Sew Fashionably Modest

Slowly working on...

2012-02-10T18:00:00.000-05:00

So remember this grouping a fabric a few weeks ago? Well I have been slowly sewing it up into a mini wardrobe. I can't sew too slow if I want to make the deadline for the SWAP over at Stitcher's Guild.

Here is my sweetheart tee with the self drafted 4 gore skirt. the tee still needs the bottom and sleeves hemmed. I have to wait until either I get another machine or wait until my current machine is fixed.

Here is my retro top using my TnT top pattern along with the skirt. The skirt needs to be hemmed and hook and eyes added but all of that is hand sewing so hopefully it will be done soon.

The skirt is from my self drafted a-line skirt pattern. I just simply added a front seam to make it 4 gore and also added a waistband. I could not do facings since I barely got the skirt out of the length that I had. For the waistband I just simply used scraps of salvage fabric that were big enough and sewed them together it only took two pieces of what I had to make it long enough. If you look closely enough you can see the lace I used for hem tape, going to the notions shop and trying to get them to understand hem tape is not happening so I just use a matching thin lace in place. I'm not sure if that is correct to do but so far it has worked for the two times I have done it.

And here is Simplcity 2345 sitting still in pieces. Not sure when I'll be to complete this top but I hope soon as it is one of my favorite tops. I use this fabric as trim for the sweetheart top.

Here is the skirt with Simplicity 2345, the first one I made, to give you an idea how they look together. The skirt is a-line but for some reason once on my dressform (no name yet) it looks straight.

A Gift

2012-02-08T08:19:00.000-05:00

Its only been 26 days since I last posted :-) , hopefully it won't be that long again for a while, it just that sometimes life can throw some mean curve balls. Anyway speaking for curves, look what I got last week from a really good and close friend here, a arm curve and pant curve. To say that it made my ~~day, week, month,~~ me feel a lot better is an understatement. I was grinning from ear to ear all day long.

In the background you can see that I started on my skirt sloper from Building Patterns and I hope to play around with these rulers soon. I already had a ruler similar but they are not the same so they will be really useful for me. One can never have too many drafting rulers.

I have started back sewing a little, my machines still aren't fixed but I was able to get my sewing working well enough to work on wovens I can no longer do anything with knits I think the problem is down in the bobbin area but it really needs to be fixed. I'm trying not to cause more damage. My serger I don't know what that is its just making a funny noise when ever I use it almost like the skidding of a car. I plan to buy a back up sewing machine soon but not sure if I can get a back up serger, it was so harding finding one here and then just asking questions about it is out of the question.I won't be able to take my machines in to get fixed until the beginning of March at the soonest. So I plan to contine to sew but it will have to bee at a much slower pace. So I guess more time for drafting.

So I'll have some pics to show of what I have been slowly working on soon.

Until next time happy sewing...

My Latest top and Now No Machines

2012-01-13T13:50:00.002-05:00

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

2012-01-07T11:28:00.000-05:00

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

2012-01-04T07:44:00.001-05:00

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

2012-01-02T14:53:00.000-05:00

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

2012-01-01T15:00:00.000-05:00

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...

McCall's 5138 ain't happening

2011-12-31T07:49:00.003-05:00

Let's put it like this after many Bart and Homer ( why you little....)moments with this pattern and garment I had to call defeat. I just don't know enough about fitting to make it work. So it was off to finding a new pattern, I needed a pattern that would be somewhat easy to fit. So I decided to try Simplicity 3684 it already has the FBA done for you. Since I was already using Simplcity 2599 I thought I knew which size to sew up, a size 12 with a D cup. I am SOOOOO glad I decided to make a muslin first. I used the same size as Simplicity 2599 and made the same changes. Well talk about a big surprise. The neck was fine a little tight but fine the hips again fine, bust was whole different story. Wasn't enough pulling going to get that thing to meet in the middle. Talk about feeling down. Here I want to sew for myself, I love to sew and yet I can't fit to make the things I want. I have no one here to help me so what was going to do. Am I confined to knits and loose fitting or ill fitting clothing. After reading a couple of reviews, one reviewer noted that the shirt is very fitted, so I decided to retake my measurements and found that I'm between a 12 and 14. After that last shirt muslin I was just done with looking or even tracing another shirt pattern. I knew that after the McCall's shirt fail I wasn't going to be able to fit the dress pattern I had picked out, so I decided to try Simplicity 4118 a very fitted dress in a size 14,while tracing I noticed that the difference between a size 12 back and a size 14 back was exactly half a inch,the same amount I was broadening the upper back on the size twelve. So the only adjustment I made was to lower the bust dart 1 inch and to ease from a 14 in the bust to a 16 at the hip on down. It was late and it had already been 4 hours in my sewing studio almost 5am and had not been to bed but I just needed to see how this was going to turn out. So I gave myself a half hour to pin, cut and sew up the muslin. I really didn't have my hopes since the 12 was so bad and this seemed more fitted. Well when I tried it on, I had to make sure I was still awake, it fit so well I could not believe it. I mean it looked almost as it was made for me. I took it off right away and went to bed thinking its something I'm not seeing no way this is fitting that well. So the next morning I tried it on for my husband to take pics from different angles so I could see all the way around. The only think I could see I needed was a swayback adjustment other than that it was almost perfect. So now I'll be changing my dress pattern to Simplicity 4118 and I'm hoping to make a muslin of Simplicity 3684 size 14 sometime this week. I'm more hopeful now that things will be much better.
Until next time happy sewing.....

Time To Get Started

2011-12-24T15:00:00.000-05:00

Simplicity 2599 muslin is done. Its not a perfect fit but I am ready to start making a few tops with it. I think I am going to replace the facing with bias binding as I think this will look a little better. I may also try to give it some waist shaping as it looks a little too boxy.

As you can see I added sleeves. It was quite simple, I just morphed the short sleeve with the sleeve of Simplicity 2586. I then added a cuff to one and simply hemmed the other to see which I like. I like both I guess it just depends on which one I want for each design.

So after I finished with fitting the simplicity I went straight to fitting McCall's 5138. This was a bit more work since it doesn't have the cup sizes. So after tissue fitting I ended up widening the upper back half inch (1 inch total) and adding a 2 inch FBA. Then I had to lower the bust dart 1 inch. Once again I have a pretty good fit but not perfect yet. I will the perfect fit an on going process.

So I have started on my first top for McCall's 5138 and already have run into a problem. My bust dart is very pointy and its not pretty. After searching the boards on patternreview I decided to try pressing them on my ham. I'm not sure if this has helped or not since I just pressed them and I let is sit and cool. I'm hoping that after a night of rest it will be much better.

Until next time happy sewing...

The Cardigan

2011-12-22T16:00:00.000-05:00

Sweaters and cardigans are a must here, with all the ACs . I have been wanting a few of them in various colors in my wardrobe for a while So here is my chance to get a few I hope. I have a few patterns for cardigans in my stash but what made me pick this one was seeing one similar at FreePeople that I just wanted so bad, it was maxi length just like the one on the envelop and black with lace trimming I also liked that this one had various views for a cardigan which most pattern don't. I don't know what to think or expect from this pattern since I have yet to do a Hot Patterns pattern and also because of the few reviews on this pattern. I have nice amount of Hot Patterns but have yet to try one, I'm hoping for good from this one.

Until next time happy sewing...

The Skirt

2011-12-21T16:00:00.000-05:00

Its the best fitting skirt pattern I have and I drafted it which is a plus for me, it also has the right length. The main thing that needs work is construction. I have already made 3 skirts from this pattern and I have two more variations planned for my SWAP. I hope to use this pattern a lot since I do wear a lot of skirts. A long skirt and shirt or tee is my go to outfit for everyday wear even tho I plan start switching it up a bit. There is not much else to say about this pattern that I have not already said on other post on this blog. I just hope it will become a workhorse in my sewing and wardrobe.

Until next time happy sewing...

The Jumper

2011-12-20T16:00:00.000-05:00

Okay now the only reason I'm adding a jumper to my line up is because I plan to continue and finish my learn to sew class and continue to blog on the program. I'm not really a jumper person but maybe things will change, we'll see. So I am using New Look 6826 it seems somewhat okay that I'm willing to give jumpers a try, most others that I found were very matronly looking. Also Simplicity had a nice learn to sew video on youtube using this pattern so maybe I can encourage others to try sewing with an easy pattern. The first thing I'm going to do is lengthen the skirt portion as I don't wear anything that short, it looks as if she ever had to bend over the world around would suddenly have a bit of moonshine. The pockets I know I'm not going to do. I don't have a lot of plans for this one but we shall see.

Until next time happy sewing

The Dress

2011-12-19T16:00:00.000-05:00

Now normally I don't wear dresses for two reasons, one its hard for me to find them to fit me on both the top and bottom and also just ones that are flattering. I want more dresses, I love wearing them so why not. Finding the right pattern was a lot harder than I thought. All the patterns and Burdas I have did not have what I was looking for or only part of what I was looking for. So what I did was make a mental list of what the pattern had to have and I would not settle for any less since this had to be a pattern I was going to working with for the next year. Well after not find that in my pattern stash I looked through the patterns I was selling and came across the pattern I was looking for, Simplicity 2359. For some reason I never noticed this pattern before and Simplicities are some of my favorite patterns so I was surprised, I was also surprised how few reviews this one had but I like it and I plan to work with it. I already have my fabric ready and waiting for when I get around to fitting it.

Until next time happy sewing...

The Jacket

2011-12-18T16:00:00.000-05:00

For a while now I have been wanting a Chanel style jacket, so I'm making this coming year the year for one or two or more. With the separate cup sizes the better, I'm hoping it will be a lot easier to fit and since I just fitted another simplicity with different cups pattern and still have my notes this should be about the same. I don't wear a lot of jackets but would like a wardrobe of them and wear them a lot more. I plan to use my Threads magazine collection and the few books I have to makes one of a kind. I hope for this my next complex project after the jeans contest. But I am pretty excited about having a jacket TnT pattern.

Until next time happy sewing...

The Pant

2011-12-17T16:00:00.000-05:00

New Look 6570 is my pant, I have worked with this pattern before and got a good fit. I'm not sure what happened to it but I have retracted it for this challenge. I don't remember much about my first attempts with this pattern other than I think I added about 3 inches of length to the back crotch length and also I needed to take in the back seam more. Other than that I will have to make a muslin to see my other fit issues. I don't plan to make this one right away but I do have plans for it. I think my first will be jeans since I want to participate in the Jeans contest on patternreview.com

Until next time happy sewing...

Jeans

2011-12-16T16:00:00.000-05:00

These are from when Burda was still Burda World of Fashion, they are Burda 9-2009-113. The special thing about these is that they are a the sewing course in this magazine which means more detailed directions and lots of pics. I have sewn these up yet but I love the look of them. And as of today there are 10 reviews for this pattern at patternreview.com. This I hope is one my first patterns since I plan to enter the jeans contest over at patternreview which starts January 15. After I finish with McCall's 5138 I'll be fitting these next. I already have an idea of what I need to do since I worked on Burda 8513 already, but like my other patterns I plan fitting to an on going process until its perfect.

Until next time happy sewing...

