Tuesday, December 8, 2009

Guess Who!!


Santa is looking good this year.

Capes for Christmas



I bought McCall's 5764 and the plaid fabric to make last year as Christmas gifts for my two girls. Since Sherlock Holmes is getting ready to hit theaters, maybe my timing was even better in waiting to get them done this year.




No pictures on my girls yet, as these will be wrapped and under the tree.


In Southwest Florida, where we get only the occasional cold snap, I thought this would be a great little cape.




I did not have enough fabric for the tan one to match the plaid as well as I did for the gray. I'm not sure it would be noticed by anyone but me, because the main stripe in the plaid does match.



The capes are unlined, and the fabric is a suiting, mostly polyester I'm sure, from Joanns. I had the perfect buttons for each in my stash. Really a simple pattern to put together.


One funny thing did happen. I put one on to see how it looked. and could not figure out how to tie the belt on. I had it through the belt look in the CB and through the back belt slots, and for the life of my I could not figure out how to get the belt to tie over the front of the cape. I think I looked back at the instructions half a dozen times before I realized I had not made the slots in the front to put the belt back through. Duh!


Jeans - McCall's 5592

I'm a little late to the jean making party. It seems like everyone on sewing blog land was making jeans over the summer. McCall's 5592 had several good reviews, so I chose this pattern for my first pair.

The denim is a medium weight from Joanns, a cotton/lycra blend. It washed well with very little wrinkling. With the sale and my ASG discount, I spent less than $13 for the fabric and had enough left over for a vest, which is cut out but not sewn. The jean zipper was in my stash and was given to me by someone who got rid of their zipper stash. I used a denim thread for tops stitching that almost looks lilac in color. I have no idea where it came from, so I will consider it a freebie as well :) The pattern cost $1.00. So I have a good fitting pair of jeans for $14. Not Bad!

I lined the fly opening, front pockets, and the waistband with a left over piece of quilting cotton. I love this idea. Not only adds a little hidden interest, but cuts down on bulk making it easier for top stitching.

I used pants hook for closure and may change that to a button. I did not use rivets and since I wear my shirts untucked, no one will know but me.

I can't figure out how to lighten these on my tiny web book. I love the side and front views. I'm hoping the back view is off because of the way I'm standing. I'm pleased with the fit and will spend a little more time on details with the next pair.

You can also see the rear view of Coco Chanel, the newest addition to our family. My older kitties are having a hard time adjusting to Coco. She came from the shelter and I just had to take her home.