Front jacket is complete

Here is the front pieces pinned to AlmaMarie.  I used the welts but did not sew and insert the pocket pieces.  Many reviewers say the pockets are rather small.  I misplaced the pattern piece and it is lost in my sewing room somewhere.

 The zipper on the left side (right side below) is basted then sewn to middle front piece.  The right side zipper is basted (left side below).  When the lining fabric is sewn to the center front facing piece, this zipper side will be fully stitched in the sewing step.

I am loving the feel and the sewing of this fabric.  Thank you Mood Fabrics!

Top finished

As I posted recently, not much going on in my sewing room.  Yesterday evening I finally sat down and hemmed my new top M7019.  I took photos of the top hanging.

Back

Front

I played around with lighting to better showcase the fabric colors on the view of the front, but still not showing how the colors truly look.  The stripe fabric is from Sew Much Fabric and the black is a lighter weight double knit from my stash and not sure if this came from Fabric Mart or Mood.

The bottom piece of the top wraps around to the front.  I ended up having to take 3/8 inch seams through the hip area to the bottom edge as it was a little snug.  I still could use a smidge more width in that area and will add that to the next version.  I used Sandra Betzina technique for increasing the bust area which worked out good as I did not want a dart at the bust. 

I made a 5/8 swayback adjustment with the top and after sewing the back bottom to the upper back, I went back and sewed an additional 3/8 tapering back to original 5/8 near side seams.  This helped with too much fullness in that area.

The top was very long on me, more like a tunic which was not the look I was going for.  I ended up serging off 5/8 inch from the bottom edge before turning up a 1 1/4 inch hem.  The neckband stands away from my neck at the shoulder seams and at the front a little.  I have thought about taking a small tuck in the front neckband area treating it as a design feature.  I am not sure if it is due to the type of knit or I needed to have made the neckline a little tighter.  

All in all I do like the top and will wear it.  I planned to make a skirt with elastic waist to go with from the same fabric.  I still plan to make the skirt but not sure how the top style will work with the skirt.  It looks good with pants.

I wish I could capture the color of the fabric better in the photos as it has silver metallic threads running vertically, plus golden brown or rust color as well as some gray and of course black.

More later.

Mentoring event and V9024

As noted in my earlier post, I had an event to go to last night.  The perfect event for me to final wear Vogue 9024.  DH gave me high compliments on the dress and said "Alma would be impressed".  Alma was my grandmother who taught me to sew and from whom I got the sewing gene.

I was/am pleased with the fit of the dress with an exception of the back.  I posted a little about this during the sewing process with this dress.  It is apparent that there is still pooling in the back and I did not insert shoulder pads as I thought about doing.    Of late I have been doing almost an inch adjustment to back length on many patterns and when you viewing the back view in the picture I should have taken another 1/2 inch with this.  I can live with it as it is now.

So without further ado::::::

Front view-fabric Mood and Gorgeous Fabrics

Back view, with pooling

Left side view-princess seam

Right side view-waist and bust dart, peplum is attached at side seam

The temperatures last night were in the 20's so running from car to event center was not so bad with a lined mostly wool dress.

The event was a great success with over 100 individuals in attendance.  Staff did a great job of putting this together and was a honor to acknowledge mentors who give of their time and talents to support at-risk youth.

No buttons for me and more fabrics

Butterick knit drape jacket is complete except for the button closure.  I made some test buttonholes on the fabric scraps as I had a concern about how a buttonhole would sew with this particular knit.  Not good at all from my test.  I used a washable stabilizer and still did not get good results.   My sewing machine makes good buttonholes on most fabric.

I then decided I would use my SnapSource and have in my stash several nice snaps.  Could not find my Size 24 Adapter for larger snaps and best for this garment. All my other size adapters were in the drawer, not this one.  I took everything out of several drawers thinking I had maybe placed it in a different one. Given the fact that I have not used this particular tool in several years, I really have no clue as to where it is.

I did find a lot of other "stuff" that I probably could give away to charity or possibly a giveaway here on my blog.  If anyone reading this does a lot of felting with felting machine or hand tool, leave me a comment as I have lots of merino wool yarn and other items that work well for felting projects.  They need a good home.

I go online to see if JoAnn's has the Size 24 Adapter and they do online only; my plan was to go right over to my local store and get one.  I ended up ordering from Amazon at a decent price and free shipping but will not get it until Tuesday.  So my jacket remains a UFO until then.

