The Perfect Skirt

Stash Busting 2014:  (NY The Collection) McCall's 7870

Fabric:               2.2 metres cotton + 0.5 metres of interfacing

Zipper:              8" invisible zipper

Basting tape:    16" total

Snaps:               1 set (medium sized)

I made this skirt earlier this year as part of of Jungle January. And even though I am not a huge animal print wearing kind of gal, I like this skirt pattern so much that I would wear my animal print skirt more than I thought I would.  

This latest version is in a black cotton sateen fabric that has some stretch. It has been in my fabric stash for about a year. I chose a fusible knit interfacing for the front facing and back waistband pieces that has been in my stash for much longer. The zipper and snap were also stash busted for this project.

My favourite parts of the skirt is the double pleated kick pleat, front tucks, and top-stitched darts. The double pleated kick pleat makes this skirt wearable even though it is a slim fitting skirt that is just above the ankle length. 

Let's talk about the pattern for a moment. The shoulder pads on the peplum jacket pattern would have me guessing it was something from the 1980s. The pattern is vintage but not that old. It dates back to 1995 and is from The Collection NY by McCall's patterns. I found it on etsy.com and to be completely honest I would have skipped over it if the seller did not include the line drawings on the listing. The pattern photos don't showcase the details that make this skirt so unique.    

This skirt pattern is for sure a keeper. How about you, do you have a favourite skirt pattern that you would like to re-visit? 

Happy Sewing!  

New Vogue Patterns: Just as I Suspected!

The new Winter/Holiday Vogues are out and just as I suspected would happen, there is a new Marcy Tilton pattern that I need to get my hands on.  

Vogue 9060

This pull-on skirt is made out of knit fabric and would be perfect for over-eating on Thanksgiving next weekend. Too bad I won't be able to get my hands on this pattern before then. Sweatpants for Thanksgiving it is! Just kidding...

And I was surprised with this lovely dress.  

Vogue 9051

I do like a shirt dress and this one has bound buttonholes which I need to practice, lovely pockets and front skirt pleats. I have a blue and black brushed cotton plaid in my fabric stash that I would love to try out with this pattern.  

These were the only two patterns that I was tempted with this time around. If I were looking for tee-shirts or tunics there are many options to check out. And did you check out this little girl's dress? Absolute cuteness!  

Well, I have a couple of patterns to dream about tonight. How about you?   

Happy Sewing!   

Simplicity 2372 in Black Wool Crepe

Stash busting 2014:  Little Black Dress

Fabric:  2.5 metres of 100% wool crepe

Zipper:  22" invisible zipper

Basting Tape:  44" length

Oh my goodness, I love this fabric! It is 100% wool crepe that we picked up at Fabricland and [insert happy dance here] it was on sale for 70% off. The "we" means Mama R and I were out shopping for this fabric. It is a rare occasion when she is not "shopping" from my stash and we actually get to spend some time together shopping for fabric at a fabric store. It was nice to spend the afternoon with Mama R, the bonus was finding this gorgeous fabric.

This dress is the latest version of Simplicity 2372. Sometimes I try to make her a dress out of another pattern but she always comes back to this one as her favourite. Why fight it?

As long as Mama R is happy with a dress, I'm happy. We made the same changes to this dress as we did to the others, no centre front seam, inserted an invisible zipper, lengthened the sleeves, shortened the hem and I think that about covers it. The hems were finished with the blind hem foot and the whole project came together quickly. It must be all the practice I've had sewing with this pattern.

Happy Sewing!

Took a Break From Sewing...

I took a break from my sewing projects this afternoon to catch Advance Style the Documentary. I was surprised that it made it to Winnipeg.  

It was part of the Best of Hot Docs, a three day event featuring five documentary screenings. And Advance Style was one of the five. Sadly, this afternoon's showing is the only time is will be screening in Winnipeg. Unless, I'm mistaken but I haven't seen any sign that any of the other theatres around the city are picking up this documentary. 

