2014 Happy New Year!

 

 

 

     2014 is going to be a great year! I claim this in Jesus' name! The last two years of my life has been much chaos, disappointment after disappointment. I have been in such a place where I didn't know if I was coming or going. I have had my ups and a even more downs. I've been in a place where I had to make tough decisions and most depended on life or death. Some were good. Most turned out to be bad. All this started June of 2012. I found myself in a world wind of confusion and a discombobulated life. If you weren't part of my 'inner circle', of which I keep very small, you wouldn't have known the wiser. I cried almost everyday. Every night. Trying to hide it from my children who didn't need to be involved in things. Sadly, though, they were. I was talked about by a person who hurt me to the core of my being. My name was slandered by this said person. I was treated like the scum of the Earth by this very said person. I went from having a paid-up home, a ride that was just what I needed, a marriage, a life that was not perfect but was livable and I enjoyed it. I was put into a position where I had to finally stand up, dry my tears, hold my head up, and move on. I am not totally there but mentally, I am much better. I am thinking clearer. I am living more for God (and I thought I was before? Honey, I ain't seen nothing yet!). I am FAR from perfect but I can only work to being better. In a previous post I mentioned I landed a job, the start of my career (I know it), and that is just the tip of the ice berg. This was in November 2013. Today is January 1, 2014 and it will only get better from here!

    

Happy New Year 2014!

 

     Since starting my job, my sewing time had dwindled. I miss sewing so much! I do have a few projects that were left to parish. However, I have gotten into the swing of things and found to make time between times. I am currently working on V8576:

in a deep green knit already being put together.

NL6035:

in a gray suiting left over from a pair of trousers made earlier in 2013. This one was left with the fabric cut out.  

M6076:

in a chambray-like fabric. I love this

and S2508:

in white corduroy. I have yet to decide on the lining. I want to use a stretch sateen because my fashion fabric is stretch corduroy. I hope to finish it well before the spring! So I'd better get to it, huh?

 

     Sew, let the 'good times role'!

Smooches, peeps!

Breaking the Ice with Just a Small Roar

     This top really doesn’t need a post dedicated to it because it is so simple. I only made it because I’ve wanted a leopard print top like this for a while and just never took the little time to make it up. But there’s a time for everything and I guess now was the time for the top.

    

     I used only one yard of fabric. It’s a leopard print woven with a tad bit of stretch from the stash. It’s very confortable. I made the 14 based on my bust measurements.

     I used a short length of lingerie, or panty elastic, at the gathered part mid-bust just to see what works. It does and it yields a bit of give when putting the top over my big ole head.

     I used two small folds to finish the neckline. I used some Wright’s lace for the armhole and bottom hem. I love this stuff. It just might become a staple in place of facings and fabric bias in future garments. It was in the stash so I decided to use it.

     Here it is on Aloe. She’s such a good lady.

                        

Excuse the wrinkles. I’m in no mood to ironing for photos.

     There’s nothing really to brag about with this top. It’s a top that I’ve put off for a while and don’t really know why. It’s a wild thing print. It can be changed with many items in the wardrobe which makes it a staple and very versatile. I plan on wearing it with burgundy, orange, etc....

Until later,

Scheryka

Baby Blue Pique....

...’pearls’ and flowers. I had 2 yards of this baby blue pique in the stash for a while. It was originally meant to be a sheath dress for myself but I never got around to making it. It was claimed by Ann for a top that she’s wanted for about a year now. So I made her the top and she was able to model and wear it tonight.

McCall’s 4554 Easy Endless options OOP

I made View C but it’s not shown on the envelope front. This could easily be a go to top for Ann. It can be dolled up or down. The model on the envelope is wearing her top with vertical ruffles down the front and versions A and D are plain. I added some crocheted roses to the front of Ann’s top with some ‘pearls’ to simulate a pinned brooch and necklace.

Cut in the envelope size 10 for fit and 12 for length. It fits pretty well, being that I made it in a woven fabric instead of stretch like the patterns calls for.

There was no need to read the instructions since it’s just a basic top. Since my serger is still sick, I zigzagged the ends, done a small double turn at the neckline and a wider, probably and inch, at the bottom and sleeve hems.

The back is nice and simple. It’s a blank canvas to do what you want to it.

                                 

This is how she plans to wear her new shirt to school in the morning. I love Oxford shoes!

I also made the pants in the pattern but of another fabric and that’s going to be a post all in itself. And let’s just say there was a lesson to be learned by the rising sewist.

Until later. Be wonderfully blessed!

