A blog about my adventures in sewing & crafting

Tuesday, June 30, 2015

Tropical Feathers Jersey Knit Maxi Dress

I did make the last McCall 3078 dress, but I haven't taken pictures because I can't get the dress onto the dress form!  Don't ask!  As soon as I can get dear daughter to take a photo I will post.

This is the last knit fabric in my get it done basket!  I am so happy to have finished all of the projects I had laid out in the basket.  Next time I don't think I will pick sooooooooo many fabrics, maybe just two or three.

But I am very happy with the outcome of this dress.  I had to decide if I wanted sleeves or not, I chose not.  Did I want this dress knee length, midi, or maxi length.  I chose maxi.  Other than that it was from a pattern that I've made so many times with the elastic waist, I think that the elastic helps with the pull of the weight of the maxi length and the heaviness of the jersey fabric.  Plus it makes me look like I have a waist!

Tropical Feathers Jersey Knit Maxi Dress


Tropical feather jersey knit maxi dress

Tropical feather jersey knit maxi dress-Twin needle-neck view
 I had to cut the back bodice with a center back seam to be able to have enough fabric for the skirt. 


Tropical feather jersey knit maxi dress-back view
 
Tropical feather jersey knit maxi dress

Tropical feather jersey knit maxi dress-back view
 I believe I'll wear this dress through out the summer, with a cardigan or a denim jacket, maybe I'll even make something to go with it................maybe!


I think $14.50 for a maxi dress is pretty good! 
 

I'm thinking of changing gears and hope to make my little nephew a quilt.  I purchased a fabric panel of Charlie Brown camping fabric late last year.  My little nephew will be getting his own room soon, so maybe this will be a good gift idea.  Also, I think changing gears will get me back my sewing mojo.

On the other hand, my sweet, Dear daughter just had surgery.  She had her tonsils and adenoids removed.  She's only 13 but she's a brave 13!  I was a nervous wreck, she was all calm.  She improving a little every day and I get to baby her one last time!

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

Bonnie

Wednesday, June 24, 2015

McCall's 3078 Linen Dress

I did finish the linen dress right away but the black rayon is not yet finished, just needs buttonholes, bodice attached, sleeves finished, zipper inserted and hemmed.  I thought that is was about halfway but once I wrote what was left I'm thinking I better get on it!

The linen dress came out great.  I like that the top covers my upper arms and chest very well, the length of the skirt is mid-calf.  I did wear it to Church on Sunday and received a lot of compliments.  The kids didn't like the dress at all...............maybe it's the color, or the shape of the dress......oh, well.

McCall's 3078 Linen Dress


McCall's 3078 Linen Dress-Back View


 The invisible zipper looks much better than the standard one I used in the muslin.  It turned out great!

McCall's 3078 Linen Dress-Invisible Zipper

McCall's 3078 Linen Dress-Buttons
I hope to finish the black rayon version of this dress and move onto something different.  I'm not sure what's next but I'll do a little digging in my pattern dresser.  I'm thinking maybe something with lace?

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

Bonnie

Sunday, June 21, 2015

McCall's 3078 Vintage Dress Muslin & Fabric Choices

I bought the McCall's 3078 vintage dress pattern earlier this year in hopes that I could sew a few summer dresses from it.  I better get to sewing before summer is over.... good thing summer here in Florida last F-O-R-E-V-E-R!

Today's temperature as reached 104 and it's only 8:40 in the morning! We've had a heat wave for over a week with temperatures in the triple digits. I refuse to turn our AC down any cooler during the day than 79, if we get too hot just go for a swim in our lovely 89 degree pool!  The kids say it's like bath water!
Today's temperature!

Back to sewing stuff! 


Vintage McCall's 3078 Dress



Vintage McCall's 3078 Pattern
I had to do my usual bust, waist and hip increase and I used my usual pivot and slide technique.  I think I have finally got the hang of it!

McCall's 3078 Wearable muslin
The muslin is from a bed sheet I had in storage for ages.  I usually can use a twin flat sheet for a muslin dress will little waste left over.  This muslin will be a wearable one!

McCall's 3078 Wearable muslin-back view
I have a few alterations for the final dress such as:  making the darts longer 2-1/2" instead of 1".  I think this will give the top a little more structure and won't look too balloon style.

McCall's 3078 Zipper
I'm not a big fan of this zipper, I'm going to use an invisible zipper next time. But would you look at how matched up the seams are for this zipper.  Nailed it!

McCall's 3078 Shoulder View
I love the should darts.  The allow extra fabric at the bust still allowing shaping at the shoulders.

McCall's 3078 Button front
Buttons from the stash, not my favorites, but they'll do.

McCall's 3078 Vintage Dress


I don't like taking pictures of myself
 
I pulled my next fabric for this pattern.  I really like the navy linen fabric from Jo-Ann's and the black is either a rayon challis or maybe just rayon floral print fabrics.  I think they both will have a nice flow to them in this dress pattern.
 
Navy Floral Linen from Jo-Ann's Fabric



Rayon something from stash

 
 
I hope to have these dresses finished up today since everyone is gone!  The kids went tubing down the river and DH had to work today.  So I finally have a day to myself!  Sewing machine here I come!

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

Bonnie

Tuesday, June 2, 2015

Sleeveless Jersey Knit Rose Print Dress

I needed to sew up a quick dress to wear on our working trip to Georgia this past week.  The print reminds me of a pair of pajamas.  But I continued on to make up a easy wear sleeveless dress from a jersey knit that I purchased from www.fabricmartfabrics.com.

I used my usual TNT knit dress pattern with elastic waist.  I did make a different neckline.  A V-neck would be a nice change.  The armholes I just turned under and stitched, nothing too exciting there.

Sleeveless jersey knit rose print dress
 I decided to use a tutorial from Me Sew Crazy,  http://www.mesewcrazy.com/2013/07/easy-v-neck-sewing-tutorial.html.  I made my neckband a little wider since I was unsure of the width, it's fine but next time I may go a little smaller.


Jersey Knit Rose Print Dress-v neckline

Jersey Knit Rose Print Dress-backview
 This dress is very comfortable and will be a dress that will get a lot of wear.  It's cool for the humid and hot summer here in Florida plus who doesn't like roses?

School is out for the summer, so I'm going to have to adjust my schedule with the kids.  Dear hubby is on day shift for the next 3 months so we get to spend more time with him in the evenings.  We have a lot on our plate right now.  We have a travel trailer we had to repair/remodel that is in the middle of work, our back yard could use a few days of cleaning, the kids both have things they would like to do this summer, Dear hubby is going to school for a week later this month, my newest nephew is having his first birthday, Dear daughter is having her tonsils removed, and our oldest son and his fiancĂ© are looking for a house before they get married in November.  I'm going to try my best to sew some time in between................

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

Bonnie