Mother of the Bride "muslin"

My daughter is getting married on 11/11/11. Because I will have nothing else to do, I decided to make the MOB dress (seemed like a good idea six months ago, now.... not so much, but I digress.)

I have always loved the Cynthia Rowley design in Simplicity 2497, View C. Simple but figure flattering and the oversized ruffle is fun and a little different.



Close up of neck ruffle.



I made the muslin from some cheapy poly from JoAnn's. The bodice was too large so I had to take in the shoulders and the side seams a bit. I'm still not 100% comfortable with how the bodice is fitting but I'm going to play around with some more samples to get the perfect fit. I like the fit at hips and waist although I might take in half an inch or so.

Feedback requested: what do you think about the length? I definitely don't want a gown length and I usually prefer a hem that hits just above the knee. Does it look ok for this dress?

My final version will be made from the purple stretch taffeta shown below, purchased at Rainbow Fabrics in Chicago. I will also be trying out a little bolero style jacket to wear over top.

SKIRT-A-PALOOZA!!!

8/2/11 Edited to add that voting is now open for the contest so if you're a PR Member and you like my entry, I'd love to receive your vote!!

Voting is here. My entry is:
Simplicity: 2258 misses skirts and pants
submitted by: Bonnie D [Read Review]
Date: 7/31/11



As I may have ever-so-briefly mentioned in a previous post or two (cough, cough), I got hooked on the idea of the One Pattern, Many Looks contest at Pattern Review. I loved the Simplicity skirt pattern and since skirts are my "go-to" piece of clothing to wear, I thought this would be a perfect idea.

Unfortunately, I didn't find this contest until mid July and it had a contest expiration date of 7/31/11. But heck, skirts are relatively quick, right? I decided to enter but was worried about being able to finish since I was out of town for most of the month.

I took advantage of every morning and evening and eeked out the final skirt this afternoon. I did a review of each one in previous blog posts and at PR so I won't do that again but I had SUCH FUN with this. It appeals to my planning side and it was fun to work within the fabrics I had.

Voting will open in the next few days. In the meantime, here is my review of all four.

Skirt # 4 in the PR Contest (Simplicity 2258)

And finally, I present Version 4 of Simplicity 2258 for the PR One Pattern, Many Looks contest. This is my "Date Night" version as I plan to wear it for an evening out my fiancé.

Fabric is a rayon challis from FabricMart. It is still available for only $2.50 a yard. I lined it to give it a little more substance.

I'll follow this post up with a composite post that shows the four looks together.

Skirt # 3 in the PR Contest (Simplicity 2258)

Here is Version 3 of Simplicity 2258 for the PR One Pattern, Many Looks contest. Version 3 is called "Client Ready" as this skirt is definitely suitable to wear to client meetings.

Fabric is a wool blend purchased from Hancock Fabrics. I added a lining to this one because I can wear it in the autumn with tights and lined skirts are much better over tights. Otherwise, the skirt sticks to the tights when you walk and eventually the skirt inches it's way up your thighs!

For this one, I only basted on the ties as I am contemplating making the ties detachable so I can wear it with tops that are either tucked in or left out. If I tried to leave a shirt untucked over the bow, it would look lumpy!

Here is what it would look like without the ties:

Skirt # 2 in the PR Contest (Simplicity 2258)

I finished Version 2 of Simplicity 2258 for the PR One Pattern, Many Looks contest. This is my "Saturday Morning Farmers Market" version. This will be a perfect outfit to wear on those hot mornings when I'm out running errands.

Only change between this one and my earlier "Business Casual" version is I did not shorten the ties on this one because I wanted a bow with the ties. Oh and I made it 1/2"-1" shorter. Fabric is a beefy cotton interlock that I bought from Gorgeous Fabrics (more here). Perfect weight for this skirt and I plan to make a pair of shorts out of the remaining fabric.

I can also wear it to my office although not with just a cami on top - we dress very casually in our office but not THAT casually! (Although honestly, I work with all guys and I swear I could show up in my pajamas and no one would notice.)



Versions 3 & 4 are both half done and I expect to finish them tonight.

Ho Ho Ho, Christmas in July!

