Vogue 1224

Pattern Description: Partially lined, pullover dress has short dolman sleeves, elasticized waistline and neckline with tie ends, stitched hems and above mid-knee length. Purchased stoppers for tie ends.
Pattern Sizing:8-14; 16-24 I made my daughter a 12.

Were the instructions easy to follow? They were good, I really like how the sleeves come together on this dress, very unique.

Likes/dislikes:  I have always liked the way this dress looks, so many great pattern reviewsof this pattern.  I just wasn't sure it would look good on me, so I made it for Erin. 

Fabric:  ITY from Fabric Mart

Changes:  added 1/2" to bodice, 3-1/2" to skirt length, eliminated lining and the ties and neckline.

Conclusion : I saw this on Erin yesterday and it looks amazing on her, but no pictures were allowed!  She received several compliments at school, so she wants another one.

 

Thanks Lynda

Lynda has given me The Versatile Blogger award, thanks so much Lynda.


I need to do several things in order to be a versatile blogger.

First Rule: add it to my blog. (Check)

Rule Two: thank the blogger who has given it to me. Thank you Lynda, I appreciate it so much.

Rule Three list the rules,

Rule Four  List 7 random things about myself you may not know.

1.  I grew up working in my Grandfather's clothing store (mainly western wear but he had a small section of women's and junior non-western clothes).  When looking for a college, I selected one that had fashion merchandising as a major and announced my choice at home.  My dad, being a very practical man, pointed out I would probably have to live in New York City or Dallas.  He added an accountant or teacher would be better options if I wanted to live in the midwest. Not wanting to leave the midwest,  I selected accounting as my major. 

2.  I gave notice at my job of 5-1/2 years yesterday.  I have come to realize life is too short and I am going to pursue a different job path.

3.  My favorite snack, Little Debbie Brownies, when I buy them I eat the box in a day.

4.  It wasn't until 5-1/2 months along, I found out I was having twins, pretty shook, I went into the parking lot and backed into another vehicle!

5.  I was a tomboy growing up, haul hay, feed the cattle, help build fence, work at the salebarn, were some of my favorite things to do.  My cousins and I were very close growing up, the only girl of seven cousins, was probably a major reason for being a tomboy.

6.  Shoes are my favorite purchase, passed that along to a couple of my girls.

7.  I have four beautiful, talented daughters and an incredible husband who I love very much (you guys knew that one!)


Rule Five Pass the award onto  15 deserving and conscientious bloggers.

1.Lynne at Wonderfully Made
2.Gwen at After the Dress
3. Stacy at The Land of KA
4. LInda at Danville Sewing Diary
5.Allison at Allison C. Sewing Gallery
6 Pam at Off the Cuff Style
7.  Sharon at Sharon Sews
8.  Elaray at Another Creation
9.  Sigrid at Sigrid Sewing Projects
10.  Debbie at Stitches and Seams
11.  Beth at Rusty Bobbin
12.Ruth and Jessica at Sew Chic
13.Goodbye Valentino
14. Elizabeth at Sewn
15.   Anne of Needle Nook





I was going to stop at 10 but another something about me, I tend to follow the rules, so I had to bot to 15!





Rule Six - Inform your nominee. The recipients can then link to your blog, copy and paste the award and display the award on their own page.

Simplicity 2181 - View C

I made the center front option last week, you can see the full review of here and decided to try view C for Erin.  I thought it would be the perfect top for her honeymoon in the Carribean (lucky girl).

The design is great on the shirt, interesting construction for the front wrap and the top goes together pretty quickly.  Simplicity drafted a front facing for the v-neck that is the front pattern piece with half the length.  I usually don't like facings but this one attaches to the shoulder seams and armhole seams.  A feature that keeps it in place, plus if your fabric is a bit thin, this adds a layer of modesty.  My only complaint had nothing to do with the pattern and everything to do with my fabric, a recent purchase from fabric.com.  It is extremely thin, has no recovery and just isn't very nice to work with.

