My Latest top and Now No Machines

I'm so all over the place its just insane sometimes but this time I really had to go with my gut feeling. I was suppose to be working on my shirt pattern for the Shirt-A-Month sew along but I just was not feeling this fabric as a shirt, so then I decided to make it into a basic top and try drafting the pattern myself. But I really wanted the top to workout I knew needed sleeves and they are something I'm still working on. So I decided to go back to my blouse pattern and add a collar.

 I used the collar from New Look 6808 and just morphed the New Look neckline with my blouse neckline and made the changes I needed to the collar and facing pieces. All worked out as you can see and I really like my new top and can't wait to sew up the skirt so I can have a new outfit to wear.

Because I was using the New Look collar for this pattern I needed the instructions for making and attaching the collar with bow, lets just say they were so confusing it was ridiculous. I just went with what I thought was right and everything turned out just fine. Even after I figured everything out I went back to reread to see if they made more sense and they didn't. I have not read any reviews on this pattern so I don't know if it was just me or did others have a problem also. Also I wish I knew more about matching prints as I think I could have done with this one a little but I'm still learning so I won't kill myself over that one.

 I kept the same sleeves as before but instead of adding the cuff I just made a casing and inserted elastic. At first I thought I had 1/4 inch wide elastic but after I sewed the casing I realized I had 1/2 inch elastic. I was so happy that I had made the casing a little wider as it was just enough to squeeze in the elastic. I was only able to do sleeve casing and elastic before my sewing machine decided it did not want to work anymore.

So all that is left is to finish the other sleeve and hem the bottom and I am done but now I have to wait until I get my machines to a shop and back before I can do anything else. Also my serger decided it wanted to start making some funny sound, it still works but I am concerned enough to not use it anymore until it is seen and fixed.

 So there will be no more sewing for me for only a little while I hope but now I have time to work on the exercises in Building Patterns which I can share with everyone and also work on tissue fitting my shirt and pants patterns for now.

I'm going to do a new review on this pattern over at Patternreview since it so much different than the original pattern and just link each new review to the one before it. So new review coming soon and

Until next time happy sewing everyone...

Itching to Draft

So I have had off sewing all weekend, not that I wanted to but I didn't have much of choice, but it has given me time to think about my next sewing project. I was debating trying to trace and  fit jeans for the up coming jeans contest on Patternreview, work on fitting and sewing up my first shirt for the Shirt-A-Month sew along over at Stitcher's Guild which I want to do but also I want a skirt right now also and I'm also want to work more on my patternmaking.drafting skills and have a few things I have been wanting to start off with. So make the decision easy for myself, I just asked myself what do I WANT to do right now, what will make me happy right now, forget about contest or what others are doing, that made my decision so much easier. So what do I want to do right now? I want to draft my own top and skirt set. I won't give any hints just yet as to the design other than to say it is very retro inspired. 

Until next time happy sewing...

First Blouse done

 So I am finish my first top/blouse of the year/challenge and I am pleased with it. It went together pretty quickly which is something I like, quick gratification.





I already have my next variation planned but before than I have a few other things I want to make. Now the review.

Pattern Description: Misses tops with B,C,or D cup with different trims.

Pattern Sizing: I made a size 12 with D cup

Did it look like the photo/drawing on the pattern envelope once you were done sewing with it? nope see below

Were the instructions easy to follow? Yes they are very easy. There really is nothing complicated about this pattern.

What did you particularly like or dislike about the pattern? There is nothing I really disliked other than not having sleeves

Fabric Used: I used a cotton satin, which I think is the same as cotton sateen but its lighter than the sateen I'm use to this is more of a blouse weight not a bottom weight.

Pattern alterations or any design changes you made: The only thing I did was add sleeves to make it more of a blouse than a woven Tee. I also widen the upper back by 1/2 inch and lowered the bust dart by 1 inch.
Also I tried the facing technique found in High Fashion Sewing Secrets from the World's Best Designers


Conclusion: Nice easy pattern to help build your wardrobe as you can see by the 60+ reviews and best pattern of 2010 award.

The facing

Finishing this blouse took a little longer than expected due to a bad stomach virus that had me in bed all day yesterday and then today my 3 year old son and 2 year daughter decided to take a hot chili pepper and rub it in their eyes, lets just say I don't think they even want to see another chili pepper again. No amount of water was making them feel better. It took about an hour before the crying stopped.

This is a sneak peak at my next 4 items, a mini wardrobe that with some of it mixed in my SWAP.  The two on the left are cotton knits, the next is a cotton sateen and the last is a regular cotton. The Sateen is going to be the challenge as it is only 2 yards and I want to make a maxi skirt out of it.

Until next time happy sewing

First Item of My Challenge

 So I have started on my personal challenge and also SWAP with Simplicity 2599. Even though it is not a size14 it still fits me pretty good. I now know I need a swayback adjustment, I just need to know how to do it. Before I make another blouse from this pattern I plan on making the adjustment the best I can.

 For my first blouse I'm using a red and white cotton satin that I got here in Saudi Arabia. So far it washed well and pressed like a dream. I was able to get all of my pieces on two meters. I'm still getting use the meter thing here, I always have to remind myself not to say yards when I'm ordering something. Anyway I'm still debating if I want to put the ruffles on the front of this one. When I did in the muslin it just did not look right to me. I don't know if it was the bib look or something else. But when I look at them on the ones that others have done it looks so nice. Maybe its just me, I'm not use to wearing a style like that. So my pieces are cut I'm hoping this will take me no more than two sessions to get it done at the same time I am NOT going to rush it.

Until next time happy sewing...

 

No New Year's Resolutions But I Do Have Goals

I don't do New Year's resolutions and I'm not going to start. It just so happens that when I wanted to change somethings as far as my sewing and blogging it was happening around this time of year and also since I wanted to compete in a few more contest over at Patternreviw I had to wait. But since this is the time of year that people start planning their sewing goals for the next twelve months, I'm going to give mine.

I'm hoping this is the year I get a good set of TnT (Tried and True) patterns that work for me. I hope to be more productive this year and stop wasting the little bit of time I have. I hope that my skills can move up a few notches. I hope to learn more about fitting, mainly fitting myself. And I hope to blog more about my journey in sewing.

Until next time happy sewing...