Copied Pink Floral Tank

This wasn't my first choice in fabric but after my ribbing for binding experiment I was a bit gun shy. I had this in the stash and it was a sturdy interlock so I thought I'd see how that turned out. I actually forgot that I had traced off facings for this tank and I began binding the neckline too. So this one has the neck bound rather than faced. That's ok.

I used the self interlock fabric for binding and it worked way better. The olive green in the leaves actually matches a tiered skirt perfectly that a friend gifted me with that is very light for summer. I think it'll make a cool outfit for the hottest of days.

Each top brings me closer and closer to understanding and knowing what my binder machine will do with different fabrics. It's been a fun trial period here to see the different results and what works for me.

Binding Experiment

This was me playing again with the Weekender tank that I traced/copied from the original garment. I used ribbing in my binder attachment for the first time. It made the armholes WAY too small. They fit but this is definitely a farm shirt. It looks goofy and pulls up in the pits above the bust. I will remember that ribbing in the binder WILL gather what you're binding too. I just like the look of binding in the interlock or jersey that the shirt is made from. Live and learn..... at least it's not a total wadder.....

Gray Plantain

Another Deer and Doe Plantain with a FBA. The picture makes it look like it's low in the neckline. It isn't as low on my body as on the dress form. I actually like this one better than the green one. It isn't as low in the front, the fabric is more to my liking with cotton content, and the fabric isn't so stretchy so it doesn't seem to cling as much either.

I forgot to mention that in both the green and this gray I lengthened the sleeves and I like it MUCH better! When you get old and fat like me the cap sleeves leave one feeling fat and exposed! I like this length a lot better.

Olive Green Deer and Doe Plantain

This was my first attempt at a full bust adjustment. I'm trying hard to follow a more modest path and it's hard when all the patterns are designed with negative ease and designed to hug the body.

This is the Deer and Doe Plantain in the biggest size with a full bust adjustment.

It kind of worked. This fabric is a a VERY stretchy jersey knit. I got it at a fabric warehouse nearby. I'm thinking there is quite a bit of lycra in it. I think it's more rayon than cotton too. Because it's so stretchy the neckline ended up a bit lower than I had originally planned.

From this garment I learned that sewing can be exciting because you just really never know how things are going to turn out. You can sew a pattern 50 times and each time get a different result because fabrics are just like people - different personalities!!

If anyone knows of a nice modest scoop neck non-hugging t-shirt pattern let me know!!!

Olive Green side slouch T

I've made this before in a navy blue. Made it today in an olive green using my cover stitch machine for the binding and hems!!! It's from Ottobre 2/2013 #13 The Lemon Juice top in size 46/48

I am beyond ecstatic!! I am so glad my hubby loves me this much!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

First Coverstitch Project - denim skirt

I've been wanting a cover stitch machine for a long time! I do so much with knits and with a new grand baby on the way too - I know it will be getting tons of use!! So last weekend while at the Creative Sewing Expo I got one for a fairly decent price. Way off retail. It's a floor model from a local dealer, plus a show special so it was lower even than I had hoped. I came right home and ordered a couple binder attachments from ebay too but they haven't arrived yet.

It's a Babylock BLCS-2..... I'm in love.... I can't wait to see all I can do with the three wonderful machines I have now!!! I looked at updating my serger with one that would cover stitch but decided against that. I wanted a separate machine that I didn't have to switch back and forth on. Besides I actually love my 20 year old serger. It needs a new upper blade but still runs like a champ!

After playing with it for a few days to familiarize myself, I tackled just a simple denim skirt. I was planning on doing one floor length but I'd have to alter a pattern for that. I just went with Simplicity 2184 (size 20) which is my favorite denim skirt in my closet right now. The one in the closet is beginning to show some wear so I thought I'd play around with my new toy and make something that will be needed soon.

Just a simple elastic waist skirt that will be perfect for a work skirt around the farm too.

Here's a close up of my triple cover stitch

The pattern calls for cutting on the bias but I was using fabric from another skirt that I had made that turned out to be a wadder. There was enough fabric to make this one out of that one if I went straight on grain. So that's what I did.

