I'm baaaaaack!

So, let's state the obvious: it's been almost 2 months since I posted. I've been kicking myself about it throughout my entire hiatus, but I just haven't found the energy for blogging. In preparation for this post, I took a bunch of pictures of all of the things I've made lately (I have been making things, I swear!), but even then, I wasn't quite sure where to start. 

Since the Refashioners challenge is going on right now, and since I'd really love to win that prize pack, let's start with that project, shall we? When I first started getting into sewing a few years ago, the couple of blogs that I followed were very big into refashioning. I saw so many cute projects made with men's button-down shirts, so I headed off to Goodwill and picked up quite a few of them (at fill-a-bag prices, they were only about $0.25 each!). 

After just one failed refashion attempt, I threw the remaining shirts in a corner and forgot about them...until I saw this picture of a quilt top that Sewaholic had been working on, and knew I had to do the same. 

[It was a windy day, I swear (/hope) it's straight!]

Luckily, the shirts I'd picked out way back when had a very unified color scheme! Cutting the shirts apart was a task, but I plopped down on the floor with some good (trashy) T.V. and set about getting as many usable pieces of fabric as I could. I decided to go with
6" x 6" blocks to maximize fabric. I also decided, kind of last-minute, to keep the pockets as a fun little detail. 

When it came time to do the actual quilting, I was inspired by Handmade Jane's method, and went with complementary blue thread to fit the theme. I also found some random gray cotton in my stash that I decided to use for the binding (very proud that I decided not to go out and buy store-bought binding for this one). 

The layout took me a while, but I like how the alternating vertical-horizontal stripes stripes turned out. 

I had no idea what to use for the back, but I stumbled on some great chambray at Wal-Mart for $1/yard! After washing, it turns out that it's not actually so great (though I shouldn't be surprised at that price tag) - it tears easily, so I'll have to be really careful when using this. I do like the look of the quilting on the back, though!

I have no idea how big this is, but there's a fair bit hanging over the edge of the fence at the top. Maybe a skinny twin? I can't decide if I want to keep this for myself or give it as a gift, but I do know that I love it!
 

Bonus: I've got extra bit all pieced (though I'm not sure how to finish it, because it's really not big enough for anything). Any ideas?

Anyway, hopefully I can get back to my regular blogging schedule soon (although my upcoming trip to Istanbul might throw a wrench in that - I definitely plan to buy ALL of the fabric, though, I'll have to show you when I get back!).

 

Feeling a bit out-of-place

Hi all! I guess it's that time of the year where my best intentions of posting more frequently just fall by the wayside. Oops.

Anyway, a couple of months ago, I saw that Kennis at Itch to Stitch put out a call for testers for her Lindy Petal skirt. I saw the design and thought it was super cute, but that it wouldn't really work for me, so didn't sign up to test. Well, when she released the (free!) pattern a few weeks later, I could resist downloading it and printing it out. And then, in a move that is very unlike me, I sewed it up that same night!

It was a very quick, easy make, which is just what I'd been looking for! I used a (surprise, surprise) floral print mystery stretch fabric I had in my stash. I managed to squeeze all of the pieces out onto the 1 yard I had.

Since this fabric frays like crazy, I overlocked all of the edges. All in all, this only took me an hour or two (including putting together the PDF pattern and cutting out the fabric!)

Unfortunately, this look really isn't "me," and I haven't worn this yet, except to take these pictures. (Note to self: pencil skirts, especially stretchy ones, aren't really kind to people with tummies and flat butts.)

Judging by my blog roll, everyone and their mother has now sewn this skirt up...Have you caught Lindy fever yet?

Monthly stitch madness

So my goal for this month was to participate in all four Monthly Stitch Indie Pattern Month contests. I did okay on week one, but on week 2, though my tank top was pretty successful, my skirt sure wasn't. I might try to revisit it one day, but for now, it's in the UFO (aka time out) bin, I just couldn't take it anymore!

For week three (new to me), my plan was to finally make a Gabriola. However, at the beginning of the week, I was chosen as a tester for a pattern company I hadn't heard of before, KZJO Studio. She had three patterns out for testing, but based on what's in my stash, I chose to only test one - the Charlotte Tunic. (I really wanted to try to make Charlotte and Gabriola, but life got in the way, alas. Stupid Chicago flooding...Good thing I didn't commit to more pattern testing!)

