McCall's 6844 Cardigan

McCall's 6844 Cardigan

This is one of McCall's new fall patterns.  As soon as I saw it, I wanted it.  Here's a photo of it for reference:

 That back view is for View C.  It is a close fitting cardigan.



Here's my version:

My version is obviously not as fitted but I like it anyway - I can wear a light sweater or long sleeve underneath it.  I cut the medium.  I am going to make another in a different color and I'm debating whether I should cut a small.
This was a very quick and easy pattern to sew.  I didn't make any alterations.  I have to say - I'm very pleased with it.  The instructions are simple and straight forward.  I didn't really use them but I followed Mimi's suggestion of sewing the sleeves in flat - here's a link: http://www.lowpricefabric.blogspot.com/2013/10/mimi-g-pattern-review-diy-steps.html#.UmwbMPmsim4.   Coincidentally, I had black and cream fabric so it ended up looking similar to hers.  I highly recommend this pattern!

I am going to make a few more in a few different colors.  There are other variations for this pattern but I like the peplum dipping at the back.  Gives it a little more oomph!

I used a soft double knit from Fabric.com.  They had a 40% off knit sale about a week or two ago and I ordered a bunch of double knits.
I have a camel color double knit that I want to make up in this pattern - stay tuned - the fabric is already laying on the table waiting to be cut.  I have to hurry before the cats think I laid out the fabric for them to sleep on...

New Look 6123 - Dress

I made New Look 6123:

I really enjoyed sewing this one.  I used a double knit fabric which is a dream to sew and super comfy to wear.  I made my dress sleeveless for cardi's and jackets.  I didn't make any adjustments but next time, I will leave the zipper out (in the back) if I use double knit again and I will make the back a little narrower.  It's got slight gaping at the neckline in the back but my hair is long and it covers it.  Not worried about it right now.  Here's my look:

Pretty simple - from the pleats on the side to finishing up the edges (I used self fabric bias) and a blind stitch hem - I finished it within a few hours over a weekend.  I think I'll make another in black very soon.

Here's my review:

Pattern Description: Dress pattern 

Pattern Sizing: 8-18, I cut a straight size 14

Did it look like the photo/drawing on the pattern envelope once you were done sewing with it? yes

Were the instructions easy to follow? yes - they were simple and easy to follow

What did you particularly like or dislike about the pattern?
No dislikes - I liked that the pattern is simple and has different dress options.

Fabric Used:
Even though it doesn't recommend double knit, I used a double knit from Fabric.com. I went with double knit after seeing Mimi G used double knit. I also read that most patterns that call for woven fabrics can be made up with double knit. 



Pattern alterations or any design changes you made:
I didn't make any alterations or patterns changes with this dress. Pretty happy with the fit although I would have liked it to be a little more fitted. Next time, if I use a double knit, I will leave the back zipper out since the neckline is wide enough to pull over the body.
Would you sew it again? Would you recommend it to others?
Yes and yes!
Conclusion: This is the first time I used this pattern and I'm not sure why I waited so long. It's a great pattern and I want to make more using the other options. 

New Look 6216 - View D - Pants

New Look 6216 - I made pants!

I haven't blogged since March!  Wow time flies...
But I have been steadily sewing.  A lot.  I've got some dresses and some skirts, tops, a jacket and now - pants!  I'll have to share some of the skirts at some point because I think some of the patterns are really worth the effort.

For this post, I'm reviewing New Look 6216 - View D - the pants.
Here's a link to the pattern: http://www.simplicity.com/p-9022-misses-knit-tops-and-pants.aspx

Very simple, right?  Now here's a pic of my pants:

They look pretty casual and I think they can be dressed up a bit - I made these for work. As you can see, I'm wearing them with heels and the length is about ankle length.  That's what I wanted.  We have a business casual (thank God!) dress code at work and since I will be wearing these for work, I left off the drawstring.  I just did an elastic waistband.  I used a 1" non-roll elastic and it sits flat against my belly (which is not so flat but whatevs).  It's a great illusion - I'm happy.

The fabric is a cotton/nylon blend with no stretch.

The back looks pretty good too, sorry no pics of the back.  I have a full derriere and these pants fit great around the back.  Not too tight, not too loose - just right.  At first I was worried that the back was going to be too low but once I added the waistband, there were  no issues whatsoever.  I do have full thighs and here's the exciting part - I DID NOT HAVE TO ALTER THIS PATTERN AT ALL!!!!  Super exciting for me.  I've tried a few pairs of pant patterns and so far I am happiest with these. I'm about a 38" hip and 44" around my thighs and butt.  I didn't alter this pattern at all to fit me.  Incredible.  This will be my TNT pants pattern from now on.  I hemmed it about a 1" 1/4 and then blind stitched for a better look.  Easy.

If you have any questions about this pattern, let me know.  I think it's great and I highly recommend it!

What do you think of the ankle, tapered look?  Too 80's?  Or just right for now?

Here's my review for Pattern Review:

Pattern Description: 
This is a coordinate pattern - it has a few different blouse options and a pair of pants. I made the pants so that is what I will review
Pattern Sizing: Ranges from 8 to 18 - I made my pants in 12

Did it look like the photo/drawing on the pattern envelope once you were done sewing with it? not 100% but that's okay - I like the fit of my pants better on me than on the model. It's a closer fit on me, I think and that's exactly what I was looking for.

