2017 Year End Round-Up

Due to family issues,  2017 started off slow sewing.  But about mid-year things settled down and I was able to get back in the sewing room.  I worked on several quilts;  made a set of throw pillows, an apron, and a handbag;  9 pair of flannel pj pants for the grands; and 11 garments.  Of the 11 garments, I gave away 5 of them as they just didn't work for me.

Here's what I kept for myself:

Maxi skirt -  black textured rayon blend;  Simplicity 4137

Shirt-waist dress - black/red floral cotton blend; McCall's 6891

2 knit pencil skirts - black and gray; no pattern

Button front skirt - brown corduroy; New Look 6625

T-shirt dress - gray Ponte knit; Simplicity 1622

Now that I'm back to sewing, maybe I'll get back to regular blogging too.

Monthly recap & plans

Monthly Recap

This month I sewed 5 garments and used 10 yards of fabric.  Overall, I'm pleased since these are all things I'll wear and there were no wadders. 

Lace Jacket
Pattern: Butterick 3532
Fabric: Gray cotton broadcloth and cream colored lace (2-1/2 yds)



























Knit Tankattern: Simplicity 4192 Fabric: Yellow textured knit (1 yd) 

 






















Knit Top
Pattern: McCall's 7286
Fabric: Turquoise print, turquoise solid, tan solid (2 yds)

Black knit midi tee-shirt dress
Pattern: Butterick 6330
Fabric: Black knit (2 yds)

Kimono Jacket
Pattern: Simplicity 8172
Fabric: Rayon challis, 2 prints (2-1/2 yds)

August Plans
I'm finished with summer sewing, but not ready to sew for fall/winter, so I'm kind of in limbo.
I'll start on my skirt draft in preparation for making pants for cool weather.
And work on Riley's quilt and hopefully finish it this month.
Also, look though the UFO basket and see if there's anything I want to work on.
And maybe work on some quilts.

Back Yoke Knit Top

After recently making McCall's 7284  in a woven fabric,  I decided I'd like a knit top with a back yoke.    So for this top, I used the back of the McCall's pattern and the  front of Vogue 9057.

 

 
The fabrics I used:  The print is an ITY I bought on-line several years ago - I think from FabricMart; the black is a thin rayon blend from Joann Fabrics; and the purple lace came from Walmart.  I also used the black underneath the lace.

McCall's 7284 Top

This is a great pattern.



















I love the neckline - it's a nice faced V.   It's not too low and it lays nice and flat.

I also love that the gathered bodice has just the right amount of fullness - it doesn't look like a maternity top.  I love the band across the bottom. 

It wasn't quite as long as I thought it would be.  So instead of hemming it, I added a narrow strip to the bottom.

The armholes are small and high and when I inserted the sleeves, they were too tight.  So,   I made it sleeveless.  I put self-fabric bias binding on the armholes.

I changed the way the front yoke attaches to the lower bodice as I don't like trying to do inset corners.

I love sewing cotton woven tops.  And they are perfect to wear in hot, humid summer heat.

McCall's 7286 Polka Dot Top

I bought this pattern on Thursday and made it the next day.   I bought it because of the raglan sleeves and the 2 hemline options.   I made the first view - with short sleeves and rounded hem.   I plan to make the other view too.

I started with my usual size medium.  Since it's described as close-fitting and I like my tops loose through the middle, I started just below the bust and added a little to both the center and side seams.   I also made a swayback adjustment too.  The fit turned out perfect.  And the neckline fits so nice - just high enough and narrow enough. 

I love polka dots and love this fabric.  It's a very soft cotton knit that I got at Joann's a year ago and paid $2.50 yard.   I bought 4 yards and only used 1 yard for this top.  The white is a small piece I had left over from something else.

 

I wanted some basic summer tees that are pretty and fit better than RTW.   And I'm happy with how this first one turned out.  Now onto the next one.

Summer Top - McCall's 7359

I love sewing and wearing woven cotton tops. This is a great pattern with some interesting details.

What I like best is the neckline - it's a folded neckband.  I also like the front pleat - it gives room over the tummy without being maternity looking.  I also like the shape of the front horizontal seam.


















 

I like least the cut-on, dolman sleeves.  In my fabric, they're stiff and bulky.  In a lighter fabric, they'd be better.  When I use this pattern again, I'm thinking about changing it to regular set in sleeves.  Also, the back is a little tight across the fanny for me.  Next time, to give me more room, I'll add a pleat similar to the one in the front.  It turned out shorter than I anticipated, so I will also add some length.

I made a size medium through neck and shoulders going out to large at the hips.  The only change I made was that I rounded the front hemline instead cutting straight across. I think this is more flattering.

And my sewing partner, Paisley.

 

Blue Velvet Top

The fabric is a crushed panne' velvet from Joann Fabrics. The color is called "princess blue" and is such a pretty color.  Even though it's 100% polyester, it looks nice and feels great to wear.  And it comes out of the washer and dryer looking great.  For the neckband, I used a black thin stretchy knit.

The pattern is McCalls 7247.  I lengthened the front by 3 inches

I'm not in love with this top.  The fit is not quite right, so I'm constantly rearranging the overlap.  I didn't feel like the overlap was secure and would stay in place, so I wore a black silkie camisole underneath.




Now some cute puppy pictures:

LITTLE MISS PAISLEY