Sewing Bee Entries

This year I decided to enter Pattern Review’s Sewing Bee.  I made it to round two.  Maybe next year I can make it further but I’m happy with my makes regardless. 

Entry for the Bias Round
Pattern:  Autumn/Winter 2013 BurdaStyle "Classic" Special Edition #0005, View A.
I was drawn to the classic, simple style of this skirt. Actually, I've had it on my "to sew" list for a few years now so I was glad to finally get around to sewing it.



Size: The pattern goes from size 34-46. I chose to use size 42 because my waist fits in that size. Then I graded up in the hips to a 46.
This pattern has a slightly curved, lined yoke to help keep bulk around the hips low. It then flares outward and drapes down to create the lovely drape. Since the skirt is cut on the bias it gives it greater movement. The outer yoke pieces are interfaced; I feel like I should have used a softer interfacing because mine created some of the wrinkles in the yoke.



Instructions: The instructions were adequate.  This is a simple skirt with few pieces so it doesn’t take too much to put together.  I did use my 1970s Reader’s Digest Complete Guide to Sewing for pictures and instructions on putting in the invisible zipper.  (This book is an excellent resource that I think every sewist should have).  I made sure to hand stitch the lining of the yoke to where the side seam zipper attaches.



Thoughts: I knew from the start I wanted to do fringe trim. When my skirt was ready to hem I sewed two lines of stitching 1/2" from the edge and then slowly created my fringe by pulling out threads from the line of stitching to the edge. After I pulled all the strings out I went back and cut them all down to 1/2" in size. (The fringe took forever to complete).  I love the classic, simple design. I was very happy with the fit and the look of the bias with the plaid. I'm most pleased that I was able to sew up finally since it had been on my list for 3 years now.



Fabric: 2.5 yards of a Brown/Tan Plaid Suiting. It is a Rayon/Poly blend made to look like wool - but without all the itch. The fabric was 56" wide and I purchased it from Fashionfabricsclub in October 2013 for $4.75/yard just for this pattern. I used almost the full 2.5 yards even though the pattern called for less than 2 yards.



I really love the look of a bias cut skirt but I feel like it uses so much fabric! Cutting this skirt out took time and patience. I took great care in matching the stripes on the side seam, this made cutting a slight challenge. I also made my pieces full and did not cut anything on the fold. I find with bias it is much easier to cut a full size pattern - however, finding the space to do this is sometimes a challenge because the fabric is opened up all the way.

I had a great time sewing this skirt up, I love the look, and am completely happy with the fit. I can't wait to make the maxi length version!

Entry for the “Shorts” Round

Pattern: BurdaStyle 03/2011 #131B 


Size: I started with tracing a size 44 (2 sizes smaller than my hip size). This gave me the perfect thigh size. Then I had to add 1.5" to the back hip. I also scooped almost a full inch out of the back crotch curve; I've learned that my bottom sits lower than the crotch line and have to scoop that spot out or I look like I have a wedgie. I added 1.5" to the back rear by cutting/slashing on the hip line and pivoting only the back crotch curve - This helped to also raise the rise. I extended the front fly by 1/2" so it was a bit wider. This pattern has a curve waistband - great for curvy women. It also has two darts in the back for shaping.



Instructions:  This is the “sewing course” for the magazine so the instructions are well written with easy to follow pictures.  I always use Sandra Betzina’s Easy to sew flat fly tutorial when putting in a zipper fly. 



Fabric: 1.5 yards Abstract Painterly Print Sateen, a cotton sateen from FabricMart that I purchased in July 2015 for $11.99 total.  It has 20% stretch.



Thoughts:  I spent a lot of time trying to get the fit right on these.  I wanted a basic short pattern to fit right and then build off of.  I debated putting in the pockets at the hip because with my pear shape they usually gape open or add width to the hip – which I don’t need.  I used silky, thin pocket fabric and there is still added bulk.  I will go back and take out the pockets, making the side seams more smooth.





These were made the first week of September.  I’ve lost about 6lbs since then so they are now rather large on me.  I plan on taking off the waistband, slimming up the hips by removing the pockets, possibly add a welt pocket in the back, and making them slimmer through the waist.



All in all this is a great starting point for shorts.  I highly recommend the pattern. 


Happy Sewing!
Kristin

Sewing for small ones

My nephew and niece were at my mom’s last weekend soI sneaked in some measurements.  Then I came home and ambitiously cut out quite a few things to sew for them. 

I have no little beings to sew for besides them and it is such a fun and quick process.  I was able to use scraps for all these!  Scraps!  So rewarding.

