Floral ITY Knit Dress

It's funny how Girl M, finds fabric that I just get in and claims it for a dress!  How did she see the fabric, I thought I hid it well when it came in?  But at least she let me make her a new dress.  I used a sheath dress pattern and just fitted it to her as I went along.  It's nothing fancy but it looked so good on her.

Girl M. Floral ITY Knit Dress-Front View

Girl M. Floral ITY Knit Dress-Back View

Girl M. Floral ITY Knit Dress

She really liked this dress and has worn it twice already!  Maybe she'll let me make her another one soon.

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


Bonnie

I Had A Dream, Then Changed My Mind! Brown Dot ITY Knit Dress

I had a dream about a few empire waist knit dresses.  Well,  let's just say it wasn't a good idea on a plus size busty lady! I looked like I was due to have a baby any day!

So I Changed my mind and decided to lower the waist to regular level, add some elastic to the waist and PRESTO I have a few new dresses!

I used a pattern from a shift style dress I had used last year.  I cut the pattern in two at the waist, added seam allowances and allowances for the elastic casing.   That was the start of my favorite around the house dress pattern.

The pattern does have bust darts, short sleeves and a simple mid-high neckline.  I like the higher neckline so I don't have to worry when I bend over................

My first dress is a Brown ITY knit with scattered white and baby blue (you can't really see) dots.  I love the feel of ITY, especially here in Florida.  I did get to wear it to church right after I made it and received quiet a few compliments.

Brown Dot ITY Dress

Brown Dot ITY Knit  Elastic Waist Dress

I have also found that using my sewing machine to sew all of the seams at a 3.5 stitch length.  I do go back and serge the seams but sewing first may take a few extra minutes but it keeps the fabric from sliding around too much.  I also used Lite Steam A Seam 2  (1/2") on the neck and sleeves.  It makes turning the seam allowances under to sew so much easier.



Brown Dot ITY Knit  Elastic Waist Dress-Back View



Brown Dot ITY Knit  Elastic Waist Dress-Shoulder View

Brown Dot ITY Knit  Elastic Waist Dress-Side View

I am thinking about adding the fabric label from www.fabricmartfabrics.com to my project on this blog so that I know how much the item I'm sewing cost. 

Brown Dot ITY Knit  Elastic Waist Dress Fabric Tag

This brown dot ITY dress only cost $10.50 for the fabric, I'm going to estimate about a $1.00 for thread, clear elastic, knit elastic, fusible tape...........  So for about $11.50 I have a new dress for Church or maybe a date if DH ever comes out of the woods from hunting!



Brown Dot ITY Knit  Elastic Waist Dress

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

Bonnie

Simplicity 4032 Fleece Jacket

I surprised Dear Daughter with the Simplicity 4032 fleece jacket.

Simplicity 4032 Jacket Inspiration

This was an easy project.  I loved sewing with fleece.  It was so forgiving.  No fraying, no finishing the seams.  I think that this is an A+.

I sewed up a size 14 straight out of the package, no fitting issues here.

Simplicity 4032 Jacket-Back View

Simplicity 4032 Jacket-Side View

 The only trouble I had was figuring out how the flounce attached.  It was late, so I went to bed & I got it figured out first try the next morning!  Don't sew when you're tired!

Simplicity 4032 Jacket-Front View

She wasn't a big fan of the pink but she said she'll wear it.   We'll see...................................

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


Bonnie

McCall 4922 Princess Seam Top

My dear daughter has been wanting a plaid flannel button up top to wear with tights and high boots.  Every top we found was too short on her, it wouldn't cover her rump or the hem was past her knees.

I found the McCall's 4922 pattern and I thought it would work perfect.

I made two muslins to double check my fitting.  The first muslin was out of the package.  She needed a little more room in the bust and more in the hips. I also shortened the shoulder.  Her sleeve started too low on her shoulder


McCall 4922 First Muslin-Need more bust & less shoulder

McCall 4922 First Muslin-Need More Hips

McCall 4922 First Muslin-Needs Sway Back Adjustment

 

I used my favorite pivot & slide method to add 1/4" in the bust & 1/2" in the hips on each of the 4 pattern pieces.  She also needed a sway back adjustment.

McCall 4922 Second Muslin-Sway back, hips, bust & shoulders fixed



Sway Back Adjustment on Pattern

This is the first sway back adjustment I've had to make.  I pinched out the excess fabric on the first muslin and marked with pins.  I measured the pinch out.  It measured 1" at the fullest.  On my back pattern I pinched out 1" tapering to nothing at the side back piece.  I made this adjustment go through the pattern back and back side pieces of the pattern (Like a large dart going horizontal).   You will have to re-true up the center back pattern piece.

McCall 4922 Shoulder Adjustment on Pattern

 I needed to take up her shoulder 1/2" because her sleeve started too low.  I pinched up the amount on her muslin to have her sleeve start in the correct spot.  I measured the pinched up amount and moved that amount to the paper pattern piece, taking in 1/2" at the shoulder seam, tapering to nothing at the bust area (making a shoulder dart). Making sure to do both the front and back pieces so they will match up later.

