McCalls 7429

Well I am back at it again. I decided I needed a new black dress and I am so loving that twisted pleated action of McCalls 7429. I made two changes, I did not use the pattern piece for the neckline. I cut a two inch wide by 10 inch long piece of fabric.  Inserted the piece in the neckline and folded it over and top stitched it down. I also decided to change the sleeve by making it somewhat of a bishop sleeve. I think that is what it's called. I do like the way it turned out. I am done with this pattern for now.   As always, Happy Sewing.

See the pics below.

Long time,No Post.

Wow! It has been a long time since I've posted to my blog.  Been sewing but quite busy working and doing other things.  I have certainly missed posting and told myself that 2018 was going to be a more consisting blogging year, HA.  We are almost done with 2018 and I have not been that active blogging. Hoping to change that with these last few weeks in the the year.

On the sewing front my latest make McCalls 7429. 

   I purchased this pattern when it was released and cut it out only a few months ago and put it down again.  I was looking for something quick and easy to sew last night because I wanted a new dress to wear to church  just because.  The pattern was already prepped and all I needed was to lay it out, cut and sew.  No buttons or zippers, another plus.  I had a nice knit in my stash from 2014, purchased from Fabricmart.com.   This fabric was perfect for this dress.  The weight and stretch was perfect and the dress sewed up so nicely, pressed great and fit exactly as I wanted it to fit.                                     

 The pleats in the front of the dress gave me a little trouble until I checked YouTube. It finally made sense and came together with no problem at all.  I certainly will make this dress again in another nice knit with different sleeves because I really like the pleats in the front. It very well may become a little black dress.                                                                                                                                                       

                                    

I think I am going to put some effort into the look of my blog by changing the format and look of it.  Maybe then I will be more effective in blogging.  Until then, Happy Sewing and hopefully I will blog more before the year ends.                                                                                                                                            

Sew A Long

I have been busy sewing but not blogging this year.  I have been wanting to add some staple pieces to my personal wardrobe for quite some time now and this particular sew a long begins this weekend and I decided to join in.  Thank Faye @Faye's Sewing Adventure for assisting me in adding more tops.  I look forward to the challenge and can't wait to see how many I add to my wardrobe.  The weather here is still quite cold, Spring seems to be taking forever to arrive and that is all I want to sew is Spring tops.  Hopefully it won't be for naught.

Hope to post some pics real soon of the sew a long or anything else I make during the next couple of weeks.

As always, Happy Sewing!

The Dress

It took me three weeks to complete this dress, not because it was difficult only because I am busier than I care to be right now.  Once completed, I fell in love with it. The way I envisioned it would look and fit is exactly what happened. I used the dress pattern of V8792 and the sleeves of M7627. Loved it. The fabric is a Ponte knit purchased in 2014 from fabricmart.com.
I already had the perfect jewelry and shoes.
Here are pics.

Sewing Plans for the Year 2018

Happy New Year to all!

I have been so busy since September of last year.  I had wanted to post at least once a month but that did not happen as life happened. My goal in starting this blog was to post about my sewing and other crafty related items or whatever popped into my head. I will as with all things make an attempt to be more consistent in posting.  It's not that I have not been sewing, I have, it's just that I have not had the time to post but have been reading other's posts.  I suppose I could use some of that free time to post about my own pursuits and accomplishments. We'll see.

Every year I want to try the SWAP(sewing with a plan) but I never seem to complete it.  This year I have decided to focus on some additions to my wardrobe that are needed and that I will wear on a continuous basis.  Often times I sew for myself for specific occasions, not just because. I aim to change that approach as I am always finding that I need a garment for some reason or another and it is not readily available in my closet and I have to go to Plan B. I am really tired of that approach. I like to look and feel well put together all of the time so I have made an assessment of my wardrobe and found that I need to focus on specific items.  I need some items in black, as it stands I have need of  2 LBD (little black dresses) 2 pair of black slacks, 2 button up black blouses and 2 black skirts.

