Butterick 6821 Simplicity 3893 McCall 7160 Frankenpattern Dress

******** I HAVE SEWN SOMETHING NEW!!!! *************

I've stayed away from cross over style bodices since I'm a little busty.  They always seem to gap open just when I don't need them.  But I loved the gathered shoulders on this pattern and thought I would give it a try.

I liked this vintage pattern Butterick 6821, then I noticed that the Simplicity 3893 is pretty much the same pattern.   I used the directions from both the patterns since both had great ideas.  The bodice is frankenpatterned of both Butterick 6821 and Simplicity 3893.  I used the McCall 7160 full circle skirt.

Butterick 6821

Simplicity 3893 

McCall 7160

I sewed up a quick muslin with a yard of leftover fabric.  Not making any changes to the pattern yet, I was worried it wouldn't fit me to be able to try on.  But it worked out just fine.

I love the gathers on the shoulders.

Muslin

 The only change I had to make was to take a pleat out of the front.  a 1/2" pleat from the front, tapering to nothing at the side seam tightened up the crossover enough not to gap!

Muslin

I love the gathers at the shoulders.

The Butterick 6821 said to gather the shoulders and sew on twill tape.  I preferred the Simplicity 3893 used two pieces of 1/4" elastic at each shoulder seam.

Shoulder gathers

 The dress went together easily.

Butterick 6821 McCall 7160

Crossover bodice

 I used fold over elastic along the front neckline.  This seemed to keep the bodice close to my body, and the crossover fit snug.

kimono style sleeve

back view

McCall 7160 Full skirt

$8.97 Dress

Frankenpattern Success! 

I don't know if I mis-cut the skirt, but I ended up having to trim 3" off the center front & center back of the skirt.  That was a hmmmmm moment but I made it work.

I just serged the hem and turned up the 3/8" and top - stitched.  It's a little shorter than I like, but it does come to my knees.

Overall I am very happy with the dress.  I'm thinking a maxi version will be in the works soon!

Are you proud of me for sewing up something new?  I'm proud of me!

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

Bonnie

McCall 6844 Memorial Day Cardigan

I couldn't help myself............................ Another McCall 6844 cardigan!

McCall 6844  Cardigan

A short sleeve version.  Fabric matching the Memorial Day tank dress with flounce.

Short Sleeves

Back View

McCall 6844 with Tank dress

$6.30 Cardigan

I promise I will try harder to sew up something sew, a new pattern or a new fabric.....I promise I will try!

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

Bonnie

Memorial Day Tank Dress with Flounce

I had to make a "new" dress for Church for Memorial Day.  I am still on a tank dress kick so I just spiced it up a little.

I used my TNT tank dress pattern, cutting the length to 38".

I made a flounce for the bottom by measuring the width of the dress hem front and then the back.  Mine measured 17" on the fold.  I wanted to increase the flounce by 1-1/2 times, making that measurement 25".  I thought a 6" flounce sounded good.

Making a rectangle from pattern paper that measured 17" long and 6" high I cut up from the bottom to the top. leaving a hinge along the top side (long side).  I made about 6 cuts.  Taping onto a scrap piece of paper I fanned out the bottom to 25", spacing the rest of the cuts evenly.  My flounce resembled a half circle almost.

I've been practicing another technique for finishing the neck edge.  I think it's called the French binding.  I cut a 2" wide strip of fabric longer than the length of the neckline.  Having only one shoulder seam sewn. I left a tail about an inch or two I sew right sides together the whole length on the neckline.  I used a 1/2" seam allowance.  Turn the binding strip over the seam allowance snugly, I stitch in the ditch catching the binding on the back.  Once you've stitched in the ditch the whole length of the neckline I trimmed the excess from the wrong side of the neckline. The sew the open should seam.

Sew 2" strip to neck edge-right sided together

1/2" seam allowance

Pulling strip slightly along the neck edge

Fold up seam allowance towards 2"stip

Fold strip over seam allowance snugly

Stitch in the ditch, catching strip on backside

French binding neck seam

Trim excess fabric strip on wrong side close to stitch line

Finish sewing open shoulder seam

Same treatment done to armholes.  Just remember to leave one seam open (underarm).