Now I have to decide what to sew next.  I have lots of ideas floating in my head and cannot settle on one.

While I have your attention, I realized that I have not posted photos of recent fabric purchases. Here are my latest; both of these fabrics are from Sew Much Fabric, a shop located in Texas. I purchased these in December. These items are way better than I expected.  The first one is black/gray/silver metallic/golden brown stripes.  The second one is full body double knit with white back ground with black squiggles.  There are raised areas on the white background.  I saw a lovely top and skirt review with this fabric on Pattern Review.

My recent purchases are from Mood and Sawyer Brook.  The first one is the Mood fabric, a black and white poly jacquard.  My plan was (is) to make a skirt from this.  I saw something similar on Pinterest.  The bottom one from SB is actually a polyester/rayon/lycra overprinted ponte knit.  It looks like leather but isn't, not even faux leather.  I saw something similar in a Chico's catalog and wanted to find similar fabric to make a sheath style dress.  I got an email from them detailing some of the new fabrics and jumped on this quickly.  I also decided to join their fabric swatch club.  Now I am even more tempted as the swatches they sent were lovely, yet somewhat pricey.

All for now.  I have to go get "cleaned up" for a benefit this evening that my agency is putting on promoting National Mentors Appreciation Month.  One of the programs that I oversee is working with at-risk youth.  Great group of youth who are making improvements in their lives with the help of mentors.  I am sure it will be a great event.  More later.

Decisions Decisions

I have had sewing on my mind most days this week trying to determine what I wanted to sew next.  I pulled several dress patterns last weekend trying to decide what to make.  The fabrics calling out for attention were two recent purchases, one from Mood and one from Gorgeous Fabrics.

Today my earlier decision about one of several dress patterns just went out the window.  I put all those patterns back in the Vogue dress pattern file box and pulled out this one.

The fabric on the left is a black/white Italian wool tweed from Mood.  The fabric on the right is lace look double knit from Gorgeous Fabrics.  I think the mix of fabric type will work together.

I have cut out the pattern pieces and began the pin fitting test to determine any adjustments besides my usual ones.

I am also trying to determine the main versus contrast fabric to use.  I have more of the double knit fabric compared to the other. I have enough of each to use either way.  The back is not color blocked. Updates later.

Recent fabric purchases

Prior to my staycation I ordered some fabrics from EOS.  I took photos using my iPhone and posted to Instagram.  I thought I would showcase them in this post. I decided to wash the two knit fabrics yesterday to prepare for sewing later.

Knit-scrapbook collage

Viscose woven

Knit-scrapbook collage

Gray subtle stripe ponte knit-bottomweight 

I really need to stay off of EOS website,  too much temptation and it is not like I don't have enough fabric already.  

I did order some black ponte knit from Mood yesterday.  The black I have currently is not a rich black color and based on description on their website the fabric I ordered yesterday will hopefully go well with this fabric that I want to use in a dress.

Black and golden brown ponte knit.

This fabric was purchased from EOS earlier this year.  I washed it yesterday as well as I did not recall washing it previously.  This with the black ponte will be used in a dress for my upcoming 45th high school class reunion.

Up next= New Look 6230

I have wanted to make this pattern for a month or more now.  I cut out the pattern pieces this morning and pin fitted it for necessary adjustments.  I have a knit fabric I acquired from Mood Fabrics last year.

It is a grey metallic viscose knit with one side shiny and the other matte.  I plan to use both sides for this top.  I have focused on knit tops lately as I really need to replace some tops I that have been in my closet for some time now and are getting worn out or I am tired of wearing them. 

After I complete this top, I plan to shift my attention to this Vogue pattern, a close fitting, lined dress.  I have read reviews by a few others and I think I can eliminate the lining, though I do have some stretch linings in my stash.  I think some others eliminated the zipper as well.  This dress will become my March garment of the month.

New fabric from Mood

I took advantage of a fabric sale from Mood earlier in the week.  I was pleasantly surprised when I found in my mailbox yesterday a package with this new fabric.  This was a quick turn around--thank you Mood!

The fabric colors were not as I thought they would be and actually they are more of what I prefer.  I know I will make some sort of blouse/top from this, just not sure which pattern I will use.

