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.

Leaf top

My Simplicity knit top is done. I used Simplicity 4020 view C. This is a very very easy top to make. I actually cut it out in January I think. It sort of has that bumble bee effect, but I like it. I love the fabric. It is a very cool knit. I have been thinking that I might stop cutting out things in bulk, because I end up having several items to make. It does save time when I get ready to sew, but on the other hand when I see my pile of stuff that I plan to make it seems never ending.

A skirt for spring

I decided to make another skirt (Butterick 5431, view A) for spring because you can never have too many. I made this quick bias skirt with an elastic waistband over the weekend. It was very easy to make because it is only two seams you would think. However, I hung the skirt for 24 hours because it is a bias skirt, and then wouldn't you know I ended up having some issues with the hem. I had to shorten it somewhat in order to make the hem straight, so if I was to make it again I would be extremely careful when cutting it out, because I don't know if I wasn't careful or if the pattern is just jacked up.

Hanging the skirt so the bias can adjust.
Skirt with purchased sweater. I think that this will be a cute spring look.

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.

Another pants suit

I finally sewed something!!! It has been a long time I know. Doesn't it always happen that when you really want to do something that all kinds of other stuff come up and prevent you from doing what you really want to do!! Anyway, enough of that. Last week was my birthday and I got a new dressform. I have been wanting a dressform that I could put pants on for a long long time so I decided that turning a year older was a significant enough event to warrant such a purchase. I have to say that I really like it. I was able to fit my pants a lot quicker with this dressform. Right now it is wearing my New Look 6654 suit with the mandarin collar. This was actually one of the outfits that I cut out during my cutting frenzy. I used a navy blue woven fabric for this pattern. I really need to pay attention to the fabric content of the fabrics that I buy in the future. I will never work with this type of fabric again. It just ravels entirely too much. I have navy blue threads all over my house.

Despite navy blue threads all over my house, I think that this suit turned out cute. I like the long, lean look of this outfit, but I am not really digging the jacket as much as I thought I would. The collar stands a little to high I think.


Also, as you can see from the back the hem is not straight so I am going to have to adjust it and then it needs a serious pressing.

PR Weekend

I finally registered last week for PR weekend in Los Angeles. I am excited to be able to attend the Couture Techniques Workshop that is going to be taught by Susan Khalje and to meet some of my fellow bloggers!!! I haven't taken a sewing class in a long, long time, so this should be really fun! I have told myself that I will not purchase anymore fabric until PR weekend. Instead, I will attempt to utilize what I already have in my fabric stash, so that I can make room for what I most definitely will buy during PR weekend!

Sewing Mojo

Somehow, I seem to have lost my sewing mojo this past week. All I was able to complete was a measly pair of pants New Look 6654. Why have I not sewn virtually daily like I normally do? Mostly because I changed jobs, which caused my commute to be longer and more tortuous, which in turn caused me to have to get up one and a half hours earlier than I want to, and so when I get home I am exhausted and want to do nothing. However, this week I decided that I am going to reframe my thinking about getting up and starting my day early. I mean farmers get up early and people in the army get up early, so yes I too can get up early.

P.S.>>>>> If you live in a Super Tuesday state, don't forget to vote tomorrow. Your vote counts!!!!