Armhole finish

Tank dress with flounce.

You can adjust the width of the finished binding by trimming the seam allowances.  I always just a 2" width strip so that I have plenty to catch when I stitch in the ditch, but trimming the team allowance allows me to made narrower finished binding.

I sewed the flounce onto each front and back piece of the dress then sewed the side seams.  Everything matched up better this way.

Tank dress with flounce

Flounce

The flounce was a little hidden but you did notice it when I walked. I thought the flounce may make the dress look like grandmas' nightgown.  It just made the dress swoosh a little when I moved.

1.25 yards of fabric $4.50 Flounce Tank Dress

Lulu-My helper

I have a yard of this fabric leftover, maybe a McCall 6844 cardigan to go with it??????

Why not make a TNT?????

I've got to get out of this rut!



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

Bonnie

My Version of H by Halston Sleeveless Knit Top with Sheer Overlay

Watching QVC is one of my daily activities.  I don't usually buy anything but I love to see what's in fashion and what's on trend.

There are a few designers that I look forward to seeing what they have on air.  H by Halston is my favorite for tops & simple dresses, Issac Mizarahari has the best cardigans & dresses.  Liz Claiborne has great tops.

I saw this sleeveless knit top with sheer overlay aired last week and knew I could copy this.  There is a knit tank underneath and a chiffon type overlay that crosses in the front.  The hem is high-low.

QVC's H by Halston Sleevless Knit Top with Sheer Overlay

I couldn't justify $40 for a tank top so off to the sewing room I went.  I used my TNT tank pattern and made a second copy, making the front full (not on the fold).  I used my french curve to curve the hem.

You can see the full specs here.

I used a yard of white knit I had in stock for who knows what reason.  It was too thin to use for a dress or skirt so I think it's perfect for the under tank.  I also had some mesh knit fabric that I bought a few months ago from Fabric Mart.  I think I only paid $1.99 or less per yard.

My Version Front View

My Version Back View

My Version

My Version-Neckline

I am happy with the outcome of this top.  I'm more happy that I used up a fabric that I don't usually sew with.

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

Bonnie

Memorial Day (Decoration Day) 2016

I live only a few miles away from the Florida National Cemetery, I get to stop by and see the graves decorated before it gets too busy.

This year was no exception.  I get so teary seeing all those beautiful flags waving along the driveways.

The thousands of flags placed on the graves standing at attention  brings all the reality of how the valiant efforts of the hundreds of thousands of men and women who put country before self and gave their lives for our nation.  They  felt a sense of duty, and they dedicated their lives to fulfill that duty.

I Thank You for your service and sacrifice.

Happy Memorial Day!

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

Bonnie

A Basic.....Black ITY Knit Cap Sleeve Top

I've been in dire need of basics.  Especially a black top.  Since I bought  yards of black ITY knit fabric why not make a much needed top.

I used my TNT cap sleeve top pattern.  I also did the french method for neck binding.  It made a nice thin binding.  I like the simplicity of it!

Black ITY Knit Cap Sleeve Top

Top for only $3.60

This is the same fabric as the McCall 6844 Short sleeve cardigan I posted earlier.  This top will be a great addition to my wardrobe since you can't go wrong with a black top.

Black ITY Knit Cap Sleeve Top

Maybe something more interesting is in the works for my next sew!

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

Bonnie

McCall 6844 Yellow Knit Cardigan

I just LOVE the McCall 6844 cardigan pattern!  It's quick and easy to sew up and you can dress it up or dress it down.

This version I used ITY knit, made elbow length sleeves and no flounce.  I used the burrito method for the collar also.

I can't wait to wear this to Church on Sunday with my Muse Natalie Navy ITY Knit dress, some pearls and white sandals.

McCall 6844 Yellow Knit Cardigan

McCall 6844 Yellow Knit Cardigan $7.98

McCall 6844 Yellow Knit Cardigan

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

Bonnie