My new favorite dress

I don't buy a lot of Vogue patterns, but sometimes when they're on sale for $3.99, I pick out one or two. Call me cheap, but when the other companies go on for $.99, four bucks can seem like a lot, haha.

I have been looking for the perfect shirt dress pattern. I didn't want it to be the straight kind with a sash or belt because that's just not a flattering cut for me. So I wanted one with a skirt and I do have a pattern like that, but it has a fitted waistband also and I wanted it to be more comfortable for everyday than that.  I know, I'm so picky!!

But, I flipped through the catalog just for kicks since I was at JoAnn and saw Vogue 8810. I loved the more paper bag style of this one and the drawstring would make it so comfortable! I had a dark denim colored stretch chambray and hand so after making a quick muslin, I got to work. And I LOVE IT!!

 The fit is perfect, although I sized down from what I normally make because I thought it had more ease than I wanted on the model. I also thought the waist looked low on her so I shortened my bodice by using the petite fold lines on the pattern pieces. It actually made for a perfect length, thankfully.

 I found the perfect buttons at Hobby Lobby. They add to the casual look, I think.

 I didn't quite have enough fabric (long plackets like these, since you need to cut four of them, take a lot of fabric) so I pulled a vintage cotton from my stash and used it for the placket lining and the pockets. I love how it peeks out from my hem occasionally when I walk.

This will be so easy to style for Fall too. Just add a long sleeved tee underneath or a cardigan on top and some boots or flats.

I love this dress so much, I'm thinking of making another one out of the Liberty for Target print I showed you the other day! I just need some underlining for it. In the mean time, I promised two little girls some doll bathing suits ;)

Me made on Sunday

I realized in the Spring that I sort of lack transitional clothes. I have plenty of great Summer things and some great Winter things, but the seasons in between, when it's not quite the time for sundresses or too warm for jeans, yet not warm enough for shorts, I find a lack of options in my wardrobe. Or, to get really specific for you, when it's really hot outside, but mychurch is ice-cold ;)

So, I have set out to remedy this. I wanted some summer church pants and since I had great luck with the Fashion Star shorts pattern, I gave the capri pants pattern of the same line a try. When I finished those, I made a top next and, wouldn't ya know it, the two go great together :)

 These pants are McCall's 6707. I took the inner leg seams in quite a bit to get more of a cigarette pants look. The cut of the legs was just too wide for me so I grabbed a pair of semi-skinny jeans in my closet and traced that line onto my pants.

 The pattern has a really cute stripe down the legs. Since I wasn't using a contrast, I cut that stripe on the bias so it would stand out a little bit. I think it will be super cute in a black fabric with a black satin stripe. Or pink denim with a stripe! That's it, I need pink pants ;)

I'm very happy with these and my fabric is lightweight enough to be super comfortable in Summer, but keep me from freezing my patooty off in church ;)

I'm really digging this top too!! You might recognize this print as the same as my recent halter dress. Yes, there was that much of this thrifted silk blend, I had enough leftover to make a top! This is Simplicity 1886 and it does have a couple bad reviews on patternreview.com. Despite their problems, though, I still thought those tops were super cute so I gave it a try anyway. I can see where they ran into trouble with the instructions, but I got through it and really, really, love this top!! I will be making more in time, but it's not a crank-out-in-one-sitting pattern, so it might be awhile before I want to tackle this one again :) 

I got a lot of compliments on my outfit at church yesterday. I was super comfortable and I think I did added to my transitional wardrobe with both these pieces. With skinny jeans and a cardigan, this top will move right into Fall and Winter and the pants will be great in Spring and Fall too.

I made a dress yesterday that I'll share soon. I made it with short sleeves, in keeping with my goal to make more seasonally versatile clothes. It's out of another thrifted silk blend fabric!

BTW, have you read about Sew Mama Sew's Super Online Sewing Bee??? Are you entering? Should I???

Sundays are for sewing

After church on Sundays, I like to sew. Two Sundays ago, I spent all afternoon on a dress that did not work out. It was a bummer, even though it was just a muslin because although I wasn't upset about using nice fabric, I was bummed out to have wasted the time.

