A Dress I Love

I love this dress pattern, Silhouette 4014. So far, it's the first wrap style dress that fits well enough to wear.

The dress is made from 2  jersey panels. I'm not sure which I like the most: the soft jersey or the gorgeous floral designs. At cutout time, I was planning to copy the dress that Peggy Sagers (from Silhouette Patterns) showed on one of her webcasts. The only part that I copied exactly was the top back. From there, it was a "creative" cutting of the fabric that I had left.  I needed another panel to do an exact copy and the fabric was sold out. SURPRISE!! I probably didn't have 1/8 yd of scrap pieces. Anyway, I am happy with the results.

Two days have gone since I started this post. Hubbie came home with groceries so I had to stop writing. All those goodies had to be put in their proper places. Then, the laundry was dry so there was more to put up. Then, the holiday prep needed to start and then.... I imagine you know what I mean. It's so cold here that I feel foolish writing about a summer dress. The yard looks a lot different from the pictures, also. Winter has arrived in Florida. My daughter in PA would call our 40 degree temperature a heat wave.

I'll stop rambling and get to the details of this dress.

There is an angle wrap at the bottom of the skirt which is slimming. Believe me, I need all  the help that I can get.

The back facing is so long that I didn't have my usual problems with facing - uncomfortable and flipping up even with understitching.

I didn't make any adjustments to the pattern (rare for me) other than shortening it by 4 inches.
Here are some more pictures of the panel placement:

For the most part, the sewing was easy. It was a bit tedious attaching the back facing to the wrapped side seams. It wasn't hard, just took a little time.  I did have frog stitch (rip) the skirt because I ended up putting the side seams in the back. Next time I make this, I will mark the skirt sections so that won't happen again! If you look closely, you can see some ripples in some of the seams. I was sewing with one and a half arms since I didn't have full use of my broken arm. Believe me, it takes two arms to sew a proper seam on a knit. Because of the sewing, I was hesitant to wear it. I was sure everyone was looking at the seams. Well, not really but I knew the problem was there. DH likes the dress a lot and I got lots of compliments wearing it.

I have other projects completed and not photographed yet. Hopefully, I will get that done before summer is here. I almost have full range of motion in my right arm so that is no excuse now. I even did a strength video this morning for the first time and the 3 lb. weights felt too light. We'll see how it feels tomorrow. Tomorrow is house cleaning day with my boys and family coming for their second Thanksgiving dinner on Sunday. Now, I'm off to cut out the red silk charmeuse shirt that I want to wear for the holidays.

Happy Sewing!!

OAL turns WDE

I thought experience improves sewing. Generally, it does. I just didn't learn from my experience with this dress that I made for the outfit sew-a-long. It is definitely my Worst Dress Ever. Here's the gem that somehow came out of my sewing room.

Yep, I was acting silly (might as well laugh at mistakes) and doing one of Lauren's (Ladybird) classic poses. The dress is S1803. If you want to see this dress made properly, check out Lauren's post . She made two awesome versions of this dress and has a number of tutorial posts for sewing it.

First, I'll talk about what I like about this dress. I was surprised that I could wear this style because it is quite different from my usual garments. I'll make it again at some point, but not right away. Also, I was pleased with the actual sewing of the dress. It was fun. The sewing isn't perfect, but is pretty good.

The problems began when I picked the fabric. I wanted a print and liked the colors which go perfectly with my OAL Myrna sweater. It has been resting in my stash for a very long time. Since it was a bit stiff, I washed it in coca cola. That helped and the drape seemed to be fine. I barely had enough fabric to cut out the dress. I tried to do some matching of the prints, but there was not enough fabric. I thought about stopping and using another fabric...sure wish that I had. Take a look at my scraps.

I did cut out the tie belt by shortening it a lot. Then, I decided that I didn't like it. Anyhow, I thought that I had the prints matched close enough at the seams but I was wrong. I was having fun sewing and didn't realize how bad it was until the photos. With the finished dress, I could see how cheap the fabric was. I doubt that I spent much because it's been around since I started sewing years ago.

This dress was a big disappointment. I won't say "learning experience" because I should have remembered what I already knew. I certainly was reminded!! I'm hoping my next sewing project will have better results.

