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.

Kirsten Kimono Tee #3

I thought I would post a photo of my third Maria Denmark-Kirsten Kimono Tee!  Such a quick, quick sew.  DH and I were leaving to go out and play in the lovely summer weather, though rather hot.  He took a few quick shots of the top.  Fabric is from Girl Charlee's January KnitFix.

I have to admit I was not really thrilled about this fabric but after making it and wearing yesterday, I do like it now.  Because it contains some cotton it was perfect for outdoors and the hot weather we had yesterday.  Cotton does wick much better than polyester knits.

side stripes match pretty close to perfect-Alma my grandmother would be very proud of this

I am sure there will be more of this top!

Fabric Diet

I said I would not buy anymore fabric for several months-then I got the urge to try a GirlCharlee Knit Fix so jumped in for the January Knit Fix, which arrived on Wednesday.  I was so sick that day and stayed home from work.  When package arrived I could not get excited enough to open it and did so Friday.

Here are some photos of the knits that arrived in the GirlCharlee bag:

Aztec Knit

Paisley Knit

Blue-black Buffalo Plaid Sweater Knit

Blue-gray floral french terry knit

Another aztec like knit

Fuschia-lavendar-beige geometric knit

 I think I won't try another knit fix for awhile.  There are a few pieces that I like and will definitely sew.  Some of the others I need to give some real thought to as to whether they will become something!

Columbus Day sewing

I was able to do some sewing this weekend and completed my second Presto Popover top.  I posted about the first one which was more of a test than the actual planned top.  Interestingly I ended up using another rayon knit fabric in blue acquired from Gorgeous Fabrics in 2014.

This version turned out much better than the previous one.  I stuck with the pattern as is, meaning all adjustments I made previously with the shoulders, I did not do with this one allowing the yoke to fall in place as designed.

I still have a lot of fabric at the neckline and I had a ureka moment after I completed the top.  The next version, and there will be, I will pleat out some of the fullness on the pattern before cutting out the fabric.  The height of the collar in the back is just too much for my liking.

Sorry no photos of the finished top.  Once I completed it, I had several other things on my holiday list to do.

I did wash some knit fabrics that I recently posted about, getting them ready for my next projects.

Back to work tomorrow!  If you had the opportunity to have today as a holiday I hope it was a good one.

EOS Fabric-a better view

At Carolyn's request, here are photos of two knit fabrics recently purchased from EOS.  The print is a gray, white and plum with dark gray/black and the solid is a plum shade.

Both have nice body or weight to them, not real clingy.

I also recently ordered and received two blouse weight crepe fabric from Mood.  Pictures to follow.

Update on KS top, the brown sleeve has been inserted, one more to go.  Slow progress.  Long holiday weekend coming up so plan to get more sewing in.  Later.

March Garment of the Month

I am finding my way back into the sewing room.  With warmer weather slowly arriving in my neck of  the woods, I feel like sewing more again.   My Make a Garment a Month for March is a new Kwik Sew pattern.

I am going to make the top on the left.  I purchased a digital knit fabric from EOS last year and some brown to go with it.  The brown is a hybrid fabric that has some stretch but more of woven stretch and not enough for this fabric.  I purchased some brown knit fabric recently from Fabric Mart to go with the digital knit.

This is great design-silhouettes, trees, buildings, bridges.  This photo does not begin to show all the detail nor all the colors.

I have begun the pattern adjustment process using a combination of flat pattern measures and pin fitting.  Not only does the main front and back pieces have to be adjusted so does the overlay!  Time consuming but necessary and I hope worth it.

More later.

Sewing weekend

It feels good to be sewing again!  I spent yesterday making fitting adjustments to McCall's 6964.

I am making View D, with print for front and back, and contrast for sleeves and neckband.

The black fabric is a thin knit that has open areas so that skin will will be seen. I think I purchased this from fabric.com.  I wish I had some more and will visit their site to see if I can track my previous order.

Fingers peeking through

Here is a view of the top with darts sewn.  I have attached at the shoulders and basted the side seams for second fitting.  I had added one inch just in case seam allowance but find I really do not need it for the knit I am using.  This is from EOS.

Penny Pinnafore Pattern

I acquired this pattern sometime ago.  After making the decision to use the EOS fabric-solid royal blue with striped floral print-I wanted to be able to showcase the two fabrics.  Looking through various Vogue, Butterick and Simplicity patterns, I thought about some indie patterns I had ordered and downloaded. 

