Feeling Spring-y

This may sound counter-intuitive, as you might think you would want to make quilts when it's cold outside, but I really like to make quilted "things", so the seasons aren't as important. Plus, I love bright, springy quilting fabrics. The colors are just so cheery. I decided to pull out a jelly roll, and 2 charm packs that I bought maybe 18 months ago. They were still in the shopping bag, she says *blushing*. It's not quite the first day of spring, but these future placemats might just brighten your day (they aren't finished, and up next are the red and yellow ones).

Jacket Progress

I've tweaked muslin #1, and I think now I'll let it "rest". I'm pretty happy with the results, but will need to do just a bit of further tweaking. Questions I have for y'all?

1. Do you like the length?
2. Do you think I should do a bit more "fitting" to the front? Remember, there are welt pockets to be dealt with if I do.
3. Did I make the shoulder TOO narrow, or does it look just right (from what you can tell)?

When you look at the pictures, ignore the sleeveless side. I only made changes to the side with the sleeve, except for taking in the side seams, and adding the back darts (which need to be raised or lengthened toward the neckline) just a bit.

You can see all these pictures, plus a few more, in flickr, with better descriptions of what I did. And please don't worry about your eyes, I think the tripod is tilted so it's not you, it's me.

While this project is resting, I have a couple more on the drawing board. I won a fabulous giveaway of four patterns for tops from Faye, and I have the perfect fabric for one of them, so this one is first up:

Thanks, Faye!! I'm going to make the short sleeve brown view.

Finally, many of you know that my son has had some recent difficulties. I've decided to separate out any discussion of that, and have started a new blog dealing with only that. I'm not really going to promote it at all here (except for right now, in this post), as I'm trying to maintain some anonymity, but please feel free to drop by and follow if you are at all interested in the subject of mental illness.

Muslin #1 for the RTW Tailoring Sew Along

I'm anxious to get started on this sew along, so I've made the first muslin for my pattern. Just a reminder, this is the pattern I'm making:

The red one, with some pretty drastic alterations in the style department. The pattern really does have some good "bones" though, and I was pleasantly surprised at the fit. For once, I only made ONE change before I started and that was to shorten it by 2". Here's your first look (admittedly the fabric is very light weight, and the final jacket will be more medium weight):

 Right off the bat, you can see it's too big, but not really that much. Most of the "bigness" is the sleeve, which is too long, and too loose-fitting, and the armscye which is too low. That last problem is kind of a relief after all the modern day patterns I've used lately that have armholes so high they cut off the circulation to your arm. I also think there may be too much double breasted overlap, and for the next version I think I will remove 5/8" from each center side, and also 5/8" from the collar. I also want to round the corners of the collar.

Again, here, mostly sleeve issues. The side seam falls nicely straight (can't see that very well, sorry), and the shoulder seam hits at the proper place. The shoulders are just a bit wide. Since the darts come from the shoulder seam, I think I'll try widening the darts 1/4" on each side to solve the shoulder width problem.

There is kind of a glare on this picture. It's a gorgeous day today, so sunny, but that makes taking pictures a bit harder. Anyway, I want the back to be closer fitting, and I'll add contouring darts to the back to accomplish that. The side seams are perfectly straight, and I'll play around with making them a little more "hourglass". I have more of a rectangle figure, but this jacket does make me look boxier than ever! Finally, it's still longer than I want, so I'll cut another 2" off the hem, and see where that takes us. The welt pockets seem a little high, but when I shorten it, they may have to stay a little high. Of course, the button placement will have to be adjusted.

Shoe Review

Disclaimer: I am not being paid at all by this shoe manufacturer. I just love these shoes!

 I love sandals. Well, I should probably say that I love hot weather, so sandals are the perfect footwear. The downside is that sandals do not love me. I am way past the age where I can get away with wearing a pair of rubber flip flops as daywear, and not because they aren't sophisticated or refined, or should really only be worn at the beach or poolside. Rather, they offer zero support. And cushioning? Nada.

Two summers ago, I found a great pair of Clarks leather flip flops, but last summer, much to my dismay, one of them went MIA and has still yet to appear, even after an extensive cleanout of the shoe area in my closet. And this was pre-dog, so who knows where it is. When I saw the above pictured pair of Clarks, they just jumped into my shopping cart. Imagine my delight when I opened the box, and saw all the luscious cushioning, especially for the ball of the foot. Heaven. Of course, if wearing a style that goes between your toes is not for you, proceed with caution, but that's never been a problem for me. They also have a slight heel, or rather incline which is much preferred to completely flat. I have a high arch, and that little bit of inclination can make all the difference in the world.