Outfit Sew Along

Thanks to Lady Bird and Audi for organizing this sew along for the months of June and July. I'm hoping that I can complete a sweater that is wearable outside of the house in two months. I know that I'll finish the dress.

Here's my fabric and yarn:

Here's the dress pattern:

I'm not sure that this dress will work for me, but a muslin will answer that question. The sew-along allows for a different dress pattern if we want. If the muslin is too bad, I'll just use a pattern that I know will work. I do like this pattern so I have my fingers crossed for a successful muslin.

I haven't forgotten about Me-Made-May. I'm trying to organize my crappy phone photos into a collage. Right now, I'm too frustrated trying. In a true Scarlett O'Hara manner, I'll think about that tomorrow.

Only An Afternoon

Although I'm a slow sewer, I made Jennifer Lauren's The Afternoon Blouse and hemmed Silhouette 3600 pants in one afternoon. This blouse is quick to make and that includes putting together the PDF pattern and tracing it. I decided to make this blouse after seeing the version made by Shanni. I originally planned the blouse as a muslin, hopefully wearable. I did wear it for a dinner out with family but I know that I won't wear it often. It definitely needs some fitting work. The jury is still out on the wearable part.

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I was surprised at how easy the pattern is to tape together. The sewing is simple for the most part. The front seam and neckline is a bit fiddly, but not hard to do. I did have to topstitch to keep the facing down around the neck and front.

The major problem for me is the bust fitting. I'll have to think about how to fix it, but I definitely need more room. This problem is more obvious in the side view. There is a gap on one side of the neckline. Also, there is a little jag where the circle design connects to the center seam (hard to see, but I know it is there). I don't like the way the sides poke out at the bottom (an easy one to fix). The back needs a slight sway back adjustment (normal for me).

I've finished with the blouse for now, but I haven't given up on the pattern. I would like to make in a lighter weight, solid color fabric. I may use this blouse as a muslin for fitting so that I don't have to make another one. That would make it no longer wearable, but I probably won't wear it much anyway. That's an issue for another day.

The Pants

Silhouette 3600 is a new pants pattern for me. I love it! I had Peggy Sagers fit the muslin at her Atlanta Workshop in March. Peggy was sick the last day so she didn't see the pants made in fabric. After looking at the pictures, I think that I will take in the side seam 1/2 to 1 inch. There also some twisting going on in one of the legs. I'll have to check it. It may be my quick hemming job or it may be cut off grain (in which case the pants will become capris or shorts).

The contour waistband is so comfortable that I could wear it to bed. It is easy to sew. Since I was sewing with one hand at the time, the topstitching is little off in places. It's good enough for me and not a fault of the pattern design. If anyone looks at it that closely, they had better be interested in sewing.

MMM ROUNDUP WEEK 2

This is a quick post to document my made-by-me for the week

Friday, May 9th

I took my dog Roxy to the groomer to get rid of her winter fur. The top is Hot Patterns Sunshine top and the pants are RTW. The look is: "I've got to figure out this camera phone or I'm going to be late for our appointment".

Sunday, May 11

I'm dressed for Mother's Day. The dress is Vogue 1250. The look is: "I'm starting to get this phone camera thing - now I have to learn to hold the phone higher so it doesn't hide part of the garment".

Wardrobe notes:

While the loose top is comfortable for local errands, I prefer tops more fitted.

This dress is the only made-by-me dress that has short sleeves. I'd like to add at least 2 dresses to my summer wardrobe.

UFO progress:
I've finished a pair of pairs and a top except for the final pressing-will blog about them soon.

Me-made-May, Week1

Week 1 round up is a bit late due to technical difficulties. Without further ado, here's two days of made-my-me garments.

Friday, May 2

Although I live in Florida, Friday was cold and drizzling rain. I had a bunch of errands to do so I wanted to be comfortable. The jacket is M2 Again Quilted Jacket by Timeless Designs. I love the hood for rain days and really like this loose comfortable jacket for on-the-go days.My husband thinks that it's too busy so I save it for days that I'm on my own. The tank top is Textile Studio Basic Top, made sleeveless. The jeans are Silhouette 3300.

Saturday, May 3

We went to a casual dinner and play. The top is Silhouette 195 and the pants are Silhouette 3400, both TNT patterns that I make a lot.

