Last Week of "Mix it Up March"/Top Sew-A-Long

The challenge this week was to use a pattern from a company that one hasn't used before. Well, I don't know if I had ever heard of Step-by-Step pattern company, but found two patterns in a swap shop. The patterns do not include pattern guide sheets, but category cards that can be purchased at different online sites.

I choose to use a semi-sheer cotton batiste polka dot black and white fabric to make view B. I used the short sleeve version. It was easy to put together using a one-piece front and back, and two widths of platter collars used as one. I didn't make any adjustments as the completed measurements are printed on the blouse front pattern piece. Plans are to make another in a solid color. This is the only item in black/white that I've kept for myself to add to my spring collection. Teal is a color that I've seen paired with this black/white polka dot and I have a pair of teal pants awaiting in the closet.

 

The way the circles/dots are lined up is the way I wanted it to work with the addition of the buttons, but the only way I could have done that was to really plan it before cutting and use loops between the facing.

 The double collars make for an interesting look. I placed the button holes in the black spaces and got the buttons as close as I could in the black trying not to take away from the circles.

Another thought was to use white thread and center the button holes in each of the circles and use white buttons. Now this was after I had rested one night about the black buttons and after it was completed. You know how you continue to study the project using all of your after thoughts.

 

Week 3 item finished

New Look 6154 made in a glossy polyester that has the feel of crepe. Although the pattern is an unlined skirt, I fully lined the skirt using a polyester lining.

 

                                                          Zipper has been inserted.

                                                    Lining inserted to the top panels.

                                                  View A has about a 5" drop in the back.

                                                Embellishment sewn using a ziz-zag stitch.

                                                 Finished skirt lined with polyester lining.

Summer Coordinates

Butterick 5190 is a super easy coordinates pattern that I've used for a few years. I needed a couple of jackets for my last weekend's trip to the deep South. The orange and royal blue fabrics were purchased from Vogue Fabrics last year. A few years ago I made this jacket at waist length which is exactly as it is on the pattern and wore them with long tank tops. I thought they were cute worn that way for my age/figure.

For these jackets additional length was added to each of the jackets so that they stopped at the hipline. In order to add an inch wide band to the orange jacket I cut a 2 1/2" strip of fabric that measures the length from the bottom of the top around the neck to the bottom of the opposite side. The strip was folded with the wrong sides together and pressed. Then the right side was pinned to the right side around the front of the jacket and stitched. Serge or ziz-zag the seam allowance.

                                                                        Front View
                                                   

Back View

 

 

Here I am wearing my new trendy knit maxi dress with my jacket. A different look for me is the long brown aztec design earrings. I know I said that I was glad to complete stash-busting my trendy knit fabrics because it was something different for me and I wasn't a fan. Well, I have a different respect for this fabric after wearing this dress and one of the tops on my weekend trip/vacation. I love it! I had to iron it, but now that I am not on the clock it works. I carried one of the tops on a hanger and didn't have to press it.

 

 

This jacket's band measures 2 inches wide. The band strip was cut to measure 4 1/2 inches wide and completed using the instructions for the orange jacket above.

 

 

 

Yes, this is the same print as the maxi dress. I decided that I could make a top that would match my tan and brown pants. I could use the orange jacket to complete an outfit. Hanging in the closet is a brown and a tan button-up shirt that could be worn as jackets.

 

The black strip is a piece of interfacing that was pressed onto the wrong side of the neckline and the armholes of the top. Then the fabric was turned and pressed before the hem stitching. I don't know if it is worth it, but the idea behind it was to insert the interfacing to reduce stretching. It makes me feel as if I took some extra effort on this effortless top.

                                                       Ms Sally wearing my top.

Believe it or not, I fell in love with this what I call Aztec print when I saw it on Fabric Mart, but I started feeling as if it was a bit too much after looking at about four yards of it. I'm confessing that I really do love it and it work well with my pieces.

New Fabrics

The postal delivery from Fabric Mart. It's always exciting to see the arrival of new fabrics. The colors are very nice and so are the textures. The turquoise  is a stretch fleece-back knit, rust orange is poplin nylon, bright sherbert is microfiber twill, and the grey is a metallic stretch micro faille.

Finished Second Week of "Mixing it Up March"

New Look A6130 Peplum Blouse inside finished with same fabric.

I picked up the Spring 2013 Threads Sewstylish with the peplum top on the front cover and couldn't believe it when I looked inside and one of the peplum tops was made of the same fabric (basketweave). I guess I got one right! I just wish I had enough fabric to make a lined skirt.

Mystery Purchase???

Have you ever spotted a yard sale and decided to turn around instead of heading to your planned destiny? Well, that's how I ended up with this surprise. When asked if the carrier contained a sewing machine the seller responded, "Yes." So I asked about the price and she answered, "$5." Did I look inside? No, but when I tried to lift it I couldn't and had my husband put it on my sewing desk. What a beauty! If things go well when I receive my manual I will be excited. My mother always purchased Viking machines. Her last purchase was a computerized one before she passed away in 1989. My daughter has her tan one, which is very similiar to this one. The Viking will be joining two others.That's my National peeping from behind.

                                                                  Viking 6440


Singer Slant-O-Matic 500 with the cabinet, manuel, and all attachments was purchased for $75    about a year ago. It sews like a dream.

 

Most of my sewing is done on this National which I paid $50 for about ten years ago. It's hard to stop sewing on it and enjoy the others. When I slow down, I will take time to really enjoy the others.

Ending the First Week of "Mix it Up March"

Today ends the completion of the first week of my WIP's including the  two black/white dresses below and this UFO from last Summer.

Another WalMart fabric that's much like chiffon. It is a thin see-through polyester that will be worn over a black sleeveless tank top. The fabric was laid with the border being matched on both sides, the neck hole was cut making sure it was large enough to fit my head measurement, and both sides of the fabric were marked using my hip measurements. Each marked side was sewn from the hem vertically 15" leaving enough room for the arms. Then the sides, hem, and neck edges were turned under and hemmed using an edge-joining foot. All of the finishing edges could be completed before sewing the vertical hip lines.

Up for the Challenge???

Well, I've joined another challenge. It's the "Mix It Up March Challenge" with Alethia and the ladies at SEW MUCH TALENT http://csrapdu.ning.com . Each week in March we will sew a new project. What I'm really excited about is the challenge of sewing an item using a pattern from a company that I've never used before. I wonder what challenges will be met with this experience.

Yes, I must mention that there is a prize waiting. 

 

Black and White trending in 2013

 

After seeing the black and white dresses by Erika B's http://erikab's.com (Asos knockoff), Kiah's(http://fromthereztothecity.blogspot.com   Asos Curve geo mono print dress, and the geometric print dress worn by Serena Williams, I went to my stash and decided that I would make the following dress.

This dress has the square neck. It is for my aunt using Simplicity 8523 including short sleeves and a kick-pleat in the back. Another is being made for my daughter and will have three-quarter sleeves and a godet added instead of an open vent.

 

WIP

The sides matched up.

The invisible zipper is installed.

 

   

 I am wearing my aunt's dress.

 

                                               Daughter's short sleeve version is complete.

Both together