Top 12 of 2013 ~ Reflection of my favorites this year

The Best of 2013

Most viewed post: A-Line Skirt Tutorial
I love this skirt and wore it quite a bit.  My zipper skills have improved tremendously so I should make a new one - however this Riley Blake fabric is my favorite of all time!

Coolest thing I sewed: Pac-Man Bathrobe for Mr. T
It was difficult, expensive, and took forever, but I LOVE IT!

Most favorite thing for me....a tie!
First is: My J.Crew knockoff!! 
I love this tee - I can't wait to make another version!

Second is: my Alma 
(I have another one in the works)

Some other favorites:
Jalie Tee 


Jungle stripes for K, sewn a total of 3 times!
Pink stripe  and yellow ice cream


Tank for me


Minecraft Jacket for T


McCall's dress for K sewn twice!
light pink/light blue    and dark blue/pink and white


McCall's Dress for Sew Weekly Reunion


Shorts for T



Cute tank for Miss K



I hope your year was eventful and successful! Here's to 2014 being even better in sewing!

~ Happy Sewing! ~ Kristin ~

Year End Resolution Totals

December turned out pretty poor with only 3 makes.  I was stressed to the max with school finals, holiday fanfare, and then I slipped on the concrete steps and landed square on my forearm on Dec 20th.  While I didn't break anything (thankfully), it is still sore - even now.  My forearm is almost back to a human coloring but my shoulder is bugging me.  I'll be back at my sewing soon as the kids head back to school Thursday.  My machines have been calling to me :-)

Here are the grand totals from my 2013 resolution calculations:

Total completed items: 105.  June was my most productive month with 14, July next with 13.  My slowest month was December with 3, followed by November with 5.  (Holidays really stress me out and my migraines hit harder - it shows in the numbers).

Average blog posts weekly: 2.25.

I'm pretty happy with my results as on average I made 2 things a week this year.

In 2014 I'm going to focus more on myself and also on sewing with quality materials. We are at about 25% handmade clothing vs. RTW for the three of us, Me, Miss K, and Mr. T (Mr. Sunny doesn't count because I don't really sew for him); I'd like to increase this to 50% this next year.

I'll do a roundup of my favorite 2013 garments in the next day or two.

Happy Holidays and ~ Happy Sewing! ~

~Kristin ~

3 Tees for T - and Xmas things

Happy Holidays to you!

Over the last week and a half I have been sewing some things.  Let me share

First, I made 3 long sleeve tee's for Mr. T with Pattern: Jalie 2918 (shout out to Joy at 21wale for inspiring me to make this pattern! Thanks, Joy!)

This is the second tee I made.  I love how it turned out!  The cotton jersey fabric is thick enough and sightly ribbed.  It has great stretch and is soft.

I tried a new paint that I picked up from Amazon.  It comes in a cute tub and from the little I used, this will last forever.  If you are interested it is called Jacquard Products Lumiere Fabric Paint 2.25 Oz. Jar: Metallic Silver and sells for $4-6 per tub in a ton of colors.  For the fox I used Burnt Orange and for the Zelda triforce I used Pewter. I found that sponging it on worked better than a paint brush.

This green one is the first one I made out of a silky soft jersey, most likely rayon.  It was hard to sew because it curled up a lot and was slippery.  It is a bit thin too.  I'm calling it a "wearable muslin" but T only gets to wear it to bed. :-)  I used a size "O" which I'm pretty sure is an 11 US.  T is very small and skinny for his age.  The sleeve length and shirt length were too long for him.  I ended up folding out 2" from sleeves and shirt on the second and third shirts.  Otherwise, no other changes.  It fits great and I'm very happy with it.

The shirt is easy to sew up.  I used my serger for everything except the hems.  I used fusible bias tape in the shoulder seams.  I have found that I used 3/4 yard in 60 wide for the front, back, and 1 sleeve.  Then you need a whole other 3/4 yard for just the one last sleeve to fit :-(  This means a bunch of left over fabric.  I could make a tank top out of the left over, but I choose to make a few pairs of undies for Miss K.

Here is the third shirt which I have yet to paint.  I'll be making this one a Zelda Triforce like the green one but this one will be wearable, lol.  This is the best fabric.  It is thick, soft, springy.  I'm guessing cotton spandex, or lycra.  I wish I had more of it! I love it, a lot! It was a remnant from Mill End that I got for $3 - just shy of 2 yards.  Good thing I shortened the sleeves because I squeaked out just enough.

