Two poncho Type Tops

OH MY Goodness!!! I'VE DELETED MY WEB ADDRESS. I'VE HAD TO CREATE A NEW ONE AND RECONFIGURE MY BLOG NAME.

MY NEW ADDRESS IS
                      
                            http://sewpassionista.blogspot.com

I DO HOPE YOU WILL FIND ME BECAUUSE IF YOU DON"T, I"LL MISS YOU SO MUCH!
BOOHOOHOO! I"M SO UPSET WITH MY STUPIDITY!!



This past winter, I made a couple of poncho-like wraps as project samples for my Sewing Group. I loved those wraps and wore them constantly. They were the perfect cover-ups for around the house on really frigid days and for outdoor wear in spring. If you are interested in how they are made, check out the link above.

I made this navy blue version to take with me for a long weekend in Halifax in May.  It has a nautical look  I think.

The fabric is a beautiful (albeit polyester)  navy blue, weighty cable knit that had a fantastic wide selvedge which I was able to use to finish the sides and the neck edge. I simply cut the selvedges off and serged them to the garment.


..

For the closures I sewed two layers of buttons together and added a snap to each. I made three sets which I change up to match various pants ,shoes,etc. Just a bit of fun!

Note: My poncho tops are slightly shaped from neck to shoulder and from shoulder to hem like this.

This week I made this one.

I love this piece and have worn it twice already.

The fabric is a mesh which I've had in my stash for years. There are actually two layers. The top one has a flocked leaf design and the under layer is a plain mesh.The result is that the garment is less see-through and has a nice drape.


I hand basted the two layers together then serged all edges.

Again, their was a great selvedge which I used to finish the sides.The hem is turned up and fastened with Steam-a-Seam.

For the neck binding ,I used a part of the selvedge which had a curl to it.

I simply added great buttons from my stash to close the sides.

I wore my poncho top last night to a beach lobster boil and brought along the heavier one above  for warmth later in the evening. I got lots of compliments so in my mind, these are successful projects.

I wore this one on a shopping trip.

I'm now in the process of making the dress version of S2249 (OOP)which will be my last "summer" project.

Hope you are having a wonderful weekend and that your weather is as beautiful as it is here in the Maritimes!

Happy  Sewing!

An Outfit for Tamara

Tamara has been home for the past week and a half.

 She had picked out this outfit when we went to Fabricland the last time I was in Ottawa last spring..I've just gotten round to making it this week while she went camping with friends.

It was a lovely surprise when she came home this evening to find this in my sewing room.

The pattern is New Look 6609

As you can see, I didn't take any artistic licence but made an exact copy of the pattern envelope.
DD loves it! All fabrics are cotton.

A closer look.

The handbag of course was her favorite thing

.

And my sweet daughter in her new ensemble.

Tam goes home Monday and somehow that makes me feel like summer is over!! How did that happen?

I still have one summer garment to make even though I'd rather work on something for fall.It's been cut out since July and I promised myself no UFO's this summer.

Hope you found time to sew this week. More later from

The Denim Dress

My sister- in- law, who hasn't worn a dress since she retired twenty plus years ago , wanted a denim dress! I said I would use the new skills I've learned by watching Peggy Sagers' Webcasts to make her one.

I won't tell you that this project was an easy one. I had quite a few challenges to fit dear Doreen but in the end, she was satisfied and pleased with her dress. Here it is

The design is my own. I used various patterns with modifications.

The fabric is an 8 oz. cotton denim. ( I know. That's too heavy but Doreen chose it and I went along knowing it would be too stiff for the flared skirt she wanted). The result isn't bad really.

A few detailed shots.

The back.
  

The pockets.

The sleeves

I had hoped to get a pic of Doreen wearing it but I haven't gotten a chance .I do love seeing people in the garments they wear as I'm sure you do too, but oh well!!

That's it for this week. Happy Sewing from

Burda Style Jacket

This jacket was very needed in my wardrobe and I've been working on it ,on and off, for about two months.

It is Burda Style #123 from the 01/09 issue.

When I first saw this one, I decided I had to make it. I loved its simplicity and colour.That was three years ago!

