Sewing Plan: Fall Mini Wardrobe

I haven't had sewing successes lately :( But I started a wool skirt and I am excited about it. So I'm going to FOCUS and create some items that I hope make me happy! 

Initially, I wanted a slit-front skirt and was going to make a black wool version of S8175. Ultimately, I decided I wanted a perfectly flat-front and am going to use M3830, view B, with side slits instead of a back walking vent. 

I also plan to knit a version of this ribbed top I saw in an old Passap magazine (the 60s Passap patterns are a treasure trove of beautiful design!). 

I want to make a pair of trousers too in a taupe or tan or other non-white nude, and at least two silk tops.

For the pants, I'm going with a TNT for me, V9032. It's been awhile since I sewed them, but ankle pants have ruled for years. This version I sewed is exaclty what I want right now!

For the tops, I plan to remake S8216 and B5965. It's been a LONG time since I've made either, but they both worked extremely well for me and I really (really!) need a win or two. 

B5965

S8216

If I can keep up the momentum, I really(!) want to make B6901 vest and pants...so we'll see how things go. 

McCall's 7061; Contest Sewing

I've still been fairly mojo-less. Which is fine! But I enjoy sewing and hate when my mojo wanes. I decided to enter the Pattern Review Endless Combinations contest to get it going again. Endless combinations requires a minimum of 4 garments and each garment has to "go with" (coordinate & be worn with) the previous item. There's no requirement for cohesive among the entire mini wardrobe, just more of a guarantee that you won't create an "orphan". 

I was mostly focused on fabrics I wanted to sew, and on garments secondarily, and lastly, wanted to try to use patterns I'd made before.

I actually started with a dress from Simplicity 8890 (I'm going to finish it but am slightly meh on it! It's awaiting the final bit - the straps). Next up was this slightly cropped hoodie from M7061. I plan to follow the hoodie with a pair of black pull-on shorts (something I DESPERATELY need) and then a tee or Ogden cami.

I'd previously sewn this pattern for my loungewear wardrobe. I made the (CUTE!) tunic and used this version sans hood and bodice band because I didn't have enough fabric. I wanted a fitted hoodie (which is a tough pattern to find!) that just kissed the top of my bottoms (these jeans are high-waist).

I LOVE IT!

I tried on that version and decided where I wanted the hoodie to end on the body. I measured the finished width on the band decided to shorten the top 6" (the band is about 2.5"). 

Same as the initial version, I cut a size medium (additional hip room was irrelevant on this version) and a 1" bicep adjustment. Because of the thickness of this knit, I sewed 3/8" seams on the body and sleeve. I added eyelets and a drawstring on the band, mostly for aesthetic reasons. If you really wanted to draw up the bottom, I'd recommend a channel for the drawstring. 

There were lots of reviews that mentioned how big the hood is. I have a big head. *Every* time I sew something with a slit opening in back and someone mentions "Just sewing that shut", I'm like, NOPE. I'm gonna need that to get it over my dome! LOL!! Well, this hood is HUGE! LOL! I almost switched to the collar (I really love that feature on this pattern), because I don't really *need* the hood, I just wanted it to come up around the neck. But I do like it as is; the crossover is really cool.

This fabric is so cozy that I didn't bother lining it.
It was hemmed on the coverstitch which loved this fabric!

I saw a make on the Russian Burda site where the user had placed her tag on the sleeve hemband and I thought it was super cool. Copied that! :) 

My jeans are ASOS and I absolutely adore them. The inseam gussets are everything!

We have chosen to have a baby shower for my daughter. We are following CDC and State of MN guidelines. While we have no issue wearing masks, it helps that our city has a mask ordinance in place in case anyone is resistant. In addition, we're staying as safe as possible by 1) holding it outdoors in a huge picnic shelter which allows for  2) social distancing 3) keeping it super small (our city also restricts outdoor gatherings to 25 people) 4) keeping it short and 5) nothing is shared (individually servings of food and cupcakes). Grandparents aren't going to be present for obvious reasons and no one attending lives with a grandparent. We've encouraged anyone with possible exposure to bow out. We know it's a risk! So we're taking as many precautions as possible. Let me know if you have other suggestions!

So I've been busy making stuff (helloooooo Cricut!) because I still want it to feel as genuine as possible for her. It's been a rough year for all of us and she has really struggled. She has missed out on a commencement ceremony, her husband can't attend her prenatal visits, among other things.

I'm making a top and skirt for her and then I'll be moving on to the rest of my E.C. items. 

I love a good flounce! Hoping this outfit turns out!

Onward!

Ooh! I was sucked in by this rayon challis from Fabric Mart - it was Sue's pick one day and I got 6 yards. EEK! But it's so pretty! and vibrant!! 