Without further ado, here is the fabric--

It is a repeat design not a true border print.  The fabric is a silk with lycra blend.  I also have two fabrics I got recently from Michael Levine in Los Angles.  I forgot I had not taken photos of this fabric.  Adding this to my to do list.

Renfrew 2 Complete and worn

I decided that I wanted to wear my new Renfrew Top, version 2 today.  I got my DH to take photos after we got home from having dinner and shopping.  I used a photo editing feature to highlight the photos to showcase the bright colors of the fabric.

I really like this version of the top.  The fabric is a soft but slightly heavier knit than the knit I used for the first version I made about two years ago. 

This was the first version; I used a lightweight metallic knit from Mood.  I love this knit, not scratchy as previous metallic knits I acquired in the past.  It was also a little see through and I wear a camisole or tank top under neath normally.

This new version is from a knit I acquired in 2013 from EOS.  I am liking this pattern so much that I am getting ready to cut out a knit fabric I acquired from Waechters Fine Fabrics in Asheville, NC in 2011. 

It is interesting how each version has a different look depending on knit fabric chosen.  This gray fabric is textured.

More updates later.

New fabric

Wednesday new fabric from Mood showed up in my mail box!  I got an email announcing 2 fabrics on sale for a particular day; for whatever reason I normally see this email a day late.  I guess it was meant to be.   One of the two fabrics for sale was an Italian Abstract Brown Wool fabric.  The price was right and I took advantage of the sale and also purchased lining fabric as well.  It has been awhile since I purchased any fabric from anyone.  This was a nice treat to myself.

Here is a close up view:

Several ideas floating around as to what this will become.  When I decide you will be one of the first to know.

Sewing now and then

I have made a little progress on the Vogue knit dress. This has been a busy week at work and by the time both DH and I get home there is not a lot of energy to go around.

Most of the progress has been on serge finishing edges and affixing stay tape to front piece.  I plan to begin the gathering of the side front pieces this evening.  I plan to have the dress completed and started onto another project this weekend.

I did buy one new pattern and some fabric from Mood this week.  I am placing myself on a pattern/fabric diet now.  I have plenty to work with/on at this time.  I don't keep up with how much yardage of fabric I have and how much I have used; I can visualize that I have a lot!! and even get moments of surprises when I find a piece of fabric I had forgotten about.

TGIF!  More later.

Top progress

Well--I ran into some fitting issues and some I think I should have anticipated from the beginning.  Just because the finished measurements are posted on the pattern piece, does not mean one should believe those measurements.

I ended up letting out all seams, ending up with 3/8 inch seam allowances to give me the room I needed from below the bust down.  Thank goodness for princess seams and being able to adjust all around.

Having said this about this pattern, it is a well drafted pattern in that all pattern pieces line up well.  I really need a 14-16-18 pattern and this one ended with 14 and the next sizes up would have been way to big in upper chest and shoulder area.  I will make this one again and will adjust for more width from under the bust down.  The FBA I made was perfect.  I also think the back piece is too long and could/should have folded out some of the length in the back above the waist.

Not the best photo as I took this with my iPhone looking back into mirror.  It gives you an idea of the folds.  I am slightly turned so that makes it look different also.

Here is a view of the front on a hanger.  The fabric is faux snakeskin looking leather.  It sewed very well.  I only have a few more things to do to complete the top.  I have to add facings, turn under and hem sleeves and bottom.

More to share later.

Simplicity top

I have started this next top project but will not complete it by tomorrow's deadline for the top sew along.  I made numerous fitting adjustments and then cut out the Mood faux leather fabric.  All pieces have edges serge finished.  Sewing machine is set up and ready to go.  Now I just need to sit down and sew.  More information to share later.

V9771

This is my second top for the 2013 Top Sew Along, I still need to hem the bodice and tack down the back facing.  I made my first version in November 2012 with great success and this version fits as well as the first one.  I am letting this hang a little longer so if the bias wants to grow, it can before I do the final hemming.

I really like the drape at the neckline.  

This fabric is from Fabric Mart.

My next top is a peplum style top using this snake skin faux leather from Mood.  

I cut a small sample and wet it do see if it shrinks and how it holds up while it is wet and how it feels when it dries.  It did not shrink and felt basically the same before wetting it.  The backing on this one feels somewhat like a knit.  

I am in the process of preparing the pattern for pin fitting and probably consider making a test garment or muslin first before cutting into this fabric.

