SEWmuchKNITting

My nephew will be getting married this weekend and I've decided to make up  Simplicity 1803  as shown in pink on the pattern envelope. I used a very pretty coral (or tangerine??) poly satin from JoAnn's. I am making some changes tho...below you can see a full lining to replace the facings called for in the pattern. And for some reason, it took 3 bodice muslins to get a satisfactory fit, and so I plan to make this again in a cute cotton for summer.  I made the cute little cap sleeve with the pleat at the top, but it just looked a little too "Betty Bridesmaid" for me. The sleeveless option was better. :-)  I also replaced the waist gathers in the skirt with pleats. And I found this great tutorial for stitching down the lining to finish the invisible zipper. All that's left are some finishing steps: slip-stitch the armholes, close the back lining seam, make the bra strap loops, hem and press.  I'm still undecided about a belt/sash, I thin...

I wanted to revisit this pattern after having made up the top a few months ago . At that time, I used a light T-shirt type knit, which just didn't work for everyday wear. I knew I had this stretch knit that I purchased 2 years ago at Vogue Fabrics in Evanston, IL, and I thought it might work, sewing View A with the bell sleeve. It sure did! and it was quick and easy since I had already made the fitting adjustments: raised the neckline, adjusted for swayback, and added to the skirt length. This way I could go right to the serger.  I did try to match up the graphic design somewhat, and I'm happy with that too. I also got a chance to use my new labels! Etsy seller JennifersJewels was great to work with, especially since  I goofed the first order and she made a generous allowance for me on the reprint :-) I am wearing this dress at work today, and received what we sewing bloggers like to call an  "unsolicitation": while standing at the deli cou...

My daughter requested a summer shrug, and she chose the pattern  Stardust , from Knitty 2007. I'm using Caron Simply Soft Lite in Heavy Cream: color 0002, and size 8 needles to make gauge, and I'm happy with it so far. I must admit that I found I made a mistake in the very easy-to-memorize lace pattern, but was able to catch it by ripping back 6 rows of just that section of 6 stitches. Ta da! I've never been able to make those kind of corrections before when there are yarnovers to fix, so I felt a real sense of accomplishment. I know....I am easily entertained! 

I received an email last week from Susan, the editor at the website Pocket Change asking to feature my blog  in the Best of the Web: Style section. Seems that Susan had seen the post of my Easter dress , and thought her readers may be interested! There is also a shout-out noting my recent post of the mock-wrap dress  (McCalls 6163).  Click around the site a bit. There are some fascinating links to other bloggers, interesting articles to read and a little shopping too :-)!

New Look 6915 I find that I don't spend much time shopping for ready-to-wear clothing for myself anymore....I have lots of ideas, patterns and fabric for items that I just would rather sew. But I did go shopping a couple of times in the last month or so, and was amazed at how many times I saw tops in this style in the stores. This pattern goes back a year or two maybe, and I like the longer length and breezy style.  I used one of JoAnn Fabrics "silky prints" in my favorite colorway of this summer: yellow, gray, white and black. I've been sewing with knits so much lately, it was fun to work with this fabric. I found I had to stabilize the hems at the sleeves and bottom hem as this fabric wanted to curl and tunnel on itself. Other than that, the only adjustments I made were to add 1" in length, and ease out the side seams from 5//8" to 1/4". No FBA necessary, and I love the cut-on drapey cowl. This is a quick and easy top to make!

Watch out....this girl's doing some serious spray painting!