Silhouette Pattern 2913 Nick & Zoe's Skirt & Isaac Mizirahi Knit Jacket

I last made the Silhouette Pattern 2913 Nick & Zoe's skirt back in 2015! Wow, where does time go?  I had to do a few pattern alterations because I've since lost a little weight.  I had to reduce the waist by 4" and the hips by 9"!   I misplaced the instructions, so I had to wing it.  And wing it bad I did!

Math is not my forte either.  Thank goodness for calculators.  But my mind wasn't clear enough to realize that my measurements were still way off.

You have to lay the fabric right sides up for all layers cut.  I forgot so my version has a chevron hip hem.  After all my hard work I tried the skirt on and NOPE!  It was WAY to big! I am unable to adjust the waist fit since the panels are already top-stitched.  I may just finish the skirt and donate it.  Maybe someone will find a treasure.

Silhouette Pattern 2913 Nick & Zoe's Skirt Denim 

Silhouette Pattern 2913 Nick & Zoe's Skirt Denim 

 So back to the drawing board to reduce again!  It's even funnier that after I read my pattern review here I even wrote about both the pattern layout and the fabric layout.........Lesson learned!

This time around I cut ALL layers of fabric face up.  This is a really easy skirt to sew up.  It's almost like quilting, because you can strip sew the pieces together in groups.

I was very eager to sew this skirt up but I had to bypass sewing on Sunday because the denim fabric kept turning my hands blue.  I didn't want to explain that to anyone at Evening Church.  Monday we had company coming over for Labor Day but I was able to sneak in the sewing room for about an hour and get it sewn together, some top stitching done, the zipper put in and a quick try-on..........It
FIT!

Silhouette Pattern 2913 Nick & Zoe's Skirt

Silhouette Pattern 2913 Nick & Zoe's Skirt Denim 

Wow!  Math works when you use it correctly!

I bought this Isaac Mizarahi knkit jacket from QVC last week and thought a faux suede skirt brown/tan color would look great with it.  Maybe with a black turtleneck knit top too.  Since I live in Florida, the turtleneck will need to be sleeveless or short sleeve.  I'm liking this outfit!

Isaac Mizarahi Floral Branch Print Knit Jacket

Back view

Princess seams & peplum

Jacket with faux suede for the next skirt

I'm off to sew something wonderful.....................

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

Bonnie

McCall 6074 Gray Blue Floral Jersey Dress

I'm really hoping that sewing a few TNT patterns gets my sewing mojo going.  I feel like I'm frustrated, anxious and indecisive while sewing.  Maybe I need to do a little Feng Shui in my sewing space.

I did make up the McCall 6074 in a 3/4 length sleeve and midi length for cooler weather.  I love the floral print of the jersey fabric and it's light enough for Florida's Fall/Winter months.

McCall 6074 Gray Blue Floral Jersey Knit Dress

Fabric close-up

Back View

$15.00 Dress

Does this dress look like a nightgown?  Hmmmmmm?

McCall 6074 Gray Blue Floral Jersey Dress

I'm thinking a denim jacket or a denim vest my help take away from the nightgown look.

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

Bonnie

Simplicity 7103 TNT Animal Print Knit Princess Sheath Dress

My sewing mojo is returning very slowly.  I sewed up another TNT dress in hopes that I get inspired to create more.

I had this double knit fabric in my stash for a few months.  I thought it would make a nice slim sheath dress for either Church or an event with Dear Hubby.

I used my TNT pattern I used for the dark evergreen ponte knit dress but I shortened the length by 1", took in the princess seams above the bust 1/2" at the seam allowances, and slimmed the skirt bottom to hip width.  I also made this version with a 3/4 length sleeve.

Simplicity 7103 Princess shoulder sheath dress Animal Double Knit

Back View

Princess seam hidden by pattern

$15.00 Dress!

Simplicity 7103 TNT Dress

Now I just have to wait for cooler weather to wear it.

Do you think some shade of pink for a jacket or shawl?

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

Bonnie

Labor Day A-Line Hi-Lo ITY Knit Dress

I laid this red/white/blue ITY knit fabric out to cut myself a pattern and Girl M fell in love with it.  I'm really going to have to sew in secret!

I used the same pattern as the golden jersey knit dress I made last week.  I lengthened the side seams 3" and the center back hem 9", making a simple hi-low hem.

Girl M requested cap sleeves from the Simplicity 1612 dress pattern.

Labor Day A-Line Hi-Lo ITY Knit Dress

Side View

Back view

$8.75 Dress!

I used the line of the pattern for the center front and center back.

Labor Day A-Line Hi-Lo ITY Knit Dress

 Not a big hi-low difference, about 6", but I think it will have nice movement when she walks.  I do home she likes this version.

I sewed this up before lunch and can't wait for her to see it when she gets home from school.


Girl M. has worn this dress three times in four days!  I think she likes it!

She likes it!

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

Bonnie

Golden Floral Brushed Jersey A-Line Dress

Girl M. has a dress that she bought at Family Dollar during Spring.  She loves the fit of the dress and I finally caved and made her a pattern from it.  It is a simple t-shirt style with an A-line style skirt.  Nothing fitting, just a simple flowy, dress.

I didn't tell her I lengthened it about 1/2".  Modesty patrol here!

Short sleeves

This dress was an easy, quick sew and I finished it before Lunch.

Girl M. A-line Brushed Jersey Dress

Back View

I'm slowly getting my sewing mojo back but I get tired so easily.  Maybe I need more coffee, or vitamins.

I think she'll get a lot of wear out of this dress.

