Another sun dress - S2886

Just got this one done today and it went together so well. Here's the envelope cover photo.


Every once and awhile a project just goes together like it should. I took a bit of time with measurements, started with a 14 for the bodice. That size is fairly consistent with my shoulder width lately it seems.

My bust measurement is for a size 16, and therefore did a full 1" FBA (2 inches total) and blended out at the waist as needed.

Spent some time getting the invisible zipper and lining perfect, and it really is a lovely garment.

I feel a bit young wearing it though. Will try to get photos tomorrow.

The fabric is a lovely linen I got at Mood Fabrics when I was in New York.

Graduation day

My oldest daughter has graduated from the University of Kansas this weekend and I am so proud of her. She completed her degree in 4 years, with distinction and leaves next week for her new job in NYC.

All I can say is WOW and that I am so terribly proud of her and happy for her too.

I love you Michelle. You did good.


By the way, the top is one of the "cute tops from Kohls" and the slacks I have on (though you can't see them) were sewn by me.

Great tops from Kohls

I've been trying so hard lately to sew tops and though I've had some successes, I've had some flops too. But tops are what I really need. What's worse, I truly HATE to shop but I needed some new bras so I went to Kohls. I decided to take a stroll through the clothes and what did I find but a gazillion cute Spring/Summer tops that all fit me quite well.

Go figure.

I swear the last time I went shopping for tops NOTHING fit. The styles seem a bit looser over the belly right now. I'm not taking babydoll, just looser.

I bought 5 tops one day and then 3 more yesterday. I'm ecstatic. Now I can continue to sew without pressure.

If you are needing new casual cute shirts, I say go to Kohls.

The dreaded camera shot

Oh my, it happened yet again. You know exactly what I mean. You've completed your garment, it fits throughout the sewing process, you put it on for the final look....totally awed at how well you did. Then you call hubby or kid to take a photo and you see what is wrong in the fit.

Oh, and worse than that, you realize when you are just about finished that the back is actually inside out. Yup, I sewed the back on backwards. Whatever, life goes on, no one can tell but me, but this is now the 2nd time I've done it when it's too late to change.

Back to my recent top. It's a t-shirt out of a drapey rayon/spandex knit. Yup, the kind that is a bit difficult to sew, and it can grow just because it's so stretchy. Too tight and every lump and bump shows though.

I did the tank-style top from Simplicity 2603 and added the sleeves from the jacket as described in a few reviews on PR.


Here are my photos. From the front it looks pretty darn good, I'm totally satisfied.


From the side and the back though I can see some armhole/sleeve issues I still need to work on. I think part of the problem is that the top is just a bit too large for my upper chest and back. Do you think that is the case? I have sloping shoulders too and the rounded upper back. Or maybe the front fit is okay and just needs to be smaller in the mid-back which will take a bit of that excess sleeve fabric up.



I like the fit over the bust and the hips.

Luckily I can't see my backside or I'd totally obsess over it. Not something I want to waste my time doing.

Modellina Sundress

I don't have a photo of me wearing the dress yet. We don't quite have sundress weather right now, big storms last night. I really hope to wear it to my daughter's college graduation this weekend though and have some photos taken of us together.

The review has been posted on Pattern Review already and I don't really like to do double reviews, so here's the link to check it out, or link to it from the PR widget on this page.

Click on any of the images to see the full size.

Here's the completed dress hanging on the front porch.


The dress on the magazine cover grabbed my attention.


The instructions in Italian were interesting to say the least. Using the Google Translator is how I found out about the invisible side zipper and the full lining.


And seriously, we complain about tracing from Burda which uses multiple colors...Modellina uses just Black and Red and they are densely packed. It was difficult to figure it out, but once you get started it kind of flows.


I did find some errors, namely the front and back bodice pieces did not line up properly at the shoulders and side seams. Luckily the mistake was BIG enough to stick out, we're talking a full inch, not just 1/4" error. I used logic (I do have a bit of it, occasionally) and redrafted the corrected seams, and it all fit when complete.

In reading, I learned that Italian sizes are a bit different than the standard sizes from Burda. For instance, my sizes in Modellina corresponded to a 46 which in Burda is a 42. Funny thing is, I never sew a 42 in Burda, but usually bigger....so I have no clue what's up.

I measured, circled the correct measurements and sewed that size (ignoring the abdomen portion) and the dress fit. Seriously, it fit with no major changes. The only thing I altered was taking about 1/4" off the front of the seam right under my arm, to help with a tiny bit of gaping and bra showing.

The dress is a linen/rayon or cotton blend from Joanns (I don't remember the blended part, sorry. The lining is just perm press muslin.

It sewed up like a breeze and I look forward to trying another pattern from the magazine.

As far as the magazine goes, this is my 2nd issue. It's not fancy schmancy Italian garb like one might think. Most the items are quite wearable. Someone described it as a bit frumpy in a blog or post (can't remember exactly.) I'm not the most stylish person around and I don't really want to be either. I'll try a few more outfits before my final say though.

Seam ripper - a girl's best friend?

The shirt in the previous post is all done. But alas, no photo to share. Seriously, I had issues, and used the trusty old seam ripper to no end.

For some reason the right sleeve (sleeveless actually) kept coming out somewhat stretched out. I ended up binding it.

The shirt is complete, but not totally right. I will toss it in the wash and hope it comes out.

Okay, so on to top #2. I used the tank top pattern from S2603 (the wrap cardi that everyone has done.) Oh my gosh...it actually fits. Yup, I messed up again though. For some dumb reason the back is sewn on inside out.

I am so half blind these days and didn't notice till almost done. When I noticed I could have ...insert explicative here...but I just completed it up to the point of hemming.

It fits really quite well.

At this point I was done for the day. We watched a lousy zombie western flick from Netflix (I so love Netflix) and I painted my nails.

The color is OPI Merry Midnight...and life can go on.

Guilt

I feel so bad that I don't have anything to show lately. I have sewn, just not much, and I don't have any photos. In the past week I've sewn up two t-shirts. I'm getting pretty darn close to having a great pattern, so what do I do....I move on to something else (I'm obviously bored easily.)

Right now I'm working on S2409. I did up a muslin and now that I'm working in my fashion fabric, I'm afraid it's going to turn out large. I'm using a Rayon/Lycra blend, which has a 4-way stretch, and the fabric is fairly lightweight. It's perfect for dancing.

This is the pattern, hopefully I'll have it done by tomorrow and can wear it dancing, if it's acceptable.

I'm not doing the ruffle or flowers.

I received my latest Modellina magazine and it has a lot of cute things (I'd have to scan them for you.) But the cover dress is cute.


I'd love to spend the day sewing and watching Netflix but instead we get to drive a few hours and pick up the granddoggy who went for knee surgery at Kansas State University. I'll fit in some sewing time this morning.