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Monday, February 13, 2017

PR Soduko Contest 1 of 10: McCalls 6702

I have been MIA. I have some sort of anxiety-induced insomnia or insomnia-induced anxiety. Either way - JOY!  :sarcasm:
 
I haven't sewn much but I did get some time in. I am now unsure if I'll finish the contest. Not good (for me) that I've only done 2 items in the first two weeks. I have a few weekends where I know I won't be able to sew (yes, a FEW. WHEW!). Oh well, I am happy with my plan and they're all things I plan to add anyway so I'll keep chugging along. We'll see how I fare around this time next month.
 
First up was M6702. I made this pattern once before. Well kinda. I had cut it out from a red/white/blue burnout cotton voile with plans for a cute Independence Day outfit. Burnout fabric + iron = bad mix. Burned a hole right through the back. Have been meaning to revisit it ever since. It is now OOP so if you have it and are looking for cute summer tops - try it!
 
I had a size 14 cut out and it is quite the roomy top. I do need an FBA though and would add an inch should I make this again. Plus, I know how easy it is to rotate a bust dart into shoulder gathers now - YAY! I did a slash and spread for more butt room but made no other adjustments.
 
Front 
 
 
I really like this hi-low hem.
 
 
I LOVE the back cut out. The round portion is finished with bias tape (I used premade here) and then the upper is a double yoke which I finished with the burrito method. So clean. So perfect. Swoon...
 

 
 
I adore the collar too. It is slightly rounded giving it a feminine vibe but not overly sweet. The collar and collar bands plus placket all went together fabulously. Helped I'm sure by this amazing cotton sateen. It was Sue's Pick one day on FM and I bit on it. Not realizing it was only 45" or so, I had to go sleeveless and this was a great fit.

 
The placket finishing directions MADE PERFECT SENSE! GASP! haha. I decided on these non-functional buttons because 1) I had just the 2 in stash and 2) they match the topstitching thread almost exactly. #WIN
 
No "real" photos. I will have to take a gazillion for the contest and don't plan to do it until I can do outfit photos. Meaning, as rows of the grid are completed, I will then take individual photos of items plus outfit photos. I don't want to get to the end of March and have to photograph a dozen outfit combos. It takes a surprisingly long time!
 
So here is a crappy mirror selfie. I wanted to show a friend the back opening on my body.
You can also see that I need a smidge more bust room. I'm really filling it out. The back fits fine when I'm not doing acrobatics with my phone :)
 
Next up are my Baste + Gather Kendall Skinnies (never released pattern). The upper part is based on the Birkin Flares with the legs taken in. I'll also be making some Birkins for the contest. Woohoo! Love those jeans :-D
 
These need a hem and I'll just review them with the flares when they're done. Since the pattern is not available to others I don't see a need for a dedicated blog post.
 

Until later! Hopefully I'll be less of a zombie going forward. I've missed blog land!

23 comments:

The Sewing CPA said...

Your top turned out so well. I love the design on the back. The jeans look awesome. What a perfect fit!

Anonymous said...

That top is soooo cute! The back detail is awesome and this one totally slipped below my radar: the envelope really needed to prominently show the cutest part!!!

And sorry you're sleeping like crap. :(

Vanessa said...

Those Skinnies are nice! They fit you perfectly! I'm glad to see you back, and the cutout for your M6702 top is amazing! Best wishes with your wardrobe.

Faye Lewis said...

I really like your top and I have got to get around to making jeans. Lord knows I have enough jean patterns!

andib said...

I love your top, as usual, beautiful workmanship and it looks great on you. I had just pulled that pattern out over the weekend. Maybe that's a sign I should make it! Sorry about poor sleep. Have you tried melatonin? My DD can't sleep without it. Thanks for your inspirational blog!

Sew Blessed Maw [Judy] said...

Love the jeans and the top is really cute..[like the cut out].
Happy sewing...and hope your feeling better.[ Agreeing with andib post above... my husband had trouble sleeping and took the over the counter Melatonin .. worked great...]

Sam said...

Ugh, I hear you on the anxiety-induced insomnia/insomnia-induced anxiety I've been suffering with that too recently. I'm never sure which one sets the other off!

Anyway, that top looks really cute. Too bad it's an out of print pattern as I'd love to make it. Might have to go on an eBay hunt. The jeans are looking great too.

Carolyn (Diary of a Sewing Fanatic) said...

This is a cute top and I bet on you finishing this. You sew faster than you think!

AllisonC said...

If you can't finish the contest in time no one can!! Great top, the back cutout is a really nice detail. The jeans look great too, do you know why the pattern was never released?

Tomasa said...

Love your top. That back cut-out is fabulous! Sorry to hear about the insomnia. I had suffered from terrible insomnia for many years and no one, not any dr., could figure out was wrong. I finally got a break Summer 2016. I was taking megadoses of Vitamin C since it is supposed to be good for your immune system and has other benefits. I ran out and wasn't able to replenish my supply for a long time and I started to sleep much better after 2 weeks of not taking it. Not making the connection, I started taking the megadose of Vitamin C again and the insomnia came back. I finally made the connection. I did a Google search and my suspicion was confirmed. I just take a daily vitamin that has the minimum daily requirement of Vitamin C and I am fine. My daughter who is in her 30s started complaining of insomnia and I found out she was taking megadoses of Vitamin C. Once she stopped, she started sleeping again. I don't know if this information is helpful to you or not. If you are taking supplements, do a little research to see whether insomnia is a side effect. Otherwise, I do hope your insomnia goes away. That zombie feeling during the day is just awful!!

Tagath said...

Wow, that is simply a gorgeous top!

KS_Sews (Dressmakingbacles) said...

Thank you!!

KS_Sews (Dressmakingbacles) said...

Hi Tomasa! Thank you!!

Oh, this is situational. I know why I'm not sleeping well :( Hopefully it'll all be resolved shortly!

KS_Sews (Dressmakingbacles) said...

Thanks Allison!

She wasn't happy with the fit through the leg. And I did have to fiddle with the fit from the thigh down. I know it was based on the Birkin which as a flare, it fits straight through the knee and starts to flare. I think she kept the straight shape and tried to just bring the hem in. But the leg needs actual shaping to be a true skinny jean. The other factor is probably fabric related. True skinny will need a stretch denim and then it's hard to get that plus pattern *just* right.

KS_Sews (Dressmakingbacles) said...

Thanks Carolyn!

It's not the sewing I'm worried about, it's life! I have a TON of stuff going on the next 6 ish weeks.

KS_Sews (Dressmakingbacles) said...

Thanks Sam! It's so cute and has a few variations. I think an eBay hunt is warranted.

KS_Sews (Dressmakingbacles) said...

Thanks Judy!!

KS_Sews (Dressmakingbacles) said...

Thanks Andi!! You should make it!! :)

Yes, I use melatonin but this is more "life is crazy and hectic and my mind races uncontrollably". All should be resolved soon enough.

KS_Sews (Dressmakingbacles) said...

Thank you! I love them both!!

KS_Sews (Dressmakingbacles) said...

Thanks! Isn't that the truth!? SHOW the cute back people!

I hope to be 'normal' soon!!!!!

KS_Sews (Dressmakingbacles) said...

Thanks Faye! I bet you'll be as hooked on jeans sewing as I am :)

KS_Sews (Dressmakingbacles) said...

Thanks so much Vanessa!

Irene said...

What a wonderful top!