Another Simplicity 5097 Blouson Top

I just couldn't let this pattern go without making another blouson top.  I used the original neckline and it's still snug but not as bad.

I think that a brown slim skirt would be perfect with this top.

Simplicity 5097 Blouson Top

Kimono Sleeve

I think I perfected the assembly of the neck facing.  Third time's a charm!

Perfect neckline with facing finish

$9.60 Blouson Top

I think I am done with this pattern for a while, even though I still want a knit version.  I have so many other things I want to sew up so I'll just sit on this for a while.

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

Bonnie

Butterick 5468 Vest Pattern vs New Look 6461 Vest

I saw a review on Pattern Review for the Butterick 5468 vest.  See her review here.  It was the most beautiful vest EVER!

Pattern View Inspiration

I saw that is was made from Cashmere!  WOW!

I don't think they even sell Cashmere here in Florida.......?

I do have a tan ponte knit that I think would work nice.

Now my trouble is that out of 500 patterns, I didn't have the Butterick 5468.  And the cheapest one on Ebay was $8.00!

Butterick 5468

  I couldn't see paying that price, so after looking through my files of patterns I found the New Look 6461

New Look 6461

I think it was similar enough to make it work for a trial muslin.  I made mine in a knit fabric.

Coral Knit New Look 6461

Princess seams, pockets, sleeveless, notch collar lapel.  So far so good!

New Look 6461

Collar & Lapel

Back View

Princess seam

I used 2 yards of a mystery knit.  Similar to a rib knit.  Lots of stretch, but the fabric recovered with steam.

I'm pretty impressed with my vest.

I learned a new technique for the collar.  I hate sewing collars.  They always turn out wonky.  This technique has you sew the three sides of the collar, leaving the neck side open, turn the collar and press.  Insert the collar between the jacket and the facing, making a sandwich and sew the collar and facing in one long stitch line.  Turn the facing to the inside and press.  Collar is done!  I am so thankful I saw this on a Peggy Sagers video.

I ended up with a wearable muslin and I learned a new technique.  It's been a pretty good day!

For my proportion fitting I needed the lengthen the vest to 26".  I can wear it with anything knee length.  I'm thinking of another slim skirt in the same color.  But I still have to work on that pattern.

New Look 6461 Tan Ponte Knit

I didn't add pockets on this version.  Maybe I will later.

New Look 6561

Collar & Lapel

Back View

2 yards used $8.00 Vest

Since I was on a roll sewing I made a knit shirt for Fall.  This stripe fabric has been in my stash for years and I thought it would work for a muslin.  It's a pretty thin knit.  But with a vest it would be fine.

Navy and Wine Boatneck Long Sleeve Knit Shirt

Fold over elastic used at neckline

Neck view

I think that this combo would look nice with a navy skirt.

With vest

Too much allergy meds and iced coffee and I've made another stripe long sleeve knit shirt!

Navy white stripe long sleeve knit shirt

With vest

$5.40 stripe t-shirt

$5.40 Grey Stripe Long sleeve knit shirt

Grey Stripe long sleeve knit shirt

The grey stripe fabric was a pain in the butt!  I had to match the stripes and the fabric wanted to wrinkle.  It must have had some cotton in it to wrinkle like that.

Fabric self binding along neck.

Since I'm on a roll, I might as well make a skirt to go with my Fall wardrobe.  I used the Simplicity 7160 skirt, added a 2" wide elastic waistband and PRESTO!  I have a new skirt!

Simplicity 7160 skirt

Grey stripe shirt & grey skirt

Fall Wardrobe

Two vest, a skirt and three shirts...............I'm tired!


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

Bonnie

Black Knit Princess Seam Slip

I used my TNT pattern Simplicity 7463 for the pattern of this slip.  I sewed a generous 3/4" seam allowances to make the slip a little more fitted than the dresses.

All seams are serged.  The bottom is not hemmed, just serged, along with the armholes and the neck.

Black Knit Slip

Front View

Side View

Back View

The fabric is a mystery fabric I found while cleaning.  Exactly enough for the slip.  It's a little heavier than the white version but winter is coming and maybe it will be ok.

An easy sew.

Looking out my sewing window, there are birds everywhere.  The chickens are roaming the yard along with sandhill cranes.  There was a turkey hen this morning and hummingbirds are zooming by to get to their feeder.

Birds in the Yard

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

Bonnie

How Much Plaid Fabric Do You Need? Simplicity 9074 Robe

My elderly neighbor's daughter gifted me with a box of fabric.  There were 89 yards fabric.  A few are apparel fabrics and a lot of cotton plaids.

89 yards of fabric

Plaids and apparel fabrics

Checks, dots, herringbone and more plaids

Cotton plaids

Lots of fabric

After washing all four loads of fabric and partially drying them, I hung them everywhere in my dining room to finish drying until I could iron them.

It felt like there was over 300 yards of fabric when you have to iron the selvage on both sides of every piece!

To be ironed pile

The cotton is only 33-34" wide!  I've never seen fabric that narrow.  I thought that the fabric could have been cut lengthwise for maybe a window treatment but there is a selvage on both long sides. I'm going to have to be creative.  Most of the cuts are 7+ yards.

My neighbor hinted that she liked the red velvety fabric with the sequin snowflakes.  She mentioned that it would be a nice robe.

Robe pattern choices

Simplicity 9074 

 This pattern had the fewest pattern pieces and the shorter length was perfect for her since she's only 5'4".

Red Robe-Front View

Red Robe-Back View

Red Robe Shoulder/Collar View

Red Robe-Snowflake

 I am thinking of adding a gold frog style closure at the neck.  I do not want to add button holes on this fabric, it sheds everywhere!

Simplicity 9074 Red Robe

I am blessed that she thought of me and will get my sewing machine in high gear!

I thought my violets were in full bloom earlier this month but look at them now!  There are s many blooms on each plant.  They must love this window!

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

Bonnie

Simplicity 7243 Blue Ponte Aztec Print Dress & Simplicity 5695 Shorts

School has started!  I am going to miss Girl M.  but......... I get to have breakfast dates & jeep rides with Dear Hubby!  Oh the torture!!!!

Another TNT Simplicity 7243 pattern dress.  I just mixed up the color and print on this version.  I did add sleeves.  I'm glad I did but I don't LOVE them.  I am thinking a color blocking on this version.

I slipped in Dear Daughter Simplicity 5695 shorts pattern since I will have extra fabric.

Simplicity 7243 Dress & Simplicity 5695 Shorts

Simplicity 7243

Topstitching

Backview

Shoulder View

Side View

Simplicity 7243

$4.50 Blue Ponte Knit

$4.00 Print Ponte Knit

For $8.50 I made this version of the Simplicity 7243 and two pair of shorts for Girl M.

I received many compliments on this dress.  I like that it can be worn with white (cardigan/sweater and shoes) or with black.  Maybe in winter I'll wear it with tall boots and my black jacket.  Very versatile.

I widened the neck facing by 1".  Now it lays much better than the thinner one on the black version.

How many times have I made this dress?

1

2

3

4

5

6

7

8

9

Of these 9 dresses 8 of them are still in my closet!  Did I tell you I LOVE this pattern?

Simplicity 7243

Simplicity 5695 Shorts.

Girl M has gotten to where she likes these shorts.  This printed pair is her most favorite yet!

Simplicity 5695 Knit Shorts

Back View

Side View

Simplicity 5695 Blue Knit Shorts-Side View

Back view

Front View

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

Bonnie