Saturday, April 29, 2017

Back from travel

I have had to travel two weeks in a row-work related.  So I am back in the sewing room again today and plan to finish McCall's 7542.  I have attached the lower sleeve portion to one sleeve and now working on the other one.

Once the sleeves are inserted and all hemming complete, I will be done.  Will review all later.


Monday, April 24, 2017

Me Made May 2017

'I, Linda L of www.danvillegirl.blogspot.com and danvillegirl on Instagram,sign up as a participant of Me-Made-May '17. I endeavor to wear at a minimum 3 items made by me a week for the duration of May 2017'

Sunday, April 23, 2017

I 'm back

I did not realize that my last post was 3 weeks ago!  I feel like I am on a stationary bike and not going anywhere.  Crazy and busy time at work.

I 've done a little sewing.  I completed the Simplicity top and yet to review here or on PR.  I am currently working on McCalls 7542.

I am actually excited about this project.  I love the fabric and purchased it about a year ago from Style Makers Fabrics.  It was Shibori as it does look similar to some shibori projects I have seen.  It is a rayon challis fabric.

Back view

Front View
For the back, I chose to add an invisible zipper.  I am not fond of button loops and buttons.  I also don't like hook and eyes much either.

I am going to use the sleeve from View D, the third one down on the left.  I love that this pattern has various cup sizes, no FBA.

I did make my usual FSA and swayback.  I ended up taking 3/4 inch back seam as I am probably a 12 in the back and larger in the front.  This blouse has shoulder dart in the back and I took a deeper dart width and length wise.

I plan to finish this in the next couple of days.  

More later.

Saturday, April 08, 2017

McCall's 7542

I failed to take a photo of these patterns and mentioned them in an earlier post today.


Of special note is this pattern from McCall's
M7542
Earlier today I was viewing photos on Instagram and came across a post from McCall Pattern Company.  They have created a sewing contest to make the above pattern between now and May 7.  You can make as many versions of this pattern and post it by May 7 to be entered into the contest.  That was motivating to me.  The prizes are $100 gift certificate to Vogue Fabrics, one year subscription to Vogue Fabrics and $100 worth of McCall's Patterns.

I  had planned to make this recently so now I am more motivated to do so.  I have pulled out some fabrics from stash, some new and some that have aged awhile.    I  cut around the pattern pieces and will do some pin fitting of pattern soon.  Another great thing about this pattern, cup sizes for A/B, C and D!  No FBA for me!  Thank you McCall's

Here's a link to post on Instagram for McCall's Sewing Contest.

S1316 complete

DH and I decided that today was the day to stay in and do nothing but read, sew or whatever.

For me it was sewing.  The mojo has returned and completing this top was top of mind.  I like the top somewhat; there are a few things that I am not happy about and should I make this again I will make these adjustments.

Because it is a DDND-don't do nothing day.  I did not wash and style the hair and have on limited make up so to see this on will be another photo day.

My likes with this pattern:

  1. Separate front pieces for Cups B, C and D.  Yeah no FBA!
  2. Variety of front neckline options.
  3. Easy to sew and with shoulder princess seams, adjustments are easy to make
I don't have any dislikes of the pattern.

What I needed to have done was raise the neckline a little.  After stitching the facings, it lowered and widened the neckline on me.  I have an old neck and unless I wear a scarf or some sort of necklace I don't like how that looks on me..

The swayback adjustment I made was PERFECT!  Sorry you can't see that now.  I was truly pleased how well the back fits with no pooling.

I also sewed the center back seam all the way up as I was able to pull the top over my head, so it did not require hook and eye or button and button loop.

The fabric was somewhat slippery to handle and could easily get distorted.  I serge finished all seams. One other thing I did with understitching the facings at the neckline was to use a zigzag stitch and it truly helped keep the neckline from rolling out.  I got that idea from watching a Nancy's Notion program and seeing the guest-Pamela Leggett do this with a knit garment she was sewing on Nancy's show.  I works well for woven fabrics also.

I topstitched the neckline as well as the sleeve and bodice hems.

Ii may sew this again but not anytime soon.  I have so many other patterns to try.  More photos of me wearing later.

New Patterns

Well my pattern diet ended recently as I took advantage of Club BMV sales recently.  Here are my new additions.

Similar to a Style Arc pattern that I like


I saw this dress sewn recently by Natasha of Dressmaking Debacles.  I like her longer length, right above knees.  Decided I needed a cool and more casual dress for spring/summer.

I have the fabric!
I purchased the fabric that the model is wearing (yes, I fell off the fabric diet also).  I purchased it from Fabric.com.  Lovely chambray fabric.
Yes, I have the stripe fabric also
I purchased the stripe fabric from JoAnn's recently.  I got the remaining yardage left on the bolt.  Mine is a navy and white knit.


Love the view the model is wearing

Maybe I will just go for it with the leggings.

This is interesting pattern and design
I have a few more patterns to show.  I just realized I don't have the photos of those yet.  I finished the Simplicity top and will post more about that experience later.

Sunday, April 02, 2017

Simplicity and EOS

Finally finding some sewing mojo!  I want to sew some tops that are not knits.  I love sewing knits.  I have some nice woven fabrics that are calling my name and several patterns that are for woven tops.

This is a Italian drapey with diamond weave jacquard from Emma One Sock that I purchased in March 2013. I think that this has aged enough in the stash now.  I remember when I bought it I thought it was going to be heavier and set it aside as I knew it was not the right fabric for the project I had in mind.

The pattern was acquired in 2015.  I decided to make View B which is the floral one in the picture above.  I also want to try the square neck one that the model is wearing in the future.  The great thing about this pattern is it has separate pieces for cup sizes-b,c and d.

The great thing about this fabric is both sides are usable so I am using the camel color as the center front and center back pieces, with the black side as the side front and back pieces.  

I have sewn all the front and back pieces together.  I am going to baste the shoulder and side seams next for fit adjustments.  I think this pattern has quite a bit of ease and probably could have used size 14 through out.

More updates to follow!

August Sewing Simplicity 7295

 I am not doing well as a blogger. I have been working on this project since July 30. Today, I finally finished it. It has been a stop-and-g...