Sewing but not posting

I have been doing a great deal of sewing for myself and others but have been to busy to post anything. I am currently completing a degree in History and have been taking 3 classes among many other things, so to say I have been busy is an understatement.  Currently in Atlanta visiting my oldest 2 children for the Thanksgiving holidays and going home on Sunday 12/7. I have certainly been visiting everyone else's blogs and having a great time seeing what everyone is making.

Here are some of the things I have been sewing for myself.

The pattern numbers for these items are McCall's 6991, 6844 and Vogue 8780  for the camel jacket made out of wool knit fabric and 8909 for the pants. The grey quilted knit is a circle skirt of which I used my waist and finished length measurements to make the skirt. The sequined top was made from sequined fabric in the front and a lightweight knit in the back, love this combination, the pattern is OOP.

As always, happy sewing.

Missing in Action

I feel as if I have been gone for sometime.  The Summer 2014 was quite busy for me. I completed a lot of First Moments.  I visited California for the first time and went to the US Open for the first time and both events were amazing.  I have been doing some sewing in between first moments.

I have started some fall sewing and have a number of items planned. It seems as though I am drawn to outerwear this year. I have purchased fabrics from Fabric.com and Moodfabrics.com, all relating to sweaters and coats.  I am absolutely loving the capes and coats that I have been seeing in the magazines and different websites I review.  Can't hardly wait for my fabric to arrive, some should be here today and later this week.

The picture that you are seeing was taken at a 50th birthday party for one of my dear friends. I have been having a love affair (for the lack of a better phrase) with the circle skirt.  I have made three for myself and one for my daughter.  Also taught another young lady how to make them.  The picture below is of my current circle skirt made out of a quilted faux leather purchased from JoAnn Fabrics.  I underlined the faux leather with a broadcloth because I did not want the quilted background of the faux leather to show. I must tell you I absolutely love this skirt, it is everything I had envisioned.  I wanted a simple but funky top to wear with the skirt and I pulled out McCall's pattern 6400 for the top. The fabric I chose was purchased from Michael Levine's in LA this summer.  It is a four way stretch knit fabric with a bunch of writing that is not really saying much, just artsy.  I was drawn to this fabric when I first saw it and purchased 4 yards, not knowing what I wanted to make. I used about 1 5/8 yardage for the top and a small amount of faux leather for the sleeves.

These two pieces have infused some life into my sewing mojo and you will be seeing more posts soon.  As Always, Happy Fall Sewing.

Summer PJ's

It has been so hot and humid in Western NY, (I'm not complaining, just explaining) and I decided I needed some cool pj's.  I visited Marshall's and saw some I like but decided that because I have so much fabric currently in my stash, I needed to use it rather than spend my money on RTW.  I trotted my happy self home and pulled out this lightweight stripped knit and begin sewing.  I used McCall's 6658, the shorts and sleeveless tank views for my pj's.  I had some lingerie elastic in a an aqua blue that I used to trim the the armholes and neckline of the top and I also cut the top wider in the waist and hips in a sort of swing style.  I really love the way they came out. I only wish I had made the top a little more swing than I did, nevertheless, still like them a great deal.  I also made a kimono style robe of the same fabric using  OOP New Look 6312.

I really love it when an idea I had in my brain comes together so nicely.  This new addition should wear well on my upcoming trip to California.

As always, Happy Sewing.

Daughter's Dress

My youngest daughter came home over the weekend for her 10th year high school reunion.  Let me just say I can't believe she is 27 years old already and 10 years out of high school. I remember her first day of kindergarten and all of her many accomplishments.  I am extremely proud of her and her 2 siblings. I ran around so much but really did not spend much time with her, that is understandable as they had activities planned for the entire weekend.  I am so grateful to God that she made it safely as she had a minor accident on the thruway which could have been so much worse.  She was sideswiped by another vehicle attempting to move from the right to the left lane.  The woman did not signal and never saw my daughter in the left lane.  Everything turned out fine and there was minor damage to both vehicles but neither woman was injured.  Thank God! 

I made M6760 for my daughter.  She did not take a picture as I finished it early Sunday morning, 6/22, before going to church.  The fabric was purchased at Fine Fabrics earlier this year and I really love the print she choose.  I only purchased 3 yards as the knit fabric was 60 inches wide, the pattern called for 3 5/8 yardage. But of course when the fabric was purchase it was not for any particular pattern.  The lack of correct yardage called for by the pattern presented a problem widthwise.  I had to remove some of the width of the pattern when I laid it out, but I was able to make it work and the dress came out so pretty.  I am certain this pattern has been reviewed by many so I won't due to much of that but I will say that the sides of the dress gape a little to much at the armpits and you will have to wear a camisole if you don't adjust at cutting.  That was the only problem I came across.

