New Fall Simplicity Patterns...

The Fall Simplicity patterns are ready.  Here are the ones that I found interesting:

This is Simplicity 8699.  It is a wrap skirt variations.  There are five versions in the pattern.  I'm always a sucker for asymmetry.

This is Simplicity 8697.  An oversized, boyfriend style jacket with 2 variations.  This would be a quick item to sew.  No lining.

What do you think of the new Simplicity patterns?  What are your favorites?

Happy Stitching!

Fall Pattern Roundup...

 I have less than enthused with the Big 4 pattern offering in the last couple of years but this fall it is looking a bit better.  We will start with McCall's:

McCall's 8241.  This is called a poncho top.  I will definitely be purchasing this pattern.  I just love the idea of this and would wear it as a second layer.

McCall's 8248. This is called a pleated school skirt and it comes in  three lengths.  I really like the long one.

Overall, I thought this McCall's release was a home run.  There were several other patterns that I really liked but I do need to be realistic with how many I might actually make.  Next, let's go to Butterick:

Butterick 6855. Blouse with center front pleat, gathers at front/back yoke, sleeve variations.  I like the look of this blouse.  I think I have something very similar so I might not invest in this but it is cute.

There are other patterns in the fall release that are nice but many are very similar to things that are already in my pattern stash.  I discovered that I purchase a lot of the same designs so I am attempting to cut back.  On to Simplicity:

Simplicity 9375. Faux wrap skirt with a twist.  Variation with faux flat wrap front.  I really like the knee length and longer skirts.  This pattern is definitely coming to the pattern stash.  I need to dig through the fabric stash and see what fabric is available.  

Simplicity 9376.  This is a pull on pleated or pintucked pant.  I like the idea of these pants.  I have similar patterns but really like the look of these.  Not sure how I actually feel about pleated pants returning to fashion.  They are a little harder to fit because it is easy to overfit and have a gapping pleat instead of a flat pleat.

Surprisingly, there are a lot of crafty type patterns in the Simplicity release and a couple in the McCall's release.  It is nice to see this happening again.  McCall's use to have some of the best instruction of home dec.

There was not anything in the Vogue fall release that interested me.  It did seem to contain much of high fashion but I guess with the events of the last couple of years fashion has gotten even simpler.

Hope you enjoyed looking at my picks from the new fall releases.  I have little time to sew these days but certainly do a lot of dreaming, planning, and purchasing.  What are your picks from these releases?

Happy Sewing!

New Patterns...

 I got intot the last Simplicity sale and purchased a few patterns.  Here they are:

This is Simplicity 3065.  I specifically purchased this pattern for the neckline.  I'm hoping that I can transfer the neckline to my favorite button down shirt pattern - Liesl & Co Classic Shirt Pattern.  

This is Simplicity 3111.  I purchased it specifically for the zip-front jacket.  The pants and shorts are just bonuses.

This is Simplicity 3136.  You get two views of a classic button down shirt.  I purchased this pattern specifically for view B.  Again, I'm hoping to be able to transfer the pleated to my existed Liesl & Co Classic Shirt pattern.

This particular sale is no longer running but there is a pdf sale going which if you're looking for a particular pattern might be a good time to purchase it.

Happy Stitching!

Repeats...

 I have been working on organizing my sewing area for months.  I am always planning projects that I just do not get around to doing.  I started working on putting away a multitude of patterns and ran across these two patterns:

This is Simplicity 9133.  It is a reasonably versatile pattern with three necklines, short sleeves, and sleeveless.  It was a "new" release from fall and you can see here where I purchased it.  

This is New Look 6356.  This is a versatile pattern with neckline variations, short sleeves, and sleeveless.  This is an out-of-print pattern.

Do you notice anything about these two patterns?  Yeah, they look pretty much the same.  There are some differences like the New Look versions uses a zipper and the Simplicity version uses a button.  The Simplicity version comes in a larger size range.  I feel duped though.  The Simplicity pattern was suppose to be a new release not a re-release.  I have seen this before with McCall's re-issuing Kwik Sew patterns.  Where has the creativity gone?

