Butterick 4957 Version 3 & Version 4

I seem to really like this Butterick 4957 pattern.  I made another dress from it.  I found this fabric at a local thrift shop for $4.00.  I thought it was a bit pricey for thrifting but once I got the fabric home, I think it is vintage and I LOVE the colors!

I reminds me of a vintage party dress!

A close up of the rose bouquet on the fabric.

 I wore this version with a red ribbon belt and red sandals.  It is so comfortable and cool for wearing here in the humid Florida weather.

Once I get going on a pattern I like I just can't stop.  I also made Version 4.  I found this sheet at another local thrift shop for only $2.99 and I thought with navy blue piping at the waist and  bias fold tape at the neckline and armholes would bring out more of the darker blue colors.

I also made the version with the scoop neck instead of the v-neck.  I had to make some adjustments to the neckline since it was chocking me!  I also skipped the zipper in the back.

I don't think I will ever get tired of making this dress.  I really love the fit and the ease of sewing the pattern.  I hope to get the mojo to sew something new soon.

My sewing mojo comes and goes.  I am always sewing something but not always things I want.  I just finished hemming 6 pair of work pants for Dear Hubby and a dog harness for Mr. Bojangles.  School will be starting in just a few weeks and as much as I am going to miss the kids I miss me sewing time.  We're going to be taking one last trip this summer with the kids and since we'll be gone 5 days to a remote area I am thinking of bring a hand quilting project that I need to finish.  We'll see how that goes.

Until next time......

Bonnie

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 Front View

Blue Roses Dress # 2 Back View


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


Bonnie

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!

 Finished Butterick 4957 Blue Roses Print Dress.

 Butterick 4957 Blue Roses Dress side view

 Butterick 4957 Blue Roses Dress back view

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

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!

 I hope this pattern doesn't look too much like a night gown!

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.

 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

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.

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.

 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.

 I just added a grosgrain ribbon at the waist for a little extra color and to help disguise my match-up mistake.

 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.....

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

Simplicity 4003 Finished

The vintage Simplicity 4003 dress pattern came to me pre-cut!  I love that.  Cutting pattern pieces is one of my least favorite jobs to do.  A lot of vintage patterns have already been cut and that makes me smile a little more!

I made view #3 with #2 sleeves.  The bodice fitting went pretty smoothly and I only had to make the muslin once.  The skirt was pretty easy too, I did end up shortening it by about 3".  It was about mid calf on me and I think below knee is the best for a summer fit.

Marking the buttonholes

 I had to get the manual out to re-read the instructions.  I didn't want to make a mistake.

 Finished buttonhole

Buttonholes all done.

 Bodice fitted and done

Simplicity 4003 Finished.  I added a fabric tie belt.

I liked the cuffed sleeves and the button front, it does have a side zipper but I don't need to use it to get in and out of the dress.  Next time I won't waste the time to put one in.

Off to take the kids to an Elvis Festival!

Until next time.......

Bonnie

Just A Little Teaser.....

I have ironed all my pattern pieces for the Simplicity 4003.  I only had enough time last night to cut out the fabric and iron all the pieces nice and neat.  I had hoped to get to sewing today but it looks like kids, dogs to groomers, dinner, and laundry beat it all out.

I lost my job in January and it was a big adjustment time with feeling lost.  The kids were in school and hubby was on night shift so it was just me, at home, sitting on the sofa feeling lost for quiet a while.  Finally I got a routine down and started to do me things.

Before I lost my job I would have panic attacks when I took off work.  I had worked there for 13 years and financially I was able to cut back on my time and work part time.  But every minute I was away from work I would feel anxious, and nervous.  I had constant heartburn, and I finally told my doctor thinking I was having a heart attack.  I had sever anxiety.   She gave me a prescription and I did take it for a while but I didn't like the way it made me act, super chatty, scatter brained and so so tired.  I weaned myself off of the medicine and tried to stay busy on my days off.

I was sad to see my job go but now almost five months later..... I LOVE BEING A STAY HOME WIFE & MOTHER!  I do not know how I had time to do all the things I do in a day while I was working but I guess I managed.  I no longer have anxiety, or heartburn.  My kids are older, 19, 13 & 11 but I feel that I am closer than ever to them because when they get home, I'm here, I'm happy to see them, I not anxious, or tired or too busy.  I'm just here waiting for them to tell me about their day.

Sorry to get sidetracked and off of the sewing but I guess that was the PLUS of Sew PLUS!

 Paisley fabric for the Simplicity 4003 shirt dress.

 Cutting out pattern pieces.  I use larger washers for weights.  So much easier than pinning!

