Plaid cloned skirt

A  few years I made my eldest daughter a skirt that she wore her first day of school.

Heres the picture from the first day of school a few years ago but you can barely see the skirt.

This all began the week before school started.  I was minding my own business when out of nowhere Pinterest attacked me.  That's not how it really how it went but close enough. Lol!  I was looking for outfit ideas for my tween when I can across this photo on Pinterest.  I felt like this photo slapped me. Why didn't I think of this Look before.  I could not seem to find a pattern to achieve the Look that I was going for.

So I made this skirt and now a few years later I need to make this skirt again as part if a cosplay costume.

I figured I would share the steps I did the first time to accomplish this look.

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I used this skirt as a guide for size and construction.

 Here's the beautiful fabric that I picked up at Joanns

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Instead of making a pattern piece I laid the skirt on the fabric.  I cut the fabric an inch longer and 4 inches longer to have enough fabric to create the pleats.

 
 I serged the edges for a clean finish look.

The beautiful inside.

To create the pleats I pinned the fabric an inch wide.

After pinning, I handed basted it.

Once done I measured the from to the back piece to ensure that it would be a perfect fit

Created a 1 inch hem at the bottom if the skirt.

After basting all of the pleats, took the fabric to the machine.

I hand basted the pleats to ensure that every pleat was the same size. 

Here's a closer look at the serging.

Next up is pressing.

Heres a picture of the inside before serving the seams.   This fabric really frayed

Heres my finished skirt!

I hope this was helpful.  Have a wonderful day.

Anniversary Dress Simplicity 7926

Good day sewing family,

Happy Valentine's Day!!!!

Yesterday was my anniversary.   15 years with the best man in the world.  He knows how to drive my bonkers.  But he also knows the key to my heart.  You all know that I needed a dress for my anniversary since I wore Vogue 8825 to my son's Valentine's Day Dance.  I had 7 days to make a masterpiece.

When I purchased this pattern, I opened the pattern envelope to find a great surprise.  For some reason, it did not  click that I purchased a Create it pattern.
I made a video about the Create It Process.  Enjoy.

Sewing Pattern Review

Pattern Description:
Knit dresses are fully lined and very close-fitting through bust with either pencil or circle skirt. Asymmetrical bodice features one-shoulder, strap, sleeve and cut-out variations; pencil skirt has either stitched hem or shaped hem with band and slit. Create your own design with mix and match pattern pieces.

Pattern Sizing:
this time around I cute a size 18 all the way through.   The fabric does not have a lot of stress ak I should have cut a size bigger.

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

Yes

What did you particularly like or dislike about the pattern?

I struggled with the line drawing for attaching the lining.

Fabric Used:
Red Ponte purchased at Joann's.  I am not impressed with the feel of this fabric.  The fabric does not have as much stress and it's not as soft as I would have liked.

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

Absolutely

When I started this dress I was super excited  until....

Until I realized that I missed a step. I did not cut the lining.  No biggie right? Wrong I had less than 3/4 of fabric left.  

No problem I squeezed the pattern pieces to fit the fabric and then continued the process.

The night before my anniversary I attached the skirt to the bodice and tried on my new dress.

I could not get the dress over my head. The lining was too small because I did not cut in according to the grain line.  After making some last minute changes I was able to wear this beautiful dress.

My husband loves the dress and we had an amazing night.   

Unfortunately I didn't take pictures wearing the dress.  I will definitely take pictures and post later.

I hope you have a wonderful  Valentine's day!!! 

Foxxy

10 Valentine's Day Sewing Patterns

Good afternoon all,

This week I have been looking through my pattern stash and searching online for a dress pattern to make for my Anniversary.  During my search I realized that there's a lot of amazing dress patterns for Valentine's Day.

I have selected 10 sewing patterns that would look great for Valentine's day.  I am actually using one of these patterns for my Anniversary Dress.  I can't tell you which one because my husband reads my blog. :-)

I have to admit that it was difficult to narrow down to 10 dress patterns.  I selected a handful of patterns that you can hack and create a completely different look.

Here's the my top 10 sewing patterns for Valentine's Day:

1)     Vogue 8825 which I made earlier this month.  This pattern is easy to make and you can make it in a plain fabric or cute print fabric like I did. 

2)     McCall 6884 is a Wrap Dress Pattern that's extremely easy to make.  I made this pattern a few years ago. 

3)     Simplicity 7653 View B a sexy dress that drapes in the front.  I love front draped dresses and blouses.  Make this pattern in a sequined knit and you have a showstopper.

4)     McCall 7999  View B would look great in a velvet. 

5)     McCall 6886 is a simple dress that you can modify and hack to create an amazing dress. 

6)     McCall 7926-- I love this pattern.  It is one of McCall's Create It collection.  This pattern has 4 bodice options and 3 skirt options.  Have fun with this!

7)    McCall 7833-  This dress is super cute that can be made with a solid color knit, animal print, or a floral print.  I want this dress in a leopard print or a bright red stretch velvet.

8)     McCall 8023  This pattern is super cute.  At first glance, the fabric is a little busy and takes away from the beauty of this pattern.  If I look at the line drawing, this would be gorgeous in a soft pink georgette or chiffon.