I printed out all pattern pieces and then taped the pieces together.  That is time consuming but the pattern draft seems good.  The pattern instructions include a pictorial tutorial (say that three times fast) for those who may need additional help in sewing the pattern and there is a condensed version for those who have more experience.  The pattern is rated intermediate.

After printing and taping, I took Swedish tracing paper and traced what I consider to be my sizes from the measurements included.  You use your high bust measurement to determine the bust size and can easily transition from one size to the next if you find you fall between sizes, which I do.

The pattern lines are printed in various colors to help in viewing and cutting your size.  Reviews seem to be good for this pattern and hope I have the same success.  As usual I will pin fit the pattern once I finish tracing, I still have one main dress part to trace.

In addition to working on this, I decided to wash several knit fabrics that I want to work with on some knit tops soon.  Two pieces I want to make up soon

EOS thin mesh knit-red floral with blue white stripes

Steel blue bamboo knit from Vogue fabrics

I plan to use this Simplicity pattern

I am going to use the mesh knit  as the black lace fabric is used in the black and gray top above. I have not pulled the pattern pieces for this yet.  Long weekend coming up next week so want to get a jump on the sewing if I can.

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Catching up

Last week I was out of town for a few days for business travel.  The rest of the week was a work week for h***.  The ending of the week was good as not only was my birthday coming up; it was a long weekend as I had today off as well!

So having some extra time this weekend, I completed my garment of the month which was the Kwik Sew top #4028 using a knit fabric from Fabric Mart. I am not all that happy about the top.  First it is too low at the neckline and I have to keep playing with the drape to get it to lay like I want.  I even raised the neckline 1.5 inches and still too low.  I have another drape neck pattern from KS that the neckline is too low as well.  I cut a medium in upper chest and shoulders switching to large at bust to bottom.  It was also way too long; I should have caught that during the fitting process.  After cutting off an 1inch and 1/2, I ended up hemming it another 1.25 inches and it called for 5/8 hem allowance.  Sleeves are cut on which were okay. 

I cropped photo as I did not have on much make up and I looked really wiped out with out it.  Here is a view of the back.

Even with sway back adjustment I needed to take out additional length in the back.  If I make this again and I doubt it, I will make that adjustment.

Sorry about the jeans and shoes in the photo above.  I was in a hurry to get some pictures taken.  Here is the top with black/camel skirt that I just don't like at all.  I have pressed and pressed this skirt and it still looks wrinkled.  I just can't get the fit right.

I know I sound "whiny" but I am just not loving my recent garment makes.

The other garment that I had not photographed is the McCall's 6844 oatmeal colored boucle knit.

I have a love-hate going on with this jacket.  I should have cut off more from the shoulder.  The boucle knit is rather bulky and I ended up stitching the lapels from hemline to waistline as they would not stay folded back and that definitely added bulk to me!  Not the look I was going for.

By stitching down the lapels it hangs better in the front.

I wish I had trimmed off some of the length of peplum in the back.  I feel it is too long.  I realized also that when I took this photo I had not removed some pins where I had pinned a deeper seam at the back peplum thinking that was a solution to the back length; I am still thinking on that one.  Thus the right side is hanging somewhat "wonky".

I decided to sew something with more color today.  It is a knit fabric I acquired from EOSin 2013.  This picture does not do it justice.

I am making the Renfrew cowl neck top from Sewaholic Patterns.  I made this one previously with good success and so far so good with this one. 

So back to work tomorrow.  And possibly snow in our future.  Later.

Hand sewing, final tweaks, and new fabric

I put it off long enough but I needed to hem the camel/black skirt.  I hand stitched the hem as I did not like the look of the blind hem using my sewing machine; the lining was stitched using sewing machine.  I also ended up having to undo the waist facing/lining from the skirts at side and center back seam as I just felt the skirt was too loose still in the waist area.  Taking an additional 3/8 seam at the waistline down about an inch, truly made the fit better.  Skirt is now ready to wear.

I also tweaked M6844 cardigan by taking a deeper seam just above and below the waistline.  Earlier this morning I stitched down the front lapels from waist to bottom edge.  The boucle knit is rather thick and the lapels did not turn back and stay as I wanted.  It also added to much bulk at the center front at my tummy and I did not find that very flattering.

I hope to take some photos of me wearing both soon.  I just was not in the mood for photo taking tonight.

