Butterick 4659

I don't know about Fast & Easy. I think this pattern is more for an experienced sewer, one that cuts out their patterns with precision or has the knowledge and experience to know how to make sure things line up perfectly before clipping inside corners and other such things. Sititching the facing down around the collar was fiddly and if the corners do not match up perfectly or the clips to the corner are not just right, well then, you have a problem.

I had a problem with fitting on this one. I usually cut a size 12 for a wide back, and then take in the side seams through the sleeve seam. I have never had to make an SBA. I am very small up there, but I wear a super duper padded bra. There was a lot of ease in this pattern. I did not make a muslin (I just don't like to take the time, and since I've been sewing all my life, I think I know what I'm doing.) I practically completed the top, even put the buttons on, when I realized that this top was huge. I ended up taking the sleeves out, taking an inch out of the top portion of the princess seam at the armscye while leaving the lower, side front with the normal seam allowance, took in the side seams half an inch on each side, and taking in the princess seams in the back another 3/8". I then had to trim away from the shoulder and adjust the sleeves to fit in.

I had hand sewn the front facings down, but when I took it apart to make the alterations, I decided to stitch all together and serge. The seams lay towards the sides instead of the center, which is not the proper way, but it looked okay when pressed so I plunged ahead.

I should have used a lighter weight interfacing so that the front is less stiff, but I think I'm probably the only one who would notice that.

In the end I really like the blouse. I'm not sure I will be making it again.

The fabric is from Gorgeous Fabrics and is a cotton/lycra blend. The buttons are from my huge button stash given to me by my mother.

I'm making another pair of jeans using McCalls 5592. This is the second time I've used this pattern. The first pair fit really well and I enjoy wearing them.

I want to try to do a little everyday. I have alterations to do for clients, so that comes first. I hope to finish the jeans by the weekend. This is my progress so far. The front, including fly zipper and pockets. I love the pocket and fly facings. I used a cotton from my stash. The zipper was given to me in a bundle. The fabric is 100% cotton from Gorgeous Fabrics.

Kwik Sew 3242

I used a brown knit with what looks like gold glitter, but is not glitter at all. There was no flaking. The fabric was left over from a project I worked on a couple of years ago, and I had just enought for this simple top.



I cut out a medium, but should have cut a small. I ended up taking in the sides. I do not like the way they finished the sleeves and neck. The instructions tell you to use a strip cut out of the fabric, fold lengwise in half, stitch to the edge, turn to the wrong side and stitch down with a straight stitch. I did that on the sleeves, and with a straight stitch there is no stretch. I will probably redo it, but I will wear it first to see. I don't want to have to pick out the stitches unless I have to.

For the neck line, I was thinking more clearly. I used a wider fabric strip, serged it to the neck edge, turned to the inside, and stitched it down. It looks much better than it would have and wears better as well. I used my serger for most of the construction. I also lengthened the top by 2", as I like my tops a little longer. I stitched over clear elastic to give the shoulders more stability. It really is as simple as it looks.

I'm very happy with the results and will definitely make it again.

I made the skirt a few months ago as costumes for the girl Pirates in a local Peter Pan children's ballet. I'll post all about that later, but am waiting on pictures. I look forward to making the skirt for me.

New Year's Eve Masquerade Party

This was a joint effort. DS made his cape. I made his shirt. His sister designed and painted his mask.

First up the shirt. DS cut it out the night before New Years Eve and I spent most of the day making the shirt for a New Year's Eve Masquerate Party at our church.

He marked the placement of the eyelets on the front of the shirt for the closure, but decided he did not want the string, so we left the shirt to be worn open. I did no hand stitching when it came to the yoke. I rolled up the shirt between the yoke layers so I could stitch the yoke lining to the yoke, then pulled the shirt through. You can see in the picture how the shirt is stuffed into the yoke before stitching it together.

I used a polyester/cotton blend broadcloth I've had in my stash for over 20 years that came from my mother's fabric store, the pattern was $1 from Joanns, elastic for the sleeves was left over from a previous project, and thread. I estimate the cost of the shirt (not including my time) to be less than $2.

DS made the cape, which was really simple. The pattern consisted of a front and a back. He did not use the hood. Using a suede cloth that required no seam finishing or hem, he just stitched the side seams. I helped with the neck binding, and we made ties from the fabric. Pattern cost $1 and fabric cost about $15, all from Joanns.

I also made one for a friend of DS in Black Penne Velvet with a Blue Penne Velvet lining. I hope to have a picture on him soon. This one was made with the hood.

Ringling Remake

Pamela's Patterns T-Shirt Makeover #103

This was fun. I got this shirt in an XL over the summer when my oldest DD and I visited the campus of Ringling College of Art and Design. She is halfway through her freshman year now.

The T-Shirt was huge and not my style, so I made some changes.



I cut a size medium and think I could have gotten away with a small. I modified the neck opening even more than the pattern suggested. I narrowed the neck ribbing, stretched and blocked it with my steam iron, stitched it to the shirt with my serger, and turned it up and stitched it down with a straight stitch. It worked beautifully.



To make it even more fun, I added a few beads!

I may actually wear it now. DD loves it!

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.