Pink Till the End

Pattern: Simplicity 8523 view D short sleeve blouse

I'm ending the month with a spotted pink, black, white simple top. This is it for the pink month. My hopes are that each male and female completed a self exam and those annual exams were scheduled for this year.

Fabric: Multi print ITY
Interfacing: Fusible
Alterations: A little length was added.

 

Going for Pink

I picked up this peace of fabric at a thrift shop for less than $2 and decided to use it as a part of this month's collection. Well, this is not pink, but peach and it's added a flare to my wardrobe for this month of BC Awareness. The top has been worn with black slacks and a black jacket.

Pattern: Simplicity 8523 view A sleeveless top

 

The jacket has been worn with black slacks, black top, and the peach jacket.

Pattern: Simplicity 1699 Jacket

 

This will not happen again with this top. I had marked the length and cut into the fabric in the wrong area which led to a shorter length. I did consider adding to the length which would give the top some additional lines, but skipped on the idea. Don't you know I took the time to correctly adjust the pattern with the added the paper taped into position. This error also led to a shorter blouse than I had planned.

 

Hair: Two-strand twist out on shampooed and blow dried hair for date night at the college for jazz entertainment.

 

These buttons were thrifted for $0.20 the weekend before making the jacket. Once I started looking through my buttons for a match, I realized that they were perfect.

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

Square Neck Top and Dress

Trim is from polyester poplin purchased from Vogue Fabrics. The animal print polyester was purchased from Joann Fabrics.

S8523

Pattern Description: Pullover top has side slits and neckline variations, sleeveless, and with sleeves.

Pattern Sizing: 20-24

Did it look like the photo/drawing on the pattern envelope once you were done sewing with it? Yes, with the exception of my decision to make view C which has sleeves and a square neckline into a sleevess tank.

Were the instructions easy to follow? Yes

What did you particularly like or dislike about the pattern? It is an easy pattern.

Fabric Used: Woven polyester for the top from Joann's and brown lightweight polyester from Vogue Fabrics for the trim.

Pattern alterations or any design changes you made: The darts and slits were removed, the back was cut on the fold, and view C was made into a sleeveless top. After sewing the facings together, the right-side facings were attached to the wrong-side of the top, and the facings were finished with top-stitching.

Would you sew it again? Would you recommend it to others? Yes, I will sew it again and I highly recommend this pattern to others.

Conclusion: With some apprehension, I added the facing to the front and back of this top fearing I would make a mistake and ruin it. The trim was the perfect weight which allowed it to crease perfectly

 

African Map Print Dress!

On the cutting board is the fabric for a dress from the same pattern as the top above. Alterations include adding additional length to the square neck top for a dress and lenghtening the sleeves. This is for my sister-in-law who is very petite. I really didn't this this fabric was pretty until the dress was completed. As far as the colors, I originally liked the colors, but not the shading. Now I love it.

 

 

 

 

The flower with covered button is an additional element added to hat pattern McCall's 4002.