Tis the Season

Merry Christmas!  This season I decided to make some items that did have a lot of steps.  Sometimes we need a break from complicated projects.

I decided to make Burda 6754.  These slippers are sooooooo comfortable.

Next, Christmas decor pillows.  I found all of the fwbric at Joann’s.

 

Then I can across this beautiful fabric in the clearance section in Joann’s.  2 yards of this fabric was transformed into a tablecloth.  This is definitely my favorite make this month.

 

 

  Sadly enough I had to work today it’s a good thing because I got to spend time with my coworkers and thankfully I had the day off yesterday.  So I spent Christmas Eve with my family.

During my lunch break I tired decided to take a look at the McCall’s early spring patterns there’s quite a few patterns that I want to make. The question of the day is where will I have found find time to make so many different patterns.   McCall 7899 is my all-time favorite with the pleated waistline.

Have a wonderful holiday season!



 

Superhero shorts Burda 9641

This is becoming a trend now.   I never have enough fabric to complete a project.   I know the real reason why color blocking was invented.  The designer who started the color blocking trend is a knuckle head like me and never buys enough fabric.  Lol!

This journey began with standing in the fabric store with my son.  He made a valid point.  He told me that I have not made anything for him and that hurt my feelings.  I had to make it up to him.  So I asked him to select the fabric he wanted me to use.  It was like a kid in the candy store.  Finally he came back with three different fabrics.  I bought all three.  Then he told me he wanted a pair of superhero shorts.  We didn't find any superhero fabric that he liked.  The next day we were in Wal-Mart buying school supplies and what does he do.  He walks over to the fabric section and runs back to me with the fabric that he wants.

Confession
I have to admit that I delayed starting this project because I was afraid that I would screw it up.  I spent a lot of time studying a pair of my son's shorts to see the small details that I could add to my project in order for them to look as close to ready to wear as possible

Fitting
Did I think this was going to be an easy project? NO!  I was shaking in my socks.  I took every step super slow.  I did not want to fail and disappoint my son. 
To determine the size to cut, I compared the pattern pieces to a pair of my son's RTW shorts.  That saved me so much time.

Sewing Process
For some odd reason, I did not start with step one.  My main focus was the flap so I started there.  I knew if I could get the flaps right that I everything else would go smoothly.

After working out the details of the flap I decided to go back to step one and work on the yoke.  Then to realize that I did not cut out two of the pattern pieces.  That's when the most horrible thing happen. I did not have enough fabric for the yoke.  No Problem! Right? Color block! This is a great opportunity to cover block.  The yokes were made with a green Fat Quarter. I actually like the green yoke.  The fabric is very color so the yokes balance it a little bit.  Don't you think?

Sewing Pattern Review

Pattern Description:

Casual trousers/pants in three lengths with elastic waistband and belt carriers - easy to sew as the fastening/closure is only for show! Trousers/pants A & B have hip-yoke pockets and side flapped pockets. Trousers/pants C have patch pockets with slanted openings.
 

Pattern Sizing:

6 to 16
 

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

Yes, for the most part.
 

Were the instructions easy to follow?

They were easy to follow except for one step. 
 

What did you particularly like or dislike about the pattern?

I did not like how the order of one of the steps.
 

Fabric Used:

Cotton
 

Pattern alterations or any design changes you made:

I did not install the belt carriers.  This was such a casual print fabric that I felt the belt carriers were a little much.  I wanted the print to speak for itself so I did not install the side pockets.
 

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

I do plan to make this pattern again in the near future.  Most likely in a denim or twill.
 

Conclusion:

 My son wanted a pair of shorts and found this fabric during one of my shopping trips.

Step 14 was frustrating.  I decided to make this pattern with a lightweight cotton.  Step 14 instructs you to add a rectangular piece of fabric to the front.  Why didn't it show that step before sewing the crotch area? 

Rectangular piece for step #14 

When I added the rectangular piece it looked really weird but somehow it works.

 

Front view of the rectangular piece after adding it to the crotch

The directions did not explain how to add the rectangular piece and what to do with it.  I had to get creative.  Thankfully I am not brand new to sewing.  If this was my first sewing pattern I am confident that I would have given up on this project. 

I folded the rectangular piece in half.  With the  fabric folded the half I stitched down the original crotch line. The rectangular fabric added the extra support that my fabric needed.  

