tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-80109165864823183562024-03-13T13:28:33.305-05:00Dressmaking DebaclesA Sewing Blog...KS_Sews (Dressmakingbacles)http://www.blogger.com/profile/04687503853838975877noreply@blogger.comBlogger332125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8010916586482318356.post-29207919785744061262023-01-24T21:23:00.002-06:002023-01-24T21:23:55.412-06:00Happy Anniversary to Me!Today, I had one of those Facebook memories pop up and today is the 10th anniversary of when I bought my first sewing machine!I bought a Singer Talent 3321 from my local JoAnn that day. And as you know... the rest is history! :)I sewed on that machine from January 2013 until around April 2015 when I got a Singer Stylist 7258 (it was SUCH a great machine at its price point). I kept that until KS_Sews (Dressmakingbacles)http://www.blogger.com/profile/04687503853838975877noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8010916586482318356.post-76236934844252644032023-01-12T22:05:00.001-06:002023-01-12T22:05:57.909-06:00Welcome, 2023!It's so easy to slip away from the blog, isn't it? Eesh. Though I haven't been sewing very much and the sewing I have done?? Well...Minnesota winters always present a challenge for photo taking and I just don't have the energy right now to be bothered. I think last year may have been the first in like...forever that I didn't do an annual wrap-up! But, I didn't track my sewing, pattern KS_Sews (Dressmakingbacles)http://www.blogger.com/profile/04687503853838975877noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8010916586482318356.post-54519045108169028382022-12-06T20:46:00.006-06:002022-12-06T20:53:13.774-06:00Sewing WIP - Style Arc AlexiI wanted a fitted, zip-front turtleneck and spent a long time thinking about how to do it. I was super over-complicating it. Finally, it dawned on me that a 1/4 zip fleece is basically the same concept, and I found a pictorial which was exactly what I was thinking. Doh.I had to search high and low for my printed copy of this pattern. I KNEW I'd printed it, but could not find it anywhere. KS_Sews (Dressmakingbacles)http://www.blogger.com/profile/04687503853838975877noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8010916586482318356.post-76643998119083166762022-11-23T19:41:00.002-06:002022-11-23T19:41:20.228-06:00Catch up post...Before surgery, I sewed this McCall's knit top - M7836. I don't know where I got this ponte from but it is really nice and while I like the top, it wasn't the right choice. I'm not sure how much wear the top will get. I don't remember all (any?) of the details, but I am sure I did a swayback adjustment and adjusted for my large bicep. I think I shortened it too :)I finished the Ottobre KS_Sews (Dressmakingbacles)http://www.blogger.com/profile/04687503853838975877noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8010916586482318356.post-85110024233173757322022-11-20T22:27:00.004-06:002022-11-23T19:41:35.449-06:00McCall's 6436Lots of stuff happening and most recently, some major surgery. I'm recovering quite well and have a finished object to share! Not on my person because I am not presentable! But, Lily is me so you can see how well the fit is on this shirt. I bought this cotton/rayon blend shirting from Fabric Mart in the spring to make a casual shirt (it washed up so nicely, I ordered 4 more yards to make a KS_Sews (Dressmakingbacles)http://www.blogger.com/profile/04687503853838975877noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8010916586482318356.post-81704785429293193912022-09-07T22:45:00.005-05:002022-09-07T22:45:43.100-05:00WIP: Burda 6/2022 VestI don't actually have much to show :-pI have been itching to sew but not motivated enough to do it. I had SO much on my list for summer and didn't get much done. I'm ready to move on to fall sewing considering how slow going things have been. I decided to work on the vest/tabard from Burda 6/2022. I am using a wool suiting that I scored from SR Harris (2 3/4 yard for $8!). It's a medium weight KS_Sews (Dressmakingbacles)http://www.blogger.com/profile/04687503853838975877noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8010916586482318356.post-69742324356655800432022-08-21T21:35:00.003-05:002022-11-23T19:42:49.462-06:00I'm Still Here!I have an answer to my complete lack of energy - I am anemic. I am not surprised...but it explains so much about why I'm barely functioning at times. I really had to push myself to get my project done for the State Fair, and there were tears! But I finished it and dropped it off last Monday. I also entered a pair of socks, the lilac baby sweater I made, and a sewn garment; I entered the top KS_Sews (Dressmakingbacles)http://www.blogger.com/profile/04687503853838975877noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8010916586482318356.post-82641554052758159082022-08-01T11:00:00.005-05:002022-11-23T19:43:05.207-06:00July Wrap Up and August Plans My July plans were:Burda 7/2022 birthday dressSocks at knitting campMK summer cardiganButterick 6640NL6692I made my birthday dress and socks. Woohoo! :) I did not get to my summer cardigan, but I do have two machine knit tops as WIPs (I need more yarn for both). I also cut out a pair of shorts from Burda 8/2014 for my daughter and made a couple of Cricut projects.WIP: sideways knit KS_Sews (Dressmakingbacles)http://www.blogger.com/profile/04687503853838975877noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8010916586482318356.post-69553426774568684742022-07-19T21:22:00.003-05:002022-07-19T21:22:24.315-05:00Machine