Simplicity 7243 Aztec Print Princess Seam Ponte Knit Dress

It only took me an afternoon to finish another Simplicity 7243 Princess seam ponte knit dress.  I used an Aztec print ponte knit from www.fabricmartfabrics.com.  I matched it with the solid black ponte knit. (Even after I have already mentioned I have a lot of black already in the closet)

Simplicity 7243 Aztec Print Princess Seam Ponte Knit Dress

Simplicity 7243 Aztec Print Princess Seam Ponte Knit Dress-Side View

 Sorry for the wrinkles, I was in a hurry to take these pictures.  The dress fits very well on myself, but I think being in a hurry and the felt of the dressform pulls the ponte knit and acts like Velcro.

Simplicity 7243 Aztec Print Princess Seam Ponte Knit Dress-Back View

Simplicity 7243 Aztec Print Princess Seam Ponte Knit Dress-Sleeve View

 Pockets!  I love Pockets, even thought I never put anything in there!

Simplicity 7243 Aztec Print Princess Seam Ponte Knit Dress-Pocket View

 I used my usual Lite Steam-A-Seam 2 for the neck edge to make a smooth neck line. 

Simplicity 7243 Aztec Print Princess Seam Ponte Knit Dress-Neck View





Simplicity 7243 Aztec Print Princess Seam Ponte Knit Dress

I now have two new dresses to wear to Church this month!  I'm thinking of working on a few day dresses.  Something that I can wear to work around the house in.  Maybe sleeveless and made of jersey knit.

 

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

 

Bonnie

Simplicity 7243 Tan Chevron Princess Seam Ponte Knit Dress

I'm back to sewing my tried and true TNT dress pattern.  I tried to mix and match a few of my ponte knit fabric for a new dress.

First Choice: Solid brown with chevron print = "no, didn't like"

Ponte knit fabric

 Second Choice: Black with chevron print = "Better, but I have so much black already"

Ponte Knit Fabric

Third Choice: Tan with chevron print = "Liking a lot"


Ponte Knit Fabric

 I use a vintage clothes dryer to hang my cut pattern pieces to keep them organized and since I cut two dresses out at once, it keeps the pattern pieces separated.

Organized pattern pieces

 When I sew with ponte knits, one of my favorite tools is Lite Steam-A-Seam 2 in 1/2".  I use it to fuse sleeve hems, neck bands and sometimes the hem of the dress.

Lite Steam-A-Seam 2

 I snip every inch or two on the paper of the steam-a-seam so that it will curve around the neckline.  Then I finger press it onto the fabric before using the iron.  Peel off the backing then turn the neckline and finger press again to make sure there are no wrinkles.  Once everything looks ok, I'll press with the iron and stitch down.

Lite Steam-A-Seam 2 neckline ponte knit



Pressing Steam-A-Seam 2 onto neck edge

 Neckline turned down and finger pressed.



Ponte knit neck edge turned down lite steam-a-seam 2

 Neck line stitched and finished.



Ponte knit neck line stitched

 This dress goes together so easy.  I love that I can mix and match prints and solids and that it's so comfortable to wear.

Simplicity 7243 Ponte knit dress

 Of course any dress with pockets is a great dress!



Pockets!



Side View



Back View



Pocket Close-up

 This is probably my 5th version of this dress and I don't think that I will ever tire of it.  I have a million options in my head for this pattern.

Simplicity 7243 Tan Chevron Princes Seam Ponte Knit Dress

 This dress only took 1 yard of the Deep Almond Ponte Knit and 1.25 yards of the Chevron Ponte Knit.  The fabric totaled $10.42 + $1.00 in notions for a total of $11.42! That's not too bad for a great fitting one of a kind dress!



$11.42 Ponte Knit Dress

I have a second dress cut out ready to sew, I am hoping to get to it before the weekend so that my sewing area is clear and cleaned before I start my next project.

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

Bonnie

New Look 6104 Dress

Believe it or not, I finished this dress last Wednesday but it took me a week to sew on 10 buttons!  It's funny how life will get in the way of a small task that turns it into a week long saga of button sewing.

I was really excited about this New Look 6104 pattern because of the kimono style sleeves and the length of the skirt but since I'm super curvy the button front can be a little of a problem.  This one is not too bad but I will wear it tomorrow as my dress of the day and I'll let you know if this curvy girl can wear a button front dress.


New Look 6104 Dress Pattern

 I instructions were easy and the constructions was very simple.  I had to do my usual FBA and add to the hipline of the skirt.  I used a cotton textured fabric from my stash pile as just a muslin but it is wearable as a day dress.  It's just a little too busy for me to wear it out to the grocery store......

New Look 6104 Dress-Front View

New Look 6104 Close-up

 I'm hoping that once I wear the dress with correct undergarments that you won't be able to see the front facing pieces.  The fabric is not sheer but light.  Great for Florida summer wear.

New Look 6104 Dress

 I had changed my serger thread to black right before starting this project and I didn't want to change it AGAIN so I just used my pinking shears on the seams.

New Look 6104 Dress-Back View



New Look 6104 Dress-Inside View Construction

 I give this pattern a 4 out of 5.  It gets pluses for ease of construction and minimum pieces and the use of only 3-1/2 yards of 44" wide fabric.  I do love the neckline and the kimono sleeves and the length of the skirt. 

On the other side, I'm still not sure of the button front.

New Look 6104 Dress

I do not know what is next on the cutting table.  Dear Hubby bought me a new bed yesterday so I have to clean out the bedroom to make room for delivery on Monday.  I am also meeting up with my Mother this weekend for lunch for Mother's Day.  There just isn't enough hours in the day!

