Happy New Year and time to catch up!

I have been off for the holidays since Friday, December 23.  I have gotten a lot of rest, spent time with family and long time friends during Christmas weekend in my hometown of Danville, VA.

My DH caught the "crud" that has been going around so he ended up being home several days last week.  We both return to work tomorrow.

I completed the Renfrew top by Sewaholic using stretch velvet knit from Style Maker Fabrics. This is my fourth version of this pattern since it's release.   Here is a photo of me wearing it with my husband's niece where we celebrated Christmas afternoon/evening in Halifax, VA.

I also completed another Vogue top pattern, one I had made previously.  This too included fabric from Style Maker Fabrics.  The texture winter white (cream) knit is from them.  The solid is from Fabric Mart. Both worked well together.

The pattern is now out of print.  I made View B previously and decided to make View C.  My cowl neck does not drape like the view on the pattern envelope.  I think that the fabric is heavier and the cowl is not very wide.  I am okay with this.  I did use the cuffs from View B on the sleeves using the textured knit.

I will most likely wear this to work tomorrow or either the velvet knit top.  Both are warm and though the weather is expected to be in 50's my office always feels colder.

I have started on another project which will be my first for 2017.  I am making a sweater duster using Simplicity 8059.  I was going to make the longer version with some adjustments for my height.  I did not have enough fabric so went with the shorter version which will be longer on me as I did not adjust the length  for this view.  I am using a sweater knit fabric from EOS. This is a  heather pink/purple with black.

I have a bunch of patterns I purchased in December taking advantage of Simplicity sales on Pattern Review and Club BMV for year end.  I plan to go on a pattern diet as well as fabric diet for several months.  I did make some fabric purchases before year end and will post about these next.

I plan to sew from my pattern and fabric stash more in 2017.  More later.

Photos-V9169

I have enjoyed my vaca and holiday.  I was able to finish V9169 and I completed Butterick 6392; more about the Butterick sweater jacket in my next post.

I was able to wear the Vogue top today and took a few photos of the finished garment.  I really like this pattern and will make it again making some additional changes to the fit.  It is a rather fitted through the waist and hips and I would like a little more room in that area so that when wearing over jeans as I did today it is not so form fitting.  My biggest critic, DH, liked the top and thought it was slenderizing.

Here are photos of me wearing with jeans.

Back view

Front view

Left side

Right side

Some other adjustments I will make-scoop out the front neckline a little more.  For cold weather, the high jewel neckline feels pretty good when outside.  I like the fit of the shoulder, I cut off 3/8 at the shoulder area tapering to nothing at the front and back notch.  I like the length somewhat, has more of a tunic feel at this length than if shorter.  I think this link will work well with leggings.

One thing of note, it is important to make sure you mark placement lines for front and back upper and lower pieces.  I could have done a better job. I wanted to be able to work with the placement due to changes made in upper front and back pieces.

I followed the instructions for this pattern.  Next time I think I will use my method of sewing front upper and lower pieces together first and the same for the back and then attach sleeves and sew side seams.  

I am pleased with the outcome and the next one will be even better.  I may not sew another one for awhile as I have so many other top patterns, including some TNT that I want to sew next.

And so (sew) the Vaca and Holiday begins!

I am so excited that I am off for a whole week--I needed this break!

This AM I had a plumber come and fix the garbage disposal and after that was complete, I went to the sewing room and completed-finally-Vogue 9169.  This pattern is rated easy and for the most part perhaps that is an appropriate label.  The challenge with this pattern is adjusting the pattern pieces to fit as the upper front and back are one piece.  I needed a FBA about 1 1/2 inches which required some interesting maneuvering of the pattern piece.  The back needed a swayback adjustment which required also adjusting the bottom back piece. Below is the front FBA and the bottom front piece had to line up with the upper front.

Other adjustments needed were the sleeves, they are very tight IMHO and so I added 3/4 inch to the bicep area, tapering back to original cutting line of the sleeve.  I also reduced the length by 1 1/2 inches. My other adjustment was my usual forward shoulder adjustment.

After basting the side seams, I ended up reducing the seam allowance to 3/8.  I normally  sew an 18 at waist and taper to 16 at hip, with this pattern's largest size being 14, I failed to make an allowance for that.  I thought that with the adjustments for the FBA would give me that extra room.  I needed a smooch more.  I will have to remember good posture when wearing this!!!😊

Here are pictures of the completed garment, hope to take some photos wearing later this week.

V9169 View B is the one I made

Front View

Back View

The fabrics were easy to sew and worked well together.  The black is a bamboo knit and tends to wrinkle more than I thought it would, my first time sewing this type of knit.  The print is from EOS and I had a limited amount of it, thus did not have enough to use for the sleeves, so had to use the black.  I have enough of it to use as a small piece in another color/print block top, I love the feel of it.

