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.

Gathered Skirt for All Ages from Purlbee.com

Yes, it's true I have pretty much not sewn anything for almost a year. Daughter #1 got engaged in November as canning season was ending and they set a date of February 8 so we got right to work. We sewed up some table cloths and centerpieces for the wedding but I never took any pictures. When the wedding was done, I tried to find a new routine and rhythm to life and the first week of April my back went out - BAD! Worst it's ever been. I've been to the chiropractor and sat on the couch for weeks trying to heal it.

Today I was finally able to finish up a skirt for Little Miss that I started the week before my back went out. It's the Gathered Skirt for All Ages by Purlbee that I read about on Soulmama's blog. Gave it a try! Love it! So does she! I'm thinking I might even try one for myself but I'm wondering if it will make my butt look big(ger) LOL

For her I sewed the 10-11 year size in width but the 12 year size in length. She's a tall one that one! The fabric is a cotton twill that I had in my stash. It was just on the border of being too heavy weight. I wouldn't go any heavier on the fabric or it will turn out lookin like a big umbrella!

She loves it and it went together quite easily so I'm thinking a few more are in our future.

I have one other item that I began some time this winter that hopefully I'll be able to finish now too. It's a hunter green skirt for myself. I've gotten a few Ottobre mags in the mail these past months and they are so temping. Hoping that I'll be able to sew a bit here and there without hurting. Hoping I never have to give up my sewing. Still wondering how I'll help hubby keep up with the weeding this summer but.....

"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!!

Raglan T's

Just a couple t-shirts - still need to make more!!! My camera is junk!! These look SO much better in real life!!!

Ottobre 3/2013 - #39 Beisbol raglan T-shirts - size 140 and 134

Supposed to be my organic cotton tank top....

Sewn on the packing fly - trying to be ready for a Memorial Day weekend trip. It's bad when you have to sew in order to pack for your children LOL

Ottobre 3/2013 - #29 Watermelon top - size 140

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 -

Patrice's Totebag

One of my sewing student's projects - McCall's 6409 view C

Too cute!! I want one! So do my two daughters - 

maybe a winter project for next year?

She did such a super job!! Her son did a great job at coordinating the fabrics too!

She's got a skirt up next.

I'm not sure what I've got up next - one more jeans for Big Little Guy and then I think I'll start in on summer sewing - swimsuits for all?

Jeans

 I tried to get fancy and do heavy yellow top stitching. It worked, kinda. The fly top stitching got kinda screwed up but hey for the first time the bar tack to hold the fly shield in place worked perfect! You win some, you loose some. I could have picked out the fly top stitching but it was done with a double stitch top stitch and it would have been a bugger to pull out. His shirt will cover it (he rarely tucks it in) and he'll out grow them faster than it would have taken me to pick it out!!!

 

Ottobre 1/2013 #19 Relaxed Cotton Pants Size 134 - with one inch removed from the length. Should have done the size 128 with one inch added to the length because they are too big in the waist. Too bad he'll wear out the knees before he gains enough weight to fill them out!

Rusty

And here is my grand-dog. My oldest was here to visit this past week and they brought the most well behaved dog on this earth!!

Love you Rusty!!

Isn't he adorable!!!!!!?

 He's shown here with a knitted toy that my littlest daughter made just for him!