It's my birthday!

It's my birthday!!!

 Hooray!!! 😁

I had a great day with my family!!! I wore my Vogue 1531 dress today to church. It is not perfect but at least I got to wear it. There is still some work to do with this dress. I've made huge progress with this dress. I restarted this project with a 3.0 inch FBA. I lengthen my bodice by 2 inches to account for my large bust. I've cut into my fashion fabric, coral Liverpool Crepe and my bodice is together but not my neckline is bigger and there's extra fabric is the waistline. The skirt has 2 front pieces and the back skirt has 4 pieces. The skirt was Easy to assemble. When it came time to install the zipper, I realize the I did not have a zipper to match my fabric. Later on this week I am going to change the zipper. I still need to adjust the bodice and change the zipper. I plan to wear this dress again in two weeks. Hopefully it will be complete by then. I am using my IPhone to type this post. For some odd reason, I cannot add photos to this post from my cellphone. I will add photos later. 

Happy Sunday!

Screenshot Frenzy Weekend 9/2/2017

Morning!

Thank you to the brilliant person who invented "Screenshot."  The greatest invention ever!  Now I am addicted.  Every single time I see something I "must have" or "would like to make", I screenshot it.  I figured that I should share some of my finds.  Hopefully one of my screenshots will inspire you.

Tulip Dress:  I love how flowy this dress is!  This would be a great dress to wear for a summer wedding.

This dress is dramatic!!!  Low cut out  back, a bow and pleats.  Look at the neckline.  This dress is confused but in  a good way.

 

 This outfit is simple but cute. The top has one shoulder and Ties to the side and I am in love with wide leg pants.  I love love love!!!

I'm not getting married anymore but this dress makes me want to renew my vows.

This is actually a OOP Vogue Pattern.  Vogue 1448 

Another Vogue Pattern! 

Now I am a Dolce and Gabbana fan.  This is a super cute infant dress. 

Another cute infant dress.

This African print top is giving me life. 

This skirt reminds me of a Simplicity pattern.   I love the lace bomber jacket with this Look.  

African print peplum top is hot!!  The high low peplum gives this top some edge.

I haven't made a bag since my Hurricane Purse.  I would love as African Print purse

Look at the color and the cut out back.  Love this!  Only problem is this a top or dress.  I am assuming this is a dress.

African print kids clothing.

LBD!  

I hope this post inspires you like it has inspired me!  Happy sewing!

30 Projects in 90 Days Ready Set Go

It's September 1st and today marks the beginning of my Fall Sewing Plan!!!

"30 projects in 90 days " all started about a month ago, when I started making my Fall Sewing Plan.  As the Big 4 released their Pre-Fall and Fall Patterns, my plan grew longer and longer.   I mentioned my super long list  in one of my post.   In that post I stated I felt my list was too long.  I thought I was a lunatic.  Actually I still think that I’m a lunatic.  Thanks to Vivmom from Sewing Pattern Review I have decided to try to make 30 garments.  To make this goal attainable, I am not going to select 30 specific patterns.  I am an impulsive sewer.  I can't stick to a Sewing Plan with specifics Patterns.  I've tried!  It just doesn't work!

Looking through my closet is depressing.  The first few items that I'm going to make Will fill the holes in my closet.

Plans for Day 1:
I'm going to start the day cutting some patterns and fabric out.  In order to accomplish my goal of 30 garments, I will need to stay organized.  If I sew 15 to 30 minutes every day, I should be able to complete at least 8 items every month.  If I push myself  I should make 10 items a month.

Some patterns on my plan:

Official Fall Sewing Plan:

5 tops

3 skirts

1 pair of pants or a jumpsuit (first time for everything 

8  dresses

1 cape

2 tops for my tween

2 shorts for my son

1 romper for my 3 year old

1 dress for my 3 year old 

2 dresses for my 6 year old 

2 rompers for my toddler

1 dress for my mom

And something for DH.

 

School started 2 weeks ago!  Look at my bambinos.  My oldest daughter started middle school.  The start of middle school marks the end of school uniforms and the beginning of a new adventure.

Please let me know if you have a fall sewing plan and what projects do you have on your list and how many garments do you plan to make this time of the year?  I would love to see what you have planned so if you're working on your fall sewing

All right for all of my fall sewers ready. On your mark! Get set! Sew!