Now, I wondering how many patterns that I have that are identical.  Do you tend to pick the same styles are well?

Happy Stitching!

Fleece Vest - Simplicity 9191 or Simplicity R10902

 I found this pattern with the new releases from Simplicity and it seemed like it would be perfect for my husband:

I did show the pattern to my husband and he said "That perfect.  I was looking for a vest."  So, my impromptu purchase was right on target.  How lucky is that?

With the pattern being approved, I had to decide on fabric.  Although it is always more interesting to look for fresh, new fabric, I decided to check the fleece stash and see what was there.  I found that I had a piece of windpro fleece in navy that was perfect for the pattern.  So sometimes the stash does yield useful fabric.  Here's a glance at the fabric:

Now, this fabric is very heavy/thick which means that I will not being using this fabric as a facing anywhere within the garment.  Searching the local Joann Fabrics online I found a performance fabric that seemed like it would work for facings and such:

The fabric turned out to be a knit fabric which isn't ideal but I'm going to use it.  Testing with this fabric indicated that it will not work for the vest. So, off I went to fabric dot com and found this fabric:

This is a nylon ripstop in black.  

Zippers have been ordered from Etsy.  Finding zippers locally are almost impossible so I didn't even look to see if they had any.  Please note that the pattern states that you need a 26" zipper not that you need a 26" separating zipper.  

The pattern does include some basic sewing techniques for boiled wool, fleece, and knits.  I was surprised to see instructions for removing the seam allowances for the sleeves from the vest pieces.  This is the first time I have seen these instructions in a pattern.  Although I do see instruction for applying interfacing to the fleece, not too sure about this.  With that said, I generally only keep fusible interfacing in my stash.

Here's the finished vest:

The vest turned out rather nice.  My husband likes the vest and is happy to wear it.  

I used plastic zippers for all of the pockets as well as the front zip.  The zip pocket zips would work better with an invisible zipper, I think.  The side pockets are little small to be useful.  They would carry car keys, an id, and maybe a little bit of money but they aren't really big enough to put your hands into.  I will definitely put some notes in the pattern so that I will know in the future what changes should/could be made and that I need to figure out the whole pocket revision.

Happy Stitching!

Shopping, Shopping, Shopping...

 I really have not done a tremendous amount of shopping this year in person.  Honestly, I would really like to use fabric in the stash but somehow I never have the right fabric.  I visited JoAnn Fabrics to purchase some little ornament kits for a friend's kids.  I try to send them things to do rather than just things.  While I was there, I decided that I would pick some more flannel.  This is what I picked out:

This was a door buster and I purchased 5 yards and they gave me 1 yard.  I don't really need 6 yards but maybe I do.  I intended to make pajamas or lounge wear from this.  As I was leaving I noticed that the Simplicity patterns were on sale, so I returned later in the afternoon and picked up a couple of patterns.  Here is the patterns I choose:

This is Simplicity 9133.  It is a simple pull over blouse  pattern with a couple of necklines and versions with and without sleeves.  I really like the versions D and E.  In looking at the pattern instructions, the same bodice pieces are used regardless of whether it has sleeves or sleeveless.  This would indicate that the sleeveless version needs the armhole raised.  

This is Simplicity 9191 or in my case R10902.  I don't know why there is a difference in the pattern.  Anyone know why that is?  This is a men's vest and jacket pattern.  From time to time, I do sew for the guys in my life and this looks like a nice pattern.  Just got confirmation that DH likes the pattern.  

Who knows I may go back tomorrow and look at some more patterns.

Happy Stitching!

Muslin...Men's Shirt

I purchased this Simplicity pattern long ago:

It's Simplicity 5581.  I am sure that I purchased it with the intent to make my husband and son making shirts.  It never happened.  Now, my son is far to  old to want a making shirt with his Dad.  My husband on the other hand is very happy to have me make a shirt.