I also got this poly crepe for a dress. I usually move on to fall sewing in August but I'm not seeing that we'll be back in the office by then so we'll see how it all goes.

Stay safe!

PR Mini Wardrobe Contest 2018

I consistently attempt an entry for the wardrobe contests year after year...sometimes I get it done and other times... :)


I just try to make it work within existing sewing plans and if it doesn't then, I won't make something *just* for the contest. I had gotten pretty good about not doing that and then was so frustrated with myself for doing it for the Sewing Bee. Too many wants, not enough time.

The contest rules were announced yesterday (I think?) and it runs September 1 through September 30th. This year, the contest challenge is to create a 5 piece mini wardrobe that combines to make a minimum of 6 outfits. So based on that and my early fall plans and another challenge/sew-a-long for September, here is my mini wardrobe.

 

 

Only the striped crepe is the actual fabric...the others are representative :)

Burda sweater in a black sweater knit

Butterick top (made previously) in a striped crepe, will modify the sleeve to have a flouncy bit of some sort :) I like flouncy bits!!

Birkin Flares in a medium wash denim

Vogue top in a red crepe; I plan to eliminate the back button closure (will just sew that seam up) and instead of the back strap, I'll make long! wide!! ties so it ties in back at the neck.

Butterick mini in a black Telio ponte

Outfit possibilities:

Sweater + Jeans

Sweater + Skirt

Sweater + Striped top + Jeans

Sweater + Striped top + Skirt

Striped top + Jeans

Striped top + Skirt

Solid top + Jeans

Solid top + Skirt

 

 

The theme is supposed to be something about work...or something? IDK...I will wear most of these to my regular office job LOL! The red top and oversized sweater will depend on how casual they appear on the body. 

Are you doing a mini wardrobe?

November Wrap-Up and Upcoming Plans

This month I sewed:

• Vogue 9022 dress in black/white sweater knit
• Burda 8/2017 coat in red wool fleece
• Infinity scarf in plaid cotton flannel
• Ottobre 5/2017 sweatshirt in ivory ponte (for my daughter)
• Burda 11/2017 skirt in caramel/cream wool blend suiting

Favorites: I had a great month!! I really love all 3 garments (for me) that I finished!

Accomplishments: I will say it sure was something cutting into a perfectly made sweatshirt but in the end, it turned out so cute! Alls I got is a bathroom mirror selfie!

FAILS: None this month unless you want to count my not loving the flannel scarf with the coat. I have worn them together though.

What's next...so many wants...I am really trying to stick to adding the basics that I need. I'm going to do so without focusing on SWAP. I keep pulling stuff out and putting it back trying to figure out my next project. I think forcing myself to think in terms of the SWAP was a little stifling. Even though, as I mentioned, the majority of things in my SWAP were already planned items from my fall/winter sewing list posted in October. I've already made 5 or 6 items on that list.

I have a lot of clothes. Duh, right? (I have a lot of storage too!) But as my sewing has improved and fabric purchasing too, I'm holding on to things much longer than in the earlier part of my journey. So for the rest of fall winter,  my focus will stay on basics. It's me so there's no way I'll make it without any "shiny" creeping in, but I will really be planning to sew from this list.

Black is one of my neutrals. I need a black skirt, trousers, dress and jacket. I need a light colored jacket, more solid colored dresses, a casual pair of pants (that aren't jeans), loungewear and outerwear.

Pants
Simplicity 2700, a TNT, in taupe RPL. For summer and fall I was all about my slim fit ankle pants! I wore a pair of my S2700 pants recently and now I need MOAR pants!! :)

Burda 3/2013 (it's a plus pattern) trouser in plum RPL suiting. Over Thanksgiving, I saw a pair of flat front, wide legged trousers and I had to have something similar!  These are already traced off, seam allowance added. I am leaving off the pockets so they should go pretty fast.

Vogue 9032, my TNT, in black wool blend suiting.

Burda 7/2017 in a tan suiting. I like the idea of this casual pant in a suiting. We'll see!

Birkin flares in a medium blue that really gives me a 70s vibe. My first pair of Birkins are a favorite but I messed up on the zipper and so I can only wear them with longer tops. These will be pushed though. Perhaps February or March. Partly because I doubt I'll wear them much during winter and also because denim is particularly hard on my hands, even before the injury.

Skirts
Butterick 5760, my TNT straight skirt in black wool blend suiting lined with Bemberg.

Top/Skirt
I almost listed New Look 6530 a dress but it's a top and skirt! I'll use a navy Ponte. I'm still deciding on the contrast. What do you think?

Dresses
Burda 6853 in black sateen with lace accents as on the pattern envelope.

