Sewing From My Stash

Confession time:  I have a big fabric stash.

Last year, I didn't get around to sewing half of the projects I wanted to yet, I continued to add to my fabric stash. And now it's a big stash. So...

I have one important goal this year, sew from the fabric stash. That's right, I'm putting myself on a fabric fast. I'll allow myself to pick up thread, chalk, buttons or zippers if I haven't found it in my stash but other than the necessities to finish a project that it. No more fabric. Oh, I can't believe I just wrote that, we'll see how that goes.   

Do you have any sewing goals for the new year?  

Happy Sewing!  

Simplicity 2372: New Year, New Dress

Happy New Year!  

The first dress of the year is for Mama R. Well, it is her birthday. A lady needs a new dress for these celebratory occasions, right? I gave her the choice of any fabric from my stash and this is the one that she chose. I adore the colours in this print and I'm thrilled with this choice. It just seems like I've been sewing up a lot of dark coloured garments lately. It is a nice change. I actually picked it out thinking that I would make a skirt for myself, but I'm willing to admit that I have more than enough skirts in my wardrobe and that a new dress for Mom is a much better idea.

The pattern is a go-to-favourite, Simplicity 2372. Mama R adores the neckline and armhole pleats.

The usual changes happened again:  remove the front centre seam, insert a zipper, lengthen the sleeves, shorten the hem, and add pockets. There were several stitches used to complete the dress. I used the straight stitch (also known as the basic stitch) to construct most of the dress including the zipper as well as locking stitch at the start and ending of my seams. The hem was completed with a straight blind hem stitch (also known as an invisible hem) on my machine. Hand-stitches on this dress included the basting (also known as the tack stitch) and the slip stitch to hold down the facing piece.

The fabric is a 100% cotton from Fabricland's home decor department. It was pretreated with a tumble in the washing machine followed by a tumble in the dryer and then a final pressing before I cut it out.

I'm starting off the new year using supplies already found in my stash. I would like to try to do this as much as I can this year. The fabric made it into my collection a year ago, maybe two? I'm not quite sure to be completely honest. The interfacing has been in my stash for a couple of years now. The basting tape was a much appreciated birthday gift. And even the invisible zipper and threads were found in my stash.

The Stats:  

Fabric:  2 metres 

Interfacing:  0.3 metres fusible interfacing

Zipper:  22" invisible zipper

Basting Tape:  1.12 metres 

Pattern:  Simplicity 2372

Time:  I invested about 5.5 hours into the preparation of the fabric and construction of this dress.

Additional Tools & Supplies:  Sewing machine, serger, threads (for the serger, sewing machine and hand-stitching), invisible zipper foot, regular zipper foot, measuring tape, steam iron, ironing board, tailor's ham, scissors, thread clippers, pins, cutting table, and a few stretch breaks.

Happy Sewing!  

December & Year End Review

Hello lovely people. First off, I would like to wish every one a happy new year. I don't know about you, but I'm ready to say good-bye to 2016. Here is to wishing everyone a healthier 2017 filled with fun in the sewing room. May all your 2017 dreams come true!   

Sewing:

This month, I really pushed myself to get sewing done. Snow storms forced me to finish up a winter coat and I was busy with Christmas sewing right up until the last minute.

Top L to R:  Lynn Mizono dress, Vogue 1455; Marcy Tilton coat, Vogue 8934; more microwave bowl cozies; little girls' robe, out-of-print (OOP) vintage McCall's 9278, wool and cashmere pants, Simplicity 2372; cotton double breasted boys' robe, OOP vintage McCall's 9278; silk top, OOP Butterick 5561; Reversed side of the Lynn Mizono dress.  

Year-end Sewing report:  

This year I managed to sew a total of eighty-four items.  

☛  17 dresses

☛  11 tops

☛  1 coat

☛  1 cape

☛  29 microwave cozies

☛  2 pairs of pyjamas

☛  3 robes

☛  6 pairs of pants

☛  3 jumpers

☛  5 skirts

☛  2 baby onesies

☛  1 jacket

☛  1 necklace

☛  2 pillows

Not all of these items were for me, there were items gifted to others and of course, there was some sewing for Mama R.  

RTW Fast:

I'm happy to report that I'm finishing the year without any RTW purchases this final month.  Woohoo!

The Stats:

Looking back at the stats maybe next year's goal should be to sew just from my fabric stash?

