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.

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.

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.

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.

Trouser jeans

When I entered the Jeans Contest on Pattern Review earlier this months, my intentions were to make my first pair of jeans, so I bought B5682.  But the more I looked at the pattern and read the instructions, the more intimidated  I got.  Back pockets and rivets really scare me.  So I decided to make trouser jeans instead, no back pockets and no rivets!  But the trouser jean pattern that came with B5682, just seemed to wide legged, lucky for me  I found a pair of pants I really liked on BurdaStyle, but after reading the reviews I decided the legs needed a little flair, so I combined BurdaStyle and B5682 and this is what I came up with.  I used a 10.5 weight denim, and some vintage buttons I had on hand.

I wanted to do something a little different for the waistband, I lined the inside with a pretty print  and I omitted the belt loops, I never wear a belt anyway.
I also lined the pockets and the flap with the same fabric.

The are actually very comfortable  to wear, and they look good! I can see making a couple more of these in different colors, in the very near future.

Tote

I bought this pattern (B5267) a couple of years ago when I had given up on sewing clothes because I couldn't figure out my size. So when my daughter asked me to make her a tote, I had just the pattern for it.  I made view C and then I decided it didn't have enough pockets so  I added pockets from view C as well.  I used an upholstery fabric I had in my stash, but I didn't have anything for the lining, so I took the fabric and turned it inside out, I  didn't use interfacing because I figured the upholstery fabric was stiff enough that I wouldn't need it, also I thought it would be difficult turning it, if it was too stiff.  I don't know what I used for the pockets and handles, it was some remnant from another project.  It looks like some type of leather/suede synthetic material, anyway it worked.

                                                                    Front of tote

                           Yes I know, this pocket does look like its off a little,
                            I took it took it off three times, and this is the best I could
                           do, its the back of the tote, so no one will notice it, I hope!

                           Inside pocket, see how you can hardly tell this is one
                           wrong side of the fabric?

                             Just to give you an idea of how big this tote is, I put it
                             on my mannequin, it measure 15 x 13 x 5,  I thought it
                             was quite large, but she asked for a big one, I hope she
                             likes it.

A-line skirt

After reading Handmade Jane's blog about her Apple Print Ginger  skirt, a few months ago, I been looking for a pattern for A line skirts, I just fell in love with her skirt, but I didn't have a pattern for one, ever since then I've been  looking for a decent pattern.   Well, I think I found one, although not the same pattern she had, it's definitely easy.  So easy, I whipped up 2 skirts in about 2 hours.  It's M3341 and I used corduroy fabric.  The first one I made turned out too big, I had to take it in quite a bit. This is the second one I made and I made it a size smaller, it fit perfectly.  I was a little disappointed in the back, because of the vertical lines, it makes my butt look wider than it actually is.  Lesson learned, if I ever make a plaid skirt I will need to get extra fabric to match the vertical lines.  All in all I was pretty pleased with the outcome, I think it looks pretty good.  I'll definitely be using this pattern again.