Linen Pants Revisited (V8584)

Late last summer, I made a pair of wide legged linen pants with some side pockets. (See Here.) I wasn't too crazy about the wide leg look and my husband literally laughed at the pockets. My kids also gave them a thumbs down. Being stubborn, I took them to the Novi Sewing Expo and showed them to two of my friends for encouragement. Deafening silence. ALRIGHT ALREADY... NOT A GREAT LOOK. I get it.

But I really wanted some comfy linen pants so when my roomie Liz showed up at PR Weekend in Austin with an adorable pair of pants in a moderate width, I decided I would revamp my pair. First I took the pocket off and tried on again to see if I liked them wide. NOPE. So then I took about an inch off of both inner and outer seams. I like them better now.

Illusion Dress (Burda 7053)

So I guess if I can't lose the ten lbs. I need to come up with some clothes that have the illusion of making me look like I weigh less. LOL. This is Burda 7053.

Photo quality is poor because I finished it the night before leaving for PR Austin so hubby couldn't take a real photo. I cropped above from some shots during the fun weekend.

Red White Denim Jacket (M5860)

Fabric is from Mood - stretch twill
Pattern is McCalls 5860 (out of print)
Because it is unlined, I bound all the seams with white bias tape.
The buttons are a fun multi-faceted crystal I found at JoAnn's.

Mindi Skirt (Style Arc)

I loved this Style Arc skirt when I first saw it. The pockets are made of two pieces and have a zipper. I added a little faux leather pull tab to the zippers. Fabric is a stretch twill.

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Knit Cardigan (Jalie 3248)

Emilie from Jalie Patterns debuted this pattern at PR Weekend San Francisco back in April 2013. She was wearing the cutest version and I couldn't wait to try it myself. I purchased the striped knit at Stone Mountain in Berkley along with a solid black to coordinate.

I cut size S. Front and sleeves fit great but I should have use a larger size for my broad back. The pattern is written well; the construction is very clever. I was confused at first but quickly figured out how to handle and was very impressed by whomever created this pattern!

I LOVE this and wish I had made it in a solid so I had more things to wear it with. I need to make another.

 I finished this last fall but am just now getting around to finishing the review!

White Dress (M6518)

I made this dress as a sew along to the PR White Dress contest in January. I wore it on a cruise I took with my daughter but I don't love how the dress looks so it's going to Goodwill. But how about those peacock shoes?!! Love them!

Fabric: white rayon from stash and lining from stash
Pattern: McCalls 6518 (out of print)
Size: 10 bodice (1"broadback adjustment), 12 waist (although I subsequently took 1/2" out of each side), 14 hips
Pattern directions are good. 

Big Bird Halloween Costume

More catchup posts.

My daughter came to me with the photo on the left and asked me to make for my grandson for Halloween. My grandson is on the right.

Inspiration Photo

Copycat version

I started with a long sleeve onesie and sewed yellow boas vertically down the sleeves and body. The hat is a ski cap with feathers from yellow and white boas. The beak is felt and fleece, stuffed with poly fill and the eyeballs are large white pompoms with small black pompom eyeballs. The pants are orange sweatpants embellished with hot pink sweatshirt fleece.

Knit Reindeer Hat

Had to make this for my grandson even though I knew he would pull it off his head. LOL. Pattern name is Antler Hat Pattern and was purchased from Melody's Makings (Ravelry link).

Polka Dot Sweater Knit Top (V8790)

I found this sweater knit at the only local Cincinnati fabric store (Banasch) and fell in love. I thought I would make a little top so I only bought 1.5 yards. I decided to make this wrapped top instead and didn't have enough to make with long sleeves. I considered making short sleeves or using a black knit for the back. It's a cozy knit so I decided it had to have long sleeves.I found the polka dot fabric at our local fabric store.


Fabric: Sweater knit from Banasch + "Ubersoft Rayon Jersey" from Gorgeous Fabrics
Pattern: Vogue 8790 View C
Fit Adjustments: Size 10 at top and graded to 12-14 at hips;The top was still a little big so I graded a little more from armscye to about waist. Cut 2" off length because I didn't want tunic length.


I love how this looks and fits except for some funkiness going on at the bottom where the two fabrics meet. I need to fix that!

Another Vogue 1250

Love this pattern - Vogue 1250. I think this is my third one. Fabric is a gorgeous large scale rayon knit from Elliott Berman.

Crafty Items

Adding some old projects to the blog. Advent calendars for the grandkids; camouflage apron and another robe for Ben.

Apron for Redneck Bridal Shower

 

McCalls 3979

Robe for Ben

Goodies from PR Weekend Austin

Just returned from another fun Pattern Review Weekend. This year, we went to Austin during Fashion Week. I attended two runway shows. The first was some local designers and the other was six former Project Runway contestants - Daniel Esquivel, Korto Momolu, Jeffrey Sebelia, Melissa Fleis, Michelle Lesniak and Mychael Knight.

Here are my fabric purchases:

Textiles Purchases - all knits

Austin Fabric Coop purchases - White linen on bottom, Others are knits

Common Threads Purchase - silk chiffon (my FAVORITE purchase!)

And here are my patterns - some from the Pattern Swap and some were in goodie bag or prizes.

