Tuesday, February 25, 2014

Completed February MAGAM



Pattern: Dress Butterick 5949 is fully lined View C
Fabric: Berry Ponte Knit from Fabric Mart & Poly Lining

This dress is awesome and I can't wait to make each of the dresses  that are enclosed in this envelope. I added five inches to the length. The next time I will add another inch to the sleeve width. It's comfortable, but I can tell that the right sleeve touches more than the left. 
                                             Fully lined bodice
 
Sally wearing the dress
                                             Me loving this dress
                                             The skirt is lined.
                                           
Jacket Butterick 5719
The sleeve is sewn to the lining, which is different from the usual overlap hand stitched version.

Friday, February 21, 2014

Ethnic Print ending BHM



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: Teal ITY Multi 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 work well when worn with jackets/cardigans.


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

Conclusion: With this fabric, it looks a little big, but is as close as I need it without showing exactly how fine I am. The previous dress in the slinky knit (which was a more stable knit) was a closer fit.

Tuesday, February 18, 2014

African outfit

Top: Simplicity 7159 Peplum Top
Fabric: Cotton & Washable satin
Adjustments were made to remove the gathers from the sleeve cap. Black 1/2 inch piping and black buttons were added to embellish the top.
 
 
--60000--49973_product_1434819234.jpg

The skirt is Butterick 4997 which has a back zipper, hook & eye, and back pleat. Adjustments were made by shortening the skirt 9 inches, increase the waist and hips to her measurements and because I didn't have enough fabric, I cut the skirt to her hem length of 22 inches and added a 2 inch band as a facing.

It was a wonderful feeling to hear her say, "It is a perfect fit." I had completed the garments when she arrived and was praying that no adjustments were needed.

Friday, February 14, 2014

Happy Valentine's Day!

It's another McCall's 5742 made in polyester.
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: Stripped polyester
Notions: Red Zipper and thread
Did it look like the pattern: Yes
Alterations: I took the pattern to be just as described in the bodice length. Apparently, it was about 4" shorter than expected so adjustments were made.

Tuesday, February 11, 2014

Completed Fearless February Outfit


Dress: Vogue 1369 is made using white stretch gabardine fabric and polyester lining purchased from Hancock Fabrics.
 I didn't have stay tape so I used twill tape around the armholes and the neckline. It was a little wide, but I was afraid to cut it.
An invisible zipper was inserted.
10 1/2 inches was added to the dress length.
First, the back doesn't look like the pattern below the zipper.
Next, I was very upset at the ripples below the hips on both sides and decided that I hated stretch gabardine. So I made another dress of ITY knit to go with the jacket and the same thing happened. I was afraid to press both of them because I thought maybe it came from the iron knowing that I don't rub my fabrics with the iron.
Note: After completing the second dress, in the daylight it didn't match the jacket, but it gives me two different style dresses to wear with the white cardigan that was previously made of the same fabric.
Then, I decided that I had no choice but to try pressing and see what happens. It worked on the ITY dress. (I'll show that one) So, I pressed this dress and look at the difference. All ripples are gone, but it made me very nervous about the idea of purchasing stretch gabardine.
Now, let me show you this beautiful dress. I love it, even if I will not wear it without the jacket.
Jacket: Simplicity 1699
Fabric: White stretch gabardine with polyester lining.
An additional 5 1/2 inches was added to the jacket length.
Beads, ribbon, lace applique embellishes the jacket.
The center front has a hook and eye for closure.






All of the ripples/bubbling disappeared after pressing. Thank goodness! I thought the whole outfit was ruined.
 
McCall's 8021 Sleeveless Dress

Fabric: ITY knit
Lining: polyester
I used fusible interfacing for reinforcement as stay tape around the neckline and both armholes.
The neckline was raised 2 1/2 inches and the length was extended by 10 inches.  As I mentioned, it had the bubbling in the back, but they pressed out nicely.

Saturday, February 8, 2014

Another Ethnic Print!

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: Acetate Lycra Slinky Knit 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: With this fabric, I'm thinking I need to add an additional inch to the sleeve width and the bust.

Wednesday, February 5, 2014

Black History Month

This outfit is for Miss Yas to wear when her choir sings this month. I took another caftan and used it to make McCall's 4554. I placed the front top in the center for the embellishment. It does have a back zipper since I used cotton fabric.
Last year's dress was purple and I positioned the gold around the skirt hemline. This time it is on the sleeves. The hat has to be adjusted using Velcro.

Tuesday, February 4, 2014

Poor Baby!

Sheltie is on his way home from the veterinarian after spending the night and having four teeth removed. I feel so bad for him. Saturday we took him for his shots and she noticed a spot on his gum. He went to have his teeth cleaned. It was difficult to receive a message that they had removed four teeth.

Saturday, February 1, 2014

Shocking!

 What a shock! I'm sewing away and have to keep stopping because the thread is wrapped around the bobbin. It took twice removing it to realize that something was missing. The bobbin case had falling apart! I found the screw. After finding it, I dropped it in my lap and couldn't find it. I crawled under the cabinet, swept everything into the dust pan and it wasn't there. Pure disbelief!
Thank goodness for my backup baby. I live in a very small town so I don't know how long it'll take to locate one. There are several online. I found one that is a universal one. We'll see!