I'm Getting There - Buttericks 5316 & 5351

This Calc II class is kicking my butt, so these dresses will remain unfinished for at least a week, but I'm getting there!



















This is Butterick 5216, a Fast & Easy Chetta B design. Made in view B size 12 with full lining, the armholes are already problematic. I think I should've made a 10 for the bodice and done a full bust adjustment (FBA). Oh well. Another issue is the pleating in the front waist area; I look poofy. It could be the full lining, but I really think it's the waist being too low (I have a short waist). Next time I'll do a petite adjustment.




















I've made this pattern, Butterick's 5351,before in view A. Unfortunately, it was waaaaaay too big in the bodice (I initially cut a 14 since the finished measurements for that size aligned with my own measurements). This time I sized down to a 10 in the bodice and 12 in the skirt. Though it's a little snug in the bust, it's a much better fit than before. I did make a different (easier) view this time, C. And I clearly need to fix the position of the straps.

Simplicity 3835 - Built By Wendy

But I did the hard labor.

Anyway, a quick and cute shirt, the middle view there. Made in a size 14, I eliminated the back seam (I wasn't going to include a zipper) and nixed the elasticated sleeves.

Fabric Haul - Vogue is Threatening to Bankrupt Me

So even though my car is out of commission and I'm dealing with some money issues, I still had the audacity to go to Vogue Fabrics for their Super Summer Sale! (Capitalization and punctuation all theirs.) I figure spending a few bucks on some fabric is much more responsible than buying outfits. I figure this way I'll save hundreds. Right? (Right?)

Left: Stretch Cotton Print. Will probably become a sheath or dress with pleated skirt.

Right: Jersey Knit. Will become a simple bat-winged dress.

Left: Cotton Knit. Another simple dress.
Right: Jersey Knit. I love this one and will probably meditate on it a bit.

Left: Linen-like print. Not sure about this one either.
Right: Another gorgeous stretch cotton print. Probably another dress, but I'll minimize the print with a solid bodice.

Left: Cotton Jersey. Not sure.
Right: Gorgeous textured clearance fabric. Only $1.29 a yard! I'm already envisioning a fitted bodice and full skirt. Maybe a petticoat or some gold piping to add some interest. We'll see. Either way, I already have it accessorized:

Anyway, I haven't been completely sedentary. I've pretty much finished three dresses. I just need to hem them and add zippers. There's another that needs sleeves attached, and a final piece that I just cut out:


And just to get some instant gratification, I've made a couple of simple skirts:

Straight skirt with side vent in Alexander Henry's Bird Seed (yellow). Forgive the wrinkling; it's been worn.

Basically an elasticated tube made from a very small amount of Ikea's Majken.

And an unsuccessful tiered skirt from Laura Gunn's Lantern Bloom collection.

I'm Back: Summer 2010 Sewing

Yeah, so while I treat blogging in general like a red-headed stepchild (what's so bad about red hair? anyone know the etymology of this saying?), this blog in particular gets the poorly-dressed, humpbacked stepchild treatment. Sorry! I just have one of those constitutions where things go in cycles--lazy on, lazy off.

Anyway, I'm energized. After getting a shot to my sewing mojo via classes at The Needle Shop, I've been making plans, BIG plans:

Cross Over

My latest interior decoration attempts at Fat Meat Is Greasy.

Headroom in the Bedroom

So the inspiration I cited here is slowly making a difference.

I made pillows for my now stained, erected, boxspringed, and mattressed bed. Again, Ikea is fabulous. Cheap cushions for covering.





$1.49 and $2.99, 14"x14" and 20"x20", respectively.

Easily turn those into these.

Reversible with piping

I recommend that finished pillow covers are one-half to one full inch smaller than the measurement of the pillow for a more snug, less baggy look. Also, don't bother with zippers. Just make the back panel about two inches wider, cut in half, fold and hem at the meeting points, and sew front and back panels together at all four sides to make an easily removable cover.

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Also made a dress that I won't wear this season since summer was a selfish ass. Plus, I made it way bigger than I am, so it needs to be taken in and hemmed.

Okay, So This Is Sooo Not a Knitting Blog Anymore

It's more like my hobby-of-the-moment diary, replete with pictures and good-intentioned but mostly unexecuted plans.

Right now my hobby is decorating my floor of the new apartment. The bathroom's done up in a slightly ridiculous luau/monkey theme, and the bedroom is next.

My inspiration? Laura Gunn's Lantern Bloom Collection for Michael Miller. Seriously pretty stuff. I love the whole turquoise and red thing. Mirar.