Sasha Girl, McCall's 8036

Ah Sasha girl.......

Being a wrap dress was right up my alley, although it has a button down option, I choose to make view A's bodice with view B's skirt:

View A s bodice w/ view B skirt

The fabric I choose was a Scuba Ponte Knit fabric I found on eBay. The fabric has a smooth feel like neoprene with the comfort of classic Ponte Knit:

Scuba Ponte Knit

I did enjoy working with the fabric, it sews easily with few hiccups.  The one thing that I will say,  if you are not careful you can cause "nicks" in the fabric. Make sure to be careful with your seam ripper and pin placement.

The dress is very comfortable to wear and I think it will be a nice three season dress:

Why am I holding my stomach?

Pattern Size;  I used a size 20 with a FBA, broad back, and waist adjustments.

Did it look like the photo?: Yes I think it looks like the photo, but then again each person is unique :-)

Were the directions easy to follow?: Very much so, I think a beginner will be able to make the pattern if they take their time.  Make sure to look closely at the illustrations and you should be fine.

Likes and dislikes: No dislikes, what can you find wrong with a wrap dress? LOL

My personal note: If you notice on each of the pictures, my back collar on my dress seems to come up from my body.  Since losing around 50 lbs, I have had a difficult time finding a good way to adjust my patterns.

I have researched several methods, however I believe that it is not the methods I have tried. I think it is not being sure "what" adjustments I need make with the weight change. Regardless, I will continue in my sewing journey and will keep you up to date with my progress,

Will I sew it again?: Of course, its a wrap dress! ;-)

Until next time, take life one stitch at a time. Oh and if you have any adjustment suggestions, leave them in the comments below,

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Let the Summer sewing begin, V9357

The time of year that I like best for sewing is the Summer, there is nothing like a Sundress.  This Summer we start off with V9357:

My version of V9357

I have to say I enjoyed sewing this dress, however I did make some errors in my FBA.  You may or may not be able to tell from the photos, it seems that I added a little too much across my bust and I have a slight gap under my arms:

Take two

To be honest, I didn't realize I had made the error until I took photos for the blog.  In either case I will make the needed adjustments under the arms before wearing it again.  However, I will more then likely not go through the drama of taking pics again LOL.

One of the options that I liked about this dress is that It did not need a lining or facing, just a simple bias tape solution:

My bias tape arm finish

The other joy I had with sewing this dress was the chance to match my chevrons on both my bodice and pockets:

Bodice up close view

Pocket up close view

Pocket view 2

Of course we can't forgot what gives the dress that extra touch, I would be referring to the buttons of course:

My choice Belle Buttons by Dritz

Being that the bodice neck and sleeves were finished with bias tape, I thought it would also be nice to top off the dress' skirt with bias tape as well:

Buttons and bias hem view

For the inside finish I usually do an over-stitch on each piece before sewing them together as such:

My usual inside edge finish

If I have any suggestions for the pattern, it would be to double check your FBA. I am not sure if I didn't take into consideration the unique geometric sides pieces or not, if I make it again I'll be sure to correct the FBA.  Until then I will leave you with one more view and here's hoping you visit again soon:

TADA!

Keeping myself together one stitch at a time..........

Easy Brezzy M7350

This dress is a part of a series of the knits I planed on making this summer. Two down, two more to make.

M7350

 I bought this fabric along with several other prints, including the print I used for V8825 .

 😊

I am sitting here trying to think of something witty and or informative, I've got nothing. So here is another pic:

My summer parasol 

Uh, no still nothing. Here is another pic:

Don't even have a quip for the pic

OK, this is becoming repetitive, one more pic and I'm done:

Seriously I'm done

As always, one stitch at a time.

My All Season Dress V8825

Sorry for the long absence........

The first part of the year was a month long visit to Philadelphia with a close friend for a stem cell transplant due to Multiple Myeloma. Am happy to say she is in remission!