As far as sizing goes,  I measured a ready-to-wear shirt and compared to the finished meausrements.  This put him in the medium size.  The only thing that may be an issue is length but that will be taken care of when he tries the muslin.  Adding inches is easy.  If any other alteration is needed, that may not be so easy.  Here is the muslin straight from the pattern:

Note that I did not add facing or pockets.  I did put in the hems so we could see if any length will be needed.  Mens patterns are drafted for 5'10 and my husband is about 6'1".

I've Done It Now...

Yes, I have indeed committed to doing some sewing for myself and maybe my husband.  The December project that I've been reworking is finally completed.  I never want to see it again.  In fact, I think that the fabric may not be able to be reworked again.  It's been handled a lot.

So flipping through various websites looking for inspiration, I found this lovely top:

This is not an expensive top.  We are talking $20 or less but it is on one of the Chinese sites where everything is cheap and the sizing is weird.  Plus, they provide no information about themselves on the website and I really do not like ordering from these types of companies.  However, this top pattern is very popular on those sites and you see many variations.

So I took some time to figure out what it is that I like about this top. First thing, I think is the actual oversized feeling of the top, the color, love the assymetry, and the embroidery.  I guess that is just about everything.

After spending a great deal of time on-line looking for an appropriate pattern, I ended up at Walmart looking at their Simplicity pattern catalog.  I finally found this pattern:

This is Simplicity 8920 and I think View A is a close enough match to the inspiration photo.  The changes that I see are shortening the sleeve and creating the cuff, stitching the facing to the ouside, and figuring out the button pleat on the front.  Then, adding the embroidery.

I have yet to see any of the top variations of the inspiration picture on a person.  So I am really just guessing at the fit.  I did pick up some very inexpensive lightweight woven fabric while I was at Walmart to muslin this pattern.  Hopefully, it will only take one muslin to figure this out.  Although I am positive that a full bust issue will arise, I will attempt to move the needed bust dart to the hem and release it.

Happy Stitching!

Lounge Pants - Simplicity 8519

While my son was here at Christmas I asked if he was interested in another pair of lounge pants.  Surprisingly, he jumped at the chance.  I had a plaid fabric that I not sure exactly what it was.  It was fuzzy like a flannel but I think it was a very firm knit.  There was 5 1/2 yards so I jumped at the chance to make 2 pair of lounge pants - one for my son and one for my husband.  So, I checked the pattern stash and couldn't believe that I didn't have a pattern for lounge pants.  Walmart to the rescue with Simplicity 8519:

Yep, I paid full price for it.  Well, Walmart prices anyway.

Things that I chose to do:

1.  I made an XL for both guys.  If there is a next time, I will make a L.
2.  Lengthen leg by 3 inches.
3.  No attempt made to match the plaid.  I think that a printed plaid isn't the best thing to match.

Son's pants:

Yes, I purposely cut his head off.  That's for his privacy.  I think the pant will be comfy and hopefully warm.  His studio apartment is apparently very cold.

Hubby's pants:

My husband liked the pant but thought that they might be a little baggy.  Evenings hanging out around the house will be comfy for him.

Conclusion:

This is not a beginners pattern because of the fly instructions.  I don't generally read instructions word for word but look at the pictures.  This is not the first time that I made a fly of this sort but it is the first time that I was totally confused by what was being shown.  Just be aware that there are a lot of fiddly pieces to the front.  It should be very easy to convert to just a pull on pant without all the little pieces.  The waistband would need to be converted.

Overall, this is a nice lounge pant pattern and I will most likely make this again in a L for my husband and son.  I'm also considering making a pair for my Dad in a M.  We'll see what happens.

Happy Stitching!

Inspiration...Blazer and Wide Leg Pants

 This week's inspiration is a blazer and wide leg pants. 

