24 Pair of Navy Culottes!

The Church we belong to also has a Christian school.  School will be starting up soon and I have been asked to make culottes for five girls.  The girls range from 5 to 10 years old. The culottes are a Navy blue knit, mid calf length with an elastic waist.  They should be pretty easy...............

The only thing that worries me is that I don't have a pattern.  I started out laying a pair of the culottes I was asked to mend and tracing around the front piece then the back piece.  I didn't like the way the pattern looked.  I needed help with the crotch area.  It has been many years since I sewed for a little girl. 

I found a free download pattern for a pair of shorts.  I started there, increased the waist measurement for each girl and added about 5" for the elastic to gather.  I then drew a perpendicular line down the center and flared out the leg equally from each seam.  The girls liked about a 26" leg hem circumference.
 


Shorts to culottes pattern



Each girls' length written on pattern

I'll be using 3/4" elastic for the waist.   I'll serge the edges of all the pieces, then sew them up with a stretch stitch.  I'm thinking that with 1/2" seam allowances, it will allow for alterations as the girls grow. I'm allowing a 1" bottom hem.  These are some energetic girls so I'm trying to decide if a serged hem turned up and twin needle stitch will be sturdy enough or I may do a double 1/2" turned hem.


Culottes pattern layout on fabric

 I could get two pairs of culottes out of 60" length of fabric. 



Fabric sewed like a dream!

 This fabric from Jo-Ann's sewed like a dream. It's called Sew Classic Suiting.  It's 100% polyester.  It has a little stretch too.

The only bad thing is the lint left on my serger.  I will have to give it a good cleaning or two.




Dirty serger

There are 5 girls and 4 pair of culottes each, that's 20 pair.  Plus two girls want two pair of slinky knit yoga waist culottes extra.  A total of 24 pair!  Wow!



Culottes trial run sample



Can you find 14 pair of culottes?

I don't know what to charge.  One of the Moms' said she would get the fabric for her girls.... I was thinking that $5 per pair if you buy the fabric, and $5 plus price of the fabric if I provide fabric.....

Any suggestions?

Faye at Faye's Sewing Adventure reminded me that Project Runway was returning for it's 14th season.  I usually do a marathon watch whenever I can. (There is a lot of testosterone going on TV in our house).  I was happy to get to watch this season's first episode on Saturday. 

I must say, I am partial to Ashley.  I liked her designs and her in general.  I can't wait for the next episode!  I saw on the preview that they have to incorporate Hallmark greeting cards into their design.........very interesting! 

Update on Dear Hubby:  He's doing very well, no complications and he's feeling very good.  He was already bored being stuck at the house the day after his surgery.  He needs a hobby....I've tried to talk him into sewing with me.....No way!


Wish me  A LOT of luck!

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

Bonnie

Fall Sewing #2 Drape Neck Tank

In all of the craziness that is going on at our house, sewing is my calm.  Getting the kids ready for the start of school has kept me very busy this week and in the middle of it my Dear Husband will be having heart surgery on Friday. He is having his pacemaker replaced.  He is on his fourth one so hopefully this is just a routine surgery.  Between pre-op, visits to the hospital and the doctors and school shopping I have found a little time to sew two tank tops.

I used Threads Drape neck tutorial to make a pattern from my tank sloper.  I had 2 yards of beautiful Maggy London ITY knit in Midnight blue leftover from the Muse Natalie dress I made earlier this year. Blogged about here

Drape neck pattern-Front view

Drape neck tank pattern layout

Drape neck tank top-front view

Drape neck tank top-back view

 The tank only took 1 yard of the fabric and I couldn't decide if I should use the other yard for sleeves or make another tank with it.  I did want sleeveless........... so I just made another tank, using my basic tank sloper.

One yard of fabric left over..................

Basic tank sloper pattern layout

The second tank is nothing fancy, just a basic tank.  Round neck, banded neckline & armholes.  It's a little more casual than the drape neck tank, but I like them both very much & I will get a lot of wear out both of these tanks.

Navy ITY Knit Tank-Front View

 I really like the bust dart, it makes the fit right on!  I thought at first that tanks don't have bust darts but It's my tank and I CAN have a bust dart.....................!

Navy ITY Knit Tank-Side View

Navy ITY Knit Tank-Back View

 

 

Navy ITY Knit Tank-Neck View

$3.50 per tank! What a deal!

