A Few Purchases

Even though I haven't been sewing much (new job) that doesn't stop me from buying sewing items. Why should it? After perusing the New Look catalog at Joann's I decide to pick up a few patterns and some notions that I needed.

New Look 6648 (chill mode)

I love this style of shirt. Once I find something I like I am likely to have LOTS of them. I can think of 3 RTW shirts in my closet that are like this. Two of them are the same but just different colors. I have a few knits in my arsenal to make this.

New Look 6915 (work mode)

And another I like what I like shirt. I have some RTW shirts very similar so I wanted to see if I could just make a few more that I like. My work wardrobe is lacking and with spring knocking on the door hopefully I can whip up something wearable for work.

Somebody, please kick me back into sewing gear!!! This weekend I was going to sew but I just needed a weekend of nothing. I was able to recharge my batteries some and hopefully can get back at the sewing machine soon.

Sewing Saturday- McCalls 5819 Done

I finished the McCalls 5819 shirt.  As a newbie to sewing there are so many first times for things.  I feel like I am not progressing at times but then realize that if I am doing something for the first time I shouldn't expect to do it as if I have done it for the 100th time.

There was a little frustration from the start with the pattern layout.  I just couldn't understand why they didn't have you cut a certain piece a certain way.  With sewing there are multiple ways to skin a cat and after I had analyzed it 20 times over I chose to skin it my way.  After getting all the pieces cut out I made the largest size it was still to small for Lani J.  She wasn't available  for mesearment but I was postive when we bought the pattern it was her size.  Oh well..we can try to alter some things for a better a fit.

I do like how the neckline sits though.  We both like the style of the shirt so it will probably be made again.  For future versions we definitely need to lengthen the shirt body, lengthen the sleeves and/or cuffs.

Hanging in the sewing room

A little snug and short? BTW that is Zoya Perrie on the nails.

Yes, this needs to be a bit bigger.

The back seems okay, in this picture at least.

Pattern Description: Hooded jacket A has exposed separating zipper and sleeves with bands; top B has raw edge finish at front neckline and casing, short cuffed sleeves and purchased camisole; top C has contrast sleeves and bands; shorts D, pants E have ribbed knit waistbands; pants E are below knee length; pants F have draped, ringed waistband. I made View C

Pattern Sizing: AX5(4-6-8-10-12), DD(12-14-16-18) I made the 12.

Did it look like the photo/drawing on the pattern envelope once you were done sewing with it?Yes

Were the instructions easy to follow?They were okay. I did get stuck on the pattern layout for a moment.

What did you particularly like or dislike about the pattern?I like how the neck band sits on the shoulders.

Fabric Used:Joann Sew Classic Knit

Pattern alterations or any design changes you made:I used one color for my top instead of using a contrast color.

Would you sew it again? Would you recommend it to others?I will probably sew this again at some point making some alterations. My daughter said she would like thicker cuffs on the sleeve as well as the waistband. If I have enough fabric I'll go back and make those tweaks.

Conclusion: Cute pattern. Will tweak a little the next time around. You can do a lot of things with the neckline to give it your own personal flavor.

Butterick B5216 View C - Finished and Review

I think I may actually wear this shirt.  It is a little longer than I am used to but it's not so bad.  

Here is the shirt on the hanger:

And on me (I have shorts on, I promise!!):

With a belt (thought that jeans would be a better look):

I am thinking this will look cute with some skinny jeans and ballerina flats.  To bad I don't have any ballerina flats.  I think my skinny jeans are living in one of my daughter's drawers.  I may have to conjure them up.

On to the review:

Pattern Description: Loose-fitting, pullover top or tunic has narrow him. Gathered shoulders, elasticized, empire waistline.

Pattern Sizing:Xsml-Sml-Med

Did it look like the photo/drawing on the pattern envelope once you were done sewing with it?Yes

Were the instructions easy to follow?Yes

What did you particularly like or dislike about the pattern?No dislikes. As a beginner I like how they did the casing for the elastic. Quite simple.

Fabric Used:Fabric I got for $1/yd at Joann Fabric. Not exactly sure what it is. Light and flowy with a little stretch. The fabric was a little hard to work with but I am still happy with it.

Pattern alterations or any design changes you made:I had to change the arm hole a little. It was a little tight and hard to do the narrow hem around the arm. I let out the side seam at the top some to allow for a little more give when doing the narrow hem around the arms. I may go back and gather a little more on the shoulder seam so they are thinner.

Would you sew it again? Would you recommend it to others?Maybe, but I would make it longer so it will be a dress.

Conclusion: This is described as a very easy pattern and I agree. The directions were easy to follow and straight forward. This is a pattern a beginner could get through and be happy with the results.

Confidence Booster- Butterick 5216

I got a little down with the Simplicity dress I was working on and totally ditched the project.  A  confidence booster was needed to get me back in motion.  The Butterick B5216 definitely fit the bill.  I followed the directions exactly as written (almost) and am somewhat pleased with the results.  When I say pleased I mean this is going to be wearable when I am completely finished.  Completely finished by my guidelines not theirs.  

The fabric was leftover from my daughters skirt.  Only requiring a 1-5/8 yard of fabric it was worth a try.  Lani J  made view B so I opted for View A.

The first step of this project is to put in a buttonhole.  Intimidating.  A little, so I skipped it and opted to go as far as I could without having the buttonhole done.

Narrow hems are a pain to me.  Fold. Press. Unfold. Fold. Press. Fold Stitch.  Waaaaaaaaaa.  I don't have a foot to do it so I meticulously measure and fold and after what seems like eternity stitch it down.

Back to the buttonhole.  After testing it no less then 10 times on scraps I went ahead and did the buttonhole.  It turned out fine.  I could have made it a little longer but no worries.

I got my first opportunity to hand sew on this project.  Actually, that is not counting the hooks and eyes I have conveniently skipped sewing on.  A slipstich is required for the tie of the shirt.  Again I took a look at the glossary, cross-referenced another book, and hit a few YouTube videos.  I did my best and it turned out fine.  Whether or not it was a true slipstich..who knows but it got the job done.

I tried the shirt on before doing the final bottom hem and my kids said it looked short.  I made the narrow hem just a tad thinner but I am still going to have to make some modifications.

These are the modifications I have envisioned:

Lengthening the shirt by adding a solid color contrast  to the bottom edge.  Should I go white, black, blue, green.  The shirt needs to be brightened some so I am hoping to find a matching blue or green.  Regular seam or something else? I may just sew the other piece underneath so it gives it more of a layered effect.  Thoughts?

In addition to adding length I am going to switch out the tie around the neck with the same fabric I use for the contrast at the bottom.  I really would have done this anyway and the pattern does call for that but since I was just working with scrap fabric I had to use what I had on hand.

The third change will be lengthening the tie because I am actually planning to wrap the tie under my bust and tie it in the back.  I tried it here but it will hopefully look much better tied in with the other modifications.  It cuts the shirt and gives it more definition.  Right now it is rather frumpy.

I will say this shirt seems to be a good base pattern.  When I tried it on I did about fifty million different things to give it a new look.  Elastic at the bottom, perhaps a ruffle at the bottom, lengthening for a dress.  A belt.  A different weight of material. The options are endless.  

Oh, and next time I will make the small,  I made the medium because of my waist and the armholes are a little larger than I'd like.  I already toyed with the idea of taking it in some on the sides so it fits a little closer to my body.

More pics on my Flickr photostream just search B5216