This past Sunday was much different! I had spent the evening before drafting a top pattern out by combining some existing patterns, tracing and retracing onto wrapping paper until it was exactly what I was wanting! I've been looking for a racerback tank pattern made for wovens and could only find patterns for knits, even though loose woven, sleeveless tops are all over in ready-to-wear this season!

The time spent was well worth it because on Sunday I was able to whip one out. Then I wanted out of the house for a bit, went to Old Navy, decided I could make better stuff than they're selling and came home and made another one :)

I am very happy with this pattern, it's fast to sew, flattering, loose and comfortable. Perfect for Summer!

I used Burda 7509 for the most part:

I liked the hemline and the shape, but I added two inches in length. The darts come from the armholes instead of the side seams, which I think is unusual, but made for a great fit.

But, I used the neckline and armholes of McCall's 6559 because I really love a racerback cut, I think it flatters shoulders and feels feminine and pretty.

I have used this pattern a ton. I've made the dress and two versions of the cardigan. I have an awesome knit with huge stripes sitting in my stash right now begging to be made into this pattern!

When I took these photos yesterday, it was in the 60's. I don't even want to show you what it looks like out my windows right now. Some winters just really hold on, don't they?

Asymmetry

I am way behind on sharing some clothes I've made recently! This is the most recent, but it's my favorite thing I've made in awhile so I'm starting with it anyway. This is McCall's 6659, part of the new Spring line of patterns. I was drawn to the asymmetry right away. I used a rayon that I got in Reno when I visited Jenn last month, at her wonderful fabric store called Mill End. The prices for these super nice fabrics were unbelievable! This one was 3.99 a yard!! I like how the simpler print allows the pleats to show.

 I wore it to church yesterday with boots and a cardigan. The leather belt, by the way, and in case Casey's family is wondering where they've seen it before, was Casey's when he was a kid--his Dad made it! for him! I think it's adorable :)

Because elastic helps shape the waist, I think this is a comfy everyday option, which will be great for Summer rather than some of my more structured dresses.
If you'd like to see my notes on this pattern, my review is here. I definitely would like to try the one-shoulder version for a Summer date dress.

You can expect a few more finished garments on the blog this week! Happy February :)

Summer to Fall to Winter

I love turning my sewn Summer garments into outfits that work for Fall and Winter. The key is just to add layers. I may actually love certain pieces more when I discover I can switch them around and get more mileage out of them! Here are a few ways I've done this recently.

I made this Vogue dress last Spring. I liked it a lot when standing, but that interesting skirt yolk was not flattering at all when I sat down. Having had three babies, I do not need clothes that emphasize my lower belly, if ya know what I mean. (For the record, I do not do Spanx. In my opinion, if it's too tight to wear without suck-in-all-in undies, it's just too tight). Thus, I never wore it. UNTIL... I pulled it out and thought about what I could do to make it wearable because I really love the rayon knit and the print. I simply cut that lower yolk off and sewed the skirt back on. And loved it :) By that time, though, it was already Fall and too chilly to wear it as is. So last week, I grabbed a blue wrap cardigan I recently finished (never blogged, but it's the same pattern as this pink one I made) and layered the two.

 The following week, I grabbed a simple blue rayon sundress (also never blogged, whoops) that I made at the end of Summer. I layered it with a white sweater and tights and boots cause it was really snowy and cold on Sunday. Then, after church, I ditched the tights and put skinny jeans under it instead. I was really comfy all day.

I'm inspired to find more ways to stretch my wardrobe! I find that cardigans are invaluable for this concept, which is why I've made a few this season and just bought two yesterday at Target, because they're on sale for $15 this week, FYI! I got a gray one and a cute polka-dot green one. How do you adapt your handmade things?

sewing right along

As I mentioned in passing, I moved my sewing downstairs to our basement about three weeks ago. Initially I did it because the living room gets a bit crowded when we homeschool, but there were many added blessings to this decision. It's not nearly as pretty down there, but it sure has solved a lot of issues for me, some that I've been praying about for awhile. Funny how we pray about things and then we're surprised when God answered and we didn't even notice until after the fact. Sometimes hobbies can become what they shouldn't and take priority over other necessary things. I've felt for awhile now (years if I'm being honest) that it's easy for me to let sewing, which is just a hobby, become a selfish outlet and take priority over other clearly more important things. Putting my sewing space in a less visible, less accessible (during the day) area has really helped clear up this problem for me. Casey and I hang out down there together in the evenings, he plays his X-box and I get to sew. He considers this quality time and is actually thrilled to have me down there with him :) I can also spread out down there and don't have to keep quite as tidy with my sewing messes. Added benefit.

