Wait!!!!

Wait!  I forgot to mention my 15-minutes of sewing.  Earlier this week I mentioned that I would post updates on my 15 minutes of sewing at least twice a week.  Here we go:

15-minute Sew-a-long: 

 McCall 7573 pattern pieces cut.  My fabric arrived today from Fabric Mart.  I am not fully in love with my fabric selection so, I going to continue my search as I work on a muslin.  I would do a cart wheel (I'm going to break my neck doing it because I don't know how to do a cartwheel).

Sewing Week at a Glance

I was extremely frustrated with the bodice of Simplicity 1382.  I left it on my sewing machine for two days before I decided to touch it again.  I'm starting to think my issues stems from the fabric I am using...???

 

I did some adjusting to my muslin for Vogue 1531.  I have some extra fabric in the neckline.  

I was able to complete Kwik Sew 4207 but my neck binding is horrible.  I need lots and lots of practice. 

 

 

Sewing Plan

I have quite a few items cut and ready for assembly.

I made this pattern August 2016 but I want to make it again with a knit fabric.

I absolutely love this top.  I want to make it again in a print.

This is cute and it looks pretty easy.  I will definitely lengthen this pattern.

Can't wait to figure out the sleeve.   I can rock this top like it's never been rocked before.

It's summer time so I will make at least two of these.

The crazy woman in me (I need to name her) has cut out this pattern.  I don't think I am ready to tackle pants.  Wellllll the pattern is cute and the muslin.

Shopping /Fabric Stashing

Hopefully these will not end up in my stash.  I wanted you to see some of my new goodies.

 

Stay toon for the next episode of my sewing adventure.

 

~Happy Sewing~

Simplicity 1382 Round #12,251,530

Here's my update as of last night.  There's a few things going on:

What is going on with the neckline?

Loose on the sides

I pulled in the bottom button section and that helped with the looseness.  The heart shape looks much better. 

It's crazy how much you see in a photo

 

More Animal print skirts McCall 7540

I made A skirt, McCall 7540 View B a few weeks ago for my mother.  I love her skirt so much that I wanted one for myself .   Unfortunately,  I did not have enough fabric to make this pattern for myself so I made a modified version of View B.

I reviewed this pattern before.  You can find it here.

For my skirt, made some Modifications:

-I used the front and back skirt from the pattern
-I did not cut the flounce piece included in the pattern
-I cut a long strip of fabric about 8 inches wide
- I made a 1 inch hem ( I know that is backwards)
- I gathered the long strip of fabric
- I adjusted the gathers to fit the hem of the skirt
Last I attached the flounce to the hem of the skirt

Sorry about the dark photos.

The first time I wore this skirt it was too loose. I wanted this to look like a pencil skirt with a mix of spring. I removed 2 inches from the side seams. 

I went back to the drawing board.  Better yet, the sewing machine.

Here's the updated skirt.  Isn't is beautiful!

 

Sewing Pattern Review

 

Pattern Description:

Close-fitting lined top has princess seams. Close-fitting lined dress has princess seams on bodice, waist seam and hem flounce. Fitted lined skirt has hem flounce. Close-fitting lined jumpsuit has princess seams on bodice, shaped back and waist seam. C, D: Contrast overlay, purchased trim. Includes separate pattern pieces for A/B, C and D cup sizes. Note: No provisions provided for above waist adjustment.

 

Pattern Sizing:

14 to 22

 

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

This is my second time using this pattern.  The first skirt I made does look like the phone on the envelope.  This skirt does not because of the modifications I made.

 

Were the instructions easy to follow?

The instructions were easy.

 

What did you particularly like or dislike about the pattern?

Nothing to dislike

 

Fabric Used:

Blended cotton

 

Pattern alterations or any design changes you made:

I did not have enough to make a long trumpet skirt.  So I used left over scraps from my mom's skirt to make my skirt.  My skirt has a small flounce at the hem.

 

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

I will make this pattern at least on more time.  The next skirt will be made straight from the pattern envelope.  Do try this pattern.  You can make a casual or formal skirt with this pattern.

 

Conclusion:

 I love the modifications I made to this pattern.  It is cute and perfect for summer.  I can't wait to make this pattern again!

Sewing Week at a Glance

This weekend I didn't have time to do much sewing.  I continued to work on Simplicity 1382.  I am almost done with fitting with bodice.  This weekend I will work on the skirt.

15-minute Sewing:

Last night it was more like 45 minutes.  Woohoo!  I cut out McCall 7573 for a great sew-a-long that I joined yesterday.  I was able to cut out the pattern pieces.

Oh I forgot to mention 

Sew Much to do, Sew little time is running a sew along for McCall pattern 7573.  This sew-a-long is a little different than you're normal sew-a-long.  Ok here's how it works.  Every day you have to squeeze in 15 minutes of sewing to make McCall 7573. This pattern does not look like it is too hard but I have not read the instructions yet.  Starting today, on my blog I am going to post my 15-minutes of sewing. I don't know if I'll have time to post updates every day but I will try at least twice a week.With only 15 minutes a day let's see how long it takes to make this blouse:

Will you be sewing this blouse with us?

