New Look dress and Simplicity top

This is my first blog post since joining this challenge and although I got off to a slow start I have completed several projects. Here are some of the projects I've completed since joining this challenge:
New Look 6097                                                        Simplicity 1613

A complete review for both of these patterns can be found on my blog http://redsthreadz.blogspot.com/

My new Lounge Pants

Hello everyone,

Yesterday I made two pairs of cosy pants for wearing at home after work on cold nights.  There are times when it is nice to shut the door and relax in clothes that you normally wouldn't be seen out in!

My post on these pants (made from a legging pattern, cut larger):

http://sarahlizsewstyle.blogspot.com.au/2013/05/new-lounge-pants-being-worn.html

Happy Sewing...

Sarah Liz :)

Sewing Advice

came across this & thought it as too cute not to share lol!
Helen

Some sewing from It's Melanie Darling

Melanie is having problems posting to this site so asked for some help getting her pics up.

You can read all about these gorgeous items on her blog ItsMelanieDarling

Great job Melanie.

I was able to complete two tops this weekend.  Both of them will work with my new Summer Breezes Collection:

Megan Neilson's Briar Tee Shirt Pattern

Front

Side view

 Burda 7793

Parting shot of the black pants made for my Summer Breezes Collection

I'll be cutting out one more top this evening that will bring my long weekend of sewing to an end.       Vogue 1356

Hope EVERYONE had a wonderful weekend of sewing if that is what you wanted to do...

One for Two, or Two For One

I've been spending my time looking for a new apartment, so my sewing time has been limited lately, but I was able to squeeze out a two'fer (you know, two for one) that I finally finished last week.

I made a peplum dress as a peplum top and skirt (two separate pieces.)

I'm happy with the results.

You can find more details on my blog - Currently: Darci

McCall's M6653 Misses' Top

I made this McCall's M6653 Misses' Top a few weeks ago. I confess, I have made a few garments since then, but I have been remiss in contributing here. I hope to catch up this weekend.

This is a loose fitting pullover top with cut-on sleeves. Two pattern pieces only! It took longer to sew on the bias binding than to construct the actual blouse. I made it out of a cotton voile, for summer weather.

Your posts have inspired me so much. I do enjoy reading them and getting great tips. Thank you!

I blogged about it here:
http://threadsovmetal.blogspot.com/2013/05/mccalls-m6653-misses-top-using-denyse.html

Style your Stash and Build Your Wardrobe

Hi everyone - I thought I should let you know that I am hosting this sew-a-long from 1st June until 2013  Some of you are already on board. This is a fun only, no guilt, sew only what you like when you like from the stash, sew-a-long.  No pledges, no promise, no rules, no deadlines and no stress (except those you make yourself :) ).

I think this will be a really good opportunity to shop from your stash and make garments for the Sew Your Own Wardrobe for a Year Challenge. 

It's also a chance to meet new sewists (or stashists?) and get some new motivational mojo.

L has posted a link to my post about this challenge, but here it is again if you want to Sew Your Wardrobe by using your Stash:

http://sarahlizsewstyle.blogspot.com.au/2013/05/2013-style-stash-sew-long-starts-june.html


If you want to join, just post a comment or email me stylishsarah251@gmail.com

Sarah Liz:)

Fitting Work Pays Off...

Yesterday I debuted my cobalt pants with a top from last years sewalong which I think matched up pretty nicely.

I'm in love!!!  Not too snug, not too loose, no pulling or adjusting needed during the day.  They didn't grow on me as the day wore on, and everyone LOVED the color.  I'm happy folks, and feel that my month's worth of fitting work has paid off.  That's saying a lot for me when it comes to hand crafted pants. 

Hello LADIES!!!

Good morning Ladies!!!

You all have been doing an excellent job with the challenge. I am so excited and encouraged to see so many wonderfully made garments. Please keep them coming!!!