Scoopneck T with Tulip Sleeves (J2806)

I normally love the fit of Jalie tops. I cut this one in a size T but it was too big - the neck was too wide and the chest too large. My daughter has broader shoulders and a larger bust so I gave it to her - she is on the right in the photo

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I like the look of the tulip sleeves, but for some reason, the directions were very confusing to me - the diagram wasn't helpful to me. Normally, I love Jalie's instructions but I didn't like this one.

I used the same black bamboo knit I used for twist top shown in the precious post. I will make this top again but in a size S or maybe even R.

We didn't plan on both wearing our black bamboo tops at the same time but it just worked out that way yesterday so I took advantage of the photo op. LOL

Twist Top T (S1613)

I saw a couple versions of this top on PR and thought it was a great way to jazz up a plain black top. The fabric is a bamboo knit; I don't recall the source. The twist part was a little tricky to understand. The pattern instructions and photo are very good, it's just took some time for my brain to wrap around and arrive at the "Ah HA" moment. Photo below shows the top on the left.

Sweetheart Neckline T (J2794)

This is my third version of Jalie 2794. I made this one in size T. I could have added 1/2" at the hips (stupid hips!!) I used some Sophia knit purchased from Vogue Fabrics. LOVE this stuff!! I've heard other people rave about it and they were right. It's so easy to sew on!

Polka Dot skirt (S2451)

This is version 3 of this skirt, Simplicity 2451. Added lining. Shortened by 2". Lot of hand stitching. Fabric is a twill with a nice sheen to it. I think I purchased in NY during PR weekend 2012.

I can wear this shirt to work with either a blouse or more casually with a knit top.

Tie Dye Wrap Top (M6513)

This top is McCalls 6513 made in a lightweight rayon or silk knit, purchased from TexStyles in Austin.

Size and alterations: Cut 2" off length. Size 10 on top, 14 at hips. The crossed sections flopped around when I basted them to the side panels so I had to bring them in a bit tighter. I assume this is due to small bust although the fabric is very lightweight and droopy, which exacerbated the issue, I think.

I like this top ok but I'm not crazy about how low the armhole is. It makes the top look a bit unkempt to me. I probably won't make it again but this will be a nice top for weekend wear.

Linen Pants (V8584)

Usually, I prefer fitted clothes on me and don't tend to wear many loose fitting items (other than sweats that I love to wear around the house.) I feel untidy and slothy (yeah, imaginary word) wearing loose fitting clothes and don't feel like they flatter my figure. 

However, when  I saw Elizabeth's adorable version of Vogue 8584 some time ago, I thought I'd shake up my normal attire and give the casual, loose pants a go, in hopes that I could look as cute as her!

Linen was purchased at Discount Fabrics in San Francisco during PR weekend 2014 (April.)


Size and Alterations:
Started with size 14 based on measurements and my usual hip measurements. Basted together and seemed ok but hard to tell before inserting elastic in waist. Turned out they were too big AND too high. There was too much fabric in the front so rather than taking in side seams, I scooped out about an inch of front seam starting at top of waist, grading to about 1/2" at the crotch and then to the original seam about 2" past crotch into back center seam. The crotch was drooping very low so I cut 2" off top of waistband and moved the foldline down 2". I cut 2" off hem (I'm just under 5'4".)

I used 1" elastic so I made the foldline 1 1'2" - enough for 1/4" stitching above bottom edge and 1/4" stitching from foldline. Rather than do a 1/4" fold on the edge, I serged the edge for less bulk.

I'm not sure I love them but I'm going to give them a chance. 

Sundress (M4444)

I decided three days before our Hilton Head vacation in June that I HAD TO HAVE a sundress to wear. I had a couple patterns in mind but I went with this one because the reviews said it went together like a dream and was very quick. Well, it wasn't all that quick. I was working long days catching up before going away on vacation anyway so I only had early morning before work and late at night. Somehow, I was able to get it all sewn together except for the hand sewing on the bodice band. So I took it with me and finished it one evening right before going out to dinner in it!

This really is a great pattern. The sizing was terrific although I think the bodice is a wee too big for my teeny bust. I would like to make it again and will probably eliminate a little volume in the top.

More details below.

Fabric: Rayon Challis from Vogue Fabric in Chicago during PR Weekend 2011. I don't recall who it was but one of the ladies in our group carried the bolt of this fabric around the store for awhile. I casually stalked her for some time and then just said, "Hey, if you're not going to buy that, hand it over." And she did! LOL
Pattern: McCalls 4444 - The pattern is out of print but looks like it may still be available at Club BMV.
Size: Out of the envelope size 10 for the bodice and graded up to what I am guessing was a 14 at waist and hips (I bought the wrong size grouping and 10 was the largest size.)

Raglan tshirt (M6288)

LOVE this pattern! This is my second version. Version 1 here. I raised the neckline a little higher this time but think it could still be a wee bit higher. It looks crooked but it's not. I'm not sure if it was skewed when I put it on or if the way the trim works makes it look crooked.

Made from a 1 yd remnant from the Haberman booth at ASE last September ($5.) The top is a little too snug for my liking but I'm trying to lose 5 lb - this photo is motivation that I need to get serious!!!