Weekly Round Up - 6/29

Not the most productive week, since I technically finished the blouse/dress last week.

Which means I only made one piece this week, another of the maxi dress from Simplicity 2189. I had made this a couple weeks ago in a tan knit, and decided I needed to take in the bust area, which worked perfectly. I also added  six inches to the length so it was a true maxi.

front view

back view

I definitely didn't need more fabric, but I did buy some at Wal-Mart yesterday.

The top two are going to be dresses, but I haven't decided on a pattern for them yet. The bottom left is kind of like a chiffon, it's very lightweight and slightly transparent, I'm planning to make a blouse out of it. The bottom left is a dark blue denim, which will become a pair of jeans.

Have a great weekend!

Projects Completed

Blouse (dress) - Vogue 8772
Maxi Dress - Simplicity 2189

Works in Progress

Blouse - Vogue 8772

Projects To Do

Shirred Dresses (for my friend's niece) - no pattern - shirred fabric (need to buy)
Men's Shirt (for son #1) - no pattern chosen - camo cotton
Men's Shirt (for son #2) - no pattern chosen - red/white/blue cotton
Shirt Dress - McCall's 4769 - camo floral silky in stash
Tee Shirt - Butterick 5215 - blue and grey knit in stash
Maxi Dress - Simplicity 2189 - floral knit in stash
Blouse - Vogue 8772 - grey silky solid in stash
Blouse - Vogue 8772 - black chiffon in stash
Jeans - Butterick 5682 - dark blue denim in stash
Dress - no pattern chosen - teal floral in stash
Dress - no pattern chosen - grey tropical print in stash
Shirt Dress - McCall's 4769 - purple poly shantung in stash
Dress - Coffee Date Dress, free Burda pattern - black/white silky print in stash
Peasant Top - Simplicity 3956 - teal paisley print in stash
Pants - Vogue 2907 view A - green suiting in stash
Men's Bi-Fold Wallet (requested by a friend) - my own design - no fabric chosen
Purse (for me) - my own design - no fabric chosen yet
Wallet (for me) - my own design - no fabric chosen yet
Dress - Simplicity 3506 view A - black/purple silky print in stash
8 Gore Skirt - self drafted pattern - cream suiting in stash
Top - princess seam bodice - red silky solid in stash
Bolero - Simplicity 3921 view ? - green velvety fabric in stash
Top - Vogue 2987 top - multi-colored knit/jersey/stretchy in stash

Blouse Turned Dress ~ Vogue 8772

I finished this dress almost a week ago, but I just got around to taking pictures of it.

This dress is the inspiration for the dress I made. I knew the fabric I had did not have the same drape as the original and I wasn't looking to replicate it exactly, I just wanted something kind of similar.

source: venus.com

I used Vogue 8772 (view E).

source: voguepatterns.mccall.com

The changes I made were to not add side vents, move the button placement a bit, secure the overlap below the bottom button, and add two ruffles to the bottom.

front view

back view

side view

Sorry about the washed out pictures, not sure why they came out that way.

I am not totally sold on this dress only because of the 'stiffness' of the cotton fabric on the upper ruffle. I'm going to wash it a time or two, and hope it softens the fabric enough so the top ruffle isn't as poofy as it currently is. I may also top stitch the ruffle down to see if that helps at all, but I'm going to see what washing will do first.

If I can't tame the ruffle, I'll probably end up chopping them off and making it a blouse. I also now know that I don't need any alterations to this pattern for a good fit and I can cut into my more expensive fabric I had gotten to make a blouse out of this pattern. If I was to try and make a dress like this again I would probably only add the bottom ruffle.

Now that the end-of-the-school-year madness is done I'll have more time to spend in the sewing room, the past couple weeks have been crazy with all the extra activities going on for the kids.

Weekly Round Up - 6/22

I had a crazy busy week outside of the sewing room. It's the last week of school for the kids and there were 101 things to do.


I did get together with my friend to make her sandals. I didn't take any pictures but she did take one. She loves them, and they don't cover up any of the stars tattooed on her foot.

I started working on View E of Vogue 8772.

source: voguepatterns.mccall.com

I'm hoping to alter it just a little and make it into a dress, but I have to get a little bit further before I know if that will work out the way I plan or not.

Now I must get ready to attend my oldest's 6th grade graduation. He's going to officially be a Middle-Schooler (gasp)!