I ordered some fabrics from EOS at the first of the new year.  One piece had to be reordered and I received all fabrics earlier this week.  So here's a peak.

Black white scuba knit also described as Neoprene

This is the underside of the fabric.

Black-golden brown ponte knit

 

 

 

 

Sweater knit, mix of animal print in browns, grays and black with gold spots

 

Tomorrow the serger and sewing machine are set up for sewing the KS top.  Hopefully this will be an easy sew, only three pattern pieces. 

Next project

My January garment of the month will be what I hope is a super easy Kwik Sew top. 

I am going to make the red version.  The sleeves are cut on.  I am hoping that this will work out well for me.
I decided to go simple for this garment of the month and plan to sew up several tops this month.  I wear a lot of skirts and pants for work.  Most of the tops I have been wearing have gotten a year or more of constant wear and time to replace.

I am using a golden brown knit that I recently purchased from Fabric Mart last month.  The other top I want to sew is this KS pattern.

I actually like both tops but plan to make the one on the left but make sleeves longer.

Got to run, have to get ready to go to work. Yesterday fabric arrived from EOS, pictures to follow soon.

Progress and disappointment

I have had a terrible stomach virus; most everyone at work has had it and I hoped that it would miss me.  I was out of work for 2.5 days with this stuff.  I was sick enough to make my DH come home and take me to emergency care.  I am almost back to "normal" for me.

I felt well enough to baste the side seams of V8904 today and I was hesitant to show you the outcome.  I am disappointed in the solid color I used as it is a lighter weight than the striped fabric and where it is placed is not pleasing to me.  Some of what I dislike shows up in the following photos.  I edited to showcase the areas I don't like.

The underlying striped fabric colors shows through as does the stitched edge.  I think this is due to the solid fabric being lighter weight and not as opaque.  You can see it in both photos.   The top tier (striped fabric) I think needs a vertical bust adjustment also.

The side seams are basted and I sewed 3/8 inch seams from hip to the end of the sleeve, I think I could go with 1/2 inch seams.  From hip to hem line I sewed 5/8.  All edges are raw.

Here is photo of the back.  Even with adjustment made in the mid tier for swayback, I think it needs more or something?!

Perhaps it needs what I call a high hip adjustment.  I am not liking this look.

As others noted, all of these layers sewn to a base fabric becomes heavy.  The lighter base knit fabric I used was great for this and if it was darker color then the solid color may have looked more opaque. 

I am going to call this a test garment or muslin.  I am putting it aside for the time being and decide what the next version should be and the fabric it should be, maybe I will use a dark solid for each layer.

I am starting another dress project, Version 2 of Butterick 5917.  I am going to use the longer sleeve with the straight fitted dress.  I am using a navy wool/rayon gaberdine I acquired from Fabric Mart the latter part of 2012.  I am going to line the dress instead of just lining the bodice.  More information to follow.

V8904

I read all the reviews of this pattern on PR which was helpful in knowing what to expect. I found a lightweight knit lining fabric in my stash that I either purchased from EOS or from Fabrique in Charlottesville, VA.  Several suggested going with a lighter weight knit for the front and back dress pieces so I decided to use this fabric for that.

I made several pattern adjustments to suit my fit and style.  I raised the neckline and added width to the shoulders.  I use the pivot and slide method to add to bust, just in case.  I made forward shoulder adjustments, took 3/8 inch horizontal tuck in upper chest and back to bring the under arm up closer to my arm join. I am making vesion A which is short, so added two inches to the length and added to the bottom tier fabric also.

Fabric is cut out except for sleeves and neckband.  Just getting pattern prepped for use, then washing the knit lining fabric for use took as much time as it will be to sew this dress.  More updates to follow.

Back from traveling and preparing to sew

I have had two business trips within a few weeks of each one.  It is always great to get home afterwards and spend time with DH and my sewing room.

I decided to wash the lace knit fabric as I am not sure if I had done that prep before; better safe than sorry.  I also washed some other knit fabrics that will become something hopefully soon.

I did a final tweak to my pattern fitting adjustments.  Once the fabric prep is complete I will cut and sew.

I had hoped that my recent business travel would allow me to visit a fabric store while in the area. With the meeting schedule and terrible flash flood rain thanks to tropical storm coming up from Florida it was just not meant to be.  I was so happy to get out of the rain while driving.  Traveling Interstate 81 in the Shenandoah area to and from Roanoke and then getting on Interstate 64 going over a high mountain with heavy duty fog is a challenge; especially with all the 18 wheelers plus  heavy duty rain creates a more stressful drive.  All the driving time gave me an opportunity to listen to music and think about sewing projects.