As for me, I have gotten myself in a position where I have been sewing but not getting anything done. I have three shirts cut out, a pair of jeans, and a dress and none of them are completed yet. :(. To add to that, I need to make suits because I really planning on being blessed with a new job soon ;) and I need to look great and Marvita and I may be tackling a sewing project really soon (we'll share more details about that later). My organization will be off Friday-Monday so I plan to use much of that time to finish some of these garments. Matter of fact, Marvita and I are doing a sewing date at her house all day Friday. We'll have snacks and loads of fun!!! Yay! I can't wait!

OAN: Can you believe that I almost forgot that I CAN'T shop!!! Silly me! My mother's church held a bizarre on Saturday and while I was there I found a rack of suits that the first lady brought in to sell. I couldn't believe how many nice suits she had and all I had to do was alter them. Then this little voice in my head said "You can't by those suits, what about the challenge". I then said to that little voice "It's not the same if I am buying used clothing" and that little voice told me "NO, NO, NO!!" and thank goodness I listensed. I don't know if I would have been able to forgive myself for going against my committment. (BTW, I'm really not crazy! LOL)

Anyway, you ladies keep it up and hopefully I'll be posting a few garments next week!

Happy Sewing,
Natalea

WELL I MADE SOMETHING LOL!

ok so I read so many different versions of the Maxi skirt are all basicly the same, front, back & waa laa  so how hard can this be, it's just a long skirt  for goodness sake, this project could of went in the slapp stich section I kid you not, I measured,  then wrapped the fabric around me twice  then even sized it up with a straight line skirt pattern & they all came out the same size so I was  good to go, so I thought 1st attempt it was 3 times to big so I un do some of the waitband  wack off 2"from each side, still too big this went on  at least three times ,before it was over with I cut it up the back & wacked off 3" from each side , still too big!seems like the more I fooled with it the bigger it got lol! finally gave up & said don't care what I look like I'm a wearing this skirt tomarrow lol! I thnk a lot of the problem is the size of the elastic, it needs to be wider so it'll lay flat, another project for another day!
Happy sewing !
Helen

 

Anniversary Dress

I finally have something to post! I made this simple dress yesterday. It's literally two rectangles of fabric but I draped them on my dress form and cut in the neckline then sewed it on my machine. I added the bands of black down at the bottom for length and interest.

The real secret, though, it that this fabric has a tale.  My husband is a hobby photographer and is quite good. We've always come home from trips with the most wonderful photos.  Recently, he had to spend some time in France for work. One weekend while he was away, he went down to Barcelona to visit with some friends of ours. While he was there he took this photo of the stained glass ceiling of the Palau de la Musica which has become a favorite of mine:

I thought it would be fun to upload the photo to Spoonflower and make some fabric from it. Our anniversary is tomorrow and we were going out this weekend so I thought it would be a perfect way to make something special to celebrate our 13th wedding anniversary. I got the fabric and honestly was at a loss as to what to do with it once I got it. So many possibilities! It was overwhelming. That is until one of my sewing friends posted a dress on her blog that she made of two rectangles of fabric. Huzzah! The idea was born and I whipped up this dress yesterday in a few hours, just in time for us to have a super fun overnight trip downtown for just the two of us! DH was really impressed and loves the dress.

My Nice New Trousers - At last!

Hi everyone - no wonder I look so pleased with myself - after months of learning how to make trousers ( and months of learning which trousers not to make) I have finally made a pair that looks smart enough to be proudly seen in :-).  They are made from stretch cotton sateen, with a nice sheen.  I'm afraid I don't llok good in the tight leather pants that are currently the trend, so this is my substitute :).

Here's the back view, which is not so saggy and baggy as my earlier attempts:

I've put details about the pattern and pictures of the four other pairs of pants made from this pattern at:

sarahlizsewstyle.blogspot.com.au/2013/05/the-trousers-are-finally-finished.html

Good sewing to all of you

Sarah Liz :)

Free Class Alert - Honing our sewing techniques for the year's challenge

Just thought I'd post in case if anyone was interested.  Today only; Craftsy.com is offering free classes to new members.  If you have been thinking of trying them now is the time to get a free class.

The classes they are offering are:


They also have some mini-classes that are free on: Mastering Zippers, Sewing Feet, Bag Making - Reversible tote,  Bag Making - Drawstring; Bucket Bag, and Sewing Machine 911.

