Monday, November 5, 2012
Renfrew arrived!
My Renfrew pattern arrived in the mail, probably a few days ago but I finally checked the mail today. Oops. My grey double knit is washing now. I read through the pattern instructions and it looks easy enough. I am thinking the v-neck with 3/4 length sleeve. I am excited! The weather is supposed to drop down to the low 60s by the end of the week and I have no warm clothes! I know 60s in November may sound warm to some, but it is quite a drop from the 80s we've been having.
Monday, October 22, 2012
wardrobe planning?
I have been trying to formulate a plan for what I would like to sew/what I need in my wardrobe for my year of RTW fasting. I set up a board on Pinterest where I can pin inspiration and patterns. You can find it here.
I would like to make some pencil skirts. I think a double knit would be great for that. Maybe a stretch woven fabric as well. I am thinking of trying Pamela's Magic Pencil Skirt pattern.
Last night I bought some double knit at JoAnns for Sewaholic's Renfrew pattern. I found a nicer double knit there in a charcoal gray color, pictured above. They only had a few colors in the good double knit. I bought a black and off-white print fabric for a button down blouse (also pictured above) while I was there that I plan to use with McCalls 6035. I also grabbed a few yards of denim to try out a jeans pattern. I have Vogue 1034 for the jeans. We'll see if I like that one.
So, I have 3 projects ready to be started, and many more in mind. I'm leaning toward wearing more skirts and dresses every day, but we'll see how cold that makes me this winter!
I would like to make some pencil skirts. I think a double knit would be great for that. Maybe a stretch woven fabric as well. I am thinking of trying Pamela's Magic Pencil Skirt pattern.
Last night I bought some double knit at JoAnns for Sewaholic's Renfrew pattern. I found a nicer double knit there in a charcoal gray color, pictured above. They only had a few colors in the good double knit. I bought a black and off-white print fabric for a button down blouse (also pictured above) while I was there that I plan to use with McCalls 6035. I also grabbed a few yards of denim to try out a jeans pattern. I have Vogue 1034 for the jeans. We'll see if I like that one.
So, I have 3 projects ready to be started, and many more in mind. I'm leaning toward wearing more skirts and dresses every day, but we'll see how cold that makes me this winter!
New Look 6936
I made a dress! Wow, I said I was going to do something and it actually got done. Right away. It usually takes me the longest time to get around to anything!
I didn't want to wait for my fabric order to arrive to make a dress. I need clothes now. I am anxiously awaiting its arrival, but it hasn't come yet. So I found a navy and pink striped knit in my stash. It is a thicker cotton knit (not a double knit, though), not like your typical jersey knit. I stopped off at JoAnns and picked up New Look 6936.
After reading all of the reviews on PatternReview.com, I figured I would go with view E. Several people complained of the 8 inches of ease in the bodice, but I figured that would be just fine. I held the bodice piece up to myself to see if it needed an FBA. Sure enough, way too short. I also measured the back pieces to the waist and determined that I needed to shorten it 1 1/2 inches. After I put it all together I almost wanted to scrap the whole thing, but decided that it was just way to much ease. I took it in probably about 8 inches in the bodice and waist, tapering down to nothing a couple inches below the hip. I shortened the sleeve probably 4 or 5 inches. That made for a much better silhouette, but I felt the neckline wasn't working for me. I widened it 2 inches and lowered it about an inch. What a difference! I definitely prefer this style dress with a belt.
This dress was quick and easy. I didn't use the instructions, except to see how they put in the elastic, because it is pretty straightforward.
In the end I don't know that it resembles the dress on the pattern cover all that much. If the girl pictured were to put her arms down I have to wonder if it would look horrible. I love how my version turned out, but I think the stripes aren't the most flattering. Still, it is something to wear- and I got plenty of compliments on it.
I didn't want to wait for my fabric order to arrive to make a dress. I need clothes now. I am anxiously awaiting its arrival, but it hasn't come yet. So I found a navy and pink striped knit in my stash. It is a thicker cotton knit (not a double knit, though), not like your typical jersey knit. I stopped off at JoAnns and picked up New Look 6936.
After reading all of the reviews on PatternReview.com, I figured I would go with view E. Several people complained of the 8 inches of ease in the bodice, but I figured that would be just fine. I held the bodice piece up to myself to see if it needed an FBA. Sure enough, way too short. I also measured the back pieces to the waist and determined that I needed to shorten it 1 1/2 inches. After I put it all together I almost wanted to scrap the whole thing, but decided that it was just way to much ease. I took it in probably about 8 inches in the bodice and waist, tapering down to nothing a couple inches below the hip. I shortened the sleeve probably 4 or 5 inches. That made for a much better silhouette, but I felt the neckline wasn't working for me. I widened it 2 inches and lowered it about an inch. What a difference! I definitely prefer this style dress with a belt.
This dress was quick and easy. I didn't use the instructions, except to see how they put in the elastic, because it is pretty straightforward.
In the end I don't know that it resembles the dress on the pattern cover all that much. If the girl pictured were to put her arms down I have to wonder if it would look horrible. I love how my version turned out, but I think the stripes aren't the most flattering. Still, it is something to wear- and I got plenty of compliments on it.