McCall 4922 Front  

McCall 4922 Back

I am hopeful that this top will get a lot of wear.  She seemed pretty happy to wear it to school this week.  I purchased a few yards of a red and white plaid flannel fabric from www.fabricmartfabric.com.  You know that place is my weakness.

I'm thinking of surprising her with a jacket.  Let's see how this goes!

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


Bonnie

New Look 6853 Chanel style Boucle Jacket

I made a muslin of the New Look 6853 in October and it was a total wadder!  With the heat here in Florida sometimes making winter clothes is tough.  I thought I would try again when the weather got cooler and this time I really liked the outcome.



New Look 6853



New Look 6853 Jacket Muslin



New Look 6853 Jacket Muslin-Back View

I found a lot of information from Chanel sew-a-longs last year on the internet.  I liked how the princess seams from the jacket match almost perfect to the princess seams of the dress.  I used an old thrift store sheet for my muslin.  The fit was perfect once I added my usual FBA and removed about 1/2" from the shoulder seams.  My shoulders are narrow.  The length was perfect and the sleeves were a good fit too.

I read that when you use Bouclé type fabric that it will unravel and stretch out of shape when handled.  I interfaced all pieces as soon as I cut them out.  I also serged the edged of all pieces.  It was time consuming but worth the time in the end.

The interfacing made the jacket a little stiff.  I used a type of interfacing that I always use, it was ok, but I didn't know until later that they make a texture weft interfacing for this type of fabric.  Maybe I'll order a few yards since I still would like to make a few more of these jackets.

New Look 6853 Bouclé Chanel Style Jacket

 



New Look 6853 Bouclé Chanel Style Jacket

 I believe I saw an episode of It's Sew Easy with Angela Wolfe where she used the selvage of the fabric for trim.  I didn't have anything that I thought looked nice as trim so I thought I would give it a try.  Easy as pie! 



New Look 6853 Bouclé Chanel Style Jacket-Selvage Trim



New Look 6853 Bouclé Chanel Style Jacket-Selvage Trim

The jacket is lined with a hot pink polyester fabric.  It doesn't match the dress but matches the pink shades in the jacket.  It was nice to work with and lining the jacket was easier than I had anticipated.

I am thinking next time to add a little more ease in the bust area & shoulders to accommodate the extra thickness of the fabric.  Other than that I am very pleased with my outfit outcome.



New Look 6853 Bouclé Chanel Style Jacket

I can't wait to wear my new Simplicity 7243 dress and New Look 6853 Chanel style jacket to Church soon.

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

Bonnie

Simplicity 7243 Fuchsia Version Dress with Pockets

I am thinking that the Simplicity 7243 pattern has become my tried and true pattern.  I love the style of this dress.  I love the pockets.  I love the neckline.  I love the quickness in making it.  I just LOVE this pattern!

I sized down a little more to make the fit a little more fitted.  The Ponte knit has a good amount of stretch so I removed all the ease.  I think with a solid color the princess seams really stand out. Who doesn't love good pockets?



Simplicity 7243 Fuchsia Dress

Simplicity 7243 Fuchsia Dress-Back View

The fuchsia color is not pink, not purple, not red.  I have a Bouclé fabric with light pink, fuchsia, black and white that would make a great Chanel style jacket.  (Maybe my sewing mojo is coming back!)

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

Bonnie

Christmas Gift

My elderly neighbor lady mentioned that she wanted a red cowl neck top for the Holidays.  What was I to do except whip one up for her!

The top turned out beautiful and I almost kept it for myself.



Red Cowl Neck Top



Red Cowl Neck Top

The fabric has a sparkle to it.  I purchased it from Jo-ann's.  Even with a coupon it was pricey for a cheap ITY knit.  $28.00!  I could have just bought her a top at that price.  But it was the thought of the gift right? 

When I HAVE to purchase fabric from Jo-ann's or Hobby Lobby I am surprised by the lack of quality.  I must be spoiled from the fabric I always get from Fabric Mart online.  I know I buy it without feeling it but I have always been very satisfied with their quality.  So much so that I seem to order twice a month from Fabric Mart!



McCall's 4617

 I made the cowl neck top from the McCall's 4617 top pattern that I had used previously. 

I have been interested in the 60-minute shawl pattern from Nancy's Notions.  I like the look of the finished shawl and it seems quick and easy to make.  I am considering purchasing the pattern and a little of the mesh fabric too.  The shawl looks like it can be a great accessory during the spring and summer.

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


Bonnie

Christmas Stocking

It was such an honor that my sister-in-law and my brother asked me to make my NEW nephew his first Christmas stocking!

My sewing mojo has been sporadic to say the least.  It must be because of the holidays and my house is somewhat clean that I don't want to make a mess..............  I'm sticking to that!

I don't embroider so I had to send the stocking out to have it done and I just let the lady have carte blank with the design. She did a great job.  I finished the stocking the night before they were due to come over.  Not too bad since they gave me over a month to do it!

The stocking came out precious and I hope my NEW nephew will enjoy it for many many Christmas' to come!





Baby Nephew's First Christmas Stocking





Baby Nephew opening his first Christmas present

 

I may make our whole family stockings, but I have a whole year to get to it!

 

 

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

 

 

Bonnie