A Detour from Garment Sewing . . .

Most of the time I'm sewing garments; however, I have been known to dabble in quilting.   During the  past couple of days, I've been doing some hand applique for a quilt top.   When I was a little girl in Mississippi, I remember my maternal grandmother making quilts from rags and old pieces of clothing.  Then all the women would come over and the "smoke house" (where they smoked meat) became a quilting house.  She had a quilt frame that was hung from the ceiling and they would all hand quilt or tie-off the quilts. One of her favorite quilt tops to do was "Sun Bonnet Sue".  Anytime I see her, I just automatically start to smile and think of my grandmother.   During the time I've been somewhat incapacitated, I decided to do some hand quilting.  I could keep my little box with me and stitch a block or two.  I've only got two left to complete and then I can piece the top. I purchased some batik fat quarters in varying colors from Joan Fabrics when they were on sale for $1.00.   NOTE: If you are a teacher be sure to get your teacher discount card.  It gets you 15% off your total purchase, and is good for an entire year.   Here are some of the squares I’ve completed:





I think they are just adorable.  Sunbonnet Sue is a weak spot for me.  She brings back such fond memories of my grandmother.  I got a chance to bring together to of my favorite loves: my grandmother and sewing.
Happy Sewing . . . .

When is a muslin, not a muslin?

When it fits you the first time and its made out of this adorable “fish” print:

I decided that I needed some loose fitting dresses, as I am still dealing with the shingles.

Since I had the fish-fabric in my stash from many years ago when my daughter was small, I figured I’d use it to make a muslin from. Well turns out the muslin turned out nicely and was perfect fit.  So I decided to keep it as a dress.

I also found a pair of adorable flats with an ankle strap on them to wear with the dress.  The shoes are red and appear to be out of a wool.  They are call Penny Loves Kenny Shoes and are called “Gyrta”.   I found these at Off Broadway Shoes for only $9.00.
 

Simplicity 2702 – Pattern Review:

Did it look like the photo? Yes

Were the instructions easy to follow? I found it very easy to stitch together.  It took only about 2 hours total (that was with me hand-stitching the hem and joke facing).  One change that I did make in the construction was attaching the yoke to the dress.  I attached it in 3 sections: (1) around the neckline, (2) the sides of the joke, and finally (3) across the bottom of the yoke.  (I’ll have to post photos on the steps I did later).

Pattern alterations or any design changes you made:  I made the top in a size 16.  The only change I made was adding 3 inches to the length.

Would you sew it again? Would you recommend it to others? Yes, I’ve already done so.  I would definitely recommend it.  It’s a quick sew, and very comfy to wear.

Conclusion:   This is a quick sew, and the dress is very comfortable to wear.



Happy Sewing . . . .

All Good Plans are laid to rest when Shingles comes to visit . . .

So my youngest son was getting married on Labor Day weekend.  He and I had planned our Mother/Son dance.  We weren't going to go the traditional route; but rather do ours to "Step in the Name of Love".  I had chosen the dress I was going to make and had purchased the fabric on Monday so I could start my sewing.

My pattern was going to be Vogue 8999:



Out of this silk duppioni  that I found at Colorado Fabrics in Denver:



I even called the bride to confirm that it met with her approval.  Then I got what I thought was an infected insect bite.  Every once in a while I would have pains radiating from my back to my rib cage.  I couldn't stand for anything to be fitted against my back where the so called insect bites were (No bra, no t-shirt ... you get the picture).  I finally went to the doctor, and found out my insect bites were SHINGLES!  May you never have shingles!

Now I had to change my plans:

1. Pray that God would give me a reprieve on the pain and itching on the wedding day 


2. Pray that me and my son would be able to do the planned dance


3. Pray I could make the 8 hour drive there and back


4. Change my dress, I now needed something that would look nice and not put pressure on the rash area


5. Pray that I could find something easy and quick to make as I was not in the mood physically nor mentally to go shopping.

In my fabric stash I would find a olive green jersey knit.  That should work!  It would have to work.

Now what do I do about a loose fitting top, and the bra-less issue.  First of all THANK GOD and VICTORIA SECRETS for backless bras!  