Something else I've been praying for is to develop a deeper love for cooking. Sounds silly, but in all honesty, although I like to eat, we are a pretty healthy-eating family and I am somewhat of a good cook, it's never been my favorite--mostly because I don't like to clean it up, ha! Somehow, now that I rarely sew in the daylight hours, what else is there to do when the kids don't need me but to hang out in the kitchen and cook?? Funnily enough, cooking is turning into something I genuinely like to do, rather than drudgery. I find myself planning better and even planning prep to make the clean-up easier. So, the Lord is answering my prayer!

My house has been cleaner too. Can't imagine why ;)

Anyway, since finishing Kelby's quilt, I've managed to make a few things. I had bought a knit shirt from Target clearance that I really liked the fit of and thought maybe I could copy it, since it's really only two pieces, front and back. I pulled out a knit that I liked, but didn't love and was really cheap, so I wouldn't be upset if it didn't work out. But, I actually really like it!

 Since it turned out so well, I immediately cut out my next version! I got this awesome bordered mesh fabric at Denver Fabrics, in hopes that this would work out. I absolutely love the color and the gorgeous border. I'm sure to make more versions of this simple top in the future cause it looks so different in various fabrics and it's really fast to cut out and sew up.

 Lastly, yesterday I finished a cardigan out of this striped sweater knit that I've had for about a year now and have been saving just for this purpose. I'm glad it finally got done! Our weather is starting to cool and with the sleeve length on this, it's a perfect transitional piece for Fall! It's Simplicity 2206 and I did add a bit of length. It's really soft, really comfortable and I think it will go with a lot of things!

That's it for now!

Cheers :)

shop notes and pattern plans

My little Etsy shop has made it's first few sales! Feels good! A learning experience, though, I've been asking questions in the forums quite a bit and am fine tuning my prices and product to build a nice little brand for myself. It's fun!

I added this beauty just this morning:

I would keep it if I had the space. See how it matches my 1969 appliances!?

In other news, I promised I'd share my haul from Denver fabrics. Wanna see my plans??

 This one's tried and true, I made it last Summer and is a favorite! I'm excited to make it again.

 This beautiful rayon will make a lovely long, basic skirt, I think.

 This one will be really pretty if I can get the best use out of the border print. I don't plan on using it in the traditional (border at the hem) way, so we'll see what I can come up with. It's a rayon lawn, so it will be super cool and comfortable.

 I got a sort of stripe knit to try out that long version!

This pink knit was in the $1.97 a yard bin. There's a lot of it, so I will probably get a knit nightgown out of it after I make this cute tie front cardigan.

SO, what to make first?? Suggestions??

My serger is in the shop :( but I'm plugging away at some dresses for the girls while I wait for its return. Makes me wonder how I did without it all those years, ha!

A swimmy tank dress

I bought a swimsuit knit without realizing it was a swimsuit knit. Am I the only one who's ever done that?? I shop the sale bins at Denver Fabrics and things aren't labeled in there, or categorized, so my thoughts were, "hmmm, this is soft and feels nice, I like the print and I think it would be nice and cool as a dress". Then I got it home and realized it was much heavier than the other knit fabrics I'd bought that day and it occurred to that it was meant for bathing suits. Duh.

But, I didn't let that stop me from making it into a dress :) You really can't tell it's swimsuit fabric and it really does keep me cool, so there.

Not the best picture. It was raining. I was in a hurry.
I bought McCall's 6559 for the awesome tie front cardigan, which I'll be making many of in the Fall, I think! I didn't plan on making the tank dress until I noticed it was a racerback style, which I love! Then it occurred to me that it would be perfect for this fabric, since there are few seams and so it wouldn't be too heavy.

