Time off!

I was surprised that I had not posted anything since last Sunday. I have not sewn anything during the week. I am thinking about it.

The good news is that I begin a few days of vacation and holiday time off. No major plans to travel anywhere but do have plans to sew. More later.

BWOF Jacket

As requested and because DH was available here are some shots of me wearing the BWOF jacket.

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Slow progress on top

DH and I have been doing several home clean up projects thus my sewing time has been sporadic and in spurts. I worked on the Simplicity top Friday evening and did a little sewing on it yesterday afternoon. I worked on it some more this AM and got it to the fitting stage of basting the side seams to determine fit.

BAM! I was concerned that the top might be a little big, this thing is huge. I ended up taking 3/4 inch shoulder seams and took a deeper back seam. I serged off another 5/8 inch from waist to hip on the front and back pieces. I stopped there and will baste it again to see the results.

The fabric has been easy to sew and handle; that's a positive.

Top is cut out.

I ended up changing the fabric for the Simplicity top. The black I was going to use is a real unknown, meaning I have no clue what the fabric type is. It does have some stretch but rather see through as well. Not what I am wanting at this time.

I thought about using a polyester charmeuse, but wasn't up to the challenge of cutting this fabric without some paper underneath the fabric to control the slipping. I have added paper to my ever growing list of things I must purchase tomorrow.

The fabric I selected is a silk dupioni that has been in my fabric stash for at least 4 to 5 years. It is a warm pink shade that I acquired from a silk fabric co-op that does not exist anymore. This was the only fabric I purchased from this co-op. It is a perfect pink color for me as I am not much of pink person. This pink is on the warm side of the scale. It also goes great with the fabric I purchased in October to make a boucle jacket. That fabric contains grey, black,white, pink and yellow. I pressed the fabric making sure that the folds had not faded and I am happy to report that was not the case at all.

I am going to make View E with neckline ruffle. I may replace the tie piece that is affixed to the ruffle at the shoulder area with a rose that is included as a pattern piece. One of the views shows roses all around the neckline.

Sewing Patterns : Simplicity Patterns : Misses Tops

I have begun the fitting process for my next top. I am participating in Faye's Month of Tops sewing project. I have various skirts and pants in neutral colors and having a variety of tops increases the wardrobe possibilities. Thus I am focused on completing as many as possible this month.

My next top is this one:
Sewing Patterns : Simplicity Patterns : Misses Tops I am considering View B, but may go with the view with ruffles around the neckline. I have to check the amount of fabric availability.

I love it as it has separate front pattern for various bust sizes. I still had to make a small (5/8 inch) FBA in the D cup pattern. Plus my usual forward shoulder and sway back adjustments. I also will reduce the length of the pattern when I cut out the fabric, as it runs a little long on me. More later.

Sewing tops and blouses

The KS top is complete except for hemming which I hope to do this evening. Here is a not so lovely view of the top laying on my cutting table. It is a knit fabric from Hancocks in Richmond, VA.

I am happy with the fit of the top and will make another one or even two from this.

Pocket closeup-no flap

Pocket closeup-no flap
Originally uploaded by Danvillegirl

I really like this pocket. The pattern called for a flap with a button. I just thought it would be too much for that area on my body. I saw a jacket from Spiegel that had a similar pocket style.

The sleeves had turned up cuffs but I just could not get them to look right. Part of the problem was that I could not get smaller buttons for the cuffs and the size I used for the front just pulled the cuffs down.

The sleeves had not been pressed with I took this photo. I am thinking I may topstitch at the edge to match up with the topstitching at the hemline and center back and center fronts.

Completed BWOF 2-2009 Jacket 115

Completed BWOF 2-2009 Jacket 115
Originally uploaded by Danvillegirl

Yes, Virginia, the BWOF jacket is now complete.

Yeah, I sewed today

After running around doing some shopping this afternoon, I came home and spent some time with DH sitting in the front yard watching squirrels running around the yard and the trees continue to rain leaves onto the yard and cars.

I then decided I would go visit the sewing room. I cut the button holes open on the BWOF jacket and then put that aside. I then decided to work on the KS knit top pattern. I finished it except for the hemming of the top and sleeves! Yahoo! it felt good to sew again and the best part is I love the fit of this top.

I will take photos later.

I signed up for Faye's Month of Top Sew Along so I will be posting the KS top there as well. I pulled out some other knit top patterns and also some woven top patterns. I really need some new tops to wear. I definitely want to make another of the KS top.

UPS Man Delivereth

Well my new fabrics came yesterday. I was pleased with most of the purchase. The coral with taupe knit fabric does not really meet my expectations. It is a bigger print than I thought and there is an overlap of the design in some places. It is hard for me to describe with words. I will have to take a photo for you to see what I see.

I like the coral and taupe color. I think it is more of spring/summer look and thought that when purchasing. It just did not fill me with joy when I pulled it from the box.

The other two knits are exactly as pictured as is the brown herringbone wool fabric. Now if I can only get that sewing mojo to ramp up!