The Sweetheart Tee

2011-12-15T16:00:00.000-05:00

So I have not made this one up since I first made it but the one top I did make from it is one of my favorites. I have been meaning to use this one again but kept getting sidelined to others. So hopefully we will see more of it in 2012. As with most of my tops I'm going to need to add about 2 inches to the length, I'm really starting to see a pattern here with doing all these fitting jobs at once. But the sleeve length is perfect for me. I think for my next one I'll make another print but use plain fabric for the bindings.

Until next time happy sewing...

The Cowl Tee

2011-12-14T16:00:00.000-05:00

This is currently my favorite top, its one of the reasons that my mini challenge grew to more than 10 patterns. I already have plans for this to be one of my first patterns I sew up for the coming year. This will be my third time sewing it up and I can see why getting a TnT pattern is an on going process. My first version I sewed tee as is except for adding a sleeve, after wearing for a while I decided to add an inch to both the hem and to the sleeve and it made it much better. Now with my version I'm going to add one more inch to the sleeve and then I think I will have perfected the pattern. I'm also hoping to make a dress using this pattern in the near future.

Until next time happy sewing...

The Basic Tee

2011-12-13T16:00:00.000-05:00

This was one of my original patterns New Look 6735 for my challenge but then I wanted something a little more unique and it was replaced with Jalie Sweetheart tee. But I really want a basic tee as apart of my wardrobe, I wear a lot of t-shirts so it was only natural to have a basic in my wardrobe plan. I think with a basic tee it will offer me a lot possibilities to changing it up.I mostly see myself changing the neckline up and sometimes the length bu we shall see.

Until next time happy sewing...

The Shirt

2011-12-12T16:00:00.000-05:00

My shirt will be McCall's 5138. This has been a staple of mine ever since high school and I prefer them to be fitted without being tight. I picked this pattern because it had the fewest pieces and had the look I wanted. For this challenge I wanted to only shop my stash since I feel like I have a lot of patterns especially shirt patterns. I have not fitted yet but after fitting my Simplicity pattern I feel like I can take on anything right now. As far as my tops goes I think this one will be last. This also the pattern I plan to use for my Learn to Sew class. I already have it traced off in a size 12 so its ready and waiting for to fit it. For my SWAP I only have one planned but I know once I get the fit right I'm going to making a lot of these.

Until next time happy sewing...

The Blouse

2011-12-11T16:00:00.000-05:00

For my blouse I'll be using Simplicity 2599. So far its the best fitting woven top I have. It fits, its not a perfect fit but right now call me a McDonald's ad because I'm" lovin it". I started with a size 12 and used a D-cup front,I made my muslin up as is and just wore it around the house for a couple of hours while doing house work. Based on what I could " feel" I added a half inch (1 inch total) to the upper back and lowered the bust dart by 1 inch. I also added 1 inch to the side seam in the hip area but I really did not need it so I may just take that away but with the first two changes it feels and looks so much better, I know I may have other changes that may need to be made to make it fit perfectly but right now I think its good enough to make few of them. I'm also testing out view D with the three rows of ruffles. I'm not sure if I like it on me. I think this will be the first thing I will make up. I'm going to keep it simple without all the frills, we'll see.

Until next time happy sewing...

A Designer's Dozen

2011-12-09T23:26:00.001-05:00

So it is 12 for 2012, I know the last time I talked about how many patterns I was going to use I said it would be no more than 10 but then I remembered 2 patterns I just could not leave out. How could I deprive myself of patterns that I really like and fit me well, the whole point of this challenge is to develop some good basic TnT patterns and learn to maximize on their potential. Then there were some patterns I just have try such as a Burda magazine pattern and a vest, jeans, a jacket or are apart of my Learn To Sew class like the jumper. So with that I came up with 12 patterns and I am calling them the Designer's Dozen. So for the next 12 days I'll introduce each pattern or item and tell my reasoning for it. Some of them I have patterns for and for some I'm still looking.

I recently went over a few threads about TnT patterns and it reminded me that getting a TnT pattern is an on going process and that I just need to get a pattern I like and is flattering on me and work with it. The only exception to my 12 pattern rule is anything that I draft or patternmake. I don't think I'll be doing a lot of patternmaking but just in case. So starting tomorrow I'll be starting my 12 days of patterns for the Designer's Dozen.

Until next time happy sewing

Working Simplicity 2599

2011-12-09T15:30:00.000-05:00

So Simplicity 2614 just is not going to work out for me, the bust portion needs to be lowered and the upper back is too tight and lower back there is like a pool of fabric. Its is just too much for a top I don't think I'll make a lot of. So once again I visited Simplicity 2599, its like the third time I have gone to this pattern in the last two weeks, so far it has the best starting point being a size twelve with a D-cup. I already had a muslin sewn up and I remember that I loved the fit of it even with out any alterations even tho it clearly needs some. So all in all I think this is the best I have come across in my small pattern stash.

Just as you can see here, the back pools on me. I don't know if this is from a swayback or large derrie that is causing it. Also it is on the bias so I don't know if that is playing a factor in the pooling and if so how do I alter it, is it the same as something on the grain? I'm taking all of this as a learning experience but I know that this top is not one that I want to spend a lot of time on if I don't see me making it up that much.

So back to Simplicity 2599. Since I already had a muslin of the pattern unaltered, I wore it around the house for a few hours doing house work and working with my kids and so far these are the adjustments I made, I lowered the bust dart one inch, add a half in to the upper back and add one inch to the hip area. So I'm hoping to get time this weekend and sew up the new muslin and see how it fits.

I really have to keep the goal in mind because using all of this time for just working with patterns and no clothes to show is a bit downing. But once I have a good pattern to work with there is no limit to what I can do with it, I know I may still need to alter later but I just want a good starting point. I just have to take everything as a learning experience and take it one step at a time. So my goal this weekend is to sew up my new muslin and record my findings.

Until next time happy sewing...

Sewing WishList

2011-12-08T15:52:00.000-05:00

Okay collecting sewing books that will allow me to build my skills is one of my favorite things. When I was living in America there were times when I had books or magazines coming every other day. Love them used and new as long as they are in good shape with no pages missing. But since I have been here my book buying has come to an almost halt, but now I'm finding ways that may allow me to get some books soon, and yes I am building my list. Some are recent releases and some have been around a while.

The Burdastyle Sewing Handbook
Built By Wendy Coats and Jackets
Dressmaking: A Step by Step course
Sewing Basics
The Party Dress by Simon Henry
The Colette Sewing Handbook
Simple Modern Sewing
Threads Sewing Guide

What I like most about some of these is that they come with the patterns, its seems that a lot of books coming out now include patterns which does make them more attractive.

Until next time happy sewing...

Simplicity 2345 with OOP 5875

2011-12-08T04:10:00.001-05:00

I'm surprised this pattern has only been reviewed once and is now OOP.With all the popularity of cowls right now I would think this would have gotten more air time. Anyway I'm thinking about adding this one to my collection of patterns for my challenge for next year, it really is one of my favorite top patterns.I have only made it twice but I hope to make it a lot more. Anyway here is my review.

Pattern Description: Misses'/Miss petite jacket, pants, knit top and dress with knit bodice.

Pattern Sizing: 8-16 but I sewed a size 12

Did it look like the photo/drawing on the pattern envelope once you were done sewing with it? A little, I added a sleeve from and OOP simplicity pattern 5875

Were the instructions easy to follow? Yes, I had no problems putting it together and after you have done it once, its breeze the second time around.

What did you particularly like or dislike about the pattern? I had no dislikes other than just wanting sleeves, which was easier to do than I thought.

Fabric Used: a polyester knit I had gotten from fabric.com and a cotton knit I got here from Souk Owais

Pattern alterations or any design changes you made: only change I made was add a sleeve from an OOP Simplicity 5875 but for I did this I asked and Nicegirl's reply was most helpful Message board question After wearing the first one for a while I added an extra inch to the gray top since I like y tops a little longer than it was drafted

Would you sew it again? Would you recommend it to others? yes and yes

Conclusion: I love my tops and hope to make more and I even plans to make it into a dress esp with the popularity of Vogue 1250
I'm surprised it has only been reviewed once

Until next time happy sewing...

First Look : SWAP 2012 Fabrics

2011-12-07T16:00:00.000-05:00

So here is a first here is a first look a some of the fabrics. I still may swap out a few but I at least have a fabric for every garment I plan to make. So here are my tops and one dress fabrics.

This is everything together minus the two fabrics I just received.

Here are the two newest ones from fabric.com

A close up of my tops and as you can see a lot of prints are going on. But as I said before some of these my get switched out if I can find something else.

So here are my bottom weights, 3 are denims and one is a cotton sateen. All them are enough to make two bottoms for a potential of 8 bottoms. I was so happy to find a quality denim here I wanted to much more than what I got. So far its been my favorite fabric store since I been here but its so far from house, so I only get a chance to visit every few months. I hope I get another chance to go before the SWAP deadline.

I'm guessing that sateen and cotton satin are the same thing, I bought the black and white cotton sateen a few years ago from fashion fabrics club when I was still in America and just last Wednesday I bought the red and white cotton satin here both are very close in feel but slightly different in weight. The black and white is a bit heavier. I plan to use the black and white as a dress and the red and white as a blouse.

Until next time happy sewing...

Fitting is Frustrating

2011-12-06T08:11:00.001-05:00

So it's been over a week and I'm still trying to find a top that I can use for my challenge and SWAP and at one point I kept coming back to wanting a peasant style blouse. Well kill that idea, after trying on the muslin I can see that anything that doesn't have a smooth sleeve cap is not going to work for me. As you can see instead of elastic at the neckline I just drafted a bias band instead, it came out a lot better than I thought but its just the sleeves. I don't like looking like a football player when I wear clothes and that is what my exerience has been with gathered sleeves. So then I go on and try the OOP

McCall's 8721 tunic and let's say that was a disaster. I call myself tissue fitting a size 12 and it looked go in the neck area but of course it did not reach my center front at the bust so I decided to do a 2 inch FBA, I have not idea why I did it so large. Let's just say that it fit and but the side seams where too big. I can't describe it to well but it was just too much at the side. After that I just wanted to cry, all I want is nice fitting blouse. Its not like I'm fitting pants. Do I really need someone else to help, what do others who do not have sewing buddies around to help with fitting? I know I can't be the only one.
So now I have Simplicity 2614 cut out and waiting. I hope to put that together tonight if this does not go well I don't know what I am going to do. I still have some more standbys but at this point I'm ready to almost give up and move on to something else for a while, we'll see.

Today I got some more goodies from home. Starting with some back issues of Threads magazine, I got issue 150-157 so that brings me up to the current issue. I still have 3 issues that I am missing from when moved here but I am in no rush to get them. I think these will keep me reading for awhile. Also I got some fabric from fabric.com, only two pieces that I hope to use with my SWAP. They are a black Vera W. cotton sateen and a stretch denim. Then I got six boxes of silk pins, these are my favorite pins and of course I can find them here so I stocked up for a little while. Then I also bought some patterns, but this time not for me. Nope these are for selling. I only have a 169 right now. I'm going to see how these do before I invest anymore into them.

