A blog about my adventures in sewing & crafting

Monday, May 27, 2013

Busy Busy!

We took the kids to the beach last weekend.  It sure was nice to just kick back and relax for the day.  No worries!



I have done a lot of sewing but just altering and fixing for the kids. I did shorten three pair of shorts for Boy T's girlfriend's dad.  I am not a big fan of alterations but when I do them I seem to amaze myself.

I had just enough fabric left over from my blue roses dress to make another dress and an apron to match.  I am almost done with the apron so I'll have pictures of that soon.


blue roses dress #2  sewplus.blogspot.com
Blue Roses Dress #2 Front View



blue roses dress #2  back view sewplus.blogspot.com
Blue Roses Dress # 2 Back View


Blogger is killing me today, so until next time....


Bonnie




Tuesday, May 14, 2013

Blue Roses Dress Finished Butterick 4957

I finally had a chance to finish the Butterick 4957 Blue Roses Dress.  I had a busy weekend and all I had to finish was slip stitching the arms with the facing/lining.  I took me four days to get to it and only took me 15 minutes to complete!

Butterick 4957 Blue Roses Dress sewplus.blogspot.com
 Finished Butterick 4957 Blue Roses Print Dress.

Butterick 4957 Blue Roses Dress side view sewplus.blogspot.com
 Butterick 4957 Blue Roses Dress side view


Butterick 4957 Blue Roses Dress back view sewplus.blogspot.com
 Butterick 4957 Blue Roses Dress back view

Butterick 4957 Blue Roses Dress front view sewplus.blogspot.com
Butterick 4957 Blue Roses Dress front view

I am thinking of wearing this dress with a crinoline.  It's so summery and a beautiful print.  I am very proud of myself on this dress and I feel that there will be many, many more versions to come.

I don't know what is next on my list but as soon as the sew bug inspires me, I will let you know!

Until next time.....

Bonnie

Wednesday, May 8, 2013

Butterick 4957 Dress #2

I am going to visit my Mother on Sunday for Mother's Day so I thought why not make myself a dress to wear over there?  I have this beautiful blue roses sheet set with solid blue for the lining.  I am so excited!

Butterick See & Sew 4957 Dress Pattern Blue Roses Floral
 I hope this pattern doesn't look too much like a night gown!


Butterick See & Sew 4957 Dress Pattern Blue
My pattern basic now that I have made all my adjustments.

I have been making a point to use tracing paper and a wheel to mark my darts.  I found that if I use a ruler my lines are straighter and doesn't wobble.

Marking dart tracing paper wheel sewplus.blogspot.com
 I used an orange tracing paper to mark darts on the lining fabric and blue on the floral.  I am about to start sewing the darts then press but I just realized I have NO blue thread!  I guess white it will be.

Hope to have more pictures tonight or tomorrow on  the progress.

Until next time......

Bonnie

Monday, May 6, 2013

Butterick See & Sew 4957 Dress Pattern

I think I have finally found the "PERFECT" dress pattern.  I am thinking that the Butterick See & Sew 4957 Pattern meets all of the ideas I have for the perfect dress.  Easy, simple darts in the bodice, skirt with a little flare, sleeveless, choice of v-neck or scoop bodice top.

Butterick See & Sew 4957 Dress Pattern

I made my usual fittings, bust adjustment and increase for both waist and hips.  I did really good but I forgot out lowering the bust darts until I tried it on.  The fit is perfect except the bust darts.  I fixed it on my pattern pieces.

Butterick 4957 Dress Pattern sewplus.blogspot.com
 I used a full size fitted sheet for my muslin.  I looked on the tag from the thrift shop and I paid a whole $2.00 for it.  Not a bad deal for a muslin.

I wan't thinking about the line placement of the fabric when I cut it out.  I now see that the skirt and the bodice white lines don't match up.  Oh well, I'll just wear this one around the house.

Butterick 4957 Dress Pattern sewplus.blogspot.com
 I just added a grosgrain ribbon at the waist for a little extra color and to help disguise my match-up mistake.

Butterick 4957 Dress Pattern sewplus.blogspot.com
 Back view of the zipper, It looks kinda flat on the dress form.  I am going to add just a 1/2" more to the hip areas.  It fits but there isn't too much wiggle room.  And believe me I have a lot of wiggle.....

Butterick 4957 Dress Pattern sewplus.blogspot.com
Inside the back of the dress.  I lined it with a white sheet I had in my scrap bin.  I took my time and under-stitched the lining, pressing and pressing and more pressing and it turned out beautiful.  It's so smooth and matches up perfect.  I did have to hand sew the lining to the waist but I watched TV with the family and just stitched away.

Overall I give this pattern a 9.5!  I want to make it in a black satin or something similar to wear on very special occasions but I also think that it would look so cute in a large red check to wear to a picnic.  Maybe even in a yellow cotton with navy piping, or maybe even in a purple floral print cotton.  Oh, how I have a million ideas for this pattern!

I hope to get going on another version of this pattern soon.  The kid's are finishing up their school year and it seems like I have an awards banquet every other day.

Until next time......

Bonnie