Simplicity 1382 update

Good morning and Happy Saturday!

It is a beautiful day and I am excited about working on Simplicity 1382.  Last night, I made some progess.  I made 5/8 seam allowances around the neckline and 1 inch seam allowance on the side bodice.  It's not perfect but we're getting there.

I posted my fitting woes on Sewing Pattern Review.  In order to keep the heart, a lovely ladies suggested interfacing the heart.  Brilliant!

Today, I am going to work on the bubbling neckline.  And adjust the stop right strap of the heart.  Tomorrow, I hope to have perfect bodice and start working on the skirt.

*********

A few months ago, I had some fitting issues with my "Anniversary Dress."  I was so frustrated with the fitting progress that I put in a basket and never looked at the muslin again.  This process has motivated me to tackle that dress again. 

Here it is! Vogue 1531.

So that will be my next project.

Some other items on my To Do List:

-A hat for work ( I will explain more later)

-A present for my coworker

-A knit dress

-A skirt and knit top for church

Have a great weekend!!!

Continued effort

Shhhhhhhh my seam ripper is working!!!!

Hahaha 😂

I'm working on Simplicity 1382 and I'm optimistic. I posted my issue on the Sewing Pattern Review forum.  The ladies gave me awesome advice.  Now I have to try to do what they suggested.   Woe is me!!!

Fitting! I am about to Scream

 
 

I didn't realize how difficult it would be to figure out fitting.  Why is it so difficult?  I think I am going to stick with knits.  At least for a little while.

  I hate making muslins.

  But for my daughter's dress I had to make a muslin. Plus I graded up the bodice pieces.  Everything worked out ok but now it looks frumpy.

I made the muslin with a cotton blend fabric I found in Walmart.  It was super cheap so why not?  My muslim came out okay and only needed a little adjusting so I moved on the fashion fabric.

 

My fashion fabric is a stretch satin.  I don't know how because there absolutely 0 stretch.  Anywho it's a beautiful fabric.

My first fitting in the fashion fabric looked like this.

I originally did not sew 5/8 seams. My seams were closer to 3/8 because I wanted to ensure the bodice wasn't too small. But the bodice was too loose.

 

Horrible pictures

Then I took in 1 inch.  Now it looks out of wack and the heart is distorted. What did I do wrong?  

Is it the fabric?  I need help!!!!

Lately I've been looking at the patterns on the Burdastyle website.  Not that need anymore Patterns. Smh.  I am fascinated by the idea of multiple patterns in a magazine.  How do they manages that?  I don't know about subscribing because it's pricey.  I would like to buy at least one issue to see what the rave is about.  Is there any stores in the US that sells individual issues?

view2000

Zipper Back Pencil Skirt

😐

After making my Company Holiday Party Dress, I had a little over a yard and a half of fabric left. I do not believe in wasting fabric and I use my resources wisely (I am a Girl Scout).

 

 I do not own a pencil skirt that hugs my figure.  For some odd reason I can never find a decent pencil skirt.  If you find a RTW plus size pencil size that will flatter my figure please let me know!

 

I could not find a simple pencil skirt pattern for stretch fabrics.  I achieved this look with Mimi G's Simplicity pattern #1283.  I cut the skirt back and the lining front to make this skirt.  Yes, that's what I said, the lining front.  I had to refer back to my tips for working with Velvet.  Thank goodness for taking good notes.

 

This skirt was less than a yard to make. I knew it would be hella cute with a zipper back.  

Front Dart woohoo!!!!

 

The hem of my skirt is actually the salvage of my fashion fabric.  I love the salvage so much that I wanted to show it.  And there it is!

 

 

The hardest part was the zipper. After three tries, I was finally able to install the zipper without the fabric bunching up.  I am in love with this skirt.  It is not a perfect fit .  This pattern still needs some tweaking.  But, I am happy with the end result and will definitely make another pencil skirt.

I am losing weight Yeah!!!!  Woohoo! Unfortunately, I am losing my butt boooooo! 

 

Next on the cutting board:

Simplicity 1382
We're approaching the end of the school year and my oldest daughter has a few events coming up.  I  ordered two dresses online but, I decided that I should make her a dress as well.   Before diving into this pattern I had a figure out some things first.  This pattern stops at a size 16.  My daughter is a size 18.  I figured that I would grade this pattern up to a size 20.  I don't remember where I heard this, but you can only grade a pattern two sizes up before the sizing gets distorted.

Then I made a muslin.  I hate making muslins but this dress needs to fit perfectly.

 

 

This is the front bodice which should be cut on the fold but like an idiot I was not paying attention and I cut two.  Follow directions!!!

I had to sew my the bodice in the center.  That's definitely going to screw up my front bodice. 

I have lost my mind.  This is my first time grading up a pattern.  I've made a mistake some where.  My front and back side seams do not line up.  I am going crazy!