Amy's Skirt...

I have collected many Silhouettes patterns.  I have no idea how long I've had this pattern:

I have decided that this will be my next new skirt - Amy's Skirt pattern by Silhouettes.  I purchased this fabric from fabric (dot) com:

This is a grey Brussels Washer Linen.  I decided to line the skirt in a white batiste.  When preparing the pattern, I noticed that the grain line was different between the 1-4 sizing and the 5w-8w sizing.  So, asked Peggy which was correct.  Here's her response:  "It can be done either way, the skirt hangs a bit different, but both are fine....your call.....The reason we did it different is the larger size some times will not fit on the fabric, we so alter it slightly....hope that helps."  Here's the finished skirt:

This is the skirt front.

This is the skirt back.

Sorry for the hanger pictures but the photographer isn't around and I can't take a skirt picture in any of the mirrors.  If I pose with it in the future, I will link to it.

This skirt feels big.  I followed the fitting instructions.  I had my husband measure the depth of the seam where I pinned and thought it was snug.  I took a deeper seam than the measurement my husband gave me.  Still it feels like it's big.  I think I could have taken another inch off and it would have been good.  The conclusion is that I started with the wrong size.  Had I realized it a bit earlier in the sewing sequence I could have taken in a bit at the side seams.  The only thing that would keep me from wearing it is weight loss.

Conclusions:

1.  This is not a beginner pattern.  Maybe an advance beginner.
2.  This is a nice fitting skirt.
3.  The skirt is lined and there is no mention of this on the envelope.
4.  Fitting/zipper finish is different.
5.  I will make another version of this skirt.


Happy Stitching!

Inspiration...Pencil Skirt

There is something about a pencil skirt.  Even with 2 or 3 in my closet, I can always add another one:

This is the Boden Richmond Pencil Skirt.  Price tag: $110.00.  For a closer look, go to Nordstrom website.  Don't forget to scroll down to the bottom to see another outfit.  It really is a basic pencil.  This type of skirt takes one yard of 60" wide fabric plus lining fabric.  This skirt is a stretch woven and at the length shown needs to kick pleat.  Let's check out patterns:

This is Butterick 5466 - basic misses straight skirts.  View A would be a close match.  You would need to add length and a kick pleat.  I found kick pleat directions here.

This is McCall's 7631.  This is a basic skirt pattern with 2 variations - a straight skirt and an a-line skirt.  View B matches the inspiration photo.  If you want the same style of kick pleat use the instructions listed above. 

This is Silhouettes 2009.  This is a straight skirt.  I know it doesn't look the same as the inspiration photo but it is.  Move the kick pleat to the back by putting the front piece on the fold and the back piece not on the fold.  Follow the directions for the kick pleat above.  I would guess that this skirt has lining instructions.

For the lining, use the skirt pattern pieces minus the hems.  The lining with kick pleat will be slightly modified.  Here's a tutorial - here.

For a better silhouette, slightly peg the hem.  Here's a blog post talking about pegging a skirt - here.  How much you peg the hem on a skirt is a personal preference.  Just remember you don't want the vent opening up.

As always, if you have a pattern that works, use it.  Save those dollars for more fabric.

Hope your inspired to create something beautiful.

Happy Stitching!

Inspiration...Linen Skirt

Still looking for cool and comfortable for summer?  Skirts are always a cool option:

This is the Summer Fling Linen Blend Skirt by Nic & Zoe.  Price tag:  $118.00.  If you want a closer look, head over to Nordstom and do a search.  Check out the skirt and then scroll to the bottom of the page.  There is a "Looks" at there with suggested items to create an outfit.

Back to the skirt, it is bias cut linen/rayon blend with a invisible side zipper. To help with fit, there is shirred elastic at the back waist line.  If you zoom in on the hem, you will see that it has been left unhemmed.  Here's a couple of patterns that will give you a similar look without the back waist shirring:

This is Amy's Skirt pattern by Silhouettes.  It's an a-line skirt with a yoke, front/back seam, back zipper, and lined.  It is a pretty good match for the inspiration photo.  To make it bias, use a ruler and redraw the grain line to a 45 degree.  To remove the front and/or back seam, you will need to duplicate the pattern pieces to create 1 piece for each.  This will create a need for more fabric.  I would not put the lining on the bias.

This is Joyces' Almost Bias Skirt pattern by Silhouettes.  It's an a-line skirt with a yoke, front seam, 3-seams in back, and back zipper.  It might be lined. 

If your interested in the silhouette and knit, this pattern would be good also:

This is the Three-Piece Yoga Skirt pattern by Silhouettes.  This is a pull-on a-line skirt. 

Hope you're inspired to make something beautiful.

Happy Stitching!

Ironing Board Cover...

It has been years since I made a ironing board cover.  At that time, I should have made more than one but I didn't and have regretted it ever since.  Why? because I haven't really felt like making another one.  Unfortunately, I had a hard time finding an ironing board cover that would fit my ironing board.  I tried at Target but returned every one that I purchased because even though the package said it would fit (i.e., 54" length) there was no way to get it on the ironing board because it was too short.  I finally gave up.  Then, sent the old ironing board cover that I had made through the wash which amazingly it survived.

Fast forward, I'm walking through Walmart and find this:

Isn't this a cute ironing board cover?  It's Better Homes & Garden version found here.  So, I decided to give it a try and it fits!  I don't know how well it will work but it looks much nicer than my very stained old ironing board cover.  I'm use to a cotton cover with cotton padding and the new cover is cotton cover with polyester padding. I didn't spend much on it so if it's a fail it won't hurt much.  It will certainly push me to make another cover.  I'm sure it I look I will find some more canvas somewhere in the stash.

Happy Stitching!

Removing Shoulder Pad From a Blouse Pattern...

Recently, I was working on a blouse from the 90s.  It called for a 5/8" shoulder pad.  I didn't want a shoulder pad so following is how I went about removing the shoulder pad from the pattern pieces.  Let's start with the sleeve:

Here I have traced the sleeve that I want to use.  Knowing that I needed to remove the 5/8" shoulder pad, I used a 6"x 24" ruler (affiliate link) to draw the lines across the cap.  Note that I drew them above the notches but low enough that I could use the straight of grain marking as a guide.  The lines are 5/8" apart. 

Here I cut out the bottom potion of the sleeve.  Leaving the top portion uncut just in case I need some of the extra pattern paper.  I creased the top line and folded it down to the bottom line. 

Using a design curve (affiliate link), I redrew the curve of the sleeve cap.   I started just above the notch area and rotated the curve until it met the original line above the fold line on the cap.  This is to create a smooth line.

Here's the sleeve without the curve in the way.

Finished sleeve with the fold line taped down and the top portion cut out.   This is the same alteration that you would use anytime that you are reducing the length of a bodice above the notches on the armscye.  That modification can also be known a petite alteration.

Here's the front/back bodice:

Here's the front and the back pattern pieces.  I have marked where the 1/2" seam is on the sleeve and the 5/8" down from the shoulder seam at the sleeve seam line.  Here's a close up of the changes:

So this shows the changes to the shoulder seam.  Basically, you remove the needed about at the armscye to nothing at the neckline.   This is the same alteration that you would use to change the slope of the shoulder.  Remember that seam is really just a sewn dart.

The two rulers that I mentioned using above are really a necessity when you start making alterations to patterns.  Sometimes you can find that second hand a sales. 

Hope you find this helpful.

Happy Stitching!