Here is the link to one of my purchases, I should note these fabrics were the daily special recently and in my hurry to get them purchased at the $4.19 a yard, I did not read the description which stated,

Contents: 98% Rayon/2% Lycra • Fabric Weight: very lightweight • Washing: Machine Wash Gentle/Lay Flat • Width: 60''

Description: This light weight stretch rayon jersey knit fabric has an ultra soft hand, a beautiful drape and 40% stretch across the grain for added comfort and ease. Fabric is perfect for creating stylish tops, tanks, lounge wear, fuller dresses and so much more. Features horizontal yarn-dyed stripes of teal, green and heather grey. The 2% lycra is not even noticed in this fabric as their is no recovery.  I am hoping after a washing the fabric recovers. Here is top one: See the wavy hem?  Top Two: wavy hem and the left armhole is very stretched out.  I even used my coverstitch with the differential increased. Another pattern (will review later) but check out the hole in this thin fabric, very disappointing. In conclusion, this pattern is very cute, fun wrap look with the crossover look.  My crossever doesn't drape like the pattern envelope.  I had to tack the thin fabric at v-neck to hold it better, so this panel goes down the center front more instead of at an angle

Dark Skinny Jeans - Wardrobe Basic Sewalong

Time for my last installment for a garment (Lynne is doing black dress soon, she has been busy with new grandbabies) and that garment is the dark skinny jean.

First let's get  a couple ideas from RTW:

J Brand Skinny from net-a-porter

Another J Brand jean from net-a-porter

Okay, I think you get the idea for a skinny jean, so now pattern time:

Lily Ski pant from Style Arc

Vogue 8774

Kwik Sew 5340

Butterick 5682

Jalie 2908, taper to get the skinny look - this pattern gets great reviews at PR

Now fabric time and remember the stretch!

stretch denim at fabric.com

stretch denim at Gorgeous Fabrics

Denim at Fabric Mart - look through to find the stetch denim

Denim at Emma One Sock

Denim at Lura's fabric shop

Happy sewing on the wardrobe basics and plan on another link party next Monday. 

Update

My son-in-law just finished his third (and final) weekend of chemotherapy  but prior to going into the hospital he had a PET scan.  Great news, the scan was clean!  Everyone was so happy with the news especially my daughter and son-in-law.  He still has a procedure in May that will require a lengthy hospital stay but the scan was such good news, it has given everyone such an emotional boost.

Kwik Sew 3419 - Wardrobe Basic

Next up for me was the black turtleneck, well I changed that up a bit.  First, I don't wear turtlenecks, I feel like I am choking the entire time.  Next, I have several black shirts, long sleeve, short sleeve, sleeveless, etc.  You name it, I seem to have it in black.  I decided to carry on the red theme from my tie-wasted sweater and the red jacket and made a red shirt using Kwik Sew 3419.

 I have made it several times before and you can see the see the post with all the links to check out my previous garments from this pattern.

The knit is a red knit from fabric.com, very thin and lightweight.

On the dressform, you can see how thin it is at the bottom of the dressform



How I wore it today, Skirt from NY& Co, jacket from Ann Taylor Loft (thank you 40% off sale)

Vogue 8747 -White Shirt -Wardrobe Basic Sewalong

I plan on wearing my white shirt this week but until then, a quick picture on the dressform.

not a very good picture, sorry

I have made this blouse before, in purple and my only change was to make it a bit bigger in the hips.

If you are participating in the SAL, how is it going?  How many garments have you completed?  Are you still enthused and sewing right along or do you feel that enthusiasm waning?  Any suggestions on what Lynne or I could do to keep the momentum going?

Here are my answers..... I need to start my camel skirt but a pile of knits is calling my name, so a  break for some quick sewing then I will be back to the skirt.  My enthusiasm wavers, then I wear a garment from this SAL and I feel the enthusiasm return.  Also, I have been searching at Pinterest for certain garments  - say "red jacket"  and getting ideas on different outfits.

So far I have made:

1. Ponte pants
2. ponte skirt (leftover fabric from pants)
3. Red ponte jacket (subsititute for puffy vest)
4. white blouse
5. faux fur vest (given away to a reader)
6. red knit shirt (subsititute for black turtleneck, which I won't wear turtlenecks but have several black shirts in my wardrobe - review soon)
7. Black dress (review soon and Lynne will be doing a black dress inspiration post soon)
8. Red tie-waisted sweater
9. Skinny jeans - I have 2 pair of RTW so won't be making but I am going to post a RTW, pattern, fabric post this week) 

So comment away with the questions  and your thoughts on this Wardrobe Basic Sewalong.  Also, next Monday, we will have another link party to show off your great garments.

Start thinking about a wrap-up blog post and link party, showing all the garments and pictures of the outfits we can create.

Simplicity 2181

Pattern Description: Four options of tops. I made the version with the cinched center front.

Sizing: 6 to 24

Instructions:  They are concise and easy to follow, if you pay attention and follow the instructions and diagrams.  I just started sewing and had to unsew a couple of steps.  Do pay attention to the front side pieces and the front - make sure they are the correct way before sewing.  I think looking at the diagram helps tremendously.  I did not realize I had sewn this step incorrectly until I went to gather the shoulder seam.  My shoulder seam was very curved and I knew then I had made a major mistake!