My oldest daughter is getting married in November and I made this set of stockings for her and her fiancé. I plan to gift them at her wedding shower. The pattern is from a Knit Simple magazine (Holiday 2009). It's a simple pattern but I LOVE the finished look. Thinking ahead to when they have kids, a blue/white or pink/white stripe might be fun!

Knitting details can be found on my Ravelry page.

Bella Mittens - Finally finished!

I finally finished the second Bella mitten yesterday. I started these cute mittens back in December. Got one finished quickly but I moved on to something else before I could get the second one done (this is why I'm not a sock knitter!) This pattern was designed to replicate the mittens worn by Kristin Stewart as Bella in the first Twilight movie:




I used some yarn I've had in my stash forever. I think I purchased it at a Fiberge sale when they were still in Terrace Park. It's a super bulky called Blizzard, made by Reynolds (65% Alpaca,

35% Acrylic). The yarn was simply too fat to force into this pattern. In addition to being so bulky, the yarn splits quite a bit so when it came time to do a "knit 3 tog", it was a physical challenge! But the finished mittens are comfy and pretty so I'm glad I persevered. More details at Ravelry. Although the original Bellas have a long cuff, halfway up the arm, I decided to go with the shorter cuff after reading reviews in which people mentioned it was difficult to get the long cuff ones on with a coat.

Here's my artsy Twilight shot. Hee hee.

Skirt # 1 in the PR Contest (Simplicity 2258)

I finished the above skirt about a week ago for what (hopefully) will be one of the skirts included in my entry for the PR contest - One Pattern, Many Looks. To summarize the rules, you must use the same view of a pattern to create multiple looks. I'm using this CUTE skirt pattern from Simplicity (2258, View C).


The skirt above is made from a black on white, toile-ish looking twill with a touch of stretch. I purchased it in Chicago (I think from Rainbow Fabrics but not positive.) I really love how it turned out. The only change I made was to lengthen it by about 3" and I added a little corded piping (purchased from Rainbow) to the pockets. I shortened the ties by an inch or so because I don't intend to tie a bow on this one.

I wore the above outfit to a conference I attended earlier this week (casual dress code for this conference.) In fact, I'm going to call this one my "Business Casual" version.

I've been away for the last week at the conference and then to our home in Bonita Springs for a "working" vacation (so happy to be able to work from anywhere for my job). Since the contest closes in a week, I brought fabrics with me and cut the other versions out yesterday so I can hit the sewing machine as soon as I get home tomorrow night. I am not going to have much sewing time but the skirt didn't take much more than an hour to sew so I hope to eek out enough time this week to sew the other three.


From left to right, the fabrics are a heather gray beefy interlock, a black/fuschia rayon challis, and a wool blend with a subtle herringbone stripe. I plan to line the 2nd and 3rd options. In my mind, these four skirts will be appropriate for just about any occasion, from running errands to date night to work meeting.

Summer skirt - M4783

I just love red and black together. I was browsing Gorgeous Fabric a week or 2 ago and several red/black prints kept calling my name. How cute are the swatches below (linked to GF if you click on them):



There was one more that looked like the one below but it wasn't a burnout:


I decided I liked that last one best and put 2 yards in my shopping cart. While I was pulling together the rest of my order, I was also messaging with Eve on Facebook. And wouldn't ya know it... while I was chatting, some other sewer purchased the fabric I wanted, leaving only 1 yard left. Phooey!! I wanted to make a flowy skirt and knew a yard wasn't enough but I decided to purchase it anyway and figured I would just make a fitted, pencil skirt instead.

The next day, I was thinking about it some more and you know how the shopping psyche works... Even if you're not madly in love with something you're considering purchasing, once someone else tries to buy it, that item is YOURS and YOURS ALONE and you have to have it! So I emailed Ann at GF and said, if by chance there is more than 1 yard left, I'll take all you have. And when my order arrived a few days later, there was almost TWO yards of the fabric. Woo hoo! Thanks, Ann!

So I made this over the weekend (note the squinty eyes = rough Monday morning):


The pattern is McCalls 4783 (oop). I first made this pattern (shown below) back in 2006 when I first returned to sewing.


[Side note: Lori, I cracked up when I saw your version on PR this morning. Even before we "knew" each other, we were twin sewing!!]