I wore my recently completed Vogue dress for the first meeting day which also was a travel day.  The knit held up well for travel, meetings and then a group dinner.  I think I need to take in the sides just a tad more and I did not hem this as deep as the other dress.  I am not sure if I like the length or not.  I have a black pair of shoes that I call my rainy day black pumps and the heel is a little lower than another pair that I would have worn with the dress.  I think I will see how this looks for those shoes before decided to hem it a little shorter.

More sewing updates later.

What I wore today-V8742

My DH was home this AM when I was getting ready for work.  I was thrilled when he saw my new dress and he was very complimentary.  He actually said "Alma would be so proud of you and this dress".  Alma was my grandmother from whom I got the sewing gene.

He took photos of the dress using his phone-so as promised before here are two shots of the front of the dress, wish I had gotten him to take a picture of the back as this was a great fit for me.

I know you can not see the ruching (gathers) in these photos.  I got lots of compliments at work today and what was noticed was the ruching.  I already have another knit fabric washed and ready to make a second version of this dress.

Why didn't I make this dress before?

Let me say that I had planned to make this dress soon after I purchased the pattern, which was in 2012.  I kept putting it off and making other garments.  I am truly happy with the fit of my new dress that is almost complete.

The FBA I made was perfect.  Because this is a multi-sized pattern and I was able to cut larger then take in, the fit through the waist and hips was an easy fix to make.

My fabric met the stretch-ability test for this project; it was some very fiddly knit though.  My serger did not like this knit very much and sewing on the sewing machine required very taut sewing in front of and behind the sewing foot.

I still have to insert the sleeves and attach bias binding to the neckline.  Of course, hem the dress also.  I am debating on the front neckline.  Several reviewers at PR indicated that they shaved off a little at the front neckline as it is very close fitting at the front neck.

Here is a shot of the dress in progress hanging:

And here are a few shots of the front gathers:

Gathers are a little difficult to see when hanging because of the print fabric.  When wearing the gathers show up nicely with the print.  I like this dress so much that I will be making another one soon.

I did shorten the sleeves as I did not want long sleeves for the upcoming warm weather; and my arms are just not pretty for sleeveless.  Though I would make one sleeveless along with a short jacket/cardi so that the gathers would still be noticeable.

Updates later.

Vogue 1306

My top is complete!  It is really a comfortable top to wear and think that I will make another version of it before vacay in June.

Here are a few shots I took this afternoon after grocery shopping--

Front view, gathers are hard to see.

Back view

Side view, the back is designed to longer than the front.

I had hoped to make another top for the sew along.  I have another Vogue cowl neck top ready to cut out and my plan is to work on that in the morning.  I have made this pattern before so I have no fitting adjustments to make.

Top progress

I got some sewing time in yesterday off and on. For a simple top, or I should say, I thought it was going to be simple top it is proving to be a little more time consuming than I had anticipated.

Thought the fabric is lovely, and thank you to all who commented about the fabric, it is a little fiddly to sew.  The biggest challenge was the placket.  I don't sew plackets much and actually can not remember the last time I did.  The pattern instructions, IMHO, left out a step or two; Vogue truly seemed to think that everyone knows what to do to get the placket overlapped and turned perfectly.  After many looks at the illustrations, I came up with what appears to be the final step.  Let's say what I did was the final step.  The instructions have you double stitch around the edges and that made my placket look much better and held everything in place.

For the waist dart gathers, I tried out a new product to me from Nancy's Notions.  You fuse the strip to the area you want to gather and then pull the blue threads to gather.  It worked okay and I played around with it by testing on scraps to understand securing one end of the blue threads.  It says tie a knot to secure, I did but also used scotch tape to secure those ends so I could gather the fiddly fabric edge.  So one side of the waist darts completed my sewing time yesterday.  Off to finish the second one and hopefully attach everything else.

Photos and more later.

Fabric photos

I mentioned a few posts back that I had purchased some fabric and thought I would share those with you.
From Vogue Fabrics, I purchased the following pieces.  The solid is a suiting fabric and the other two pieces were swatches together with this suiting and both are knits.

This fabric I recently purchased from Nancy's Notions; it is a cotton lightweight for a blouse or top of some sort. Floral prints seem to be every where so thought I will make up a few floral garments.