I loved it! Oh my goodness, the ladies of Advanced Style were funny, charming and lovely. If you have an opportunity to catch it, I say go! This documentary deserves all the praise it is getting.  

Happy Sewing!  

New Vogues Where Are You?

I was giddy with excitement after reading that there would be three new Tilton patterns released on Vogue October first.

Was I wrong?

Was it all a dream?

Because I kept checking last night and nothing. And again this morning, nothing.

It is all good. Yes, I'm a wee bit down that the new Vogues did not appear when I believed they would but I do have this to keep me cheerfully occupied until they get here.

Vogue 9035

This is the latest Marcy Tilton pattern that I picked up when it was released during the early fall line-up. I haven't made it yet. So why would I be waiting to see the new Marcy Tilton patterns?

I don't know. I have to sew this one up first. Silly me.

Happy Sewing!

It is Now a Suit!

Stash-busting 2014:  The Matching Skirt

Fabric:   1.10 metres of houndstooth
              1.10 metres of silk organza

Elastic:  1 metre

Do you remember when I made this jacket? Yes, the jacket that I made for Mama R and thought about stealing out of her closet.

Well, I had some left-over fabric. There was enough to make a dress but we thought about making a skirt instead.  

Mama R loves it. The skirt has an elastic waistband and side pockets.

Simplicity 2372 was used to make the skirt and I couldn't be happier with how it turned out. If that pattern number sounds familiar it is because it is the same pattern that Mama R turns to for her go-to dress requests. The pattern has pattern pieces for a jacket, top, skirt, dress and pants.   

The skirt has been underlined with silk organza. No lining because Mama R is a slip-wearing lady. The hem is finished with seam binding and hand stitched. And can you believe that I'm not done yet? Mama R now says she needs a new top to wear with her new suit. Can you guess what pattern I'll be using for her top?  

Happy Sewing!

September in Review

Sewing

September happens to be National Sewing Month and this year's theme is about unleashing your creative side. It didn't happen this month as my sewing mojo left the building and my sewing projects were less than creative. 

The pants were a need. The dress was for Mama R using a pattern that I have whipped up many times. The vest, I'm sort of on the fence about (love the pockets though). The sewing kits and knickers were factory-style sewing. No sewing that I felt creative or inspired by and I wonder if it has anything to do with all that beige?  

I may not have felt that I have unleashed my creative side, but I do hope the sewing kits and sewing club will inspire some kids to do just that.   

RTW Fast

This is a tough time of year when it comes to the RTW fast. It was tough not looking at the latest crop of cashmere sweaters by Lords & Taylor. This time of year, I wish I could knit. But then when I come to think about it, another hobby is the last thing I need. I'm going to try to sew my own turtle-neck sweater though--something I would never have thought of doing if it weren't for the RTW fast. And have you seen the new Jenna cardigan sweater pattern by Muse? Cute. Too bad it is a PDF pattern. I don't do PDF (tried it once, not for me). But if it were a packaged pattern, that one would so be mine. But I digress...

Thankfully, footwear is not one of the banned items. I am saving up my pennies for a new pair of winter boots--sorels to combat the cold while shivering outdoor during recess duty (the Farmer's Almanac is predicting another brutal winter). Since the knee surgery last winter my leg and foot has a tendency to swell and I haven't been able to wear my winter boots since. So this item falls under a need. Now, if I can just find these boots in my size, I'll be all set.  

Stash busting

I did a horrible job at stash-busting but a fantastic job at stash-adding! My bad.

Items	Stash-busted	Added to Stash
Fabric	113.8 meters	81 meters
Interfacing	4.4 meters	0
Lining	3.5 meters	0
Sewing Patterns	24	21
Spools of Thread	27	12
Sewing Needles	7	0
Pant Hooks	6	6
Zippers	13	5
Trim	0.40 meters	10
Elastic	7.2 meters	12 meters
Bias Tape	2 meters	0
Snaps	1	0
Buttons	53	12
Ribbon	3.5	0
Hook and Eye or other Closures	5	5
Basting Tape	8.9 meters	6 packages

Happy Sewing!