Pink Cheetah McCall 7634

A few weeks ago I purchased some fabric from Mood fabric online Mood fabric is the fabric supplier for Project Runway and Project Runway Junior.   Some day I will visit the store in New York.

I bought some really great pieces on this website.  My tween fell in love with a pink cheetah print jersey fabric .  I knew I had to make her something that was cute but a little edgy because she's a preteen.  After looking through my pattern stash I found McCall 7634.

I purchased this pattern for her to make in a sweatshirt fabric.  I decided to use this jersey print fabric and make some modifications to the pattern.

Modifications
Number one I removed the center front placket that will have the grommets instead I folded the fabric in half  and cut it on the center front in a straight line.

Number two instead of cutting the long sleeves I cut the sleeves about 6 inches long and omitted the ribbed cuff and omitted the rib edge of the dress.

Number three I lengthen the skirt by 2 1/2 inches .

Number four instead of cutting the back on the fold I cut it so that I would have a central back  seam.

This project was completed in one night it took about four hours with all of the modifications from cut of pattern pieces to hem of the dress.
. My daughter wore this dress the very next morning.  Unfortunately, II forgot to take pictures of my daughter wearing this dress.  I will have to take photos the next time she wears it.

I absolutely love this dress and how it looks on my daughter I'm not sure if I'm going to make this pattern again maybe next time I'll make it the way it is intended with the front placket and the grommets.

 Mood fabric
This was my first time ordering from Mood Fabric.  I am very happy with my purchase.

Sewing Pattern Review

Pattern Description:

Misses' Knit Tops, Dresses, Shorts, and Pants
Loose fitting tops and dresses have pocket, length and hem variations. A, C, D: Rib knit cuffs and bands. Fitted pull on shorts and pants have rib knit waistband.
 

Pattern Sizing:

I cut a size 14
 

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

Not exactly because I made him some out of Modifications to the pattern
 

Were the instructions easy to follow?

The pattern instructions were pretty easy to follow us get quite a few stops because I made some modifications.

What did you particularly like or dislike about the pattern?

there's nothing to this like about this pattern.
 

Fabric Used:

Knit from Mood Fabric.
 

Pattern alterations or any design changes you made:

Please see conclusion.
 

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

I will definitely make this pattern again probably in a sweater or sweatshirt fabric for the winter which is typically kind a like fall weather but it sounds Florida and with the Romans as originally intended for this pattern
 

Conclusion: 

 When I made this pattern my daughter and I had plans to go out the following day.  I wanted to make something really quick.  This dress took about four hours to make but I made quite a few modifications.   I folded the front of the dress I cut the front of the dress on the fold and omitted the steps for the Grommets.  I knew that skipping the grommets would shave an hour or two half.

The following day when she worked she looked great in the dress I do kind of wish that I had made this dress with grommets.  

Help needed

Here is my dream dress!  I know you've seen it on my blog before.

I was shopping at the mall yesterday and saw a lime green knit dress just like this one.  The one at the mall was not exactly the same but it was close enough to remind me of Vogue 1531.

I fell in love with this pattern all over again.  So I have to make it.  I have to, have to, have to!!!

More fitting issues but a different project. SMH!

I made this bodice muslin a long time ago.  My birthday is coming up and I would like to wear this dress.  

The neckline is too big.  What should I do?

I think the back looks good.  Right?

PROGRESS REPORT

Coming Soon:

• Simplicity 8383
• McCall 7436
• Pencil Skirt
• Tween Skirt

15 Minutes of Sewing

McCall 7543-Step 8 narrow hemming the sleeves. 

Summer Sewing Plan: 6 more...

Vogue 1531-Muslin stage  (now on the top of my list)
Simplicity 3182-Almost done!
New Look 6434-pattern cut
Simplicity 8304-done. Photos coming soon
See & Sew 5908-pattern and fabric cut
Vogue 8898- need to select fabric

Sewing Basket
Kwik Sew Mom Top

Fall Sewing Plan:  There's 30 items on my list.  That's not realistic.  My head is spinning just thinking about it.  I am going start over.  I might make a capsule.  Oh that's a great idea.

