Skirts...

 Last fall, McCall's introduced this pattern:

This is McCall's 8248.  It is a pleated skirt in three lengths. it is very reminiscent of skirts from the late 80s to the early 90s.    It is not is a straight forward pleated skirt.  I purchased two fabrics for this skirt - here.  One fabric performed much better than the other fabric.  Here are the skirts:

This fabric is 100% rayon challis.  It should have been the perfect fabric for this skirt but was not.  It did produce a beautiful, swishy skirt but spend weeks hanging out on a skirt hanger with the hopes that the stretching would end.  I think every inch stretched.  I finally gave up on this skirt.  I could not get it to hang straight.  I tried four times to get the hem reasonably straight.  It has been a long time since I had a wader.

This fabric is 100% cotton sateen.  This fabric behaved better.  The skirt is not a drapey or swishy as the rayon challis.  I did not have to deal with the terrible stretching with this fabric.

Pattern Information:

As I stated earlier, this is not a standard pleated skirt.  Every piece is on the bias.  Now, you would expect this waistband to be on a bias because it is curved.  The seam that the zipper is on is also on the bias.  I really had a hard time with the challis.  I have never seen so much stretching with a fabric.  On the cotton sateen, I interfaced the entire zipper area.  There are no instructions on finishing the waistband.

Overall, my struggle with the skirts was due to the stretching.  I did not like the way the instructions had you do the zipper.  I did follow pattern instructions with the challis skirt but with the sateen skirt I followed the instructions that came with the zipper.  The results were better even if it had an extra step.

This is the last of the "winter" sewing.  I do think that I can wear this skirt as it warms up by just changing the tops and shoes.  

Happy Stitching!

Time For Change...Home Dec

 We have lived in this house a little over four years now.  I does not seem possible but time flies.  I have never spent much time decorating or reevaluating the decorations/furniture in the living area.  It is kinda an open concept.  The living area has big arched opening to the kitchen and the dining room.   I did get rid of the tables that I had because they really were not working and for now, I am using a bench with a basket under it as a table.  It works for now.  

My husband was looking for projects to do.  So, I suggested that he create the header/curtain holder thing that I wanted.  I had purchased the knobs sometime in the past four years and the project has just been on hold.  Well, it is done and it only took a day or two to complete.  Here is the results:

I am pretty sure that the board is pine.  It has been white washed using the wall paint.  If you have not done this, it is more less taking a small amount of paint and diluting it with equal parts of water and then painting it on and rubbing it off after a given amount of time.  We decide on 10 minutes for this project.  The board has also been roughed up with a chain so that it is not smooth.

Now, it is my turn to get the swag/curtain/whatever you want to call it created.  A deep stash dive found this beautiful piece of silk? that I had purchased long ago at the annual sewing rummage sale in Pittsburgh, PA. Here is a glimpse of the fabric:

I will be leaving this rather rustic with the fringe hanging freely from the selvages and the cut edges, and hemming the top edges so there will be a something for the ties to be attached to.  Here is the finished topper:

I will probably play with it a little because I not sure that I like the way that it is hanging yet.  Also, it might be too close to the wall color.  I will wait for a sunny day to evaluate further.  It is better than what was there previously which was nothing.

Happy Stitching!

Sewing Mistakes...

 ...that equal sadness.  It seems like issues just continue to happen this year with my sewing and this is sadly slowing me down.  The skirt project (McCall's 8248) in January should have been very quick but due to the way the skirt was drafted not so quick.  I am still having problems with the hem on one of the skirts and I might throw in the towel on it.  So, then I started a vest for my husband (New Look 6713) thinking it would be reasonable quick once I received the zippers.  Not the case at all.  The zipper length indicated on the pattern is not correct.  Thankfully, it is too long and not too short.  If I had realized it, I could have requested a length modification when I ordered the pattern.  Yes I can modification the zipper myself but if I want to have zippers stop on the zipper, it will cost about 5 times as much as the modification would have cost when ordering.  Another project at a stand still.  Sigh!

Am I the only one that has this sort of issues?  Most likely not.  Is this poor drafting on the pattern?  Yes, I think so.  Obviously, I should have measured the pattern in the beginning but it did not occur to me that the zipper length listed as needed would not be the correct length. I will do pattern reviews for both patterns.

Have you ran into these sorts of problems?  How did you get over you bump in the road?  It is really discouraging when this sort of thing keeps happening over and over. 

Hope your sewing for the first quarter of 2022 has been better than mine.

Happy Stitching!

Inspiration...Slim Knit Pants

 Sometimes you need a comfy pair of pants and I think that I found them.

This is the Eileen Fisher High-Waist Stretch Crepe Slim Ankle Pants. Price tag: $168.00. Details: washable stretch crepe with a wide yoke, approximately 28" inseam, high rise, flat front, slim taped legs, cropped at ankle, viscose/nylon/spandex.

I really like the look of these pants and checked locally to see if any shops had them.  No such luck.  These look like a yoga pant with a higher waist to me.  So, that is where I went:

This is the line drawing of the Silhouette Yoga Pants pattern.  It is very similar to the inspiration photo.  You would need to increase the height of the yoga band. This pattern company has three different yoga pant patterns.

This is the Love Notions Duet Trousers pattern.  It has a yoga pant option.  This pattern is mid-rise so you would need to increase the height of the yoga band.  