This pattern is not a quick make because this dress has boning, elastic belt with bra extender, and bra v-separator.  But the final product will be worth it.

 

 
 

9)     McCall 7654-  This is another McCall's Create It pattern. The different sleeves makes me want to make all of the looks.

10)   McCall 7719 is another McCall Create It pattern.  Yes, I am obsessed with Create It patterns.  This pattern has 3 bodices and 2 skirt options.  I love bodice 2 and the back of bodice 1!

Pair one of these dresses with a pair of cute sandals or pumps and you are going turn heads.

Let me know which pattern you make for Valentine's Day.

Have a wonderful week and a fantastic weekend.

Quilting Progress Update

Morning!!!

It's February!  January was extremely long and a lot has happened.  Sadly we lost a legend, Kobe Bryant and the world is facing the effects of the Coronavirus.  Despite everything that happened in January we need to strive to make 2020 a great year.  We can't give up on our goals.  Keep focus and push through obstacles.

We're making progress on the quilt. Making a quilt is not a light task. Theres multiple steps and the hardest part is the size of the project.   Literally the size.  The larger the quilt the harder it is to maneuver it into the sewing machine.
So far, I have cut out the blocks sewed them together.

After sewing the blocks together I sewed the pieces to batting.  It was not easy to maneuver the batting and blocks on the sewing machine. 

During this adventure, there's 2 books that i used to guide me through the process.  I have listed the 2 books below.

1. Quilter's Precut Companion: Handy Reference Guide by Missouri Star Quilt Co.
2. Quilt As-You-Go Made Modern: Fresh Techniques for Busy Quilters by Jera Brandvig

These 2 books were heaven sent.  Next up is meandering.  Wish me luck.

I'm making good timing with my Sewing Plan for this quarter. 

Sewing Queue
Vogue 8825-- Done!
Simplicity 8982
A quilt
A Pair of Pants
Bowtie Blouse
UFO #1
UFO #2
UFO #3
Anniversary Dress

~Foxxy~

Vogue 8825 Valentine's Dance Dress

Good day all

Why does Vogue Patterns intimidate me?  Something about the name Vogue makes me admire the cover of the pattern for hours at a time but never build up the courage to make them.

After staring at the pattern cover I was determined to make it for my anniversary. I buckled down and read the instructions before cutting into the fabric.  (Just in case I chickened out! Lol) Thank goodness there's Very Easy Vogue Patterns.   Once I read the instructions I felt a little at ease .

A few years I purchased this pattern with the intent of making it.  I'm glad that I waited so long.  This dress came out beautifully.

This pattern made me fall in love with sewing all over again.  Vogue 8825 was exactly what I needed to get my sewing mojo back.

Sewing Pattern Review

This pattern was easy to make.

I cut a size 20 all the way through and the had to remove about an inch from bodice and 2.5 inches from the width of the skirt.

Sleeve band-the sleeve cuff needed some adjusting.  I removed an inch from the width and 3/4 inch from the length.
Check out the picture below. The sleeve on the left side is the sleeve before making adjustments.  The sleeve on the right side is the final product after adjustments.

Sewing patterns are a guide; so take the time to adjust the pattern to your body.  That's the great thing about sewing your own garments.

Fabric is a Teal, Hot Pink, Dark Chartreuse, Yellow Poly Ikat Lyrca knit purchased a few years ago from Fabric Mart.

This pattern requires 3 1/4 yards of fabric.  I only had 3 yards of fabric so I had to shorten the belt.

I originally made this dress for my anniversary.  My son insisted that I wear to his son Valentine's day dance.  I couldn't disappoint my prince so Mommy wore the new dress to the dance.  My husband loves the dress so I killed 2 birds with one stone.

I'm back to the drawing board and in need of a dress pattern for my anniversary.

Vogue Pattern thank you for an amazing pattern!

That's all for today.  Have a great weekend.

Work in Progress / UFO Challenge

UFO (Unfinished Object) or WIP (Work in Progress) I'm officially making WIP a curse word.  For some reason I have a stack of WIPs.  In 2019, I added a WIP every month. Smh.

Sadly a beautiful pattern would land into my hands  and life would happen.   Next thing you know it's a WIP.

I know you've probably heard this a million but new Year New Me its exactly that. In the past few months I realized some hard facts
  I was a workaholic.  I failed to live life and my family saw me 1 sometimes 2 days a week.  It was sad.  That was only my immediate family.  I haven't seen my extended family in years. 

Enough was enough.   2020 has started on the right foot.  I've changed jobs, spending quality time with my family, hung out with a few friends, started to make a quilt, and sewn my first garment.  So I am definitely working on the new year, new me
  Or better yet "new decade new me".

WIP Challenge
With that said, I am setting a goal to work on one WIP per month.

This months WIP is Vogue 8882 in an animal print fabric.

 I am missing the waistband.  The question of the day, do I have any of this fabric left to make the waistband.

 

 Let's see how this goes.

 

Have a wonderful week.  Talk to you soon.