Working with Eyelet Simplicity 1451

I broke a needle.  Yes I did!  Another dangerous fabric crossed off my sewing bucket list.  I didn't realize eyelet fabric could be so dangerous. Eyelet is such a beautiful fabric.  I especially love it in the summer.  I decided to make my toddler a cute top using Simplicity 1451. This was my second time working with this pattern.  It was easier to make this pattern the second time around.  Kinda.  Let's just say the pattern was easier but the fabric is dangerous!

The needle of my sewing machine broke as it was going over the heavily embroidered part of the fabric.

Sewing Pattern Review

Pattern Description:

Toddlers' Easy to Sew dresses, top, cropped pants and shorts make a complete summer wardrobe for your toddler. Dresses and top can be made with trims or ruffles. Shorts and Pants have elastic waistband.

Pattern Sizing:

1/2 to 4

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 love this pattern.  There is nothing to dislike.

Fabric Used:

 Eyelet

Pattern alterations or any design changes you made:

This time around I did not make and changes.

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

 I might make this pattern one more time.

Conclusion: 

I have made this pattern before.  I had a super cute Eyelet fabric  in my stash that I think I bought at Joann's.  Anywho, this was my first time working with Eyelet.  While sewing over a heavily embroidered section my needle broke.  I did not realize how dangerous Eyelet could be.  After breaking a needle, I knew I had to slow done.  I hand turned my sewing needle over the heavily embroidered areas of the fabric.  The bodice is lined  with Cotton voile.  I cut a size 2 which is large on my toddler.  I love this pattern and will definitely make it again.  My daughter wore this top with a pair of leggings I made using Simplicity 8304.

PROGRESS REPORT

Coming Soon:

• Simplicity 8383
• McCall 7436
• Pencil Skirt
• Tween Skirt

15 Minutes of Sewing

McCall 7543-Step 8 narrow hemming the sleeves. 

Summer Sewing Plan: 6 more...

Simplicity 3182-Almost done!
Vogue 1531-Muslin stage
New Look 6434-pattern cut
Simplicity 8304-done. Photos coming soon
See & Sew 5908-pattern and fabric cut
Vogue 8898- need to select fabric

Sewing Basket
Kwik Sew Mom Top

Fall Sewing Plan:  There's 30 items on my list.  That's not realistic.  My head is spinning just thinking about it.  I am going start over.  I might make a capsule.  Oh that's a great idea.

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!

Simplicity Fall Pattern Release

Why didn't Simplicity release their prefall patterns with their fall pattern.  I felt like they released their pre-fall patterns about a month ago.  Anywho.

Mimi G did it again!  I am not sure if I am in love with the pattern itself or the fabric.  Oh my gentle heart!

Simplicity 8466: I am in love with the skirt.  I have to have this pattern.  This pattern is officially on my Fall Sewing Plan. 

Simplicity 8451 Is FIRE!  Oooo I need a fire extinguisher!  I would love to try my hand at this lined coat with the large collar.  Oh my word.

Simplicity 8459:  View B would be cute on my tween.  I want View A.  Maybe we could be twinzies!

Simplicity 8453:  I am in love with view C.  The cold shoulder with the assymmetic hem is to die for! 

Simplicity 8458:  I'm not really into vintage patterns but I am in love with View A.  The buttons with the bias binding gives this skirt some 'tude. I think I would like this skirt a little fuller like the line drawing.

Simplicity 8473: I am obsesses with capes.  I was planning to make a cape this fall.   Maybe this pattern will make it on my list.

Simplicity 8455:  Sleeves!!!  Especially View C and D.

Simplicity 8471: View A is too cute.  It I understand this correctly, this is an overlay for Ashley Tipton's pattern 8345.  Very clever! 

Simplicity 8454:  I NEED view C and maybe view B.

Simplicity 8472: I am in love with Ashley Tipton's designs.  Trench coats! 

Simplicity 8470: Love love love

8465:  This is a cute a cute twist top for work.

Simplicity 8457:  This pattern comes in average, slim, and curvy.  I love the pleats with the cuffs. 

My Tween and I, went to the movies the other day.  Guess what I wore!  You know it!  McCall 7602.  I decided to shorten the straps and that did the trick.  Now there's not a lot of boob action.  Anddddddd the armhole is not as revealing.  I will have to keep that in mind for my next version of this pattern.