Well as you can see after days of tracing and cutting and altering patterns and some days not even getting there because of how cold it was, my room is a mess, it was actually reflecting how I felt. So I needed to clean things up and try to refocus myself. So that's how I spent my sewing hour today cleaning up. Sorry I don't have after shots but it looks much better now and I feel a little better now walking in there. So we'll what tonight produces.

Until Next time happy sewing...

Nice laugh For Those Who Can Relate

2011-12-03T08:49:00.001-05:00

Four Learning Styles of Sewists I am 1 and 3 for sure with some of 4 thrown in. I don't do well with waiting and listening for someone to tell me or show me how.

On another note some of my patterns have changed and are still in the works. I have switched my T shirt pattern from New Look to Jalie Sweetheart t. I have made this before and its one of my favorite tees, so this was a no brainier.

So now I am working on my blouse pattern McCall's 8721, it seems to be doing well in terms of fit I just did a huge FBA on it today and the tissue fits good from what I can see. Next thing is to sew it up in muslin for flattery. I'll try to do that tonight, so far my night sewing has not been going well. Ever since I started working and going to bed early, my night owl ability has left me, but I'm going to try tonight anyway.

Until next time happy sewing

I have Until December 31, 2011 11:59 pm

2011-11-27T07:50:00.001-05:00

For someone who loves many different things I realize that my plan is a bit restictive for me, I still plan to keep it to a minium but I think I may add 2 or 3 new patterns to my plan. I know I want a boxy Chanel style jacket, a raglan sleeve top, a basic tunic, a dress with sleeves and maybe even a knit dress. Basically I want all the basic styles to play with. I know I am not going to do that but at the most 10 patterns should be good, I want to keep it fun for myself at the same time challenge my inner designer and sew more.

I have a little over a month until my deadline to have my patterns picked out, but that doesn't they all need to be fitted. More like fitted for flattery, I want to make sure they all look good on my body. So I know I won't do too much more sewing on Simplicity 2310 until I'm done with this and I hope to be done soon, I wanna get sewing again.

Until next time happy sewing....

7 for 12

2011-11-25T15:31:00.001-05:00

Well I have most of my patterns picked out, I'm still trying to decide if I want to add a jacket. I don't own that many and they would be good for going into places where the AC has been set to max. I'm just not sure if I'm really going to find the time to sew a jacket or even find the right fabric here. For now I'll leave it off my sewing board.

So it is called 7 for 12 or 7 patterns for 2012. For my blouse I choose Simplicity 2614, and my cardigan is a OOP Hot Patterns, and dress is Simplicity 1993 formaly

1. Blouse- Simplicity 2614
2. Shirt - McCall's 5138
3. Pant - New Look 6570
4. Skirt - Self Drafted
5. Dress- Simplicity 1993
6. Cardigan- Hot Patterns Riviera Mini-Midi-Maxi Cardi
7. T-shirt- New Look 6735

for now this is the plan, I have until Dec 31 to make any changes I'm hoping there won't be other than maybe adding a jacket then it would be 8 for 12.

Until next time happy sewing.........

Fitting Day 3 and a Moment

2011-11-22T03:28:00.001-05:00

Today I was able to sew up the size 14 and try it on, just as I was sewing it up my 4 month old started cry do to feeding time so I had to take off the top so that I could feed him and that's when I had my moment. I can not possibly use this top pattern if ever I'm out and he needs to nurse I would have to take the top completely off. I plan on breastfeeding him until he is two so its going to be a while. So I need to go looking through my patterns for another blouse pattern that will allow me to pull it up when its time to nurse. I have a few in mind I'm just worried about the silhouette with a maxi skirt.

Here are two skirts I am thinking about Simplicity 4886 and McCall's 8721 both are pictured with long skirts and appear loose enough for breastfeeding. Right now I'm leaning towards the McCall's because I like the sleeve but I'm hoping with my skirt its not screaming 90's but look at the pic it seems more to do with the styling than anything else.

About the size 14, it was much easier getting on and off. The bust fit much better but the neck was too wide and loose, the waist area was okay but I think I could do without the waist darts for now but I most defiantly need to grade out at the hip area. The back is much better so I'm not sure what to do about that. For now I'll keep all of this in my notes, so now I need to start over but I think I'll start with a size 12.

So my plans for tonight are to pick a pattern and trace it off. If I have time I'm hoping to tissue fit to get an idea oh how much of a FBA I need and make that adjustment.

Until next time Happy Sewing...

Fitting Day 2

2011-11-21T10:07:00.001-05:00

I managed to get in another hour and a half today. I was able to finish cutting out all the different sizes and transfer dart markings. But I was only able to sew up the size 12. I made the mistake of sewing it up without a zipper, and I felt like I was going to be stuck in that thing until DH go home. the only place it did fit was in the neck area. The bust and back were both too tight. The waist was surprisingly not that bad even with the waist darts sewn.

So tonight I'm going to try and stay up and at least sew up a size 14 and see how that compares. I know for sure that I'm going to have to do a FBA, and maybe even a broad back adjustment. Also I'm hoping to be able to make this without a zipper. I want a top that needs no closures. If this one doesn't work I'm going to try Simplicity 2614.

On another note, I just found my book that was apart of my online class at patternreview with the late Shannon Gifford. It was a bodice muslin class, I remember I was not able to fully participate because I was pregnant and I knew that making a muslin of any top would have been useless with my growing belly.

I took the class anyway because I did not know when it would be offered again, especially since it seemed classes did not repeat that often. I'm glad I did as I don't think it was repeated before she passed away. It was the same for the patternmaking class I waited months for it to be available and I took as soon as it did and I think I was in the last class she taught. While patternreview still has classes I don't think they are of the same level as the ones she taught.

So I'm also going to through my notes and lessons to help me with fitting my top. I think I may use her lessons more than anything since they are geared towards a bodice and take you step by step.

Here is my first muslin, I know it looks like its pulling across the front from the darts but its not. I think this will also be the last time I'll purchase black for making muslins. I can't write on it and I keep them for future reference and without me being to tell the pattern and size its useless later on.

Until next time happy sewing...

Fitting New Look 6808 Day 1

2011-11-20T08:47:00.001-05:00

So I managed to get in a hour and a half in my sewing studio today, while it was not as productive as I would have liked ( I had my two year old in there with me) I did manage to get something done. A good reason not to have a toddler in your sewing space, water. In the pic to the left she had spilled water on one of my traced patterns and an instruction she not long after she came in. So I had to try and confine her to the couch in my room, it worked a little.

I traced sizes 12 and 14. I'm still not sure if I am taking my measurements correctly. According to my bra size I should be a size 12 with a FBA but the measurements I'm taking put me in a 14. Now according to Fit For Real People The measuring tape should have a snug fit. I'm not sure if I'm pulling it snug enough, and that is the reason I'm getting two different sizes.

Since I have no clue what I am doing, I'm doing a combination of my own guess work and using the fitting books I have. So I'm starting by tracing off the two sizes and then I plan to sew them up to see which one gives me a good starting point.

I know that it is better for the pattern to fit in the upper chest and neck than in the bust since it easie to fit the bust instead of the neck.

So far I have a straight 12 cut out and ready to be sewn and also a straight 14, but I also want to play around with sizes. Since I don't have anyone around that can measure my back, I'm going to mix the sizes to see I possibly have a broad or narrow back. So I'll do a 12 front with a 14 back and a 14 front with a 12 back.

So this is where I stand, I have a 12 and 14 cut out and ready to be sewn, tonight I'll try to cut out the pieces for the mixed size fitting and try to sew all four of them up tonight. I'm using my sewing journal to keep track of everything, so when its time to fit McCalls 5138 I'll be ready.

Until next time happy sewing.....

I Have No Idea How To...

2011-11-19T11:11:00.001-05:00

Fit that is. I'm working on fitting New Look 6808 and I have no idea how to do this for myself. Most books and articles assume you have a sewing buddy that can help you, which I do not. So I have to figure out how to fit myself alone.

Even with the four fitting books I have and Threads articles I have, I still am not sure where to start and the main reason for that is because I'm not sure which size to start off with. So tonight my main goal is to figure out which size is a good starting size. So I'll trace a size 12 and 14 front and also 12 and 14 back then sew up a straight 12 and straight 14 and then a 12 front with 14 back and a 14 front with 12 back. So tonight will be a lot of tracing, cutting, and sewing and trying on.

On another note, I'm still working on simplicity 2310 but at an extremely slow pace. I hit one snag and it killed my motivation for the top. Right now most of my excitement is on fitting my seven patterns.

Until next time Happy Sewing......

Blow'in up 2012 with TNT

2011-11-11T12:42:00.001-05:00

Okay so I have made my self challenge for 2012, now before Stitcher's Guild even came out with the rules for 2012 SWAP I had already listed as a possible self challenge was to only use a set number of patterns for one year. So when the rules came out a few days later I decided to go with that one and just modify it a bit so I could join in on the fun.

How many patterns do I really need? When will I have enough? How many different styles of patterns are there? Why am I ways drawn to the same ones? Will I really get around to fitting and sewing this one up if I buy it? These are just some of the questions I have been asking lately when purchasing patterns, since getting patterns here is not easy or cheap. Also will I have the time for everything involved in making up a new pattern, tracing, fitting etc, as a mother of many time is a precious commodity to me. And lately more and more sewing books have been geared towards sewing more with less, using simple patternmaking skills, adding and subtracting details to change up the look, and changing the fabrics, for example the Built By Wendy Series, Simple Modern Sewing, , Easy Sewing the Kwik Sew Way and The Burdastyle Handbook are just a few books that have come out lately showing this concept. So for next year I'll using only 7 patterns for all of my sewing, they are a T-shirt, shirt, blouse, skirt, pant, dress, and cardigan or jacket. I hope to use/ learn some patternmaking skills to change them up a bit and also using different fabrics and trim.

Here are a few of the patterns I know I'll be using for sure

T-shirt- New Look 6735
Shirt with collar - McCall's 5138
Pants - New Look 6570
Skirt- Self Drafted

I'm still working out:

Dress
Blouse (without closures)
Cardigan/ Jacket

So after I finish Simplicity 2310 my only goals for the rest of the year to fit and muslin the patterns I'll be using for this challenge. I'm hoping that by doing this my sewing can be more productive, yeild more results, and make better use of my limited time.

Until next time happy sewing.......

Another SWAP

2011-11-03T05:28:00.000-04:00

Okay so its that time of year again, SWAP (Sewing With A Plan) thinking, planning and buying for those of sewers that enjoy SWAPing. Last year's rule were too restrictive for me so I didn't even try but this year's is so much better and its in line with what I already had planned. So why not join and have fun?

The rules are simple, pick seven items (types of garments) and of that seven 4 of them are to be sewn twice, they can either from the same pattern or two different patterns. They are meant to encourage developing TNT patterns

Skirt (2x)
Pant (2x)
Button Down shirt (2x)
T-shirt (2x)
Jacket
Basic Top
Dress

Here is part of my plan, next I need to get my fabrics together which I hope to do soon.

Dress vogue 8379

New Look 6570 Pant

McCall's 5138 button down shirt

New Look 6735 T-shirt

Simplicity 2310 Basic Top

Simplicity 2284 Jacket

Self Drafted Skirt

Until next time happy sewing eveyone

November Goals

2011-11-02T15:54:00.002-04:00

I only have three and they are:

Sew up Simplicity 2310 in the black and red print
Fit McCall's 5138
Fit Simplicity 2284

I'm hoping that shirt and jacket become TNT patterns for me. My goal for this next year is to really get a good set of TNT patterns of basics I wear all the time. I hope to post a working list of patterns I'm using and update when something is a success or a fail and what I'm using next.