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

Bonnie

Red & White Stripe Nautical Knit Dress

A magazine came sometime this past month and inside I found inspiration for a nautical type dress.  Red and white stripe knit with a rope type belt.  I looked for the magazine once I found fabric to make the dress but I have no idea where I put it!  So here's my version.

I used my tried-n-true knit dress pattern with the elastic waist.  I added sleeves and hemmed the skirt to hit right below my knee.  I added elastic at the waist but used rope for the ends to that you can tie or knot the rope.

Red white stripe knit nautical dress-Rope knot front

Red white stripe knit nautical dress-Rope tie front

I tried my hand at making a neck band in place of just turning and hemming the neckline.  I measured my dress' neck circumference and made my neck band 75% of the measured length and 3" wide.  It was easy and quick.  I think it turned out great!


Red white stripe knit nautical dress-Neck band view



Red white stripe knit nautical dress-side view

 The sleeves were serged then turned and hemmed.  Pretty and easy!



Red white stripe knit nautical dress-sleeve view



Red white stripe knit nautical dress-back view

I am pleased with the outcome of this dress.  Dear Hubby said it looks like a candy cane!  So now it's a two season dress!!!!!

I purchased the New Look 6104 dress pattern and I am excited to get started on it.  It has been a while since I've sewn a woven pattern, I'm a little nervous.   The use of only 3 yards of fabric caught my eye and the shape of the dress is one of my favorites.  I'm a little hesitant about the button front, being a curvy and button up front can get interesting............



New Look 6104 Dress Pattern

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

Bonnie

McCall's 6074 Knit Pajama Dress M6074

This McCall's 6074 pattern caught my eye last month on Etsy.  It only had three pieces and looked fast to sew up.  I used a 18 top and graded out to a 22 at the hips.  The fit is great, I could have used a straight 18 and it would have been fine.

I did use my faithful knit sleeve pattern so I didn't have to finish the armhole edge.  I made a dress way back and really liked the sleeve & armhole fit so I copied it onto my brown kraft paper and I just use the patterns in place on any knit pattern I want to have that sleeve.  Easy and I know it will fit!

McCall's 6074 M6074 Knit Dress Pattern

McCall's 6074 M6074 Knit Pajamas

The pattern directions have you turn under the seam allowances on the neck edge and stitch, I made a neck band so that it looked a little more like a knit shirt.  I surged the sleeve hem and the bottom hem and left them un-turned.  Since this is only a pair of pajamas to sleep in it really didn't matter. 

The dress if very comfy and I will make another one soon.

I am looking to make a nautical theme dress in red and white stripe with a rope waist tie. 

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


Bonnie

Muse Natalie Animal Jersey Knit Dress

I did it again!  I made another Muse Natalie dress, this time in an animal print jersey knit fabric.  It's so light and comfy it's almost like wearing my pajamas.  I love the colors of the animal print, I can dress it up or dress it down. I'm thinking it's going to get a lot of wear this summer.



Muse Natalie Animal Jersey Knit Dress



Muse Natalie Animal Jersey Knit Dress-Bust View

Muse Natalie Animal Jersey Knit Dress-Back View



Muse Natalie Animal Jersey Knit Dress-side view



Muse Natalie Animal Jersey Knit Dress

I've laid out two patterns for knit fabric that I am going to try, It's hard to change from a pattern that I love to one that I know nothing about.  I also was gifted two yards of a red and white stripe fabric that is calling out to me for a nautical type dress! 

Wish me luck for a little change in dress pattern!

Bonnie

Color Block Princess Seam Dress

Well, Hello Again!  It's funny how life gets in the way of sewing sometimes.  It seems like when things happen in life, sewing is the first thing that gets pushed aside. 

We've had well troubles.  Our well collapsed a few weeks ago.  We started getting rocks and debris coming out of the faucets!  Messing up the dishwasher, unable to use any faucet in the house for a few days makes you really thankful we have a large pool out our back door!  We were able to hook up to an old well we had on the property but the water isn't so good.  It taste like a rusty penny!  We gave it a week or two thinking it would clear things up but no luck.  We have had to get a whole house water system just to be able to drink water from the spigot.  The good news in all of this is that I can now do laundry, drink water from the faucet and wash my hair!

Since sewing has been pushed aside for so long I thought an easy project was in order.  I forgot to mention that I tried to make a dress for Easter but it was a hot mess!  With my confidence wavering from that wadder, I decided that a tried-and-true was what my sewing mojo needed.

I made my usual princess seam dress from a ponte knit fabric but I thought that a little color block would be fun.  I really like the dress, hopefully it will get a lot of wear to church.



Color Block Ponte Knit Princess Seam Dress

Color Block Ponte Knit Princess Seam Dress-Back View



Color Block Ponte Knit Princess Seam Dress-Side View

I bought a new twin stretch needle and set up my cheapo sewing machine for it.  Believe it or not it did a WONDERFUL job!  Maybe it was the needle, or the fabric, or just a glimmer of my sewing mojo shining!


Color Block Ponte Knit Princess Seam Dress-Twin Needle Neckline


  Inside of sleeve with the twin needle.  Looks almost like a pro did it!

Color Block Ponte Knit Princess Seam Dress-Twin Needle Inside



Color Block Ponte Knit Princess Seam Dress

This dress was a steal again!  Only $11.78!  That makes me smile!

Color Block Ponte Knit Princess Seam Dress $11.78

 I've had my fabric all sorted by color and now I realize I don't like my knits with my other fabrics.  Since I have so many knit fabric pieces I thought that maybe I would resort them into knit types.  Ponte knits, jersey knits and ITY knits.  I need more storage cubes to fold these into since I've had to roll the pieces into a box.  Now I can't see all my beautiful fabric!

Knit Fabric Sort

   I'm thinking of making another Muse Natalie Dress.  My favorite pattern, have I told you?  It's an easy pattern for a quick dress in no time.

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

Bonnie