color to the wardrobe. This fabric is closer to a moss/ivy green but it's in the family, and that works for me! :)

When I made these olive pants I was surprised by how versatile the color is. That led me down a path of wanting all the olive things! :)

And they fit better now! :-p

For this skirt, I wasn't as smart as I was with the floral one. The fabric is narrower so I ordered 1 1/4 yard. On the floral skirt I cut front, waistband, then back.  This time I cut front, waistband, facings then...uh oh. I can't fit my back piece because of the vent. I moved things around, over and over and in the end I had to cut single layer and eliminate the vent. But it worked out! Whew!

I am all for serging the edge of facings but I had a bit of red bias tape to match my serger thread, Oh and on this one I went for a centered zip and again...topstitched hem

I forgot to serge the back seams before sewing the zipper. Arrrgh!

(this is closer to the true color than the photo above)

Yep! It's love! I think I will be pulling this out A LOT this fall, even though this sateen wrinkles if you think about maybe looking at it! :-p

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This month I jumped into the trends and sewed a bomber jacket for my Fabric Mart project! In a crazy printed ponte - and I love it!

It's a Burda pattern -- which Burda's consistency and fit make up for their awful instructions to me! I cut my normal 40 neckline / 42 for the rest but since I used ponte and the pattern was intended for satin, I left off the full bicep adjustment and because it is gathered at the hem, I didn't worry about a swayback adjustment. I made slightly narrower bands than the pattern called for and used a run-of-the-mill black zipper from Wawak. I have been staying away from poly/lycra pontes (give me some rayon!!) but for something like this, it's okay with me. I also lined it with a poly/lycra interlock and left out the interfacing. You can check it out over on the Fabric Mart blog!

The Fabricista Fashion Challenge will be starting up soon so I won't be posting for September. I really enjoy watching the progress! Also, the PR Sewing Bee will be starting in September! It's not my kind of comp so I won't be sewing, but I'll be watching - for sure.

July Wrap-up and August Plans

Seriously...it's August? Already?!

This month I sewed 14.5 yards

• Vogue 9056 top in black & white striped ponte - 1 yard
• Jalie 2921 tops in printed ITY and blue modal jersey - 2 yards total
• New Look 6301 dress in printed jersey - 2.5 yards
• Butterick 6060 skirt in navy and white suiting - 1.25 yards
• Burda 6732 dress in pink linen - 2.5 yards
• Burda 7/2016 #117 dress in print sateen - 1.75 yards (review to come!)
• Burda 8/2016 #135 pants in grey pinstriped suiting - 2.25
• Kwik Sew 4113 skort in grey and pink activewear - 1.25 yards (review to come!)

Favorite: Hmmm. I have to go with the wrap dress! 

FAIL: The Butterick skirt, for sure. I actually ended up wearing V9056 one day and it's not as bad as I felt initially. I just have to wear something slim on bottom.

Accomplishments: I sewed my first Jalie! I also sewed my first activewear pattern! Well, I sewed the swimsuit but this is like - eek! I was JUST saying that I didn't want to sew activewear. Sheesh. I am making a top too but may have to scrap the original plan. 

August Plans

*Matching top to my Kwik Sew skort

I LOVE IT!!!!!!

*Vogue 1447 dress for the wedding

In this rosey pink silk (crepe? SR Harris doesn't label weave) and pewter lace combo

This silk is a little more sheer than the original one I wanted (9 whole days passed before I made it back there and I couldn't find it). However, the dress has the the 'dress' layer (the silk), the lace, and a lining. So I think it'll be fine. I'll be skipping the piping. And, I have to figure out what to do for the straps. The straps pictured are purchased.

Well, all that assumes the muslin works out!  

*August Fabric Mart project - I'm making a bomber jacket - finally!!

Because I am traveling for the wedding and then the next weekend my daughter moves into her dorm room, I am not so sure I'll get to these but they're on the radar before I begin my fall sewing!

*Burda 6732 version 2 in this printed rayon challis (2nd from the top)

L-to-R: floral challis, suiting with heavy metallic threads woven through, print on navy poly blouseweight woven, challis for B6732, sateen panel

*August Burda Project: Though I could "cheat" and call my pants my August Burda...I do want to sew the simple knit top. Images aren't all up on Burdastyle.com yet.

