MN Cara Maternity Dress

Y'all, I sewed clothing that I am proud to wear in public! 

But wait, maternity, you say?  Yes, baby number 3 is on the way.  I'm just about halfway right now.  We found out right after Christmas, and I've pretty much been a couch sloth ever since.  Easter, however, is a special day, so I forced myself down to the sewing cave and made this. 

The pattern is Megan Nielsen's Cara Maternity Tee, which I lengthened into a dress.  I made a muslin for the first time ever and did a forward shoulder alteration.  And it worked!  My family and coworkers thought I bought it!  And I was not self-conscious in it at all. 

I actually cut and sewed it up in two hours on Easter morning (the muslin and pattern alteration was done beforehand).  So it is a fast sew.  The fabric is Art Gallery knit from the Skopelos collection.  I was a little worried when I first held the fabric up against myself, but it works great when sewn into an actual shape.

Two Rowan Tees

Today I’m sharing my first finishes of the year (from back in January) – two Rowan Tee hoodies.  The pattern is by TitchyThreads, and just like the Small Fry Skinny Jeans pattern, I love this one.  It has a bunch of options, but I made these the same way.  I think it’s a great basic tee pattern with plenty of possibilities depending on your goal. 

I made two hoodies with long sleeves and hemmed sleeves and body and topstitched just about every chance I got – shoulder seams, armhole seams, hood seams, neck seam.  It really made things look nice. 

The girl’s hoodie is a size 8 and is made from some Oliver + S knit I’ve had in the stash for a while.  (Yep, I have some girly fabrics even though I have two boys – sometimes it’s too hard to resist!)  I have no girls to try it out on, but I’ve heard it fits the recipient. 

The boy’s hoodie is a size 6.  The black knit is from a size 2XL t-shirt, and the Star Wars fabric is a quilting cotton.  I got my Sam to try it on (he’s a size 5 right now) and got nervous because it barely fit over his big head and didn’t seem that much too big on him – and he’s a skinny mini.  (Total sidebar - how cute is he?)  I kind of wanted to keep it for him.  But it was destined for a cousin.  Luckily, it appears the hoodie fits said cousin well since he is skinny. 

One note about the woven Star Wars fabric – I think next time I combine the knit and woven, I might make the neckhole a touch bigger, just because the woven doesn’t stretch with the knit and it was hard to get over Sam’s head.  I don’t think it’s the pattern since he has this problem with store-bought hoodies as well, but it’s a thought if you want to go the combination route. 

These were my last (sewn) belated Christmas presents, so I was glad to have them off my back.  But I do love the pattern and have plans and fabric for a Planes version for Sam.  And now I want to make another Star Wars version for my boys since that one turned out so cute. 

Tova #2

The second in the parade of Christmas gifts is this Wiksten Tova top for my sister.  She is in England getting her masters in Museum Studies at University College London, so I had to send this one across the pond. I was afraid it wouldn't arrive in time, but she got her package on Christmas Eve.  What perfect timing. 

I don't have a picture of her in it yet.  It's a straight size XS like her last one (grey birds) and is made from Cotton + Steel fabric.  She says she feels like a painter in it.  I'll say the easing of the sleeves was fantastic this time around.  I tried to take my time and do a good job but of course forgot to put a tag in it. 

Staple Dress

Here's my most recent effort at sewing something for myself: the April Rhodes Staple Dress.

I bought it as part of Perfect Pattern Parcel this summer, but it sat basted since the beginning of August.  I'm not sure why, as it was quick to sew up.

I did some finagling with the sizing, cutting a size L on top with a size XS neckline, grading out to size XL in the hips (I am currently a RTW size medium on top and size 14 on the bottom).  My fabric seemed like it would work fine, but as I sewed it up I realized it has a bit too much body.  I want to try again with a slinkier fabric, maybe taking in the top part more and eliminating the pockets.  I think if I lost a few pounds (as I need to do) the full/flow-y cut would suit my pear-shaped figure better.

Here's a detail of the shirring, which went pretty well for my first time.  

 

And the pockets.

Even though it didn't turn out quite the way it looked in my head, I wore the dress in public today and didn't get any strange looks.  :)  That's a win in my book.

