I’ve always been terrible at remembering birthdays/anniversaries/etc., but even I can’t believe I missed the one year anniversary of my blog! Happy anniversary, self! Do better next year, okay? In all seriousness, thank you for letting me ramble, and for looking at all my wonky stitching. Let’s look at some of things I’ve subjected your eyeballs to this year, shall we?
Bewbs! And my first adventure in boning.
So many awkward poses!
I looked at my buttons a bit too much…
We finished UFO’s from the stone age!
It’s been quite a year!!! I hope you’ve all enjoyed it as much as I have. I’m busy prepping for Christmas, but I wanted to share some sneak peeks of future posts, plus one adorable (albeit shittily done) Christmas puppy collage.
My Christmas party frock, just waiting to be photographed and posted 😉My first Sewaholic Granville, very excited about finishing this one.I AM SO EXCITED FOR THIS ONE YOU GUYS!!!!I really tried to get a nice, festive photo of Albus and Lily as Mr. & Mrs. Claus for you guys, bu they just weren’t having it.
Here’s to a very happy holiday to all of you! I hope your season is as wonderful as mine, happy sewing! 🙂
Posing gets even more awkward than this, I am so sorry.
I’ve been on a pretty serious destashing kick, so buying this Craftsy kit came as a bit of surprise to even me. That said…fabric and a pattern for $15? No way I was passing that up!
I don’t know why I insist on looking down
The pattern is McCall’s 6885, and the fabric is Robert Kaufman’s dotty chambray, and I’m a big fan. The model on the pattern packaging is wearing something truly heinous, but please don’t let that deter you.
Photo “credit” to McCall’s. Yes, the hat pattern is included.
I really liked the look of view D, kind of like a oversized men’s shirt but wearing it as a dress look, so that’s what I went with. Based on the pattern size chart, I should have graded between a size 14 and a 16. Based on everything I know about myself, I cut a 12. I do not like my clothes that loose, but that’s just personal preference. I liked the way the 12 fits, but I would cut the sleeves a teensy bit bigger if I could do it again. Also the sides come up a bit high, but that’s just the pattern design. I would suggest wearing tights if you want to look classy. I give no fucks about that.
Trying to look cool but even Amy’s dog is judging me.
The construction is pretty simple, as far as anything with a collar goes. There are various methods for collar constructing, but I opted to just go with the pattern version. The button placket is way easier than I expected!! If that kind of thing scares you, have no fear. Mine is far from perfect, but that’s honestly just because I get in my own head and freak myself out. There are also plackets (tabs? I don’t know) on the sleeves, but those are even easier. There is no yoke in the back, unlike the previous shirt dress I made, seriously a no fuss dress.
Okay so maybe the back is bit snug. Whatever.
I did snap buttons on this one again, because I still haven’t replaced my buttonhole foot. Yes, you should definitely button/snap to the second button/snap. I like to have cleavage, so I don’t. Again, preference.
A little boobage never hurt anyone, probably.
I will for sure sew this pattern again, it’s easy and it would definitely fit into my wardrobe. I also really dig this fabric, I really want to make another dress with it and button down, at least. This is the second time I’ve sewn with chambray, and I would definitely say this is the higher quality fabric. It doesn’t wrinkle nearly as easily, though the skirt portion did wrinkle when I sat at my desk for a long period of time. All things considered, I really like this, I’ve actually worn it a few times since I made it! If the Crafty kits ever come back in stock, I’d suggest snatching one up. Happy sewing 🙂
Christmas is almost upon us!! I’ve been busy sewing up a storm, but not so busy taking pictures. So while I wait for photo time, I thought I’d give you a few tips on what to get the beginner sewist (sewer?) in your life. Keep in mind, these are just my thoughts, others may have different opinions.
The Machine
With sewing machines, it seems you really do get what you pay for. And what you pay could be in the thousands! This machine comes at a great price, and is MUCH better than the bargain machines. Seriously.
This machine is “sew” good. For the price.