With both patterns, you will most likely need to figure out the waistband option so you can find the correct width of elastic.

I do not usually find fabric when I am looking at the inspiration photos but I did this time.  I found a fabric Zelouf Fabrics seemed to have some viscose/nylon/lycra blends.  Hope you are inspired to create something beautiful.

Happy Sewing!

New Dress Pattern - Itch To Stitch Sovana Dress

 Itch to Stitch has created a great dress with an a-line silhouette and v-neck line.  Here is the line drawing:

This is the Sovana Dress pattern.  It is available as a pdf pattern.  The dress has options for a regular bust and a full bust; and comes in sizes 00 - 40.  The pattern is 20% off for a few days. All discounts apply.  Do not forget to checkout the blog post to all the tester versions of the dress.

Happy Stitching!

(I am an affiliate of Itch to Stitch.  Any purchase that you make, I would receive a small commission at no cost to you.  Thank you!)

Inspiration...A-line Dress

 I really like wearing skirts and dresses on hot summer days.  That weather is coming so we need to prepare not.  Here is a dress that would have lots of options:

This is the Lafayette 148 New York Hutchins Belted Short-Sleeve Dress.  Price tag: $798.00. Details:  41 1/2-inches from shoulder to hem, v-neckline, short sleeves, falls around knees, a-line silhouette, invisible back zip, unlined.

I really like this simple silhouette.  Here are a couple of patterns to consider:

This is the Liesl & Co Gelato Blouse + Dress pattern. The dress in this pattern is an a-line with short sleeves.  The neckline does not match the inspiration pattern.  However, I think this is a good match for the inspiration photo.  The neckline can be modified if you choose.

This is the Merchant and Mills The Camber Set pattern.  This pattern has an a-line silhouette with short sleeves.  The neckline is different from the inspiration but again, I think this would work just fine. I do have this one in my pattern stash and really need to use it again.

Hope you are inspired to create something beautiful.

Happy Stitching!

(Affiliate links are included.  Should you purchase something from my links, I would receive a small commission at no cost to you. Thank you!)

Inspiration...Sleeveless Blouse and Jeans

 It has started to warm where I live so I am looking toward hot weather items.  This is a perfect outfit for a hot day:

This is the Lafayette 148 New York Adela Sleeveless Blouse. Price tag: $598.00. Details: 27-inches long from shoulder, side slits, sleeveless, round neckline, relaxed silhouette, back slit with inside button, silk/elastane blend fabric. 

The pants are Lafayette 148 New York Reeve High-Waisted Straight-Leg Jeans. Price tag: $498.00.  Details:  cotton/spandex, 29-inch inseam, five-pocket style, high rise, straight legs, button/fly zip, belt loops, dry clean.

I really like the look of this outfit but I would never pay that much for it. Lets see what we can find to make it.  

This is the Closet Core Ginger Jean pattern.  I think View A is very similar to the inspiration photo.  Your jeans, you can decide how tight or lose they are.  

This is the Merchant & Mills Camber Set.  The pattern is a simple dress and top pattern with a tapered a-line silhouette.  I think it will would work well as a starting point for the inspiration photo.  You would just need to remove the sleeves, raise the armhole, and maybe narrow the shoulders a little.  

Both of these patterns are in my stash.  I have made the Camber Set and love it.  Although, it may need to be refitted.  Unfortunately, my weight has increased a little bit.  I will find out when I bring the dress out for another hot summer.

Hope you are inspired to create something beautiful.

Happy Stitching!

(Affiliate links are included.  Should you purchase anything through my links, I will receive a small commission.  Thank you!)

February Update...

 Woohoo!  I actually finished something in the month of February.  

This is the Itch to Stitch  Lamma Hoodie & Sweatshirt pdf pattern.  I mentioned purchasing this pattern back in November 2021.  I sized up a bit on this one.  I think that I decided to make a size 20 with the full bust front because I wanted it to be little bit of an over sized.  Looks like I got my wish on that one.  It will be perfect for hiking or cool evenings.  Here is a picture of the thumb hole sleeves:

The fabric is a grey stretch french terry that has been hanging out in the stash for a long time.  I used a black activewear fabric to line the pockets and hood which has also been hanging out in the stash for a while.  That is a win-win in my book.

I had no issues with the pattern and I think it is very well drafted.  You should probably be aware that there are places where the seams are really thick.  Like around the the thumb hole with 6 layers.

I do have a couple of changes that have been noted on the pattern:

1.  Move bust shaping up about 1 1/2-inches.

2.  Change the lengths from a 20 to an 18.

No doubt additional changes will show themselves as this gets worn.  I am very happy with this comfortable top. I think this maybe the end of the french terry hiding out in the stash or at least colors that I would wear.  I am ready to make more.

I did use my Bernette 77 and Juki MO-1000 for construction.  Both machine operating well and did not hesitate going over the thick areas.  Two feet were particularly handy on the Bernette:

This is the zig zag foot for dual feet. It is the default foot for the machine. However, it also has a built in leveler - the little button on the side.  It is fabulous for the thick seams.

This is the open embroidery foot for dual feed.  This foot actually helped with the staystitching on the inside of the pockets.  It worked well for this application by using the inside edge along the seam.

Happy Stitching!

(Affiliate links are included.  Should you purchase via one of my links, I would receive a small commission.  Thank you!)