Updates....

Peace.

I have been sick. My boss came into the office a month ago with flu-like symptoms. So of course 2 weeks ago we all came down with varying degrees of illness. I, personally, think I got it worse. Even worse than my boss, because I got laryngitis. Is it really fair that he gives us illnesses and then doesn’t offer us insurance? I’m coming out of it finally, but I haven’t been super well to sit down and blog. Though I have been watching all of your progress. I will bring you up to date on all I have managed to accomplish….

I finished 2 tops (1 jacket, 1 vest) and 3 bottoms. I also had a wadder in the lot. The top made from the denim skirt didn’t come out right. The shirt wasn’t as full as I thought it was and the seams were in the wrong locations. Oh well. Live and learn. Let’s get it started.


1- Vogue 8499

Pattern Description: Skirt
Pattern Sizing: 14-20. I cut a 20
Did it look like the photo/drawing on the pattern envelope once you were done sewing with it? Kind of
Were the instructions easy to follow? I guess
What did you particularly like or dislike about the pattern? I thought it was going to make a funky eclectic looking skirt, and it did. But I didn’t like it after it was done.
Fabric Used: Cotton
Pattern alterations or any design changes you made: None
Would you sew it again? doubtful
Would you recommend it to others? no
Conclusion: I thought I would like it because I like to think of myself as an “outside the box” type of urban girl. But apparently I’m not.

For the Summer I planned 2 suits, 2 tops and 2 dresses to be the foundation of my summer wardrobe. I’ll blend then into the clothes I already have.

2 & 3- Suit 1

Butterick 5187
Pattern Description: Jacket
Pattern Sizing: 16-24 I cut 24. I have boobage.
Did it look like the photo/drawing on the pattern envelope once you were done sewing with it? Yes it did
Were the instructions easy to follow? Yes they were
What did you particularly like or dislike about the pattern? I learned something new. I was always a little afraid of collars. But this one had a big fat Peter Pan collar that I loved to I went ahead and did that view. Now I’m not afraid of collars. I’m still leery of linings. Anyone?
Fabric Used: White cotton. I love white clothes, and I have a plenty… but I swear this fabric attracted my filth than any of my other white garments!
Pattern alterations or any design changes you made: None
Would you sew it again? Yes
Would you recommend it to others? Absolutely. I’m thinking it making it again come fall in denim
Conclusion: I love it!!!!

Vogue 8701
Pattern Description: Wardrobe pattern with all kinds of stuff in there. I made a pencil skirt
Pattern Sizing: 14-20 I cut a 20 but I should have cut an 18, possible a 16
Did it look like the photo/drawing on the pattern envelope once you were done sewing with it? Yes
Were the instructions easy to follow? Didn’t follow them. Imagine that. A Vogue pattern that didn’t have me slung out on directions
What did you particularly like or dislike about the pattern? It was very easy
Fabric Used: More of the dirt attracting white cotton
Pattern alterations or any design changes you made: none yet. I need to take it in 2 inches
Would you sew it again? Yes, if I need to. I mean pencil skirts are a fact of like
Would you recommend it to others? Yes
Conclusion: Very easy


4 & 5- Suit 2

Inspired by Vogue 8701
Pattern Description: Wardrobe- I made the jacket sans the sleeves to make a vest
Pattern Sizing: 14-20. I made a bootleggedly graded up to maybe a 24?
Did it look like the photo/drawing on the pattern envelope once you were done sewing with it? No. Because I took the sleeves off it.
Were the instructions easy to follow? Heck NO!!! %^&*()((&$@#
What did you particularly like or dislike about the pattern? I hate how unclear the directions were. I say inspired because I got so lost after cutting it and the directions were of no help at all, that I just winged it. Actually I was using direction from B5187 to help me get my thoughts together
Fabric Used: a really light linen
Pattern alterations or any design changes you made: Really? Every doggone thing
Would you sew it again? Nope
Would you recommend it to others? Nope. It has nothing to do with skill level. Those directions were crazy. I would burn them and dance naked around the whole thing if I didn’t want to keep some of it.
Conclusion: The jacket was a bust. But the pencil skirt was fine, and I’m planning to do make the dress. Doesn’t look to bad.

