Wednesday, November 29, 2017

Pamela's Pattern Pretty Peplum

Sometime ago I posted about sewing the Pretty Peplum top using Pamela's Pattern.  This was one of the post about my challenges with this top.

I put the project in time out as I just was not happy with all the adjustments I made.  Every so often I would take the top and try it on and kept thinking I needed to reduce some of the front width at waistline more.  I would then put it back in time out.

Last week, I decided to stitch two vertical darts under the bust area.  That was a good tweak and I felt I could finally put this top into rotation to wear with pants to work.  Yesterday was the first day I wore it.  I got lots of compliments about the style as well as about the fabric.  Ya'll know I really loved this fabric and that is why I kept on working to get it to fit.  The fabric is from LaFinch and it is a Liverpool knit.  Got to get some more!

I took some quick photos with my iPad.  I looked at the photos closely and can see where there are some fit issues still.  The people who complimented me on my top are not sewist and they don't really see as many flaws as us sewist see when we make garments.

With out further ado, here is the final project.  I will make this again and have noted all the fit issues so that I can tweak the pattern further to use again.


Too much length in the back still, need a deeper swayback adjustment.
Too much fabric at bust area, the current dart is huge.

The required hands on hip look!!

I plan to post a review on PR soon.  Got to run and get ready for work, only 65 more days until...........



Monday, November 27, 2017

Downsizing Pattern Stash

I have a gazillion patterns and there are some life events coming up that will require me to eliminate some "clutter".  Currently I have posted several classified ads on Pattern Review.  Assuming that is a site you dear reader visit also, you can find my ads for patterns for sale as Danvillegirl.

I have several more patterns I plan to post and thought I would give PR a try as I have been successful selling some patterns on that website.  I may post some on eBay as well. I even thought of adding a page to this blog.  

Currently the patterns are Butterick, McCall's and Kwik Sew.  So if you are interested stop over and see what's available.

Sunday, November 26, 2017

12 Days of Thanksgiving at PR

I thought I had posted about this.  Pattern Review held a 12 days of Thanksgiving.  We were to comment and thank a person who writes reviews and comment on why you were thankful for this person. 

I was selected on Day 9 and won the new Rivermont Dress pattern by Cashmerette.

My pattern arrived Saturday.  I am looking forward to trying this pattern in the near future.


Saturday, November 25, 2017

Up next

I really need more outerwear.  I am planning to make some jackets; first up will be a bomber jacket.
I plan to make this one

I tried another bomber jacket pattern that just did not work out.  The instructions contained a lot of errors and the fabric I chose was not a good choice.  This pattern calls for woven fabrics and moderate knits with limited stretch.

After pin fitting this pattern, I think the shoulders are way to broad for me.  I used a technique from Sandra Betzina on narrowing shoulders.

The technique is to draw around the shoulder and arm area, extending down two inches below the arm and two inches in width from this area. Now you have a template and I cut around this draft.  You then mark the amount you want to reduce the shoulder width, and lay the template at that mark and then pivot the template to line up at the underarm area side seam.  I then taped this to the pattern and the cut the excess off.  I reduced the width of this by 1/2 inch.

Other changes made thus far is forward shoulder and swayback.  I made the forward shoulder change before adjusting the shoulder width.

My plan is to use some fabric I purchased from Gorgeous Fabrics in 2014.  This is a lace look double knit.  I used some of this fabric in another garment made a couple of years ago.

More to share later.

Patterns

I got behind on taking some photo shots of new patterns purchased this year.  I like to document the pattern and the year purchased.  I recently purchased 3 Simplicity patterns on Pattern Review when they had a $3.99 sale on Simplicity patterns.



I also purchased this New Look pattern a few months ago
I have seen several reviews or photos of skirts from this Susan Khalje pattern.  Thought I would try it.
I also purchased this magazine and these patterns came with it.



I am all caught up now and need to get back on the no pattern purchase diet!


Sunday, November 19, 2017

A Glimpse NL6469

I finished my dress!  Yeah!  I just took a few photos of the dress hanging.  I will post more when I wear it.

Back view

Close up of invisible zipper

Front view

I love this fabric and wish I had more.  It was great to sew with, no curling edges.  It is a brushed poly knit from Cali Fabrics.

What's next-trying to decide if I can find the right fabric to make another dress for the upcoming ASG Holiday party.  I also want to make some jackets.  I could use more of these in my wardrobe; I also would like to try a simple coat.  I have some great fabrics that I would love to use for a coat.  

More later.