This is the Tailored Seaming Linen Blazer - Cross Dyed from Talbots.  Price tag: $189.00. Details: long sleeve, hits at hip, button front closure, patch pockets, lined.

This is the Greenwich Wide Legged Linen Pants - Cross Dyed from Talbots. Price tag: $139.00. Details: flat front trouser, wide leg, fits high waist, full length, fly front with button closure, front on seam pockets, back welt pocks.

This is such a wonderful outfit.  If I was working in an office, I would have already purchased this outfit.  I will admit that the color of the cross-dyed linen is probably responsible.  How about patterns:

Jacket/Blazer:

This is the Jasika Blazer pdf pattern by Closet Core Patterns.  The only thing missing here is the patch pockets.  The collar shape is a little bit different as well.

This is Simplicity 8433.  This is a vintage design from the 90s. A fairly good match to the inspiration photo.  The collar is a little bit different.

Now for the pants:

This is Vogue 2037.  The pants appear to be very similar to the inspiration photo with the exception that they do not look high waisted.  That is easy to fix by added the appropriate length all the way around.  If you like the other two pieces in the pattern, then you have a bonus.

This is Simplicity 3073.  The pattern includes a jacket and pants.  With the exception of back welt pockets, the pants are fairly spot on for the inspiraton photo. 

Hope you are inspired to create something really nice.

Happy Stitching!

Spring Simplicity Patterns...

I just noticed that the Simplicity patterns for spring are available.  There are a lot of costume patterns and the majority are for Frozen.  These patterns are for adults, children, and dolls.  Outside of the costume patterns, the offering was a little slim for adults, and several for children.  Here are my picks and all have a vintage feel:

How about a 60s vibe?  I really like the look of this dress.  I'm not sure that I would make it in such high contrast fabrics.  I think this will be on my list for consideration for spring.  I have been trying not to purchase as many patterns.  I need to decide if I would really make the dress or would it become another pattern for the collection.

Here's a 70s vibe.  When did the 70's become vintage? I really like the look of this little outfit. The little dress is a blank canvas.  You could do so much with this little dress.  If I had a little girl it would definitely be in my pattern stash.

Winter has finally hit in my part of the country.  I really prefer the weather that we had this past weekend in the mid-50s verses the low-teens that we are experiencing now. The cold and the snow only make me wish for spring.

Happy Sewing!

Men's Shirt - Simplicity 5581

My husband picked a 2 or 3 fabrics and I have been working on Simplicity 5581.  You can see the muslin information here.  Here are the shirts:

This is a stash find.  It is a red/white seersucker.  I sent my husband to JoAnns to get the buttons.  I gave him the required size, fabric with a buttonhole in it, and told him he pick whatever he wanted but he would have to live with it.  I think he did well.  Poor guy, he had to stand in line for about an hour to get into the store.  He was not happy.

This is another stash find.  It is birds, birds, birds.  The fabric was purchased many years ago for this purpose.  I am glad that it finally became a shirt.  It is a much stiffer fabric than the red/white striped fabric. 

This is another stash find.  It is all kinds of hot peppers.  I think this fabric was something I kept from closing my store.   It is a quilting cotton.  I added an inch to the length of this one.

Conclusion:

This is a great pattern. The drafting seems very good.  The instructions were good.   If you can locate a copy of it at a reason price and you have guys in your life to sew for, you should get it.

Happy Stitching!

New at Simpicity, New Look, Burda....

I just noticed that new patterns are available at Simplicity.  Here are the ones that interest me:

This is Simplicity 8797.  I love the idea of an over-sized coat.  I don't believe that I would consider it made of a fur but to each his own.  I do think it would be fun in a plaid.  This feels like a throw back to the 80s/90s .

This is New Look 6588.  Hoodies are kinda big for this fall/winter.   How about matching hoodies with your sweetie?  I might be able to do that.  We'll see if I have the time to really consider this.  Nice big over-sized tops.  What's not to love?

