A blog about my adventures in sewing & crafting

Monday, August 25, 2014

McCall's 3588 Skirts

I found a skirt pattern that was not only easy but looks nice too.  It's a straight skirt with a back vent and back zipper.  My first attempt was about two sizes too big!  I know I measured myself but it must have been a fat day!  I ended up taking the skirt half way apart and taking in over two inches of the sides.  Now it fits perfect in the waist and hips but it's a standing room only length.  When I sit at church I feel it shows a little too much knee.  The second version I added length to it and it's soooooo perfect!
McCall's 3588 Skirt pattern www.sewplus.blogspot.com
McCall's 3588 Skirt pattern


McCall's 3588 Straight Skirt Blue Twill www.sewplus.blogspot.com
McCall's 3588 Straight Skirt Blue Twill

McCall's 3588 Straight Skirt cutting layout www.sewplus.blogspot.com
McCall's 3588 Straight Skirt cutting layout

McCall's 3588 Straight Skirt grey suiting front view www.sewplus.blogspot.com
McCall's 3588 Straight Skirt grey suiting front view 

McCall's 3588 Straight Skirt grey suiting back view www.sewplus.blogspot.com
McCall's 3588 Straight Skirt grey suiting back view 

I've been working (slowly) on a McCall's 5057 jacket pattern also.  I made a muslin and it's ok, I made the muslin out of a tan cotton fabric and I had to piece the lining of silk shantung? for the sleeves and a lightweight cotton woven for the body and the front body is of the tan cotton.  This baby is HEAVY!  Maybe it's the heat here in Florida but every time I try it on, I just want to get out of it!  I have planned on using a boulce woven fabric with a polyester type lining for the final garment but I'm not sure if that's what I want to do.

McCall's 5057 Lined Jacket Pattern Tan floral www.sewplus.blogspot.com
McCall's 5057 Lined Jacket Pattern Tan floral

I'm more exited about making a fall wardrobe.  I have a group of fabrics that I am very interested into making skirts, vest, jackets, and dresses.

Fall wardrobe fabrics www.sewplus.blogspot.com
Fall wardrobe fabrics
Starting from the left:  Cheetah Print knit (Princess or sheath dress with 3/4 length sleeves), Brown suiting fabric (Skirt, Dress, Bolero Jacket), Corduroy Print (Straight Skirt, Vest, & skirt for DD), Tan suede (gore skirt, jacket), Plaid suiting (skirt or dress and jacket).

That's a lot of sewing!  I'm so excited!


Until next time............................


Bonnie (Aunt B)


Monday, August 11, 2014

What a Summer!

The kids have gone back to school and Dear Hubby is at work today!  What to do with myself and ALL my free time?

Did 30 minutes of Pilates
Fixed two kids breakfast
Walked 2 miles
Took a shower
Took kids to bus stop & waited over 30 minutes for late buses
I've deep cleaned both bathrooms
Talked to my husband's uncle on the phone
Talked to my neighbor lady whose in a Rehabilitation facility with her husband
Cooked Dear Hubby Lunch
Washed/Dried/Put away 6 loads of laundry
Started dinner cooking...........................

And I wonder why I'm so tired at 2pm?

I'm glad to have the kids back to school.  I do miss them dearly but I need MY TIME!  I like the peace and quiet of no one home, no TV on, no one needing me to fix them something to eat!

We had a pretty good summer.  We went to St. Augustine for 5 days, played in softball All-Star games, did a lot of swimming in our pool, took a few naps.  The guys took a trip to Georgia to visit a friend of Dear Hubby who has retired, and one trip to Alabama to check on the hunt camp. Dear Daughter and I had a girls day out and had our hair colored & cut.  Couple of shopping trips.......  Lots of visits to my new nephew.  Who I am now "Aunt B", isn't that the sweetest!

July was a rough month for me, I had some back issues:  a bulging disc (I think). And that led to me walking funny and I damaged my meniscus in both my knees.  I am a Doctor dodger, but I finally had to bite the bullet and go.  I'm back to about 90%.  Knees are great, back still tires out during the day.  I'm getting older and it's no fun!

I did some sewing during the summer.  A dress here or there and a dress or two for Dear Daughter!  I couldn't believe she agreed to let me sew her something!  I made her the Butterick 5202 dress with a knit fabric I had bought from www.fabricmartfabrics.com.  The fabric was pretty slick to work with.  The pattern was easy enough, I will need to modify the top on the next version.  DD had to wear a tank top under it or a buttoned up sweater.

B5202 Butterick 5202 Knit Dress www.sewplus.blogspot.com
B5202 Butterick 5202 Knit Dress 

B5202 Butterick 5202 Knit Dress www.sewplus.blogspot.com
B5202 Butterick 5202 Knit Dress 
I didn't get a picture of DD wearing the dress.  It was just too much trouble to ask her.  12 year olds!!!

I did make the Butterick B4443 Dress for myself in a hot pink.  I really like how it turned out.  I also made the McCall's M5006 bolero style jacket to go with it.  
B4443 Butterick 4443  Dress www.sewplus.blogspot.com
Butterick 4443 Dress

M5006 McCall 5006 Bolero Jacket www.sewplus.blogspot.com
McCall 5006 Bolero

I made DD a dress from the same fabric as the McCall 5006 Bolero.  She loved the dress until she realized that I had something to match......................

McCall 2442 M2442 Retro Dress www.sewplus.blogspot.com
McCall's 2442 Dress

McCall 2442 M2442 Retro Dress www.sewplus.blogspot.com
DD wearing M2442 Dress

I'm planning on making some skirts soon.  Slim style at the knee.  Nothing fancy but basics to go with various tops/sweaters/jackets I have.  I am thinking a navy blue and a grey.  I already have a black.  I also have my eye on a beautiful blouce fabric from my dear neighbor that would make a lovely jacket.

Until next time......................................

Bonnie (Aunt B!)