I am so behind on blogging projects! I've been doing so many things that's NOT taking photos :) I may have posts every couple days at the start of this month so bear with me. I have to blog:

1. McCall's 6886 dress (sewed in JUNE!)
2. Finished Style Arc Susan skirt
3. Burda 7/2016 dress
4. Kwik Sew 4113 skort (which will probably wait until I make the matching top)

As much as I want to play in my new arrivals, I'd better get going on the wedding guest dress. I have 12 days which should be fine. Right? RIGHT?!? :-p

Failed Skirt-a-Palooza: Butterick 6060 but a WINNER in New Look 6301

After my top-a-palooza, I planned on making 2-3 skirts with a more summery flair. When B6060 first came out, I snatched it up, liking both the straight view with the little peplum and the pleated view.

I was so excited to get going on this and decided on classic but summer-fun navy and white colorblocking. I had a cotton twill in navy and a rayon suiting in white (with white poly pongee lining). The weights weren't compatible but the upper skirt is meant to be lined and I thought that would equalize things (newsflash: it didn't).

Also, I didn't think the upper portion looked THAT deep in the tech drawing but the photo is fairly accurate.

I didn't consider how this style would work with my fairly rectangular (when viewed front-on) figure (newsflash: it doesn't). This skirt took a long time to make. Well, to make well.

6 seams on the upper skirt plus the zipper
6 seams on the lining
Pleating the skirt...

I used tailor tacks to mark the pleat points as I knew it was imperative that they be properly marked so that the lower skirt would fit correctly to the upper. I even hand-basted the pleats in place.

Did a great job on my invisible zipper:

Hand sewed the lining to the zipper tape:

There is no facing or waistband. I used strips of interfacing in addition to stay-stitching. If I were to do it again I would add some twill tape or other support at the waist. The skirt pulls down when worn.

Because the twill appears slightly textured, I went ahead and topstitched the hem - it looks fine. 

Hard to photograph the white+navy

I finished it and was SO excited and...MEH.

My daughter told me to "take it off please".

I didn't understand how it went so wrong! LOL!!!

After trying it on a BUNCH more times, I decided it could work if it sat closer to my natural waist. But I'm holding like 4" of fabric in back! It sits way low on my hip which makes me wonder if I didn't manage to stretch out the waist despite being careful - or if the size 16/18 was just too big. (I always do a 16 front and 18 back in skirts).

I like the pleated bottom and thought MAYBE if I removed 2-3" from the height/depth of the top it could work in the future. But...sometimes you win, sometimes you lose. And there are WAY more "patterns in the sea".

In the meantime, I have my Ann Taylor Loft white eyelet/lace skirt and I ended up getting the colorful A-line skirt online. YAY! It came today and I absolutely adore it. I think I shall wear it tomorrow! :)

(size 14)

I also really appreciate the details. This is grosgrain used as a facing and zipper shield but it's SUPER soft and pliable. A quick Google search shows that cotton/rayon grosgrain ribbon is a thing! I like the way it's used in this skirt. I can see this becoming a wardrobe fave; even though it's bright and colorful.

I finished the Butterick  skirt on the 3rd and on the 4th of July found myself home alone in the morning while both kids were working. "Oh well, guess I'll sew a dress...", I said.

1) Knit - duh. Easy. Peasy.

2) Something I've made before - duh again! Ain't nobody got time for new patterns + adjustments

3) Easy to handle fabric - See #1

I was somehow drawn to NL6301, even though I said I probably wouldn't make it again. But luckily, I am smart sometimes. I thought about WHY I didn't enjoy the make as much (though I like the dress)...Ponte was not a good fabric to use with this one. It just created too much bulk in areas with pleats and ties and...bleh.

So I reached deep into the stash and came out with this lovely, thick springy poly jersey that I purchased from SR Harris way back in 2013 when I first started sewing. The colors are fun and vibrant and say SUMMER! but can easily transition into early fall. My kinda fabric!

This time, I chose the view with the full skirt. Yeah, yeah, yeah, I did have to cut the skirt out. But that was easy, just a front and back, size 16 for both.

I ALMOST ran out of fabric! I had cut my sleeves early on when I found a good spot for them between the bodice pieces.

But when I went to move them - uh oh! This fabric has a crazy wide selvedge and it's uneven on top of that! So like 1/3 of one of my sleeves was this cream selvedge. I dug around through my scraps and WHEW! Found a piece that could fit the sleeve.

In an effort to fit all the pieces on the fabric on-hand, I ended up turning my neck binding piece on the cross grain. This meant I didn't have the stretch to snug it up against the neckline so it's a little loose. But still - I LOVE THIS DRESS!!

