McCall's 4617 1975 Carefree For Knits Pattern

Vintage patterns are the BEST!  They are simple and usually with minimum pattern pieces.  I have been wanting a draped cowl neck top.  After a few evening of searching the internet and looking through all my patterns a few times, I decided that the McCall's 4617 was a perfect start.

McCall's 4617 Carefree Pattern for Knits

ITY Knit Double Knit Fabric 

I thought that the background fabric would make a nice cardigan style jacket and the two ITY knits would make nice cowl neck tops.  I purchased the fabric at www.fabricmartfabrics.com.  My favorite shopping place!

 

I thought that a muslin was a must for this project.  A perfect fit T-shirt!
I used the front pattern and made adjustments for a cowl neck.  I used the Threads magazine post. http://www.threadsmagazine.com/item/33848/how-to-create-a-draped-cowl-neckline/page/all.

 The directions were easy and the drape was beautiful.  The only thing was it was really really low!

I'm keeping this muslin and wearing it with a tank under.  I just love the drape of it!

McCall's 4617 Knit to draped cowl neck top-muslin

McCall's 4617 Knit to draped cowl neck top-Front view

McCall's 4617 Knit to draped cowl neck top-Back View

McCall's 4617 Knit to draped cowl neck top-With Cardigan

I can't just make one when I really like a pattern so I had to whip up a second one.  And I changed the drape of the cowl neck from a 10" drape to a 13" drape.  It's a little low, but not too bad. 

McCall's 4617 ITY Knit draped cowl neck top-Front View

McCall's 4617 ITY Knit draped cowl neck top-With Double Knit Cardigan

We are going to a wedding tonight.  I am wearing a dress I bought>>>>>>>>>>>>I can't believe I found a dress off the rack!  Will try to get a photo.  

I am trying to get to the last two pieces of the fall wardrobe but pretty other things jump in front!  I found that if I sew what talks to me, it goes so much better.

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

Bonnie

Simplicity 7243 Again Black & Print

I had to make the Simplicity 7243 again in a color block type print and solid mix.  I really like how this one turned out.  I let the sleeved come right above the elbow and I turned under the neck edge and used a twin needle.  I broke the twin needle while working on one of the sleeves so the other sleeve I had to use two rows of stitching.  It was so much easier than using the twin needle.  It has a mind of it's own!

Simplicity 7243 Ponte Knit Princess Seam Dress-Front View

Simplicity 7243 Ponte Knit Princess Seam Dress-Side View

I took this picture before I hemmed the sleeves.  I had to move it around a bit to find where I thought it was comfortable.

Simplicity 7243 Ponte Knit Princess Seam Dress-Back View

This was my first time sewing with ponte knit.  I L-O-V-E-D it.  I had to go back to FabricMart and get more!  It was so easy to sew and the stretch was forgiving.  I took the seam allowance off my pattern to make up for it being a woven pattern and I used knit fabric.  Worked out perfect!

I've sewn a few more nursing tops for my sister in law, and I still trying to get to the rest of the fall wardrobe fabric.  I also have to make a cheerleader outfit for a friends' little girl.  Never enough hours!

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


Bonnie

Simplicity 7243 Cheetah Print Knit Dress Fall Wardrobe Fabric 2

I think making a pattern the second time around is so much easier!  It only took a day to finish the Simplicity 7243 Cheetah print knit dress.  I could have finished it in 1/2 of a day but life gets in the way sometimes!

I feel like I can mix and match a lot of items with this dress.  A black belt, A black scarf, Turquoise necklace and shoes, a brown sweater, a tan cardigan, a black sweater, an orange cardigan.............. I could just go on and on and on!

Simplicity 7243 Cheetah Print Princess Knit Dress  Front View

Simplicity 7243 Cheetah Print Princess Knit Dress Back View

I hemmed the sleeves, neck and bottom with a 4.0 twin stretch needle.  I folded the fabric double to give it a little body and used a 4.0 stitch length.  On the bottom hem, I used my walking foot.  No puckers or wrinkles!

Simplicity 7243 Cheetah Print Princess Knit Dress Sleeve Detail

I have three of the five fabrics left to sew.  I am really interested in the beige/tan suede like fabric for my next project.  I'm thinking of either a 6 gore skirt or a straight skirt with a flounce at the bottom and a jacket.

Any suggestions for the plaid fabric?  I'm trying to mix and match a lot of the items.  I think the suede like jacket with the cheetah print dress will work too.

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


Bonnie (Aunt B: going to see my precious nephew this weekend!!!!)

Simplicity 7243 Woven to knit pattern

While on a trip to Alabama I visited one of the largest thrift store EVER!  It was a Wal-Mart at one time, now it's Harvest Thrift.  It takes me and DD a good two hours to go through it.  My favorite place to go to while in Alabama!

I purchased a bolt of knit fabric (still in the wrapper).  Along the selvage edge it's marked for Jo-Anne's.  It's a little thin but I think it will make a great muslin for knits.

I found a pattern that I think will work for the leopard print fall wardrobe fabric.  I have the pattern it's just too big.  I decided to give it a try and used the thrift store bolt fabric.

Simplicity 7243 Dress Pattern

Simplicity 7243 Dress Pattern knit muslin

The dress turned out GREAT!  I only had to add 1/2" at the seam allowances of the hip area.  I wore it to church last night and it was comfortable.  The fabric is thin but it's always summer in Florida so I think I will get a lot of wear out of it!

Simplicity 7243 Dress Neck View

I did not use the neck facing pieces in the pattern.  I just turned the seam allowances in and used a double needle to stitch around the neck.  I did the same thing on the hem and the sleeves.

Simplicity 7243 Dress Back View 

I also cut the back piece on the fold so I didn't have a back seam.  

I'm cutting out the leopard/cheetah print fabric now.  Wish me luck!

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

Bonnie

New Look 6853 Vest & Butterick 5649 Skirt Fall is Coming!

Fall is my F-A-V-O-R-I-T-E time of year!

I thought that since it's only Fall about a week here in Florida I would just go ahead and make my own Fall season!

August 4th I decorated the house in all my Fall stuff, then I thought I would just go ahead and work on a Fall wardrobe too!

New Look 6853 Vest Butterick 5649 Skirt

The New Look 6853 Vest was super easy to make, I only had to add my usual hip increase.  I like the princess seams for easy increase.  I take my increase and divide it by 12.  It's usually only about 1/2" or less at each seam allowance.  

I found this orange t-shirt in the closet and I thought it went very well.  The fabric also has lime green and purple, yellow and a little beige too.  The fabric I purchased over the summer at www.fabricmartfabrics.com I'm sure it was on sale cheap, It was wonderful to work with!  Soft as a baby's bottom and just a little stretch and noooooooo fuzz everywhere!

The Butterick 5649 skirt was easy too.  The only trouble I had with the directions was for the fly front zipper.  I watched a few youtube tutorials and it came out fine.  The length was perfect too.  Not too short!

I did have enough fabric left over I made DD the Butterick 5649 skirt too.  I love it on her, she's just ok with it.

New Look 6853 Vest 

Butterick 5649 Skirt

I'm making a muslin of a woven fabric pattern to make for a knit dress.  I have hundreds of patterns and NOT ONE for a knit dress I had in mind!  I will make due!

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

Bonnie