This is my fabric storage.  I just recently re-organized it.  I tried to sort by color on the shelf and the bins have sheet sets in them.  One for pillowcases, One for misc. sheets, One for complete sets, etc.  It's funny how I look at this stack of fabric and I think I have nothing to sew with.  I love www.FabricMartFabrics.com and I'm always a sucker for a good sale but I try to use what I have for at least a muslin.

I love making clothing out of recycled sheets.  I feel that living in Florida and it's always so humid here, I like the feel of cotton on my skin.

I am hoping to get to the sewing machine some time tonight.

Until next time.....

Bonnie

Simplicity 1797 &A Delightful Interruption!

I made a muslin of the Simplicity 1797 after adjusting the pattern to my fluffy size.  I did pretty good this time around.  I'm really getting the hang of it now.  I know that there are some things that pattern fitting just can't do but I have really gotten good at bodice fitting for a full bust.

 Simplicity 1797

 Green floral cotton broadcloth from Fabric Mart.

I'm a mess.  Boy F took my picture without me knowing.  I don't like it but I am busy concentrating!

 Then THIS interruption came in the mail!  I was so E-X-C-I-T-E-D!!!!

I have been looking for the Simplicity 4003 for some time.  E-bay had a lot of 45 patterns with Simplicity 4003 in it.  I contacted the seller knowing there was almost no possibility that it was in my size.  Guess What!!! It was!  So off I was for a Buy-It-Now for $22 with free shipping!  What luck did I have!

 Of the lot of Patterns I ended up keeping a little more over half.  Many were my size and you know how I love retro/vintage patterns.  I have listed the 16-1/2 and 18-1/2 sized on my Etsy store to share with my fellow sewers.

Now back to the Simplicity 1797 dress.

 Dress finished.  Love the style.  Girl M says it looks like a Little House on the Prairie dress.  Sometimes the kids are too brutally honest.

I like the trim and the little cap sleeves.  I did lengthen it a little more.  I like my dresses mid knee or a little lower.

Side view of Simplicity 1797

I have already started on the vintage Simplicity 4003 shirt-dress   I made a muslin of the top and it fit perfect on my first try!  I am pretty good!  I have  the beautiful brown/tan/olive paisley fabric that I'm going to be using.  I hope to get the fabric cut out tonight (since Dear Hubby has gone back to night shift for the next 3 months I don't have to hubby sit him in the evenings!).

Until next time.....

Bonnie

McCall's 5787 Top

I have this problem

 If I make a pattern and it's not good enough or good at all, I can't leave it alone, I have to MASTER the pattern.  It will sit in the drawer and mock me until I get it out and re-size  refit, refine it until I get it right.  This McCall's 5787 pattern I made back in 2011 was ok, a little to big in the shoulders and a little to tight around my hips.  So I decided it needed to be redone and fit for ME!

McCall's 5787 Pattern 

 Too big in the shoulders, tight across  the chest, hips a little snug.

 The top looks a lot better on my dress form.

Back view

Remade the pattern in this fabric I had laying around.  I really like it now, the fit is perfect!  The only problem is that the kids say this top looks like a mugged it from a CLOWN!

I am working on a dress now, I am using Simplicity 1797.  I am using a orange floral print sheet as a muslin, I found a beautiful floral print drape set.  I am thinking this is going to be sooooooo cute.  More soon.

Until next time.....

Bonnie

Increasing Sleeve Size

As I've previously mentioned, I love Nancy Zieman's Fitting Finesse Book.  I  think it is one of the easiest methods to follow to increase pattern sizes.

F

Sleeves are one of the things that seem to always be too tight on me.  Measure your upper arm then add 2" for fitting ease. My upper arm measures 19" + 2" = 21".  The pattern measures 19" at the underarm between the stitching lines. So I will need to ad 2" to the adjusted pattern.

 Lay pattern on a piece of large paper.  I use brown kraft paper.  Smooth pattern out and pin down. I have a cardboard cutting mat under mine.

 Trace around sleeve pattern with one color marker.  

 Mark increase out from the cutting line.  Since there are 4 cut edges and I need to increase 2", each cut side will be increased 1/2".  Orange is original, green is the new increased size.

 Remove all pins.  Keep one pin in stitch line at center point.  Pivot pattern to increase mark and retrace with another color pen.  Do both sides of the sleeve this way.  Remove center pin and move entire pattern to increase line on the side.  Finish tracing to the hem line.

 This method always fits  into the armhole of the pattern so nice.

Increased sleeve above the original pattern piece. 

The pattern is still intact and undamaged and now you have a correct size sleeve for you.  Make sure you mark your new pattern pieces with markings from the original and include the pattern number.

I have used  this method many times and as long as you measure correctly, the sleeve always comes out perfect.

I am in progress of making another top.  Will show you more pictures soon.

Until next time......

Bonnie