Projects Completed

Sandals (for a friend) - inspired by an etsy tutorial

Works in Progress

Sandals (for a friend) - inspired by an etsy tutorial
Blouse - Vogue 8772

Projects To Do

Shirred Dresses (for my friend's niece) - no pattern - shirred fabric (need to buy)
Men's Shirt (for son #1) - no pattern chosen - camo cotton
Men's Shirt (for son #2) - no pattern chosen - red/white/blue cotton
Blouse - Vogue 8772 - red cotton print in stash
Shirt Dress - McCall's 4769 - camo floral silky in stash
Tee Shirt - Butterick 5215 - blue and grey knit in stash
Maxi Dress - Simplicity 2189 - floral knit in stash
Blouse - Vogue 8772 - grey silky solid in stash
Shirt Dress - McCall's 4769 - purple poly shantung in stash
Dress - Coffee Date Dress, free Burda pattern - black/white silky print in stash
Peasant Top - Simplicity 3956 - teal paisley print in stash
Pants - Vogue 2907 view A - green suiting in stash
Men's Bi-Fold Wallet (requested by a friend) - my own design - no fabric chosen
Purse (for me) - my own design - no fabric chosen yet
Wallet (for me) - my own design - no fabric chosen yet
Dress - Simplicity 3506 view A - black/purple silky print in stash
8 Gore Skirt - self drafted pattern - cream suiting in stash
Top - princess seam bodice - red silky solid in stash
Bolero - Simplicity 3921 view ? - green velvety fabric in stash
Top - Vogue 2987 top - multi-colored knit/jersey/stretchy in stash

Weekly Round Up - 6/15

I have not done any sewing this week. I meant to do some, but I have been distracted and sidetracked with other things that I have had to do. Next week is going to be pretty busy as well, but I am really hoping to get back into the sewing room.

Projects Completed

None

Works in Progress

Sandals (for a friend) - inspired by an etsy tutorial

Projects To Do

Shirred Dresses (for my friend's niece) - no pattern - shirred fabric (need to buy)
Men's Shirt (for son #1) - no pattern chosen - camo cotton
Men's Shirt (for son #2) - no pattern chosen - red/white/blue cotton
Blouse - Vogue 8772 - red cotton print in stash
Shirt Dress - McCall's 4769 - camo floral silky in stash
Tee Shirt - Butterick 5215 - blue and grey knit in stash
Maxi Dress - Simplicity 2189 - floral knit in stash
Blouse - Vogue 8772 - grey silky solid in stash
Shirt Dress - McCall's 4769 - purple poly shantung in stash
Dress - Coffee Date Dress, free Burda pattern - black/white silky print in stash
Peasant Top - Simplicity 3956 - teal paisley print in stash
Pants - Vogue 2907 view A - green suiting in stash
Men's Bi-Fold Wallet (requested by a friend) - my own design - no fabric chosen
Purse (for me) - my own design - no fabric chosen yet
Wallet (for me) - my own design - no fabric chosen yet
Dress - Simplicity 3506 view A - black/purple silky print in stash
8 Gore Skirt - self drafted pattern - cream suiting in stash
Top - princess seam bodice - red silky solid in stash
Bolero - Simplicity 3921 view ? - green velvety fabric in stash
Top - Vogue 2987 top - multi-colored knit/jersey/stretchy in stash

Potato Dill Salad ~ for a crowd

I know I don't usually post recipes, but there are a few that I plan on sharing, and this is one of them...

This is the dish I am always asked to bring to a cookout. If I make any less than 10 pounds it is gone before I know it. Since I was making a batch for my niece's birthday BBQ I thought I would share the recipe.

Potato Dill Salad

This is best made at least a day in advance. After cooking, the hot potatoes are tossed with half of the dressing, and then they get the remaining half after cooling. It is easy enough to halve or quarter the recipe for a smaller batch (there are 4 Tbsp in 1/4 cup)

Ingredients

10 pounds Potatoes, diced and peeled (if you prefer)

1 large Red Onion, chopped

3 cups Mayonnaise

1 cup Sour Cream

1/4 cup Dijon Mustard

1/4-1/2 cup Dill Weed

Salt & Pepper, to taste

Directions

Put diced potatoes in a large pot and cover with cold water, until the water is 1-2 inches above the potatoes. Bring to a boil over high heat (takes 30-40 minutes approximately), and then cook for 10-15 minutes or until potatoes are fork tender. Be sure to skim the foam off the top as it accumulates.

While the potatoes are cooking, mix the remaining ingredients in a large bowl. I add the dill weed, a few tablespoons at a time, until the dressing looks right. I add salt and pepper to it until it tastes right. I usually over-salt a little bit because the potatoes suck up a bit of the saltiness. Refrigerate until needed.