Knitting CampI bought my first knitting machine in February 2020. I had two lessons and just as we were scheduling the next one, the pandemic hit. I did take another virtual class at one point which helped me learn to use the color changer and understand the electronics of my machine a bit better. But I’ve largely been on my own, using You Tube, the MK Ravelry group, and an amazing FB group to get me through.KS_Sews (Dressmakingbacles)http://www.blogger.com/profile/04687503853838975877noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8010916586482318356.post-85057250465028978462022-07-17T19:49:00.003-05:002022-07-17T19:49:52.612-05:00A Couple of Birthday Dresses!I almost always make a new dress to wear on my birthday each year. For 2022, I was seeing a musical production of Twelve Angry Men, and I wanted to have a "special" day dress and something for the show. I went to a recent make, M7834 for the day dress. When I finished the paisley version, I knew I'd be making it in this cotton clip dot from SR Harris, and leaving it sleeveless. It's such a KS_Sews (Dressmakingbacles)http://www.blogger.com/profile/04687503853838975877noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8010916586482318356.post-71006896924758862972022-07-02T12:47:00.000-05:002022-07-02T12:47:03.010-05:00Mid Year Check-In and July PlansThe year is off to a rough start -- in real life and in sewing plans. Oy! I looked back at my list of goals for 2022 and I've met exactly -0- of them!Trench Coat - I want this but have stalled. Wah. I am thinking of taking a sew-cation in August. A trench coat is a strong desire but in reality, isn't a workhorse here in Minneapolis. I'd estimate I could wear a trench for about 4 weeks in fall andKS_Sews (Dressmakingbacles)http://www.blogger.com/profile/04687503853838975877noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8010916586482318356.post-79987347419761706522022-06-25T19:03:00.000-05:002022-06-25T19:03:10.879-05:00Sewing for Little OnesWhen I visited Atlanta earlier this year I went to Fine Fabrics and my 6 year old nephew (technically great-nephew) picked out this BRIGHT lime green ribbed knit and asked me to make him a short set. He wanted a tee with a dinosaur on the front with a crown, and his name on the back. His twin sister also asked for a short set but she didn't have any specifics.I settled on my Ottobre kids KS_Sews (Dressmakingbacles)http://www.blogger.com/profile/04687503853838975877noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8010916586482318356.post-56133007933821429192022-06-19T17:20:00.002-05:002022-06-19T17:20:24.312-05:00May Wrap-Up and June PlansI am so late with this, gah. In May I sewed 6 garments for a total of 9.25 yards. This month I sewed:Vogue 1250 top and dress - 2.5 yards ITY printelastic in the dressMcCall's 8174 dress - 1.75 yardsrayon modal jersey knit printelasticMcCall's 6744 dress - 2 yardsITY printelasticButterick 6378 top - 1.5 yardsyellow silk georgetteBurda Magazine 4/2019 skirt - 1.5 yardsred cotton lycra KS_Sews (Dressmakingbacles)http://www.blogger.com/profile/04687503853838975877noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8010916586482318356.post-50706409616400602752022-05-22T17:55:00.003-05:002022-05-22T17:55:16.744-05:00McCall's 6744 - Everything Comes Back AroundI first made this patter about 6 months after learning to sew, in 2013. Last summer I revisited it - HERE and, it's just a winner for me! :)I really love it!Just like in my most recent version, I cut a size medium, added 1" to the back bodice at the waist and on the back skirt from the waist, tapering to nothing about midway down the thigh. The front neckline is cut as a size small but KS_Sews (Dressmakingbacles)http://www.blogger.com/profile/04687503853838975877noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8010916586482318356.post-20528569071711197402022-05-11T20:44:00.002-05:002022-05-11T22:00:54.995-05:00Vogue 1250This pattern was SUPER popular back in the day! There are 127 reviews on Pattern Review and many, many people made the pattern multiple times. It's a winner. I was stuck on how to use Lily to fit a knit pattern. If sewing pants I would choose a size 18 and make crotch adjustments, with skirts I use a 16 front and 18 back. For tops I used to use a 14 neckline but that's not right anymore. KS_Sews (Dressmakingbacles)http://www.blogger.com/profile/04687503853838975877noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8010916586482318356.post-46390437669403743012022-05-08T19:48:00.001-05:002022-05-08T19:48:17.840-05:00QT in the Sewing Room and a Hot TopicMy parents relocated to Georgia almost 15 years ago, my son and daughter live out of state too. Mother's Day then gets a little difficult for me. And this weekend, my husband had a motorcycle training course that was from 7 a.m. to 1 p.m. both days. So I decided it was perfect timing for a sew day. On Thursday and Friday, I did some pattern prep and cut out Vogue 1250 and McCall's 8174. I KS_Sews (Dressmakingbacles)http://www.blogger.com/profile/04687503853838975877noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8010916586482318356.post-44635261161145632412022-05-05T21:57:00.004-05:002022-05-05T22:00:45.765-05:00A Dozen Drafts: New Look 6600I hate this dress.I don't hate the pattern...or the brand, just the dress. This is a true wrap dress that would work well with a drapey linen or voile. This rayon challis-like fabric did not have enough structure. I was