Me Made May ~ Week 5

Whew. The end has arrived.  To say I'm glad is an understatement!  Don't get me wrong, I enjoyed participating and I learned a lot. The problem was the daily pictures. Exhausting!  I'm a person that stays out of the lime light. ;-)

Monday, May 26th; 85°F

Top: Burda Tie Knot Tank 05/2007 #130

Shorts: Dockers

Tuesday, May 27th; 82°F

Top: Burda Racer-back Tank 05/2007 #109A

Pants: Maurices

I was hoping to have a maxi dress completed by today to wear it, but time got away from me.

The most important thing I learned during Me Made May '14, is that actually wearing my makes tells me about the fit more than anything.  Spending the day in an item, moving around, and living in it, points out all the things I would change. More length, fix the shoulders, add width, make a smaller bust, etc.  I enjoyed learning all these things.  I actually got rid of 3 me mades this week because of the poor fit; however I am still happy with those patterns, I just know to make things different next time. 

Needs: Tanks, s/s shirts, shorts, skirts, swim suit, zip-up fleece jacket.

How successful was your may? Did you learn anything about your makes?

~ Happy Sewing! ~ Kristin ~

Ottobre 06/2012 #22 Camisole as Nightgown

As I mentioned previously, the kids needed summer pjs.  Having made 2 for Mr. T, now it was Miss K's turn.

 

I spied Ottobre 06/2012 #22 - a woven camisole that gathers under bust.  I figured it would be easy to convert it to a nightgown, plus the pattern is for a woven already.  K sizes at a 134 bodice (and height) but I foolishly cut a 140 because I thought it might be tight on her seeing as it is a woven. I also cut the back bodice in 2 pieces, not on the fold, adding extra for the snap/buttons because I thought K would not be able to get it on over her head.  Well, trust me, she can get it over her head no problem.
Also, K measures a 146 for hip so I cut the bottom panel at a 146 and doubled the length.  I omitted the front placket for sake of speed and simplicity.

 

I used fold over elastic for the neckline and sleeve facings.  I followed the instructions of not adding seam allowance to those areas too, but they turned out tight in the armholes.  Ha! The rest of the nightgown is big but the armholes are small. Go figure. She claims they don't bother her and she wore the puppy one all day Saturday, and the kitty one all day Sunday and today!

I'll be honest; I didn't follow any directions. I had a nice relaxing time just doing my own thing.  I only ran into one problem when I sewed the bottom panel R sides together and wondered why it was so skinny. Oops! I forgot to cut TWO on the fold. But I had enough fabric so I just went back and cut the extra panel and all was well.

 

It is a cute pattern for a nightgown or camisole.  K loves that it is twirly and long.  The nights have been warmer so she is also happy not to be wearing flannel! I like that it was an easy sew, used up cotton fabric, and that the sizing goes up to 152 cm so it will last a long time.

 

Fabric: Dress 1 - Puppy fabric, 2 yards, $2.36 total! woot!
            Dress 2 - Kitty fabric, 2 yards, $8 total
Both were purchased within sewing groups on Facebook.

Here is the Ottobre Line Drawing

On other fronts, there are lots of happenings in my sewing room.  I guess I should be happy I have lots to sew, but it does get me a bit antsy.

• I'm still working on the shorts for me - it's going ok. I'm trying to settle on the best fitting pattern from my muslins
• I've started getting a swim suit traced for Miss. K - Jalie 3023 (I traced off all the brief/skirt pieces in the flat, not the fold, today and then she tells me she doesn't want a skirt... OMG girl). We now have the swim shorts pattern on order Jalie 3351 - with the tank from Jalie 3023 still. 
• I also ordered swim suit fabric for me :D  I'm excited about that one
• I have a maxi dress pattern all lined up and the fabric pre-washed. McCall's 6559
• I have a nice fitting tank top pattern for Mr. T traced out and ready to go
• And Ottobre 03/12 #13 woven tunic for Miss K cut and ready to sew

Whew! I'll be busy.  What is on your sewing table?

We've also been having a lot of warm weather fun ;-)

May Totals:
(stash is anything purchased before this year)
Stash used: 0 yards
Fabric Out: 15 yards
Fabric In: 28

Totals for the year to date:
Stash sew this year: 27 yards
Fabric out in 2014: 110 yards
Fabric in 2014: 105.5 yards

~ Happy Sewing! ~ Kristin ~

Me Made May ~ Week 4

Week four, sigh. I must admit I'm getting a little burned out.  I want to try to wear things that I've made but without repeats.  I'm reaching the end of me made's here!