(Side note, forget the pattern, where can I get that amazing fabric the model is wearing?????)

I think my dress turned out cute and comfortable.
You can read my review of this pattern here.

I bought a couple of the new New Look patterns today (after finishing up the passport application process--whew! That was a big deal!) and I think I have my sewing mojo back. I have a skirt cut out and a couple dresses for the girls in the works too! I'm hoping for a trip to Denver Fabrics this weekend, so that should put me back in the game even more.

I'm particularly looking forward to sewing this one up! I love what they did with the grey and white stripes! If I could find that same fabric, I'd copy it exactly :)

What I'm lacking is everyday clothes. I've made plenty of church dresses, so I need to lay off those for awhile and make some everyday clothes and dresses. That's what I'll be focusing my sewing on. What about you?

January.

January. Blah. I always get the blues in January! It's dumb. But, sewing perks me up :) So does cleaning. But, I'm going to blog about sewing, then I'll go clean, okie doke?

Like I said before, I needed more tops in my winter wardrobe, since I'm forced to wear pants more. In the Summer I wear dresses almost every day! When's groundhog day again? I'm ready! But, anyway, I made this top last week and have already worn it twice. I wore it under a cardigan because it's chilly, but still, I love it!

I've had this knit fabric for awhile, but I have to be in the mood to sew knits, so when I get in the knit groove, I make several things at once! In fact, I've made three knit tops and two knit dresses over the last several weeks!

This pattern is Butterick 5237 and you can read my review here.

As you can see, mine looks a little different. I was too lazy busy to sew all those little pleats in the neckline by hand in three places, so I gathered it up and sewed a ribbon to the underside instead. But, I love ruffles, so it works for me! This is an easy going top, quick to make, fun to wear and I'd recommend this pattern. I don't love the other views though.

Then, I made this top:

It's actually the same fabric as the purple top, but in brown. Looking at this picture, I'm not sure this is a flattering as I thought it was, but maybe after I wash it, that bias hem will ruffle less. I dunno.

This is Simplicity 2369 and I'm not going to bother reviewing it because it's already been reviewed a bazillion times on patternreview.com.

I still need to share those two dresses! One of these days, I'll dress up and get on it, but today...it's too cold outside :)

Cheers!

Better late than never

So, not everything I make works out. Some things end up in the thrift store bag, after sitting in my closet for awhile because I'm not willing to admit that my hard work just doesn't look great on me :) But, I have a small closet, so the things I don't wear or don't love just have to go.

I made this several months ago and until today, I thought it was going to be one of those things.

(Side note, how do I manage to get sun flare like that in my photo when I'm NOT trying??)

I wasn't in love with this top and there are still a few things I'm not thrilled with, but I had this awesome Ann Taylor skirt (a thrift store find) hanging in my closet with no top to go with it and so I put these two things together this morning with a cute tan cardigan over it all and ya know what? I think it's a keeper after all!  Actually, I think I might try this pattern again, but the version with sleeves...and a lower bust line...and in a knit :)

The pattern is Simplicity 2409 and you can read my review of it here.

I made a Cynthia Rowley dress recently (this one) that I plan on wearing this weekend maybe. I've been holding off because I have my eye on some great black boots that are finally on sale and for which I finally received a coupon in my inbox :)

Speaking of Cynthia Rowley's patterns, am I the only person that thinks this latest design is a total fail??

I haven't seen anything this dowdy looking in a really long time.  The top part could be okay, especially that sleeveless version, but the skirt! WHAT? I don't think I know anyone who could pull this off. Heck, the model isn't even pulling it off.  She looks like she's headed to a prairie days festival. And, does any woman really want to emphasize her GUT like this??

I just don't get it. Am I wrong? What do you think?? Do designers sometimes forget to keep what the the average woman wants to wear in mind? Do I sound like Nina Garcia now?? Ha!

