February Projects

I always like to see photos of garments photograped on a "real body" Here are photos of me wearing my recent projects.:

I still hope to finish at least one more top before the month is over.

Here's a picture of me with our dinner guests last week - Alice and Margaret. Alice is 98 years old and Margaret is 93 years old. Wow! They look good and sharp as a tack mentally!

Finishing is Fun!

After my poor garment completion rate last month, I finally focused on finishing some projects. It feels great. I'm proud of my discipline because I had a good case of Spring fever (still do, to tell you the truth). While I'm sewing on dark colors, I'm dreaming of white, brights, and light flowing fabric. The weather has been awesome - sunshine and not too hot. I did work in the yard Saturday and spent Sunday afternoon playing with grandchildren in the park. I still managed to get some garments finished. They are pretty much basic, wear-often type of clothes. Here are my results:

This skirt is Vogue 8455, View B, made from suede microfiber. The skirt is a mock wrap, straight skirt, mid-knee length. It was quick and easy to make. Actually, it would have been easier if I had used lighter weight fabric. I like the angled pleats but I eliminated them from the underskirt. This fabric was hard to press and the pleats on the underskirt would have been impossible - plus I don't need all that extra bulk in the tummy area. Hummm.....noticed looking at the photo that I still have some pressing to do at the waistband. (Photos can be helpful to show details that I miss!) The only other adjustment I made was to shorten the skirt 1 inch. While I like the skirt, I doubt that I'll make it again. I have a bunch of skirt patterns that I want to make.

This cardigan is V1058, view B, made from cotton sweater knit. This is my first attempt at sweater knit and found it, surprisely, easy to sew. The cardigan is another easy-to-sew pattern. I like the way the inside is finished. Actually, the only problem I had in construction was mixing up the right side and the wrong side. Before I sewed the side seam, they looked similar in the design and the fabric. Here's a picture of the wrong side:

While I definitely will wear the cardigan, I'm not crazy about it and doubt that I'll sew it again. I much prefer the standard classic cardigan sweater.

I think everyone who sews knits has made the Jalie 2806 top. My version is in cotton interlock with the gathered foldover neckline. I love everything about it and will make it many times with different sleeves. I also want to try the ruched front. I made this top in a couple of hours. (At my turtle pace sewing, that's a quick sew project.) I shortened the shoulders and reduced the length of the hem line and sleeves. Otherwise, I made it per the pattern. This is my first Jalie pattern. I found the instructions easy to follow and even brushed up on my French which is written next to the English.

Now, I want to spend all day in my sewing room. I sure wish that I had a house elf to do my chores!!

Working on the Basics

Time seems to move so slow in February and, then, it flies away. I can't believe how long it has been since I last posted. We've had company for several days and there were all these odd things that required attention. Anyway, I have been able to work in some sewing. I am really bored with my winter wardrobe, but I know much of that is just the time of year. It's been cold (in the twenties - really coooold for Florida) and dreary in the "Sunshine State". I keep wanting to start working on a new project - working on my piping skills, making a jacket, making a coat, making a pair of jeans. I know that I have to finish my basic wardrobe first even though discipline is not a lot of fun. I'm a "mood sewer" which means have a lot of projects going at once. I know that I have to stick with items in my plan regardless. Somehow, I have lost the instructions for the pair of pants that I have in process. I don't need them except for the fly zipper. I've made fly zippers a couple of times, but still have to follow the instructions step by step. I guess I'll have to use one of those sewing books in my library. *sigh* Right now, my sewing machine is at the Bernina Dealer for her annual maintenance (3 months late). I get so sad looking at my empty sewing table! I do have several garments close to finish and one that I actually completed.

Here's the one garment that I did finish in January:

The pattern is B4347 and the fabric is a polyester knit. I really like this blouse. It fits well, is very comfortable, and fairly easy to sew.

Well, that's my pitiful completion for January. February should be much more productive since there are a number of garments that I have started and several that are in that "almost done" stage. I just have to dig in my heals and get that basic wardrobe finished.