This time of the year always gets to be draining.  It is the last few weeks of school for the kids and we are all ready to just be done and enjoy some relaxing summer days.  My husband's job has kept him really busy with overtime and it is sure to continue most of the summer.  So I'm a bit hum-drum these days.  Oh, and top that all off with shorts fitting issues.

So on to this week:

Sunday, May 18th; 73°F

Fashionable Gardening ;-)

Top: Burda Racer Back Tank

Fuzzy Pants: Old Navy

Tuesday, May 20th; 80°F

Top: Old Navy

Skirt: Linen New Look 6054 (so comfy!)

Tuesday Night, May 20th; hot!

Pajamas: Ottobre 05/2011 #1 and #2 (LOVE THESE!)

Wednesday Night, May 21st, I wore this Kwik Sew 3342 Tank

I realized that I do not like the elastic around the arms and neckline - it makes me itch.
i have tossed this tank to the re-purpose bin. I think I might try the tank again with fold over elastic or just knit binding in the future. 

Onward I trudge to the last week of Me Made May.  How are you holding up?

~ Happy Sewing! ~ Kristin ~

Ottobre 06/2011 ~ #37 Green Check Shorts

I think I can safely say that the season has changed over to Spring for us finally.  We have 40-50°F weather one day and 75-85°F weather the next.  When the weather creeps up for a day or two I try to avoid turning on the air conditioning because I know in 2 days it will be cooler again! So when we had hot weather this past week and everyone was wilting indoors I realized that the kids have outgrown their summer pjs.  Those darn kids and their growing. . .

Mr. T never wears a shirt to bed and sweats even in the dead of winter.  I pulled out my trusty Ottobre shorts pattern and set to make him up some new ones.  You have seen me make this pattern multiple times now and it is most certainly a winner.  The fit is superb and the length spot on.

Other times I've made these:
Terry cloth with ribbing
Blue Gingham
Space Fabric
Shorts with Piping

I sized up to a 152 for T and they turned out a tad big. I'm sure by summers end they will fit perfectly though, and he doesn't mind.  I wanted to use up this awesome Agent P fabric before T outgrows the show. Actually he never watches it anymore but is ok with the print for pajamas only.  I also bought some Bart Simpson fabric specifically for T to surprise him.  He loved them even though they were pricey.

 

I sewed the mock fly on these with my cheat sheet (see below), and used my cover stitch for the hems, fly top-stitching, and waistband top-stitching.  Since I sewed them up assembly line style  they went really fast.  I have 1 more pair to make him and he should be set for summer pjs.  I also plan to make him some shorts out of the same pattern.

I have 2 nightgowns cut and ready to sew for Miss K, and I am still working on shorts for myself but have run into some fitting issues.... those darn fitting issues!

Fabric:
1.5 yards Agent P, 100% cotton , $6
1.5 yards Bart Simpson, 100% cotton, $21 ouch! but they were special for him.

May Totals:
(stash is anything purchased before this year)
Stash used: 0 yards
Fabric Out: 11 yards
Fabric In: 28

Totals for the year to date:
Stash sew this year: 27 yards
Fabric out in 2014: 106 yards
Fabric in 2014: 105.5 yards

~ Happy Sewing! ~ Kristin ~

Me Made May ~ Week 3

This week was cold and rainy - so I sort of lived in my sweatshirts and jeans.  I did make my me made goal of 3 items, if you count underwear ;-) lol. Here are the two days I dressed in me mades.

 Sunday, May 11th; 74°F

Top: Old Navy

Skirt: Self-drafted A-line

Saturday, May 17th; 63°F

Top: Ottobre 05/2013 #1A

Jeans: Gap

Not much to show, but next week looks warmer so I will do better. Right now I'm working on a shorts pattern; let's hope it works out well!

~ Happy Sewing! ~ Kristin ~

Ottobre 03/2014 #30 Flycatcher jersey tunic

I had a different dress on the ironing board ready to cut out, but I couldn't get this pattern out of my mind so I had to sew it up today.  When inspiration strikes, seize the moment!

This is from the new issue of Ottobre (03/2014 #30) and is called Flycatcher jersey tunic.
There are 5 pattern pieces to trace, 8 total when cut with the doubled up things, like pockets.
I traced and cut this out this morning.  I started sewing around 1:30 and finished around 4:30 - plus I even had distractions from K and the puppy.  When tracing, I had the hardest time with piece #2 because it is laid over piece 1 strangely and I had to really concentrate to figure out what line went where.  Plus, it is in orange.... not the easiest to see.

This is not a hard sew.  Once you get the pockets attached and that weird front panel on (piece 2) it is just like sewing a t-shirt dress.  I made sure to interface the directed areas, especially the point where the panel meets the front piece and pocket.  I foresee that being a weak point in the fabric.