October ramblings

2011-10-31T12:48:00.000-04:00

Well as you can see my blogtober fest was a big fail, not much I can really say about it except I have been busy with work and family. But I have been tweeting a lot more and you can follow my tweets at @Sewmodest1 and also I started Pinning. I did not get much done sewing wise as I would have liked but that is how it is most of the time anyway. I'm hoping November will be much better and much more productive. I'm still trying to figure out a nice challenge for myself with a nice reward along with it. I'm thinking about trying to do a SWAP (Sewing With A Plan) for myself and also the November-January 6pc winter collection sew along. Yeah already I'm putting a lot on my plate, oh well, I love planning sometimes just as much as sewing it up. Let's see how November turns out for me.
Until next time happy sewing....

New Sewing Studio

2011-10-30T17:00:00.000-04:00

So I have been in my new place for about four months now and once again I have a new sewing studio. The walls are still pretty bare but that is okay with me the only other addition I would like is a wall clock to help me keep track of time.

These pics are over a week old, so you do not see my new clam steam press that I got but other than that the studio is still pretty much the same.

The room is not completely clean in these pics but at the same time I'm not embarrassed to show it either. Anyway have fun looking

Above you can see the plastic drawers that hold my patterns. The are separated according to type and arranged numerically in each drawer.
To the left you can see my dressform it has been filled out now to somewhat mirror my size but is not my shape I need to do more tweaking for that.

To the front of the room you can see my mini couch and laptop table behind the pattern drawers and mirror to the side.

Unti next time happy sewing

Simplicity 2310 in Black and Red

2011-10-29T15:00:00.000-04:00

Okay so this is next, Simplicity 2310 in a black and red cotton/ poly mix fabric. I got fabric last year here in Riyadh with the intent on making a nice tunic top, so now is its time. As for the pattern it seems to be pretty easy except for the yoke, its something new to me so we'll see how it goes. I know I seen this also in "Easy Guide to Sewing Blouses" so I'll also have a book for reference to help me.

So right now I'm still tracing my pattern pieces, and it looks as if I don't need to do anything with the pattern just yet. The top has about 9 inches of ease over the bust area which I think is plenty right now, also I'm blending sizes from bust to hip. In the bust I am a size and in the hip a size 16. I'm hoping to get this done quickly since I'm ready to get started on some fabric I just purchased, but that will be another blog post .

Until next time happy sewing....

Think Of My Next Adventure

2011-10-21T03:03:00.000-04:00

My studio is clean and ready for my next sewing adventure. At below right you can see the four patterns I have been thinking about for a while, they are:

Simplicity 2599
Simplicity 2614
Simplicity 2310
McCall's 5138

So far I have narrowed it down to two, and they are Simplicity 2614 and 2310. McCall's required a notions shopping trip that was first eliminated, Simplicity 2599 I needed to add sleeves and right now I just
wanna sew also some of the frills on it i was not feeling so that left me with the other two. I'm hoping I come to a decision soon since I at least want to trace and cut this weekend but at this rate I might not.

I already have my fabrics picked out that I want to use. They are some polyesters (think JoAnn silkies line) I got here last winter. I had other plans for them but as you can see it did not workout, so now I'm planning to use them for some simple winter tops.

I'm only liking two of the four prints but I'm going to try and make the other two work, if they don't then they will just be practice.

I'm hoping that during our next school break I get a chance to do some fabric shopping, I would like to get some real wools and cottons and other natural high quality fabric. I'm still not sure where to look but I'm going to try and ask around to see.

Well until next time happy sewing...

98% Done

2011-10-19T16:15:00.000-04:00

Here is my anthropologie inspired outfit it only took me about 2 months to complete. Anyway the skirt is self drafted from my A-line from D-I-Y Clothes by Cal Patch. The top is Simplicity 2345 with sleeves added from another simplicity pattern this is actually my second time making up this pattern and the drape on this top is not like the first (first was a poly knit and this one is a cotton knit) but I'm still happy with it. I got the idea to do a cowl from my inspiration photo with the scarf around her neck. As a title suggest I'm not completely done, I just need to hem the bottom of the top and I'm done. All in all I am happy with how it looks and came out. I'm hoping to wear it next week to work with a nice cuff bracelet I have picked out.

I'm not sure what is next but I hope to get started this weekend.

Until next time happy sewing everyone......

Recent Goodies from Home

2011-10-04T15:39:00.001-04:00

A few weeks ago I asked my mom to pick a few patterns during a Simplicity sale at JoAnn Fabrics. Here are just some of the patterns I got I'll post the rest tomorrow.

When I was selecting my patterns I was really aiming for patterns that I really would sew and also are easy to fit and sew. I think I have learned a lot about my sewing this year and I want my purchasing of patterns to reflect what I know and like.

Until next time happy sewing everyone ;)

Blogtoberfest 2011

2011-10-03T12:48:00.001-04:00

Its been over a month since I last posted, but not much has changed since sewing wise. At least as far as progress, I'm almost finish my anthro inspired outfit, I just need to hem both the skirt and top and I'm done. I hope to finish this weekend. One thing that has slowed me down is working, I started working as a first grade esl teacher and already I'm thinking about quitting. Yes the money would be nice for my fabric addiction but I really feel that its not worth it and that I'm not a good teacher and that it takes away from my family too much. But I feel like I need to work to have money right now to have something for myself, to do for myself, I know I have became too dependent. I'm still not sure if I'm going to try and continue to work or just come home where I'm needed more, but I know I'll just feel like even more of a failure to myself. But enough about that.

Today I signed up for blogtoberfest, the goal or idea is to blog everyday during the month of October I just found out about it today so I'm already 3 days behind but I won't let that stop me. Now anyone who reads my blog know that I try to blog as much as I can and I'm never able to do it regularly, but that is one of my goals for my blog is to blog everyday about any sewing/ designing. But I have to remember I am a mother of many and so my time is limited so I have to find a balance and so far I have not found it. But I also love a challenge and this is one I'm going to try.I may not always have pics but I'll try as much as I can since I love blogs that have pics and think they make a blog much more interesting.

Happy Sewing everyone

Planning Fall 2011’s Most Wearable Trends to sew

2011-08-08T12:00:00.006-04:00

Mustard: Still not sure what I am going to make with this one yet, its a knit that I have had for about 3 years now. Its really brown with a mustard yellow paisley print, I had no idea the print was so large when I purchased this one online from fabric.com. I have seen it made up few times on patternreview a couple of times, but still not sure how its going to look on me. I love the print don't get me wrong but it needs to be made up into that right piece for my body. But i don't plan to work with it until I have something to make to go with it, I dislike sewing up orphans

Granny Plaids: Here is another tough one for me, I love the print but not sure what I want to make with it. Its not that I'm short on ideas, only short on fabric. I know some will say its only fabric and just get some more. But here in a country where I can't drive, don't speak the language well at all, and doesn't get deliveries very well. I have to make the most of what I have. And also make the most of my time and money when I do get a chance to go out and buy more.
Well for this one I'm leaning towards a maxi skirt with a white knit turtleneck top. I would use my self-drafted skirt pattern and Burda 7742 for the turtleneck.

Chunky Sweater and Maxi skirt: Love the look, I remember loving this in high school. My only problem is finding a pattern. Oh and a nice chunky sweater and skinny jeans is totally me also. I can't wait to start on this look.

Bright Pants: I remember the neon phase of the nineties and the hot pink look also and I couldn't do it then and I don't think I could do it now but also when I think of bright a loud candy apple comes to mind and white so I can rock that. I only have two yards of the red twill but I'm hoping I can squeeze some skinny pants out it. The white is a Ralph L. I got from a Fabric Mart bundle a few years ago. I have enough of it to make at least three things but with kids going out with white its always a good thing. So I'll have to plan well with both.

Polka Dots: I have never done ploka dots, but depending the style I like the look. So I'm being bold and I'm going to try and make it work for me. As you can see this one goes with the fabric I have for my bright pants. This could a mini 3 or 4 piece wardrobe.

Taking my time with it

2011-08-07T07:05:00.000-04:00

So here is where I am at with my skirt, I haven't even started on the top yet. But I hope to at least finish the skirt today and cut out my today also.
For my skirt I need to insert my zipper, apply interfacing to the skirt facing and attach those and hem. Not much by the looks of it but I know this will probably be an all day task for me. The kids just seem to go haywire when I'm in my room during the day for some reason. At the most I may get 10 or 15 mins of no interruption. So keeping to Nancy's 10,20,30 Minutes to Sew is a must for me to be able to complete anything. Also I have to learn to stick to one thing at a time, even though I'm not exactly doing that right now. But the top and the skirt are one project for me right now so I'm letting that rule slide for now.

Until next time happy sewing......

Self drafted skirt and Cowl top

2011-07-30T16:46:00.001-04:00

My next outfit is inspired by an Anthropolgie outfit that I blogged about a few months ago. I already drafted the pattern using my book DIY Clothes by Cal Patch, with the intent of making the skirt. But of course not much could be done after I drafted it since I was still early in my pregnancy and there was no chance of me being able to wear it anytime soon.

I have now fitted my muslin and I am ready to start the real deal (anyone in or from Baltimore know about the one on Greenmont Ave.), anyway I have my pattern pieces cut and hope to start sewing tonight.

For my top I'll be using Simplicity 2345, a cowl neck knit top. I have made this once and it is one of my favorite tops. The only issue is that I would like my sleeves a little longer. On the orginal pattern it is sleeveless but I added sleeves using another Simplicity knit top.

Until next time Happy Sewing.....

Simplicity 2725 3x

2011-07-28T15:53:00.000-04:00

I'm done, I did it, I started and finished my contest entry. Three tops in one month and also gave birth on the third day of the contest so that took off more than a week. But I did it, I DID IT!!!

Okay now about my tops. For the first one I kept everything as is other than eliminate the back zipper. So the black top is the bare bones of the pattern,just a great way to show off a nice fabric.

For the second top which is the red and black cotton print from Joann's a few years ago, I did not add the cuff to the sleeves and instead hemmed it as is and add a drawstring to the sleeves. to control some of the fullness I made a small belt with piping and added belt loops to sides of the top. My only problem was that I made the belt a bit too small because after sewing it up, it took me two days to turn it by hand and even then I did not do all of it, by the second day I gave it to my daughter to work on but I ended up finishing it.

For the third top I decided to add pockets to the bodice and also I added sleeve taps and also again I did another belt but this time I learned my lesson about the size of the belt. This time it didn't take me long at all to turn my belt. The fabric is a medium weight beige cotton that was purchased from fabric.com a few years ago.

In conclusion I'm so happy that I did this contest for many reasons. For one I really enjoyed working with the blank canvas and making something totally different each time. It has given me a since of accomplishment for having completed this time around and on time at that. Also I see the true value in having TNT patterns. I don't think this will be my basic top pattern but it is one of my TNTs now and I hope to make more in the future.

Until next time Happy Sewing...

