Final tweaks

The Laurel dress is finally complete.  I was very good about noting all the changes I made to the dress.  I may decide to retrace the pattern transitioning to smaller size in the areas where I made large adjustments.  And then.... I may just make those adjustments to the current pattern.

One change I made was raising the neckline on the front piece, yet dummy me did not do that for the back.  I will just call that little mistake a design change I made.  Here are two photos of the final fittings.  I was wanting to make sure about the length of the dress after pinning the hem in as well as viewing the side view.

More fitting, more sewing

Let me say that I am going to like this dress once I get all the fitting issues taken care of.  This pattern runs large on me, especially from waist to hemline.  Some of the extra width is due to the FBA I did and I needed/should have adjusted the width for that.  20/20 hindsight is so helpful afterwards!!!!!

I also took two darts in the back neckline to take out some fullness there.  My front and back are two different pattern sizes.  Back darts were taken in also.  I ended up taking 1.5 to 2 inch seams from waist to hemline.  I recognize that this dress is styled more for A-line and not really a look that is good for me IMHO; I tapered the side seams from hip to hemline to make it straighter more so than  this /\.

Sleeves are basted in for fitting as the shoulder may be too long.  This may require deeper seam in that area or trimming and then inserting sleeve. Have some family 4th of July events planned today so sewing time will be limited. Updates to follow

HAPPY 4TH OF JULY!

Made progress on Laurel

I made a lot of pattern adjustments while pin fitting the pattern. I cut out the fabric last night and began some sewing.  This AM I inserted an invisible zipper and sew front darts and shoulder seams.  At this point when I sew I usually baste side seams for fitting.

I basted side seams as usual and tried on the Laurel dress and determined that I had to take much deeper seams from waist to hem line.  When I review pattern measurements, Colette patterns are always large on me at waist to hemline; I normally go smaller but this time I used a 12 throughout.   I basted deeper seams, making seams 1 1/2 inches deep.  I determined that the back darts need to be taken in as well to give a better fit for the back.  At that point I had to stop sewing for the day.

I think I will have to sew darts at the back neckline as well to get a better fit.  Next steps are to baste in the sleeves as I think the shoulder may be too long as well.  These are all fixable fitting issues and will definitely aid me in making the next dress.

I like the look of the dress after basting the sides seams deeper.  I think the rayon challis fabric  I used was perfect for this pattern due to the drape of the fabric.

Here is a glimpse of the work in progress

Back from vacay and ready to sew again

I had a great vacation and hope to post some vacay photos soon.  We went to OBX-Outer Banks in North Carolina.  Great weather while there.  I love the beach!

Had to go and stock up on groceries after returning.  Began the usual after vacay laundry thing and finally got to go into the sewing room to clean up from last sewing project to start on the next one.

I plan to sew the "Laurel" dress by Colette patterns.

I began the pattern fitting part and determined the fabric I will sew up next.  It is fabric I purchased from Fabric Mart earlier this year.  It is a rayon challis with a little more body to it than some other fabric I acquired.

Sorbetto to work

I wore my Sorbetto eyelet top to work today. The skirt is one I made about two summers ago. It is great when a top and skirt made separately and even years apart become a new outfit for work! This was taken with my iPhone so not the best photo in the world but you get an idea of how it looks.

All three

Here are the three Sorbetto tops.

Sorbetto 3

Small incremental sewing during the week.  To enter the PR contest has to be complete by 7/31.  I'll make it.

I have a dress pattern cut out and ready to sew next.  But may deviate from that.  Updates later.

Sorbetto Top 2 and 3

I completed top 2 yesterday, late night.  This morning I cut out top 3 using fabric and lining from my stash.

Top 2 was a multi color striped fabric acquired from Jo Ann fabrics about a month or so ago.  It is a polyester crinkled fabric with very sheer stripes between colors with metallic thread running through it.  The lining I used was lining acquired from Fabric Mart and was included in a bundle package over a year or so ago.  I call it an oyster color as it matched the “oyster” color serger thread from Maxi Lock.

Here is the completed top 2

After attaching the lining and sewing side seams, I decided to edgestitch the neckline to keep the pleated area from rolling out.

I used the rolled hem setting on my serger to hem the top.

Top 3 is still a work in progress.  The fabric used was a yellow cotton eyelet from Fabric.com.  Acquired over two years or more ago.  I decided I wanted to use a contrasting color for the lining and chose a warm green lining fabric also from my stash.