I ended up wearing it on my birthday <3

We were moving non-stop that day so all I got was  a selfie and a cat and boy photobombed pic at the end of the day :)

The sleeves and skirt both got 5/8" double turned hems. I did not need to top-stitch the neck binding. Love. Love. Love.

Butterick 5760 (again!!)

The first time I made this skirt, I decided it was a TNT. I really love this skirt on me! This may be my 5th?? I don't remember :)

I generally keep my fabric purchases to around $10/yd or less, and I had my eye on this boucle but $25/yd was a bit steep for me. When it went 50% off, I jumped on it!

I bought 1 yard, knowing I'd use it for a skirt. I was going to use it for a Burda that I wanted to make but decided I'd better go TNT with it. I just love the wide waistband (they call it a yoke) on this skirt, the length and you just can't go wrong with a straight skirt.

I made no changes to the flat pattern - as per usual I used a size 16 for the front and 18 for the back, and I shortened the front length 3/4" (between the waist to where the crotch would be). However, on previous versions, I had to take in the side seams quite a bit. Not so with this boucle (and lining).  I used my Wonder clips to baste the side seams and was surprised to find I needed to sew the side seams at 3/8" (vs 5/8' or 3/4" on prior versions). I used an acetate lining fabric in navy. Lastly, I hemmed at 1 1/4" instead of the 2" included in the pattern. I wanted it to hit *right* at my knee.

I really like it with the blue top and nude shoes! I thought the blue would be too match-matchy but I love it. On the right I paired it with the other NY and Co. top that I bought last month - it's a lightweight sweater with a tie neck. It has a little puff sleeve too which I think is cute. Not sure I'd pair those shoes with it but my shoes are half unpacked and they were available :) 

I mean, I just love this skirt pattern!!! I used an invisible zipper and kept the original slit in the pattern. I briefly considered trying to turn it into a vent but I think my brain wasn't operating at peak during that time :-p I'd found a tutorial for lining a skirt with slit and tried to follow along but nope. That didn't go so well either. 

I sewed the facing to the lining and allowed the lining to hang free except for at the slit. I hand sewed the lining to the skirt at the center seam, and then slipstitched the lining to the skirt at the slit. The lining is also slipstitched by hand at the zipper.

So, while there's nothing too exciting about a straight skirt in navy, I think this will be an amazingly versatile work skirt this spring and summer.

(This skirt was finished almost a month ago - NOT during the move! LOL!)

*********

My move went okay! I was pretty much exhausted for days and days. I couldn't muster up any energy to get the sewing cave together. I focused first on the main rooms: kitchen and bathroom and then the living room. The dining room is currently a repository. LOL!

I am sitting in my living room right now and I just adore it. It's so tiny but so cozy!! I have a couple other things I want to purchase--a coffee table and tv stand--and a 2nd chair to match the first.

I love this corner the most <3

On Friday evening I was home alone and finally mustered up a little energy to try to get the cave set up, and I did a little more work on the prom dress.

Maybe by summer my sewing room will be fully functioning! LOL!

I need more lights, even though the overhead lighting over the machines isn't too bad, it's nonexistent over the cutting area. My fabric is in a room down the hall. I'm still unsure about final placement of everything, but I have to get the darn dress finished!

*******
Lastly, I am so annoyed at Bloglovin's attempt to make their site another social media-esque site. I just want to read blogs :/ I don't want to be advertised to or see what other's are saving or liking or whatever. UGH.

February Wrap-Up

Well that month went by fast!

In February I sewed 11.75 yards.

• Simplicity 1430 shorts in red chambray - 1 1/8 yds
• Simplicity 1916 top in pink ITY - 1 1/4 yds
• Burda 1/2016 pants in tan cotton twill - 2 yds
• Butterick 6219 skirt in black/white striped ponte - 2 1/4 yds
• Burda 3/2016 top in striped jersey - 1 7/8 yds
• Burda 2/2016 top in black and grey ponte - 2 1/4 yds
• Burda 6717 skirt in grey ponte - 1 yd

Favorite: Aw man, it's hard to say! My work on the Simplicity shorts made me very proud! I ADORE the Burda athleisure outfit! And that Butterick skirt makes me HAPPY!!!!! Gosh and I love my Burda #trashbagtop. I can't decide. I just can't. February was a great month for me!

FAILS: None! Woooohoo! 

Accomplishments: After basting my Burda pants and having a wth moment when I realized the pattern was for stretch wovens, I made adjustments and made it work. I consider that an accomplishment! Also, for the first time ever, took the time to grade down a tall pattern (the sweatshirt) and it worked out just fine. Yay!