The Scissors
Everyone who sews will tell you, time and time again, you need a good pair of fabric shears. And you must NEVER cut paper with them. Not even one time. Don’t do it. Use a cheap pair of any kind of paper, but don’t disrespect the fabric shears. For all my fellow lefties out there, here’s a nice pair of Kai scissors, or you could always go with the much beloved Gingher scissors.
They are beautiful, if you’re right handed.
Seam Finishing
If you’ve never sewn, you’ve probably not given any thought to seam finishes. If you sew, you probably think about it a lot. Most beginners seem to start out with a good pair of Pinking Shears. Pinking shears will minimize fraying and give you a cleaner finish. Be advised, finishing seams is a must.
If you plan to sew a lot of knits (think tshirts and hoodies), a serger might be a better choice. Serged seams allow for stretch and also provide a clean finish. However, a serger will cost you a good bit more, and I do think it’s worth mastering a straight stitch machine first.
This is my serger, and it’s a pretty damn affordable.
Fabric
For a beginner, I personally think it’s best to buy fabric you can touch first. Get a feel for the fabric, learn a few terms, test stretch. While I do think there’s an amazing selection of fabrics online, it’s always a gamble. I think a gift card to a local fabric shop would be a much better option, just remember make sure said shop sells more than just quilting cotton 😉
Patterns
Start simple, set yourself up for success. The Sewaholic Rae Skirt is a great beginner project for wovens (read: not stretchy) that looks awesome on, and McCall’s 6754 is a great starter knit pattern, I still make it regularly!
Various Notions
The budding sewists is going to need a variety of other notions, most of which can be purchased where ever you buy your fabric. I wouldn’t even attempt sewing without a seam ripper. A few other necessities: a seam gauge, measuring tape, something for marking, such as tailor’s chalk, and good pins. There are so many other items I could name right now, but this should get you started! Happy sewing 🙂
Uncomfortable in front of the camera? Play with your hem.
When Melissa from Mahlica Designs contacted me about participating in Blue Dot Patterns creative sewing challenge, I immediately knew I wanted to do the Margo Blouse, but I had no idea what I would do with it. And then I won a free giant tshirt from my favorite local business.
A very large, very wrinkly shirt.
I love the Drink Tavern. It’s like my Cheers. The owners, Doug and Mary, are two of the best people you’ll ever meet. The regular patrons there are like family to me. When I first moved here, these were the people who befriended me. It’s like home. Seriously. It rocks.
I made Doug pose with me at Friendsgiving.
I knew I wanted to use my Drink Tavern shirt, but the Margo pattern is for wovens, not knits. Also the pattern is already a bit more “flowy” than I’d normally wear (what can I say, I like tight clothes), so I sized all the way down to an extra small (according the pattern chart, I should have cut a medium). I also skipped the facings, due to lack of fabric. Given the opportunity, I would have used the facings. For the neckline, I turned and stitched the hem. For the sleeves, I just used the existing sleeve hems. I did a wavy hem on the bottom, because I liked it and it’s easy! I took about an inch out of the shoulders, which is pretty common for me and my stumpy shoulders. You may not have to. I also only used two buttons instead of three, since mine were huge. Looking at it, I could have crammed three.
Doug gets a little sassy.
I just serged the whole thing together, from cutting the fabric to sewing the buttons, the whole project took maybe two hours. Diane’s pattern instructions were very easy to follow, I had no problems assembling the pdf or following the pattern.
I blame the cold for this disgruntled face.
I really can’t think of anything else, this is such a simple and easy pattern! If you have any questions, feel free to ask. Now comes the part where I share some extra photos, as I’m out of commentary. Be sure to check out my fellow sewalong participants listed below, and happy sewing! 🙂
It’s hard to look through all these smiling pictures from weeks ago, when I can’t muster a smile now. I lost a very dear friend, and one of the few people on the earth I’ve ever connected with, on Friday. I won’t go on and on about it, but forgive me if I’m a little morose, okay?
Why do jeans have such tiny pockets??
This is the McCall’s 6844 cardigan pattern, you’ve probably sewn it yourself. It’s been done by everyone, I think. I cut this particular version last year, before I had even started blogging. The fabric is a lovely sequined sweater knit from Joann’s, and unfortunately, they don’t seem to carry it anymore. 🙁 But yay for finishing projects!