First up: Aurora by SUAT
I know you’ve seen these cute dresses on Miss K recently when I tested the pattern; it goes together so qucikly and is so cute so I popped out a size 3mo on the height and 12 mo. on the width for my 8mo old niece.  These are knee length.  Gah they are so cute!







Next I made two tanks for my nephew.  The left one is Ottobre 03/2011 #12 “Happy Animals T-shirt” in size 98cm (he’s 3).  In the magazine there is an infant in this tank and a older kid size; however the toddler size is a T-shirt so I compared it to the largest infant size and modified it to a tank.  I added his nickname of “little bear” to the shirt.

The one on the right is Ottobre 01/2013 #15 “Victor Mesh Tank Top” also in a size 98cm.  I added the paw patrol graphic to the front with my silhouette and heat transfer vinyl.  It turned out way better than I expected. This is his favorite character so he was happy to see it. (I made this tank for Mr. T before in Feb 2013).






I’ve made the above tank 7 times before in the older kid size for for Mr. T
The first time in pirate – fun fact, I just took this away  because it’s so small now on him, March 2013
An upcycle blue stripe that he still wears for bed, may 2013
More upcycling with Hurley, Blizzard, and Pokemon– too small now & were donated, May 2013
And Orange stripe and monsters – which he still wears, June 2014


Finally, I made my niece this outfit.  The top is Ottobre 03/2011 #6 “Diamond Deer Sleeveless Jersey Top” in size 56cm height, 74cm width. 

The shorts are Ottobre 03/2011 #5 “Bubble Stripes Jersey Shorts” in the same 56cm height, 74cm width. 


My binder attachment for my coverstitch made sewing these pretty fast.  However, they did take me all day because I had to design, cut, apply the vinyl as well as cut and sew them all. 

I sure hope they enjoy them!

Happy Sewing!

Kristin

Tanks for T

I hit a roadblock with the maxi dress today. You think it would be so simple and fast right? sigh. I traced the pattern off and made the alterations, prewashed the fabric and was ready to cut it out.  Well, my fabric somehow shrinked from 3 yards down to 2.5 and from 60" wide to 56" wide.... What??? really? Well, now I do not have enough fabric for this dress.  I need about 3 to 3 1/3 yards. poo.

I decided to finish up the tanks I had cut and ready for Mr. T while I ponder my next move. Oh and I also broke down and ordered the thurlow pattern as well as the cambie.

So here are the tanks for T. I used Ottobre 03/2011 (#33) but I eliminated the cross-over shoulders; I went up to a size 152 this time, but sloped 1/2" out of the back because of the gap in his other ones. I also completed a 1/2" forward shoulder alteration.  It is a bit big in the chest, snug on the tummy and quite long.  He loves them though so oh well.

I've made this a few times before:
3 upcycled tanks here from old t-shirts
grandpa's old golf shirt upcycled to tank
and the tools tank as it is written
Looking back, I almost like the way the envelope one fits better. . . (it's the last one)

 


The striped one I binding as I like too by fitting raw edges to right edge of neck/arm serging, then flipping all to the inside and topstitching.  The monster one I attached the binding as I would bias tape - basting the one raw edge to the wrong side edge of neck/arm, flipping it up, then over itself (with a fold) and topstitching. T said he likes this way better.

Nice stripe matching, nice sized armholes.

 

The monster fabric has "volcom" written in a few spots on it.  It is lightweight and I picked up a yard off a facebook group for $7 - I have enough left for a few pairs of undies or the front or back panel of a shirt. maybe some sleeves instead.

The stripe fabric was a remnant on the back table at Hancocks. I JUST squeaked this out of 3/4 yard! It was $3.00.  The fabric must be a cotton/spandex. It is so soft and I begged T to let me have it for a tank.  As you can see, T wouldn't budge and he won the battle.  I did manage to have some little scraps - enough to make me a pair of underwear - yay!

 Jalie 3242

My 2 fabric orders came in yesterday and I'm in love. 2 ITY's are so gorgeous and the 3 swim fabrics are perfect.  Both orders were awesome.  Time to get busy sewing!

June Totals:
(stash is anything purchased before this year)
Stash used: 0.75 yards
Fabric Out: 1.5 yards
Fabric In: 0

Totals for the year to date:
Stash sew this year: 28.75 yards
Fabric out in 2014: 116.5 yards
Fabric in 2014: 105.5 yards
~ Happy Sewing! ~ Kristin ~

Preparing for Spring ~ Ottobre 03/2011 #19

I've been doing a bit of cleaning in my sewing room this last week.  I am purging more fabric (sold another 18.5 yards!) and inventory-ing my patterns.  I have been trying to inventory my fabric as well.  I use Evernote for both. I like that I can add tags and access my info from my phone on the go.  It feels nice to get rid of things, have a clean room, and get organized.