To be honest, I initially thought this was a tank top when I signed up to test. Then I thought it was a dress, albeit a short one, and wore it as such, both to a party last night and for these pictures. Now, however, I realize it's really supposed to be worn with pants or leggings! Oh well. The great thing about sewing your own patterns is that it's "supposed to be" whatever you want it to be. I've already got a maxi version cut out, and may even have a couple of stash fabrics that would be good for tank top versions.

I picked up some pretty, slinky poly fabric recently during one of my allowed stash-adding weekends, and I wanted a simple make to show off the pattern properly. This tunic turned out to be just the ticket! For my first version, I cut and sewed as instructed, going with a straight size 16. Since my fabric frayed so much, I used French seams, and since the bias binding shows through on the straps, I went with some pretty lace I had on hand. 

Once I realized this wasn't a tank top, I honestly didn't think it would be very flattering on me, at least not without a belt. It's not my typical fit-and-flare, but...I really like it! I initially had some under-arm gaping, but that's pretty common with all of my makes (I've only recently discovered that this probably means I need a full bust adjustment). Since this was already cut and mostly sewn, I just added some darts, and I think it works fine. 

Pattern notes: Overall, I think the pattern itself is really well-drafted. It's simple enough to be good for a confident beginner (the bias tape might be a little challenging for a true novice), but with enough visual interest to not get boring. The instructions are pretty well written (and are currently being revised before the release to be even better!), and the diagrams/pictures are really excellent. 

What I'd change next time: I'd add at least a few inches so I can wear this as a dress without fear of flashing everyone. :) Because of the French seams, my total seam allowance ended up being a bit more than the intended 1/2", so it was a bit tighter than I'd thought in the bust. I'd probably size up to the 18 next time. 

KZJO Studio is planning to release all three patterns on Tuesday (a racerback knit dress, and a cute summer cardigan, in addition to this tunic), and is offering 15% off until June 30th! What do you think - would you give this pattern a try?

Indie Pattern Month Commences!

Welp, Indie Pattern Month has started over at the Monthly Stitch, and for once, I'm able to participate (just in time!). 

In a departure from my usual style and my usual choice of fabric pattern, I've made the Sonja dress from Salme patterns.

In addition to having a thing for floral, I also really have a thing for lace. The only problem is, lace and I have never quite seen eye to eye. I guess I'm not super great at working with underlining just yet, but with this dress, finally, it came together!

It's hard to tell in these photos, but this is underlined in a mystery drapey green fabric (that also stretched out while sewing and gave me a few headaches, but I think I overcame them). 

Issues with the pattern:
-You might be able to tell from the picture above that there was some gaping near the armpit. I added an extra dart here, and I think it worked out fine. 

[Pretty sure this lays better when my arms are down.]

-I should've read the pattern more carefully before I started, because seam allowances aren't included. That, coupled with the fact that I didn't take proper measurements, meant that this ended up way too small at first. I added a couple of inches in the back, which is hopefully a pretty inconspicuous fix. 
-Like a lot of people who've sewn this pattern, I omitted the facings and went with bias binding instead. I think most of us agree that facings often just get in the way. 
-This is a simple dress that's pretty easy to put together without instructions. That said, I glanced over the instructions, and they didn't exactly seem clear. 

Those issues aside, I think I'll probably make this up again. There are a couple of minor adjustments I can make to fit, but I think it looks pretty good as-is, right? 

Are you participating in Indie Pattern Month? I'm loving all of the dresses I've seen over there so far!

Is anyone surprised by my next choice of print?

AKA, more florals. No, not surprised? Okay, good. I like to meet expectations, of course. 

This is my second (successful) version of Butterick 5748. My first one turned out pretty darn well, if I do say so myself. My second one (unblogged) was a couple of inches too small. Even though I used the same size. Even though I haven't gained that much weight. So for this version, because I loved this print so much and didn't want to ruin more fabric, I added quite a bit of room all over. And then, of course, had to take out all of the extra room, and then some.

This was 2 yards of some fairly slinky gray/blue floral print from Hancock Fabrics, which I probably picked up for about $1.50 per yard. (Side note - I can't imagine myself ever caring enough about type of fabric to do a burn test. Sorrynotsorry, you'll have to settle for my ridiculous descriptions. :) I really only care about the print, always and forever.)