Long enough to cover the ghetto booty.
Somewhere along the line, I managed to lose this pattern. So the garment you seen here is the product of cut pattern pieces and what I felt like should happen to them. I serged the bodice portion together, added the lower pieces, scarf-type pieces, and then sleeves. All just serged, no darts or gathers of any kind. I vaguely recall the pattern calling for interfacing, but this didn’t get any. I also have two extra scarf pieces that I did NOTHING with. We’re calling this one a wearable muslin, okay? And, just like before, I have no idea what size I cut.
Awkward Cousin Itt photo
Apparently, when I cut this fabric, I did so with reckless disregard for the strips on the fabric. For the most part, it actually came out pretty okay. In the photo above, you can see where it did not! Also, just like in my previous post, it’s a bit snug. When I make this again, I’ll grade up in the sleeves. Since this is just a muslin, and a knit, I didn’t finish the hem or the sleeves. I kinda dig the way it came out, though!!! Perfect for work, comfortable to wear around the house. Oh!! And check that tank underneath, recognize it? It’s the peplum top I made! I wear the hell out of this thing, definitely my most worn make!
Remember me?
This quick cardigan was definitely worth a make for me. And I get the deeply satisfying feeling of cleaning up old UFO’s in my sewing room! Win win. Pardon the short post, this is all the cheer I could manage. Happy sewing 🙂
Do you remember the Nightmare Coat? It was my very first post, so probably not. The nightmare coat earned it’s name based on that fucking headache-inducing fabric. The nightmare dress is made of something very similar, just thinner. It’s a thin wool houndstooth, from Joann’s sometime last year. It also has the same tendency to fray and drive me insane.
Lol Springsteen butt.
I had originally made this dress with a longer hem line and 3/4 sleeves, so that I could wear it work without a cardigan. When I say originally, I mean last Christmas, when I started this one (I’ve been on a serious finishing ufo’s kick). To be honest, it looked a kinda dowdy that way. A little Laura Ingalls Wilder, ya know? To top it off, the fabric seemed to fray every time I looked at it, even though I’d stitched and serged everything? I need some tips on dealing with this tricky fabric!
Finished!
Forward to a few weeks ago, when I decided to dust it off (literally) and fix it. I chopped the sleeves off and raised the hem above the knee, then just turned under and hemmed. In honesty, I have no idea where the pattern is or what size I cut. I do remember assembling the bodice and skirt per the pattern instructions. Last winter I was a good bit thinner than I am now, and it shows in this dress. Check out the pleats in the picture below to see what I’m talking about.
See the pulling?
I kinda like this dress as is, I just would make it a bit looser, fix the arm scythe, and use a different fabric. I love the red and black, it gives it a sort of 90’s punk rock look, which I am all about. But this fabric…ugh. Never again. NEVER!!!
I don’t give a fuck what you think.
All of that said, I will wear this dress until it falls apart. I wear every single garment I’ve ever made, even the fails. I took my time and effort to make something out of a flat sheet of fabric, and that’s damn impressive. I am proud of each project, truly. If you don’t like what I make or feel I could have made it better, you don’t have to look at it. That’s how it works. I have found the online sewing community to be extremely warm and welcoming overall, I love talking to you all and seeing all the wonderful things you’ve made. I like discussing techniques and laughing at errors with you. But for the minority of you who just choose to be kind of shitty, might I suggest you fuck off?
I don’t what it is about fall that makes me want to make knit dresses. It seems most people make them in the summer, but…cozy knits are all about fall for me. This particular knit came from Joann’s and was purchased specifically for the Davie dress. The fabric has a good bit of stretch, but is still pretty solid and holds it’s shape well, which I thought would be perfect for this.
“Yeah, definitely take my picture in front of the bucket”
I decided early on to not do the top stitching here, because this fabric is textured and I wanted the focus to be on that. In hindsight, I think black top stitching would look pretty good on this one. Since I skipped that, I made this dress almost entirely with my serger. I really wish I had a cover stitch machine, I’d love to finish my hems and necklines that way! But alas, I don’t. So all openings were just turned and stitched. 🙁
I like fat hems and I cannot lie.