March Plans:

Hmmm...I'm still unsure if I'm going to finish the PR contest. I have 6 items completed (well, I have to do buttonholes on my chambray shirt, but that's not too much of a chore).  I finished the knit wrap dress, just need to wait to get photos.

I am swapping out one of my tops. I made up the body of the (barely) cropped Simplicity top but that ponte is just not good. It's kind of slick and slightly icky. Plus, I saw this super cool BCBG top I want to knock off and should it work out, I'll use that to enter into the Bargainista Fashionista contest too.

I am also swapping the romper for V8904 in striped jersey and the jacket for a sleeveless jacket vest. I was going to make this vest before so it's all cut out and adjusted, and the V8904 dress is cut out too. Hoping that moves things right along. (A girl can dream).

Using M6960 to knock off the BCBS top

V8904 will have sleeves

The updated color palette. I like it!

topper

dresses

tops

bottoms

Lastly, I am awaiting the lace for the prom dress. I'm dedicating weekends to prom dress sewing - no sewing for me, only for prom - until it's done. So again, Not sure if the contest will be completed. No worries though if it isn't. This was more about me having a fun casual summer wardrobe and all of these pieces fit.

There won't be a CF seam on the dress - I had to take a tuck down the front - which will be transferred to paper. And I'm sure on the actual dress my waist seam will line up. Hahaha!

She had on a sports bra on this pic which...the first time she tried it on with a regular bra, the bust didn't look so smushed. So I won't worry about that.

The sharpie line...I was going to take a tuck through the back but decided to just shave it off the center and that worked out fine too. 

Wardrobe Contest: Burda 01/2016 #135 & Butterick 6219

After finishing the shorts, I somehow decided I should sew the pants next. Because...I like to torture myself?? :)

I was so excited about these pants when this issue came out.

I mean...those LINES!!!! 

Being me, I decided I ain't making no stinking muslin! And cut them out. The one alteration I made immediately was to shorten the front crotch by 3/4". Since Burda directions are frequently unhelpful, I didn't even look at them.

And uhmm...

They're intended for stretch wovens. Oops. 

I ended up having to recut the side panels, adding 1" to the back only. This threw a couple other things off, but nothing major. E.g., the dart in the side panel is more forward than in the center and the leg opening is wider...but it doesn't stop me from loving them!!! :)

These took me forever to finish. FOREVER. But I think they're pretty awesome.

You can see they're a little tight at the thigh. I didn't show a back view because I had insane VPL. 

So you'll have to trust that I'm happy with the fit. LOL!

I love the front with extended tab.

I ADORE the front of these!!!! I love how the yoke wraps around to the front seam, and the belt loops and the tab waist and everything!!!

Side panel with dart. You can see that there's more room in the back. The waistband had been adjusted and that seam is at the actual side seam so I covered it with the belt carrier.

Cute! Right?!?!?! Ahhhh!

I will totally make these again. I really like them as a casual pant!

In between fighting with these, I cut out B6219 because I have also been salivating over this pattern since it was released.

I loved this view. Loved it and had to have it. I used ponte instead of jersey so I lose some of the intended drape...but it's okay!

I cut a size 16 and sewed the side seams of both the yoke and skirt on the sewing machine to match the stripes.

Excellent matching on the side seams...never even thought about the matching the horizontal seams! OY!

And then zip, zip, zip went the rest of the skirt on the serger. Such a quick project - my favorite!

I also matched across the front - yay! 

The instruction on doing the waistband (which they call a yoke) is stupid. It's bulky and just...not good. I also didn't like that the skirt came all the way up to the natural waist. I hacked off the waistband from the pattern and an additional 5/8" to shorten the waist height.

I ended up using 1" elastic and cut a rectangle for the elastic and just made a "regular" casing. It works. I love it. I want to wear this skirt everywhere right now!!!!

Tell me why I was giving it to the camera:

Hahahaha!!! :)

In all these pics you see I'm wearing the S1916 top. Here are the S1430 shorts modeled:

I was watching The Hangover and was having a good giggle at whatever scene was on at the moment! :)

Thinking about new jacket options. I am going to go with a more casual unlined jacket. I just pulled out my chambray and am aiming to get at least the front and back sewn...then a couple days for sleeves and plackets, a couple days for collar and then buttonholes/buttons. So hopefully I'll have finished before next weekend is out.