The case of the 5 month dresses

I offered to make some dresses for my friend Lisa's grand-daughters, so in December we went out to JoAnn's to find some fabric and a pattern she liked.  She picked out Simplicity 8270 which is a simple pull over dress. There are also leggings, but I just made the dress. She liked view D so she picked out contrasting fabric.

I thought, the dresses would take me no time to whip up and I could get them done in one afternoon. That's what I thought...

This fabric was a pain in the butt to work with. It shrank like there was no tomorrow and the purple faded almost 2 shades. Cutting it wasn't so bad except since it shrank so much, I needed more purple fabric. And of course by the time I made it back to JoAnn's they had a different dye lot. I didn't calculate enough fabric and once it shrank I didn't have enough to cut out for the second dress. So I went to JoAnn's again, and bought the 2 yards that was left on the bolt.  This time, even with the shrinking I fo' sure had enough.  AND the color did not fade.

So there are two dresses in two different shades of purple. I had already sewn the larger dress that is too shades lighter and I was not sewing more than I had to.  I will be honest and say I am not used to sewing with knits. This fabric was stretching all over the place, and yes I used the correct needle.

The neckline pattern piece is too small in both sizes I made. I cut it so it would stretch and it didn't. So I added almost 2 inches to the pieces  - yep, had to cut them again.

I had enough of that bloody purple fabric I made some headbands. They were easier to make and hopefully will fit their heads!

Tulle Glam

I have a small obsession with tulle skirts. I think it stems from my small obsession with Carrie Bradshaw's wardrobe and her fabulous tulle skirt outfits.  I didn't want a tutu, but wanted something a little more glam, so I self drafted a circle skirt pattern. I purchased the tulle from Joann's, and it's not as grey as I was hoping for, but I still love it.

Let me tell you tulle is a bitch to sew with. I lined it with a solid cotton quilting fabric, it might be broadcloth, but I don't remember.  There are ten layers of tulle and the waistband is cotton. I installed a back zip with a button on the waistband. I don't think the bottom is even, I didn't hem the tulle and I am just ok with an uneven hem because who is even looking at it.

New Look 6560

I've been looking for a wrap top pattern that was simple and versatile and when I found New Look 6560, I knew I found the perfect pattern! There are several sleeve and collar options and view C only has 3 pattern pieces (not including the facing). My pattern is actually D0934, but New Look changed the pattern number to 6560.

The length is a little short, I forgot to add length to this fabric, but I have a second one on my dress form now that I added 2" too.  

Let's talk about how adorable this fabric is! There is a local fabric shop in town and when I first found this fabric I wanted to make a jumpsuit, but after doing a muslin the style was not flattering so I converted it to a top. And I couldn't be happier! 

Quiet book for Olivia

A few years ago I discovered quiet books. Cute handsewn books, mainly for toddlers. They are designed to improve fine motor skills and creativity for children.  I have made a several books for kids or grandkids of my friends and this is the latest. I think I love making these books more than I like sewing my own clothes. They really provide me an opportunity to get my creative juices flowing. 

Olivia's aunt really wanted a book for Olivia to play with while she was at church so I wanted to provide something that would be quiet and still allow Olivia room to explore and be imaginative. 

The letters are removable and allow Olivia to learn to spell her name. 

The basket strips all come open so she can practice her weaving skills.  The bumble bee can fly through the key rings. 

The sun is attached with a snap. And when the door to the Hen Hotel opens....

Peek-a-boo it's a soft hen sitting on her nest. 

The feathers are faux fur and the nest is twine. 

You can't see it, but this page is covered with netting. The idea is to push the buttons to match with the colors, green to the grass, blue to the cloud, and yellow towards the sun on the previous page. 

Garden time! All the veggies are removable, as is the top tomato. 

The cloud moves over the sun and....

Now we have rain! 

The lettuce is removable and all the fruit tree is interchangeable with apples and pears. The bunny comes off and is connected to a ribbon for the bucket of water on the well. So the well moves up and down to draw the water.  There is also a caterpillar that can be moved through the ribbon loops. 

The back of the book holds the soup pot for all of the veggies - Veggie soup time! Add a little salt and pepper, stir, and let it simmer! 

When it just doesn't turn out the way you want....

When I saw this darling pattern, I pictured a very glam selfie in lovely floral print.  The end result isn't so much a glam selfie, but it is still a lovely floral print.  

I cut version B.  The instructions were pretty easy to follow and it didn't take long to stich the pieces together.  However, once I tried on the dress I did not like the way the yoke looked on me.  I forgot to take a photo of the original pattern piece, but the point hit me right at my widest part of my stomach pooch and it was not flattering.  So I got rid of the point.  

And still wasn't happy.  I couldn't decide if it was this pattern in this print, or that the fabric was too thin.  I just knew I didn't like it.  

So I took out the yoke and recut the skirt.  And I voile! It looks about a million times better! 

I opted for a lapped zip instead of a invisible zipper.  I love the way lapped zippers look and I also need to practice the side laps.  You can see where it's not the straightest lap and also where I took some stitches out...shhh, don't tell.  

I added lavender bias tape on the hem, neck facing and sleeves, just to add a little more prettiness. 

Channeling my glam

After my Vogue 8333 never ending blazer, I needed a quick project to help bring the fabric stash down.

And in comes McCall's M7053.

This is my second, er, third time making this shirt.  It's quick, easy, versatile and such a timeless style.  I purchased this fabric last October when I was in NYC for work, it's a stretch rayon from Swan Fabrics.  Swan is one of my fabric shops, they have a great selection and every time I've gone in asking for something, if he doesn't have it, he offers a fabulous alternative. Swan is located at 244 W. 39th st.

This pattern calls for a single layer on the front tie, but my fabric is printed on one side and the underside isn't as attractive.  I doubled the layer to keep it pretty.  Total time to make this was about  2 hours, well maybe 3 - I do get distracted by sparkly things.

The colors in this top will go with several of my blazers, I wore it with Vogue 8333 to see Phantom Threads (have you seen that movie, the fashions...LOVED them!)

At last.....

...I have finally finished Vogue 8333!!! Overall I like this pattern, it fits really well.  Despite the hand stitching lasting what seemed like a lifetime, I enjoyed the process of tailoring. It's on my agenda for sure to make another, and another.  

My muslin fit perfect, and then when I cut the fashion fabric the pattern expanded and I swear it expanded more by the time I added the buttons. Yeah, I'm not sure what happened there. So it's too big, but I am not undoing the lining to take it in now. That will be a summer project, because I need a break from this bad boy.