Expect to see more sewing since I've spent the next two years clothing budget on my new "toy" so I'll have to be making most of our clothes again for a while...... LOL

I made a baby outfit recently too but forgot to take a picture before I gave it as a gift. Hopefully the new mom will send me a picture, with baby in the outfit even! When she does..... I'll post it too.

White Tank copied

I managed to trace off my first pattern from RTW this summer. It turned out great!!! I wore it so much - I plan to make many more, especially since last weekend Hubby bought me a coverstitch machine!! Whoohoo!!!

Anyone remember Weekender Wear from back in the late 80's and early 90's? I had two tank tops left from way back then!! They were SO well made and lasted that long!!! I wore them hard too. Well they are since defunct and out of business. I couldn't even find any items on ebay. So I thought it was high time I tried to trace off a pattern and see how I could do.

The neckline is much more modest than they look in the pictures. I also added several inches to the length just to make it more versatile. Can't wait to use my CS to make more!!!

Forest Green Skirt

I have been sewing a bit here and there over the past few months but never get to blogging any of the projects. So in order to get caught up I'm just going to "plunk" a few right in a row here. Hopefully I can make the pictures work.

Here is a Forest Green skirt that I made for myself last spring. I used the "Country Skirt" pattern that I've had in my stash for a long time. It's the same pattern that I used for the black calico skirt that I made a while back.

Here's a close up of the waistband. It turned out okay and it fits but I'm not head over heals in love with the skirt.

Fabric was sportswear that I had in my stash, from my fabric fairy I believe.

"Flamingo" sleeveless top

This will forever be known as the "Flamingo" shirt! LOL I had to have hubby stop by the fabric store to buy thread to match and he brought me home a spool of "Flamingo" of which the clerk gave him a deal on - I guess I need to send him on my fabric store errands more often LOL

Ottobre 2/2006 #4 Sleeveless blouse - size Eu. 46 with alterations to the front darts after this picture was taken. I did redraft the darts on the traced pattern for next time too. Lowered 'em just a bit.

Fabric: Salmon ("Flamingo") sportswear from stash. 

I can not remember where it came from.

It fits well and I like it especially after I lowered the darts :-)

I'm in love with Ottobre!!

Purple & White Stripe T-shirt

Deer & Doe has a free t-shirt pattern called Plantain and I downloaded it. This purple and white stripe is my first attempt with it. I sewed the biggest size with 1/4 inch seam allowance rather than 5/8 as called for. I'll probably make a couple more for summer tops -

3 Ottobre T's for Me!

I needed some tops to wear with anything - dressy or casual. My friend (thanks ~M!) gifted me with a fabric.com gift certificate for my birthday with the stipulation that it had to be used for something for me.  I tried some Organic Cotton Jersey for the first time. It's SO soft!!!!

Ottobre 5/2013 - #1 Autumn Mood T-shirt - size EU44 with no alterations.

This cream one is a bit thin, which is disappointing. But I'll figure out how to wear it under something.

The dark dark brown one turned out beautiful - it's my favorite!!

Black one from fabric stash

back view of black one

This third and final one for this week is from black knit (looks brown in the photo, dumb camera) that I had in my stash. I'm not happy with the neck binding because there is not much stretch to this knit. Hopefully it'll soften up and be okay with a couple washings.  The necks on the brown and cream soft organic ones lay much nicer!! But... I had the black one on today as I was blogging :-)

Maybe I'll update the photos of the hanger ones above as I wear them in the coming days. Or maybe I won't - I always seem to forget.

Simplicity 2184 Denim Skirt

Sometimes you just NEED to whip out something quick.  I've made this before so I just went with it - A denim skirt was needed in my wardrobe!!

Simplicity 2184 - View A size 20 no alterations

Grayish Blue Stretch Woven Shirt

I am desperately STILL in need of clothes. My wardrobe has been bad for several years and I've limped along. It's hard when you're sewing for 3 growing children at the same time ya know?

But my goal is to try my best to get caught up on theirs AND remedy my sad wardrobe this winter too.