Willow & Co. Mulberry Tunic

The summer round of Kids Clothes Week came around a few weeks ago.  I had great intentions but just couldn't make it happen.  But I did work on some clothes for my boys.  Here is one of the items I've finished - the Willow & Co. Mulberry Tunic.

I made the smallest size (18m) for Will.  He generally wears 18m ready-to-wear clothing, but this is still a little big on him.  At least he'll be able to wear it through the fall. 

The fabric is some quilting cotton from my stash.  I think it originally came from Walmart (you know, those rare ones that still have fabric departments).  The buttons are from a thrifted mens' shirt. 

The pattern was a pretty easy sew.  The only part I had trouble with was the turned cuffs, and I think that was partially because I was tired.  Once I realized how to flip the cuffs, everything was fine. 

There's another Mulberry Tunic in the works for Sam, but who knows when that'll get finished.  My sewing room is a huge mess right now - I've been sewing on folding tables for years but am finally working on getting a proper table. 

DIY Anthropologie Pattern Pop Top

This spring and summer I've gotten very into ideas for sewing clothing.  It's something I've always wanted to do but was scared of.  My body, especially after two babies, doesn't fit the standard measurements as it did back in high school days.  Knowing alterations were needed made me nervous.  But I've been reading tons of blogs and tutorials on measuring patterns, altering patterns, and researching patterns from "indie" designers that fit real women's bodies, and I've found courage. 

First up, a hack/DIY of Anthropologie's Pattern Pop Tee.  I saw this t-shirt refashion on Merrick's Art and loved it.  Seemed simple enough, but I had in mind a certain fabric.  I bought the Amy Butler voile online and dug through my stash to find a remnant of plum knit, very slinky and stretchy.  Luckily, they worked perfectly.  Fabric, check.

For a pattern, I figured I'd play with one of my many unused patterns - Simplicity 1463.  It had similar lines along the back, a little roomier in front (my belly thanks me), but I didn't have enough fabric for the butterfly sleeves.    

I took a t-shirt that fit well and used it as a size gauge against the pattern tissue which meant I made a smaller size than I would have otherwise.  Then I drafted some short sleeves that would work with my fabric remnant,made the hem more of a high-low shape, and went to town (sewing, not literally).

The shirt itself wasn't hard, but there were some puckers and odd shaping where the sleeves went in (obviously because I've never drafted sleeves before).  Something about my bust and that chest area just looked odd.  I had to rip that part out (major, major pain) and redo.  

The good news - it fits, and my sister and mother thought I bought it.  So I say success!  Probably the best garment I've tried to make for myself. 

The photo shoot, that was a whole other story.  I was aiming for the "golden hour" but my husband needed me to get supplies to fix a water tank, and by the time that was done the sun was setting and my pictures were dark.  Not to mention my husband making fun of me as I tried to take (somewhat) flattering pictures of myself with the remote.  But at least there were a few that weren't awful.  We'll aim for improvement next time.

Easter 2014

If you follow me on Instagram, you were inundated with pictures of a suit in progress the week before Easter. 

The dang sleeves got to me.  Well, the lapels got to me, but I managed to wrestle them into an acceptable state.  The sleeves, well, it took three tries and cutting them down a good bit.  I finally got them in, only to try the jacket on Sam and find it was too big all over.  So we decided to finish it up for next year and just make him a shirt instead. 

After a belated birthday party for Will and setting up for Easter at my grandma's, I started cutting up this thrifted shirt about 9:45 Saturday night. 

By 12:45 (with a couple small breaks in between), I had a finished shirt.  I cut the front using the existing placket/buttons/buttonholes.  Only someone who sews lots of kids clothes would ever notice. 

My family didn't even realize I made his shirt, and they know about my sewing obsession, so I took that as a compliment. 

These are the best pictures I could get - perhaps I'm not bribing them properly?

Hopefully that suit fits next Easter.  But for now, I'm happy to pack it away and work on something else!

Kids’ Clothes Week

This week is Kids’ Clothes Week.  Something I found online and see posts referencing every now and again but had never participated in.  I was alerted of this season’s KCW while looking at Instagram today at lunch.  What is it?  Each season sewists group together and pledge to spend 1 hour a day for 1 week sewing clothing for children.   

