Skulls and Rainbows

Mr. T makes an appearance.  Poor kid hasn't had anything made for him since the very beginning of January.  I got this awesome skull fabric and wanted to do teal sleeves to match, but T decided he wanted black sleeves. I explained that it gets hot in summer and black is not the best, but he was adamant.

Ottobre 03/2013 #39 Beisbol Raglan T-shirt

Size: 152 - T's measurements were just under this, and it fits perfect.

Fabric: 1 yard skulls fabric from purpleseamstress $10; a wonderful cotton/lycra.  The black is scraps left over from my lady skater also a cotton/lycra.

Instructions: I didn't use them. Sorry, lol.  This is the second time I've made this top for T, the first time was in August 2013 and I had no problems with the instructions.

Great T-shirt, great fabric, happy kid, happy mom.

And on to Miss K, who always gets new things.
Ottobre 06/2013 #26 Pumpkin Pie Jersey Dress
This is an instance where I got great fabric, had an awesome idea in my mind, and then when I made the dress it wasn't exactly as I envisioned.  But, surprisingly, Miss K is in love with it.

I've made this pattern 3 times now. The first being the Oranges dress in March 2014; the second being the cheetah dress in November 2014, and now the Rainbow dress.

I actually used the pattern skirt as it calls for with the different panels.  As you can see I did a rainbow around it.  The bodice I left as one fabric, not 2 like the pattern.  And I made the sleeves short because it is getting to be summer.

Size: straight 146, fit: great, although a bit short. Instructions are great, but I didn't use them.
Fabric: cotton/lycra for the plain colors.  Some from purpleseamstress, and some from fabric.com (Laguna, Kaufman) I could tell that the purpleseamstress is much better quality.
The bodice is luscious poly jersey from a facebook group "cuddle muffins".  It is called Shattered Showers and was $21 a yard.... yes, you read that right.  But it is amazing and K had to have it.  I used very little here for the bodice so expect to see this print again as I hoarded away 2 yards.

I had made up these yellow leggings to go under the dress, but K had her own thoughts on what she wanted to wear as leggings.

Ottobre 04/2013 #30; size 152 width and 146 height.  Fabric: purpleseamstress, yellow. This and the dress used up the 1 yard at $6.50.  These are just below the knee at capri length.

~ Happy Sewing! ~ Kristin ~

Cheetah Girl ~ Ottobre 06/2013 #26

Hello, Hello!  I'm still muddling through here.  3 weeks more until my scope. But, I have been sewing here and there to keep me busy.

Miss K had asked for a Cheetah dress a few months back right before I made her snow leopard dress (which, humorously, the fabric is called blue cheetah).  I ordered both fabrics at the same time.  I didn't want both dresses to look exactly alike so with the Cheetah one I opted for a smooth front with no gathers whereas the blue one has gathers.

Since Miss K LOVES her oranges dress I made in March and it fits her so cute, I pulled that pattern back out and made up the Cheetah dress with the long sleeves.  I lowered the waistline a good 2 inches so it was less empire-waisted.  I also omitted the clear elastic around the waist (K doesn't like it).  And I did it in one solid fabric, not patchwork.  Other than that I stuck to the pattern in a straight size 146.

It turned out lovely. I keep singing a made up song to K when she wears it "cheeeetah, cheeeeetah boniiiita" and she just rolls her eyes at me.  I sewed this up 2-3 weeks ago but K has decided she doesn't like to do pictures anymore so I have to snap them when she is wearing the item to school.

 

Fabric: Technically it's a Leopard print, but don't tell K.
50% Rayon 47% Polyester 3% Lycra; Tan Leopard Print Jersey Knit from fashionfabrics.com.  It is lightweight but not see through.  1.25 yards used.
Total: $6.19

There is elastic in the sleeve bottoms

the fabric has a bit of a faded look to it. 

~ Happy Sewing! ~ Kristin ~

Orange you glad to see me? 06/2013 Ottobre

Such a fitting title for this post :D
I wanted to make K a t-shirt dress sort of like a mini skater.  I saw pattern #26 Pumpkin Pie Jersey Dress in Ottobre 06/2013 and knew it had potential.  Why buy a new pattern when you can use one you already have, right?

(apparently I can't take a straight picture lol)

I traced the bottom front skirt (piece 3) and used it as both front and back for lower skirt in it's entirety, not as pieces.  I also traced the bodice front (piece 1) from the center front on just one side to make it possible to cut 1 piece on the fold.  I cut the back bodice on the fold too - not adding seam allowances to that center line.  I made the sleeves short sleeves because we are hopefully on the warm up around here.

When sewing I assembled just like my lady skater dress and used clear elastic tape in the waist part.  This fabric is a rib knit but stiffer because of the orange print.  I didn't' want the waist to stretch out or sag. The shoulders have fusible stay tape and I opted for my normal neckline of folding the strip in half, sewing it, then flipping and top-stitching it down.

I sewed a size 140 for the bodice, sleeves, and top of the skirt panel.  I then graded out to a 146 near the hip to bottom of the skirt.  I also tried a hollow chest adjustment in the front bodice by darting 1/4" out.  I think it fits her much better in the top.  I love the overall fit - it has a 60s mod appeal to me.  I'll definitely be making this again for her and love that the actual dress pattern uses different fabric pieces (awesome for using up scraps).  I would say that I fit this on 1 yard of 55 ish inch wide fabric.

I used my new cover stitch machine on all hems, the top-stitching on the neckline, and top-stitching the waist seam. Wow!  I love that thing.  This saved so much time on this dress.  And it sews sooooo fast - I need to get a bit better with my control of it, but man I love that thing.  (does anyone with a brother 2340 know how to make the looper thread a little tighter? I've tried the looper on 9 with needles on 3, then 8, then switched it to looper on 3 and needles on 8.  I'm ok with how they are now but would prefer them just a bit tighter.)

I also whipped up this pair of pj shorts out of the craziest piece of scrap.  (pattern Jalie 3243) It was only as wide as each leg and very long.  I would have to say it made up about 1/2 yard out of the stash.  K has a kwik sew nightgown in this fabric and she is also happy to have the print in shorts.

Now that the cover stitch is set up I am chomping at the bit to sew a million things.  :-)  It's almost too bad that I have to make K an Easter dress because I'd rather sew so many other things.

March Totals:
Stash used: 1.5 yard
Fabric Out: 20.5 yards + 11 scrap pounds
Fabric In: 9 yards

Totals for the year to date:
Stash sew this year: 14.5 yards
Fabric out in 2014: 74.5 yards!
Fabric in 2014: 64 yards

~ Happy Sewing! ~ Kristin ~