~~Scheryka and Ann

                                  

Orange Python

Trying to calm my nerves because the move hasn’t gone as planned, I set out to make myself happy and calibrate my emotions since a LOT has happened from the time I posted my last creation. To the stash I dashed! Stash fabric and stash patterns. What did I come up with?

This:

Palmer Pletsch for McCall’s 6440 and 6441. A pant and jacket duo that I’ve had for a while. I’ve been wanting a pair of some wild animal Made By Me printed pant for some time now. So, what better time is the present? I dashed to the fabric. Well, I kind of unpacked a few boxes to find what I was looking for. A great marriage, if you ask me.

After I’d made the pants, I didn’t want to make the jacket. I wanted something instant. So, I revisited the peplum top by New Look 6130. The first version was not reviewed nor worn yet because I am waiting for my mind to let me vividly print mix. I want a leopard pant to mix with the polka dots.

The polka peplum:

I had some orange, kind of not orange, broadcloth in the stash that was bought for a button down and was never made because, well, honestly, I am scared to death to make a button down! There, I said it. I’ve made pants, trousers, jeans, jackets, coats, tops, panties, hats. You name it. But I am scared to sew a button down blouse.

Here’s the second version of the New Look peplum:

It is very easy to make and goes together quite quick and used just under 2 yards. I modified the back of the peplum because I wanted the back to be longer than the front. The front comes to a silent point that I didn’t notice I started sewing. But I like it so it stays. I also used a white invisible zipper because it was in the stash and I kept it a bit exposed.

The pants were VERY easy and Palmer always, ALWAYS, have fitting instructions along with the construction which makes it seems like a heck of a lot. It really isn’t and it’s WELL worth the hassle.

I made view C with side slit, sans the front waistband invisible zipper pocket. I didn’t want that pocket and prefer to have side seam pockets. AND since the zipper is in the side seam and I’d forgotten to move it to the back, I have no pocket. I will if I make them again, though.

The other versions are with plain legs, side invisible zipper leg, and the wide cuff leg. The same is for the arms of the jacket on the other pattern. I cut the 14 and with all the intakes, I could have cut on the 12 and sewn with a smaller allowance. But I’ll keep like this because it’s not so bad, does not look bad at all, and if I gain a couple pounds they will still fit nice.

    

I used a python print. I don’t know the content. But it has a kind of sheen over print in irregular shaped dots that makes it look semi-shiny in some areas. It’s a little stretchy, not much though. I used 2 1/2 yards and had 4 total. I still want the jacket but do not have enough fabric, so I may do a color block style with black.

I had to do some errands today and wore my new outfit with much grace and confidence. Like?

My bag doesn’t match nor coordinate. But it’s the closest I have since most are packed.

Shoes are from Avon. They are one reason I was ok with the white exposed zipper.

The pant, front and back, without the top in the way. Also, I have no gaposis. I’ve mastered that skill but can’t instruct how to do it at all! :/

Until my next project that’s been sewn up and worn. I just need to right time to take those photos.