For this dress I used 1 yard for all the blue pieces, and 1 side of 1 yard for the front castles. You will want a whole yard because you need the length.  Oh, speaking of length... I traced a size 134 for the bodice and out to a 146 in the hips and length. K wanted it longer than the picture in the magazine.  I even added an extra inch after that in the hem.  When I tried it on her it was still above her knee so I made a tiny 1/2" hem to save some length. She also turned up her nose at the rounded shaped hem so we flared it out a bit.

Fabric:
Main:  Laguna Stretch Knit Turquoise $5.93 (bought in March)
Panel: "Castles" by Sweet N' Charmed Facebook group. used 1/2 so $6 (just got this month)
Total Cost: $11.93

The bodice is a bit big on K even though she is almost 134 in height and of "normal" body (not skinny).  I think it may just run bigger in this pattern? When she puts her hands in the pockets it pulls down the top and she needs to be careful not to flash anyone :-O
Regardless, it is an awesome design, she has room to grow into it and I love how it looks.  I would sew it again in a heartbeat.

May Totals:
Stash used: 0 yards
Fabric Out: 4.5 yards
Fabric In: 20 - It has been a stressful time for me, shopping is my outlet.

Totals for the year to date:
Stash sew this year: 27 yards
Fabric out in 2014: 99.5 yards!
Fabric in 2014: 97.5 yards

~ Happy Sewing! ~ Kristin ~

Me Made May ~ week 2

A day late but still sort of on time :-)  I came down with a nasty and pretty serious upper respiratory infection the end of the week and it laid me completely out Friday to today. I feel like I'm on the good side of it now so I hope to be back up and running again.

I did manage to wear me-made's 5 days out of the week so it is a success (I pledged 3)

 Sunday, May 4th; 61°F

Top: Old navy

Skirt: Self-drafted Maxi

 Monday, May 5th; 63°F

Top: Jalie 2805

Jeans: Gap

Tuesday, May 6th; 67°F 

Cardigan: Burda 04/2010 #117A

Tank: Burda 05/2007 #109A

Jeans: Gap

 Wednesday, May 7th; 63°F

Top: Ottobre 05/2013 #1 

Jeans: Gap

Thurday, May 8th; 79°F (really starting to get sick here)

Top: Washi Tank

Jeans: Gap

I'm a jeans and tee kind of girl so my outfits definitely reflect this.  I'd like to wear more skirts and dresses, but I always seem to reach for my comfortable jeans.

~ Happy Sewing! ~ Kristin ~

New Tee and skirt ~ Jalie 2805

I started this tee in April but finished it up on May 1st.  I've lost count as to how many times I've sewn this pattern.  (It has paid for itself for sure!).

This time I sewed a size T for shoulders, U for bust, T for waist, and W for hip - going closer to my measurements than the last few times.
My adjustments:
1/4" hollow chest
1" swayback
1/4" forward shoulder
1/4" square shoulder

I also lowered the neckline by 3/4"

It's a great fit.  I've worn it all day today and in the morning I wasn't sure all my adjustments were worth it but by the end of the day I found myself loving the tee.  It is very comfortable, I can bend forward with nothing showing, and I can bend over with my rear still being covered.  :D

The fabric is a dream.  I picked up 1.5 yards on 2/2/14 for a lady skater dress.  I'm not too sold on the pattern on my body so it's on hold.  The fabric is a brushed rib knit and lusciously soft.  When it arrived I went back onto fabric.com and ordered 4 more yards. LOL. You must stock up when fabric exceeds your expectations (especially in a knit).  My DD kept rubbing my shirt today - so I know it is uber soft.

Definitely a keeper.

Soooo this animal started digging at my favorite photo spot and I'll just avoid it for now because we think it may be a badger.
I tried to go near the barn but it was too light.

I tried to go on the flip side and it was too dark and too windy.  I'll just have to keep looking for the perfect spot.

I am very grateful that the weather has been nice enough for 3 days now so that I could do this:

Here is another project I sewed up in April, though there isn't much to tell.
I love maxi skirts and wanted a nice striped one.  I sewed this up by cutting  with 20" at the waist and moving out to 30" at the bottom. It is lined to the knees as well.  I'm not happy with the elastic waistband because I goofed it up. And I don't like how it gets caught in my feet.  I'm probably going to hack it up to be a tank top - I'm not sure yet- the bonus of sewing is that I have the option to change what I don't like! (2 yards skirt stash, 1 yard lining stash)

(tee is old navy)

May Totals:
Stash used: 0 yards
Fabric Out: 1 yards
Fabric In: 0

Totals for the year to date:
Stash sew this year: 27 yards
Fabric out in 2014: 96 yards!
Fabric in 2014: 77.5 yards

~ Happy Sewing! ~ Kristin ~