This is Burda 6353.  I'm always drawn to a shirt dress but this is a little bit different.  I really like View A.  I would probably make it a tad bit longer and wear a slim pant with it instead of legging / tights.  I really like the this look.

This is Burda 6283.  I'm always on the look out for patterns with interesting lines and this is does just that.  Although it is described as a shirt dress, I look at it as a knit dress.  I did check the fabric requirements and it is all knit.

I wish I made more time to sew. 

Hope you're inspired.

Happy Stitching!

Simplicity 3789, Threads - 01/2009

I have started the paper fitting of the Simplicity 3789. DH has been helping a little bit. I think I need him to take some pictures so I can see what he's talking about. The back on most tops is usually too wide me and from what he is telling me the size that I choose to way too narrow from about mid back to the hem. Of course this is an easy fix for most pattern just move over and trace the next size. I haven't done this yet. Maybe tonight I will be able to retrace that portion of the pattern. The front looks good. The center line is staying centered and the side seam is where it's suppose to be. Maybe when I'm done I can make a couple of tops from this pattern.

Have you read the article on white shirts in Threads 01/2009? It is really an outstanding article for all three of the designers. I printed the extra collar information from Lois Cutting today.

It's off to do more housework. The school gardening club is in a couple of hours and I still have a few things that I would like to accomplish before then. I just wish that it was warmer outside because I don't like standing around outside for long when it's cold.

Happy Sewing!

Wadder? maybe.....

Here is my version of Simplicity 2475:


This is one of the Amazing Fit patterns from Simplicity. I like the concept offered by these patterns. Back to my version.... Even though you can't really tell in this picture, the skirt is huge on me. When I started to trace this pattern, I realized that I had purchased the wrong size. The largest size that I had was a 14. So, I added width to the pattern at the sides. This was mistake #1. During the fitting process, I removed almost all of the added width. I carefully chalked the new seamlines and proceeded to stitch them up. I did try the skirt on again with the seams stitched and the yoke on. I DID note that it was a little bit loose. This was mistake #2 --- I didn't take it in. I finished the skirt and hemmed before deciding that it was toooooo big. Also, I made the skirt in the longer length. In looking at the photos, I think that is a mistake. It needs to be shorter.
Because I like this skirt, I have decided to take it apart and attempt to salvage it. Did I mention that there is a lot of topstitching, understitching, and an invisible zipper? Yes, all of the above with matching dark brown thread on dark brown corduroy. However, it only took about an hour to remove the topstitching, understitching, invisible zipper, yoke, and the hem. I want to tell you about a little trick I learned. When having to remove thread, if you will every 3rd or 4th thread, you can just pull the thread on the flip side. This makes really quick work of an stitch removal except the backstitches.
I am now ready to re-make this skirt. There are two firsts for me here. I can't remember anything turning out too big before (generally, too small is the result) and I can't remember ever taking a finished item apart to fix it. I like the fabric that I chose for this project. I'll let you know sometime in the next couple of weeks how this turns out.
Happy Sewing!

Simplicity 3789, etc.

Today, I made time to trace Simplicity 3789. I took my measurements and decided upon a size 12 with a D front. I'm a little concerned that the sleeve will be too narrow but we'll see what happens when I do the paper fitting. DH will have to help with this but I think he will be willing. Paper fitting isn't really a one person job, at least not for me. I will need to decide whether or not I'm going to make a muslin or make the with the real fabric and say my prayers. LOL. We'll see. I don't think that I have any “muslin” fabric hanging around in that weight. Perhaps I will get the pattern cut out tonight, too. That would be wonderful.

I also need to start thinking about Christmas sewing. I have a short list of sewing for family and friends. I will not be posting a list because I don't know who may be reading. I'm making my niece and nephew something, perhaps my Mom, my DH, and maybe my son. Seems like I'm leaving my Dad out but I don't have any idea what I could make for him.