Bye bye! Come and see me again, soon,

Scheryka

~~~~~Hugs and Hugs!

I forgot to post my Pin-speration so I am adding it here:

V8711 and NL6521

   

I’ve had this pattern since it came out in 2011. The lines in the pattern seemed to render sexiness and a soft sex appeal. It reminds me of an up side down tulip.

Described: as Misses’ skirt: fitted, above mid-knee or mid-calf length, mocked wrap. I made the longer of the two skirts for fear of the shorter one being a little sluttish. Not knowing how far the wrap would gape open.

The sizes: are AA(6-12) and EE(14-20). I cut the line 16 and used a red t-shirt knit from the stash. It has the textured of a more expensive t-shirt knit than one you’d buy at a chain market.

The instructions: were very easy to understand. However, I don’t know why Vogue have you using unnecessary pieces for underlining the side insets at the hip. I thought it would make too much fabric in an undesirable area. Especially on the side with the gathers.

The only alterations I made were to leave off the underlining. Regardless to reading the instructions, I constructed the skirt my own way. Like I do with most of my sewing.

I like: the lines and ‘tulip’ look. It fits and make the booty look good. IMO.

Caution: I am not sure if I didn’t understand or if it is how the instructions are meant to be, but at step 13 you pin the back yoke to back skirt. The middle of the yokes seem like they should be sewn with a center seam. However, in the photos they don’t even touch and there is no mention as if they should or shouldn’t. I put a center seam and kept going. It turned out great. But I can also see how it would have worked had I not put the center seam.

I paired the skirt with:

Very OOP, 2005, and I like the pattern a lot. I’ve made the wrap top several times before my blogging days were born.

It’s described: as Misses’ six sizes in one. I cut the tank in a size 12 using a very soft gray t-shirt knit, also from the stash. I can still remember those days when I would cringe at the thought of a knit fabric. But now, I catch that knit by the heels and show it who’s boss! I love to sew with knits now.

I like that this pattern renders a very nice TNT pattern for the basic v-neck T.

I didn’t like: the just turn and stitch feature at the shoulders but that doesn’t warrant me to not make it nor recommend it. That’s an easy fit depending on the look you are going after. Me, I wanted something I could easily put on for shopping and doing errands rather than my usual jeans and top.

I did make a booboo. I put the neck band on perfectly! On the wrong side. I fixed it. It came out even better!

Alterations are that I left off the shoulder draw strings.

Here are few more photos taken on Aloe and of me wearing my outfit today.

Until later. Don’t stop sewing!

Scheryka

A Couple of Stash Starts

Sitting back wondering what might be a few things I want to start on for the Style Your Stash Sew A Long and I came up with two items that need to be done soon. McCall’s 6700 is for my son’s high school graduation ceremony in a poly blend knit that’s been in the stash since forever ago. I know why I’ve never cut into it. I wanted that perfect pattern that would make great use of the design. What better way than a maxi that is labeled one the Fashion Star patterns? It has yielded some very delightful results for those who have sewn it before me.

This one would HAVE to be finished by the 5th. That’s G-Day! Yay! Oh, and by the way, he’s chosen the great USC Gamecocks as his college home for the fall!

I am a Roll Tide fan, but since my son has chosen USC, I can adapt and overcome! But my attire would still be Red, Black, and White! Hey, win win!

My choice second in line is McCall’s 6653 so that I can finish my Pinterest Inspired look. It will be my outfit to my husband’s graduation. Yeap, I have two graduates at once. Yay. winning!

I can’t seem to get a better shot. The color is actually very close to the color on the model. I’ll be doing view A.

Both fabrics and patterns are stash so, I’m really stash busting, huh?

A couple of other ideas I want to sew up are:

Vogue 8711 and

Butterick 5884. I just can’t choose which fabric to use. Both fabric is airy and flows just right for this pattern. I am leaning more towards the blue. I am just wondering how would the stripes actually turn out since the pattern does says *not suitable for obvious diagonals*. I believe I would have to place a few pieces in order for the stripes to stay horizontal. I don’t know, but maybe I’ll find out soon enough. What do you all think?

Scheryka

Sometimes Life Gets in the Way

    I have been sewing. Even though I haven't blogged ONE SINGLE ITEM! You see life got a bit busy and complicated. I mean with an 8-month-old, a graduating senior, and in-between jobs (yeah, one would think that being in-between would give me more time to sew and be creative - NOT!). And a lot of other things, too. Anyhow, I have photos of some and no photos of others. Some are to come later when I complete the outfits to them. Since I am not in denial, I am lazy and don't want to go back and do any reviews of them, I'll just post the photos and tell and brief story of the item.

Donna Karan New York for Vogue 1250

   

 

My version:

          

 



Easy dress! I used a very thin sweater knit in black and white flecks. It looks grey to the naked eye. There is nothing to dislike. And post-baby - I think I look good! Now, does anyone know of a shop where I can buy a GOOD maternity bra! The one's I used previously is just not doing their job!

 

New Look 6130:

 

  My version: I love this in polka dot. It was a rave all over the .com and I had to have one. It is a cotton shirting from the stash. In fact, everything lately is from the stash. I don't have a photo of me wearing this one because I lacked a photographer every time I wore it. Believe me, I will be making this one again.

 

 

Last for the blog, but definitely not the last item made, is a revisit to Butterick 5497:

 

 My first version was in a black and white zebra print. For my birthday: Happy Birthday to Me. My youngest sister acquired that top this past Spring Break. My new version:  On me:

One more before I sign out. I made my sister a ball dress for the Kappa Ball. Color Scheme: Black and White. My sister chose McCall's 6283:
 She wanted the gold gown with the black top. NO PROBLEM! Welp, sewing long distance and not being to get a fit during construction, the bust came out too big. And this is with measuring three times and cutting once. The instructions were followed to the T. So, I am not sure where I went wrong or if it was me at all. I went to the PR site to see if any others had the same problem. No one mentioned that, however, a few mentioned with modifications. So maybe they'd forgotten to mention that part? I don't know. But here it is on Aloe since my sister couldn't fit the bodice and therefore didn't wear it to the Ball.

Beautiful dress. What a shame.
Well, until next time everyone! Smooches and Be Happy!
Scheryka