SQOTW: Do you sew more for style of functionality?

2011-07-24T12:37:00.001-04:00

SQOTW: Do you sew more for style of functionality? Do you sew because you can't find clothes that fit and you have to make your own, or do you sew because you just like creating your own style?

Buying clothes has always been a challenge for me. It was always either trying to find the right style, or color to fit and price. I was always coming up short. The last straw came when I had a chance to go on a mini shopping spree at one of the largest mall around Baltimore aka Arundel Mills and I came back home empty handed, nothing, nada. I was upset to say the least. So I figured I would make my own clothes.

When I first started sewing I was focused more on style and fit but really had no clue what I needed or wanted and also I had no "eye" for fabric to pattern match. I did a lot of experimenting and had no fear at the time of sewing, I was sewing because I needed clothes but soon the joy of creating started to creep in and it was all I wanted to do. Then came patternreview.com and that changed everything including the fear to sew. It has now been 9 years even though most of that time I was off sewing more than on sewing, I think I have learned a lot and still have a lot to learn but I am getting better with each new challenge or garment, and still I have a fear of somethings. But now I sew first for function then I factor in style and fit. And with style and fit I have now ventured off into design and patternmaking which I am to quote a Micky D's commercial "I'm lovin it" right now.

I still have a lot to learn and there are lot of things I wish to sew and make myself. So my sewing adventure has really just started for me and I hope it can continue for many more years and continue to be a joy in my life.

Until next time......Happy sewing

Simplicity 2725 first top is done

2011-07-16T09:49:00.000-04:00

Well my first top is done and has been for about a week now. Surprisingly it fit almost straight from the envelop. My only adjustments were to lower the bust dart a bit and widen the neckline so I would not need a zipper in the back. I will say that learning to make my own patterns is helping me to understand adjustments and how to make them.

The fabric I used was cotton with some stretch to it that my sister bought me from Morocco a few years ago it reminds me of the cotton poplin I had a while back. While it is cotton I think I'll have to wait until it cools down a bit more before i wear it. Yesterday at 116 degrees, I try to keep my clothes as light and airy as possible.

The pattern again is Simplicity 2725, its also my level 3 garment from my learn to sew blog. Its pretty much a basic top with a neck facing, gathered sleeves with small cuff. The top is also very a-line so if you have hips it will accentuate them.

I have already started my second top and hope to be done before the end of this week I have about 2 weeks to finish at least 3 more tops for my contest entry. I hope I can get at least three done in time but I know I'll have the minimum of two done in time God Willing.

Until next time happy sewing.

Number 9 is a BOY!!!!!!!

2011-07-07T11:20:00.000-04:00

Well its a boy for me, born July 3, 2011. Weighing at 8lbs and 6oz.

I hope to continue in the One Pattern Multiple looks contest. I'm just going to take it slow and try to get my rest when I can. But when you have 8 other kids and no one really to help, I have to be up most of the time doing something anyway. It helps that I have a sewing studio so I can leave everything out and just come and do something when I have a minute or just take one anyway. Like right now I think he will be down for at least an hour, I have a load of laundry and my kids are out playing on the front and since I can watch them from my sewing studio window this will give me time to put in the lapped zipper on my first top, I hope.

Happy Sewing Everyone

Sewmodest

Anda Benefits of Sewing

2011-06-29T13:31:00.000-04:00

I was just checking out one of my favorite online shops, just to do some web browsing when I came across this dress. A basic dress that cost $105, not really in my ballpark for a dress so simple.
But you can make this cute little number for a small fraction of the price and in any fabric you wish with Burdastyle's Anda dress pattern.

Modcloth $105

Burdastyle Anda

Well after seeing this little number, I'm going stash shopping to make up a few for after baby. I think this will whip up pretty quick and not take me days on end to finish just one.

Happy Sewing everyone

I have picked my pattern

2011-06-25T18:02:00.000-04:00

Well I have picked my pattern, I'm going to use Simplicity 2725. While I still have not completely fitted it yet, I know it will fit around my postpartum body as is. I may just need to lower the dart a bit, but other than that its ready to go. So far I have four different variations planned and have the fabrics for, but actually making four in a single month is another thing esp since I'm still working my way through the Learn To Sew series. Now I just need to get a few notions and some thread and I hope I can start July 1.

Finally... One Pattern Multiple Looks

2011-06-21T06:39:00.000-04:00

Patternreview has finally started the contest thread for the One Pattern, Many Looks contest. It runs one month from July1 to July 31. I have entered so many contest on patternreview , only to make nothing by the end of the month. I don't know what it is but before the contest I am so pumped up its ridiculous, but then suddenly the day it starts I start feeling a pressure and wind up doing nothing or after my first failure I just give up. I hate this about myself, and I am determined to change this bad habit about, starting with this contest.

Simplicity 2725

Even though I am nine months pregnant now and can go any day, I have picked out two a super basic, super easy patterns to work with . One of the patterns is part of my learn to sew program and the other is a basic shell. So I am deciding between Simplicity 2725 and McCall's 5352. Both of them I was able to check the fit while I was pregnant so I'm sure they will at least fit postpartum just not sure the exact look of the fit once my belly is gone. Now its just picking one and deciding what variations I want to try.

McCall's 5352

So from my style file here are some inspirations. I'm not sure where all of these have come from, just when shopping the net I tend to save items that I like.

Until next time happy sewing

Simplicity 7227 skirt for level 1

2011-06-18T11:27:00.002-04:00

I have finished my skirt for level one on my learn to sew blog

Here is the final post for my level one

Level 1 skirt done

Simplicity 7227 is done. I can defiantly say it has been one of my quickest recent projects. It is also one of my most successful. Even though this is an elastic waist skirt made from one of the most matronly fabrics I have it is also one best looking when it comes to the inside.I think what made the difference is the hem. I have never done a hand stitched hem and I have never used seam binding before and this made a real difference on how the skirt looked on the inside. I did not use a lace labled seam binding but instead used a narrow lace that I already had. I don't know if I'll actually be able to find anything like that here labeled seam binding,but I think it still worked out.

What did I learn from Level 1

How to do a hand stitched hem
How seam binding can make a hem look a lot better
Simple can still be nice

So in conclusion, I really like how it turned out and I am glad I did take the time to do level one even though I feel my skills are beyond this level but I did learn something and that is what is most important here. Also I now a new pattern that I would like to use more that can whipped up in no time.

Pictures Coming Soon

A Basic Top

2011-05-02T15:46:00.000-04:00

To give you an idea of what I'm looking for when it comes to a basic top.

Now to find a pattern.

Happy sewing

Making Tonight a TNT night with twitter

2011-05-02T14:53:00.000-04:00

Well after being gone for 2 months, I think its time for me to do something for me. Not long before I stopped blogging I received some of the worst news I have ever had in my life, it changed everything around me. Someone I loved and trusted hurt me more than I can describe, as the saying goes the ones we love most are the ones that hurt us the most and it hurt. I guess I put too much of myself in something that is not guaranteed. I know it will be a long time before I'm any better but I need to start doing something for myself. What more than sewing and designing.

I still don't have a camera but I do plan to tweet my progress and what I am doing until I do and still blog but not as much as I would like. I know myself I don't like to read a blog unless I have some visuals to go along with it. But I will do my best until then.

One of my current sewing obsessions is having a TnT basic top pattern. I want something easy but at the same time flattering. Going too basic with most patterns so far just end up looking like a sack, so tonight I plan to pull an all nighter looking for, fitting, altering and adjusting a pattern I hope can be the start of a TnT top pattern. I hope to tweet my progress throughout the night and see how things end up for me. I plan to start in about a hour from now when I hope all the kids are asleep and my cleaning is done for the night, which should be around 11pm Riyadh time or 4pm eastern standard time. My twitter name is Sewmodest if you wish to follow along.

Happy sewing

On Hold For Now

2011-02-26T06:27:00.000-05:00

Well as you can see I have not blogged in a while and that is due to the fact I have no camera for pics. And I for one love reading blogs with pics to show. So for now I'm putting blogging on hold until I can get another camera. I'm hoping it won't last long though. Even though I am not blogging does not mean I am not sewing. Actually I have been doing a lot more sewing lately but ( and this is a big but) I don't know how the clothes will fit me yet because I'm 21 weeks pregnant now. Yes thats right I'm pregnant with number 9. So I'm making do the best I can because fitting right now is next to impossible. I'm using a lot of the things that I fitted before the pregnancy as a starting base. The things that I am sewing now are for a postpartum wardrobe, if you read my blog during my last pregnancy which was not that long ago, you know that I hate sewing maternity clothes so that is not even a consideration right now. Well I hope my absence from blogging is not long as I was starting to get the hang of it after all this time. So hope to blog again soon and happy sewing to everyone.

Sewmodest

Skirts and dresses? The longer, the better.‏

2011-02-02T14:48:00.000-05:00

That was the subject of the email I got from Anthropologie today. And of course I had to look, I do believe that you can be trendy, stylish and look good all while keeping it modest. I did see some gems in the small group and some gave me ideas for my summer wardrobe but I'm not saying anything just yet, I'll give some eye candy for now.

Until next time happy sewing everyone.

January Progress

2011-01-31T18:57:00.000-05:00

So here it is the last day of the month and all I have to show for it is nothing. But it has not been a productive month for me, I actually did get somethings done that I hope will make me more productive in the coming days and weeks ahead.

I put the black pants on hold temporally, and decided to some tracing, fitting and testing new patterns that I hope will become some TNTs for me. I came to the conclusion that I much as I like to make the latest new patterns and dive into the latest new Burda mag, I can't. Sewing now is not like it was when I started about 8 years ago when I had just one kid and one on the way. At that time I could just pick a pattern and work on it for large amounts of time and have a nice looking garment in no time. I was still a beginner but I took my time and it made all the difference in the world. I still have a shirt that I made as a total beginner, it took me about three weeks to get it done but that was because everything was new to me then and I wanted it to look like something I got from a fine boutique instead of someone asking if I had made it. When I was done I almost could not belive I had made it, and I wore it out for years after that until I accidently got a bleach stain on it. No one ever asked me if I made it or bought it until about 4 years ago I was at a little get together and someone was asking me about sewing and I mentioned that I had made the shirt I was wearing, another person who was sitting next to me remarked I would have never guessed you made that, that made my evening. Well now it is many years and children later and things have to change. I have said this many times before but I really do need some Tried and True patterns that work for me and I would love to make over and over with some changes here and there.

I look at other sewing bloggers and watch as they push out garment after garment, at times I do get a little jealous I do admit because its what I want to do, make beautiful well fitted clothes for myself. But then I have to remember I'm not like them. A lot of them are emptynesters , have older children that can do for themselves, or not as many children as me, or no children at all. So I had to do some long and hard thinking about my sewing time and how to be more productive. Tracing patterns, cutting tissues, fitting tissues, making adjustments, making muslins , making more adjustments and then making a final muslin is very time consuming and I don't have a lot of time. So I made a list of patterns that I have sewn that I like and fit well and also new patterns that I like and style that I think are very classic and chic and that will work with my lifestyle.