Simplicity 2698
Pattern Description: Skirt, Project Runway
Pattern Sizing: 14-22, I cut a 22
Did it look like the photo/drawing on the pattern envelope once you were done sewing with it? Yes
Were the instructions easy to follow? Not really
What did you particularly like or dislike about the pattern? First of all, there were too may choices. That pattern can only make 2 skirts, but there was so much crap in there to wade through. Patterns and directions! The pocket screwed me over twice. I finally got it but the fabric is all stretched out. And I admit, I could have ironed it. But I was just home from work, tired, still sick, just finished cooking and on my way to bed.
Fabric Used: light linen… that’s what they said at the store
Pattern alterations or any design changes you made: None
Would you sew it again? Probably not
Would you recommend it to others? Probably not
Conclusion: I didn’t like it

I think I’m done in the challenges unless we are going to make dresses next…..


Peace,
Serenity Love Sincere Peace Earth

The Letter "H"

(Possibly the Opposite of) Peace,


This post is brought to you by the letter H.

H stands for HATE. That is what I feel for all non-McCalls patterns.


This weekend I wanted to put to bed all the the SWAP sewing that I had planned to do for the challenges I'm in. And I did complete everything I wanted to do for now. But it wasn't easy. Yesterday morning I realized why it was so sucky. Because I HATE all non-McCalls patterns!

You know I'm a pattern convert. I have been sewing consistently with patterns for the last 2-3 years. Before that, it was hit and miss pattern use with more patternless garments. I realize that I do more sewing with patterns than I did without. My dream of a completely self-sewn wardrobe is more of a possibility with patterns. So I'm okay with using them now. Let's get started....

A few of the reasons why I love McCall patterns so much is because they are easy to follow, easy to adjust, easy to understand and are stylish. They haven't given me the business the way the other 3 have. And you realize I am speaking about the others of the "Big 4."

I love vogue patterns too. They are some of the most stylish patterns. The clothes in the books and envelopes are simply stunning. Vogue has the most difficult to understand directions of any pattern I have ever tried. If I'm sitting clueless surrounded by pattern pieces and I look like I'm ready to punch someone in the eye... You can bet I'm working on a Vogue pattern. Pure annoyance. I suppose the more I work with them the more used to them I will become.... I suppose. I was sitting at the book table in Hancocks joking around with another sewist who said that her sister REFUSED to work with Vogue patterns. I know why.

Simplicity is another pattern house that has confusing directions. But I find their measurements off too. You know where you are supposed to measure your self at a specific point to determine what size you are? Yeah.. that some BS with these folks. You can't try them on to make sure they fit. I suppose I can make muslins but... no. I 'm not. I'm going to need for a pattern company to make accurate measurement if they want me as a customer. The directions are so confusing that I have made repeat dresses and have gotten confused. That says a a lot for the directions....

My big complaint about Butterick is that the designs are old looking. But don't think that's the only ting wrong with them. Their sizing is off and their directions are bad as well. But since the clothes are so 'old lady" it doesn't matter because you don't need the directions.

I have just a few Kwik Sews. I only made one of them. And when I finished that garment, it looked like the envelope picture, but it was still ugly. I remade it using a different fabric and it looked like hospital scrubs. So that's good to know that if I need to make hospital scrubs I can go over there.

I have a Nu Look pattern for a summer sheath dress. I haven't made it yet so I can't speak on it and all it's glory. I have never made a burda pattern. I'm not sure I want to. Those clothes don't appeal to me much.


Yeah. I'm a McCalls girl. That's good to know, It cuts down on the foolishness.




Peace

Who Knew?

Peace.

One of my goals since I started sewing again in earnest was to have a wardrobe of clothes that I made. Another was to decrease my wardrobe by 2/3rds. Yet another was to have a season-less wardrobe. 2 out of 3 ain't bad!

I recently swapped out my winter for summer clothes. Normally I have to sit on the trunk to close it. Not this time. It closes with no problems. I used to have 2 trunks. 1 exploded about 2 years ago and I just have 1. And on the remaining trunk, one of the latches is broken; yet that hasn't stopped it from closing flush. I'm decreasing. I suppose it helps that I stopped retail shopping. I always donate clothes that I can't envision myself wearing again. So my closet is finally coming down.

Also.... I was looking through the summer clothes that made it out of the trunk on to hangers and I must proudly admit, most of them are my creations! I feel like a proud mother. And as I dressed this morning in a blouse that I made, I realized that I wear something I made almost daily! It's ridiculous how happy and satisfied that makes me. How many regular everyday people can say that?

I have been and still am under the weather. I managed to get some of my SWAP and over the top sewing done. I need to complete just one more skirt and I will be able to post my progress on one of the the challenge websites.

So tonight I will juice an onion and drink a healthy does of brandy so that tomorrow I will awake bright eyed and bushy tailed. I'm finishing up.

