Miscellany

So much life right now. Maybe I'll discuss later...at some point...Just think positive thoughts for me please!

At any rate, I've been doing all I can to keep busy (sewing, cleaning, family time...) I almost welcome work tomorrow!

I shelved my B6141 jacket for now. I wasn't completely feeling it and couldn't bring myself to work on it this weekend. But I did a whole bunch of other stuff.

Friday I went to see Mission Impossible, it was pretty good.

Saturday I muslined the bodice of B5030

I did standard Big4 adjustments for me; 1" bicep adjustment, 1" FBA, slight narrow shoulder adjustment. Obviously I didn't do a swayback adjustment! eesh.

I also need to lower my front darts a tiny bit.

I don't have enough fabric for it though :( Well, the fabric I intended for it. I'm almost tempted to order some crepe from FM while they're having their 55% Labor Day sale. We shall see.

I cleaned and redecorated my bedroom. The only new item is the dresser. It's an IKEA Malm that I found on Craigslist for $50! It's in great shape too! The rest of the stuff was all stored in the basement or garage. Why I hadn't been using my fun decorative items, I don't know.

The only other thing I want to buy is an area rug.

Because we have a TON of closet space in this house, dressers weren't that big of an issue. The plastic 3-drawer dresser housed my undergarments and socks previously and tank tops. I have a lot of tank tops; they're my favorite loungewear item.

Now, I have undergarments in the dresser, folded "real" tops (e.g, no t-shirts) and sweaters (because sweater season is coming) will be in the 2nd drawer. The 3rd is empty for now.

Those drawers are HUGE!

The ottoman is empty for now too. I haven't figured out what to use it for or if I need it for storage. 

The plastic drawer unit has workout gear and leggings/shorts/tank tops - e.g., loungewear. The basket on top has my belts, all rolled up.

This allowed me to move more of my shoes from down the hall into my closet. Yes, I have a lot of shoes...

The shelf has tshirts, shorts, casual pullover tops and jeans. I decided to take my jeans off of hangers. They're so bulky and seem to work better folded.

The over the door hooks have scarves, my favorite 'throw-on' sweaters and hoodies and my robe. I would like to get my robe closer to my bed though but can't think of a good place to put it. 

And I finally hung my little cheap-o mirror on the wall! It's behind the closet door that has the jewelry hanger on it.

Yay for better selfies!

And I bought new shoes (shhhhh!)

My ballet flats are so gross and ratty. I tried these on in store one day and knew I would buy them eventually.

Both are by Kelly & Katie, a DSW private brand

And then today I scrubbed the bathroom. Like, worked up a sweat!

And then I decided to start my Minoru. 

All of those &#(*#@ pieces to trace! grr! But I am happy that it has separate lining pieces, it really makes a difference.

Like many others I am completely appalled and offended at a casual outerwear piece without pockets. I scoured the stash and liked these 'fancy' patch pockets from M6531. That pattern has a gusset which would be nice, but I didn't realize that it was there until after I'd already lined the pocket pieces.

The buttons I'm auditioning are regular old Hancock buttons and the lining came from the Spot the Bolt table. I decided to go a little fun and funky :)

This picture is so askew! LOL! Sorry.

I basted this side to check the pocket placement but it's useless without the whole jacket on to see how it feels. So I'm just going to have a little tougher time putting them on after the side seams are sewn and the gathers are pulled in the shoulders/back. This jacket has a CLOSE fit. 

I will probably get this done in the next week or so.

And now I'm making dinner. And I still need to wash my hair today. 

And sorry not sorry but...I will be SO FREAKING glad to have a breather after Round 1 of the Sewing Bee. Hopefully Round 2 goes more smoothly.

Finished: McCall's 7244

Yep...I've made something else already. Actually a couple something else's...

I finished a cardigan and was having a hell of a time with the sweater knit and my buttonhole foot. I tried lots of things and was thinking of doing them by hand but nope. It's gonna go to my newfound seamstress lady. I'll just pay to get them done because I've mentally moved on from the project; but I want it finished! So full review to come - soon hopefully!

It's super cute :)

Alright; the point of the post!

I was all ga-ga over so many of the new McCall's and picked up a whole bunch of them. I knew that M7244 would get itself bumped way up on the list.

As I said in my planning post, I really need solid color work dresses. I decided on this merlot ponte from Fabric Mart. It's one of their mid/lightweights which I find perfect for dresses (and cardigans and skirts).

This pattern has a lined bodice which I did not realize at first. Because I am on a serious fabric fast, I trolled the stash for something to line it with and chose a mesh! It was a really good idea and I love that the inside of the dress is crazy :)

I should have cut a size 14 and did an FBA. But did I do that? No. No I did not. I did a 14 neckline/shoulder and graded to a 16 for the rest.

Finished measurements on the 16 are: 40 1/2 / 35 / 44 1/2. So just a tiny bit of positive ease at all points compared to my measurements (I am around 39.5"/34"/44")

Flat pattern adjustments:

1" length added to upper portion

1/2" swayback

1/2" bicep

Shortened the sleeves ~4"

Other adjustments:

I took the shoulder seam up an extra 1/4"

took the shoulder/sleeve in an extra 1/8"

Eliminated the zipper

Next time:

Nip the waist a bit

DO the FBA, I don't need much, but just a bit

Take a horizontal tuck on front between the shoulder and bust

Debating if I want to add more length. I don't want to change the proportions too much.

I think the boots make it look even shorter! 

Maybe it won't look so short when it's cold and I have on tights!! :)

I think some of the wrinkles are more to the fact that I lengthened the actual pattern 

but not the lining pattern :-O

So I ended up just making it work. 

My crazy lining! :) This graffiti mesh came from Fabric Mart, some time ago.

It's lined but also has a facing. 

At first I was annoyed by this but it really does make for a super clean finish. 

I wanted to use this mesh SO badly that I ended up piecing the back LOL! But the seams aren't that visible so...

The transition from the lined bodice to the unlined sleeve seems a bit bulky.

Maybe I need to serge a little closer to the seam allowance to really trim that down.

I absolutely adore the dress even though I believe the dropped waist emphasizes my rectangular shape.  And, I will definitely sew it in a print...and I think I'd love a sleeveless version. I almost didn't put the sleeves on this one! Then I remembered it was for fall/winter :)

I would give this pattern high recommendations.

I have to admit though that even though I KNEW what to do with the facing/lining, I thought the instructions were a little confusing. It really is self-explanatory. Sew the facing to the lining, sew the whole thing to the dress, understitch, press.

Since I eliminated the zipper I didn't need to worry about connecting lining to zipper. IMO I hate zippers in easy wear knit dresses like this. It affects my "knit dress = secret pajamas" mindset :-p

Can't wait to dive into the rest of my fall McCalls!