Well the current KCW (April 7-13) starts today, and guess what I happen to have on the sewing table – kids’ clothes!  So this week (and probably next) I’ll be instagramming and blogging about my adventures in sewing clothing for my boys.   

No, I have not charged my camera battery yet, and yes, I am being lazy and not renaming or watermarking photos.  The 5 people that read this blog have seen worse.  This mama is tired, and it's going to be a struggle to sit down and sew here in a few minutes.  But I'm doing it. 

Anyway, here’s my list:

• Small Fry Skinny Jeans (Will) – in progress.  Started last week, I still need to add the waistband, buttonhole elastic, belt loops, and snap. 
  

• Easter Romper (Will) – Simplicity 3852.  Cut out.
  

• Easter Suit (Sam) – vintage Butterick 5838.  Mostly cut out (just a bit of lining and interfacing to finish up).  Yes, that is Star Wars lining . . .  
  
  
  
  

• Monkey Butt {Baby} Pants (Will) – The red and navy below.  Cut out.

• T-Shirt Shortalls (Will) – The gray and blue below.  Cut out. 
  
  

• Diapers (Will) – a stack mostly cut out, some with snaps already applied
  

Don't worry - Sam has already gotten jeans (not yet blogged) and other clothing over the winter, plus some summer clothes I have planned.  

I’m sure these won’t all get made, but they were already planned, so any motivation and progress on my list is good.  Happy sewing!

Christmas Gifts

Just so I have a record, here are some of the Christmas gifts I sewed for 2013.  American Girl doll clothes.

 

and a Wiksten Tova top for my sister

She so didn't want to model.  But she likes the top!

I have a quilt and some boy clothes, but they'll get their own posts, coming soon.  And then I'll be somewhat caught up and hopefully be ready to show my first finish for 2014.

Sam's Easter Outfit

This post is a bit late, but that's what happens when you're without a computer for long stretches of time . . .

Pattern: Simplicity 2671

Size: 18mos

The suit is made out of navy and white seersucker from fabric.com and trimmed with blue satin ribbon from Michaels (I couldn’t find any grosgrain that matched at the last minute).  The jacket actually fit him really well straight off the pattern, but the shorts were way too wide (he’s got skinny little hips and a tiny tushie).  I took the sides in, and they still were too big and kept falling down.  And of course there were no white dress shoes or cute dress sandals to be found, so Carter’s flip flops it was.

I had the shirt that I had bought at a yard sale or consignment shop, and since he has another white shirt I figured I could use one.  I thought I would have to shorten the sleeves, but I didn’t need to.  So I just added the snaps for the tie, and that was one less piece to sew and worry about.  I could even make more ties for use with other outfits.

He didn’t seem to mind the outfit at all, which meant it wasn’t uncomfortable . . . don’t mind the picking of the belly button; he’s fascinated with that thing. 

Isn’t he adorable?

Gray Floral Dress - Simplicity 2703

It's finally finished!  And I actually wore it to work!  (That's a big deal for me.)

Dress alone (after a full day of work):

The alterations I made to the pattern were good - the hips ended up being a little big, so I took them in a hair from the zipper down, and I made the front darts deeper, but the length was good, and neckline was fine.  The armscyes were a little tight, but that was more an issue when I was slouching, and I can fix that for next time.  My zipper went in on the first try. *gasp*  That never happens.  The pattern was easy to follow, and went together quickly.  The material is 55/45 linen/cotton, and it's the same collection as the green skirt.  I didn't line the dress, so I had to get a half slip for underneath (facings cover the top half), but that's okay.  I just didn't have the patience or time to figure out how to add a lining.  As I get the alterations down pat, this could become something I make several times over in the future.

Dress with cardigan (work look):

Eventually I am going to make a gray jacket to go with it, but I haven't quilted in some time, and my little hands miss straight seams and flying geese.  And not having two machines, *hint, hint dear husband* I can't move from quilting to sewing and back easily, so if I start a garment project, that's all I get to do until it's done.  For a flitter like me, that's torture.