 

~Foxxy~

Princess in Black Book #2 Chapter 3

The Princess in Black and the Perfect Princess Party

Chapter 3 Questions

1. Who is Mr. Frimplepants?

2. What is tied to Mr Frimplepants horn?

3. Find the definition
  a) steed
  b) prance
  c) canter

4.  Where did Mr Frimplepants go when his glitter stone alarm rings?

5)  What is Mr Frimplepants name when he's with the Princess in Black?

First Quarter Sewing Plan

There's many many many items on my sewing wishlist, but not enough hours in the day.

I'm determine to stick to my two challenges: "Make 20 in 2020"and the "UFO challenge". It wouldn't be right want to count my UFO makes as 20 in 2020 makes because I didn't start them in 2020.

In order to stay on track every quarter I need to make 5 items and 3 UFOs

From my 20 in 2020 list, I plan to make the following items in the first quarter:

1. Vogue 8825
2. Simplicity 8982
3. A quilt
4. Bowtie Blouse
5. Pair of pants

Here's a peek at the fabric I am using for one of my projects.

Isn't it gorgeous!!!

It's also time to think about outfits for Easter outfits.  For Easter I think I'll make dresses with Ankara fabric.  I still need to figure out what patterns to cut.

What do you have planned this quarter?

The Princess in Black and the Perfect Princess Party Chapter 2

The Princess in Black and the Perfect Princess Party

Book 2 of the Princess on Black Series
By: Shannon Hale and Dean Hale

Chapter 2

1) Find the definition:
  a) prim
  b) fastened
  c) chute
  d) drawbridge

2) According to the text, what do monsters like to eat?

3) How many sparkly princesses were on their way to Magnolia's party?

Make Nine 2020 and Make 20 in 2020

2020 is destined to be an amazing year!  Since this year is going to change my life, I am challenging myself to make more.  I'm taking the make nine challenge to the next level.
I'm calling this challenge Make 20 in 2020.  Do you get it? 20 in 20.  On Instagram, I will tag my makes using hashtag #make20in20.  Also to make this challenge interesting, make 20 does not have to be 20 article of clothing.  For example, I plan on making 2 quilts this year.

1. Butterick 6710

2. A quilt
3.  Bow Tie Blouse
4. Pair of Pants
5. Jacket
6. McCall 8037
7. Butterick 6684
8.Vogue 1684
9.Vogue 1683
10. Vogue 8825 this has been on my sewing wish list for a few years.
11. Quilt #2
12 Simplicity 8982
#13 to 20 is reserved for patterns released later on this year

I'm super excited about this challenge.  I hope you will join me. 

Have a wonderful day and talk to you soon.

~Foxxy~

Make nine 2019 and 2019 resolutions

It's January 2020!  I still cant believe that the year is 2020 and there's no flying cars.  Maybe we'll have flying cars in the year of 2040.

At the beginning of 2019 I made a few resolutions.  Let's look back at my goals from 2019.

2019 Goals: -Master installing a neckline
-Face my fear of making pants--Done!
-Make a garment using an Indie Pattern
-Continue working on the art of fitting--Done!
-Complete the Make Nine Challenge --Done!

My Make Nine 2019 Final Results:

1. Self drafted flounce skirt

2. Simplicity 8454

#3, #4, and #5 all in one picture...  

3--My son is wearing a baby blue Vest made with pattern Simplicity 8023

Then I made a dress for my 5 year and 8 year old.  I made them matching dressing with Simplicity

8351. They're not twins I promise.  

 

 

#6 Navy Blue Pants See and Sew 5908

 

#7 Butterick 6585 made with Olive Ponte Knit

 

#8 Ankara Print Simplicity 8418

#9 Turquoise Scuba Knit Skirt---Sadly I never photographed this skirt and now it does not fit. 

 

 

In 2019, I made a total of 11 items.  3 of them are not wearable.  In 2020, I would like to make at least 20 items and complete the Make Nine Challenge again.  

What do you have planned for 2020?  Have a wonderful week!

~Foxxy~

The Princess in Black #2 Chapter 1 Questions

The Princess in Black and the Perfect Princess Party
Book 2 of the Princess on Black Series
By: Shannon Hale and Dean Hale

Age Level: 5 to 8
Grade Level: K to 3
AR Level: 3.2
Lexile Level: 500
Reading Level: L

Chapter 1

1. List the different types of decorations at Princess Magnolia's party.


2. Find the definition:
     a) Polished
     b) Bobbed

3. Describe how you would decorate your birthday party

We're making a quilt!!

Yes, you read correctly.  We're making a quilt.  Why are we making a quilt?  My mom gave me the idea and I was like what the hay why not?  So here we are.  We all know that quilting is not a light task.  Quilting takes precision and patience.  I have both!  I hope...

We're starting this adventure with fat quarters.  I found this pack in Joann's.  There was so many options.  My 9 year old daughter fell in love with this pack. 

Here's a better view of the fabric from the pack. Aren't they adorable.  I can't wait to see the final product.

Last night I cut the fat quarters into  6' squares. Tonight I will start piecing the squares together.

Have you ever made a quilt?  Do you have any tips?

Have a wonderful Thursday!

~Foxxy