First comes the Tops

I made a couple of tops and a jacket. First up, I finally made the top and jacket from Simplicity 3800, both pieces are made out of a black knit. I think that Erica B. used this same pattern a while back. I got the idea to make the top and jacket from her, because the ones she made came out so cute. This pattern is part of the Threads collection, but I think that it is actually out of print now. However I always say better late than never. I wonder if it would be possible to sew all of the the patterns that I have at least once before they go out of print. Hmmmm......I don't think so!! I have way too many patterns to even attempt to try such a feat.

The second top I made is New Look 6753 View C. I bought this fabric back in March I think during PR weekend and since I had so much left over I plan to make a dress out of it also at some point. This upcoming 4th of July weekend I am planning on making a black and white skirt and a solid black skirt to go with these tops and maybe a few other things if I have time.

Vogue 2817 jacket

Unfortutately I did not get much sewing done in the past couple of days but I did finish the jacket from my Vogue 2817 wardrobe pattern. This is a super easy pattern. It just requires a lot of stitching. I just have the skirt and pants left to do out of black linen as well and then a couple of tops in different linen colors. I don't know now if I am still going to make another jacket from the same pattern in the silver foil linen fabric that I bought, because I don't know how much I am actually feeling the jacket. I am going to have to think about it for a little while, I don't know if I should use a different pattern instead. In the picture I paired the jacket with the top that I already made from the same pattern and a black linen embroidered skirt that I made last year. The skirt was my original inspiration for a linen wardrobe. I also paired the jacket with the black and white linen embroidered dress that I just made.

Shorty jacket

My Vogue 8414 jacket is done. I forgot to take a picture of the back to show the pleats, but maybe I will do that tomorrow. I used some left over black and white tweed fabric that I have had for awhile. It is actually left over from making my staple skirt, McCalls 3038. It looks like a suit when I pair the two together. However, the jacket is supposed to go together with the dress from Vogue 8414, but I am still working on the dress. I used a black cotton stretch rayon for the dress. I am almost done with it, but it seems very rectangular like, so I think that I am going to take in the darts a little more.

Ready to get my sewing on!!!

Yes, I know I haven't posted in quite a while, but I have a good excuse. I was busy spending time with my family who came for Christmas, now that they are gone I can sew again (I certainly have been thinking about it non-stop). So while I didn't sew while they were here, I did manage to cut out some things which I plan to sew this week. January's sewing will mostly be for my mother because one of my sewing resolutions for 2008 is to sew for other people (I will post the full list tomorrow). So I am getting a jumpstart on it by cutting out several things to sew a small travel SWAP for my mother who is going to Senegal and Paris in February. I also cut out a whole bunch of stuff for myself , but that will be for another posting.

These are the fabrics that I bought to make the garments for my MOM. The main color is navy. So I bought a navy woven fabric to make a long sleeved jacket, skirt and pants out of Butterick 3532, and an additional skirt in the bottom left rayon print, then Butterick 5948 for 2 different tops in the two different rayon cotton prints and finally a dress in the bottom right print fabric using a Simplicity out of pattern (9260).
I still don't know exactly what I am going to do with this tan and navy pin stripped jean fabric just yet.




These are the patterns that I am using for now.

Moving On

After having to make the trek back to Joanns to pick up another pattern, since the one I had was missing in action, I finally finished my Mccalls jacket. I really like how it turned out. I was looking for a feature button to use on it, but I could not find one that I liked, so I ended up making a covered button. I still have to hand sew the hem at the bottom and then it will head to the closet.

Next up is a grey stretch velour sweatsuit for lounging around the house and for running local errands (notice I did not say exercise). I am using Mccalls 4261 (view A & E).

Brocade jacket

McCalls 5276 View B is almost done. I used a satin brocade which I found out ravels alot, but I still love it. I love brocade fabric because it is so very glam and it makes every thing look good! However it shows stitching marks so it is best to use a really small size needle when working with this fabric, otherwise your basting marks will show.