Fearless February Plans

Plans are to fully line the dress. The jacket length will be extended, a lining and facings created as well as embellished.

February Plans Make A Garment A Month

My Valentine's outfit will be Berry Ponte knit for B5949 view A and B5719 jacket

Stash Busting Shortcut Quilt!

My daughter gave me two yards of this fabric from her stash-be-gone. After going into my stash drawer, it came to me to make a quilt of it. I'm really working on my stash, so I decided to make a quilt for the kids to use around the house while visiting. I have one that has a pillow to match that was purchased about 16 years and this would make a nice addition to it. Normally, there are at least two grand kids here at one time.

This is my first time in all of my over 40 years of sewing that I have used mitered corners. Therefore, off to the computer I went to view some video's. My corners turned out beautifully. Don't laugh -- I've always noticed the wide ribbon on the baby blankets, but I've never noticed the binding on
quilts. It's so small and cute! It was very easy and I'm very pleased with the results. Ok, I know this was a shortcut quilt, but it works.

I know the grand kids will have fun with having two quilts in front of the television.

To make the quilt, I purchased a bag of batting. Sandwiched the batting between the top piece and the backing, trimmed the fabrics to the length of the batting. Then, trimmed the side of the batting even to match the fabric.

The fabric was 45" wide so I pinned the fabric in place and sewed four vertical rows 11 1/4 inches apart. I did not sew the basting around the edges. Cut 2 1/2 strip and sew together on the diagonal. Fold the strips in half and press. Then, turn in each side to the inside fold.  Make sure your fabric, batting, and backing are even. Open the binding, place it on the edge of the fabrics and sew in the  seam line making sure to complete the mitered corners. Flip the quilt and wrap the binding to the other side, pinning in place so that it will overlap the stitching. Finish by stitching in the ditch and catching the binding.

An idea: I was going to take the time and cut solid blue strips (backing fabric) for the top. Then cut the trains (top fabric) for the back. That way the top multi fabric would have a solid binding and the back solid would have a multi binding.

In order to do that one must cut the blue(backing fabric) strips 1 1/4 inches plus a seam allowance and also cut the train(top) fabric 1 1/4 inches plus a seam allowance. Sew them together, Press to the seam line and continue to complete binding.

Block Print Dress

Vogue 8886  pattern includes dress, top, and pants. This dress is made of ITY magenta/grape sparkly knit from Fabric Mart.  Sizes 8-24

The zipper was omitted and I decreased the neck to waist by one inch. I do wish I had used a heavier interfacing on the collar. The pattern was very easy and I can't wait to make it again as well as each of the other views. I highly recommend this pattern.

I spotted this dress on Pinterest and was drawn to the print.

Vintage 1970s Emilio Pucci Dress with Blocks Print Size 8 10 | eBay

A Tiny Bit of Beading

After reading an article in January 2014 Threads Magazine entitled "Machine Beading" I purchased some glass beads. When my friend returned from her cruise with this shirt for me, I decided to add beading to all of the little o's and some around the neckline. I'm really happy with the results. I sent her pictures via cell phone and she thought it enhanced the look of the shirt.

McCall's 5742 dress is made using beige brocade.

Instead of gathers, pleats were formed on the back and front for a different look. Every scrap of fabric was used, so there wasn't enough to cut the sleeve bands as wide as the pattern required. Leaving the sleeve band off and allowing it to become flared sleeves would have given the dress a completely different look.

Houndstooth and Leather

Simplicity 2257 is a late post. The skirt is made of satin houndstooth, trimmed in leather, and lined with black lame.  This was my first time working with leather and it was smooth sailing. Of course, I watched a few online videos about sewing leather before attempting this job.

Although the leather is a heavier weight than the satin, I just couldn't resist the urge to use it instead of all of the other lightweight fabrics around me. It actually makes the skirt hang nicely. Alright, alright, I know that a houndstooth in a ponte knit or some other fabric of equal weight would have been a better choice with the leather, but sometimes I break the rules. Do you ever break rules when crafting?

She wanted the skirt in this fabric. If I were on our national sewing show, I would have been reprimanded as the designer for  doing what was requested instead of following the rules. Well, I did line it for stability.

Check out the direction of the designs on this waistband. They are headed North instead of South. It was the first thing I noticed. I think it is a little too long for a younger lady, but it'll look nice with those 4" heels.

As for alterations, I did adjust the waist, hips, and length, but failed to record the inches. How will that help me if I make it again for her and what good was it to record that I adjusted the waist, hips, and length? Ahhhhhhhhhhh! Yes, I make mistakes, but I keep pressing forward.

It's a pretty simple pattern that's pretty fun to make. I would recommend it. I really want the longer version for myself.

Purple Grape

Simplicity 4384 dress created for the granddaughter using Purple Polyester Poplin fabric with a purple zipper.

It's a very quick and easy dress that I'd love to make again. There were no alterations. I haven't made any of the other items, but I would recommend this pattern because of the cute combinations.

Leather Trimmed Dress

Pattern: McCall's 5742 Long and Short sleeve Dresses

Dresses A, B, C have lined bodice, self-faced band, gathered skirt, raglan sleeve variations, back zipper, purchased trims and built-in petticoat with tulle ruffle; dress A has elbow length gathered sleeves with sleeve band, self-fabric flowers and decorations; dress B has sleeves with elastic casing, contrast ruffle, ribbon trim and ribbon bow; dress C has sleeves with elastic casing and lace trim; all view lengths are mid-knee, not including lace trim for dress C.             
Fabric:  Polyester/Pleather/Black Lawn for facings
Notions: Black Zipper
Did it look like the pattern: Yes
Alterations: None, but should have been. I took the pattern to be just as described in the bodice length. Apparently, it was about 4" shorter than expected.

Daughter's Nicole Miller Sheath Dress

Pattern: Butterick 5147
Fabric: ITY Knit Magenta

Finished January Challenge

                              Nicole Miller Sheath Dress from Nordstrom in Ponte Knit

Pattern Description: Butterick 5147

Pattern Sizing: 8-24

Did it look like the photo/drawing on the pattern envelope once you were done sewing with it? Yes, but with sleeves.

Were the instructions easy to follow? yes

What did you particularly like or dislike about the pattern? I like that the jacket sleeves fit the dress perfectly.

Fabric Used: ITY knit from Fabric Mart

Pattern alterations or any design changes you made: I removed one inch from the front neckline to remove gaping, removed one inch from the neck to waistline length, added four inches to the hem length, added sleeves using the jacket sleeve pattern, and made front and back facings about four inches deep.

Would you sew it again?  Yes, it's my TNT dress that works well to be worn with jackets/cardigans.

 Would you recommend it to others? Yes, I highly recommend it.

Conclusion: I have one more in the same fabric, but different color for my daughter.

White Swing Jacket

Pattern Description: Simplicity A1490 (one easy project)

Pattern Sizing: XXS-XL

Did it look like the photo/drawing on the pattern envelope once you were done sewing with it?
No

Were the instructions easy to follow? Yes

What did you particularly like or dislike about the pattern? I like that it is a simple pattern.
I was very disappointed because I expected the front to be even in the front and not raised a little. I wanted it to look just like the pattern with a full swing. I just measured and it is exactly 4" shorter in the center front than the back.

Fabric Used: White Ponte Knit from Fabric Mart

Pattern alterations or any design changes you made: None

Would you sew it again?  Maybe, if I altered it and made the front even with the back

Would you recommend it to others? Yes, because of it's simplicity.

Conclusion: I just had a thought that I could cut the hemline to my satisfaction.