I found this pattern in my vintage stash  - OOP McCall 4835, view C ( Similar current pattern McCall 6400)



The OOP pattern was looser fitting than the McCall 6400 pattern, so I went with it.  There was only 1 pattern piece (front and back) for the top.  So that was right up my alley.

For the bottom half I chose to do a mermaid skirt.  I used the tutorial provided by Cathleen de Ontiveros.  It was really simple, and it also only required 1 pattern piece.  I really like how the skirt pattern is smaller at the waist, and kept this concept in my skirt.  The skirt was made with an elastic waistband.  I also added an underlining for about 3/4 of the length.  I didn't want the lighting to show thru my skirt.  

Closeup of waistband:

*



Skirt Lining:



All of the seamlines were done on my sewing machine using a tiny zigzag.  I also used a tiny zigzag for the hemming on both skirt and top.  It only took 2 hours total to finish the outfit (which was about as long as I could go without the pain meds!).

I inserted a rod into the sleeves so that you can see that the top is very fitted on the right side, and loose on the left side.





God answered all my prayers!  I finished the dress in time for our trip.  And yes, I made it thru the Mother/Son dance without incident!  I just loaded up on pain killers afterwards.  My son had his memorable dance, and I got a chance to see a hugh smile on his face when we were done!  Isn't that what we mother's live for !!!!  God is SO-O-O-O GOOD!!!  Then I went back to the apartment and took pain meds!  (Once I get pics with me in the outfit I'll post them).

In 3 short years I went from the mom of 2 single men to the mom of 2 wedded men!

My youngest son on Memorial Day weekend. . . .



My Oldest son 3 years ago. . .





Happy Sewing . . .

New Look 6208, the remake . . .

I really like the how the original version of New Look 6208 dress turned out; so I made another one. But this time I chose view D (Similar to view C but without the bows).
I had this fabric sitting in my stash.  It was actually 2 pieces of about 1 and 1 1/2 yard each.  I also has a black cotton in my fabric stash to use for the waistband and back straps.
I think it turned out nicely.  I haven't been able to wear it yet because I came down with shingles.  Augh!!!! 

May you never get shingles.

Front View:

Back View:


Happy Sewing  . . . .

Continuing to add color. . .

Since I'm still "adding color" to my wardrobe, I thought I would make a dress.  I came across this pattern:

I thought this would be a great way to invite Spring Summer to Colorado.  Of course I had to make the more conservative view of this dress; I mean hey, I want to be able to wear my version to work!
The biggest alteration that I had to do was the front bust area.  This was relatively easy, since the dress has princess seams in the front.  I also added about 1/2 inch to the waste.  I also added 4 inches to the length of the skirt.
The fabric I used is on a diagonal print, and I wanted to try to match those seams up as much as possible.
 
(Why oh why do I have to make my sewing life so complicated?).  Being a seamstress like most of you, I have OCD when it comes to my designs matching up.  It took me some time, in that I had to cut the pieces individually to ensure the design flowed.  I'm pleased that I took the extra effort, and think it makes such a bold statement.  What do you think?
Full Dress:

Photos of waistband seaming from front and side:

 
Happy Sewing . . .

Adding Color to my Life , gradually . . .

 
So I have definitely been sewing, just not blogging much.
I don't know about most of you, but I realized my wardrobe was becoming "shades of Grey", so to speak.  Most of my wardrobe is dark colors, such as dark blue, grey, black, etc.
So I definitely have to add more color to my wardrobe.  When I was younger I swore off a lot of the African prints. It wasn't because I didn't like them.  It was because as a 6 foot introvert, I felt all that print on me would just draw attention. (Oh my, the things we think when we are young!).  I bought them but used them in quilts (I'll have to post my latest quilt for I made for one of my son's).
Well with the latest fashion craze being these amazing prints.  I decided maybe I should spruce up my wardrobe.  One of my first foray's into this was the use of this fabric:
I didn't have enough fabric for a dress, but decided a skirt would be appropriate.  Sometime ago I saw instructions for the "High-Waisted Sash Skirt";

Changes I made to the tutorial:

• Used an invisible zipper in the center back, instead of the side
• Added belt-loops to waistband to hold sash
• Lengthened at knee

It only took about 2 hours to complete.
Here is the finished skirt.

Close up of belt loops. . .

 

Happy Sewing . . . .