This pattern is crazy easy. No darts, no pleats, all princess seams. In honesty, I didn’t use the instructions. I cut view B in an 8, and just started sewing all the pieces together. I should have cut a 10, but since I was just serging and therefore having a smaller seam allowance, I sized down. The keyhole is very easy, again just fold and stitch. I’m not sure what Tasia suggests as far as hem size, but I like a large hem and I definitely had enough length to do it.
Don’t look at the hair, just don’t it.Blurry face and body, but not blurry dress? PERFECT.
Also I added the Saltspring again. I tend to add them where there are already notches on the pattern, because it’s just easy. On this dress, I think it added too much bulk to the hips. I wish I had done them lower or maybe in a different, less bulky fabric. Also this dress is probably a bit looser than it should be, but I liked that it didn’t cling to my stomach, so I didn’t take it in. I’m happy with the fit, and it’s seriously comfortable. Secret pajamas in the best way! I can’t think of much more to say on this one, it’s such a simple make! I hope you like it. Happy sewing 🙂
I’m told I don’t look like a ham here. I’m not buyin’ it.
A few weeks ago, the lovely people at Minerva Crafts sent me a few yards of this lovely polka dot chambray. While chambray screams “make a Granville” to me, I wanted to do a dress. Probably because I always want to make a dress. I’d been wanting to make a Kim dress for awhile, so there you have it. Chambray Kim dress. In honesty, I was expecting the fabric to take MUCH longer to arrive (it took about a week or two), so I shamefully shelved it for a bit while I finished my other projects :/
“Hey, look how awkwardly I can stand. Pretty cool, I know”
For starters, this dress was an absolute dream to sew. The fabric cuts and sews beautifully. I whipped through the dress in a day and a half, and that’s including the time I spent unpicking (serged) things I’d sewn on upside down. Sadly, it’s just a given that I’ll sew something upside down, or backwards, or to the wrong side…I do it every time. It’s probably pathetic.
I like how this angle really shows the wrinkles from playing with puppies.
I really, really like the bodice on this pattern. I cut a straight US 10 of version 2, and the bodice fits me pretty well, though I did take in a bit. I could probably stand to shorten the straps a bit, but I’m not complaining. The bodice has princess seams, so no darts. It’s also fully lined, which I always love. I tried to follow the bodice instructions completely, and I’m glad I did. It’s an interesting way to do things (at least to a novice like myself), but the finish is really clean and the assembly is easy. That said, it’s hard to know how it’s going to fit until it’s finished. If you’re concerned about fit, definitely do a muslin! I’m terrible about making muslins. I almost never do it and that’s because I’m both very busy and very lazy. It helps that I have a fairly standard “hourglass” figure, so my fit issues are typically minimal for sleeveless dresses. Pants and jackets are another story entirely!
Bodice/boob details.
For the skirt, I also cut a US 10, this time of version 1. The versions are easily interchangeable, so mix it up! I personally always prefer a sweetheart neckline to a scoop. The petal skirt is what originally attracted me to this pattern, and it didn’t disappoint. There are four simple darts and a bit of pleating (pictured above), which I adore. More details about those woes in a future post! The pattern calls for basting the overlapping front portions together before attaching to the bodice, which I liked and seemed to work well. I do think next I would slim the skirt down a bit. I would for sure like something a bit more fitted. I also think I will do a stitch to hold the front pieces together. On photo day, it was pretty windy, I only narrowly avoiding a wardrobe mishap! Like always, I added some pockets, always pockets. My apologies for the wrinkly look, but there was a puppy to play with!
Okay and maybe I did a shitty job pressing the pockets. Hush.
On the back, I omitted the hook and eye. I know it looks better to have it, but I have giant man hands and they’re tiny and fiddly and I hate sewing them. It pains me. I’ve convinced myself that the zip on it’s own doesn’t look horrible, so whatever. Now that Kim is finished, I think it’s time to get more of this fabric and make that Granville! Happy sewing 🙂
OH! And I chopped my hair off!!! What up, mid life crisis?!?
