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 ~

Me Made May ~ Week 1

I suppose I should start to maneuver back to normal around here.  My bloglovin tells me I have 45 posts to read/catch up on with my favorite blogs. Whoa.

I just wanted to first say that I really appreciated all the kind words and your thoughts and prayers regarding my grandma. It genuinely made me feel so good inside and made my day.  You guys totally rock.

I will back peddle my 2 April makes in the next few days here but I wanted to do my Me-Made-May ~ Week 1 post.  I will be doing these each Saturday in May with my outfits for the week.  This is my first year participating so I'm excited.  My pledge was "I, Kristin of sunnysewing.blogspot.com, sign up as a participant of Me-Made-May '14. I endeavor to wear at least 3 handmade items each week for the duration of May 2014"

This week only had 3 days so I give myself some slack.

May 1st, 2014

Jalie tee blogged here. Gap jeans.

May 2nd, 2014

No handmades - it was rainy and cold and I felt like crap so it was pajamas all day!

May 3rd, 2014

Most of today I rooted around in the garage cleaning, and pulling up weeds around some flower beds. You certainly do not want to see what I looked like for that. LOL.  No handmades.

I promise to do better as the weeks continue on.

How did your first week go?

~ Happy Sewing! ~ Kristin ~

Absence

2 weeks ago it became clear that my grandmother's pneumonia was taking a serious turn. Sunday we lost her and this week was the visitation/funeral/burial.  I was very close to my grandma (we even bought her house) and it has affected me pretty deeply.

She was an amazing woman fully devoted to her family. She had 7 children, 18 grandchildren, 18 great-grandchildren, and even 1 great-great-grandchild.  All of the good memories are painful right now - though I'm very thankful that I have so many.  She was 83 this year.  I have no doubt she is now reunited with my grandpa in heaven.

I will catch up with my April sewing makes in a bit. Until then I'm taking just a bit of time to heal and remember.

~ Happy Sewing! ~ Kristin ~