Thud...More Fabric Arrives...

 Well, the buying spree has continued.  I am not sewing much so I guess buying is making up for it.  Here are the latest acquisitions:

15 yards of muslin fabric from Mood Fabrics.  This is really a good deal.  It will not take long to use up.

This is a medium weight french terry.  Four yards were purchased.  My intent is loungewear.  Easy care with machine wash cool/tumble.  No pattern chosen at this time.

This is a lightweight 100% rayon challis.  Yes, it is outside my normal colors but I fell in love with it.  Three yards purchased.  No idea at this time what I am going to make.  Again, easy care with machine wash cool/tumble dry.

This is denim chambray.  Three yards purchased.  Easy care - machine wash cold/tumble dry.  I know exactly what I want from this.  A Merchant & Mills Factory Dress.  This dress is very comfortable.  

This is a cable knit in a dark teal.  It is one of my favorite colors and very expensive.  Two yards purchased.  Easy care with machine wash gentle cycle and dry flat.  This will most likely be a pull over.  A lot will depend on the fabric when I see it.

Hopefully, this will be it for a while.  I have been sewing but I fear the top may not work.  I almost have it finished and the sleeve area looks funny.  If I can not figure it out how to fix it, it may get tossed.  I really love the fabric.

Happy Stitching!

Inspiration...Wide Legged Pants

 Hot weather is here.  I am all for anything I can do to assist with staying cool.  These linen pants fit the bill:

This is the Eileen Fisher Cropped Organic Linen Delave Wide Leg Pants.  Price tag: $178.00.  Details: inseam approximately 24", elastic waistband, side slip pockets, high rise, wide legs, pull-on style, organic linen.

I really like the idea of these pants.  However I am not crazy about the colors offered or the price tag.  A couple yards of linen will make a pair pants.   Here are a couple of patterns to consider:

 

This is the line drawing of the Sew House Seven Free Range Slacks pattern.  This pant pattern gives you the elastic waist, and wide cropped leg. 

Seamwork patterns has a few patterns that would work - Dorian Shorts (members get an option of pants), and Joss.  Really, if you already have this type of pattern fitted use that pattern and used the money saved on some nice linen.

Hope you are inspired to create something wonderful.

Happy Stitching!

(Some links are affiliate links.  I would get a small commission at no cost to you if you purchase something.)

Love Notions Ballard Blouse Muslin...

 I purchased the Loved Notions Ballard Top pattern when it was published in May.  Here is the line drawings:

There are lots of sleeve options with this one.  The v-neck is the first thing I was attracted to, then it was the shirring.  The muslin will not have the shirring.  I suppose I should practice it a little bit but I don't have any elastic with me at the moment.  It will be a trip to JoAnn.  I will double check before driving over there.  

The instructions put me in a Medium but I decided to make the Large full bust front with hips out to a X-Large.  It could be that I need the Medium at the shoulders but I definitely need a larger armscye.  Here is my version straight from the pattern:

I think this fit is a little tighter than intended.  I can see wrinkling around the bust that indicted that I need a larger dart.

Left side view.  Definitely need a larger bust dart.  I also see indication of needing a high round back alteration.

 I do not really see any additional changes needed here.

Right side.   Changes needed no different than the left side.

The changes I'm going to make to this muslin is pin in a dart and slice the yoke to add an insert of fabric.  I will start with 1/2-inch.  I will also add the sleeves.  Here is the muslin with those changes:

Front...I can see a little bit of difference with the two sides.  There is a dart stitched in just below the camera.  That dart will be moved to the gathers at the yoke.

Left side (I think).  The sleeve looks good.  I do not actually see any additional gaping at the sleeve.

Back.  It does not look too bad.  I will need to think about this a little bit and look closer at the original photo.  This looks like I might need more room in the hip and perhaps a sway back alteration.  It could just be the elastic waist wide legged pants I have on also.

It looks like a need a little more darting.  Now, I see what is causing the bubble on the back,  I did not release the side seam where the dart is.  

 I also made changes to the sleeve.  I believe that I added 1-inch to each side of the sleeve using the pivot and slide method.  This also meant that I had to add to the sleeve band.  I really think I am ready to move changes to the pattern and make a couple of tops.  I want to make a sleeveless version and one with the banded sleeve like above.

I am sporting a new hair cut.  It had been 16-months since the last hair cut and I really needed it badly.  When I got to the salon, the stylist said "Oh, your hair has gotten so long." .   Then when she got a closer look at it, she did not really want to cut because she liked my curls.  You can see that length was removed and there is still ringlets.  I have not doubt I will miss the messy ponytails on hot days but I am happy with the cut for now.

Happy Stitching!

Decision Made...New Machine Is Here

 After a great deal of dithering, I finally made a decision on a machine.  I purchased a Bernette B77.  Here is a picture:

This machine will primarily stay at my parents house since I spend so much time there.  Currently, my Singer Featherweight is staying there and yes, I have been using it to sew.  

I will periodically share things I learn about the B77.  My first thing will be to work through the mastery workbook.  I will also be creating a stitch bible.  I just need to order fabric and interfacing.  The mastery workbook and the stitch bible may go hand and hand.  I have read through both the workbook and the manual.  

