Another Thud on the Porch...

 The buying has continued but I have started sewing again so the purchases should slow down.  Here are the fabrics: 

I purchased 3 yards of this blue/black gingham shirting.  It is 100% cotton and machine wash.  I intend for this to be a long sleeved shirt.

 This is a Graphite 100% cotton denim.  The care is machine wash.  I purchased 3 yards.  I am going to make some jeans.  I have not attempted this in years but I am going to do it.

This is a Prussian Blue cotton/rayon/lycra jersey.  It is machine wash on cold.  I purchased two yards.  I intend to make a t-shirt.

Happy Stitching!

New Jacket Finished...

 This year I decided I wanted a pink jacket.  I really wanted the pink jacket for spring but I missed.  The pattern that I used was the Silhouette Patterns Valentino's Unlined Jacket.   I immediately fell in love with the style lines of this jacket:

I measured an existing jacket and surprisingly, it matched the size 4 on the pattern.  I was skeptical that I could even get into the jacket but I plowed a head.  Here are the results:

As you can see, I got into the jacket.  It has plenty of issues.  Here are the other views:

Lots of issues.  I played around with letting the seams out, pinned in additional darting, sway back, rounded back, etc.  Then I decided to just give myself more space.  To do this, I had to draft a larger size.  How to do this is provided somewhere in the videos that Silhouettes has on you-tube. Here are the results:

This is the equivalent to a size 5 if it existed.  Much better, than the first muslin.  There are still a few issues that need to be addressed.  Here what I did:

Here is what I did - larger bust dart on the front (this went from front prince seam all the way around), dart on sleeve to remove length, rounded back adjustments. 

I have not made the either sleeve adjustment before or the dart going around my back before.  I almost always need a larger dart and high rounded back adjustment.  I decided that I had made enough changes and took them back to the pattern.  Here are the results:

I really like my new jacket.  I just wish it had actually gotten finished in the spring so I could have worn it a bit more.  I can still wear it to church and perhaps to an occasionally restaurant.  Although the restaurant does not seem like a real possibility in the current covid situation in our state.

I am enjoying my new machine.  The buttonholes have worked perfectly every time I have used my machine.  I will do a little review of the machine once I get a little more sewing done it.  It has really taken a bit of getting use to.

Happy Stitching!

Inspiration... Cardigan

 Fall looks are showing up now.  This next one is a nice every day type of look.

This is the Lafayette 148 New York Button-Front Donegal Cardigan.  Price tag: $998.00.  Details: approximately 32" from shoulder to hem, v neckline, button front, long raglan sleeves, patch pockets, relaxed silhouette, ribbed cuff and hem, cashmere/wool/nylon.

I love the color of this cardigan.  Neiman Marcus website called it Tile Blue multi.  I think overall I like the outfit.  It is very wearable like a day-to-day type outfit.  I probably would not be happy with the turtleneck but I would happily wear the jeans and boots.  I was not able to locate a cardigan pattern with the exact same shape but I did find this one:

This is Silhouette Pattersn #915 Hugo's Favorite Cardigan.  It could be a starting point.  It would definitely need pockets added.

Do you know of a cardigan pattern that has more of a boyfriend cardigan look?   Please let me know.

Happy Stitching!

Love Notions Allegro Pants...

 In the past few months, I have purchases several Love Notions patterns.  So now, I am making myself make some of the patterns.  First up is the Allegro Bottoms and I choice the full-length pants.  Here is the muslin:

The front looks pretty good.

The back needs a little work.  I will start at the hip.  Here is that modification pinned:

I think that little dart cleaned up the leg fairly well.  I did sit with these pants and there a length issue.  This is what I did to the pattern:  transferred the hip dart, added the length of the dart back at the waist, and added an additional inch for sitting.  Here is the result:

This is a gray mystery fabric far different than the original muslin.  I think the front still looks good but the back still have issues.  I think that these are perfectly wearable even with the funky wrinkles.  They are as good as anything that I can purchase.  

This is a fairly popular pattern.  You should check out the variations on youtube.  

Happy Stitching!

Design Your Wardrobe Time...

 Yep, August is coming which means it is time for another round of Design Your Wardrobe at Seamwork.  I have decided to participate this time.  The last 1 1/2 years has been really hard on my wardrobe.  I have not been in a department store in at least 1 1/2 years.  Well, I have been to Kohl's.  I suppose it is a department store of sorts but for me it is a quick in and out.  No real shopping.  Of course, there was not much in the store.  Lots of empty shelfs and racks.  More or less purchase on-line and return to the store.  In fact, that is why I was there.   Okay, back to Design Your Wardrobe.

The Design Your Wardrobe changes a little bit every time it is offered.  You do need to be a member to participate.  This round using prints and color.  I really need to consider what I want.  Most of my winter wardrobe is tucked  away so there will be some guessing going on. Here are my goals:

    1.  Use what I have.  I know this is a novel idea and hard to follow through on.  It would be very nice if I used up some of the hundreds of yards of fabric that I have collected.

    2.  Try not to over plan.  This one is a bit hard.  However, I have to realize I just do not have the time to complete a multitude of items.  I admit it will depend a lot on the patterns used.

So, have you ever followed through a wardrobe planning event like Design Your Wardrobe?  How do it work out for you?  This is my third time working through the process.  The first time, I did a lot of planning and did not follow through on anything.  The second time, I realized my mistake was that I planned too much the first time which made it over whelming.  I completed a jacket and dress.  The jacket has been worn a lot and the dress not at all.   I think the dress was more that the timing was off.  Really in the past 1 1/2 years, I have not really needed a dress.  The third round, I am going to go with pants.  This means I need to start working on muslins so I can just sew.

Happy Stitching!