Sorry, no pictures of Mr. T wearing them.  He is at school and it has been so dark and dreary when he's been home after school.  I assure you though that they fit him well and this will be a favorite pattern :)  If I had one thing to gripe about it, it is that the armpits are very long - but T has only skin and bone there.... eh, it works.

If you would like to know how I do my freezer paper stencils to paint on the shirt you can check out my previous post/tutorial here.

On to the Xmas sewing.  I haven't done much.  My MIL and SIL requested plastic grocery bag holders.  They choose their own colors for them. SIL on left, MIL on right.  They whipped up fast and I know they will be well received.

My 2 nephews will be getting Packer fleece snakes.  Here is my test one, 1/2 stuffed.  He has 2 bells in his tail end so when you shake him, he rattles.  My kids now each want one!

That's about all I've been up too.  Today is my last day of class and I'll be soooooooo happy to be done, for a few weeks.  I start again on the 6th of Jan.  Technically as of today I have my MBA!!! YAY!! But I added a second emphasis so 2 more classes to go.

I hope you have a great holiday and enjoy time with your families!

~ Happy Sewing! ~ Kristin ~

How did it do?

Funny title. I know. I can't think of anything better.

I love reading other sewing blogs and seeing the amazing things people create. However, I often wonder if what they make actually works for them.  Did they wear it often? What bothered them after some time?  How did the fabric wash/wear?  So I thought I would start a Friday post showing some past makes (I'll pick a few each week), describing what worked, what didn't, how they washed, what I would change.  Because usually when I sew something I'm too excited to show it to you so I photo it right away before it's even worn more than that moment.

Let's start with the "works" for each of us.

Me:

October 6th, 2013 Ottobre 05/2013 1A
I know this is very recent but I really have put the mileage on this top.  I wear it the minute it's clean and it is always so comfortable.  The fabric has been washing well so far.  The neckline bugs me because it is so big/low and the sleeves are slightly tight but I still wear it.  I always have a camisole underneath, just in case.
It is one of my "loves" and I'd pick it over RTW any day.

Miss K:



Oliver + S Ice Cream Dress on June 4th 2012 and also June 19th, 2012 Take two
I really enjoyed these cute dresses.  They did get tons of wear all summer 2012 as well as spring/summer 2013!  I call that a win!  I did have to pair it with leggings this year because they are starting to be too short - more like tunic length now.  K loves these and chose to wear them herself a few times.  They are starting to become a bit snug in the bodice after all this time so I'm not sure they will make it to spring 2014.  I wish I wasn't so silly and cut into the pattern or I'd make her some new ones in a size 10. With so many patterns already, I'm too cheap to re-buy this.  The fabrics washed and wore well. There are no stains or tears.  One gripe is that the tiny "V" in the neckline likes to fold over and not lay flat.  Some interfacing there would have helped.

Mr. T:

June 26th, 2013 Ottobre 06/2011 #37 Shorts
I love these. T loves these.  They fit well, they are the longer style.  He grew a bit into them before school and actually chose to wear them to school often!  win-win.  The fabric is a dream, nice and thick but not overly hot.  They wash well and haven't had any rips/tears or boyish destruction to them.  I wish I had piped the back pocket but other than that I'm really happy with these.  I plan to make some more for him this next summer.  *hmmm. I bet I could make some sweet pants out of this pattern for the spring! super excited now.


Craft:

April 2nd, 2012 Mushroom plastic grocery bag holder. 

Still love it. Still use it, tons.  All my plastic bags go in it.  I've received many compliments on it from visitors too.  It matches my kitchen well.  It is holding up perfectly to the abuse of over-stuffing and ripping bags out one-handed.  I'm actually making one for my MIL and SIL for Christmas because they love mine so much.

And the "didn't works" 

Me:

April 17th, 2013 Vintage Simplicity 8072
As much as I loved the look of this top, sewing this top, and the fabric, It just didn't work out :(
I'm actually really sad about it.  The fabric is a luscious rayon challis and I wish I could roll around in it.  It is super soft and buttery.  So what is wrong with it? The string never wants to stay put and doesn't cinch tight enough.  This is because it doesn't go all the way around.  The back with the buttons pull open every time I try to tighten the top.  Also, the buttons in the back don't lay flat enough because of this and gape open or pull to the point of almost popping off.  I cry inside even looking at these pictures.

Miss K

May 2nd, 2012 Rainbow Dress.
I should have known this stinking thing would never work.  The raw, serged edges and poor fit just didn't make this dress fun to wear.  I did know as I was making it that the fit was terribly sack-like and wanted to ditch the pattern, but love the fabric.  I also didn't finish the pattern exactly as the instructions stated - I left them halfway because I no longer liked the pattern.  I could have made it work - I just had no ambition at that point. I have this in my pile of didn't works and will make effort to salvage the fabric to make something else.