There is going to be learning curve.  Technology has a way of throwing new stuff at you and it have been 14 years since I have even thought about another machine.  Different brands of machines display that technology in different ways.  With this machine, I am hoping for a great buttonhole.  I have not had a machine with a good buttonhole on it since I had my Necchi Logica.  

One of my little buddies decided to hang out with me while I unboxed the machine:

Here are the additional goodies:

The goodies from the goodie bag - bobbins, presser feet, needles, and tools.

The cover and table that came with the machine.  The cover is actually fairly substantial.  It is standing up by itself.

I also ordered the additional presser feet for the machine.  I will order some additional bobbins and maybe the straight stitch plate. I think that is everything that can be purchased for the machine.

Happy Stitching!

Inspiration...Sleeveless Shirtdress

 A sleeveless shirtdress sounds wonderful on a hot day.  Here is a sleeveless shirtdress that is a little different:

This is Lafayette 148 New York Serena Sleevless Shirtdress.  Price: $598.00.  Details: Approximately 35 1/2" from shoulder to hem, collared neckline,  button placket, sleeveless, shirring (gathering) below waist, a-line silhouette.  Here is another glimpse without a person:

I think this shows the silhouette a little better.  I am not sure how I feel about the gathering right at the hip.  Since we sew, it is easy to decide the ratio that you prefer.  This would very much depend on the fabric.  Now, for my favorite part of this dress:

I love this little bit of hem detail.  The shirtdress from this inspiration post also had this detail around the sleeve.  I love seeing these little heirloom sewing techniques showing up.  I actually have a hemstitcher for my featherweight.  Maybe it is time to bring it out and play.

Hope you are inspired to create something beautiful.

Happy Stitching!

Buying Spree Continues...

 The buying spree is continuing.  Here are my latest fabric acquisitions:

 

Both of these fabrics are from Fabric Mart.  They are 100% cotton twill.  Easy care with machine wash and dry.  They are destined to be bottoms of some sort.  I purchased 4 yards of each color so there is a possibly that each color will have a muslin and a garment.  

I fell for another Love Notions Featured Friday pattern:

This is the Love Notions Allegro pattern.  It looks to be a fairly versatile pattern.  I had resisted it for a long time but a sewing friend has had very good luck with the pattern so I decided to give it a try.  We'll see how it turns out.

I am still thinking about getting another sewing machine.  I need to figure out what to do with my computerized machines that are no longer in good working condition but the computers are still functioning.  Since parts for these machines are hard to get, I will love to send to a new home that would use them as part machines.  Any ideas?

Happy Stitching!

Inspiration...Linen Tank Dress

 The hot days of summer are coming.  Here is an idea that will help:

This is the Lafayette 148 New York Harper Linen Embroidered Midi Dress.  Price tag: $898.00. Details:  Approximately 47" from shoulder to hem, sleeveless, v-neckline, a-line silhouette,  open scalloped hem, slip over style.  

Oh, this is a great time to take that tank you already have fitted and lengthen it to your desired length.  Do not forget to make sure that the circumference is correct.  Here is the hem detail close up:

The detail on the bottom of this dress is beautiful and can be accomplished with any sewing machine that has a zig zag capability or not.  Beautiful embroidery was created on straight stitch machines a hundred years ago.  Here is a blog post that might be of interest - "Can You Embroider With A Regular Sewing Machine".  Here is a one book that might be of interest - Singer Instructions for Art Embroidery and Lace Work by Singer Sewing Machine Company.  There are other books dedicated to free style embroidery that might be of interest.

Hope you are inspired to create something beautiful.

Happy Stitching!

Another New Pattern...

 I seem to be in the collecting mode right now purchasing both patterns and fabric.  Here's the latest top line drawings:

This is the Nittany Top pattern by Itch To Stitch.  I am really drawn to the neckline on this pattern.  It is all about those pleats.  I would have to see where the keyhole lands on me to determine whether or not it would work for me.  Watch for a future post(s).

Hop over to the blog to see the top on various testers.  The pattern is on sale through June 7, 2020.

Happy Stitching!

(The links contained in this post are affiliate links.  I would get a small commission if you purchased through one of the links at no cost to you.)

Inspirtation...Shirtdress

 The shirtdress is still going strong.  It is a great classic dress. This next dress could easily be a wear every day dress or to work.  It has an interesting sleeve.

This is the Lafayette 148 New York Stella Belted Shirtdress.  Price tag: $548.00.  Details:  Approximately 41" from shoulder to hem, spread collar, concealed button placket, short sleeves, button cuffs, chest patch pocket, inverted back pleat, self-belt with d-ring, side pocket, sheath silhouette, cotton/nylon/spandex blend fabric.  

Here's a close up of the sleeve detail:

In the close-up of the sleeve you can see the pleating and the trim.  This looks a little bit like hemstitching to me.

To recreate this look, you will need to get creative.  Here is a pattern that might work as a base:

This is McCall's 6696.  This shirtdress pattern has the sheath dress silhouette which matches the inspiration photo.  As far as the concealed placket, this post has a link to blog post on the techniques.  As far as the interesting cuff on the sleeve, I have need seen this on a short sleeve pattern so the technique will need to be moved from a long sleeve shirt.  This will most likely need to be an experimented with.  

Hope you are inspired to create something wonderful.

Happy Stitching!