Simplicity 2996

Well, after approximately 6453 miles of handsewing, I finished my Easter dress! I'm still not sure I'm completely in love, but there are some seriously great details in this dress. I really appreciated everyone's comments about styling this dress. Hopefully you can see where I have incorporated them. You all had some wonderful thoughts.

The pattern is Simplicity 2996, alas now OOP. It is a princess seamed shirtdress and includes cup sized pattern pieces - love that! The fabric is a poly rayon linen look from Hancock's. I used Pro-Weft interfacing on the facings and collar and Pro-Sheer Elegance on the hem.

I used the clean finish technique from Pam's blog for the facings, and the just look gorgeous. The edge is soft and smooth. Seam finishes were otherwise serged. I thought about lining this dress, but I really wanted it to be a breezy, summer-y dress, so I left it unlined.

Here is the sleeve detail. Isn't the little tab cute? The sleeve is faced rather than hemmed and the tab is caught in the facing.

After all of your great comments about styling this dress, I wanted an understated, but still pretty button that would fit into the vintage feel. I went withe these floral ones, since I felt they were versatile, but still sweet.

Here is the pocket. I'm not sure why it is so dark in this photo. The color in the other pictures is more true to life. Anyway, the pocket is inserted into the front princess seam. The welt is stitched down on the sides rather than inserted like a true welt pocket. I stitched it down by hand, as I didn't want there to be any topstitching on the dress. I really wanted to preserve the clean lines.

I really loved all of your ideas for dressing up this dress, particularly the suggestions for a contrasting belt or scarf. I think red will be great with it, but I was taken with Uta's idea of pairing it with brown, so here it is with a chunky brown and blue necklace and a brown belt. What do you think?

Vogue 2463

My weekend project got buttons!

As a reminder, the pattern is Vogue 2463, published in 1990. 

I made view C, with the square neckline and short sleeve.

I did remove 1/2 inch from the shoulder seam to omit the shoulder pad. I already have fairly broad shoulders, so a pad becomes a bit ridiculous on me. Otherwise, I cut a straight size 12 with no alterations. Not because I didn't need any, just because I was lazy and this was supposed to be a quick project. Fit-wise, it is a little big in the neck and shoulder area, although moving over the top button took care of the neckline gaposis I had. I could use a smidge more ease in the bust, so if I make it again, I'll do a small y-dart FBA. Maybe an inch or so.

How nice is that neckline, though? I love a square neck. Such a wonderful frame for a great necklace. Pretty and sexy without being trashy. Love it.

Inside, I serged the seams, and the neckline is faced. I drafted my own facings for two reasons. One, Mom had already cut the pattern to a different size, so I had to guess a bit at the neckline. Second, the facings as provided were really skimpy and I hate when facings flip out, so I made mine significantly deeper. You'll note the interesting taupe serging. Yes, I was afraid to change the thread on the Babylock. I know, I'm a big chicken.

I am so happy with my top! I don't really have any tops that tuck well and that I can also nurse in. I love the 80s/40s vibe this one has and it was so easy to sew. If you run across this pattern, and it isn't too dear, give it a go! You'll be happy you did!

In which I recant...

Did you all see the obvious bold faced lie in my last post? You know, where I said I was going to spend an entire weekend at my Mom's and not once touch the BabyLock? Such a lie... The truth is, I really did think I'd be too busy or something, so I didn't take any sewing with me. Fortunately, Mom has been collecting patterns and fabric for longer than I've been alive.

Is this pattern not the epitome of big-shouldered 80s awesomeness?? I found some hot pink broadcloth to make it up, but it still needs buttonholes and buttons, so I'll give you all the details later. I also raided her Burda collection and borrowed a couple that had things I wanted to sew in them.

I found it telling that I only took three of the several years worth Mom has. It seemed like every time I saw something I liked, it was similar to something I already have in my own collection. I think the writing on the wall may be telling me it is time for a Burda break, so that I can sew up some of the styles I already have.