Mr. T:

February 27th, 2013 Ottobre 06/2011 Zen T-shirt pattern
In all fairness this is my own fault - seems to be the case often!  Loves: the fabric. I freaking LOVE this fabric! It sewed well, washed well. I re-purposed this Tee into underwear for Miss K. LOL. What didn't work? The fact that I broke a stretch twin needle, tried to use a regular twin needle, got a hole in the shirt doing so, and had to take 2 inches off the bottom.  Then  the hem made the shirt too short.  K wore it for pajamas for a bit.  Also, the sleeves suck. They are too long and skinny and self drafted terribleness. Chalk it up to inexperience at the time.  I've come along way since February! ;-)  So this is a didn't work - not because of the pattern though, I love the pattern and it has worked other times.

Craft:

January 18th, 2012 Hammer and Thread Owl
This is only in the didn't works because the flannel washed so terribly.  It pilled horrendously.  Also the sewing on it is bad. really, really bad.  This owl is well loved by K and still has a spot on her bed.  I just need to make her a better one now that I sew better.

I hope you enjoyed memory lane with me.  I think that is why I enjoy sewing so much - it fills me with such fond (and not so fond) memories; I hope my children have memories with these things too.

~ Happy Sewing! ~ Kristin ~

Resolution Totals November 2013

My November 2013 makes

In keeping up with my sewing resolutions for this year I plan on doing a tally-type thing on the first of each month regarding the prior month to keep me on track for the year!

November 2013

Items Completed: 5
Resolution: 3

Unfinished projects completed: 0
Resolution: 1-2

New items in the Etsy shop: 23
Resolution: 2

Avg Blog Posts Weekly: 1
Resolution: 1

Tutorials created: 0
Resolution: more

Overall:

Woah. I hit a bit of a roadblock in November.  I sewed only 5 things; half as much as I have been lately. I do love the three tops I sewed though.  And we will say that holidays, illnesses, and massive schoolwork have contributed to the decline this month. 

I've also been discouraged by poor fabric and poor fit.  I need a source with a balance of affordable but quality knits.  I have tons of patterns marked to go, just no suitable fabric and self-doubt in my abilities. 

December is the last month of my resolution totals for this year.  I need to step it up and finish with a bang!

~ Happy Sewing! ~ Kristin ~

Ottobre 05/2013 #1A - J.Crew Knockoff

I saw this cute color block shirt on J. Crew's website a week or so ago and decided I would make a similar top.  I used Ottobre 05/2013 #1A.
Outcome? Love it!

Pattern:
traced a size 40 on top and sleeves and sloped out to a 44 at the hips. my measurements: 36-29-42 and I'm 5'7".

Inspiration:

Alterations:
-long sleeves not 3/4
- 1/2" square shoulder adjustment - Nancy's Pivot and slide method
- 1/2" slope out of each front and back neckline to compensate for gaping.
- 1/2" swayback adjustment - Nancy's Pivot and slide method
- I traced the top of each front and back "yoke" then added seam allowance; and then traced out the bottom parts.  I used my first tracing of this top seen here and simply laid a new tissue paper on top to do the separate top and bottom traces.
- Used fusible stay tape for shoulders

Sewing:
Sewed up like a dream.  Attach front "yoke to bottom front. same for back. sew shoulders. attach neck in the round. sew in sleeves. hem sleeve bottoms. sew from sleeve end to armpit to bottom of shirt all in one swipe.
I used my serger for most sewing.  I did baste in sleeves and neck round with my sewing machine.  I used a twin needle and walking foot on the sleeve and bottom shirt hem.
This was a fast sew and I was so happy when it fit well.
I wore this all day today at my Mom's Thanksgiving and it was very comfortable.

Changes for next time:
- re-address swayback. maybe try a different method?
- make sleeves wider, they are a bit snug.

Fabric: mystery blue knit - very soft and stretchy. most likely a rayon blend. 1 yard;
gray knit leftover from Burda cardigan 62" wide, 1/2 to 3/4 yard used "charcoal gray sweater knit" $4.94/yard from fashion fabrics club.

I need to make some more things from this issue. It is one of my favorites and I think I have earmarked almost every page!