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

Bonnie

Simplicity 7103 Dark Evergreen Ponte Knit Princess Seam Sheath Dress

I finally sewed something!

I have had a green floral Bob Mackie sweater for a few years but nothing to wear it with.  I did wear it once with a navy dress and it was ok, but I wanted a green dress.  In came my TNT Simplicity 7103 pattern.  But I had to rework the pattern now that I'm just a tad smaller than the last time I made it.

I made the dress up in a beautiful Dark Evergreen ponte knit I had in my stash.  I thought a sleeveless version would be the most versatile and this pattern did not disappoint.  It was an easy sew to try to get my sewing mojo back.

Simplicity 7103 Knit Dress

Back View

Bob Mackie Sweater

$8.00 Dress

I'm not sure what will be on my sewing table next.  Maybe a dress for Girl M.  Maybe a shirt for Boy A.  Maybe another dress for me.............

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

Bonnie

Summer Update, Pet Peeves & Life's Adventures

Warning: No sewing........... :(

My apologies for my absence since July.  Girl M has been home with me this Summer and I've tried to spend a lot of time with her.  The Summer flew by and she went back to school this week as a Junior!  I don't have much time left before she won't want to spend time with me so I thought I would enjoy every minute possible with her.

Beach Bums

There wasn't much sewing going on in July, just a little hemming and mending here and there.  I didn't even buy any new patterns or fabric!  I must have the sewing FLU!

I have a little pet peeve:
   Someone ask you to do a hem job, but it has to be done immediatly.  I agree, re-arranged my day, waited all evening for them and then they didn't show up.  Didn't even call.  They called the next afternoon and I didn't rushed to return their call.  Now they tell me that they will give me the pants to hem when I see them at Church (three days later!)  After all these years I have come to realize that my time is valuable.  Common courtesy is sometimes forgotten.

Speaking of common courtesy, Girl M had an incident last week.  Girl M. and Dear Hubby go to a different hair stylist than I do.  She's the wife of someone Dear Hubby works with.  Robin has colored and cut Girl M's hair for about a year and her previous visits have been uneventful.

Girl M was having her hair colored and trimmed for the start of school.  Now that she drives, I let her go by herself this time.  Girl M took a photo of what she wanted for her new style.  Girl M. thought going a little darker for Fall/Winter would help with her roots growing out and keep her hair from looking too beachy/summery.

Inspiration

Well.........this is what she came home looking like. 

Her hair was below her waist when she left...............

Nothing like the photo and her hair was breaking off in handfuls.

It's so hard when your child is crying her eyes out and is so heartbroken.  Girl M. loved her hair and it was her "hobby".  She always styled it a different way every day from crazy buns, braids, curls or straight.  She took a lot of pride in styling her hair everyday.

I understand that when coloring/bleaching your hair things can happen but I think I'm upset that Robin didn't call me to tell me what happened, charged Girl M full price, didn't even attempt to fix the disaster (even with a cut) and just sent Girl M. home with a cup of conditioner.

Robin told Girl M. that there was minor damage and that it was caused by the chlorine in our pool.

My hairdresser, Felicia, was able to see Girl M the next day and after looking at her hair said that the "bleach" was left on her hair too long , "over-processed".  Felicia questioned some of Robin's techniques but I'm no hairdresser and I have no clue. Felicia tried to leave as much length as possible on Girl M's hair but it was still a HUGE chop.  Girl M. had to have 24" of her hair cut off.

Major Cut

Girl M. is adjusting to her "new" hairstyle and I try every chance I get to say something positive or encouraging about it.

New hair style

Finally a smile!

Then I had to come up with a plan for Church.  Sometimes people say what's on their mind and I don't think they realize how hurtful it can sound.  I told Girl M. it was ok to just tell them she wanted a "new" cut for school.  But a few people made a BIG deal out of her cutting her LONG hair.  I could see Girl M. tearing up and I just butted in and changed the subject.  Girl M.said having to  re-tell the story every time was just too much right now.

Maybe I'll make Girl M. a new dress to make her smile...........

Girl M. & I have spent the last few evenings watching YouTube videos on styling her hair.  I think she's still unsure of what to do with it.  She has asked me to blow dry it for her..........? I'm not sure why she doesn't do it herself, but I'll take it.  Today she almost put it in a half up bun, but at the last minute just wore it down because I dried it upside-down and added a little volumizing product.  It was pretty big and looked great.  But I'm bias a little!

In other news around the house:

Boy F. had a Birthday last week, he turned 19!  He looks like he's 26!  Every year I've taken a photo of them on their Birthday waking up in bed.  Boy F. said it's getting weird now!  He can always make me laugh!

Happy Birthday Boy F!

His job has sent him to a week long class in South Florida.  He's never been away from home more than a day, and he's only stayed in a hotel twice his whole life!  Oh, they grow up too fast!

Our oldest Son & his wife have a new puppy named Millie.  So now we have two grand-dogs!

Millie & Sammi

My little dog keeps getting eye infections, 5 this year so far!  The Vet has come to the conclusion that between the eye infections and some minor skin irritations, Mr. Bojangles has allergies.  They have given him an allergy shot, steroid eye ointment, antibiotics and Zyrtec.  The things we do for our furry babies!

Mr. Bojangles

I've worn ALL the McCall 6074 dresses I made for vacation.  Two are too big now, but the rest I wear very often.  I'm thinking some sleeve variations for Fall versions.  Maybe a long split type sleeve, a bell sleeve and maybe just a plain 3/4 length sleeve.  It's still HOT here in Florida so thinking about Fall sewing is hard.  Maybe I'll just turn the A/C down a little more!

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

Bonnie