Not my most flattering picture, but after several months of waiting for a better one to be taken I am just posting this!
Tuesday, October 16, 2012
Challenge of the Year
Sarah, over at Goodbye Valentino, went a year without buying Ready To Wear (RTW) clothes, opting for making her own clothing. Now that her year is complete, she is continuing on and inviting others to join in the fun. So for the next 365 days (actually starting yesterday) I will not buy any RTW clothes. My goal is to master making jeans, as well as casual yet stylish clothing. So follow along over the next year to see what I can add to my wardrobe!
Friday, June 29, 2012
fabric
I browsed Gorgeous Fabrics website looking for the perfect fabrics for my dresses today. Oh, there is so much I love. Of course, I have to stick to a budget, so I am starting with 3 fabrics.
I picked this one for Simplicity 1804.
I also picked a pink and blue striped knit, but it is sadly sold out. But, only after I purchased all that remained! I plan to use it for ??? I can't decide which pattern, Vogue 1224 or New Look 6936? They are fairly similarish. Hmmm... When it arrives I will figure it out.
I thought I had the pattern for this one nailed down as well, but now I can't remember which one I had in mind. But I love this print! Let me know if you have any opinions.
I also added these to my wishlist:
(the one I got has equal width stripes)
(this one is just like the one I ordered but in a different color)
Of course, then I went over to Mood Fabrics and fell in love with several of the knits over there. Like this fabulous silk jersey. Oh, I am in looooove...
One day it will be mine. A fabulous silk dress all my own. Yum.
Thursday, June 28, 2012
Dresses
Alright, this post is about sewing. For me. But I'm gonna give a little personal history (more recent history) to explain why I'm gonna sew dresses for now.
I have quite a few things on my list to sew for myself. I've even started the muslins for some of them. The problem is, I am not staying one size. I have an enlarged thyroid (which was shrinking until we moved here, when it started growing again). So it kind of affects a lot of things. Anyway, my doctor put me on a medicine to see what it would do (because when it comes to the thyroid, treatment is all trial and error unfortunately). It made me gain 15 lbs in the 6 weeks I was on it. It also made my thyroid go crazy. So he told me to stop taking it. Except now nothing fits. So while I am trying to fix this broken thyroid of mine, I don't know if I will gain weight or lose weight- or both, because it can go either way from day to day apparently! So instead of just waiting to do any sewing projects (and still have no clothes to wear) I have decided I need to make some dresses. Some knit dresses for everyday wear as a stay at home mom. The kind that will work if I gain a little weight (which I am fighting with every ounce of my being) or lose a little (hopefully more like a lot) of weight. So I am trying to figure out which patterns to use.
Here are some of my options: (I would consider Vogue 1027, but I think of that as a bit too dressy for everyday use.)
Simplicity 1804 shorter version of view A
1880 wrap version
2219 view A
2369 view B
2579 view B
3503 view B
New Look 6936 any view
McCall's 5974 view A
Vogue 1224 (lengthened to hit the knee)
1152
8379 view A
Butterick 5749
So what do you think?
I have quite a few things on my list to sew for myself. I've even started the muslins for some of them. The problem is, I am not staying one size. I have an enlarged thyroid (which was shrinking until we moved here, when it started growing again). So it kind of affects a lot of things. Anyway, my doctor put me on a medicine to see what it would do (because when it comes to the thyroid, treatment is all trial and error unfortunately). It made me gain 15 lbs in the 6 weeks I was on it. It also made my thyroid go crazy. So he told me to stop taking it. Except now nothing fits. So while I am trying to fix this broken thyroid of mine, I don't know if I will gain weight or lose weight- or both, because it can go either way from day to day apparently! So instead of just waiting to do any sewing projects (and still have no clothes to wear) I have decided I need to make some dresses. Some knit dresses for everyday wear as a stay at home mom. The kind that will work if I gain a little weight (which I am fighting with every ounce of my being) or lose a little (hopefully more like a lot) of weight. So I am trying to figure out which patterns to use.
Here are some of my options: (I would consider Vogue 1027, but I think of that as a bit too dressy for everyday use.)
Simplicity 1804 shorter version of view A
1880 wrap version
2219 view A
2369 view B
2579 view B
3503 view B
New Look 6936 any view
McCall's 5974 view A
Vogue 1224 (lengthened to hit the knee)
Butterick 5749
So what do you think?
Wednesday, June 6, 2012
The "Bapron"
I found this free pattern and tutorial on Pinterest and think that it's about the cutest bib I have ever seen. It's going to be so sad when Maddox covers it in peanut butter and jelly.
Anyway, this is what I'm making today. It's easy, it's quick, and it's useful. So head on over to Craftiness Is Not Optional and check out this super cute pattern and tutorial, plus about a hundred thousand more and have a great day!
Anyway, this is what I'm making today. It's easy, it's quick, and it's useful. So head on over to Craftiness Is Not Optional and check out this super cute pattern and tutorial, plus about a hundred thousand more and have a great day!
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