So ready to start a new project.  Will share that with you later.

Popping in

Just posting a short note to say that I am still working on the Vogue top.  Not much more to do.  This is not an easy pattern.  As I have worked on it I have continued to think of an easier way to attach the upper front and back to the bottom than the way the instructions have you do this.

The fabric has been great to work with, just a lot of aligning and basting and pinning and topstitching.

Updates soon!

V9169 Pattern Fitting

I had to make several adjustments to this pattern

V9169

I hate it when the largest size on a multi-sized pattern is a 14.  I need that size for upper chest/neck and shoulder in Vogue and Butterick patterns, but need 16-18 for bust and waist.  Some multi-sized patterns come in multi sizes of  14-20, 22.  Not really any consistency in this.

With the largest size being 14 I knew I would have to make a FBA; and the front piece is all one piece so adjusting that was a little challenging and requires adjusting the contrast bottom front piece as well.  Swayback adjustment also required adjusting the one piece back and contrast back pattern. My other usual adjustments included forward shoulder and shortening the sleeves.  The sleeves with this pattern seem to be tight and the pattern markings for bicep size confirm the pin fitting of the sleeves, so I had to add 3/4 inches to the bicep area.

I have yet to cut out the fabric and plan to do so later today.  More updates to follow.

New fabric and new project

Yeah! I actually did some sewing related tasks and I began a new sewing project.

Fabric from Fabric Mart arrived a couple of days ago.  Have not ordered any fabric from them in some time.  I am happy with all of the items except the green/brown border print. My fault for not reading the description more thoroughly.  I read cotton and assumed a medium weight fabric, this is more like cotton voile or gauze. I will put aside for warmer weather.

My favorite pieces are the navy and white ottoman jacquard and the denim blue and white herringbone polyester fabric that was a pre-cut item.  I have to thank Carolyn of Diary of a Sewing Fanatic for a picture post on Instagram of her blouse that was a pre-cut paisley fabric that got me to take a look at FM site.

Ottoman Fabric.  Both sides are usable.

Polyester herringbone for a blouse/top

I want to make a topper from the ottoman fabric, just can't decide what pattern to use.  I have several in stash.  I plan to make a blouse with tie for the other fabric, again not sure what pattern I will use as I have several.  The other pieces are below.

This is my new project.  I am in the process of altering the pattern for my usual adjustments and determining the best way to make a FBA with a piece pattern for the front upper bodice.

Both fabric and pattern were purchased this year.  The print fabric is a lovely rayon jersey knit from EOS and the solid black is a bamboo knit from Cali Fabrics.

It feels good to have a project planned.  More later!

Stretching the material

Vogue 8742 is complete and I plan to wear it to work next week.  Until then here are views of the dress hanging

Back view

Front view.

.I used my coverstitch machine to complete the hems.

I was fortunate to have enough of this fabric to use for to make a top using one of my new Butterick patterns. I making View C, shown on the model.

6216

After seeing a review of the pattern on PR I knew I had to have this in my collection.  Since the serger, coverstitch and sewing machines were threaded for this fabric, I pin fitted the pattern yesterday and cut out the fabric this morning.  I have already started sewing the top and the back pieces are sewn and basted together.

Back view on cutting table

Back view pinned on Alma Marie

Here is a view of the lavender cotton lace fabric with medium gray cotton fabric beneath.  Once the top is completed I am reviving the lace overlay skirt.

It is a dress!

Vogue 8742 is almost complete.  It is to me except for the hemming of the dress, the sleeves are hemmed.

Here are some views of the dress in progress before sewing the side seams together.

Back view, not sewn at side seams

Front view, sides not sewn

Close up of ruching

I used the shorten-lengthen line on the sleeve pattern to cut the sleeves shorter.  In the end I cut off another 1.5 inches and hemmed them at 1 inch using my coverstitch machine.

I found with this knit fabric that it stretches more lengthwise than the previous other two dresses I made, though similar to the second dress,  This did require my making a few changes in the shoulder seams and the upper back seams both in the side back and center back seams.

I am pleased with the outcome.  This may be my last dress from this pattern. I think three may be enough.

June Garment of the Month

Sewing finally began today after last weekend's decision to postpone making a cotton lace overlay skirt.  I decided to use this fabric from EOS to make a dress.

I decided to make my TNT Vogue dress pattern instead of the Butterick pattern I posted about previously.

Because I have made this previously I decided to go with this as all I had to do was cut out the fabric.  I was looking for immediate gratification sewing and this fit the bill.  I used the print fabric for the center front and center back pieces, as well as for the sleeves.  I shortened the sleeves to elbow length.  