So for the past week I put the pants aside and have tracing, fitting, and testing patterns. I have done at least 10 so far and I am almost done. I have so far two skirts, three knit tops, 3 woven top and 1 pair of pants, some these I already made up and did not have to work with and some are new. A lot of the newer things did not work out and some did of course. I still have about 5 more patterns to work on and two of them are dresses and I think I'll be done after these. I already have a few outfits I'm ready to work on from my TNT set but first I want to complete this stage. This does not me I will not try out new patterns from time to time, I have no plans of giving up on trying new ones but at least I'll have some TNTs to fall back on.

As always happy sewing everyone.

I can make at least two

2011-01-20T14:09:00.001-05:00

Well things have been really slow around here this last past week, I mean so slow that I don't think I have turned on my sewing machine since my last post. That is I've been having a bad case of migraines lately, and when I get them I can't do a thing. So my place has been some what of wreck with the kids having half a day in school this week, so the most I can get done is very little cleaning and something for dinner. Sewing for now has been on halt. Tonight is no different, I can barely write this post without grabbing my head or putting it down. I'm still holding out hope to get at least two of my three projects done before the end of the month. I know I won't get the jacket started because the fabric and pattern are not match in terms of being able to get it out of the yardage I have. So now I have to plan something else for the denim.

I did manage to rearrange my sewing studio. So now I have a new set up that I hope will make sewing a bit more productive since things are right within stepping distance from one part to another without a lot of squeezing into spaces. I'll try to post pics as soon as I can.
In the mean time......happy sewing everyone

Moving Slowly Along

2011-01-11T14:48:00.000-05:00

I'm moving slowly along with my pants, but I hope to have them done soon. My biggest issue was finishing the edges. I did a hong kong finish to them ,so this required that I make my own bias tape. I still have the front legs to do, but once I am done I think it will be smooth sailing from there. I may also have pics coming soon, I'm hoping by tomorrow. So keep a look out for those. I'll try to take pics of each step of making them. As always with me I'm short on words even though I have a lot to say, but hey its one of the reasons I started my blog to get better with writing. So until next time happy sewing.

Burda Pants Part 2

2011-01-08T13:36:00.000-05:00

Keeping notes really do help, when I worked on my last pants fitting session I took a lot of notes and measurements, so with those in hand and few measurements and a muslin I was able to get a pretty good fit after two muslins. I won't say its perfect yet because I'm still learning but the look, feel and fit a lot better than anything I would get from the stores right now.

Everything cut except a few more interfacing pieces and I'm ready to go. I hope to start tonight. Also as soon as I can I'm going to post picks of my fabric buying spree on Thursday. Overall it was okay but I see that I'm still going to have to get a lot of things shipped to me. Navigating the sewing supply stores and fabric stores is a real pain and still hard to find things I'm used to and need. I did manage to get sewing machine needles but not the interfacing I need and also I need more silk pins and some other notions. Well anyway until next time Happy sewing.

Burda 4-2009 pant

2011-01-05T03:43:00.000-05:00

Burda Magazine 4-2009-118

This is my second pant I have made from Burda Magazine (this first was a pair of maternity pants) and so far I'm pleased with the fit straight from the magazine. I do have a bit to tweaking to do but not that much, I hope. I'm going to take my time and not rush the fitting and adjustment process. I'm hoping in the end I can have a TNT pants pattern for wide leg pants. My first is a bootcut pants pattern from Burda envelope patterns that I have made about three times now, the most of any other pants pattern.
I plan on making a pair of black pants in a fluid fabric that I have had now for a few years. I'm not sure what it is, it is a toss up between the brushed twill that I got from farbic dot com or a polyester triactate I got from fabric mart, I don't have my other black fabrics with me so I can not compare to see which one I bought. Also I'm trying to figure out how to finish the inside, the fabric is very loose and when cut makes these tiny bits on my table that resemble tiny black bugs. I'm leaning towards a hong kong finish since the only lining I have found here is polyesters and I'm not trying to make them any hotter. We shall see.

Since I'm starting off with pants, maybe I should sew-along with Sunni at CupCake Goddess. She is currently having a Trouser Sew-Along for the month of Januray. But I'm hoping to get them done soon so I can start on my top and then get to my jacket. I have to keep reminding myself quality and not quanitity.

Until next post Happy Sewing.

Burda 8513 bootcut

January Jacket

2011-01-03T15:53:00.000-05:00

I have picked my jacket for January and its looks to be pretty easy so maybe I can get this done or at least most of it done this month. I'm going to make the most of my time and focus on quality not quantity, it is an OOP Butterick 5256. The jacket is not lined but I am going to try and line it and the body and sleeves are one. I don't know if this will pose a challenge but I'll try.

Again I don't plan to make 12 jackets in a year, I just don't have that time so I'm aiming for at least 3 but hoping for 4 this year . I'm also need to plan some clothes too to go along with my new jacket. Hopefully I'll have something soon.
Happy Sewing

No New Year's Resolutions

2011-01-01T08:43:00.000-05:00

Well I don't do New Year's Resolutions but I am going to start monthly goals. So for my first monthly goal which will be January 2011.

To start my first jacket
Sew up a top and pant. (which means sew up a new outfit)
Finish my draft and sew up my tunic in fashion fabric

At the end of January I'll highlight these goals again and see how I did, God-Willing.

Simplicity Picks

2010-12-29T04:11:00.000-05:00

Sooner or later I'm going to have to get used to just dealing with BurdaStyle Magazine patterns and maybe the occasional printable pattern since shipping from America can be expensive, but until then while I can still get deals on patterns I will get the ones I really want and leave the ones that are "maybes" alone.

So Simplicity just came out with their new early spring collection and with the sale going on at sewingpatterns dot com, I decided to snatch up the ones I have been eying a while since I'll be getting another shipment soon. So what did I get?

January BurdaStyle Picks

2010-12-28T04:18:00.001-05:00

After looking though the online preview for the January BurdaStyle, I'm really looking forward to picking one up as soon as they are available here. Since they cost 49 riyals ($13) each, I have to be picky about what I get and the pickings have been very slim the last few months but January is looking like a winner. So now I bring you my first post on BurdaStyle patterns that interest me. Once I get the mag in my hands I think this list will grow, as few have potential but I need to see the line drawing and pictures up close.

Once again Blogger does not want to corporate with me so I'll leave well enough alone and until next time Happy Sewing.

No Camera and New Draft

2010-12-27T12:16:00.001-05:00

I was hoping to do more blogging but things aren't turning out that way. So post may still be on a sporadic schedule. To me a blog is not a blog without pictures, a blog post is much more interesting when it has pics. And now I have no camera thanks to my oldest daughter and a pitcher of iced tea. So until I do get a camera again I'll continued to blog using borrowed web pics when needed and pics taken with a borrowed camera when I can get it.

In the mean time, I started a new draft of a pattern but this time I'm not following the book DIY Clothes to a "T", instead I'm using it as a guide in drafting a tunic I designed. Its nothing complicated or overly designed but pretty basic hoping to build my skills with more complicated things over time. My long term goal is to be able to design almost anything thing and draft or drape my design and make it up.

I'm also working on a mini collection or wardrobe for myself, I'm still in the planning stage but hope to have some patterns and drafts to show soon.

Until next time Happy sewing.

Jacket Sew Along

2010-12-23T07:07:00.001-05:00

Over at Stitcher's Guild there has been much talk and enthusiasm over the newest sew-along, a jacket a month. It was inspired by Gigi's one jacket a month she had this year and she was actually about to accomplish it and even past her goal making a total of 13 jackets. I actually followed along from the beginning and even thought about making my own little challenge but never put anything into play since I had no idea what. Well now there is a sew- along for 2011. Now I already had plans to try and make a couple for myself but after reading the thread I think I would like to join. I don't even plan to make the 12 total but I'm aiming for 4 at least, even though I'm living in the middle of the desert in the winter months is does cool down enough at night to wear a jacket and sometimes during the summer months depending on where you are the A.C can require you to need one.

The pics you see are just some ideas of patterns to use, I have a lot more including my BWOF/Burdastyle mags. The brown and gold houndstooth was a fabric I got from fabric dot com a few years ago with the intention to make a jacket like the one by Micheal Kors you see on the right but never got around to it. Now I have some motivation to finally make it up but I plan to use a different pattern than the original one I chose. I don't plan to officially say anything in the forum until I have finished my first jacket but I have joined the flickr group set-up for the sew along, so we shall see how it goes.

As far as current sewing, I have designed a simple top and now I'm working on the pattern but I'll talk more about that in my next post. Until next time Happy Sewing

Squidoo

2010-12-18T13:45:00.001-05:00

I'm still learning about this lens thing called Squidoo, but it seems interesting so I'm giving it a try. I have two lenses. Tell me what you think please.

Online and Learn at Home fashion schools

Fashion Design Books

Blue Cord Skirt done

2010-12-18T09:00:00.013-05:00

My skirt is done, and I'm happy with how it looks but unhappy with myself for rushing at the end. I messed up on the zipper a little but its not that noticeable, also I drafted a waist facing but screwed that up when I forgot to interface it. So I ended up using some slevedge from a twill home decor fabric I have from Ikea.I really have to remember quality and quantity when it comes with teaching myself sewing and patternmaking speed will come with time and experience.

All in all it was a pretty easy draft and the fit is pretty good (one of the best). Sewing also was pretty easy other than my careless mistakes. One thing I did not do with this skirt which I plan to do with the rest of my skirts is sew the back darts, this time I just eased in the fullness but I think I like it better with the darts instead.


front up close

Front dart and side zip

I was surprised that I was able to get the main print centered without losing any extra fabric since with cord you have to cut with the nap. I was able to get two extra items cut from the same five yards, but I will wait to sew them up for now I need a top to match my new skirt.

unmatched side

The only thing I was not able to do was to match the print at the side seams. I would have lost/ wasted too much fabric.

I'm hoping this will become a new TNT for me since I already have a few more of these planned and also I want to move on the the next variation from the book. But first I need to get more bottom weight fabric much of what I see in the souk is dress fabric, I'm really missing fabric dot com right now, oh well. I'm going to need time to do some searching for a local source.
Now on to the next thing which I'm still not sure what but I hope to start this week.

Design it Yourself skirt- Fabric and pattern

2010-12-17T07:42:00.000-05:00

Blue Paisley Cord and zipper

Start of skirt draft

Wow how time flies its been almost a month since my last post, but I have been pretty busy. Life has slowed down a little so now I can sew more, hopefully.

The fabric I have chosen for my first skirt is a blue paisley corduroy from fabric dot com that I got a few years ago while still in America. I loved the print so much that I got five yards hoping to make more than one item from it.

Now I have drafted this skirt a few times in the past so it did not take me long, less than an hour with interruptions from the kiddies. Next up my finished skirt.

Design it Yourself skirt- tools

2010-11-20T14:38:00.001-05:00

Pretty straight forward, these are the tools I used when making the pattern.