Then Mom pulled out this surprise for me! She has a nearly complete collection of Threads magazine, and gave me a "few" duplicates that she had. These are mostly from the early 90s. I can't wait to dig into them! What an awesome weekend! We all had a blast with my parents, and there was bonus sewing. Perfect!

Monthly Roundup - March 2011

Boy, did March end up being a busy sewing month! I made 11 items! They were;

1. Ring sling for Duncan and I

2. Simplicity 2709 dress for Myra

3. New Look 6816 PJ top for me

4. Butterick 5330 PJ pants for me

5. Ottobre 06/2010-28 shirt for Logan

6. Ottobre 03/2008-8 shirt for Duncan

7. Simplicity 3765 pants for Duncan

8. Ottobre 01/2009-23 pants for Logan

9. Ottobre 06/2010-10 dress for Myra

10. New Look 6793 dress and bloomers as a baby gift

11. Vogue 8323 top for me

I was able to do all of the kids' Easter sewing, which was fun, and included a few techniques that I wanted to practice, mostly on the boys' shirts. I'm getting more  comfortable with menswear details, which is good since I'd really like to sew some nice shirts for Mitch. I did some pintucks for the first time. Naturally I made it hard on myself by putting them on the bias. I'm crazy like that. I also have sewn up all but one of my UFOs. Hopefully I'll get to that last dress soon. I don't like things hanging around.

This month I sewed up 14 yards of fabric, 10 yards from stash. I have only made 2 fabric purchases, as I am trying to save up my pennies for a coverstitch machine. It's really hard to ignore those emails though! There were some great sales.

Spring has me inspired to sew so many things that I'm not sure where to start! I do need to finish my dress for Easter. It is coming along nicely, although now that it is mostly together, I'm not sure how much I love it.

I liked the clean look of it on the pattern envelope, but now it just strikes me as boring and uniform-like. It does still need hem, buttons and a bit of hand stitching on the sash. Mitch suggested some buttons with interest, like a bright color (pink?) or some sparkle. What do you think it needs?

In other news, Mitch's shirt has been traced and altered. He's so tricky to sew for, I'm going to make a wearable "muslin" out of some chocolate brown poplin and have him give it a real test run before I cut into our matching fabric. I'd like to get the fit right! Once I do, I have a couple other lengths of shirting with his name on it. The poor man has a terrible time finding shirts that fit! He has a slim build, but a thick neck. Mitch also needs some running shirts, which I think will sew quickly, if we can get the fit/pattern ironed out. I have half a dozen projects I want to make for me. The short list includes white wide leg pants (inspired by Mary Nanna), a red batwing knit top from the latest burda, and my next SISC blouse. I wonder how much of this I'll actually get done?

For this weekend, I probably won't sew anything at all! I'm heading up to visit my parents. I'll have some time to hang out at their house, but I'd be surprised if I used any of it getting to know mom's Babylock. So, I'll get back to my dress next week.

Vogue 8323

I cut out this top while dreaming of winter sewing.  Since I hadn't finished fitting and cutting my dress, I decided to stitch it up, even though it has been in the 90s here this week.

I'm so glad I did! It's perfect with my Vogue 8603 skirt and I'm loving the wide belt trend. Totally makes me feel like my waist is back!

Mitch declared this outfit "a keeper". I agree, but it does make me wonder what he thinks of some of my other clothes...

Still pretty cute without the belt.  The pattern is Vogue 8323, which I made in black a year and a half ago. I wear it all the time, so I knew that pattern was a winner. The wrap front is particularly friendly for the nursing mom. It accommodates the changing sizes though the day and allows for easy nursing access. The fabric is very interesting.

Here is a closeup that I altered a little so you can see the detail. It is a pointelle knit, but made in a double layer which is bonded together at the lace points. I have many pieces of pointelle in my stash as I love how it looks, but I frequently find it too sheer to wear without a second layer. The double layer of fabric here makes for a more opaque, but still soft and comfortable knit. I love it and I'm so glad I have more!

The tee is princess seamed (love that) so even in a firmer knit like this one, the shape is lovely. I also love the almost peplum effect that you get from the hip flare. Yep, gonna make this one again.