Green Skirt

The green skirt is coming along. I finally got started on it after finishing up a chain of geese and changing out my thread.  After spending an evening sewing the side seams and applying the fusible interfacing to the yoke sections, last night I put the yoke on the skirt. I did a test fit, and it looks like it will be okay, although I’m not enamored with how big it is . . . (that’s why I need to exercise, so I can get back to my old, more attractive size). Next up is the zipper. It definitely does need a lining/slip, but I’m not sure I want to figure out how to put a lining in that skirt. Yes, I made up a lining, but I think to put it in I would have to rip the yoke off and re-do it, and I don’t want to do that. I guess I could just attach it to the yoke facing and then topstitch through all layers . . . maybe I’ll try that. Once this stinking thing is finished, I’ll need to try and find some kind of green top to wear with it, otherwise I believe it will be black or white tops only. And then it will be on to the dress, which will hopefully fit well (considering all the adjustments I made to the pattern) and look flattering. I actually really want to make the jacket to go with it, but one thing at a time. I have quite a bit of scrap fabric left over from both – I’m going to cut them into my scrap sizes for quilting since the fabrics are a linen/cotton blend (55/45).  I folded it in half for this picture - shhhh!

In other news, I found out that another friend is pregnant. Now I have to figure out a quilt for her! She’s not due until early next year, so I have a little more time to get ideas for that one, thank goodness! It looks like she’s going for a bit of a jungle theme, so at least I have a starting point . . .

Easter Dress

Here is the fabric and pattern at the beginning of the project. I used View B of Simplicity 3503, and the blue (although it seems purple in some lighting) and white fabric is from JoAnn Fabrics, purchased with a trusty 40% off coupon.

 According to the pattern envelope, I was about a size 20 (makes sense, I usually am two sizes larger than in ready to wear, and I’m a 14-16 in that currently). Once I finished the dress though, I realized those measurements don’t mean jack. I may be a little larger than normal, but I was not THAT large. I had to take in the side seams quite a bit, and while it worked for the day, I need to make some alterations to the dress. I think this is going to entail taking apart the bodice (joy, joy) to move the gathering under the bust in towards the center. This is my problem. I’m carrying some extra weight, but I’m not super wide. I have an average to small frame, especially on top. But since I’m nursing, I am a D cup, which means I have to make the bodice bigger to accommodate the bust, but the rest still needs to be narrow so the arm scyes and shoulders work (my boobs don’t hang out under my arm, they tend to sit front and center . . .). Not a big deal in wovens, but with a knit dress that’s gathered over the entire front bodice, this makes my alterations a bit of a pain. In addition to the front being skewed, the back was gaping a bit when I straightened my shoulders (when I wasn’t slumping), so I need to take that in as well (increase the overlap) to get rid of the gaping. Once I remake the bodice, the remainder shouldn’t be too bad. I just need to take in the sides a good bit. I think next time I make this dress, I will cut the bodice to the size 20 length to accommodate the bust, but make it size 14-16 width to keep it narrow and correctly aligned with my body.

I finished the dress just before midnight on Easter Eve. It took longer than expected (I didn’t want to have to sew it at the last minute) because I had a nasty cold all week and just didn’t have energy. And when I did work on it, I hated the gathering on the first shoulder and decided to rip it out and redo it.

Here is a picture of the dress, taken on Easter. I look so . . . round, I guess. I’m not happy with this body, so I really need to find time to get back on the exercise wagon. Happily, warm weather usually makes healthy eating much easier. But the dress looked nice, and I know once I rework it, it’ll look even better.

 Next up, I’m not sure. I have tons I need to do, but I’ve just been a bum lately. I have a half-finished burp cloth that needs to be completed, an ironing board cover that’s cut out and needs to be worked on, and a nursing cover to find fabric for and make for my cousin. Not to mention the master bedroom quilt that has been patiently waiting in its tote bag to be worked on. Of course, I would rather start on some blocks for my Farmer’s Wife Sampler quilt. Or write a pattern for my version of a nursing cover and the new quilt I was designing during choir practice last night.

And a random picture - Miss Dixie likes to help make sure the fabric (interfacing in this case) doesn't run away . . .