When the potatoes have finished cooking, drain them. Add about 1/3 of the potatoes to the container for the salad, then add a few spoonfuls of dressing, then add the next 1/3 of the potatoes and another few spoonfuls of dressing, and top with the last of the potatoes and enough of the dressing so that you still have about 1/2 of the dressing left. Put the remaining dressing back into the refrigerator.

Carefully toss the potatoes, until they are evenly coated with the dressing. The hot potatoes are going to absorb the dressing. If you put all the dressing on them hot they would end up being dry, it you put all the dressing on them cold, they won't absorb as much flavor.

Allow the potatoes to cool (I leave mine on the counter for a while, before putting them in the fridge). After they have fully cooled, toss them with the remaining dressing and refrigerate until ready to serve (I prefer to let it set overnight).

Make sure you get a plate....this stuff disappears...and ENJOY !!!

Weekly Round Up - 6/8

I could have done more this week, sewing-wise, as I could have every other week, but I chose to spend some of my time reading rather than sewing. I miss reading books that I want to read as much as I miss sewing during the school year.

I completed two dresses for my niece's birthday...her party is this Sunday and Hello Kitty is one of her favorite things, so I'm sure they will be a hit.

I also finished a purse and matching wallet for a friend, who has a birthday this month and still uses one of the first (and horribly embarrassing) purses I ever made.

The purse I made her a few years ago lacks body and structure, and looks very home-ec to me, but she loves it and I am hoping she loves this one too!

I kind of started working on the sandals for my other friend, but haven't gotten much done there really.

Next week I am finishing those sandals, possibly getting a shirt made for my son, and hopefully getting at least one item made for me.

Projects Completed

2 Shirred Dresses (for my niece) - no pattern
Purse (for a very deserving friend) - my own design
Wallet (for a very deserving friend ) - my own design

Works in Progress

Sandals (for a friend) - inspired by an etsy tutorial

Projects To Do

Shirred Dresses (for my friend's niece) - no pattern - shirred fabric (need to buy)
Men's Shirt (for son #1) - no pattern chosen - no fabric chosen
Sandals (for a friend) - inspired by an etsy tutorial
Purse (for a very deserving friend) - my own design - grey & silver cotton in stash
Blouse - Vogue 8772 - red cotton print in stash
Shirt Dress - McCall's 4769 - camo floral silky in stash
Tee Shirt - Butterick 5215 - blue and grey knit in stash
Maxi Dress - Simplicity 2189 - floral knit in stash
Blouse - Vogue 8772 - grey silky solid in stash
Shirt Dress - McCall's 4769 - purple poly shantung in stash
Dress - Coffee Date Dress, free Burda pattern - black/white silky print in stash
Peasant Top - Simplicity 3956 - teal paisley print in stash
Pants - Vogue 2907 view A - green suiting in stash
Men's Bi-Fold Wallet (requested by a friend) - my own design - no fabric chosen
Purse (for me) - my own design - no fabric chosen yet
Wallet (for me) - my own design - no fabric chosen yet
Dress - Simplicity 3506 view A - black/purple silky print in stash
8 Gore Skirt - self drafted pattern - cream suiting in stash
Top - princess seam bodice - red silky solid in stash
Bolero - Simplicity 3921 view ? - green velvety fabric in stash
Top - Vogue 2987 top - multi-colored knit/jersey/stretchy in stash

Simple Dresses With Pre-Shirred Fabric

Power and internet has been flickering here, so this post is going to be short and sweet...

I finished the dresses for my niece today...She loves Hello Kitty.

I zig-zagged the elastic in place before pre-washing, and then cut the fabric so that after sewing with a 1/2" seam there would be 3" of negative ease. I opted for a single seam in the back.

I used bias tape to make the straps, and after my niece gets the dresses I will shorten them if needed. They are just simple ties at the shoulders. The dresses were super simple and came together very quickly.

One of my friend's schedules changed this week, so we didn't have a chance to get the fabric for her niece, so I still have another one or two to make whenever we do get the chance. I did get out to get the materials for the sandals for my other friend, but I'm not doing too much with them this week. And I'm working on a purse for yet another friend of mine, as well as a matching wallet. I don't think there will be any sewing happening on items for me this week.

My Wedding Dress Sketch And Ideas

So I was looking through my new patterns, just glancing through the instructions, and I realized that the Project Runway pattern I got has a fashion figure (croquis) that you can use to 'create a look'. I was ecstatic - this was exactly what I needed to get a decent sketch of my basic wedding dress idea.

So I traced the figure and did a simple sketch of what I am currently envisioning making. But before I show you my sketch, let me show you the inspiration for it...