Ok, I had my Dear Daughter take a few pictures of me wearing the drape neck tank.  I am no model, but I really LOVE this tank.  It fits perfect at the shoulders and the drape is perfect, no bra showing.  A very modest neckline with style!

Drape neck tank

 Of all the pictures, this one is the most ok.  I really like this jacket I purchased at a thrift store.  It's lightweight and perfect for A/C here in Florida.  I really like the drape neck tank top.  I didn't even  have a problem with it riding up at all!  Great tank!

Drape neck tank with jacket

I've crossed off two items from my fall sewing list.  I hope to get to another item or two next week.  I will have to see how needy my patient is after his surgery.................!

Fall Sewing List:

·        Drape neck tank tops (Two down)

·        Sweater wrap top

·        Cardigans

·        Denim Skirt

·        Sleeveless Button down shirt

·        Princess seam sheath dress

·        Liz Claiborne stripe vest

·        Solid color maxi dresses ¾ sleeve

·        Something with fringe

·        Nightgown with matching robe

·        Red dress with a leopard jacket/cardigan

Wish me luck & prayers for my Dear Husband!

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

Bonnie

Fall Sewing #1 Butterick 5571 Blue Floral Nightgown and Robe Set

I needed a new nightgown.  Of course I had to sew a matching robe to go with it.  It's all from a thrifted sheet set I had in one of my storage bins for a few years.  I love nightgowns from a cotton sheet.  They sew up so nice and they don't tug, or pull or twist during the night.  They may wrinkle a little, but hey, they are sheets.

I used my TNT Butterick 5571 pattern for both the nightgown and the robe.  In place of  gathers at the neckline of the gown I used four pleats.  The bias tape for the neck and armholes is made from the same fabric.  I serged the shoulders and the side seams of the gown. Easy as pie!

Butterick 5571 Blue floral nightgown

I used my rotary cutting machine to cut my bias binding strips.  I could have just used my rotary cutter and my ruler but sometimes it's fun to use a different tool.  This machine is easy to use and I made more than enough strips since you can get carried away using it!

Simplicity Rotary Cutting Machine

My iron got a little too close for comfort to my rotary cutting machine.................. OOPS!

Simplicity Rotary Cutting Machine

The bias binding sewed like a dream.  I cut bias strips since it would be going around the neckline.

  

Nightgown bias binding on neck

Nightgown bias binding on armhole

For the robe, I didn't use the robe pattern provided in the Butterick 5571 envelope, I used the gown pattern, placing the center front along the grain.  I turned under 1/2" then another 1" for the front tab. 

I used the top hem of the sheet for the bottom of the robe, making a border along the bottom.  I sewed bias tape along the neckline, making long ties so I can just tie the robe at the neck or use the buttons.

Butterick 5571 Nightgown Robe Set

I cut the sleeves from the matching pillowcase.  The cuff at the sleeve being the decorative hem edge of the pillowcase.  The sleeves match the hem of the robe.

Butterick 5571 Nightgown Robe Set

Blue buttons from my stash

  I had these pretty blue buttons in my stash that were made just for this fabric!

Blue Buttons

I love the hem along the bottom of the robe, it's so pretty!

Robe bottom hem

Back view of robe

I will be making another set soon, but I have a million other projects screaming at me right now!

Fall Sewing List:

• Drape neck tank tops

• Sweater wrap top

• Cardigans

• Denim Skirt

• Sleeveless Button down shirt

• Princess seam sheath dress

• Liz Claiborne stripe vest
•  Solid maxi dresses ¾ sleeve

• Something with fringe

• Nightgown with matching robe

• Red dress with a leopard jacket/cardigan

I have a lot of items I am wanting to sew up.  So glad that the kids will be going back to school next week!  More sewing time!  AND Dear Hubby is going to night shift, so that will free up time in the evenings for MORE SEWING! 

Wish me Luck!

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

Fall Sewing List

Fall is only a million months away here in hot, humid Florida!  But I do get the fall sewing bug when school is starting.  I have a few items I would like to sew up until I can get a few of the fall Butterick patterns that have come out.

Peggy Sagers reminded me in one of her past YouTube videos that it's ok to wear a sleeveless top under a jacket or cardigan.  Now I know this is simple thinking but here in Florida it's a no brainer!  So I think I need to sew up a few more sleeveless tops..............

• Drape (Cowl) neck tank tops (white, black, navy ,and/or nude).  I'm thinking in an ITY knit.

Drape neck sleeveless top

• Sleeveless button down shirt (white and/or chambray).  Cotton fabric, maybe something in stretch cotton?