Happy Sewing!

It's been a busy week.....

It's been such a busy week that I didn't realize that I haven't posted since Monday. Wow! Where did my week go?

I'll start with renovation news. DH has been working very hard. The walls are almost finished. I think what is remaining is hole repair. He's been fixing and sanding all week. The baseboards have almost all been removed and the tack strip. Upon removing one section of the tack strip, a patch in my lovely oak floors was discovered. EEK! That adds time and $$ to having the floor finished. Of course, we won't know what the entire floor looks like until I cut up the carpeting and pull out the padding. There are also many other decisions that need to be made.

On the sewing front, I am getting ready to start sewing up some more flannel pjs. Other pair for my son and a pair for myself. I've been putting off the pjs for me until I lost a little more weight. I finally decided to make the pjs and I can buy more fabric if I really do loss the weight. It's just fabric. So the goal tonight is to get the little boy pjs cut out. I think I can, I think I can.....

The weather has been tremendously cold. When we got up this morning, it was -6F. A little bit chilly. That is what made me decision to make the pjs. It's cold. Tomorrow we'll have a heat wave at 20F. Really, I don't mind the cold that much as long as my fireplace is running or the electric throw is on. I do enjoy watching it snow.

I saw yesterday that the new spring patterns have arrived. There was very little that interested me this season. Following is Simplicity jacket 2307. It's a cute jacket.

Here's Simplicity 2697. I really like this blouse pictured.

This McCall 5815 jacket is also cute:

Here's is Vogue 1100. The jacket and the blouse are both really nice.

Looks like the jackets have it for spring. I don't know if I will get any of these patterns but these are my picks. I'm sure that I've overlooked some really cute pattern.

Well, off to see what else I can get into tonight.

Happy Sewing!

New Patterns...

 I rarely notice the new pattern release from the big four but noticed a few interesting patterns this fall:

This is Simplicity 9855.  The top pattern does not interest me at all but the pant pattern does.  Here is the line drawing:

The pattern descriptions is "Slim fit ankle length pants with hook and bar closure have belt loops, darted back waist, front pockets and single back welt pocket.".  The pattern sizing starts at a 10 and goes through a 38W.  There is no additional information on the site regarding the pattern at this time.  I would love to see what type of fabric the pattern is designed for.

This is Simplicity 9854.  Here is the line drawing:

This appears to be a good basic coat.  One that you can actually wear in cold weather with clothing underneath.  Yes, that is kinda a diss of the coat styles of the last few years.  The sleeves always seem to be ridiculously narrow.  Here is the description from the website: "Relaxed fit coat features notched lapels, inverted pleat at the center back, button closure and patch pockets with flap."

McCall's 8432.  Ah, I remember wearing this type of pant in the 90s.  Stirrup pants were so nice.  I do not necessarily remember them being pleated but memory is not necessarily accurate.  If I were making this these view A would be without the stirrup and view B would be with the stirrup.  Here you go for those pleated pants.

Butterick 6933.  The jacket and the pants are spot on for what I have been seeing online.  Not so sure about the skirt but if you are looking for jacket and pant pattern this on looks like it would be good. Here is the website descriptions: "Semi-fitted, partially lined jacket has notch collar, shoulder pads, princess seams, welt pockets, and long two-piece sleeves with button trim. Bias, A-line skirt has elastic waist and narrow hem. Full length pants have side front pockets and side seam zipper." 

Vogue 1996.  You like sewing for the men in your life.  This pattern has pants covered.  There is pleated pants, flat front pants, and pockets to make cargo pants.

Vogue 1973.  Finally, a blouse pattern with a bow and two sleeve styles.  I know that a this type of shirt is kinda limiting but you can fit once and make twice.  This was another style that I saw a lot for fall.  Wish the patterns came out sooner.

I guess that is all that caught my attention.  I will say that if you like vintage patterns there are a lot of reproduction in the fall offerings.  

Happy Stitching!