** I also wanted to note that I appreciate all the advice on my problem polo dress ** I will be adding a dart and moving forward with it soon.  On a similar note, I noticed I have faint traces of those lines on this shirt too and studied myself in the mirror with it on.  It seems my large rear is pulling the bottom shirt front fabric toward my back end and creating drag lines - on this shirt anyway.  Hmm. possibly add more fabric in the back width-wise to cover the larger rear. Will this solve the swayback? or will I still need to take out some length in the back for that.  We will have to see!

~ Happy Sewing! ~ Kristin ~

Fitting Woes - To Wad or not to Wad

I have been busy sewing lately - just not busy posting! oops! lol.

First let's talk about the mess I have on my hands.  I'm working on a Burda Polo Shirt Dress.
The fabric: Red Lacoste knit with very little stretch.
I performed a square shoulder adjustment of 1/2"
I also completed a swayback adjustment of 3/4"
I used my size 40 top to 44 hip.
I added 1/4" to each hip (gently sloped from waist)

Here is the problem photo.

Why. Why do I get those stinking lines from chest diagonally to waist/hip?  I have googled my eyes out with no answers.  I am awaiting on Nancy's "pattern fitting with confidence" to arrive today from amazon.
Now I almost, almost think I need to add a bust dart? Check below picture.
On your left side (my right) I have sloppily pined up the fabric in a makeshift dart (as best I could while still wearing the dress).  See how the lines disappear? The right has no pin/dart and lines - the left has pin/dart with no lines.  Do I need to add a dart?

This is a work in progress, it has not been pressed out and seams are basted. Please excuse the massive amount of wrinkles and lack of buttons.  I also think the sleeve length is crap on me.

Suggestions? Please? lol.

Also, I've been slowly adding bits and pieces to K's wardrobe:

Some cute Jalie 3242 Undies. Seriously the best fitting undies. (Size O for K - 4 sizes up from her normal size) I love mine - too much! lol. I need to make more. And they use such little scraps. 

Jalie 2805 Size "O" - 4 sizes up from her measurements.  l/s tee - sort of a color block with leftovers. It fits her wonderfully and I plan to make more. (note: I do need to shorten it 2 inches as it is quite long)

Ottobre 06/2013 Leggings #38 Size 134 - wild leftover ITY from my recent tie knot tank. Perfect over K's leotard for dance class. 

So that is what I've been up too.  Currently, I am tracing out a l/s color block knock-off tee for me that I saw on J.Crew - excited.

What have you been sewing lately?
oh! and do you have any suggestions for my red wadder up top?


~ Happy Sewing! ~ Kristin ~

Burda Tie Tank Top ~ 05/2007 #130

I know, I know, it's not summer.  The warmth is far from here now; but I wanted to make this top for a long time and finally found the perfect fabric.  So this tank is neither season appropriate nor color appropriate for fall.  That's fine by me.

Cold weather has arrived, so crappy indoor pictures will be the norm until May :(  boo.

Ok, Burda 05/2007 #130.  I fell in love with this top when browsing the magazine.  It looked beautiful on the busty model so naturally, I wanted to make it up. It is an easy sew and a cute design.  I bought 2 yards of this crazy tropical floral print from fashionablefabricclub.  It is labeled ITY Red Multi Jersey Knit, 60" wide and is a poly/lycra jersey.  $4.95 a yard.  I decided the print was too busy to have all over so I only used it for the front and used a blue from my stash of unknown knit.

close up of knots

This tank has huge ties coming off the top of the pattern so 1.5 to 2 yards is needed for that length.  These ties then make the front and back - attaching in the back.  I cut and sewed a 40 at the bust and sloping to a 44 at the hips.  I didn't make any adjustments. I did however fully line the front because my fabric is pretty light - Burda has you half line just the bust.  I also added a modesty panel because this top is very low cut. And I didn't gather the straps in the back but now seeing the pictures, I think it would have been cute to do that. I also added clear elastic to the neck "V" to help stabilize (from the modesty panel down and back up again). The modesty panel is attached to the lining only because it was added at the last minute.

I followed the directions and they were sufficient.  I spent some time on the internet looking up pictures of knots but then decided these were just the easiest.  The lining peeks out in the front no matter how much understitching and pressing I did. The fabrics were slippery so I used a combination of tissue paper and wonder tape when sewing up. I also used my serger whenever possible.

Conclusion: Love it. Even though I won't be able to wear it much in the winter I still love it.  This will be great for the summer heat.  However, it is a bit big on me so in the future I'll sew a 38 on top but keep the 44 on the hips.  And, even with the modesty panel, when I bend forward everything hangs out.  So a smaller bust size and tighter straps would work great.

wearing with a cardi for winter takes the fun knot detail out :-(

~ Happy Sewing! ~ Kristin ~