Anyway, just wanted to share while I await my "muslin" order from Fabric.com. I bought these shoes at 6pm.com, and if you haven't visited that site, go. Go now! Great prices!

Butterick 5173 -- So Comfy

Another quick to make pattern that would have been even quicker if I had only tried it on before hemming it. Take note, and don't do what I did. Actually, I didn't try it on at all until it was finished, which is always a gamble. With knits, I'm more likely to do said gambling.

I bought this fabric last fall at G Street Fabrics in Rockville, Maryland, and readers, I bought a LOT. Not entirely sure why, but you'll see this again. The good thing is that it is a wide border print and I can use the other side for a completely different look. Yeah, that doesn't really make sense.

If this dress were longer, you would see that the pink flowers become white and then that stripe-y bit repeats. Does that help with the making sense? Anyway, this pattern is perfect for the border because it is a really simple design. In fact, if it weren't for the gathering and band part, I would say it's a perfect beginner dress. The band isn't hard, but is a little fussy, and there is some hand sewing involved. I considered simply top stitching the facing down, but wanted (actually, needed) more control around the gathered bit.

I love the back neckline, and that it dips, but not too far. It does appear to be a wee bit snug, but I'm ok with that. Also, if I were to make this again in a less stretchy knit, I might lower the armscye just a bit. As it is, the fabric is so soft and stretchy that it doesn't bother me at all.

I used my coverstitch to hem the sleeves and the bottom hem which became a problem when the bottom hem noticeably dipped in the front. I "made it work" with a semi-haphazard rehem of the front that involved no ripping out of the old hem which was secured with Stitch Witchery anyway. I won't show you the up close of the hem at the sides, and I'm 99% sure that the general public won't notice that anything is amiss.

The only change I made to the size 12 I cut out was to "straighten out" the indent at the waist to give just a bit more ease. Probably not really needed with all that gathering except if I straightened out higher up on the back piece it would address the snugness. Next time. I did it on the front and the back piece.

Finally, in case you were worried that we might be attacked by squirrels here, I have an excellent Squirrel Sentry on duty:

What Should I Do About This?

I'm feeling indecisive, and thought I'd turn once again to my readers and pick your brain about this.

I bought this dress last year at the Talbot's Clearance Center, and paid something like $5-7 for it. What a deal! Initially, I was going to try to make the bodice fit better, and maybe make the sleeves shorter. Then I thought I would use the fabric to make a couple of tops, one using the existing bodice, and then cutting off the skirt and making a shell type tank from that.

The fabric is 86% modal (whatever that is), 9% silk, 5% spandex, and even though it says dry clean, I washed it yesterday and it looks great, and feels amazing. But is the print too much? Look, it has a long, attached belt. Woohoo!

I am wearing a tank under it, as there is pretty major gaping in the neckline. Now that I've worn it most of the day, I'm thinking it's really ok and it's comfy. What do y'all think?

Two Quickies

Yesterday, I wanted to post that I made 2 things in ONE day. But. After spending at least an hour changing the thread on my serger and coverstitch, and then an evening meeting, well, it didn't happen. So, 2 things in TWO days. Ok, not as impressive, but what can ya do?!

Simplicity 2603

With temperatures nearing 70 today in Atlanta (note the sandals), you would think that I would be firmly in spring season mode, but this yummy knit from Gorgeous Fabrics was washed and ready to go, and if it hadn't been for Mary Lou, it would have been made 2 weeks ago. [No need to remind me that the temps were high then, too.]

Anyway, not much to say about it. The knit was extremely stretchy, so I machine basted each seam before serging, and I used 5/8" stitch witchery to hold the hem in place while I coverstitched it. Made the small and lengthened the sleeves to be regular sleeves instead of that sleeve band thing, just because. It will be cozy in the fall. OH, look at me! I'm ahead of schedule! And see, there are still leaves on the ground.

Vogue 8649

Not too much to say about this either. The only change I made was to grade out to the 14 from just above the waistline to the hem, and cut about 3" off the hem. Got my hands on my hips to disguise the muffin top, so spanx would be good here.  Or maybe a little Weight Watchers. Oh, shortened the sleeves, too. I should have made a sway back adjustment, because the back is a little wonky. It's a little va-va-voom, so I'll be wearing a tank under it (that might help with the muffins).