McCall’s 6754 is my go to pattern. I think I’ve made it at least 7 times. This is a knit pattern, but I’ve made it in everything from quilting cotton to some weird poly-crepe type fabric. I’ve made it sleeveless and raglan. I’ve added pockets, zippers. I added horsehair braid once. It’s such an easy pattern, and who doesn’t love a good circle skirt!?!
So many dresses.
I purchased this fabric last year (yay for destashing!), and have been struggling on what to do with it. I love that it’s reversible, but couldn’t think of a way to showcase that. Finally, I decided fuck it. The fabric is soft and cozy and perfect for a fall dress. Wearing this dress feels like being wrapped in the softest blanket, it takes “secret pajamas” to another level.
I like that dress, but it would look better on my floor.
The very best part of this dress is that it was sewn up after work on Tuesday. Fabric cutting included, it took about 3 hours. It’s crazy fast and easy. I do, however, wonder about darts on the raglan sleeves. It’s a knit, why have a dart on the sleeve? Any ideas? Other than the darts and finishing, I did all the sewing on my serger. Originally, I had intended to do bands at the sleeves and hem, in the stripes also, but I ran out of energy. The pattern doesn’t call for bands, just fold and stitch, but I really like the look and stability of it. I would suggest sizing down. This fabric tends to “grow” as you wear it, so I think could have even gone down one more size! It is very easy to edit along the way, so if you cut it a bit too large, no worries. I’ve sewn this so many times, I disregarded the instructions. I believe it calls for elastic at the waist in all versions, though. I don’t add it. I don’t think it needs it and I just don’t like the look. But if you do, go for it! It’s an easy add.
Aaaaaaaaaaaand I’m dizzy.
This is my last make for the Sew Long Summer Sew Along!! I hope you’ve all enjoyed it. Happy sewing 🙂
So here’s the thing…I really need to cut my bangs. I thought I would grow them out, but I won’t. Please look past the bangs. Also, I was very fidgety for these photos, so excuse the blur, okay? I’m tryin’ here, photos are not my favorite.
I know I know, kinda blurry
This is the Colette Crepe, and my Holidaze post for the Sew Long Summer Sew Along. I know the fabric is floral, but to me it looks like fireworks. Labor Day holiday + firework print=Holidaze, yes? This fabric was purchased at Joann’s 283238473 years ago, from the clearance section. It’s cotton, but lighter and more sheer than cotton lawn. Mystery fabric.
I can’t deal with my own face right now.
While the pattern calls for facings, I opted to fully line it instead. I fucking hate facings. Facings are the worst. Plus, this fabric is practically translucent, so a full lining was really the only option. While this definitely makes for a better dress, it does take a lot of fabric. I’m guessing between 7-8 yards, maybe. I ran out. The filler pieces on the lining are black quilting cotton.
I’ve got a very Amelia Pond-esque crack in my wall.
To line it, I just cut double the amount of each piece, except the tie straps, obviously. The shoulders and sides of the bodice and lining were sewn together. I stitched lining and bodice together at the back and neckline, with the straps sandwiched between the two. For the arms, i just serged and folded the seams under. I sandwiched (word of the day?) the bodice inbetween the skirt and skirt lining, to get a nice clean finish at the waist. Make sense? Probably not, that’s a terrible explanation. I hope you get the idea! Other than the lining, I followed the instructions.
For me, basically a turtleneck.
I cut a size 8 of version two, because I love a fancy neckline. I have to say, the neckline is a little high for me, I am not exactly known for dressing conservatively. I liked the fit, and of course a wrap dress gives you some wiggle room. I will probably end up cutting some length off, it’s just not flattering on someone of my height and proportions. I think slightly above the knee would be more flattering. This was so easy to sew!! If you know anyone who’s interested in learning to sew, this would be a fantastic starter pattern. I’m even going to attempt to make another version, in a Doctor Who print, in one evening. Wish me luck! Happy sewing 🙂