Tomorrow is back to work for me.  I thoroughly enjoyed my time off sewing and making more sewing plans.

A box and some fabrics

Returning to work after a holiday can prove to be a long day; it is like a double Monday sometimes.  It was nice to come home and find a box on the porch.  This was the box

This was inside the box:

This is a gray metallic viscose/rayon knit.

Left side of photo is the wrong side of the fabric and right side of photo is the right side of the fabric.  I think I will use both.

 

 

 

This is damask in black with gold floral print. I fell in love with this fabric awhile back and after seeing these pants  I decided I had to buy this fabric.  I will not be sewing up a pair of pants.  I just don’t sew pants, maybe someday but this will either be a skirt which was my original plan all along but it could become a sheath style dress.

When I purchased this fabric I also broke down and purchased a few Style Arc patterns.  The postage is a killer but I do like the pattern line and wanted a few of her top patterns.  Yeah, like I really need more patterns.  I am running out of space now.  Such is the life of a fabric-patternaholic.

Holiday Mood

I am calling this my Holiday Mood top.  This is the completed Renfrew top.  The knit fabric is from Mood and my intention is to wear it for a holiday event with family members today, thus Holiday Mood.

Holiday Mood

This is a lovely knit fabric, super easy to work with and wish I had purchased more.  The wrong side of the fabric, IMHO, I think could be a top as well.  I remember making a knit top many years ago that was a gold metallic and it made me itch where the metallic threads would touch my skin.  Metallic knits have come a long way baby!

Here is a close up of the collar. I wish I had draped the left side better.

And this is the waistline cuff, though it really sits at the hips; and the cuffs for the sleeves.  You can make this without using the cuffs for a design change.  I liked the look of them.

I will try to get my photographer to take photos before we visit family.

Renfrew Top and Mood Fabric

I spent last evening making pattern adjustments to the Renfrew Pattern.  I made my usual FBA, swayback, upper round back, forward shoulder adjustment.  With the FBA I eliminated the resulting dart using a FBA method I learned from Debbie Cook's FBA tutorial.

I am going to make the cowl neck top.  The fabric is a gold metallic type knit fabric from Mood Fabrics.  It really feels soft to the touch and the metallic threads are not scratchy as I remember another metallic knit I sewed many, many years ago.  The knit color below looks a little darker than the actual fabric.  The wrong side is a flat color and has more black showing.  I think either side could be used as the right side.

The fabric had been previously washed.  I was able to cut out the fabric this AM and set up both serger and sewing machine to sew.  Updates later.

I joined the Carnival and what arrived from Mood Fabrics

I  joined the carnival yesterday!  Last month I made several skirts-3 keepers, 1 wadder.  I enjoyed the change from making dresses to skirts.  I was switching to sewing up some tops.  I just completed a wadder with a KS top.  So when I read about Faye's Carnival of Skirts, I was thrilled as I have more skirts I want to make.

My first skirt, pattern to be determined, will be from this fabric.  I purchased it last year after reading someones blog and seeing their skirt.  They had acquired the fabric from JoAnn's and fortunately our local store had this fabric also. This is of course a faux leather with a knit backing.

I
So what about Mood Fabrics, you ask.  It was exciting to read and learn about the Mood Sewing Network and who was selected to be in the inaugural group.  I read many of their blogs though one or two were new to me; now they are on my blog reading list.  I have purchased fabric from Mood once many, many years ago when I was with a group on a shopping trip in NY.  I actually won a piece of fabric through Burda Style that came from Mood; the fabric was nice and unfortunately it just was not a fabric choice I would make so I have never made anything from it.

I decided to order fabric from them online recently.  I ordered a gold metallic knit with a touch of black streaks running through the knit; I also ordered a faux leather/vinyl fabric that I want to use to make a peplum top.  I want a piece of black faux leather for another peplum top.  I was uncertain as to the quality and feel of their product so I selected this one simply because the description indicated it would be suitable for garments.  I wish they would include those type of comments with some of their other faux leather pieces.  Some do claim to be more for home dec or for purses.

Here is the knit fabric

and the faux leather animal print (it was described as animal, I think it looks more like a snakeskin)  Really great color and I think it will work as a "neutral" with several skirts; or as the top peplum piece of a peplum style dress.

Their service was prompt and ordering was an ease.  I think the fabric I received was as described and was not disappointed.  I see more fabric purchases from them in the future.