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!

WORKS in Progress

My name is Nakisha and I have sewing attention deficit disorder.

This weekend was a weird one -- not jam-packed with activities but it totally just slipped on by. I got a bit of sewing done in fits and as a result have nothing finished but several "in progress" works. Hey...as long as it gets sewn!

Simplicity 2443 jacket:

 

This project could be WAY further along but those dang pockets!!!!! I posted a thread on PR and got a ton of helpful tips for turning out round patch pockets. I think they came out okay (sorry for the overexposed pic).

I *really* wanted the crazy ties and all that but it's designed to be made with ribbon and I've been to 3 spots and found no matching ribbon. I am going to "turn a tube" and see if it hangs well...I hate turning tubes.

Still need:
pockets stitched onto other front
sleeves (plackets, band and setting in)
Bottom band
Facings

Simplicity 2255:

This fabric makes me happy. It washed and dried well. It presses AHHH-mazingly! (everything should be made in nice cotton. Everything. Alllll the things)

But...do you see something?

I bet you do...even my daughter did.

My sailboats and seagulls are upside down. I cannot believe I made such a bone-headed move. I was going for optimal fabric use (not that I didn't have enough but I wanted scraps because this fabric makes me happy). Then I made sure my pockets were in line...but the boats are in line with the seagulls and the seagulls are in line with the boats. holy cow! sheesh!!!!!! But I am going forward. The shirt will be finished, upside boats or not. If it drives me too crazy it'll serve as a "throw on" top. I really almost ran back to FabricMart to buy more since I was so heartbroken over it!

Still need:

Sleeves set

Button band

Collar

Hemming

Buttons and buttonholes 

PJ pants for the boy:

He wanted fleece lounge pants. In the summer. Whatevs.

I'm fasting for 3 months. Me. Mrs. Buy all the things.

I know...I know...But right now I technically have too much fabric. It's starting to migrate all over. My bins are full. I have fabric on the extra table, I have fabric (a really big pile) in a box in the dining room, I have fabric in my bedroom.

So I will have a marathon of sewing over the next few months. June still has several plans and then there's the mini-wardrobe and then I need work pants.

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 - Simplicity 2443

I have a RTW dress that has a cotton knit strapless bodice with patterned woven skirt. I LOVE it and thought if I could have more like it I'd be pretty happy :) Especially after seeing gorgeous batiks and woven prints at the fabric store. When I saw Cynthia Rowley for Simplicity's 2443, I was so excited! Then I found out it was out of print. I was sad :(

I ended up finding it on eBay and was hoping I could cut a 14 and have it fit. 

It worked out well. If it hadn't been knit, a 14 wouldn't have fit. My PR review is below, but the one change I had to make (that I didn't want to make) was making my waistband knit instead of woven.

WHEN I make it again, I'll follow THESE directions for making pleats instead of gathers. 

I like it and can't wait until summer!

Pattern Description: 
Misses' dress sewing pattern with knit bodice and jacket or vest by Cynthia Rowley.

Pattern Sizing:
6-14, I cut a 14.

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

Yes

Were the instructions easy to follow?
Yes

What did you particularly like or dislike about the pattern?
I don't know why you would a) interface or b) use a zipper. If you're doing this in all knit you especially don't need a zipper. I used the knit for my waistband instead of the woven since I wasn't using a zipper.

I might reduce the skirt width or change to pleats because I don't like the gathers that much. I look pregnant from the side view.

I like the simplicity of it and the cute look. It's similar to a (strapless) RTW dress I own.

Fabric Used:
Polyester knit and Polyester woven

Pattern alterations or any design changes you made:
No interfacing at all.

Would you sew it again? Would you recommend it to others?
It's super cute! It's easy too. There were previous reviews about the complicated-ness of the straps. I didn't think it was complicated at all. What I would suggest, is to wait to sew the front and back tops until you're ready to assemble the whole thing. Otherwise it's way too bulky.

Conclusion: 

CUTE!