Sundress - V8574

I started this dress a few weeks ago but put it aside to work on a few other things. I finished the hand sewing on the way in to work today and I'm really pleased with the results! I'm heading to Florida in a couple weeks and it will be a nice dress to wear out for dinner.

As I mentioned in this post, the fabric is a lightweight rayon and was purchased from Vogue Fabrics in Chicago during PR Weekend. Lee (Elaray) found it first and I bought some when she was done.

The pattern is Vogue 8574 and I highly recommend it! The fit was perfect. I didn't need to tweak anything which is unusual for me.


I snuck some photos in my office but I haven't pressed the hem nor cleaned up some of the loose threads. And forgive the bra straps. Obviously, I would wear a different bra but I was anxious to take a picture. LOL

More details as PR, if interested.

Halter Maxi - Simplicity 3503

Lots of chatter in sewing land recently about knit maxi dresses. Several of my FB friends have finished versions or are discussing versions but then I saw this beautiful version and decided I needed one for myself. Besides, I'm still in poison ivy-recovery mode and my legs look pretty disgusting (bruised and scabbed and full of welts) so I wanted a little more coverage. I purchased this black/hot pink border print from Fabric.com a few months ago and paired it with Simplicity 3503 (a Best Pattern of 2009 at PR). I only had 2 yards, which was not quite enough for the whole dress due to the positioning of the fabric but even if I had enough, I think I still would have incorporated the solid black to break up the busy print.

I have to agree with everyone that this is terrific pattern. Very nice details including the back elastic. Other reviewers commented that the pattern runs large. I found it ran just a teeny big larger than what I'm used to in knits.

New recipe on Food blog

I just finished the remaining leftovers from a meal I made last week and it was so good, I wanted to write down what I did - I always forget to do that and then usually what happens is about a month after making, Mark will say something like, "Hey, can you make that chicken dish again?" and will be met with a blank stare.

Anyhoo, it is based on a Dr. Oz recipe I found online but honestly, I think my version is better than his. :o)

My recipe here.
His recipe here.

YOU be the judge!

M6356 - another miss

I am not brave enough to sport the one-shoulder look so I was happy to see McCalls 6356,


View D,

which is a modified one-shoulder look that sort of conveys the same image with less skin showing.

This was a tricky one to sew for me. (More sewing details at Pattern Review.) I'm not crazy with the results. This is a little bit out of my style zone (if I have such a thing.) My daughter said it looks good but I feel like a big red pear in it! My oldest daughter said to try it with skinny jeans. My fiancé said it looks frumpy because he likes fitted tops on me. I'll probably try wearing it out and see if I'm comfortable wearing it.

M6069 - Hmmmm....

M6069 is a ROCK STAR at Pattern Review. I don't think there is a bad review amongst the 29 posted. And I am a knit dress LOVER. But I finished this one about a month ago and I'm lukewarm. Admittedly, I got a little carried away after realizing I had cut the skirt too wide. And sewed the skirt seams tighter than I should have. But aside from the snugness at the hips, it doesn't seem to hang the same way at the neckline as everyone else's. I added sleeves but I wouldn't have thought that would impact how the cowl hangs. I also admitted the elastic casing at the waist. I threw on a skinny belt that I happened to have laying in the sewing room but I think I will wear this with a wide black belt.

(Forgive the open outlet. Just finished painting the room.)

I purchased this lightweight (but substantial enough) ITY border print from Fabric.com.

Bottom line... I guess I'll move it from my sewing room to my closet and I'll wear it but it won't be my fave.

Christmas Stocking

My daughter is getting married in November so I decided to knit Christmas stockings for her fiancé and her for their first married Christmas together. Here is the first one:


The next one will be the same design and same colors but I'll make the top, heel and toe red and the stripes green and white. Details on Ravelry.

Question for my knitting buddies.... Do I need to block this? It doesn't look like it needs it.

Peasant Top (B4685) Finished

Well, I finished the eyelet peasant top I blogged about last week. I still don't love the style on me but thanks to my sewing friend, Eve, I tweaked it enough so it's wearable.