I'm always up for free sewing classes.

Happy Sewing

PAIRS #3 AND #4

Here's another door picture of my latest projects

Black Gaberdine and print Cotton Sateen

To be honest, I have to admit that I'm about SICK of making pants.  Oh, I'm mighty glad that I've finally got the fit right, but there is something within me that forces me to work on an original plan until it's completely done is starting to wear on me.  

Cheveron Fabric

cheveron print seems to be all the rage right now, when I saw this I fell in love with it probably becasue I had tee's & jackets that would work with it creating a complete look, it was on sale 40% off  still a  little high but I love it!

 

 

there were other fabrics o sale as low as 90% off which I took advanage of lol! anyways back to the fabric, upon deciding how many yards for a maxi skirt  since it is over 50'' wide the sales girl looks at how I'm holding it , with the w's going across when she says it goes up & down, I say  everything I've seen in a cheveron print goes across, she then says well it's your fabric but it's gonna make you look bigger, humm did she just say that! lol! I may be new to the cheveron craze but I think it goes across, what do you think?

Details, Details

Hey All!

It's seems like it's been FOR.EVER since I finished a garment and posted about it.

I made a dress. What I love most about the dress is the extra little details I added in (me-made piping, matching seams.)

More at Currently: Darci

PANTS FITTING U...

...I'm still attending Pant's Fitting U.  Can't really give an anticipated graduation date, but I can tell you that I entered this semester willing and hungry to learn. 

I have completed two nice fitting pairs.  They are awaiting new tops that I have planned before I wear them.  I know that you'd probably like to see me wearing the pants to show the fit rather than a picture of them hanging on a door, but that's all I've got right now.  My plan was to make 5 pairs of great fitting  pants complete with a variety of matching tops - a complete 5 day wardrobe.  Wouldn't that be nice???  That's still the plan, but in the meantime,  here's a picture of my progress thus far

Cobalt Gaberdine and Aqua Linen Blend

 I'm currently making a much needed black pair, but I already have this fabric earmarked for my fourth pair.  This print definitely means that I am stepping out of my comfort zone, but  I've been wanting print pants f-o-r-e-v-e-r.  The colors fit perfectly in the vision I have for my "SUMMER BREEZES" wardrobe. 

Whatcha going to make? (I like making plans)

One month into the challenge and I haven't made a thing!! I haven't bought a piece of clothing either, but the goal here is to get me sewing...So I'm going to do what I always do - make plans. But this time around, I'm going to declare it to everybody just so that you can feel free to give me a kick in the rear, if I don't  make it.

Now that's established, let's talk more on the plans. The more I see my previous patterns related to plans and carrying them out, I realize that long term plans don't do much to me.. I lose sight of the goal real quick.. but short term goals, quick ones, small ones work well. 

So, In the next 4 weeks, I'm going to make 4 tops and 2 dresses. There! I've said it!  This I say, only because my almost TNT knit top pattern is ready. At least 4 of the fabrics have been prewashed too!  Now I just have to cut up and sew.

Writing that was easy! Posting it was nerve wracking. Let's see what comes out of it!

Meanwhile, I'd love to hear from you..... What's your plan for the next 4 weeks?  Do plans work for you? Short term plans? long time plans? What helps you carry out your plans?

Maxi skirt pattern testing

I had a very productive weekend of sewing and finished a few really old projects and a few new ones. I also had the opportunity to pattern test for Jenny of Seamingly Smitten patterns. I tested out this maxi skirt pattern, I sewed it up in an bright apple green, slinky knit. It is very comfortable like a yoga skirt! I recommend this one if you want a nice long skirt for lounging around that is forgiving around the middle:) I don't recommend slinky knits unless you like pulling your hair out. More info on my blog.

Snoop Challenge #1

Since I absolutely hate to shop, I thought I'd be the last person in the world to do the Snoop Challenge.  But instead, I appear to be the first.  I had just inherited a 1950's blue lace formal when I was  walking through JCP to pick up my daughter from work.

Angels sang.
I instantly knew my plan.

This....

Became this.

Details on my blog.  

One month into the challenge....

Hi Everyone!