Paper- long enough and wide enough to draft one quater of your skirt, remember you need a front and back so two sheets is what you'll need.
Paper cutting sissors- I keep a pair for paper and a few pair for fabric that I keep out of reach of everyone in this house.
Mechanical pencil- now I have read forum threads and books which say you need to use this kind of pencil and some that say you don't, there are many arguments to both sides about but for me I just like the constant even line and no sharping is needed, that's enough for me.
A square- this is for squaring various angles that will me made during the draft a regular 2 inch wide ruler will do tho or a triangle with a 90 degree angle. (this is not in the picture but I do have a professional one)
Do hicky measuring thing- okay that is not its name but its the little blue thing in the middle of my picture it helps me to add seam allowances or mark them with ease but again a regular 18x2 inch ruler will do.
Hip curve- this is for smoothing out those angles that are formed when drafting your skirt
Tape measure- for taking your own measurements, for me I don't use it to aid in drafting as it is too floppy so it doesn't stay still enough for me, but I do use it to measure curved areas.
Skirt drafting directions- pretty much self explanatory. For those who do not have the book here is a good online source.

next post fabric and completed pattern

November 1, 2010

2010-11-14T10:05:00.000-05:00

Was suppose to be the start of my own challenge but I got side tracked by work and also the one pattern wardrobe contest. I still plan to keep my challenge but I'm pushing the start date to November 16. Also I'm not going to use ready made patterns, I'm going to go ahead and start with self drafted patterns using Design-It- Yourself Clothes as guide. I plan to start from the beginning with the skirts with my blog even though I have attempted to draft the shirt and tee with okay results. The draft should be a whiz for me since this will be like my fifth time drafting it from scratch, my reasoning for doing was to gain accuracy in drafting along with speed as well as familiarity. I think now I can do it without even looking at the directions but I will for now.
Well see, you in a few days with my first post on drafting the pattern along with the fabric I picked out.

Why do I fear contest?

2010-11-14T09:52:00.000-05:00

I'm not sure what it is, but I have enough time to finish my contest entry for the one pattern wardrobe over at Patternreview and for some reason I just don't want to. I do this a lot with the sewing contest I enter on PR, I have to complete and post them but in the end I just don't. I know that sometimes I feel as though no one wants to see what I'm making compared to the other items I see posted but its not always like that. Well whatever it is I hope I can get over it I sure would like to make a contest deadline for once.

The Wardrobe Project

2010-10-19T15:13:00.000-04:00

vogue 1166

Well I made plans to start a new blog for a new idea I had been planning for a while, but then I had some unexpected things happen that included moving and getting a new job. So now I had to rethink my plan, and that started with me deleting the blog and just keeping it simple with one blog.

For awhile I had this idea to use a basic wardrobe pattern from a major pattern company, and use only that pattern for an entire year. Which meant I

simplicity 4149

only had to do fitting once and then using basic patternmaking skills to make endless new combinations. The only problem I had was that I could not find a wardrobe pattern with a good starting point. One of the biggest problems was that most wardrobe patterns the top is sleeveless, another is that most of them come with only one bottom meaning it was hard finding one with both pants and a skirt. McCall's currently does not have a pattern like this, Butterick doesn't have one,Vogue comes close with some of its Vogue Wardrobe patterns such as Vogue 1166 but the top is a knit with limits my options and the skirt is straight so trying to lengthen it with walking ease , I'm not sure how to do. Vogue has other patterns that have tops with sleeves but they are all knits. Simplicity comes the closes with 4149 but then after all the looking I just decided go find the items in my own pattern collection. That idea only lasted for so long as I wanted to also get more into patternmaking so I thought about just using Cal Patch's book Design-It-Yourself Clothes its my favorite book right now and I want to complete all the projects in it. So I decided to mix both ideas.

I'm going to use a basic patterns that are already in my collection and slowly replace them with self drafted ones once I have perfected the fit or maybe just self drafted depending on how much drafting and fitting I can get done between now and November 1. This includes a skirt, woven top, knit top, basic pant, and a dress. I will change them using the directions from Cal's book and my many other pattern making books.

So it will be 52 weeks + 5 patterns + 27 books = 1 warbrobe

No more sewing room but.....

2010-09-02T19:52:00.000-04:00

I'll have a sewing studio soon.

So we decided to move and we'll be moving sometime next week. For me this means a room all to myself for a studio. I'm looking forward to the new room but not the moving part. So I maybe absent from my blog for about a week but I already have my next project in mind, some skirts because I need some. Once my room is up and running I'll post pics of the new room..

Until then happy sewing everyone.....

My Sewing Room

2010-08-25T16:24:00.000-04:00

The cutting table and door

The mirror, bookcase, and couch with footstool

View from the couch with dressform

Two of my machines

Stack of Burda Mags and Serger

For some reason Blogger is not cooperating with me today,so my pics are a little messed up. Anyway Burdastyle started a flickr group for posting your sewing rooms and since I already had plans to do a post on my sewing room I decided to do it now. If you look closely enough at some of my pics you can see where my kids have left there marks in my room even though I try to keep them out of this room as much as possible.

I went and did it

2010-08-22T19:07:00.001-04:00

Yes, I caved and bought these two pattern. Looking forward to trying out some dresses. Now I have blown my pattern budget for the rest of the season, I'm hoping with my other sewing plans these will keep me too busy to even look at the winter offerings. Now I can't wait to get my hot little hands on them to start fitting.

McCall's 5429 finished but I'm not done

2010-08-21T13:53:00.002-04:00

McCall's 5429 done, originally uploaded by sewmodest.

Well I finally finished my skirt but I don't think I'm done with it. I'm not liking how bulky the belt loops are and how they stick out, they give a lot of lumps and bumps around the waistline that I don't need. I'm going to leave them for tonight and then decide. But over all I really like this pattern and already have plans to make at least 2 more with slight variations, just need to find some good quality bottom weight or mid weight twill. The top on my dressform is another of my UFOs that I plan to finish soon, it is Vogue 2980 the Betzina bolero tee, the neckline is a bit wide for me but I'll finish this one but I think I'll stick to the Jalie sweetheart tee for my fashion tees for now.

which one?

2010-08-21T09:34:00.001-04:00

Before I get started on my next project I want to do something quick and easy, I'll be using a stretch poplin that I got from fabric.com about a year ago. So I have decided to use one of these, either view A on the New Look pattern or view I on Butterick. They are pretty much the same other than slightly different necklines and the side seaming and view A on New Look uses a belt. Once I figure out the ease and in each of these then I'll know.

McCall's 5429 almost done

2010-08-20T09:11:00.000-04:00

I have already completed one of my UFOs but not sure if I want to do a review for it yet, its the Jalie stretch jeans. Mines fit okay could be better they are too low in the back as usual and too tight in the thigh area. I know that they are suppose to be tight but they are too tight for me and I need and extra long tunic to wear them.

McCalls 5429 with hem gauge poking out

So since I suddenly was in the mood to start sewing I went on and started McCall's 5429 view c. I had already cut it out so the hard part was over. Within the first hour I had all the back, side back and side front seams sewn and finished. I know that may sound like a long time to do so little but remember I have 8 kids and school is out so during the day there is no such thing as going that long without hearing "MOMMY!!!". Anyway I was happy to get that done that the next day I sewed in the fly zipper and stitched up front and topstitch all the seams. I skipped a day before I worked on the waistband , note to everyone don't use thick denim with this pattern or at least use a lighter weight fabric for inside waistband and don't double over the belt loops. My waistband is pretty bulky in some places and I'm afraid of throwing off the timing on my machine again so now I have to figure out how to get these belt loops sewn on top. I hope later today to hem and finish attaching the belt loops.

After 1 hour of sewing

On an side note this view C runs a bit longer than the pattern illustration, I'm 5'6 or 7 and it is sweeping the ground so even after I sew up the hem its going to be pretty long more like a maxi skirt.

inside finished

I think my mojo is coming back, I hope so.

One day I'll figure out how to move these pictures around better.

m5429 almost done

Burda 8513 and 3 muslins

2010-08-15T20:30:00.002-04:00

FBA on pants back

In my search for a good basic pants pattern I decided to try burda 8513 once again. I had much success with it about 4 years ago when I tried it, it wasn't a perfect fit but I loved how it looked on me and I wanted something fast and easy.

I didn't know exactly how to start so I just made up a muslin in closes size. Well with Burda I'm between sizes so I went with the smaller size. Well once I sewed it up and tried it on, it looked as if I was wearing a pair of my children's pants. So I did some measuring and a bit of research and decided to try the method in Threads about improving the bottom line Threads 143 page 47, basically its a full butt adjustment or and FBA for your bottom (in my terms). After doing that the fit was much better but it was still a little tight. So after that I decided to go up to the next size and do the same alteration to the pattern. Oh it was ten times better, only thing I needed to do was sew a deeper center back seam. After that I decided to leave it for now. Just to have pants that fit better than anything I could find in RTW was gratifying. I know I could still fine tune the fit a little better but I don't know what right now. I'm happy with the way it is, maybe the more I sew it the better I'll become at "reading" the wrinkles and making it fit even better. Now I just need to get out and try to find some good quality fabric to make up a few good pants.

Burda 8513 the middle is the final muslin

Oh yeah it only took me two days of working on it off and on, So it was a weekend well spent I think even if didn't actually make anything wearable yet.

Final back

On a side note this was done about 2 weeks ago before my sewing mojo decided to take a break.

Transitioning Already

2010-08-14T16:39:00.000-04:00

Well its still summer and around here it will last until about November from what I am told but already I decided to turn over my small fabric collection from summer to fall/ winter. Because it is so small it only took a couple of hours and that was because I did a lot of unfolding measuring and thinking about what it could become. I have a few pieces that I have had for a couple of years and that is because I love the print but either 1) I don't know what to make of it or 2) I don't want to waste it on dud pattern. But going through it gave me some good insight and that is only buy the best. Because if I buy anything else I'm really just wasting my time. Most of my successful garments of come from fabric that I loved and took my time with fit and construction.

Well I'm all done now. So what to do next? Not sure but I think I want to sew a little something. ;)

Dresses, Dresses, Dresses

2010-08-13T17:06:00.000-04:00

What is it about dresses that I want to make one, no not one but many of them right now so bad? Its feminine, they're cute or how ever else you want to look and its easy. Easy to get dressed just throw it on and your done, a belt if you like, a cardigan , some stand out jewelry , a mix of it or whatever, but there is no thinking what will I wear today, what to wear with this shirt or this skirt, or this pant. Its a complete outfit all in one. But I for the life of me can not find one in my price range meaning with all the Burdas, with all the big 4 offers, with all the New Look offers, I can't seem to find one I'm willing to put my little time into getting the right fit and sewing up a few times. That doesn't mean there isn't a dress out there because there is, its the Hot Pattern's Cosmo Dress that I have been drooling over for a few months and every time I see a new version of it I almost cry because its not me making it. Its simple and chic gotta love that. The only thing that is stopping me is my cheapness. I have never kicked out that much money for a pattern, when I bought the the 3 Jalie patterns I own that was a stretch for me, as far as Burda in the States it was not a big deal when you break it down per issue, here its a little more but its still no big deal.

Maybe getting something that I have longed for will be the cure to getting my sewing mojo back, I don't know. Whatever it is I know I need some dresses in my life, I don't own a single one and I'm not even sure what kind of dress would look good on me its been so long. I think my lack of dresses has to do with how much I was a tomboy growing up, I remember I hated wearing skirts as a kid, it was just too much air in between my legs so dresses was defiently out of the question. I remember liking how they look on others just not on me. Well now that I'm grown up I love wearing skirts, and now I need a dress,I need a dress (said like Robin Williams in Mrs. Doubtfire when he needed a face). A dress that will kill the tomboy and bring out the woman in me.