So the pattern is cut out and machines ready to sew.  

Because we had plans to visit some friends at Smith Mountain Lake today, sewing was put aside until tomorrow.  We had great food and fellowship with long time friends and a beach trip planned soon.

Updates later.

Putting skirt on hold

I so wish I lived near a better fabric store.  I found zilch at JoAnn's; no surprise there.  I have visited other JoAnn's that have better quality fabrics; the local one leaves a lot to be desired.

For now I am putting aside my skirt project and moving on to the next project.  I know I have made the right decision about the lining for the skirt.  My inner voice which I chose to listen to for once was screaming don't do this.

For my next project  I plan to use these two knits from EOS purchased in March.  Both are washed and ready to go.

As to what I plan to make, I think I may try a new Butterick pattern recently purchased.

B6166

I plan to make View B, and add sleeves just shorter than the ones on View C.  Should I change my mind then I plan to make a dress from a TNT Vogue knit dress pattern.

V8742

This was my second version of the pattern and the fabric was a slinky knit I bought at a ASG National Conference in DC back in the early 2000's. I would use the floral print for the center front. This an OOP now and is not on the Vogue site.

I looking for an immediate gratification project and a TNT pattern would fit the bill.

V9022 Wearing

I finally wore the geranium and black dress today, Vogue 9022.

Here are a few shots of me wearing and getting ready to go to work

Back View

Semi side view with hand in pocket

Front

Dress with scarf and how I wore it today!

Finally!

Vogue 9022 is complete, finally!

I feel like it is taking me forever to complete projects.  I know I am spending extra time making fitting adjustments.  Of late I have to adjust the back on just about everything I sew.  Length is too long or width in upper back is too wide, hip area too tight!!!

I am happy with this dress.  Sorry no photo of me wearing yet.  This one of those dress that when it is hanging it is not as appealing as on, or at least for me.

Here is the front and back hanging:

I pinned the pockets to the dress because when hanging they gape.  While wearing they don't.  I plan to wear the dress next week and will take shots of me wearing it.

Next up

I am going to make one of these boxy style tops. View E or View C.  I also plan to make culottes shown in View E above.  I will share more later.

Back Up and Re-Design

I had a nice sewing weekend. I spent considerable time yesterday and today working on the Vogue dress.Yesterday I began cutting out the fabric after making fitting adjustments to the pattern. I had measured the geranium fabric and thought that I had enough to cut out the pattern. However in the process of cutting out the fabric I realize that I was going to run short.

My next thought was what other fabric do I have that I can use to make this dress. After pulling out two other double knit fabrics, I decided that neither one of those were what I wanted to use. Digging further through my stash I found I had enough black double knit to use with the geranium double knit.

The challenge was how best to use the two fabrics. Because I had already cut out several pieces from the original fabric and I determined I had enough black fabric to cut two back pieces, it was obvious what I had to do.  I had enough of the original fabric to cut out one back piece but not enough for two. I really did not want to have two different colors for the back.

I have completed the front unit and the back unit and you can see the results below. Both pieces have been pinned to Alma Marie.

Back piece pinned to Alma Marie

Front piece pinned to Alma Marie

I am hoping that when the back and front are stitched together that I will not see the gaping pockets as they are now. Updates to follow.

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.

Almost complete

I have been productive today with the Vogue dress, my December Garment of the Month.  I attached the lining and the sleeves.  Need to finish the sleeve seams by serging or attaching snug hug tape.  Views of the lining back and front below:

Here is views of the dress hanging.  I need to hem the dress, the lining and attach the lining at the front skirt vent.  I also need to add hook and eye at the neckline and then I am DONE!

Progress in pictures

This is front with a too small peplum attachment.  I wrote about this previously.

Here is the revised peplum that now aligns with the right front bodice:

Better looking this way.

I have inserted the invisible zipper and sewn the side seams.  Lining was completed first and glad I did it that way as I ended up taking 1 1/4 inch seam for the zipper in the upper back area, tapering to 5/8 just above the waist to zipper stop.  I really have a narrow upper back.  I also shortened the back bodice by 5/8 inch from center back tapering to nothing at side seam.  I also sewed longer back waist darts to get a better fit.

In addition I sewed 1 inch seams at skirt bottom tapering to 5/8 from waist up.  I have yet to try on the dress after sewing.  Hopefully these adjustments are enough.

Here is a photo of the center back seam with zipper inserted.

I am pleased with the alignment of the back waist seams.  Below is my suggestion on how to do this, click on the photo so you can read what I typed:

That's all the progress at this time.