I also have need of some solid garment pieces.  I found last year I was drawn to prints all year long and that is basically what I sewed.  I also want to add 2 white button ups as well as chambray and another solid color.  These are all staple items for me but I feel the need for a couple of blazers and of course other solid color dresses.   

I plan to make these items from fabrics I already own as I am trying to not purchase any additional fabric, #1 I don't need it, #2 I don't have any other place to store it and #3 I want to use what I already have and not continue to feed this fabric demon. It must be brought under control, as it stands I think I could sew everyday for a number of years and not run out of fabric.  

My goal is to sew like I use to for myself and family so that I can decrease the stash and wear some garments that just plain make me happy.  There was a time I enjoyed getting dressed, just because. Now I get dressed out of a need to whatever function I may be attending, work, in which I only wear jeans and a nice top, which by the way I don't have enough of.  Such a shame, given that I could make them without that much effort.  

Basically what I am saying is that I have been in a sewing rut as it pertains to my personal wardrobe. I have been sewing for others but not for me.  That always makes me sad and it is very difficult for me to get out of that rut.  But hopefully with somewhat of a plan in mind I will be able to climb out of this spot.

Happy Sewing to all in 2018.  Hope to sew more for myself and post just as well. 

Vogue 1534 Review

My youngest daughter is currently on a cruise with friends.  She wanted a dress to wear to the Captain's dinner and of course turned to her mom(ME).  I was thrilled as usual because I love to sew for her.  She is a little demanding because she knows exactly what she wants and how she wants it to fit.  I have no problem with that but sometimes we bump heads, all in all it always seems to turn out right and everyone is happy, including (ME).

She chose Vogue 1534, which I thought was a very beautiful dress that would look great on her frame.  I had some lace printed fabric in my stash and purchased some taffeta for the bottom portion of the dress.

Here is my review.

Pattern Description:  Vogue 1534, Halter neck pleated floor length dress.  Close-fitting through the bodice, lined dress has halter neckline, full skirt and contrast bodice.
Pattern Sizing: 6-22

Did it look like the photo/drawing on the pattern envelope once you were done sewing with it? yes it did

Were the instructions easy to follow? I actually did not follow the instructions as they were not in the pattern that I purchased. The dress was simple enough for me to figure out without instructions.

What did you particularly like or dislike about the pattern? I liked the pattern as it was straightforward, no twists and turns.

Fabric used: for the bodice and waist I used a lace printed fabric I had in my stash and the skirt was made from a taffeta purchased from JoAnn's Fabrics.  I used a lining that was already in my stash as well.

Pattern alterations or any design changes you made: I did not have to do any alterations, the only thing I changed was on the bodice I left the top portion unlined as my daughter wanted a sweetheart neckline to show through the lace.

Would you sew it again? I may sew the skirt portion again.  Would you recommend it to others? Yes, it is a quick and easy pattern.

Conclusion: Very satisfied with how this turned out.  

This is the only pic sent to me by my daughter. She looks very beautiful in the dress and was very pleased.

As always, Happy Sewing!

My Mini Me

Today's post is about my youngest daughter.  I moved a year ago to live with her and it has taken a great deal of adjustment but in the end I love it.  She is smart, sweet, caring and a very hard worker.  She is consistent and the best friend to all of her friends.  We are not best friends because from my vantage point, parent's should not be your best friend. I am extremely happy to be her and her siblings mother.  I would not have it any other way.

I love to sew for her and she wears what I make her so well.  It is also a plus that she stands 5'9 in her bare feet and has long arms and legs.  I have  been a little busy sewing over the last two weeks, will be busy again starting tomorrow.

Here is the skirt I made and she is wearing it so nicely. I love the combination of the tulle and Ankara print that she combined for her look. The skirt was self drafted based upon her waist measurements and finished length.  The tulle underskirt was made the same way minus the back zipper and pockets.

As always, Happy Sewing