Simplicity 4003 Finished

The vintage Simplicity 4003 dress pattern came to me pre-cut!  I love that.  Cutting pattern pieces is one of my least favorite jobs to do.  A lot of vintage patterns have already been cut and that makes me smile a little more!

I made view #3 with #2 sleeves.  The bodice fitting went pretty smoothly and I only had to make the muslin once.  The skirt was pretty easy too, I did end up shortening it by about 3".  It was about mid calf on me and I think below knee is the best for a summer fit.

Marking the buttonholes

 I had to get the manual out to re-read the instructions.  I didn't want to make a mistake.

 Finished buttonhole

Buttonholes all done.

 Bodice fitted and done

Simplicity 4003 Finished.  I added a fabric tie belt.

I liked the cuffed sleeves and the button front, it does have a side zipper but I don't need to use it to get in and out of the dress.  Next time I won't waste the time to put one in.

Off to take the kids to an Elvis Festival!

Until next time.......

Bonnie

Just A Little Teaser.....

I have ironed all my pattern pieces for the Simplicity 4003.  I only had enough time last night to cut out the fabric and iron all the pieces nice and neat.  I had hoped to get to sewing today but it looks like kids, dogs to groomers, dinner, and laundry beat it all out.

I lost my job in January and it was a big adjustment time with feeling lost.  The kids were in school and hubby was on night shift so it was just me, at home, sitting on the sofa feeling lost for quiet a while.  Finally I got a routine down and started to do me things.

Before I lost my job I would have panic attacks when I took off work.  I had worked there for 13 years and financially I was able to cut back on my time and work part time.  But every minute I was away from work I would feel anxious, and nervous.  I had constant heartburn, and I finally told my doctor thinking I was having a heart attack.  I had sever anxiety.   She gave me a prescription and I did take it for a while but I didn't like the way it made me act, super chatty, scatter brained and so so tired.  I weaned myself off of the medicine and tried to stay busy on my days off.

I was sad to see my job go but now almost five months later..... I LOVE BEING A STAY HOME WIFE & MOTHER!  I do not know how I had time to do all the things I do in a day while I was working but I guess I managed.  I no longer have anxiety, or heartburn.  My kids are older, 19, 13 & 11 but I feel that I am closer than ever to them because when they get home, I'm here, I'm happy to see them, I not anxious, or tired or too busy.  I'm just here waiting for them to tell me about their day.

Sorry to get sidetracked and off of the sewing but I guess that was the PLUS of Sew PLUS!

 Paisley fabric for the Simplicity 4003 shirt dress.

 Cutting out pattern pieces.  I use larger washers for weights.  So much easier than pinning!

This is my fabric storage.  I just recently re-organized it.  I tried to sort by color on the shelf and the bins have sheet sets in them.  One for pillowcases, One for misc. sheets, One for complete sets, etc.  It's funny how I look at this stack of fabric and I think I have nothing to sew with.  I love www.FabricMartFabrics.com and I'm always a sucker for a good sale but I try to use what I have for at least a muslin.

I love making clothing out of recycled sheets.  I feel that living in Florida and it's always so humid here, I like the feel of cotton on my skin.

I am hoping to get to the sewing machine some time tonight.

Until next time.....

Bonnie

Simplicity 1797 &A Delightful Interruption!

I made a muslin of the Simplicity 1797 after adjusting the pattern to my fluffy size.  I did pretty good this time around.  I'm really getting the hang of it now.  I know that there are some things that pattern fitting just can't do but I have really gotten good at bodice fitting for a full bust.

 Simplicity 1797

 Green floral cotton broadcloth from Fabric Mart.

I'm a mess.  Boy F took my picture without me knowing.  I don't like it but I am busy concentrating!

 Then THIS interruption came in the mail!  I was so E-X-C-I-T-E-D!!!!

I have been looking for the Simplicity 4003 for some time.  E-bay had a lot of 45 patterns with Simplicity 4003 in it.  I contacted the seller knowing there was almost no possibility that it was in my size.  Guess What!!! It was!  So off I was for a Buy-It-Now for $22 with free shipping!  What luck did I have!

 Of the lot of Patterns I ended up keeping a little more over half.  Many were my size and you know how I love retro/vintage patterns.  I have listed the 16-1/2 and 18-1/2 sized on my Etsy store to share with my fellow sewers.

Now back to the Simplicity 1797 dress.

 Dress finished.  Love the style.  Girl M says it looks like a Little House on the Prairie dress.  Sometimes the kids are too brutally honest.

I like the trim and the little cap sleeves.  I did lengthen it a little more.  I like my dresses mid knee or a little lower.

Side view of Simplicity 1797

I have already started on the vintage Simplicity 4003 shirt-dress   I made a muslin of the top and it fit perfect on my first try!  I am pretty good!  I have  the beautiful brown/tan/olive paisley fabric that I'm going to be using.  I hope to get the fabric cut out tonight (since Dear Hubby has gone back to night shift for the next 3 months I don't have to hubby sit him in the evenings!).

Until next time.....