 

The dress fits my daughter's 5'9 inch frame quite well. Will post a pic of her wearing it later.  She was very happy with the dress and I was happy that she was happy.  I do love sewing for both of my daughters from time to time. 

I have made a number of things for myself and will post again later this week.

As always, Happy Sewing.

Sewing for the week!

I don't know if it has been this glorious weather we have been having this week or what, but I have been doing a little more sewing than in the recent past.  I used to sew all of the time but had gotten a little lazy and sporadic with my personal sewing.  This week I made a maxi dress, maxi skirt, top and dress.  Very proud of myself and after this post, I am going to make another dress.  Moving while the mojo is flowing.  I really like this maxi dress and the fabric is perfect for the dress.

Here is the first pic front and back view and pattern review.

Pattern Description:  Simplicity 1355 Misses’ maxi dresses and long or short jumpsuit with bodice variations

Pattern Sizing: XXS-XXL

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

 Were the instructions easy to follow?  I didn’t really follow them but they looked simple enough.

What did you particularly like or dislike about the pattern? I liked the jumpsuit version but my fabric screamed maxi dress.

Fabric Used: Jo-Ann Fabrics silky prints.

Pattern alterations or any design changes you made: None, sewed right out of the envelope

 Would you sew it again? Yes, maybe the jumpsuit this time.

Would you recommend it to others? Yes.

 Conclusion: I liked the pattern and it was simple enough.  I believe a beginner could make this with minimal help.


 Part 2

The next pic is a dress and top made from Butterick 6065.  The maxi skirt paired with the top was self drafted.  I did not have enough fabric to make the skirt long enough so I used some of the knit fabric used on the top to make a border for the skirt.  I was happy with the end results.

I am sorry the pic of the bottom of the skirt is a little blurred.  My tablet is a little tempermental. The pattern review is below.

Pattern Description:  Butterick 6065, Misses’ jacket, top, dress, skirt and pants

Pattern Sizing: Lrg-Xlg-Xxl

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

 Were the instructions easy to follow?  I didn’t really follow them but they looked simple enough.

What did you particularly like or dislike about the pattern? I liked the top especially after Sheila CTK and Faye of Faye’s Sewing adventure both made the top.

Fabric Used: knits in my stash purchased from Jo-Ann Fabrics.

Pattern alterations or any design changes you made: None, sewed right out of the envelope

 Would you sew it again? Yes, I will make the top again.

Would you recommend it to others? Yes.

 Conclusion: This was a nice pattern to use to add a few items to the closet.

 

Well this has been a good week.  More to come. As Always, Happy Sewing.

 

 

African Fabrics

Happy Monday all, hope you had a wonderful weekend.  Mine was great as the weather here was gorgeous.

I have had this obsession with African Fabrics for quite sometime.  I have a few memade garments out of different prints.  As of late that obsession has been growing so I decided to search the Web to find a good online store to order from.  I found one, AKN Fabrics Inc. out of NYC. I went on their website and was salivating as they have some gorgeous prints and a great many to choose from.  Their prices are quite good as well.  You know I had to order some, Right?  Well I choose 6 prints, some wax and a seer sucker print in black and white, which just happens to be one of my favorites. 

The ordering on line was quick and painless and the prints arrived in two days. They list them as pieces but one piece contains 6 yards and I spent between $15.00 and $40.00 per piece.  Love It!  The picture below does not due them justice, guess you will have to wait to see the completed garments. Coming Soon!

As always, Happy Sewing.

The Fourth Time is the Charm!

I have made V8825 four times now and I think I like this version the best.  I purchased the fabric from Fine Fabrics in Norcross, GA in April of this year and knew I wanted to make a dress.  It is an ITY knit and feels so soft against my skin and fits so well.  I shortened the sleeves because I want to wear it now while it is warm.

I have been busy purchasing alot of sewing related items  online. The dressform was purchased from WAWAK.com and I absolutely love their service.  I needed a new one for a while and did not feel like spending a ridiculous amount of money on one so I shopped around.  I got two for the price of one and I am very happy with them.  This one that my dress is on adjusts to my measurements and I am so happy with it.  The other one is sized to fit my oldest daughter and since she has been bugging me to make her some things and she lives in GA and I in NY I decided to buy it to make my life much easier with fitting her garments. I already have a couple that are sized to fit my youngest daughter who lives in MD and she too wants to make sure I deliver her some garments as well. I must say I do enjoy sewing for them as they are my biggest fans and they do a good job of taking good care of me when I visit them.