Who knew I was this close to attaining my goals? Why didn't I?




Peace!!!!!

Victoria Dress/McCalls 6277

Peace Y'all,

I hope you don't take my absence in blogging to mean that I am not sewing. I am. A lot. I just don't seem to have the time to sit down and blog it. Y'all know I have my own personal SWAP going on and I am involved with the Over the top sew along. Plus I am in week 11 of P90x and I have the God to care for. Y'all know men are big babies?. So my blogging has fallen off.

Anywho... The only way back to it is to do it so hear goes. Last year I was gifted with some knit fabric from Victoria. It's beautiful. I purchased McCall's 6277. Now I only purchased it because it was on sale for $1 and I was sitting with the book too long. I didn?t obsess like I normally do. I liked and I bought it. To my surprise, it has an fba already built into the pattern! Meaning you can cut a B, C or D. I had no idea how to behave. So I graded Victoria's knit up to a 24-D. I should have cut an 18. Also, I meant to do view B but I ended up with view A. The pattern calls for these big wings that act like sleeves and I didn't have enough material for that.

The dress is big. That's ok, though. I kind of like the fact that it's not supper clingy. I could take it in and maybe I will one day, but right now I like it the way it is. It comes past the knee. So it's still 3/4ths proper.

Project Details:

Pattern: McCalls 6277

Pattern Sizing: 16-22, I cut a 22 (should have cut an 18! Yay and Phooey. I guess P90x is paying off).

Description: Dress.

Did it look like the pattern envelope once you were done sewing it? Yes

Fabric: Jersey

Lining: not yet

Where the instructions easy to follow? I suppose. I really didnt "follow" them. Now when I say I didn't follow the directions, doesn?t mean I didn't read them. I always read directions of a new pattern, but unless there is a problem or something I haven?t done before, then I don't follow the directions when I sew.

What did you particularly like or dislike about the pattern? I LOVED The D-Cup! Yes the D-cup. Did I mention the D-cup? I didn't like how short it was originally intended to be.

Pattern alterations or design changes you made: I lengthened it by 6". I'm short. Since I had to do that, which means this dress was designed to be a mini dress or possibly a top on a smaller woman.

Would you sew it again? Would you recommend it to others?
Absolutely!!!!! Especially if you have Boobies!

TTFN...

Pardon me on the phone. I am at work. Gotta just find the time to blog.



Peace

McCall's 6069

Peace.

Well... Here is my 1st top.

This is the front. and this is the back.

There is belt in there but you can't see it. Boobs and belly. Oh well.... That's a different blog. Cool thing about this pattern is I didn't have to do a FBA. It fit the biggest size as is. Also, because it has so many colors it will be easy to pair with skirts. This was my 1st time making a cowl neck. This pattern called for one in the front as well as the back. I don't care for the back one. People behind me will be able to see my bra if I'm sitting and they are standing. Next time I make this pattern I will adjust the back to be normal.

I have a question.... Since this is a "top" challenge, does that mean I cannot make a jacket? My spring summer sewing includes a jacket and a vest. I wonder If they can be included in the challenge.

Advice?





Peace,
Serenity

And Sew it begins.....

Peace!

I am really excited to be part of this sew-a-long! It's my 1st. And I am in desperate need of blouses. I am in the process of redoing my summer wardrobe in order to make it more 'seasonal.' I live in GA now(originally from NJ) and I don't need a severely different wardrobe from winter to summer. Also I'm getting older and blouses will make my wardrobe look more age-appropriate.

I wanted to get started yesterday and sew all weekend... Yeah, that was the plan. But I live with a man. And the man is sloppy. Like so many female partners in committed relationships I feel guilty when I chase my passions at the expense of my household. Apparently the man doesn't feel the same way. His passion is sports and food and he is indulging himself. So... After a morning of drama and forced housework on both our parts I am ready to get down to business!!!!

Meet the fabrics......

I really love the floral print. Hancock's only had a little less than 2 yards so that is out of the question. The blue is an old denim wrap skirt that has cute embroidery on a corner of it. I have been meaning to make a blouse out of it for the longest. This is a good opportunity. And do you believe that I don't have a white blouse? I don't, but I should. And now I will.

Meet the patterns.......

I know these are dress patterns, but I didn't like anything I've seen lately and the blouse patterns I do like I don't trust then to look good on me. See why I don't have many blouses? And I know there are only 2 and I have 3 different fabric. I haven't picked the 3rd pattern. But I want to get started.
So.... Wish me luck!


Peace,
Serenity