Vogue 8576

Devine details? Well that’s what Vogue think of this pattern. I did, too, when I first bought it. I was drawn to the triangular shapes and the cap sleeves, and those two little points at the front neckline.

This pattern has 30 pieces TIMES 2. Well, I’ll be honest. I didn’t line mine so it’s just 30 pieces. And I don’t even know if the skirt portion is lined. I wanted to dive in this project and jump right back out because I really just wasn’t ready to tackle a pattern with so many pieces.

The pattern calls for a zipper and it’s been omitted because I used a knit and since my serger is still broken and I can’t really sew my knits like I want to.

I cut the cute little points off because I didn’t line the dress, therefore I didn’t interface that part because I didn’t want it to be just hanging in the inside. I made the hem line a slight hi-lo. I really liked it too.

Honestly, I lost interest in this dress when I couldn’t get the goddets to set right in the skirt. I wasn’t going to waste my fabric and time cutting for nothing. So, this wadder will be an errand-to-the-store-dress-because-I-need-to-buy-cleaning-supplies-for-the-house.. And then I might just clean the house in it.

Here are the photos I have taken so far:

                                    

                                            

Horrific Goddet! Ironing won’t even begin to set it better! Yuk! Just Ugh!

Sadly, I will finish the neckline, sleeve hem and call it a wrap. Maybe I’ll sleep in it. I have no plans to sew this one again. That’s what happens when you dive in and jump out. Sorry.

Until later.

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!

HAPPY BIRTHDAY to ME!

It’s been about two months since I’ve posted due to life. I am just taking the time out to say, “Thank you!”, to my followers. Thank you for taking the time to follow my sewing blog. I hope you are inspired in one way or another. Even if you learn how NOT to sew, wear, or style something . You all always give such nice comments. I am inspired by you and your blogs as well.

I do have to say, “Happy Birthday to Me!” I am the big 36 and loving it! It is a blessing to be alive these last and evil days.

My outfit for today has actually be an UFO for about 2 years. The story started when my sister Evoni and I had our little own personal sew-a-long. How ever this endeavor quickly ended when she lost mojo. No, wait, I think I lost the mojo. Or was it that sewing instructions were lost? I think it was because I couldn’t decide on a lining. See that’s what happens when you wait so long to sew things. You age. You forget. Then you blame others. Oh well. It’s all sewn up now.

It is Vogue 1214 (OOP)designed by Alice and Olivia. When I bought this pattern I was head over heals in love with it. It is rated as Average by Vogue and has a pattern for the vest, leggings, and belt. It’s described as close-fitting, lined top has front band extended into shawl collar, snap closure, front darts, side front pockets, back detailed seams, godets and topstitch trim. Belt has elasticized back and topstitch trim.

The back has detailed seams? Yes! It’s an 8 paneled back with a ton of top stitching AT. EACH. SEAM.

I had initially cut the 14 (two years ago) and now it’s too big. So, that is a plus in itself. And now it’s a year after a baby. She turned one August 27th. I believe the 12 would have been a better fit.

I love the godets and how they flow. I love the top stitching. Even though it is a ton of it, I love it. I love the collar. I love the self fabric belt. I love that it is not the basic vest. You know like the one’s worn in the day that coordinated with Uncle Bill’s and Aunt Mae’s boots. I love the twist on this vest. So me. There was nothing that I did not like.

I used a black and white suiting I’d purchased from Fabric.com probably 2 1/2 to 3 years ago. The black and white is so small it looks gray, just like the vest the model is wearing on the envelope. So it’s a stash and a UFO. The lining is a poly from the stash also. The snaps and the elastic are stash.

Initially when I started putting this vest together - after the long pause- I was NOT going to line it. But then I didn’t want to lose the look of it and didn’t want to have to draft facings. I am GLAD I went ahead and lined it because it looks, hangs, and feels so much better.

I did not put in the pockets because I will not be using them. I saved the time and just eliminated them. I also put in the lining my jacked up, kind of quick way. Actually I tried doing it the way I was shown by an alterations person who works at Men’s Wearhouse. Let’s just say I’ll be working on that so I can get it right. I tried to strategically place the snaps so that the panel does not gape. I put them on per the instructions then took them off and repositioned them. Well, it worked on Aloe. It’s not working on me. I will take these off and used a bigger size when I redo them. Oh, I did not self line the godets. I just turned up the seam allowance and stitched it down. I thought they would be stiff and look like log flags on a log truck.

I don’t think I will sew it again. It’s unique. I will attempt to go into the side seams and take it in because I really do like it. HOWEVER, if I find some white suiting in this same weight, I may just change my mind.

I don’t know how the center front got like this but it did and I’m not crying over it.

Until my next project. Apple cider and cinnamon sticks. Later Huns!

*gosh I need a good camera and some landscape*

*maybe I’ll learn how to photochop *

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