The eyelet fabric has scalloped edges, so I wanted to use that edge at the hem line.

Top 3 has lining attached at the neckline and I had to stop there because DH says its dinner time!

Second Sorbetto Progress

I have almost completed the second Sorbetto top.  This one is lined.  The only thing left to do is hem the fabric and the lining fabric. 

I want to make one more and think I can complete it so I can enter the three tops in the PR contest-One Pattern Different Looks.  My ambition with this contest was to make four tops, but three will probably be it.

I am going to use fabric from my stash - a yellow scalloped edged eyelet fabric I purchased two years or so ago from Fabric.com.

More later.

Sorbetto 2

I did find a few extra minutes to do so additional sewing on the Sorbetto 2 top Sunday.  I sewed the front pleat and darts in the fabric.  I also sewed the darts in the lining fabric.  I cut the front pattern piece on the fold using the pleating line as the fold line.  Shoulder seams are sewn on the fabric and lining.  And that was the final sewing for my sewcation.

Next steps are to attach the lining and fabric at neckline.  But before doing that I plan to baste side seams in the lining fabric to try on for any fitting adjustments.

This will be a busy work week so I may not get to do any sewing until the weekend. Updates to follow.  I also need to post about new fabric purchases last week.

Stay/sewcation ending

It has to be written somewhere that when your sewcation is about to end and you hope to squeeze in one more project before returning to the world of work, that you can not get your serger to cooperate.  I had to re-thread my serger four times before all the stars in the universe would line up correctly so that the serger would serge appropriately.  Now that all things are in alignment, I was able to stitch the darts in the Sorbetto top and top lining.  Before I had to stop and take care of breakfast etc.

I really am pleased how well the fabric is sewing.  With crinkles, metallic threads running through the fabric, etc. my concern was skipped stitches and such.  I am using a metallic needle and it is sewing beautifully on this fabric (sigh of relief).

More updates later if I can find time to sew again today.

New sewing projects

I cut out two patterns this AM.  Both are repeat patterns and thus all fitting adjustments have been made.

I am going to make another Sorbetto Tank Top.  The fabric is sheer, crinkled polyester fabric acquired from JoAnn's Fabrics.  It is a striped fabric and I am using the wrong side.  I like the pastel look of the wrong side.

I am going to line it using an oyster color lining fabric from my stash. 

I also cut out this fabric to make Butterick 5638.  This is a cotton jacquard acquired from Quilt N Sew in Lynchburg, VA.  I purchased this about a year ago, maybe even two.  For this dress I am going to use the short sleeves instead of making it sleeveless. 

Since my plan for my stay/sewcation was to make tops, I am going to make the Sorbetto top before starting on the dress.  I hope to complete it tomorrow.

Sorbetto Top- photos as promised

I completed this top. I now know all the fitting adjustments I need to make and even with this completed one, I think there are a few more tweaks to make. Even taking deeper side seams and taking an even deeper seam at the waist, it still looks a little boxy. The material I used was like a "peachskin" fabric, hard to sew, press and hard on the needle. All in all I like the intent of the style and can see this made up several ways. It was fun using the bias binding as a design touch on the right side. It allowed me to practice topstitching.

Sorbetto

My time was consumed most of the day with making the Sorbetto top. (Pictures to follow).  I ended up making several fitting adjustments that included deeper shoulder seams and deeper side seams with from under the bust to hemline.  I even took a deeper seam at the waist area to make the top look less boxy.  I have attached the bias binding to the neckline and one armhole.  One more armhole and hem and we are done!

All in all I like this top.  I actually see a few more of this in my wardrobe for the summer transitioning into fall. 

Tomorrow I want to make the McCall's top. 

Day Two Stay/Sewcation

Yesterday (Monday) I spent most all morning in the sewing room trying to fit patterns. Particularly the Sorbetto Top (freebie) from Collette Patterns.  After making two tracings of this pattern, I think I have the sizing right now.  I had to make a FBA, swayback and high upper round back adjustment.    The McCall's knit top also needed a little more tweaking but just minor adjustment.  DH got home from work a little earlier than usual yesterday, so spent some time hanging with him. 

Today I cut out the McCall's top, the Sorbetto Top and another eShrug from Sewing Workshop. I used fabric from my stash for all with one being fabric left over from another project from 2007; a black crinkled fabric-a freebie from an ASG meeting and the McCall's top is from fabric I purchased last year from Denver Fabrics.  I had planned to use another knit fabric but it did not meet the knit stretch factor necessary for this.

