Sunday, February 26, 2012

Retro top

Well this isn't really a retro top, but the fabric sure reminds me of some of those wild colors in the 60's and 70's.  The  pattern is  Vogue 1247 and I really  like it, it's a pull over top, made with rayon fabric, so it's really drapes well.  Because of  the bright colors I chose some faded jeans to wear it with, kinda tone it down a bit. Instructions for the top calls for french seams, but I think next time I make this top, I'll omit the french seams and zig zag or use my pinking shears on the  edges.  It tends to get a little bulky right in the middle where all the seams come together.  Other than than I'm very pleased with the outcome.



Saturday, February 18, 2012

Dog bone dress

When I bought this fabric, I didn't set out to make a dress out of it, I just liked it, or maybe I liked the fact that it was on clearance, any way you couldn't beat the price.  It's 100% cotton with tiny dog bones print, they're hardly noticeable.
I didn't like the style if the dress I made last week, even though I liked the dress itself, I didn't like it on me. So for this week I went with Simplicity 2424, it's a very simple dress with a 22" zipper and big belt loops on the sides, it's meant to be worn with a belt and cardigan.  I didn't make a cardigan to wear with it, maybe later I'll find some fabric that goes well with it.  I also didn't  make a belt for it, I did try on a belt, but I didn't think it looked good on me, so...no belt for me.  I must say, I do like this style better, its more of a casual dress or maybe its the print  that makes me think that, anyway I  think it fits me better and better suited for my body.  But enough of that, I'll let you be the judge.



Saturday, February 11, 2012

The dress that almost wasn't!

I was inspired last week when I saw someone post a dress that I was planning on making.  I thought I'd tackle that dress, since I already had a fabric that I thought would be perfect and I couldn't wait to see what my version of that same dress would look like.  I can honestly say I've never been more frustrated, I almost threw it in the fire, not once but twice!! At one point I gave up on it and just tried to relax with a bottle of wine.  I did manage to finish the dress a couple headaches later.  The collar gave me more trouble than anything, or so I thought until I got to the zipper, invisible zipper I might add, because I thought it would be a good touch, I had never put in an invisible zipper, and I don't know if I'll ever do it again. In fact I don't know if I'll ever make this dress again, I don't know if it's worth the headache.  I am proud of myself for not throwing it in the fire and actually finishing it, I'm still debating on the look though, I just don't think its my style, who knows, maybe it'll grow on me.




Friday, February 3, 2012

Can't wait for summer, top!

I know it's the middle of winter, but I can't help thinking about  summer tops.  It might be the mild weather we're experiencing here in the Midwest, regardless, I'm already getting a head start on summer tops, this is the first summer top I've sewn this year, it's B5439.  Although it calls for stretch woven, I found a print I absolutely loved, but it happened to be cotton.  I figured what the heck, the worse thing that can happen is I won't be able to pull it over my head, in  which case I could always put a zipper on it,   I took my chances and it turned out fine.  Maybe next time I make this top, I will try  a knit fabric.