A blog about my adventures in sewing & crafting

Wednesday, October 30, 2019

Yellow Ponte Knit Long Skirt & McCall 3033 Organza Capelette

I used my TNT Sure-Fit Designs slim skirt pattern, lengthening the skirt to 31" and adding a back walking vent.  I had to re-size my pattern and remove 8" from the hips!  OH MY!

I purchased the Medallion Yellow Rayon/Nylon/Lycra Ponte Knit fabric from Fabric Mart Fabric some time last year.  My sewing machine did not like sewing this knit.  I tried Girl M's cheap sewing machine and it didn't like the fabric either.  I changed needles, I changed thread, and tension settings and I ended up using my industrial sewing machine. 

I was able to use a microtex needle in my sewing machine to do a blind hem.  I worked well enough but I wasn't sure it was going to work.


For the top I used the McCall 3033 capeletet and hacked the pattern a little.  The organza fabric I had in my stash forever.  I shortened the back and lowered the front.  I used a mirotex needle for the double fold rolled hem and a little starch to stiffen the fabric.  The top turned out great.

Quick Picture before Church
Sunday picture

I'm off to sew something else!

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

Bonnie

Monday, October 28, 2019

McCall 7561 Dark Olive Green Floral Jersey Knit Dress

I made Girl M this dress a few months back and thought I would make myself one too.  I wanted scoop neck, 3/4 length sleeves with a midi length skirt.  This would have been an super easy sew but I refused to follow the directions!  Somedays I think I may have a tad ADHD because I can't focus on directions.
McCall 7561
The neckline isn't as modest as it appears but I plan on wearing it anyway.  I may just have to safety pin it to my bra straps on my shoulders.

McCall 7561 Dark Olive Green Floral Jersey Knit Dress

Twin needle neckline stitching
I purchased the fabric at Fabric Mart Fabrics.  $12.60 dress!

Back View
Another dress to match my Fall shoes.

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

Bonnie

Friday, October 25, 2019

McCall 7193 ITY Knit Panel Print Sleeveless Top

Dear Hubby & I had an outdoor event to attend and with the weather still hot here I knew it had to be sleeveless, airy and a no sweat show print fabric.

I used the McCall 7193 top pattern, I bought this panel fabric from Fabric Mart earlier last month and I thought it would make a nice top.  I used Steam-a-seam 2 lite for the neckline, armholes and bottom hem since I could not decide what color thread to use.

McCall 7193

Side view

Back View
I wore the top with jeans!  No pictures!  So did it really happen?  It did but I'm not picture comfortable yet.

Ok so I wore this outfit again, and I had Girl M. take a photo this time.  Not too bad but still not thrilled with photos of myself.  Over the past 2 years I've lost 99.5lbs.  Almost 100lbs,  but not quiet!

McCall 7193 top & JEANS!


I'm off to sew something new!

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

Bonnie

Wednesday, October 23, 2019

Simplicity 8172 Brown Paisley Chiffon Topper

Next item in my Fall Wardrobe was a Simplicity 8172 topper in chiffon.  I like the way it looks with my green TNT ponte knit dress.  This outfit looks very Fall but light and airy for Florida Fall.

Simplicity 8172 Topper

Back View
The polyester chiffon was easy to work with.  I serged the seams and used starch to stiffen prior to sewing and hemming.  Easy, peasy!
Side View

Simplicity 8172

Green Ponte Knit TNT Princess Sheath Dress
Sunday photo


Girl M. spent the day in the sewing room with me and since sewing didn't interest her she re-organized, folded and sorted my knit fabrics.  I do love this girl!

Knit Fabrics re-organized!
I'm off to sew something new!

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

Bonnie

Monday, October 21, 2019

Fall Wardrobe 1

I purchased these shoes last year and have yet to wear them because I had nothing that matched.  Since Fall is only a week or two here, I thought I would work on a little wardrobe of items to match with them.

New Shoes

Demin & shades of blue looks nice with the shoes

Fall Wardrobe 1

Shopping in my stash was a lot of fun and I had more fabric than I thought that matched with the shoes.


I only had a 1 yard by 36" wide piece of this blue fabric.  I think it's some type of polyester peachskin.  The only item I could think to make with it besides a sleeveless top was a butterfly sleeve kimono/cape/poncho thing.

1 yard fabric piece

Pinning the sides

I used bias tape on the neckline to keep it stable. 

Bias tape neck

I used a narrow rolled hem on the bottom and the sides.

Tiny rolled hem-inside

Outside
I really like how this top came out and plan to wear it with denim & khaki skirts and jeans!  Shocker, I know!  But I finally bought a pair from QVC and they fit!  You may never see me in them, but they are folded nicely in my closet for a "just in case" moment.

Front View

Side View

Back View
I'm off to sew something wonderful!

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

Bonnie

Friday, October 18, 2019

McCall 7122 Raglan Sleeve Jersey Knit Tops for Me!

I'm usually not a t-shirt kind of gal, but these raglan sleeve tops just spoke to me.  This brushed jersey fabric felt like I was wearing pajamas.  Sooo soft!

McCall 7122 Raglan Sleeve Knit Top

For Me!
I shortened the back curve for me since I don't wear leggings. 

Back View
I do love polka dots!
McCall 7122 Raglan Sleeve Jersey Knit Top

Neck band
I've been watching Dominique Sachse on YouTube and really like her style ideas.  Some wardrobe basics she suggest is a white t-shirt, black sweater duster, black blazer, vest and a puffer jacket.  I'm thinking about some of these things to sew up soon.  But since I didn't have a white t-shirt, I was right on it!
$2.99 Top!
I've never sewn modal knit and this fabric is great to work with.  It sewed great and pressed beautifully.  I may have to look for more of this type of jersey knit.

White Modal Top
I'm off to sew something new.................

Until next time!

Bonnie

Wednesday, October 16, 2019

McCall 7122 Raglan Sleeve Jersey Knit Tops

Girl M. picked out fabrics for more knit tops.  

$4.00 Top


McCall 7122 Raglan Sleeve Jersey Knit Top

I did a pretty good job on the neckband!

Back View
I did not pay $11.00 a yard for this jersey knit.  It was one of Fabric Mart Fabrics 65% off sales.  

$3.85 Top
I wasn't sure about this stripe fabric for a T-shirt but it turned out so much better than I imagined.  Girl M LOVED it!

McCall 7122 Raglan Sleeve Jersey Knit Top

Side View

Back View
I had to make a version with a color block look.  I was afraid Girl M. wouldn't like it but she did!

McCall 7122 Raglan Sleeve Jersey Knit Top


Back View
I'm thinking I may want a new t-shirt or two.

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

Bonnie

Monday, October 14, 2019

McCall 7122 Raglan Sleeve Jersey Knit Top

Girl M wanted some t-shirts again.  Last year I made her a few from this McCall 7122 and she wore them out.  This pattern is an easy sew and I can usually make a complete top in less than an hour.  She wanted the top long enough to wear with leggings and with a curved shirt tail hem.  Easy enough!

McCall 7122

This is a wearable muslin.  

McCall 7122

Twin needle Hem
The top only takes 1 yard of fabric.  Easy stash buster!  She likes the sleeves & top in the same fabric but mixing it up makes the raglan sleeve more noticeable!

Back View
Girl M was happy with the fit and the style of the top so there will be a few more in the works soon.

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

Bonnie