My Image Winter 2010/11 M1003

I finally got my act together and put the buttons and buttonholes on my leopard cardigan.

The original pattern, which is from the Winter 2010/2011 issue of My Image magazine, is for a duster length cardigan, which I made full length here. I like that one, but I don't wear it often, partly because of the length. I thought I'd get more wear out of a high hip length cardi, so I cut off 12 inches (!!) of length, but otherwise made no alterations to the pattern.

The fabric is a printed sweater knit from Fabric Mart. It is a cotton-lycra blend, and so soft! I've been hanging on to it a while, waiting for the "perfect project" to come along. I don't know if this is perfect, but I sure like it a lot better in my closet than in my stash.

The other change I made from the first version was to interface the bands with a non-stretch interfacing (Pro-Weft, which is my favorite general use interfacing). I knew I would be putting buttons and proper buttonholes on this one, so I wanted the bands to be stable. I also noticed that on my first version the bands tended to ripple a little, and the firmer interfacing prevented this.

I wore it with my cropped ponte knit pants and my black turtleneck, both of which are pieces from the Wardrobe Basics SAL! I only have 2 more pieces to complete for the SAL (assuming that I have given up on the trench for now), which are the khaki skirt and the LBD. I found the perfect base pattern for the khaki McQueen skirt I intend to knock off, and I'm in the pattern tweaking process. The LBD is percolating in my brain, although I have the fabric for my vision. I just need to decide on a pattern or two.

For those who celebrate, I hope you have a wonderful Easter!

Simplicity 2614 giveaway!

I was stitching away on my fun springtime dress, when I decided that I needed some trim for the neckline and front band. I didn't have anything in stash that spoke to me, and I didn't have time to run to the fabric store, so rather than waste good sewing time, I grabbed one of my SISC projects to do up. I had white thread on the machines, so that determined my choice.

The winner was Simplicity 2614, and y'all, I'm just not thrilled with it. I really like the IDEA of this top. It's woven, but bias cut, so that it can fit nicely without needing closures. It has 45 reviews on PR as of this posting, and they are generally positive, and I like all the blouses that I see there, but I don't think this one is for me. When I put it on, I feel like I'm wearing a scrub top, which is something I spent far too many years avoiding to enjoy now.

It's too bad, as the pattern is really well designed and nicely drafted. The back is cut on the bias, which is shapely, even without darts, as is the lower front panel. One note about fit (and several reviewers on PR noted this as well) the underbust seam is a bit high in the larger cup sizes. In the top picture, you can see that it doesn't even come below Sandra Dee's (perky and youthful) bustline, and I sewed the seam with a 3/8 allowance to get some extra room.

The major change I made from the pattern was to omit the facings and use bias tape to finish the neckline. The tie conceals the topstitching, so it looks pretty nice, although if I were not making a view with a tie, I would probably line the front bodice instead. I also skipped the cuffs, as by the time I got to that step, I had tried it on a few times, and was sure it wouldn't be in my closet long. I just made a plain hem on the sleeves.

So, on to the giveaway!

I think this is a good pattern, even thought it is not for me. It is now OOP, but if you would like this (uncut) copy, it is yours for the asking. It is a size 6-14, and I will happily ship anywhere on the planet. If you'd like to enter the giveaway, just leave a comment saying so (and be sure to include contact info, so I can find you if you are selected!). I will draw a name from those who are interested on Wednesday, April 11th.

** This giveaway is now closed. Thank you!*

Do you see the sneak peek of my seersucker dress in the background? I think it's gonna be awesome, y'all.

Sewing Summit 2012!!

I just registered! Will I see you there???

ETA: (7PM) I just found out that Sewing Summit 2012 is already sold out! Wowsa! There are some excited sewists out there!

Monthly Roundup: March 2012

March was a busy month, but I got a lot of sewing time in, so that was pretty awesome.