Supplies	Quantity Used from the stash this Month	Quantity Used this Year	Added to the Stash this year
Basting Tape	0	1.88 metres	0
Bias Tape	0	7.41 metres	2
Buttons	18	44	21
Chain	0	0	0
Cord Stopper	0	2	1
Elastic	2.3 metres	13.3 metres	5 metre
Fabric	16.3 metres	105.45 metres	95.7 metres
Fusible Tape	0	22.10 metres	0
Hand needles	0	0	0
Hook and Eyes	0	0	0
Interfacing	2.1 metres	7.8 metres	10 metres
Lace trim	0	0	0
Pattern (new)	2	15	34
Pattern (previously used)	4	35	0
Ribbon	3 metre	9.0 metres	2 metres
Serger needles	0	5	0
Serger thread	1	6	10
Sewing machine needles	0	13	4
Snaps	0	0	0
Thread	4	17	29
Trim	1.5 metres	3.3 metres	1.8 metres
Velcro	0	0	0
Zipper	0	4	8

Happy Sewing!  

Wool and Cashmere Pants X's Two

I found a beautiful piece of wool and cashmere fabric at Mitchell's when Mama R express an interest in another pair of pants. Her request was for a pair in black. Boy, haven't we come a long way since this day.

I'm quite thrilled to be making her pants since I know how hard it is for her to find anything in ready-to-wear, never mind finding anything in that landscape that is made with quality fabric. I'll tell you, it's sad out there in the malls. But I digress... 

I totally lucked out on this trip to Mitchell Fabrics. They were having a 30% off sale and after they cut the yardage that I requested, I was offered the rest of the bolt at 50% off. I didn't think that it would be enough to make a second pair of pants but I was wrong. I'm surprised that I was able to squeeze the front and back pieces together and cut two pairs. Who would have thought? I was thinking that I might be able to squeeze another jacket out of the remnant for Mama R, but she said she prefers to have two pairs of pants.

These were made with Mama R's go-to pattern, Simplicity 2372. Easy peasy. I don't know what to say about this pattern except all the pieces are awesome. I did have to shorten the pant legs and extend the waistline but other than that it's a perfect pattern.

I just had to add a label to mark the back on these elasticized pants, as per Mama R's request. Whatever Mama wants.


The Stats:

Fabric:  3 metres (for the two pairs)

Elastic:  1.8 metres (for the two pairs)

Label:  2 (for the two pairs)

Pattern:  Simplicity 2372

Additional Tools & Supplies:  Sewing machine, serger, threads (for the sewing machine and serger), clippers, scissors, pins, safety pins, steam iron, ironing board, cutting table, wrist pin cushion, tailor's ham, coffee, and wrist braces.

Happy Sewing!

The Not So Favourite Makes of 2016

Hello lovely people, I'm back again with a look back at 2016. It wasn't all perfect sewing this year. I've had my fair share of sewing bloopers.

#1.  The BCBG Copy-Cat Dress 

Oh yes, this dress. This is McCall's 7402 and I thought it would be the perfect pattern to recreate a look I saw on the RTW landscape. Sometimes I forget that I'm not as tall as those models that the pattern company's hire to photograph in their creations.  It was an epic fail on me.  

#2.  It All Worked Out In the End Dress

Okay, this one, OOP Butterick 5760, is still in my wardrobe and even though there were quite a few mistakes that occurred during the creation of this shirtdress, it really did turn out in the end. It is my reminder to don't give up. No one notices the patched up cut under the collar or the interior pockets that had to be mended and patched up.  

#3.  Grrrr!

This was my first 2016 attempt at making a wrap dress with a new pattern. I found a vintage wrap dress pattern, OOP Vogue 7014, without a waistline seam and thought I found the holy grail of wrap dresses. I was wrong, it needed tweaking as it still hugged my body in places I wish it didn't, revealing body bits I didn't want to reveal. I didn't give up there were more versions to come.  I'm just sad that I used up this animal print knit fabric.  

#4.  The Betty White Tribute

Oh yes, my Betty White tribute outfit in pink velour. What was I thinking? Well, they do make comfy pyjamas. The pattern, hold onto your seat, Vogue 9193, was my partner in crime. Yup, this is a Marcy Tilton design. Comfortable, but just not a good look on me.   

#5.  Help, I'm Drowning!

Oh boy, sometimes I goof of the size that I should cut out. This is OOP Vogue 8710, a Katherine Tilton design with a whole lot of ease. I cut a size medium when I should have cut a small or maybe even a extra-small.  

#6.  I'm in Denial of My Body Shape

OOP Vogue 7014 makes another appearance on the list when I didn't account for the right amount of ease. On this second attempt, I omitted the darts, but I still could use more ease, or more sit-ups?   

#7.  Unknown Fibre Content = Unknown Future Problems

I actually like this dress, a creation of using two favourite Vogue patterns. It is the fabric choice that pushes this make onto the not-so-favourite-makes list. This fabric was not listed with any fibre content rather a cute name to describe this horrible fabric. It is called a Techno knit and it did not preform well at all. I like the somewhat spongy feel, the colour, the sheen, and the fact that it was on sale, which fooled me into thinking it was worth my hard-earned money. It pilled and became damaged in noticeable areas and quickly ended up in the trash. Lesson learned, stay away from those man-made mystery fabrics.  