worried about something too firm with the fit of the skirt, but the drape of this fabric made every part of sewing it a horrible experience. I started with a size 16, 18KS_Sews (Dressmakingbacles)http://www.blogger.com/profile/04687503853838975877noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8010916586482318356.post-30236547872103053092022-05-02T21:01:00.003-05:002022-05-02T21:01:42.971-05:00April Wrap-up and May PlansWork is busy and life is hectic and while I have sewing mojo, I don't have much energy. This year we've been to Nashville, Chicago, Phoenix, Denver, and Atlanta. I've had several migraine attacks in the last month. I knew my time with having my daughter's family here was running out so I started spending every free moment with them. My colleague is going on maternity leave and I'm taking about KS_Sews (Dressmakingbacles)http://www.blogger.com/profile/04687503853838975877noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8010916586482318356.post-1659198816517425242022-04-17T20:38:00.006-05:002022-04-17T20:44:47.573-05:00WIPs and Fitting and Stuff...This has been a weird month. I feel like nothing has happened and yet, we're halfway through! It's currently snowing in Minneapolis. Meh. I ordered from LA Finch for the first time ever! The last time I was in Long Beach visiting the kids, I posted my trip to Mood and someone mentioned I should visit LA Finch, but, they were closed. All the days I've spent in Long Beach on my visits and I KS_Sews (Dressmakingbacles)http://www.blogger.com/profile/04687503853838975877noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8010916586482318356.post-11311388202625938112022-04-07T21:58:00.001-05:002022-04-07T21:58:16.733-05:00McCall's 6996 CardiganI have made a few versions of this pattern over the years. I was planning to make up M7476, but then I couldn't find it :( So I made some adjustments to this one to get what I wanted.I used the front of view B and the back of view C/D. I had a size medium cut out, but I am definitely larger than the last time I made it. I did a slash and spread to add 1" to the front waist and back hip. I added 1KS_Sews (Dressmakingbacles)http://www.blogger.com/profile/04687503853838975877noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8010916586482318356.post-7814703225274086292022-03-31T22:11:00.001-05:002022-03-31T22:11:16.804-05:00Finished Travel Bags and March Wrap-UpI have wanted to complete this project for SO LONG! I bought 2 yards of this border print cotton shirting last January, with hopes that Covid would soon be behind us and the world would be opening up. Haha! I have made simple drawstring bags before, but I really talked myself out of them over and over again, complicating it more than needed. And then, when we went to Phoenix earlier this year, KS_Sews (Dressmakingbacles)http://www.blogger.com/profile/04687503853838975877noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8010916586482318356.post-64910428286411639402022-03-20T21:26:00.003-05:002022-03-20T21:26:36.091-05:00Some updates...Last Wednesday I placed a Fabric Mart order and it shipped the following day. When the shipping showed estimated "March 22", I was like, "ughhhh! that was "so far from now!" It was Friday night when I realized that was just a couple days away. Oy! This month has flown by!Speaking of FM, I ordered 4 cuts of fabric:-The top is a multi-colored dot print labeled as 100% rayon challis but it is very KS_Sews (Dressmakingbacles)http://www.blogger.com/profile/04687503853838975877noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8010916586482318356.post-88940609076701602342022-03-14T21:48:00.006-05:002022-05-11T20:45:02.075-05:00McCall's 7834 (2 of 2)Warning - I love this dress SO much! This is a photo heavy post, but there's a lot of info too.Had to play with the shoe options! :)See this post for complete details on the fitting and muslin process: Fitting Details. To recap from that post, I cut a size 14 with the pattern adjustments indicated below.Front:Add 1/2" for necklineAdd 1/4" to front lengthRemove 1/2" for narrow shoulderLower KS_Sews (Dressmakingbacles)http://www.blogger.com/profile/04687503853838975877noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8010916586482318356.post-64609961655045096362022-03-13T22:22:00.004-05:002022-03-14T21:49:36.591-05:00A Dozen Drafts: McCall's 7834 (1 of 2)My Simplicity is almost done (needs a hem) and it looks really good! For March, my challenge focused on McCall's patterns. I realize the gathered skirt takes me a tad bit away from my original mission, but not by much. I cut out a pattern size 14, which is the largest size I had in my envelope (no clue why I didn't buy the larger size) and sewed a half muslin. When I put that first muslin onKS_Sews (Dressmakingbacles)http://www.blogger.com/profile/04687503853838975877noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8010916586482318356.post-88007646988499133272022-03-07T21:04:00.002-06:002022-03-07T21:04:16.763-06:00A Dozen Drafts WIP - McCall's 7834When I cut the first muslin (half) for this bodice, I was truly mystified. I ended up going back through my Pattern Review history and searching a bit on the blog (I stopped reviewing there at one point) and realized I had only made a handful of woven McCall's tops/dresses over the years, quite a few of them had dropped, cut-on, or raglan sleeves, and I don't think I have any of them in my KS_Sews (Dressmakingbacles)http://www.blogger.com/profile/04687503853838975877noreply@blogger.com