This month I have made:
1) Boy Cut Briefs for Logan and Myra
2) McCalls 6203 top for me
3) Ottobre 01/2009-5 tee for Duncan
4) Ottobre 04/2011-15 tee for Myra
5) Ottobre 02/2005-20 tee for Logan
6) Vogue 8747 blouse for me
7) Jalie 2787 top for me
8) a few knitted surprises
9) Vogue 2657 vest for me
10) Simplicity 2767 dress for Myra
11) Twirler skirt for Myra
12) Ottobre 04/2004-38A leggings x7 for Myra
13) Ottobre 03/2006-14 jacket for Duncan
14) Ottobre 03/2006-12 pants for Duncan

That totals 20 sewn items and 2 knitted ones. Woo-hoo! I sewed 16 3/8 yards and 14 3/8 yards of that was from my stash. I only bought 8 yards of fabric this month, and 4 of that was for my LBD, which I plan to sew soon, so I'm definitely ahead there. Keeping track of yardage in has really helped me keep my fabric buying in check.

The most fun sewing this month was Kitschy Coo's Make it in a Metre series. I love squeezing every last centimeter out of my fabric, so this little challenge was right up my alley.

The kids all really love their shirts and underwear, in fact they barely make it out of the dryer before they get worn again.

I'm also please to be done with my Easter sewing with a week to spare. I took it a little easy this year, and only make 2 Easter outfits, instead of doing the whole family. Myra is dying to wear her purple dress and Duncan is adorable in his suit, so I'm pretty pleased with it all.

In my Wardrobe Basics plan, I made two of the items this month, the white shirt and the vest. The cardigan is sewn, but still needs buttons. I still have the khaki skirt, LBD and my addition of the trench coat. I made the mistake of saving more complicated pieces for last, and now my momentum is dragging a little. Add to that the beautiful spring weather we've had this week and my coat sewing mojo is totally gone. I do finally have a plan (sort of) for the LBD. I got some RPL gabardine recently that I am hoping to make into a skirtdress with a slim skirt. I'm sort of stuck on the pattern though. I have this mental image that I haven't been able to perfectly match to a pattern, so I will probably have to frankenpattern, which means more work, which I don't feel like doing right now.

So, what am I sewing right now? A fun, full skirted spring dress in a pink and yellow seersucker. I'm ridiculously excited about it. I think that's exactly what I needed - something I could get excited about.

Ottobre 03/06-12 &14

So, right - trench coat. On Monday, when I posted that, I realized that Easter was 2 weeks away, and I hadn't even decided what I was going to make Duncan yet. Ooops. I looked over everyone's comments about the quandry, and it was a pretty even split. So, I left the decision to Mitch.

And we have a suit. And I can't even handle how cute it is.

Both pieces are from the 03/06 issue of Ottobre. The jacket is style #14 and the pants are #12. In the magazine, they are made of linen and styled with a tee shirt. I made mine from a pinstripe cotton/poly suiting weight fabric. The pinstripes are difficult to see in the pictures. They are a light silver color.

The jacket is a basic, unlined jacket with collar and lapels. It is constructed much like a casual shirt, in that the collar is attached in one piece, rather than as part of the facings, and the front facings are applied over the collar, with the seam allowances tucked into the collar itself. Basically, constructed using the second method I talked about here. The pattern called for three buttons, but I liked it with just two.

The pant pattern is seriously adorable and I know I will be using it again. It is a 3/4 length pant, which I just love the look of on a wee guy. I think it has a sort of rakish, Tom Sawyer sort of vibe. These pants have some great details as well. 

In front, there are hip pockets and a faux fly. The pattern also calls for cargo style bellows pockets on the side, but they didn't really go with the overall feel of the pinstriped suit so I left them off.

In back has a jeans-style yoke and patch pockets. I didn't match the stripe across the yoke, but the stripes match impeccably everywhere else, even across the shoulder seams and the front pocket facings.

And with that, I think we are ready for Easter. I'm thinking about making a pair of pants for Logan, but he doesn't really need them. I'm just feeling guilty that he got left out of the sewing. And then there is that trench coat... Hmm, I feel a little sewing ADD coming on.

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