I like the back view of the dress as well. Will make sure I straighten the back ties when I wear the dress. Knits have a tendency to roll quite a bit as we all know but I still love the versatility of the fabric.

Well I am on to make another dress out of some lightweight linen purchased from JoAnn's.  As always, happy sewing.

First Maxi of the Season

 I made this maxi dress from Vogue 1352, Rebecca Taylor.  The  City knit was purchased from Fine Fabrics in Norcross, GA. I absolutely fell in love with this fabric store.  There are rows and rows of all types of fabric. I purchased about 8 pieces and could have bought more. I stuck with knits, had I ventured into the linen fabric it would not have been nice. As it stands the fabric I bought at Fine Fabrics and elsewhere had to be shipped to me by my oldest daughter. I will add it to my ever growing stash. LOL!

I am currently making a prom dress and that is going pretty well. Sorry for the long intervals in between posts.  I will do better.
As always, happy sewing.

Monday Morning Ramblings

I like the sound of ramblings and have seen them on quite a few blogs.  I thought I might try them as well, they seem to help release the soul.  Here goes...

Lost my corporate job 02-28-14. The eye health care company I worked for was sold in August 2013 and they moved all of Finance to their headquarters in Bridgewater, NJ.

Home trying to decide what next.  My 3 grown children live in the states of GA and MD.  I'm considering moving in between them VA or NC....we'll see.  I am not sad just contemplating my next move with much prayer....

Have been sewing a little. Participated in a couple of fashion shows this year as well. 

Made a dress yesterday and one last week. Have decided I will make at least one garment each day to increase my mojo.

I am hooked on Scandal and watched last week with my mouth wide open..Sometimes I think that show is too much but I still love the writing.

I'm a sports fan so you know I have been watching March Madness.  Did not complete a bracket this year but wanted Syracuse, Duke and Wichita State to go further.  Now I am gravitating towards the Michigan teams since NC lost yesterday.  Who cares who really wins I just love the fierce competitive mode in which these young men play.  Also been watching tennis, you know I love me some Serena Williams...she seems a bit rusty...I hope she pulls out of her funk and gets going...I want her the win her 18th grand slam plus more....Glad Venus won a tournament this year as well, glad to see she is physically better...Would love for her to win another grand slam....I'll be watching.

I registered to attend the Mimi G blogger conference in Los Angeles this year in July.  I will make the most of my first visit to Cali.....My brother lives there and I am planning on spending a week with him then head for the conference....looking forward to that trip.

These are all the ramblings I have for this morning.  Hope to get some good pictures of the dresses I made and post them soon.

As always, Happy Sewing.

Dressed for the elements

Dressed for the elements by sdcunni featuring a black cable knit beanie

Rick Owens coat
thecorner.com

Zara leather shoes
zara.com

Burberry scarve
thecorner.com

Lalù black cloche hat
$58 - pret-a-beaute.com

Topshop black cable knit beanie
topshop.com

Isotoner glove
$18 - debenhams.com

First sewn garment of 2014

I wanted to begin the year sewing and hopefully complete a number of garments a month.  I am trying not to set any unrealistic goals this year so that I don't overly stress myself to complete them.  Sewing is not on a way to add to my wardrobe but it is also a way for me to unwind from the hustle and bustle of everything else that is going on in my world. 

Here is my review of V8944

Pattern Description: Vogue 8944, View B. 

Fabric Used: Ponte knit from my stash, purchased from Joann’s a while back, faux leather, purchased from Vogue Fabrics on line and tricot lining from my stash as well.

 

Pattern Sizing: (14-16-18-20-22), I made the size 16 and took the side seems in about 1 inch.

 

Were the instructions easy to follow? Very easy to follow as the pattern states Very Easy Vogue.

 

What did you particularly like or dislike about the pattern? I liked that it was simple and I needed an easy pattern to jumpstart my mojo.

 

Pattern alterations or any design changes you made: I added 4 inches to the length.

Would you sew it again? I may sew view A in the summer and color block it as the pattern shows.

 

 

My picture was taken with my tablet and is not as clear as I would like but I do like the dress. I plan on wearing it church tomorrow.  Hopefully I can get someone to take a picture for me.

As always, Happy Sewing.

 

Happy New Year!

 

 

I thought I would post this first day of 2014  to be set a precendence for myself.  I am grateful to see another year and hope to do much better than last year with posting.  I figure if I post more I will get more sewing accomplished.  As I have read various blogs and everyone is posting reviews of their 2013 sewing, I have decided that since I did not due a fraction of the sewing I had wanted that I would not post a review. 

 

With that being said I hope everyone has a productive year of sewing completing projects and learning new skills.

 

Happy New Year!

 

And as always, Happy Sewing.