The serger is set up already for the Sorbetto Top.  The bias tape required for this was in my stash.   It is almost time to fix dinner and perhaps afterwards I can sew a little.  Updates later.

Sencha 2

First, thank you to everyone for the well wishes for DH and me.  Wrist is improving but had a few twinges this AM.  I may need to cut back on the pace.

I did some sewing yesterday morning and evening on the Sencha Blouse by Colette Patterns.    The following photos give you some idea of how blouse is progressing.  My fabric is from Fabric Mart.  The fabric is more vibrant and appealing than I could capture in these photos.  I went with a smaller size in the upper chest, neckline.  I may have to trim out the neckline some.  It looks tight on Alma Marie.  I am going to baste the facings to neckline and will decide then.  The first Sencha blouse I made was a little on the big side in that area.

I also hemmed the Simplicity skirt.  I ended up fiddling with tension on the sewing machine and got it to my satisfaction and hemmed the skirt using blind hem stitch.

Neckline tucks

Simplicity skirt is almost complete

First, thank you to all wishing me well with my wrist.  I have to say the wrist support with metal splints has been helpful.  I still have some discomfort and sometimes I know I have overdone it. 

Today I know I did a little to much.  I made such good progress on fitting the lining for this skirt, view D without the topstitching.  I just had to jump in and start on the skirt fabric.  I started last evening working on the skirt and I just kept pushing through today.  It is finished except for the hemming.

Here are some photos of skirt:



Skirt front

















Side inserts



Back view, invisible zipper and contour waistband

More info about skirt and me wearing it soon.  Next up the Sencha blouse.

Cutting and cutting

This morning I completed the cutting out of the Simplicity skirt pattern.  I cut out the skirt fabric last night.  I like to line my skirts and though this pattern does not call for a lining, I do.  So this AM I pressed some Ambiance navy lining fabric that I purchased earlier this year and then cut the skirt lining.

I decided to cut out the fabric for the Sencha blouse by Collette patterns.  Sometimes I just prefer to cut out several patterns so that I have several in the queue to sew.  I had ideas to cut out several other patterns but nixed that plan to move forward with the sewing of these two patterns.

My Club BMV patterns arrived yesterday so will again plan to work on the Kay Unger dress once I adjust the bodice.  I have decided not to use the black/white diamond faille fabric at this time.  I have a lovely royal blue double knit that I think will make up well for this dress pattern.  I suppose I must be in a "blue" sewing mode at this time.

Updates later.

Your either in or your out!

It's out!  I am putting aside the Lutterloh top.  I am frustrated with myself over the "rookie" error I made.  So I decided to move on to some other projects.  I also am waiting for the mailman to deliver my Vogue replacement pattern, so that dress project is on hold.

This is now in!  I have a beautiful navy blue fabric from EOS, it is RPL (rayon,poly,Lycra).  I made another skirt from the same type of material a year ago and I love the fit, feel and wear of that skirt.  I think this will be the same.  I am using a Simplicity skirt pattern purchased within the past month or two.  I cut out the pattern pieces and will pin fit them later.

I also have this lovely fabric (above) acquired from Fabric Mart earlier this year.  I had always planned to use it to make another Collette pattern-the Sencha blouse which stays sold out on her website.  I made this blouse several months ago from some leftover fabric I had in my stash.  As many people have mentioned the blouse is rather full through the upper chest/shoulder/neckline area; mine was also.  The bust, waist and hip fit well.  So I decided to go down two sizes in that upper area.  This fabric is darker looking than shown in this photo.

So the blues are in and looking forward to making these soon.

Sencha Debut

Here is the completed blouse. I ended up having to take deeper side seams after I sewed on the buttons and tried this blouse on again. I will make more blouses from this pattern but found I really can go down about two sizes in the shoulder/upper chest and go down one size for bust to hip. I ended up taking one inch side seam.

Here is a view of the back. I learned from making this blouse that the back turn back needs to be interfaced up to the fold line. I used water soluble tearaway stabilizer underneath as I sewed the buttonholes and buttons.

All in all I am satisfied with this blouse but the next one will be a better fit.

I did get the sewing machine and serger set up for the McCall's top. Most of my day was spent on putting down new area rugs, laundry and trying to get my netbook to connect with my router. No success there.

More later.