New Pictures

Okay, I took better pictures today. I was too lazy (and sick) to edit the original post, new pictures in a new post.



Bodice close-up



I made Simplicity 2892 View B earlier and after seeing Toy's version. I hade to make my very own white tunic. I so like this one.

Here are the pictures:


Neck edge


Back view:


Thanks, Toy for the inspiration, I hope you don't mind we have matching tops!

Simplicity 2942

Pattern Review




Pattern: Simplicity 2942

Description: Project Runway pattern, Juniors’/ Juniors’ Plus dress, mini dress and tunic with sleeve variations.

Sizing: 5/6 to 25/26+

Instructions: Very good, this pattern has nice written instructions plus many diagrams. This pattern can be for beginner to more advanced sewer, depending on which options are chosen for the garment.

Likes/Dislikes: I made this for my 18 year old daughter and she liked the style right away. It is a flattering, stylish pattern for a teenager.

My only dislike is the fabric requirements. Simplicity lists the fabric for the basic dress, then you add on for the sleeve styles. You can quickly purchase too much fabric.

Changes: My daughter is a softball pitcher (heading to play college softball in the fall), with this in mind I made a broad shoulder adjustment. I just purchased, “The Perfect Fit” book and used their broad shoulder adjustment (minor adjustment). I also lengthened the bodice 1” and transferred this amount to the back (one long piece) and the 1” to the bodice lining. RTW tops in this style always hit her too high so this adjustment really makes a nicer fitting garment for her. I added some length to the dress, it looked quite short on the pattern envelope. This was a good thing, as I compared the finished dress to one of my daughter’s RTW dresses. I had 1” hem to turn up.

Design changes – I added piping to the front at the seam between the upper front and the upper side front. Also, piping between the band and the sleeve. I redrew the sleeve pattern and sleeve band so these pieces did not have the curve as Simplicity designed them. I thought my piping would be much easier to apply with a straight pattern piece.

Fabric: A rayon jersey from Joann’s.

Conclusion: This fits my daughter beautifully and she is quite happy. Unfortunately, you won’t see her modeling it. Yesterday she had shoulder surgery (yes, the pitching arm) and she is in a sling for 2 weeks. All is well, as the doctor believes she will be back throwing by September.

This is a cute dress with some very nice design features and doesn’t take a long time to sew.

My apologies on the blurriness of the pictures. My camera focused on the flowers and not the dress. I just went outside for a quick couple of pictures, as I was very busy being the nurse today!







Garden shots - Hydrangeas are big and beautiful


Corner of my garden.


Today's fun, my friend's quilt shop opened today. The twins and I went up for just a bit but managed to purchase 2 bags full of fabric. Meredith (the sewing twin) bought fabric for a lap size quilt, she did quite a bit of sewing on it and will probably be done this weekend. I bought a new purse pattern and fabric for several more purses. I might be brave and make another Amy Butler's Weekender bag. Wish me luck!

Meredith also made a fabric belt from this book "Pretty Little Patchwork", a very fun book with great projects. She isn't very interested in clothing right now but that is fine, she is sewing and loving it.

Project Runway Dress - Simplicity 2942

I just finished making this dress for daughter #2, it is very similar to the navy dress on the model but I added some piping. Pictures will be tomorrow and a review, hopefully.

I am also working on a t-shirt for me (of, course).

Another Purse

A new purse for Erin, quick and cute. She picked this fabric out at Joann's last Sunday. It was in the clearance section and total cost $3.00 with snap! The fabric is fun for summer, surfboards but in a non-traditional color way. Erin also picked out fabric for 4 pair of pajama pants (they are done) and a Project Runway dress pattern (fabric, too). That is my next project.

The twins are coming home from Church Camp today, hurray! I have missed them.

Simplicity 2850

Pattern Review

Pattern: Simplicity 2850
Description: Knit mini dresses or top

Sizing: 4 to 18, I made a 12. Check the finished measurements on the pattern. This garment only has 1-1/2” ease allowed on the bust, so adjust accordingly to your comfort level.

Instructions: Good this is a relatively straight forward pattern. Simplicity does have you set in the sleeve in the round. Not sure that is necessary for a knit but I did it that way.

Likes/Dislikes: I liked the gathered neckline and the gathered sleeve bindings, an interesting design feature. The neckline is two pieces, one is cut like a wide binding and the another piece is the gathered neckline piece. The gathered piece is attached to the neckline and then it is sewn onto the garment. This gives a bit more stability, a good thing for my fabric, it was a bit thin.

Only one dislike, the neckline is not as gathered as it appears in the line drawing.

Changes: As I stated earlier, there is very little ease. I added a bit more to the pattern at the bust line and only sewed the side seams at ¼”. These adjustments were fine and I like the amount of ease now.

Fabric: A knit from my friend, Virginia. Here is the post about the fabric

Conclusion: A cute top that has the look of this Tory Burch Tunic, especially the 3/4 sleeve top (View D) I think I am going to make the dress but had a few inches, Stacy and Clinton (What Not to Wear) would say a woman in her mid-40’s does not need a mini!


I took pictures inside and belted my top. My belt selection is a bit lacking and this top would not need a belt at all.



neckline


Another belt