Saturday, November 18, 2017

A Quick Update

I am off from work next week!  I love to take Thanksgiving Week off.  Part of my plans are to sew as well as fix Thanksgiving dinner. 

I am currently finishing sewing the New Look swing dress.  Will review later.  I also made a change to my website.  I have added another page with my Pattern Reviews shown there, in case you want to check out a review.

Back to sewing room-later!

Wednesday, November 15, 2017

Loss of a sewing icon

Recently I read in ASG Notions Newsletter an article written by Nancy Zieman about her health and cancer.  It was apparent that the cancer was winning.  Yesterday, she passed away!

I did not know her personally and yet I feel I lost a good friend.  Before blogs, Instagram, ASG, etc.,Nancy was my sewing buddy/friend.  I remember when she first started Sewing With Nancy, I made a point to watch every Saturday until I bought a DVR to tape her program.  Her show, her DVD's, her books were always my helpful sewing guide and inspiration.

I purchased countless items from her website and just a week or so again I bought a few more items.

She will be missed by many.  God bless her family and thank you Nancy for sharing this sewing passion with me all these years.


Tuesday, November 14, 2017

S1063 in Plaid

I was able to take some photos yesterday evening after taking DH to PT.  I posted a review on PR with photos for the Plaid Contest.

Without further ado, here are pictures of the finished garment. Front and back.  The sleeves and yokes were cut on the bias.



Below is a close up of the back with less drape than my first version

First version back
On this version, the fabric is heavier weight and less drape than the first one.  I also stitched down more of the overlay piece because leaving it as the pattern calls for would have you see more of the wrong side of the fabric which is white.  I just did not think that would be attractive.
I like this pattern and may make more in the future.  For now thought I have several top patterns to try next.

Monday, November 13, 2017

It's Done

I wanted to post information about my completed Simplicity top yesterday.  To many things vying for my attention.  I will take some photos this evening (hopefully) and write a review.  Time is slipping by for entering into the Plaid contest on PR.

There are some truly lovely creations in this contest.  Mine is rather simple compared to some entries.  Nonetheless, it is fun to sew with a challenge. 

I have started on the New Look dress that I cut out prior to sewing this top.  Once I complete the dress, I want to focus some time on jackets!

More later.

Sunday, November 05, 2017

S1063 in progress

I have had some time to sew off and on this weekend.  The top is close to completion.
I have attached the back overlay to the back and then attached to the yoke.



The yoked back has been attached to the front bodice

I have attached the front and back facing to the neckline.  Facing is from the floral print fabric.
The instructions call for sewing the sides. Then sewing the sleeves and inserting in the round.  I plan to attach the sleeves first and then sew sleeve and side seams as one.

I cut the front piece as a single layer aligning the front fold with the edge of the blueish plaid on the front and then flipped and cut out the other side.

Remaining steps are applying the sleeves, topstitching the facing and sewing side and sleeve seams.  The front bodice is hemmed and the back overlay attaches initially to the back at the hemline. The sleeves will be hemmed after sewing the side seams.  Not much more to do.  

The fabric has been fairly easy to sew, some curling on the edges.  I tried a new to me product called,
Mary Ellen's Best Press. (this is an affiliate link and I may receive benefit from this.) It is a spray starch product and helped with the fabric edges curling.  You can buy the product in a spray bottle and can also order large size and refill the spray bottle. I have never been much of a spray starch user but I have heard good things about this product and it is not suppose to leave any residue.

More sewing updates to follow.


Saturday, November 04, 2017

Sewing!

I finally finished cutting out the Simplicity knit top and began sewing it yesterday evening. Because it is a pattern I've used before I've had to spend minimal time referencing instructions. I also remember some things that I did with the last make that I wanted to change and to incorporate those with this make.

I also made a recent purchase from Ann Taylor website. One of the purchases was a choker neck top with flutter sleeves. It was on sale at 50% off so I took advantage of that. Part of the reason for buying it was to see how it was sewn. As you recall from a previous post I was working on a Simplicity dress, tunic and top pattern. I had real issues with the collar and facing. I have actually been stewing over how to remedy inserting an invisible zipper in the bulky area created at the facing/collar seam area. I am truly glad that I made this purchase as I found that for the front V-neck there is a facing but not a facing at the back. The collar is attached to the back bodice and the zipper is inserted. My problem is solved as I truly like the pattern!😊

I will take some pictures of the Ann Taylor blouse to show how they do it and how I'm going to do it in the future.

So I'm off to sew some more and will provide updates later. I hope you're going to have an enjoyable sewing weekend.😃

August Sewing Simplicity 7295

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