Summer Dresses...

 I am a little behind this year with my sewing.  I have been in a sewing funk through the first of April.  Then went on to have a couple of muslin failures.  I am circling back around to those patterns and see if I can get them to work.  More on that in the future.  

Dresses are a great way to stay cool on the hot, muggy days of summer that I know are coming.  Here are a couple on my list:

This is the Recoleta Dress pdf pattern by Itch To Stitch (affiliate link).  This is a new release and it is discounted through May 5, 2021.   The short sleeved version would be a wonderful addition to the summer wardrobe.  It hits all the marks for hot weather.  It might be interesting to play with a sleeveless version.  Be sure to go look at the blog post to see the many dresses made by testers.

This is the Celeste Dress pdf pattern by Itch To Stitch (affiliate link).  I just recently discovered this pattern and really love the style.  You pockets, a v-neck, and it is not fitted.  The silhouette is perfect for a hot muggy day.  Be sure to look at the blog post for the pattern to see the pattern testers versions.

This designer offers additional discounts when purchasing more than $30 of patterns.  Since I am so close to that dollar amount, I am going to look around a bit and see if I can pick another pattern.

What do you think of these two patterns for hot, muggy days?  

Happy Stitching!

(This post contains affiliate links.  I would get a small portion of the sale at no cost to you.)

Seychelles Top...

 The last couple of years I have been wanting more woven tops.  Not sure why.  So, when I found the Seychelles Top pattern by Itch To Stitch (affiliate link), I had to get it.  Here's the line drawing:

This pattern gives you two sleeve options.  I am going to make the short sleeved version first.  Since I always make a muslin first, I can keep the same muslin for check the fit of the long sleeves as well.  Make sure to check out the link above so that you can see all the versions made by the testers.  Now on to my version.  Here is the  muslin in a size 12 with a DD cup with no changes:

This muslin does not fit as expected.  I did follow the directions on selecting a size.  I double-checked the pdf square to make sure that the pattern printed properly.  I checked the finished garment measurements.  Frankly, I should have measured the pattern before cutting out.  The sleeve measurement was much smaller than expected.  I was expecting the bicep to measure 17 1/4", per the chart.  What I got was 14 1/4".  I did sew the correct seam allowance.  So just be aware that it you are carrying extra weight, you might want to double-check the sleeve before making a muslin.

This is still a cute pattern.  If I can figure out the correct size sleeve/armscye for me, I will circle back around to this pattern.  

Happy Stitching!

Books, Books, and More Books

 Yes, I purchased more books.  I have a thing for books.  They are pure entertainment.  There was an author from the 70s and 80s that did some fantastic sewing related books and I happened upon a couple that I had not heard of before.  Both books are machine embroidery related.   Here they are:

The is the older of the two books.  It is from the 70s.  This is before electronic machines.  Just flipping though reminds a little of the Singer Instructions for Art Embroidery and Lace Work (yes, this book is also in my library). 

This book is from the mid-80s.  It seems to be an updated version of the previous book.  It talks a bit about the automated stitches.  Yes, this is the early computerized sewing machines.  By the time this book was printed, I owned a Necchi Logica 592.  It was in impulse buy but I loved that machine.  I was spoiled and didn't realize it until much later.

Since the two books are so similar, I may work through sections of the book and share the results.  

Have you seen either of these books?  My library contains a quilting book by Robbie and Tony Fanning.  If you can find a copy, it is worth every penny.

Happy Stitching!

Just Can Not Help Myself...

 I managed not to purchased fabric in February and March.  However, I seem to be making up for it April.  Here is the latest purchases:

This fabric is destined to be a shirt for my husband.  He is the brew master in our household and I think he will appreciate this shirt.  My intent is to use Simplicity 5581 shirt pattern that I have used in the past.  It is already fitted so it should be a quick sewing session.

I had been trying to resist this fabric (and the next one) until I saw the beer print.  So, I purchased 1 1/4 yards.  It is a knit with little stretch. The intent is a sleeveless Rhapsody Blouse.  The pattern is by Love Notions.

This is another knit fabric but this one is stretchy.  It will be a short sleeved top of some kind.  I purchased 1 1/2 yards.

I also purchased the Rhapsody Top and Dress pattern over the last day.  So purchasing hasn't slowed much over the last week.  I guess I should quit looking at fabric.  I say that but I will need to purchase some fabric for muslins.  Very little of my stash is muslin worthy.  There is some though.

How has your sewing been going?  

Happy Stitching!

New Fabric Means New Projects....

 I have not been too bad this year about purchasing fabric but the stash was increased by two separates pieces so far this month.  Here they are:

My intent for this fabric is the Seychelles Top pattern by Itch to Stitch (affiliate link).  I think this will pretty much be the perfect fabric for this top.  A muslin will need to be done before I can make it.

This is destined to be another vest for my husband.  It will be a repeat of Simplicity 9191.  You can see the first version I made here. The pattern is for a knit and I thought this fabric had 10% stretch which should have been okay.  When the fabric arrived it does not have that much stretch.  I am going to try it any way.  I just need to order some zippers.  I am fairly certain that I have enough ripstop to make the pockets and such.  

How is your sewing and planning going so far for 2021?  My sewing has been slow but there will be some new stuff soon.

Happy Stitching!