I began with Ottobre Girly Touch #8 from 5/2013. It is a size 46 with dart adjustments that were made in process but will definitely be used in the future from the beginning. The darts have already been redrawn on the pattern.

I think it turned out well, possibly a tiny bit big. If I lose a bit more weight I'd attempt a size 44 with stretch cotton. If I use woven, I'll stay with the 46 I believe as I think the only reason it is a the larger size is because the stretch gives me room to move.

 

I have to say it's the best fitting shirt through the shoulders and arm pits that I've sewn in a long time. Again, Ottobre knows what they're doing.

Sorry I forgot to get a back view again! It fits great across the shoulders though. So here is another front view.

Plaid Peasant Top

Kwik Sew 3065 - view D - size L - periwinkle plaid cotton gauze fabric.

No, this does not match the previous brown skirt post. I'm still working on fabric for that! In the mean time I need clothes badly. This was quick and easy, I like the style, and it's cool for the summer! I'm just not sure what bottom I'll wear it with, sigh

Back View - pretty much the same as the front :-)

Brown Skirt for me

Simplicity 2184 view A size 20 - no alterations Just a simple A-line skirt.

I've been sewing, a little bit. I just  haven't been blogging because I've been in the garden and canning season has begun. I figure I better update before I forget what I've done. I'll be scarce in the sewing room for the next 2 months - which makes me sad!

I've been talking to my personal color consultants (aka some of my best friends) and they've decided that all these years in navy blue has been all wrong!  Apparently I am a warm autumn person which means I need greens, browns, pumpkin, mauve, and periwinkle! I have very little of those in my wardrobe! LOL

close up of the fabric pattern

My wardrobe is in such a sorry state anyway so no great loss! I guess I'll try to keep these colors in mind as I move forward and adjust as I go. Maybe someday I'll get it together!! That's a big maybe!

Now to find some fabric for a shirt to match.....

One More Purse Pouch

I sewed this little diddy up this week too. Hopefully it'll help keep my purse organized! I found the pattern on line here. It was fun & easy. I'll make it again for sure!

Pouch for Purse

I need some bags/pouches for my purse. This one will be a summer first aid kit for my purse. I also hope to make a bit smaller something for a sewing kit too.

This one is Butterick 6678 view K. The two zippers are nice. I made it out of some decorator fabric that a friend gave me for free.  It looks like denim in the picture but it's really a bit fuzzy. My camera isn't the greatest with the flash inside.

It ended up about 6 inches high x 8 inches long x 1 1/2 inches wide.

Weird Shirt for Me

 

This is a strange top! I thought it looked kind of fun in the Ottobre magazine. I'm not sure yet if I like it made up or not! It hangs kind of weird but the styles right now are like that so maybe I just have to "get with it".

It's from Ottobre 2/2013 #13 The Lemon Juice top in size 46/48. No alterations were made. The fabric is a single jersey that I got from Fabric.com This is the first Ottobre I've made for me. I like them a lot for the kids. The sizing seems okay so I am encouraged to try some more for me.

back view

Girls Undies

I know this should have been a winter project but I guess I missed it. Next year I'll be sure to get a bunch done for the year during the slow days of winter. They aren't hard at all. They go together quick. And they're undies so who cares what they look like right?

These are just a few of the assembly line of this week. I still have a few for the guys to do too....

Jalie 2568 in sizes K, Q, and AA - style A. Made 7 pairs total so far and have a couple more cut out. All out of FREE fabric from a friend who is in a quilt guild that can't use lycra. It's not the most lovely color but it's beautiful quality fabric! Gotta love free especially with the price of underwear these days! I bought the elastic here at a very reasonable cost!

Besides what family can say that they all have matching undies? LOL

Not quite a wadder.....

Kwik Sew 3632 - size XL with hefty seams.

It turned out great - IF(when?) I was about 30 pounds lighter :-(  I'm excited about this top but will have to wait until I loose weight to wear it!

 My hope it to make up a pair of legging to wear with it too - but I'll wait for a few weeks and see if some spring gardening helps loose a few pounds....