Were the instructions easy to follow? Extremely simple - great for beginners.

What did you particularly like or dislike about the pattern? There was nothing I disliked. I absolutely love the way they have you put the pockets in. So simple and easy and so fast!

Fabric Used: I used some kind of cotton/nylon blend. there's no stretch in it at all and it still worked for me!! I'm a happy camper at this point.

Pattern alterations or any design changes you made: The only change I made was to omit the drawstring and the button hole for the drawstring. I inserted the elastic, pinned and basted the waistband, tried it on for it and then promptly sewed it up. No other alterations needed!!! Wow! I usually have to alter for full thighs and I didn't have to do it with this pattern  

Would you sew it again? Would you recommend it to others? a million times yes, I'm sewing this again. I recommend this to others.

Conclusion: 
I love these pants!! So fast and easy. Sorry I don't have better pics - my photographer is on Xbox and so, blurry pics were the best I could get. 

Chiffon Maxi Skirt

I made a maxi skirt! Here it is ~

I used a poly chiffon from lowpricefabric.com  - they have a lot of pretty fabrics in poly and silk that can be used for maxis, scarves, etc.  I think I'm going to order more of these fabrics.  I may just rock maxi's all summer!! 

This skirt was super easy to make and quick.  I used Mimi G's free tutorial located here on her  YouTube channel: link  Please let me know if that isn't working for any reason.  I'll link you to the post instead on her blog instead.

I did something a little different than she did.  Since this chiffon is very sheer - doubled my skirt and I think I may have to line it or wear some kind of spandex shorts underneath - even with double layers it's kind of sheer.  You can see the sheerness of one layer in the photo below. 

I used my Narrow Hemmer Foot on my regular machine.  I confess I haven't tried doing that on my serger yet.  I used that narrow hem for all edges - the seams, waist and hem.  The reason why is because chiffon frays.  After I finished all the edges, I made the casing for the elastic.  I just treated both layers as one - this fabric is thin enough so there were no complications there.

I popped in my elastic - closed up the waistband, gathered my fabric evenly and done!!

Mind you, this is the first time I sew with chiffon.  I didn't worry about cutting my fabric perfectly since I knew that it was going to be gathered at the waist with elastic.  It may have slipped a few times and been uneven, but can you tell?
I found some other maxi skirt tutorials that use knit as an underskirt.  I'd like to try that too.
 
Conclusion: I'll work with chiffon again and I really want to make some more maxi skirts.

Now off to find suitable tops for this :)

Happy Friday!

Happy Friday, everyone!!

I'm so excited it's Friday - my weeks have been super busy and I don't have a lot of time for sewing anymore :(   (super sad face)

So my plan for tonight is to sew something!

I've got some options:

New Look 6180 ~ a faux shirt dress since it doesn't button all the way down.

 If I had not seen Mimi G's version of this dress - I would not have looked at this pattern cover twice.  But her dress is gorgeous and I want one.  What can I say?  I try to emulate what I like - it won't be an exact copy so that's okay right?

Here's my fabric choice - it looks grey but it's really black eyelet.  I will line it with white batiste so that I can accessorize with various colors - yellow belt, yellow shoes/ green belt, green shoes/ red belt, red shoes- I mean wow!  so many options of color!

Here are my next two fabrics:

Colorful and bright ~ perfect for warm sunny weather!

This is a heavier knit and so pretty.  It has a nice texture.  Should this be a wrap dress or should it be B5211?  I haven't decided yet.  Opinions are welcome!!

My TNT pattern

The pattern I am planning on using for both is B5211 - I've used it before and it's a very simple dress to make.  I like using bright colorful fabrics with simple patterns.  I'm going to cut the back on the fold this time for both. I always use the version in blue - with a fabric belt. 

Now take a look at this:

This is a lovely soft printed chiffon.  This should be a long maxi skirt!

Ok - just wanted to show what I'm working with ~ I'm getting to work now! 

Happy Sewing! 

Butterick 5211

This lovely striped fabric was lingering in my stash.  I decided to use Butterick 5211 and make myself a fun dress.  Unfortunately, the camera doesn't capture how pretty this fabric really is.  The white stripes are really crisp and the navy and greens really complement each other.

Butterick 5211 is a simple 1 hour pattern.  Version A has a yoke front, Version B is just two pattern pieces and Version C has gathered, puffy sleeves.  I chose Version B.  It's my second time making Version B but I changed the sizing on my second version.  I went down a size and the fit is SO much better than the first (which hasn't been blogged).

I was trying to beat the rain in these photos - as soon as I stepped inside, it started to rain.  So here's my dress and how I wore it to work today.  I love this dress.

This is a poly jersey - it's soft and comfortable. 

 

I think I did a pretty good job at matching the stripes!

closer shot of the stripes

I tried to cut it so that the wider stripe hit my hip but I didn't quite measure right.  oh well, I'm still happy with it. 

This photo is dark because I was on the back porch - I left the length below my knees.  A friend of mine suggested my skirts and dresses would look better at this length.  I wasn't sure at first but now I see she was right!  

I'm really happy with this dress - it's comfortable and easy - what's not to love? 

Doing something (that should be) easy

Before I begin cutting out the muslin for the Cordova jacket - I'm in the mood to do something easy.

Here's my fabric and my pattern:

I will be making View B - the dress in blue.  I've done it once before but I didn't blog or review it.  I'll blog this one once I'm done. 

Happy Sewing!