I saw this sketch when I was browsing fashion sketch pictures a few months ago and instantly fell in love with the skirt, but I'm not a fan of the bodice, the tied back, or the fullness of the skirt.

source: weddingdresseslux.com

Then, browsing on SewingPatterns.com, I came across this top and thought that would make a great corset top for a dress.

source: sewingpatterns.com

After getting engaged, I looked at the first dress sketch again and thought that I could use the corset top as the bodice and change the closure to a center back zip or hook and eyes or buttons (I haven't decided on that yet). The skirt should be easy enough to draft without a pattern. So here is my rough sketch of the two combined...

I don't really think I want a white dress, though I do want the main dress to be an off-white like ivory or champagne or something. I am thinking I want the underskirt to be plum or eggplant or a similar dark purple color and possibly overlaying the purple with some lace. This is some lace I came across that could work...

source: housefabric.com

I would definitely need to do a muslin to see if I can make it how I am imagining it. I may need to make a few petticoats or crinolines (is there a difference between the two?) as well to see if I can find the right amount of fullness if the dress and underskirt alone aren't going to provide it. I will most likely make a top that has lace over a dark purple satin to see what the combination looks like on a finished garment, as well as a few other 'tester' pieces before doing a full muslin of the dress. I am glad I have plenty of time, so I can play with the possibility of sewing my gown, and hopefully enjoy the whole process without feeling overly pressured or stressed about it.

Weekly Round Up - 6/1

As I predicted I didn't get much sewing done. I finished a knit dress using Simplicity 2189. I have enough fabric left to make a sash/belt for the dress if I want.

I also finished the draped/cowl tank I had started last week, which was inspired by this tutorial. I added arm bands to the armholes, which I made a bit smaller then the actual arm holes. This helped the gaping some, just not as much as I had hoped. Overall, I am happy with the top and will definitely wear it.

Front View

Back View

I didn't serge the seams in the top, but I did serge the neckband and then folded it over and stitched it down. I also used the coverstitch on the hem, and it worked better than my first attempt on the dress, but even with less bulk at the seams it still gave me trouble going over the seam area. It seems that there is too much pressure being applied by the presser foot, and I am not sure if there is any way to adjust that.

You can barely see the difference in the stitches over the seam area, but they are definitely closer together.

Next week I have at least two, if not more, super simple and quick shirred dresses to make for my niece (her birthday party is next weekend) and one or two for a friend's niece (she asked me oh so nicely when she heard about my niece's dresses and I couldn't say no). There is some Hello Kitty fabric among the shirred fabric at my local Wal-Mart, so all I have to do is a single back seam or two side seams and possibly attach straps.

My oldest has been asking me to make him a shirt for a while now, and recently asked if I could get it done before the end of the school year, so that will have to happen next week or the week after. My biggest problem with his request is he is between boy's and men's pattern sizing, so I will have to go some grading to make it work.

I am getting together with the friend I am making sandals for next week to get the necessary supplies/materials. Another friend has a birthday at the end of the June and I really want to make her a purse, so there are a number of projects for others I need to get to work on.

Projects Completed

Maxi Dress - Simplicity 2189
Knit drapey tank - inspired by Morning by Morning's drapey tank tutorial

Works in Progress

Knit drapey tank - inspired by Morning by Morning's drapey tank tutorial

Projects To Do

Shirred Dresses (for the little girls princesses) - no pattern - shirred fabric (need to buy)
Men's Shirt (for son #1) - no pattern chosen - no fabric chosen
Sandals (for a friend) - inspired by an etsy tutorial
Purse (for a very deserving friend) - my own design - no fabric chosen yet
Blouse - Vogue 8772 - red cotton print in stash
Shirt Dress - McCall's 4769 - camo floral silky in stash
Tee Shirt - Butterick 5215 - blue and grey knit in stash
Maxi Dress - Simplicity 2189 - tan knit print in stash
Maxi Dress - Simplicity 2189 - floral knit in stash
Blouse - Vogue 8772 - grey silky solid in stash
Shirt Dress - McCall's 4769 - purple poly shantung in stash
Dress - Coffee Date Dress, free Burda pattern - black/white silky print in stash
Peasant Top - Simplicity 3956 - teal paisley print in stash
Pants - Vogue 2907 view A - green suiting in stash
Men's Bi-Fold Wallet (requested by a friend) - my own design - no fabric chosen
Purse (for me) - my own design - no fabric chosen yet
Wallet (for me) - my own design - no fabric chosen yet
Dress - Simplicity 3506 view A - black/purple silky print in stash
8 Gore Skirt - self drafted pattern - cream suiting in stash
Top - princess seam bodice - red silky solid in stash
Bolero - Simplicity 3921 view ? - green velvety fabric in stash
Top - Vogue 2987 top - multi-colored knit/jersey/stretchy in stash