Bonnie

McCall's 5787 Top

I have this problem

 If I make a pattern and it's not good enough or good at all, I can't leave it alone, I have to MASTER the pattern.  It will sit in the drawer and mock me until I get it out and re-size  refit, refine it until I get it right.  This McCall's 5787 pattern I made back in 2011 was ok, a little to big in the shoulders and a little to tight around my hips.  So I decided it needed to be redone and fit for ME!

McCall's 5787 Pattern 

 Too big in the shoulders, tight across  the chest, hips a little snug.

 The top looks a lot better on my dress form.

Back view

Remade the pattern in this fabric I had laying around.  I really like it now, the fit is perfect!  The only problem is that the kids say this top looks like a mugged it from a CLOWN!

I am working on a dress now, I am using Simplicity 1797.  I am using a orange floral print sheet as a muslin, I found a beautiful floral print drape set.  I am thinking this is going to be sooooooo cute.  More soon.

Until next time.....

Bonnie

Increasing Sleeve Size

As I've previously mentioned, I love Nancy Zieman's Fitting Finesse Book.  I  think it is one of the easiest methods to follow to increase pattern sizes.

F

Sleeves are one of the things that seem to always be too tight on me.  Measure your upper arm then add 2" for fitting ease. My upper arm measures 19" + 2" = 21".  The pattern measures 19" at the underarm between the stitching lines. So I will need to ad 2" to the adjusted pattern.

 Lay pattern on a piece of large paper.  I use brown kraft paper.  Smooth pattern out and pin down. I have a cardboard cutting mat under mine.

 Trace around sleeve pattern with one color marker.  

 Mark increase out from the cutting line.  Since there are 4 cut edges and I need to increase 2", each cut side will be increased 1/2".  Orange is original, green is the new increased size.

 Remove all pins.  Keep one pin in stitch line at center point.  Pivot pattern to increase mark and retrace with another color pen.  Do both sides of the sleeve this way.  Remove center pin and move entire pattern to increase line on the side.  Finish tracing to the hem line.

 This method always fits  into the armhole of the pattern so nice.

Increased sleeve above the original pattern piece. 

The pattern is still intact and undamaged and now you have a correct size sleeve for you.  Make sure you mark your new pattern pieces with markings from the original and include the pattern number.

I have used  this method many times and as long as you measure correctly, the sleeve always comes out perfect.

I am in progress of making another top.  Will show you more pictures soon.

Until next time......

Bonnie

Sewing Area Re-arranged

I just recently got a little cleaning bug and re-arranged my sewing area.  I had hoped to make more room to sew but sometimes things don't work out like that.  I have very happy about my new arrangement.  I am able to get in and out of the sewing machine much easier.  I only have about a 6 foot by 5 foot area.  Talk about small!

 Old view of sewing area.  I had to squeeze between the table and the ironing board.
I felt the doors open wasted alot of space I could be using. The three drawer plastic thing on the left was a catch all from the kitchen. (pens, papers, pictures).  I added a smaller one on top so the kids couldn't put stuff on it!

 Nothing has changed here.  I still keep all my patterns in this dresser.  I did go through them and clean them up and weed out the ones I didn't plan on making ever! I have the patterns organized: top drawer- Dresses (me), second drawer-Tops (me), third drawer-Outfits (me), fourth drawer-Anything for Girl M, Bottom drawer-Coats/Jackets, Sleepwear/Under garments, and Pants/Shorts Patterns for (me).  I further organized each drawer by maker and pattern number.  Sometimes I'm just nerdy like that!

My junk area.  No matter how much I cleaned at it, it was a catch all. It's now gone!  I have a small computer desk there now and I get to work from home!

New re-arranged work area

I removed the door off the cabinet.  I used a tension rod on the left to hold my paper patterns. I sorted all my spools of threads in the rubbermaid container on the left.  I like having all my thread where I can reach it easily.

I moved the sewing table to the right.  I had a 5' folding table and I put a piece of plywood on top to make it a little sturdier.  I also made a hanging lamp so I could use my Ott-light bulb.

I put a cork board up to tack up my pattern directions.  I use one end of the table for ironing.  Since this table is a little wider, having the sewing machine back to back with the serger is not so tight.

I covered the table with a piece of black fabric so that it looked a little more uniformed.

Boy T is 19 and was just hired on with the State.  I really could use his room for a sewing/craft room but he tells me he's NOT moving out.  He says he has it made here!  I don't want him to go but I sure could use my own space!

I have some exciting items I want to sew this month.

1.  A pink scoop neck/a-line dress

2. a kimono over-top in a green fabric with pink embroidery

3.  summer tops

4. curtains for Girl M's windows

5. Another dress

6.  Girl M some summer tops

7.  Maybe try a pair of capri or shorts for me.....

Until next time.....

Bonnie

What I made in February

I only made three items in the month of February. I took my time and made a muslin for one of them so does that really make it 4 items?

I'm proud I took my time.  I used my serger more and I did ALOT of pressing.  I do think that these items will get a lot of wear.

I am excited about spring!  I have tomato seeds planted in my window sills.  We planted our garden with peas, beans, green squash, cucumbers, eggplants, wax beans and we transplanted some tomato plants out there too.

I have two hens setting on eggs.  They should be ready about the 21st of March (That's my birthday)!  My very own present to me!

Happy Spring & Happy March

Until next time......

Bonnie