I requested feedback from my sewing buddies on how to improve it and received several tips. Most agreed that an empire waist elastic fix would not be flattering. I tried Eve's tip to tie the elastic around the outside to see what it would look like and confirmed they were correct! Darts were suggested to give it more shape but I decided that wouldn't be ideal because it might require a zipper and I had already serged the side seams. Plus, making the top more fitted would change the style from a peasant blouse to... well... just a plain ole blouse. Several suggested belts (both waist level and just under bust) but I didn't like that either.

I was just going to abandon the top but lucky for me, Eve was on Facebook when I was assessing my options and we had a nice little chat. She was so encouraging and suggested a casing in the back with some eyelet inserted. I was envisioning a short casing in the middle of the back but decided to try a casing across the entire back. I like the way that turned out. Here's a peek:


Thank you, Eve!! I appreciate not only your help but your nice words, Sweetie! I liked Sharon's tip to add a long necklace to break up the white so I did just that!

As a reminder, here are before (on the left) and after (on the right) shots:

Progress on V8574

I pieced together the bodice and basted in a zipper to check the fit. I am thrilled that the top fits PERFECTLY! No need to adjust anything. I started with a 10 on top and graded out to a 12 at the bottom of the bodice.

I pinned the front skirt pieces on to see how it will look overall. I did not try to arrange the pattern any particular way but I really like the way the bodice and the bottom front ended up. Unfortunately, I won't get this done in time to wear tonight but I will find another opportunity soon to debut it!

We're "taking a break"

My peasant top and I are not seeing eyelet-to-eyelet eye-to-eye so we're going to take a little break and see how much we really care about each other. I received some good ideas from my sewing friends to try out on the peasant but I need a little rest before I go down that road.

So instead, I shifted gears and I'm trying a summer dress. Vogue 8574 to be specific, the short one shown here in an incredibly ugly color.


We're leaving tomorrow with a small group of friends for a weekend motorcycle trip down to Louisville. We're going to Churchill Downs tomorrow night and apparently, there is a "South Beach" theme so I need a flirty dress. A tropical print probably makes the most sense but instead I am going to try out this geometric print rayon that I picked up at Vogue Fabrics during PR Weekend. The colors are awesome and I love the print.


Lee had this fabric first so I stalked her followed her around waiting for her to have some cut so I could see if there was enough for me, too. Somehow she eluded me and I later found it back in the inventory and grabbed it up. Lee must have known I was on to her because she snapped this photo of me checking out the bolt.




If I don't get the Vogue done tonight, I'll pack this one that I made for the cruise last year instead:

A knit dress will certainly travel better than a rayon dress in a motorcycle tour pack anyway!

Peasant Blouse - Almost There...

I love peasant blouses. One of the first things I made when I resumed sewing for myself a few years ago was a raspberry colored peasant top. During PR Weekend in Chicago, I picked up some lovely white eyelet from Rainbow Fabrics and decided it was time for a new peasant blouse. Butterick has a nice pattern (4685) out now with multiple variations. I was planning on doing View A (larger image on left in pattern photo below) but when I looked more closely at the lovely border on my eyelet, I thought it would make a nice neckline ruffle so I opted for View C (blue one) instead.

As with most eyelets, the fabric is quite sheer and has large holes so underlining was necessary. I used a white batiste that I found at JoAnns. The top went together quickly and the only adjustment I made was to take in the waist a bit to add some shape. I used my commute to work this morning to insert the elastic in the neck and sleeves. After trying it on, I realize I need to make a few tweaks. I forgot the sleeves hit way up high and cut the elastic too short so I'll re-cut and insert arm elastic. Here is what the top looks like right now:



Yes, that's right. A white shapeless blah. Here is what it looks like if I pull in the sides a bit:



Looks better but I think I would need to insert a zipper to get it on and off. I already serged the seams so that isn't going to happen. Instead, I'm going to add a casing below the bustline like shown in View D and hope it creates the shape I'm looking for.

I would like to finish this one up tonight and any input is welcome!

Knitting Projects

I finished up two baby knits recently. The first is a pinwheel blanket for Mark's granddaughter. I LOVE it!! Details here at Ravelry.



I also made a quick little flower hat for my hair stylish who is due in approx. 5 weeks.



I'm also working on Christmas stockings for my daughter and her fiancé. I plan to get them both done in time to be given at her wedding shower in September.