Sleeveless Button Down Shirt

• Sweater wrap top.  I received my pattern & I can't wait to sew it up! Sweater knit?

• More cardigans

 

 

McCall 6844 Cardigan

 
• Denim skirt & maybe one in a faux suede too?

Silhouette Pattern #2913 Nick & Zoe's Denim Skirt

• Princess seam sheath dress (princess seams at shoulder not armhole).  I saw a ponte knit & tweed version on QVC last week it was soooo cute for fall!

• Striped vest.  Something similar to the Liz Claiborne version

Striped vest

• Nightgown & robe set- I have an sheet set that is white with beautiful blue rose bouquets.

• Knit maxi dress in solid colors (maybe burgundy, navy or black). Either an ITY or a jersey knit.

Knit Maxi Dress

• Something with fringe too.  Maybe a top or a cardigan or even a skirt.............Fringe! Some type of knit.

 And last but not least,

• A red knit dress with a leopard print jacket.  I'm wild like that!

Now all I need is a lot of sewing time and a little cool weather.

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

Bonnie

Vacation Pictures & Peanuts & Gang Quilt & Cloth Book

Our little vacation was nice.  The beach was beautiful and the weather held out for our four days we were there.  It was hot and very humid, but that is typical for here in Florida.

See that beautiful Gulf water..............It's a monster!  The Gulf of Mexico swallowed my wedding ring the first day............. I was so sad.....I have had it for 23 years.  I knew my ring was loose and I've already lost it down two sink drains this year but, I should have known better than wear it too the beach. 

It's gone......... Forever.


Vacation 2015 Fort Desoto Beach



Sunset from the pier at Fort Desoto Beach



Sunset at Fort Desoto Beach

We did all of our usual vacation rituals: sleep in late, shop at Publix (that's a real treat for us!), go out for ice cream, fish, watch sunsets and go across the Skyway Bridge.  We are the adventurous type.......



Skyway Bridge

This was our last vacation to the beach.  My dear hubby is fair skinned and a red head and he does not do well with the sun.  We bring a tent to the beach, use lots of sunscreen, hats, etc.  But, he still gets sunburned.............. Earlier this year he had to use a cream that burned the skin on his face and hands to bring out any skin cancers.  It was a rough 6 weeks on him.  So to save his skin we will no longer be going to the beaches. 

Even though this was a good vacation, it was bittersweet. 


Back to sewing news!

I took a little break from my usual sewing and decided to switch gears and sew something a little different.  I'm making my nephew a quilt and cloth book for Christmas.  You know it's only 5 months away!

I saw the Peanuts & gang quilt panel in a Nancy's Notions catalog, the price was a little steep for me so after some research online I found the same one at www.fabric.com for 1/2 the price.  I just love the camping theme of the panel.  The quilt size ended up being 36"x56". 

 

Peanuts & Gang quilt panel

I'm trying to decide what to use for the backing fabric.  A solid or a print? 

I've made yards and yards of binding and I finally went to the store for some batting.  (I hate going to town). 


Woodstock quilt binding

The cloth book was from Nancy's Notions and it was an easy, quick project to make up.  I think my little nephew will like both gifts.

 

Peanuts cloth book



Peanuts cloth-book inside



Peanuts cloth book-back cover

Until next time.......


Bonnie

I Think I Need Help!

I am the absolute worst picture taker!

 I don't care to have my picture taken.  On occasion I will & I always have the most horrible look on my face, double chins, dazed and confused look, no smile, etc.!

Selfie while on vacation last week

Once in a while, I'll break down and take a picture of me in a me made outfit.  But I would prefer to crop off my head.  My expressions look like I'm constipated!  That is why most of my post have a photo of my me made outfit, dress, etc., on my dear dress form.


On our little vacation to the beach the kids kept laughing at Dear Hubby and myself when we would take a selfie.  We are not selfie people so the kids had to give us a few tips. 

1. Camera high
2. Arm outstretched
3. Chin out
4. Smile
5. Click

We still didn't do a good job!

Selfie at the beach

Maybe I should fix my hair once in a while!

This selfie is even worse!

Then, I receive an email from our oldest son.  It's a photo of his swearing in ceremony.  They took a family picture for us.  Nope!  Not a good picture of me either! 

If you have any advice or tips on taking photos, please help me!

One last selfie before a wedding

This one isn't soo bad, at least my hair is fixed!

Until next time.......

Bonnie