Sewing again

Okay,okay I have been off the radar for a couple of weeks, but for good reason. I have been very busy with work and life issues, so I have not sewn as much as I would ideally like. However, despite all that I had to do this weekend and it was a lot, I said to myself I do not care I am going to sew no matter what this weekend. So alas, I was able to finish two skirts. One that I said I was going to make and one I just decided to make on the spur of the moment. I was able to complete McCall's 5430 (view C) that I cut out during my cutting frenzy last month. I used a heavy denim for the fabric, but if I had it to do over again I would use more of a light weight denim, because I had a hard time doing the topstitching. I wanted to topstich this skirt in heavy black thread, but I could not get the tension right on my machine, so I gave up and just used regular thread. The pictures are kind of dark because I took them in the late afternoon.

The other skirt I made was from one of my old Simplicity patterns (5564, view A). I used a red print bottom weight fabric and then added blue piping. I really like the piping detail on this skirt so I might make another one. This pattern was really easy to sew, so I should be able to whip out another one if I want in no time.

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.

Gearing up for the weekend

This weekend my sewing hiatus ends. I plan to watch movies and sew sew sew. Since I have several projects that are already cut out I will sew some of them and then cut out a couple of new pieces. Hopefully by the end of the weekend I will have a few new pieces to squeeze into my closet. Does anyone else have this challenge (I won't call it a problem)? This brings up a great question for all of you fabulously talented sewists that sew on a regular basis. How do you manage your wardrobe if you make new pieces all the time? Do you constantly edit your closet and get rid of items that you have made in the past? What do you do? I am on the verge of being able to open a clothing store myself because I find it hard to edit.

I decided to change up and make a different skirt for once. I bought some black rayon? fabric for $1.00/yd. Don't laugh it is actually a very nice fabric and if I mess it up I won't be mad. I am going to make McCalls 5523 view C.

I love this Built by Wendy top (Simplicity 3835 view C). I made it once before and it turned out well so I cut it out in a pink cotton batik 2 months ago and have yet to work on it, but this weekend I will complete it. It only takes about an hour to actually sew it.
I cut this jacket out 2 months ago also, in a turquoise satin brocade. I plan to make McCalls 5276 view B. I think that it will be a cute dressy jacket to wear with jeans.


I was going through old magazines that I plan to throw away and I saw this dress in an old Lucky magazine (August 2007 issue). I think that Butterick 5040 view B is a very close match so I plan to make it in a dark grey ponte knit.

My Staple skirt

I love McCalls pattern 3830 . I have made this skirt multiple times. It takes about 2 hours. Whenever I feel like I want a new skirt I make this pattern. It is so easy!!!