Thinking of spring......(as this winter drags on and on and on. It was -24 again today and we have warnings of -45 tomorrow), I decided to get a jump start on K's wardrobe.  I popped out 2 tee shirts for her with Ottobre 03/2011 #19.  I have sewn this one other time. I like having a good tee pattern because the kids live in them.  I used two wild knits from that box of fabric I picked up in Jan for $1.18 per yard.  So each tee cost $1.18. WIN!

dizzying isn't it?

a close up

back

The wild one with the pink sleeves I used size 134 shoulders and length with a 142 width. The fabric is really stretchy so it works but is a bit snug.  For the floral tee I used a straight 146.  It is big in the shoulders so I think I can go down to a 142 in shoulders and 146 in width - this fabric was less stretchy.

Neither of these are stash fabrics (except the pink sleeves and neck bindings) but they are cute!  I was working on a blue linen Oliver +S hopscotch skirt (to go with the tees) but realized I won't finish it by the end of the month so I wanted to get these pictures.  The skirt will have to be another day. I picked up the hopscotch and knit tee pattern as well as the music class blouse and skirt pattern (both from Oliver+S).

I happily ordered some fabric - What!? I got rid of 18.5 yards so I figured it was ok :)
I picked up 3 yards of the most beautiful Wee Wander - I am so in love with this print! I got the top two and then the middle one, but in pink


A yard of Charley Harper knit that I've been coveting for a bit now


And a yard of this awesome mustache fabric that is the softest knit I've ever felt.


Things are going well in our neck of the woods and I'm enjoying this peaceful time - I know it won't last!

I really need to get sewing some things off my upcoming list though... and the April Burda looks AMAZING!  I'll be busy - but I'd rather have too much to sew than not know what to sew at all. :-)

Yardage Totals:
Stash sewn this year: 12.5
Fabric out 2014: 53.5
Fabric in 2014: 55

~ Happy Sewing! ~ Kristin ~

Ottobre 03/2011 #18 Tropical Blend Sleeveless Dress

I was up very early this morning.  Mr. started a new job and thus our schedules have been thrown off a bit; couple that with the fact that I'm a very poor sleeper.  I decided to make this morning productive.  

On my massive list to sew is this sleeveless dress from Ottobre 03/2011 - #18. The dress reminds me of a dropped waist 20s dress.

**UPDATED 08/20/13 ** I cut a good 3-4 inches out of the dropped waist part and raised the ruffle skirt.  I like it much better now and K will get lots of wear out of it.

(new view)

(new view)

(old view on left, new view on right)

(new)

(new)

(new)

(old)

Sizes run 92cm-146cm; I chose View B with the gathered skirt in size 146 for K who wears a size 8/10 RTW.

(old)

I chose to fully line the bodice instead of using facings – in retrospect, my fabric is heavy enough that I could have just used bias to face the neck and arm holes.  The bodice is a bit heavy due to the lining and fabric.  This makes the dress hang heavy and not flowy.

I made my own piping for the top with the same fabric as the hem.  The hem is cut on the bias.  I followed the directions – they were clear and easy to follow.  There is lots of top-stitching on this pattern – where skirt meets bodice, where hem meets skirt, where neckline is as well as the arm holes.  I used my serger to make the gathers on the skirt but in the end there was not a lot of them.

I chose to use buttons instead of snaps on the top of the bodice; due to the weight of it and the rambunctiousness of Miss  K I didn't want any accidents happening. She is well old enough at 7 to manage the buttons. 

I didn't have enough fabric to make out the skirt panels so the one is 2 inches skinnier than it should have been.  This caused the cakes to not match as well on the bottom there L.

Armholes, sigh. You can see right through them. 

Fabric: K chose this at one of our Hancock trips. It has wedding phrases on it plus the bride and groom on the cake.  It is a bit out there but she wouldn't let me leave without it; that girl has her own ideas.  The piping and hem are from a turquoise gingham check that I just picked up last week to go with this dress. Gingham was ½ yard for $2.50. Wedding fabric I'm not sure the price, but I had a little over 1½ yards.  Pattern called for just over a yard.  Since my fabric had a pattern I should have gotten 2 yards.

I’m still on the fence if I like this dress or not.  K has a long enough torso without adding in the dropped waist.  This looks a bit funny on her.  Also, this pattern reminds me of the Puppy and Flowers sundress I made her earlier this summer with a normal waist - I love it to pieces. 

Overall this was an easy make and I was glad to use up that wedding fabric, but I will most likely not use this pattern again. I'm honestly tempted to remove the skirt, shorten the bodice a good 6 inches and then attach the skirt again.

here it is on the cute little model in the book, see the waist is not that long....

~ Happy Sewing! ~ Kristin ~