Satin fever

Oh, boy, I finished two of three Halloween costumes this week and I am now officially sick of satin!!! What a pain! It doesn't press, it ravels like crazy and doesn't take well to pinking shears. But, at least I will have one happy little angel and one happy little fairy :)  Also, it's annoying that some costume patterns skimp on finishing.  My kids wear these things way more than just on Halloween, so I take extra care with finishing and preventing raveling!

Kelby wants to be Buzz. No problem. Sweats, felt and hot glue, here I come. No more satin, yes!

In the midst of all this and all the baby bedding that I am plugging away at, I am itching to sew myself some Fall clothes! I got some great fabrics last weekend, but in the mean time, I'm trying to make my Summer things into Fall things.  Here's what I wore to church today:

I made this skirt over the Summer with some vintage cotton. The pattern is Simplicity 2258. The ruffle tee is J.Crew, via Savers, my favorite thrift store :)  The reason I showed you this pic is because I recently found this look on Pinterest...

(From stylebible.ph via Melissa Koster on Pinterest)

...and I think I could make the above skirt pattern work for this too. If I widen the sides a little to give it a looser look and add a ruffle at the top with some belt loops? And, how about this pattern (which I already own) for the shirt? Add a cute cardigan and there ya go.

As for Mad Men, there were some good points made in its favor in the comments after my last post :) I just don't think I'm a drama girl. Except for maybe Gilmore Girls, which I loved. But then again, the last two seasons annoyed me a lot. So, give me comedy please and throw in a few fun reality shows like Project Runway or American Pickers (which has me entranced on Netflix almost every night) and just keep the dramatic life lessons away, hahaha!

Basics

I have been sewing some very versatile pieces lately and guess what... they're not dresses, ha! Annnnnd, I'm happy to say, I am no longer afraid of knits. I ain't skeered!

First off, I tried on a white version of a little cardigan like this at a store which shall remain nameless.  It was $40 though, so I was very hesitant to buy it until I noticed a tiny hole under the arm (which I could fix easily). So, I thought, YAY! they'll give me a damage discount! (It was the only one left in that size). But, no! She said she wasn't allowed to sell damaged merchandise, but I could buy it for regular price. Dumb! But, it's okay, because shortly thereafter, I found this pattern:

I found this super-soft pink knit at Denver fabrics and made this!

I did make a couple of changes--rather than hemming the front band piece that acts as a sort of scarf around it, I folded it in half length-wise and sewed it on that way instead. I thought doing a narrow hem would look homemade and I also didn't really want a huge scarf around my neck on a summer cardi. Also, I added some ties to the sides because that's what I loved so much about the one I tried on in the store.  It just gave it more shape than others I've seen in this style. Above, they're tied behind, but they can also tie in the front:

It's wrinkled because I took it off when I was sewing the other day and then sat on it for about an hour, haha.

A few months ago, I was at a thrift store and while picking through the bagged fabrics, I came across a nice piece of stretch denim, tossed in with an unknown black piece. I've yet to use the stretch denim, but the black turned out to be a fabulous heavier-weight knit, which I turned into a very cute and very goes-with-everything-or-for-any-occasion skirt! (I think Casey might be tired of taking pics of me on the front porch, so sorry for the hanger pictures ;)

This is not a pattern, I just winged it. Basically, use your hip measurement as a guide. I loooove the yoga style waste band. This piece of wide elastic started out in a pair of maternity pants, was repurposed in a maternity skirt that I made and now is still surviving inside this skirt! I can see myself getting a LOT of use out of this one!

I also discovered a perfect and very versatile pencil skirt pattern that I'm sure to use a lot in the future! It's Simplicity 2258 and I used a vintage cotton that reminds me of I-Love-Lucy, which I got from the blessed older lady at church :)

This picture doesn't do it much justice, but I'll try to have Casey take a pic when I'm wearing it soon. I love the pockets!

I'll definitely be making more versions of this--may be a good use for the aforementioned stretch denim! The fit is perfect on me, so the possibilities are endless. I really want to make some cute around-the-house pants out of view D.

P.S. I did add a little length (3 inches), as the skirt in the photo is a bit short for hanging with the kids purposes :) 

Hope you're all having a fabulous week! :)