Likes:

• the unique style
• several options in one pattern
• longer sleeves on View A
• trendy look

Dislikes

• holes for the tab to go through, a nice design feature but a bit a show-through
• This isn't the pattern dislike but stripes probably wasn't a wise choice for all the pattern pieces

Pattern Changes:  None, this one is for Erin and I made it "as is" for the first time.  I might change the length of the tab after she wears it and I see the way the top hangs on her.

Fabric:  This is a very thin jersey knit, not sure where I purchased it.  It was a bit thin, making construction a bit more difficult.

Conclusion:  A great top with nice design features.  I plan on making it again for her and she wants some tops from View C for her honeymoon.

Shoulder gathers

back view

Front view, maybe need to tighten the tab.

String Quilt

This has to be my most favorite quilt I have made to date.  I used up so much of my scraps using this String Quilt Tutorial.  I loved how she color-blocked the pattern and it has so much character and design.  When I look at this quilt I can see the fabric from so many past projects and remember what I have made.  This quilt took quite a bit of time, probably a year, but it was well worth it.  I have had it back from the quilter for a month but couldn't decide on fabric to bind it.  About a week ago, I was fabric shopping with a friend and she told me about yellow.  She had read in a quilting magazine that yellow goes with everything.  I thought "PERFECT!" that is what I need to tie all these colors together.

Black Turleneck - Wardrobe Basic Sewalong

Time for another installment in the Wardrobe Basic Sewalong, the black turtleneck (or subsitute a neckline you are comfortable with)

Let's look at RTW inspiration

Ralph Lauren turtleneck

J Crew turtleneck

Look at this - ponte skinny pants, black turtleneck, bright jacket (some of our basic SAL garments)

Lanvin turtleneck

Anthro turtleneck

Now let's look at patterns

Kwik Sew 3843

Kwik Sew 3093

Amy Knit Top - Style Arc

Debra Zebra Top - Style Arc

Vogue 8670



Fabric Time

Black Jersey knit - Fabric Mart

Silk Jersey -Emma One Sock

Black Rayon Jersey Knit - Fabric.com

LIghtweight layering jersey - Gorgeous Fabric

Wool Poly Jersey Jet Knit - Fashionista Fabric







Wardrobe Sewalong Link Party

Sorry, it has been too long without a link party and there are many of you sewing up some fantastic garments in the Wardrobe Basic Sewalong.  So link up here and now, show off those great garments and share with all of us.

Winner of Shabby Apple Giveaway

A couple of days late but here is the winner

Congratulations to Anissa and thanks to Shabby Apple for letting me be a part of this giveaway.

Happy Birthday!

To Paige, you make a mom so very happy and proud!

Paige and her dad at last year's birthday celebration

Snicker Bar Cookies

Want a delicious cookie recipe?  Kaitlyn just made these on Sunday and they are incredible, so I thought I would share.

1 cup white sugar
1 cup brown sugar
1 cup softened margarine
1 tsp. vanilla
2 eggs
1 cup peanut butter
1 tsp. baking powder
1. tsp. baking soda
1/2 tsp. salt
3 cups flour
2 pkg. Snickers mini bars

Cream sugars and margarine.  Stir in eggs; mis in peanut butter, vanilla, baking powder, baking soda and salt. Add in flour.  Form balls of dough around 1/2 cut-up Snickers bar.  Bake at 350 degrees for 10 to 12 minutes.  Can flatten after baking with a spatula right after taking out of oven.  (Recipe from my mother-in-law's church - their 100 anniversary this year.)

Hot Patterns Rivera Jacket

Another garment for my Wardrobe Basic Sewalong

and after Lynn's great post on jackets, I decided I needed a jacket more than I needed to sew a puffy vest (I have 2 in my closet).  Going on with the red theme after my red tie-waisted sweater, I pulled out some red ponte from my stash (originally purchased from Fabric Mart and a piece used on the bottom of Erin's jumper).  I thought with spring coming, a jacket with 3/4 sleeves would be needed for my wardrobe and Hot Patterns Rivera Jacket would be the perfect pattern.

I have made this jacket before, Here is the original post on the jacket.

One thing for sure, I really like this jacket more than the first one.  It is all in the fabric, the red ponte has some substance to it. This makes the jacket hang more like a jacket and not a sweater (make sense?)

I wore it with a stripe tshirt from Old Navy, necklace and watch from New York and Company.

Buttons were hard decision on color - I went with a very light gray, thought it would go with the most.

Do you know when an outfit really makes you feel good?  Well, this jacket and the striped tshirt was that for me. 

I think I will wear and wear this red jacket and it will be a great wardrobe basic.