#8.  Long-Armed Robe

Oh my goodness, what was I thinking when I neglected to adjust the sleeve length?  This make is not perfect and will have to be tweaked.  I'm going to have to shorten the hem length so I don't trip and those sleeves.  What was I thinking?

Oh well, I hope you had a good laugh looking back at my 2016 bloopers. I'm not perfect when I'm sewing, but I'm having fun. And that is what it's all about, right?  

Happy Sewing!  

Favourite Makes List: 2016 Edition

Hello lovely people! I hope that all of you who celebrate this time of year were blessed with the love of family and friends while making great memories. No sewing this Christmas weekend, just a look back at some of my favourite makes in 2016.   

#1:  That Red Cape

The red cape became a combination of out-of-print, vintage Simplicity 6680 and Katherine Tilton's Vogue 8863. It is a fav because it was challenge (bound buttonholes and tailoring techniques) and there was such a sense of accomplishment that went with finishing this project.

#2:  Those oh-so-comfortable Dresses!

Vogue 1410 has to be one of my favourite patterns and it was a go-to-pattern through-out the year. I do believe I have four versions of this pattern in my wardrobe and I wear every single one of them. My favourite is the blue floral print one.  

#3.  The Statement Piece

I made this piece from old clothing labels. This year I will be finishing up my third year on a ready-to-wear fast and I have to tell you that it is getting easier to rely on my own ability than spending time sifting through racks of clothing at a store. This piece reminds me of the political and social reasons why I sew and how the fashion industry has changed and is impacting our environment.  

#4.  The Perfect Peplum

After so many failed peplum top attempts over the past few years this winning peplum make had to make it to the list. Vogue 9056 quickly became a treasured pattern.   

#5.  Up-cycled Leather Jacket

Burda 7183 transformed a vintage leather shirt into one of my favourite statement pieces.   

#6.  The Silk Top

This silk fabric was a home decor find and perfect match for Katherine Tilton's Butterick 5891. It makes the favourite list based on the comfort level and the fact that it has pockets. 

#7.  A Top for Mom

This would be my favourite top that I've made for my Mom this year although the silk one was a close second. I like the texture of the crepe, its medium weight and that print. It was made up with out-of-print Butterick 5561.  

#8.  The Cotton Tweed Jumper

This year Lida Baday announced that she would be closing up her design business. I may not be purchasing ready-to-wear clothing as I continued on the RTW fast, but it is sad to hear that a designer who continues to produce quality garments is closing up shop. Luckily, I have a few of her patterns in my collection and I consider her pieces to be timeless. 

#9.  The Winter Coat

You didn't think I was going to end the list without mentioning a Marcy Tilton pattern, did you? Yes, one of her designs made it onto my fav-list. And who would have thought that it would have been for a winter coat. Heck, who would have thought that I would finally make a winter coat? Certainly not I! I'm thrilled with Vogue 8934.  

#10.  Pants for Mom

Making pants for my Mom has to be the most rewarding project that gave me the most joy this year. It is tough for Mom to find a pair of pants that fit. She's a petite woman and lets be serious here for a moment, the selection for elderly people is awful. Its impossible to find something that is comfortable, easy to access and made in quality fabric. Why? I'm happy she finally let me try to make her pants and we're both thrilled that we discovered that we were sitting on a pattern that was perfect, Simplicity 2372.  

So there you have it, my 2016 favourite sewing list. There is more, stay tune for my 2016 blooper list.  

Until then, happy sewing!  

Hallelujah!

Talking about miracles on this the most blessed time of the year, Vogue 1455 is done! I woke up this morning and the aches and pains that have been around the last few days are gone. And in all the last minute preparations for Christmas I was able to finish Lynn Mizono's most adorable little girls' dress pattern.  

I'm just sad that I wasn't able to finish it off before my Christmas lay-off from work. My co-worker who is being gifted this for her daughter knows that it is coming. I just wish I was able to give it to her before we parted from work.  

This one is made in a size 2, it will be a little big for the child it is intended for but soon she'll grow into it. Size 2 is the smallest size the pattern comes in so that's what I went with for this project.  

The Stats:

Fabric:   2 metres of assorted cottons

Ribbon:  2 metres

Buttons:  4 - 1/2 inch clear buttons

Pattern:  Vogue 1455

Additional Tools & Supplies:  Sewing machine, serger, hand needle, threads (for the serger, sewing machine and hand-stitching), buttonhole foot, scissors, thread clippers, pins, cutting table, tracing paper, tailor's chalk, wrist and elbow brace, many breaks, tylenol, heating pad, iron, and ironing board.  

Wishing all you who celebrate this time a year many blessings, the joy and company of loved ones and memories to be cherished throughout your life-time.  

Happy Holidays and happy sewing!