I love the back of this dress (along with a beautiful view of my healing sunburn). However, I can't imagine the back of this will ever be seen in real life, because...

While I was putting the finishing touches on the inside (aka serging some seams)...I made a big boo-boo. I cut a HUGE hole in there, and this was my lazy effort to fix it. It probably won't last for long, I'll have to go back and find a longer-term solution. That hasn't stopped me from wearing it so far, though...and my mom even said she likes this one! Something about it being more "subtle," ha.

What's your most recent disaster? Or "make it work" moment?

Flowers to the max!

(I am really really sorry about that title. Not sorry enough to change it, but...sorry.) For once I've got a seasonally appropriate garment to share, woohoo!

Although I've had a bit of a love-hate relationship with this pattern lately, my "tried and true" Simplicity 4070 bodice came through on this one! All in all, this dress only took me a couple of hours, and was the perfect palate cleanser after a recent sewing fail.

I picked up this fabric last year after I fell off the wagon with my 2014 stash bust, and before I signed up for this year's try. It's a pretty sheer cotton with swiss dots and, of course, flowers! I think it was only $1.50 a yard at the Vogue Fabrics warehouse sale (minus an extra 15% off coupon!), and I'm glad it hasn't lingered in my stash like some of the other goodies I've picked up there over the years. (The spring sale was this past weekend, and I'm immensely proud of myself that I only picked up 2 new pieces (okay, okay, aside from some Simpson's quilting cotton for my mom (FINE, it's mostly for me))). 

As usual, I had to do my cross-back straps - these things really are a lifesaver that prevent me constantly needing to pull them up. The skirt is basically a big pleated tube, but after wearing it for a day, I realized it was kind of hard to walk quickly or take long strides in it, so I added a slit (which I did completely wrong, honestly, but hey, live and learn).

The top's completely underlined in mystery white fabric from the stash, but the bottom's only underlined to the knee (which didn't show up in any of my pictures, oops). 

 

I love maxi dresses, I really do, but I kept catching glimpses of myself while we were out shopping and was worried I looked frumpy. I think the pictures look fine, but...I don't know. Does anyone else ever get that feeling?

(Also, though I have not managed to take a single picture of it (outside of new posts), Me-Made May is going well! I've got a couple more pieces to throw into rotation before the end of the month, but I'm confident it won't be a problem.)

I'm never very good at being seasonally appropriate

I try and I try, but when the mood strikes and I want something, I want it now. 

A little background story (haven't you come to expect and even love these?) On my last business trip, I made it a point to go to Village Wool, a cute little knitting shop with some fantastic sales. While I was there, I picked up a book containing a pattern for a Square Back Wrap, and 2 skeins of gorgeous merino/silk 50/50 blend (for 1/2 off!). Well...me and that little wrap didn't get along very well, unfortunately. I've never done any lace work, and so I took the yarn and the pattern to a monthly knitting group I recently joined. They tried valiantly to help, but most of us were out of our depth. After a few false starts, I decided to just give up on that pattern altogether. (I've been trying to find a similar wrap/shawl pattern that doesn't look frumpy, but no luck yet.)

 [Too hard!]

Needing something a bit simpler, I decided to give Andi Satterlund's free cropped sweater pattern a try. I've heard great things about her patterns, and this pattern, though free, is no exception. I love the cabling on her Chuck pattern, but I actually like the shape of the cropped sweater better.

[Sorry, it's hard to photograph black.]

However, because I like to make things difficult on myself, I decided to add some cool cabling to the front. After knitting and frogging too many rows of a different cable pattern several times, I switched to a latticed diamond cable with some cool borders on the sides. That one knit up much more easily.

All in all, this took about a month to complete, and only 2 of the 5 skeins I purchased. Just in time for 80 degree weather, of course, but at least I'll have it handy for chillier nights, and for next fall! What should I do with the rest? 

In other news, Me-Made May is going well! I haven't taken any outfit pics, but I have worn me-made every day (except the first day because I forgot it was a new month). It's also motivated me to sew sew sew. I've now finished a floral maxi dress, another floral dress, and am almost done with a stretchy floral knit skirt. (Is anyone surprised by all of the florals at this point?) Pics to come soon! How's your (me-made) May progressing?