Escape from the UFO Box! New Look 6108 and Simplicity 2443

I was in that moment where I wanted to sew all the things but I know that I want to consciously add new garments to the closet. Not just sew and sew and sew.

Well, I DO want to sew and sew and sew but...I don't want to create a whole bunch of orphans. I totally want to add more dresses though and am auditioning some patterns.

I decided I needed to tackle some of my UFOs. And then I wondered why I had so many things that were seemingly awesome at the time, languishing.

Mint light ponte peplum (needs finishing;hems and neck binding)

Colorful ITY dress (needs hemming)

Drape top in striped jersey (Needs a new neckbinding and hemming)

Cowl top in ITY (more info below)

Wool jersey cardigan (needs sleeves and then finishing)

And the S2443 jacket that I started last June. I can only imagine this jacket scared me off because of the sleeve detail. I had not done plackets before at the time that I cut this and was probably intimidated.

But look at that placket of awesomeness!!! :)

At the time I remember doing some fitting but honestly cannot tell you anything besides:

I cut a size 14
I did a narrow shoulder adjustment (1/2" is standard for me)
I remember fitting the darts to me vs. sewing them as marked.

But that's it.

I ended up lining my pockets because I was having a tough time shaping them; that worked out well. And instead of turning the little (useless) stripes between the pockets I just folded in half, stitched a 1/4" seam to the jacket front and then folded down and topstitched around -- much cleaner.

Once I started on the sleeve I realized my big ole arms weren't going to work with the band as sized. But the sleeves are gathered so much that I just 'added' 2 inches via releasing some of the gathers.

I realized after doing some awesome stitching that I was supposed to use two D rings. Oops. So I did some more awesome stitching to just hold the tabs in place.

The verdict: I LOVE IT!!! I'm so glad it fought it's way out of the UFO box!!!!!

Next up was the New Look 6108 cowl necked top in the printed ITY. Another one that was started many months ago.

I had accidentally serged the cowl facing to the back armhole and got all disgusted and threw it in a box. Again, so glad I didn't toss it because I really like this fabric! Although I have to say I like the M6078 cowl top better. It just drapes/sits better. But the fabric!!!!!

I wore it yesterday with my black skirt and a grey cardigan to an informal interview with a recruiter. The lady in line in front of me had on the tightest pants ever and a top that was shredded in back. Guess I'm a little different! LOL!

I've now given myself one more thing to sew for the contest because I've decided I have to have this top. 

Hope to get all my photos done by this time next week because next Thursday I'll be picking my mama up from the airport - YAY!

Me Made May 2014: Week 4 roundup

Week 4. It's getting rough. I am running out of me mades! I am realizing the things that I need to donate, give away or just toss. AND the holes that I need to fill in my wardrobe. This is super helpful for me. SUPER!!

3 more days!!!

Day 22: Burda 7886 top
Day 23: Simplicity 2255 top
Day 24: Butterick 3314 pj's (I did not go outside on Saturday)
Day 25: Simplicity 1430 shorts
Day 26: I actually put the S1430 shorts back on...got TOO hot and showered and changed into M6927 top and leggings
Day 27: Simplicity 2700 pants and Butterick 5493 top
Day 28: New Look 6108 top and McCall's 6844 cardigan

Week THREE of MMM'14

Eek! 10 more days to go! It looks like I  will make my goal of zero weekend repeats. I still have loads of casual non-work garments that I can wear on the weekends!

Day 15: KS 3115 yoga pants (my only repeat so far)

Day 16: NL 6108 top and B5927 jacket

Day 17: S2054 tunic/mini dress

Day 18: PR Winter Street Dress

Day 19: Burda 6910 top

Day 20: M6519 top

Day 21: Sew Simple A1523 top

Hopefully I'll get my hair done soon :-D

Finished Items: New Look 6108 (2 of them!)

Be prepared for a plethora of projects! A barrage!! An onslaught!!!!

When I was younger I was fascinated with reading (ok, I still am and reading IS a hobby!). I would always have a new vocabulary word on hand to toss around...Like miscreant. I like that word :) I love plethora and myriad...and lately, despondent :-)

Alrighty so, I have the sewing room up and popping. I haven't gotten a cutting solution yet, but I have projects ready to sew and sew I shall.

Next weekend, we will become kid-free for about 2-3 weeks and I will be sewing. Sure I'll be working and grocery shopping and cooking (well, somewhat)...but I will have tons of crafting time and I plan on making it count. I hope to get at least 2 pairs of pants and a jacket (unlined) out of that time...we'll see.

Today, I finished up my NL 6108 top and sewed a second one. Of course, the second one went much faster than the first!

#1 was done in this ribbon print, black, blue and white ITY knit from FabricMart. I got a yard of it for $3.00 - SCORE! I apologize in advance for bathroom shots. I was solo-dolo.

I think it makes a mighty fine work shirt! I should probably do swayback alterations on my tops - but I won't. I just won't. Maybe on a button down blouse...probably on a fitted jacket...probably on a special occasion dress...but not on everything. Meh.

*****

 #2 is in a lovely, lovely border print, also an ITY knit from FabricMart. This came as a 38" panel.

I wanted more of the top to be black, but didn't want to lose the grey to cream gradient. I *LOVE* this fabric!

Now, because I knew where I wanted the print to hit, I focused on that and ended up short on fabric for the front facing - oops! I had to buy some cheap poly knit from JoAnn to finish it, but ran into a small snag as the fashion fabric is 4 way stretch and the facing was only 2 way. I remembered to put the stretch across my body, but I had to work a bit to get the arm holes to line up and everything because of the difference in drape. Ahhhh, live and learn.

Lily's rocking this top! :-)

I thought I was going to have to hem it after a trip to Hancock (50% off zippers!!!! 50% off thread!) tomorrow but lo and behold, I had matching thread in my stash! I was very proud of myself:

And finally, a decent job at matching the pattern print:

I originally intended to make the second version with the twisted front straps, but the wrong side of this fabric is obvious and it didn't work out. BUT,  I will probably be making this pattern again. I really like the ease of putting it together and the final fit.

Oh, I should mention that I cut a 12 in the neck/shoulder, a 14 through the armhole and graded to a 16. I could have cut a straight 12. I ended up taking 1 1/4" side seams.

Tomorrow morning I'll be up while the house is still sleeping - I've gotten the bug!