We are one month into the challenge...YAY!!! Natalea and I are thrilled with your progress and excitement.  We are cheering you on and continue to be excited about the information that is being shared.  Enjoy the journey....Vita

1st Tshirt Try 2

I refuse to give up.  I know that most of the participants are going to post gorgeous garments.  I may spend the whole year getting a muslin that fits.

I took the Butterick 5215 pattern with my revised neckline and drafted a new pattern.  I added 1/2" on the center back and front and added 4" to the bottom of the length, making it essentially an XL Long.

I decided to not waste any more yardage and raided my husband's unworn t-shirts.  I have no idea why he had an XL fuschia San Francisco T in his collection.  (I'm guessing I bought it for myself in the 80's when we all wore things 2 sizes too big. ) The heavy paint does reduce the stretch some, and overall it has a 1:5 stretch compared to the 1:3 on the first prototype.

I was suitably appalled with the bridge placement when the photo was taken.   And please notice that the arm-pit bunching.

Interestingly, this triggered me to go check a measurement and I discovered something.

The circle with the + in the middle that I assume means nipple location, is 2.5" higher on the pattern than it is on my body.

So here is my question for you people who may know these things: How do I make my next adjustments?
1) I have very wide shoulders.  Does the seam placement seem too narrow for my shoulders, or will it be OK after I fix the bust?
2) I need to add length to the upper torso.  I SO, SO, SO don't want to have to also figure out a sleeve adjustment also.  Can I  splice the pattern just under the arm hole, add 2" of space and blend the curve?
3)  I am 5'10" tall, are there some type of "tall" adjustments I should know about? Most of my height is in my legs (35" inseam) and I've always considered myself to have an average sized torso.

Did anyone notice the neckline disaster?  I decided that I wasn't willing to give up the yardage for the bias that the pattern called for, and found a stretchy knit.  Sadly, it had a LOT of poly and the minute the hot iron got near it, there was melty weird things going on.  Next round I'm going to try a more traditional folded fabric neckline using the 15% smaller sizing technique.

I am open to suggestions!!!  PLEASE HELP ME!  Round 3 will happen Saturday.

Venting, turned Questioning

Hi ladies.

Today I'm not here to show off any garment that I've recently finished (though my sewjo is back up a bit, thank goodness!) I'm coming here to vent.

(Just a little.)

You all are such a supportive community I feel like I can come to you and say this.

I have a BFA in fashion design. I worked for a while as a designer for a company that manufactures totes, and leather goods, and worked my way up to managing an entire product line. I was pretty good at what I did, but was laid off due to the economy.

I considered starting a fashion line for a couple of years after successfully winning fashion events, and grants based off of some of my original designs.However, I didn't. But I still have many of those same skills, and more since I've begun sewing as a practice. I'm actually a much better sewist (I don't necessarily love the term seamstress), than when I was in school, or doing fashion shows.

I'm saying all of this because every time I talk to a friend about projects that I'm working on, she kinda gives me the stank eye. She thinks I'm taking the easy route by sewing a pre-made pattern, and not something that I came up on my own. It makes me feel like she thinks I'm less of a designer. Now, she is a designer too. She makes all of her patterns, but doesn't sew nearly as much as I do. She also admittedly doesn't like to sew in the same way that I do.

But still. I get frustrated always having to explain that I like to sew from patterns. I like to SEW. I actually like the sewing process more than I like the design (drape, or draft,)/fitting process. I like perfecting my techniques. I like learning new things. I like getting to that tricky point in the middle of a dress, and knowing when and how to pivot to make the point sharp. I like pick stitches, and sewing lapels. I like (I can go on, and on...) I'm good with what I'm doing, I wish she would be too.

I also hate to vent about this, because she really is a very supportive, loving, caring friend. I consider her my sister. But still...

And now that I've vented, I realize I have a question (actually two!) for all you like minded sewists (or seamstresses, or designers, or sewers, or creators, or whatever term you like to go by.)

Question 1: What do you consider yourself (sewist, etc.)?
Question 2: What part of the process do you like best, and why?

JUST SAYING HELLO

here's wishing all of you happy sewing days ahead!
Helen