Wardrobe Notes:
The weather already is getting hot. My light weight, short sleeve tops are getting that worn look. I need to add more summer tops to my wardrobe. This year I won't buy any (like usual) so I'd better get sewing.

The theater was icy cold. It normally is but I forgot as we only go to that particular theater a couple of times a year. I need to remember to wear a jacket. I need to add casual jackets to the sewing list.

It's Too Bad

It's too bad that I missed another deadline. This year I wanted to participate in Me Made May 2014 but it's after May 1 and too late to sign up. I wanted to participate for several reasons:

1. My sewing is lacking focus. Nothing seems to be getting finished. I have a good plan, good fabric, and projects started. My sewing lately can be described as "The Whim of the Day".
2. I'd like to document my sewing with pictures. I have many finished garments without photos. Since DH is hard to lasso long enough to hold a camera, I need to learn to take the pictures myself.
3. I'd like to get back to the habit of blogging.
4. My UFO area is stuffed full.
5. I like the interaction of other sewers.

While I still lack some mobility in my broken arm, it has healed sufficiently for me to be confident cutting good fabric. For a while there, I was just sewing muslins. I have quite a few of those finished and ready to turn into wearable garments.

THE GOOD NEWS

I have stuck to my pledge not to buy any RTW. I'll admit that I was tempted to use my injury as an excuse. I like wearing new clothes! Instead of buying, I explored my closet, discovered many hidden treasures and got rid of things that I would never wear. The experience was close to wearing something new.

May 2015

There should be another year to participate in the Me Made May. Hey, wait a minute. I could be an unofficial participant. I'll miss some of the fun of participating with others, but I can pretend and work on the things that I want to accomplish.

MY PLEDGE

I, Rose of rosessewingroom. blogspot. com, sign up as an unofficial participant of Me-Made-May '14, I endeavour to wear one item of made-by-me a minimum of two days per week for the duration of May. I also will take photos of these items and post them on blogger. I also will work on one UFO each week and not start anything new until that UFO is completed.

I am aware that many (if not most) sewers out there never start anything new until an item is finished. Me, I like to multi-task so this part of the pledge will be hard for me. That's who I am, but this multiple tasking has gotten out of hand and needs to stop NOW.

I'll still follow along with the the MMM journeys... It's time to stop talking, go hem those pants, and wear them this week!

Easy Enough for One Hand

Since my right hand is still useless, I thought I'd sew an easy pattern that I've made before. This sweater wrap, Silhouette 85, is my third version. The cut out part was slow. Fortunately, this medium weight sweater knit from Fabric Mart cut and sewed like a dream. I am reluctant to use a tripod for fear of dropping my camera. I even had a difficult time holding the camera and snapping a picture with one hand.

The edges are serged - couldn't face turning and top stitching. Since I finished this garment in January, I've only worked on muslins. There haven't been any cutting mishaps yet. I don't want the first mishap to be with good fabric. I have kept my commitment to no RTW purchases. Anyhow, jeans and a jacket are good to go once my right hand can cut again. Physical therapy starts in March. Yea!

This is a short post. This hunt and peck typing is annoying. Hopefully, I'll be sewing and blogging regularly soon.

Once Upon a Time in the Year 2014

an elderly woman(that's me)joined 262 sewists (at last count) in a journey to sew all their clothes. That means no store bought clothes except underwear, socks, and shoes from 1/1/14 until 12/31/14. The amazing Sarah of the blog Goodbyevalentino organized this journey.

I probably will sew my panties also, since I like the way mine fit so much better than RTW. This RTW fast is my only goal for 2014. As part of this goal, I will take pictures of every garment I sew and write a blog post before removing the garment from my sewing list. Crossing a garment off my list is almost as much fun as sewing. Expect to hear from me a lot more this year!

The work on my goal will be off to a slow start. I managed to trip over a trash can while cleaning up Christmas dinner and broke my right arm. That means no writing, driving, or knitting. I can sew and type although I'm slow. My left hand is getting a good workout! To add to my challenges, I upgraded my McAffee security progam which messed with my computer big time. I managed to fix most of the problems, but my picture file is floating around somewhere. I don't want to add any more pictures until I know I can find them. I'll either figure it out this weekend or have DH drive me to my favorite computer geek shop.

Happy New Year!