Once I got back I was immediately offered a simple part time job, which took me awhile to get it, and the rest of my life into a rhythm.

Mostly though I haven't had my mojo to sew,

'EH'

That was the sound that would come out my mouth when I passed my sewing machine.

Then one day while browsing Fabric.com I came across this lovely peace of fabric:

2way stretch ITY knit

Now this is what am talking about, this had to be turned into a dress, but not just any dress an All Season Dress!  Then it hit me V8825:

The model looks like she doesn't like the dress

But I do:

Yep!

I do

If you take a closer look you will see I've made adjustments to the sleeves, oh where are my manners let me show you:

Right here

I would say the belt is another favorite detail of the dress:

There that's better

I even bought jewellery for it:

Accessories add just the right touch

Sometimes when you get into a sewing funk, the best thing you can do is find a piece of fabric for inspiration. And now that I have, am happy to say.....

I am back!

As always, take each day one stitch at a time!

Fall Planning and Humble Pie

A few weeks back McCalls posted a blog about designer sewing, they also posted excellent work by Amanda did on Donna Karan V1440 Tunic.

In the comments I mentioned that it is hard for me to find designer patterns that flatter my plus size shape. This is true, especially with the Summer patterns, however I must make a retraction.


I have found several Fall patterns that are potentially flattering:

Anne Klien V1467;  Tom and Linda Pratt V1435

Ralph Rucci V1239; Designer joi M7245

I have material ready to go for Tom and Linda V1435 and Deigner Joi M7245, however I decide to cut out B6256

As you can see I have decided to use basic black, I have also decided to use a nice floral print for the lining, which I'll share with you once I complete the suit.

Then there is this cute number:

It was a gift from Sew Plus on a thrift store run :-) I have fabric for this too, however with the rapid weather change, am going to save it for Spring.


Well thats the update for now, and remember one stitch ar a time.

Vogue, Butterick, and McCall Fall Picks of 2015

Greetings, nice to chat with you again, as you can tell this post is all about upcoming patterns for this fall. So with no further adieu lets get started.


Vogue


I have choosen three patterns for each collection that truly made me want to sit at the machine:

V 9123

The aspect of the dress that caught my eye were the sleeves, the classic silhouette is an also plus. My fabric choice, like the drawing, would be a nice floral print.

V9132

I've been wanting to join the 'color block' club for some time, however until now, nothing really caught my eye until this skirt. Would you be surprise to know I have never made a skirt?! Seriously, even though I have made several average to advance patterns, go figure.....

The Star

Anne Klein V1467

This pea coat is my 'Star Pick' out of the Vogue collection. The only hurdle in my way, is finding the perfect fabric, preferably a rustic orange........

Butterick

B6248

This tunic would be nice paired with jeans (as shown) but also a nice skirt like the V9123 pictured above. I see this in a vibrant green or blue, then again why not one in each color?

Lisette Coat B6244

This to me is a perfect coat for fall, toss it on and out the door, simple style on the go. Now to find the right fabric, a classic crayola brown, the camel color pictured, or maybe a cool print?

The star:

B6256

Although my Godmother tends to be the queen of suits, I fluctuate on them. However, this two piece started my engine running the moment I saw the picture. I Am not sure if it is the on/off the shoulder combination or the exposed zipper. Either way, I am anxious to add it to my collection.

McCall's

M7249

This top is a nice choice if simple blouse or sweater doesn't suit your needs. I can see this easily being used in a laid back or business casual setting.

M7243

This sweater dress is a fall/winter winner for me. It screams comfort without sacrificing style, especially on those occasion when only a dress will do.

The Star:

Designer Joi M7245

I need to make a correction!! When I first saw this pattern what caught my attention was the bodice. It my excitment I did not notice that it was actually a dress!!. This is even more exciting, seeing that dresses are my most favortie items to sew.

Well those are my fall picks, what are your favorites?

And as always, one stitch at a time.