Sunday, June 30, 2013

Finished Project: Floral Wedding Guest Dress


Come to My Window Box Dress - ModCloth.com





As promised, I've finally got the photos and details of my latest dress project to share. It's another wedding guest dress. This time, I was inspired by a dress from Modcloth.com that didn't fit when I ordered it, so I decided to make my own version.

I searched high and low for this floral rayon fabric, but couldn't find an exact or even a close enough match in any apparel-specific fabric. I settled for a pretty quilting cotton by Moda Fabrics in a similar pattern and color scheme and paired it with Retro Butterick 5748, a pattern I'd admired for a while and finally decided I had a good excuse to buy.












When I started to get the dress cut out and put the project together, I realized I didn't have quite enough fabric to do the circle skirt in the pattern, so I created a gathered skirt instead, using Gertie's tutorial. I lined the entire dress in rayon bemberg, which feels great and makes the gathered skirt nice and swishy. It was my first time using the stuff and I'm pretty much hooked. I'll definitely be using it in future projects - it's so soft!

The alterations I made to the dress to improve the fit, since I didn't make a muslin, are the only part of the project I'm not 100% pleased with. I ended up needing to shorten the bodice, but chose to reduce at the already sewn shoulder seams to do so. This makes the armholes a bit tight and still leaves the fit a little off. It's still a fun, wearable dress, though. Here are some shots of the final product as worn to the wedding.










Belt - Target


One thing I'm really enjoying about this dress is how wearable it is. Since it's made from regular quilting cotton, it is easily dressed up or down. I felt fancy enough at the wedding wearing wedges, and then paired it with flats and a cardigan for work the following week. I'm looking forward to wearing it again soon!




Friday, June 28, 2013

Finished Project: Simplicity Shorts

I'm not joking, you guys - I sewed shorts! I made a garment with a crotch for the first time!








It all started when I saw this cute Simplicity separates pattern from the 1960s on Etsy. Everything in it is cute! I especially like the top and pleated skirt, but so far I've only sewn the shorts. I used some medium-heavy weight, stretch, orange/red gingham that I won in a giveaway from Sally over at The Quirky Peach (thanks, girl!).

The shorts were cut and sewn up in no time (just a few hours) and I didn't really even follow the instructions - I just went for it! I ended up taking in the side seams a bit, which also happens to me on fitted skirts, because my hips don't form that perfect, curved, bottom-half-of-an-hourglass shape. They're a little more straight. The finished shorts don't fit superbly, but now that I've completed my first pair I can always make more adjustments for the next time around.








Yes, I made a wonky waistband-zipper meeting (I only had a mustard yellow zipper), but it still functions. I also got the buttonhole sewn on a little high, but it works.  My only real problem is that the fit is too ...bulky. It looks ok when I'm standing still, but as soon as I shift my weight or take a step, this pair of shorts tuns into a creepy, old lady-ish, unflattering, bunchy sack of fabric. I didn't have the heart to publish any of those bunchy photos, but maybe someday...  For now, these shorts will live in the murky area between muslin and finished project. They might get some wear over a swim suit, but we'll have to see.

Anyway, despite their imperfections these shorts still make me feel PUMPED that I sewed them at all. As soon as I finished them, Duke curled up on my sewing machine foot pedal, nice and cozy-like, to celebrate.






Have you all made shorts or pants or anything (is there anything else?) with a crotch? Was it a mixed success like mine, or did you get it right on your first try?


Friday, June 21, 2013

Spring Sewing Swap

Wow, this has been a crazy week. I was home sick for 2 days with a horrible cold and Tom is traveling on business (with his camera containing my photos of me in my latest dress project). Last week, in the midst of the wedding prep. & frenzy going on for Tom's brother's big day, I got a lovely package in the mail. It was my sewing swap loot and as soon as I opened it, I was SO excited.







I was paired up with the lovely and chic Lucinda of Sew Wrong. She literally included every single thing I'd told her I love when we'd discussed via email while setting up the swap. This girl is amazing! Check out what I got:








A nice looking pile of sewing goodies, wouldn't you say? Here's a closer look.






An adorable little card and the cutest, polka-dotted floral bias tape you've ever seen.







Two dress patterns!! I'm loving the jacket in the vogue pattern and the sleeveless view of the simplicity 1960s pattern - can't wait to try that one with a contrasting skirt and bodice.








Pretty, pretty floral fabrics! 2 1/2 yards of each! The blue fabric is a nice drapey rayon and the blue & red/pink one is a lightweight cotton. Both perfect for summer sewing!  Here's a closeup of each:





floral cotton





floral rayon


I know it's hard, you guys, but try not to be too jealous! If you didn't play this year, you'll just have to participate in Kerry's sewing swap next time around! It's so fun to be paired up with and meet different sewing bloggers out there, I'm already looking forward to the next swap. If you want to see what I sent Lucinda, check out her post (and much nicer photos!) over on Sew Wrong. Enjoy!


Friday, June 14, 2013

And the winner is...



Marie! of A Stitching Odyssey.  There were 35 entries total (after a reply and a deleted comment for 37 actual comments on the post), which was awesome! It's great to see so many of us appreciating this cute, cute fabric.




Thanks to all of you who entered, and congratulations to Marie!

I know I also promised more details of my latest project, but I'm saving the full post for once I've got pictures of me wearing the dress to the wedding I'm attending tomorrow. Until that's ready, these quick iphone photos will just have to tide you over. :)




Saturday, June 8, 2013

It's Giveaway Time!



Hello! Remember the colorful, printed rayon fabric I found a couple of weeks ago and then used to make my latest Laurel top? Well I've got enough of it left to do a nice little giveaway for you lovely readers. There's a little over a yard left, which was the perfect amount for me to make my sleeveless Laurel and self-bias tape. Don't feel like you must make that (though, I don't mind if you do!), if you win this fabric - it's a good amount for another simple top, or dress bodice with contrasting skirt, or ... well, you get the idea.

To enter, just leave a comment below by Wednesday, June 12, 11:59pm EST. Make sure your account links to your email address, or just type it into the comment so I can reach you if you win. One lucky winner will be chosen at random and I'll ship to anywhere in the world.


And just in case you were wondering, here's a peek at what's been keeping me busy at my sewing table this week. I'll have more details soon!