Taking a Break

2010-08-12T20:49:00.000-04:00

I don't know what it is but lately I have had no desire to sew. I don't know it is due to the recent failures I have had, or the 7 UFOs sitting on my cutting table ( I have never had that many), or the lack of finding the right fabric, whatever it is I hope it will be over soon. I just feel so down right now about it. Most of my sewing time is now spent reading other sewing blog and wishing I could make something or had the time to make the more complicated things.

So for now I'll be taking a short break ( I hope) from sewing and trying to make patterns. Hopefully I'll refresh my sewing mojo and get cracking soon.

Until then Happy Sewing

Here is a hint of whats to come

2010-07-30T11:34:00.001-04:00

Plagued by failure

2010-07-29T11:21:00.000-04:00

It seems as though I have been plagued by failure lately. Last night I was going to finish up a few of the UFO's that have been lurking in my sewing room lately. One was a pair of pants from BWOF, I was working on the fit and then I ruined those. Then a skirt I was working, I'm just not feeling like that, I got the fabric for a top but had to change plans due to the fabric and on top of that its too tight in the thigh area.To make a long story short, I have not made anything worth posting in a while and it was getting a little discouraging. I have put other plans on hold temporarily and decided to start things over sort of. I guess you can say starting with the basics.

More later.

Simlicity 2554

2010-07-10T09:55:00.000-04:00

Review to come soon but for now pics. I made this last summer when I was pregnant but never got around to writing a review so now I'm trying to catch up on some past items.

Changing things up a bit

2010-07-03T08:17:00.004-04:00

Remember this awesome print? The one I wanted to sew up right away and leave everything else. Well I have now incorporated into my wardrobe plan, an not only that I'll also be using for another contest also. Patternreview has another contest coming up soon called the One Pattern Many Looks or OPML for short. So I'm going to trying two contest at one time, a first for me. I just hope I can use my time wisely and finish my plans in time.

More Later....

First major notions purchase

2010-07-02T15:00:00.031-04:00

My first major notions purchase since being in my new country, and I have to say I was pleasantly surprise at how easy it was to find what I wanted. Why the surprise? Well first off I don't speak the language and two if you ever been to the this souk its a lot of stuff crammed into a small space and there can be a lot people in this small space. I also purchased this rockin knit print but that was at another store not far from the notions store. I had no intentions of buying fabric but it was the last piece, 3 meters and I just had to have it. I can't wait to make it up, I just want to throw everything aside just to sew this baby up now. I know what pattern I want to use, but I'll keep it a secret until it's done. But I'll give you a hint sweetheart, it's a top I'm lengthening into a maxi dress.

So what did I get other than the fabric

Cones of thread, four each of navy blue, black, white, and grey.
Small rolls of thread in burgundy, black, navy and white
Interfacing 3 meters
Black Lining 3 meters
A 24 yard roll of 1 inch wide elastic ( I got a deal on this)
Some buttons for the shirts I'm making
and some pins

I still need to get a couple of zippers, while they had plenty I could only find invisible zippers in the colors I needed. But I have some I can use for not but I need to keep one so I can use it as a sample of what I need when I go next time.

Well hopefully I'll have something completed soon to show.

As always more later... hopefully.

Book Review: Sew U

2010-07-01T15:00:00.042-04:00

Table of Contents
Introduction

Book Smart
Overview

Chapter 1 Getting in Gear

Tools: It's okay to break the rules
Shopping list
Ready, Set, Invest: How to shop for a sewing machine
Space Odyssey: Creating a comfortable place to sew
Get Organized

Chapter 2 Living in a Material World

Fabric Types
Buying fabrics
Preparing Fabric before you cut and sew
Extra credit: trims and notions
Storage ideas

Chapter 3 Pattern Behavior

Listen up! Why patterns matter
Half life: Why patterns look like that
Anatomy Lesson: The components of a pattern
Measure for measure: Sizing Yourself up
Preparing and handling patterns

Chapter 4 Chop Chop

Fabric pointers: Two things to remember before you place the pattern pieces
By the slice: Basic Layout and cutting steps
Isn't that special? Layout tips for plaids and stripes
After the cut: Marking your mark
Staying Organized after cutting

Chapter 5 Welcome to the machine

Prepping and understanding your machine
Sewing: a crash course

Chapter 6 Skirts

Pattern Pieces
Cutting
Sewing your Skirt
Built by You: Skirt Design Ideas
Built by You Projects

Chapter 7 Shirts

Pattern Pieces
Cutting
Sewing your Shirt
Built by You: Shirtt Design Ideas
Built by You Projects

Chapter 8 Pants

Pattern Pieces
Cutting
Sewing your Pants
Built by You: Pants Design Ideas
Built by You Projects

Chapter 9 Plan B
Glossary
Acknowledgements
Index

PaperBack or HardBound?
It's a Hardback and spiralbound
Does this book have clear illustrations or photographs? There are no photographs but the illustrations are clear, at least to me.

Would you recommend this book as a MUST HAVE? To a brand new begginner yes a must have for a more advance with lots of books maybe but if you like books with patterns and show you how to change them up it would be good.

A Year with Wendy... Sew U series review

2010-06-30T06:42:00.000-04:00

If you have all three Sew U books by Wendy Mullin of Built by Wendy then you have enough to keep you busy every week for one year , that is if you did one project per week. There are 53 total projects broken down it is:

Sew U - 10 items
Sew U Home Stretch - 18 items
Built By Wendy Dresses Sew U guide to Frocks- 25 items

Sew U books are some of my favorite books. When I wanna sit down and do some reading Sew U books are ones that grab a lot. All three contain 3 simplicity patterns that are used with the projects in the book and they range in size from xs to large. One of the main things I like about the book is its idea to keep reusing the same patterns but to change to look , weather it's using different fabrics, changing the length, adding trim, adding a new detail such as pockets or drawstring, or taking a way such as a collar or cuff. For some reason that concept or idea appeals to me more than always find a new and sew that one up. Now don't get me wrong I love collecting patterns, I don't know why but I do, but how many pants patterns do I need especially if I have the knowledge and creativity to change them to what I want. A few years ago when I first started sewing I was naive about everything when it came to a pattern. I use to think they were disposable, after all they were this thin tissue paper how could you keep that???? I lost a lot of patterns I wish I had now thinking that way. Well I have learned a lot since then and a have acquired a lot of books back then I had none I was only going by the pattern for everything. To keep it short and simple, if your new to sewing or more advanced, Eco-conscious, wanna sew your own style or just wanna express your creativity there is something for everyone in these books. Hopefully in the next three weeks I'll be doing individual book reviews with more pics.

Vogue's New Book for Better Sewing

2010-06-29T16:39:00.000-04:00

I have said this at least once before, I'm a book person and I love books that meant to teach. Well a few months ago I found a new blog called Gertie's New Blog for Better Sewing and is based on a vintage Vogue book to teach you to sew. Well I added it to my ebay search and quickly realized I was not going to get this book anytime soon. See the book is pretty rare right now and when it does become available its going for a small fortune, and I'm cheap when it comes to books (most of the time), so paying $60 plus dollars is out of the question. I'd rather spend that money on fabric and thread. I wonder if it's popularity and cost have gone up due Gertie's blog. Oh well on my wish list it stays. but check out Gertie's blog there is a lot to learn and see and love the vintage style.

Bored child

2010-06-29T12:10:00.001-04:00

See this is what happens when my child is forced to sitting in my sewing room for time out. She gets bored and sticks pins in her hand, complete with cut shirt.

special delivery

2010-06-25T09:57:00.001-04:00

special delivery, originally uploaded by sewmodest.

I finally got my package from the States. Its been a three month wait, but it wasn't due to shipping but due to looking for the best way to ship here. We have heard a lot of stories about how unreliable the postal service is here so we did not want to send it regular post, so after a few delays and shopping around for the best price from a more reliable carrier we finally went with Fedex. But even with them we quickly found out how unreliable they are here. When I was checking the tracking the afternoon that I got it was saying " on truck out for delivery" or something similar, but found out that the packages had been delivered earlier that day. Also what makes it so hard here to get things is that there are no addresses and the delivery system.... well let's say it needs to move into the 21 century. But I'm happy get my stuff.

What did I get? I got my Kenmore that I left in the States that I wanted back because the Singer I have is not holding its own, my new serger, two new books (reviews to come later), some patterns and a Spring Sew Stylish mag, and the latest Threads Mag.

On another note, I'm still cutting out a few projects and tracing a few more and hope to start sewing them up soon.

As always more later

Shirts and blouses

2010-06-18T15:00:00.001-04:00

Since I'm planning on sewing up a lot of shirts and blouses, I thought I would give a list of rescorses on fitting, making, and finishing blouses and shirts.

Shirtmaking- Developing Skills for Fine Sewing (book) by David Page Coffin
Easy Guide to Sewing Blouses (book) by Connie Long
Zapp Method of Couture (book) by Anna Zapp
Learn to Sew a Shirt or Blouse (DVD) featuring Marta Alto
From Sloper to Shirt (Threads Magazine article) July 2008 #137 by Kathleen Cheetham
Off the Cuff -Sewing Style- (Blog) by Pamela Erny
Fit for Real People (book)
Pattern Fitting with Confidence (book) Nancy Zeiman

McCall's 5433

2010-06-17T17:58:00.000-04:00

It FITS!!!! Well at least the tissue does. I traced a size 12 and did a 2 inch fba (full bust adjustment), the back was fine according to DH and so far with most patterns I find that to be true. There might be other fit issues but I'll sew it up in fashion fabric and decide from there. I already have 3 differnt versions planned in my head, I want to just cut out all three this weekend, but I'll take my time and sew up the one first to make sure the fit is fine.
I'm a shirt wearer, I have love shirts I don't know why I just am. Ever since I was able to go to the store and shop for myself I tend to find myself with a shirt. Short, long, ruffles, loose, fitted, embellished, its all good to me. You would think that after sewing for about 8 years off and on (mostly off) I would have a shirt pattern, but with having kids I sort of put it off. Now my plans are to keep working with fit and finish until a I have a TNT shirt pattern.

What makes a wardrobe.....for me?

2010-06-12T17:00:00.000-04:00

10 basic items I think would make a good starting point for a wardrobe for me.

Basic tee
Jeans
Flat front pants
A- line skirt
Full skirt
straight skirt
Shirt/ blouse
tunic/ plain top
Wrap top
Jacket

As you can see I did not include a dress in my list. I like dresses but I don't own a single one. Over the years I was having kids separates where easy for me because I made it easy for me to nurse my children when I needed to. Now that I THINK I'm on a break from having children I hope to incorporate more dresses in my wardrobe. but first I'm going to concentrate on those things that I know I wear a lot and that I like.

Over the last few weeks I have taken a mental inventory of the thinks I like in the stores and on line and I have noticed a pattern and that is what you see in my list of basics (in no particular order, other than the jacket I don't wear a lot of those). Everything that I was drawn to was a variation of these basics.

So I hope to use this knowledge to aid me in my journey of a few good TNT (tried and true) patterns. I know its going to take some time (really a lot of time) but my goal is to have at least 5 good starter patterns by November.