My version is a little different. I omitted the upper pockets and designed a new  bottom pocket style. Here it is:

A close-up of the pockets.

As you see I slanted them, added a zipper and formed a secondary pocket  on the larger one.To make this into a working ,zippered pocket I had to double the larger one. I simply made a welt type opening sewed the zipper, then sewed from bottom, along one side up to the top of the zipper, across the top of the zipper and down the other side

.

I added multiple rows of top-stitching to pocket flaps as well as to the collar.

Instead of snaps (which I cannot master no matter how hard I try), I used these great squared metal buttons.

I  added a lining ,

Details  about this garment:

Fabric was called Memory Cloth when I bought it at Fabricville. It isn't waterproof so I will have to spray it to make it so.

Lining fabric is a polyester taffeta plaid.

I made size 42 and it fit really well. I made my usual FBA and added a chest dart.. I found the sleeves to be quite long and had to shorten them.

Now I'm ready for the fall but I hope it doesn't come too soon!

My little Angel Riley is visiting me with her Daddy this week and I'm so happy to have them both!

You know I can't resist  showing her off a little!!

More later form

 

Vogue 8710, a Katherine Tilrton Top

When making Vogue 8710, most people have made View B (the striped top), and I intend to make it for the fall.

 For the spring/summer season, I made two versions of View A. Here is the first one.

Details and comments:

Fabric: 100% cotton knit (quite thick)

Sizing:  I made a medium and I didn't need any extra at side seams.
          I made my usual Full Bust Adjustment (FBA) and it was too big. I had to use 1/2"  
               

 Directions:  Were clear but the sleeve insertion was really weird. They are top stitched to the armscye

 with the help of Steam-a-Seam!

 The two pleats form a kind of flat puff which looks a little funny so I've added  shoulder pads  and                                                                                                                                           extended them into the sleeve to give a more pleasing look

.  

Design Element: The fabric is lovely and I love its weight but it curled unmercifully during                                   construction. When I noticed that narrow strips curled nicely on each side I decided to experiment
 with the neckline . Here is a close-up of the flowers I fashioned.   

I sewed the strips by hand,starting with the middle one and forming the flowers as I went. I loved doing this. It was relaxing and only took about an hour to finish. Here is what the underside looks like. I didn't add stabilizer because of the weight of the fabric.

       I  love this top and have worn it a couple of times already. Skirt is an old favorite of mine S5005 that I've had for many years.

      My second version is a sleeveless one using the same fabric in white.

      This time I used a purchased  trim to form another design of flowers ,a more subtle one.

This white top was very needed in my wardrobe and is very cool in this hot weather. Worn below with a cotton skirt S2764 ( I made an identical one for my DD).

    That's it for now. I have company coming for a couple of weeks but I hope to have time to blog my Burda Style rain jacket that I've finally finished!


Hope you've had time to sew this week! More later from

            

McCall's 6559 My Way

First I'd like to thank all  those who stop by to see what I'm doing and a special thanks to those who leave comments. I appreciate it so much!

McCall's 6559 has had a lot of attention and my version may be a disappointment, but I thought it would work with a narrow navy and white cotton knit stripe from my stash. I only had enough to make a top though.

I used the drawing for View F (the pink stripes) as my laying out guide and cut it off at the second lengthen or shorten line. This is what I came up with.

The contrast is less spectacular than I had envisioned it, but I do like this top a lot. I would like to try a dress using colour blocking but that probably won't happen this summer.

Comments about the pattern.


1.  I cut a size 12 with size 14 at side seams and with my FBA, that worked very well.So the sizing is accurate.


2.  I raised the front neckline 5/8" because it seemed too low. It is just right with this small addition.


3. The pieces fit well together and the instructions were clear.


4.I added neck and arm hole bands  which I think adds a nice touch.The pattern doesn't include them.


5. This is the only negative.I find the arm holes a little too big and I would raise them as well as add a bit to the circumference next time.


And yes, I would make it again and encourage anyone who has rhis pattern , to give it a try.


A couple more peaks..

I'm off for a doctor's appointment. The skirt is my white bull denim which I made last summer.

Have a great weekend Everyone. I hope it's not too hot where you are!