I had so much trouble topstitchint the crotch area. After three tries, I drew the topstitch line on the 

fabric and I still couldn't get it right.  You know what that means: time to practice.

 

Playing at the Park

This pattern's length is a little longer than  I would have liked.  Next time, I will shorten the hem by 5/8 of an inch.

Goofing around with my husband.  They're so silly!

Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtle Jacket Burda 7734

Howdy Howdy Howdy

Went to my local fabric store with my son, which should be a no no.  Why should going to the fabric store be a girl thing?  Well, that's a later discussion.  While there, my son found this great fabric ,that would made him a killer jacket.  This fabric makes me think of the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles. 

My son is 9 years old, so I needed a jacket in children's size.  So many questions came to my mind as I was deciding how to make this jacket.  But first I had to find a pattern.

This jacket is overdue. I started planning this project a few months ago but I couldn't find a bomber jacket pattern for boys.  So I settled for a sweatshirt pattern. For some reason, I was not happy with my selection.  I couldn't bring myself to cut the pattern.

One afternoon I was organizing my pattern stash and found this...Burda 7734. I looked at the line drawing on the back and kicked myself. I had a jacket pattern all along.  I ran to grab a pair of scissors; walked back to my table with my scissors (safety first). My son was so excited that he helped with the cutting.  He's such a sweetheart!

I did not know that Burda pattern company offered so many variations of children's clothing.   However the jacket I choose is a men's pattern cut in a size 36.  The pattern did not have finish sizes or a size chart on the envelope.  To determine the best size to cut, I laid out the pattern and measured the width of the front and back pieces.  Then I found the measurements on the pattern piece.   Why didn't they add a size chart on the pattern envelope.  Se Lavi!

This is my second time working with a Burda pattern. The first time was a simple dress that I made for my 3 year old.  It took a little longer to work through the directions because this pattern is not catered to the beginner.  However, it was easy once I stopped and looked at it.

I interfaced the zipper seam allowance so that it look straight and professionally done. 

The sweatshirt fabric was not easy to cut, even with a sharp pair of scissors.

Ankleband???  Am I making a jacket or a pair of pants? 

This has been a unique sewing experience.  I think I am so spoiled by the Simplicity instructions that I was shocked when I started to read the instructions for this Burda pattern.  Every company is different and I am intrigued.  After this experience I am ready to try another Burda pattern. 

All was well.  Until I had to work on the hood.  I did not have enough fabric to make a hood.  The following day I returned to my local fabric store.  I walked around and around the store but I couldn't find it.  As I'm about to leave (thinking of a way to incorporate a different color fabric). I saw something in a bin,  it was the fabric with only half a yard left. I was ecstatic!!!  Like a kid in a candy store.

The zipper was really long.  I was frustrated because I was almost at the finish line and then I had to figure out how to adjust the zipper.

When I was on the last step, I realized the inside of the jacket looked horrible.  What if my son takes off his jacket and his friend sees my mess.  To make the inside look a little more presentable, I bias binded the seams.  I used a little under 2 packs of store bought "Double Sided Bias Binding."  Then I made a facing for the zipper area.

This was an easy sew for the most part.  This project had a lot of "firsts for me. 

First time:

• making a hood
• sewing an exposed zipper
• topstitching
• cleaning up the seams
• using bias binding for the seams
• making a jacket facing for the zipper area

Pattern Review

Pattern Description:

Sweat jacket with knitted waistband, cuffs and pouches, available with hood, stand-up collar. These are popular layering items. The shirt with the polo panel and stand-up collar have excellent fashion potential

Pattern Sizing: 

34 to 36, I cut a size 36

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

Yes.  Thank goodness.

Were the instructions easy to follow?

This pattern was somewhat easy to follow.  Carefully read the instructions to not miss any steps.

What did you particularly like or dislike about the pattern?

I did not like that the size chart was not display on the envelope back.  Other than that this was a really good pattern.

Fabric Used:

Heavy weight Sweatshirt fleece

Pattern alterations or any design changes you made:

I made a facing for the zipper area and used store bought binding to conceal the seams.

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

Yes I will.  My husband and my brother loves this jacket so much.  I have some work to do.

Conclusion:

The instructions for the hood was a little confusing.  From the instructions, it seems that you're supposed to sew down the front tab of the hood.  I did not like how it looked.  I removed the stitches and then hand stitched the front tab down.  I am accustomed to the directions number by each step while the Burda instructions grouped several instructions under each number.  So read your instructions carefully.