McCall's 6886 in a maxi length in a black sweater knit. I got this idea and now I gotta have it.

SOMETHING with my black floral rayon challis. I want to wear this fabric! LOL!

Toppers
Burda 11/2007 in black wool blend suiting. I muslined this awhile back and cut it out and started sewing it in a different suiting. But then I decided I wanted the black one to be the longer view with pockets. I'll have to trace it and make the adjustments again. Boooooooo!

Burda 12/2007 in winter white boucle. I'm excited about this one!

Vogue 1569 in the striped boucle that I went gaga over.

Loungewear
Burda 1/2018 slouchy tee in burnout jersey.

PJ pants, fabric to be determined.

Simplicity 8424 loungewear. I have fabric for all 3 tops and 2 pair of leggings.

Outerwear
My outerwear plans are major! I have 3 pieces I want (whew!). I plan to tackle one per month.

February
I really want the Clare coat.  I do not own a black coat aside from my down coat. Plus, I already have everything for it! Wool, lining, gold piping (!) and a 'gold' zipper.

March
It will still be winter here but we'll start to have random warmer days towards the end of March / beginning of April. I can't stop thinking about Burda 8/2017. And I decided it HAD to be navy. And then....the skies parted and there was a 'By The Piece' navy wool melton at Fabric Mart. 2.25 yards for $21. So yeah, THAT is happening. I will be extending the sleeves to full length though.

April
I need a new trench coat! Mine has been too small since forever but it was my best option in spring as a dressier jacket.  I have the vintage Simplicity pattern. It's a size 16 but it may still be too small because vintage. We'll see how the muslin looks when the time comes.

I loved the Named Isla but they no longer offer a print version and don't offer a copy shop option. I will not pay $20+ for the PDF and print and assemble tiles...Too much.

Otherwise there's Burda 11/2012. They have SO many classic trench coats in plus sizes. The straight sized ones are more 'trench-like'. I know I can adapt and add features but I don't wanna! I even like the angled storm flaps here. And it has a collar stand! I don't WANT to trace a Burda either, but it's Burda and I know it will work.

I'd planned on sewing Simplicity 8470 or the Grainline Cascade. I didn't have a winter coat that was casual. I have a couple of jackets but no coats. I was going to hang with my nephews and had on my denim overalls (love them!!) and all of my winter coats felt FAR too dressy. But I was out and about one day at lunch and saw this coat and was like, this is IT! I did not want a traditional puffer with it's shininess. I was so excited! I tried on the Large and...

...Oh. Well that's a little snug. I put it back, dejected.

But then I found an XL! WINNING!! So I will be saving my black/white/metallic herringbone coating for another day! :)

So to recap, I hope that over December and January (including my 12 day staycation at year end), I can sew:

4 pairs of pants
2 skirts
1 top
3 dresses
2 blazers
1 other topper

And then the loungewear items, which will take way less time on a per-item basis than everything else! I'll probably sneak pieces in between other sewing.

2 pair of leggings
1 pair of pajama pants
4 knit loungewear tops

That was pretty epic!

Can you believe it's DECEMBER already?! How did that happen?? 2017 is almost over!

November Plans and SG 2018 SWAP

I really should stop writing these posts so early when I know how fickle and easily distracted I am! This list is SO outdated! :-p

November plans:

Okay so 3 of the 5 are still planned! And of course, I've already sewn my first project of November, V9022. (fickle!)

-Burda 8/2017 coat in red wool fleece (WIP)

The Burda coat is slow going. But that's okay. The first half (there are no side seams, there's a side panel) took FOREVER and caused me to break into an actual sweat with those pivot points! The second half is making more sense now that I see the completed section. It is blindingly bright and I LOVE IT.

Once I got to this point I was DONE for the day and didn't even bother to press it at all! LOL!

Because of the neckline, I decided I needed a scarf to match. I ordered this Kaufman flannel from Hancock's of Paducah via Amazon.

Most of my scarves are handmade (made from flannel, crocheted or knitted). MOST of them are printed! haha! I think I have a black one somewhere :) So I'm looking forward to whipping this one up in that awesome plaid!

It was 21 degrees when I left for work on Monday

I am wearing a handmade scarf...

...and a men's hat because I already told y'all my head is big!

-Burda 8/2017 wrap dress in black & white print jersey
I haven't tried it on again :( It is finished though! Hemming was quick work on the cover stitch.

-Burda 11/2017 skirt in camel heathered suiting
I really wanted to do the accent stitching by hand but that is not an option right now.

-New Look 6524 dress in pale grey crepe suiting
I love this dress so much! I may sew this after the coat. I already cut it out and I am temporarily burned out on tracing Burdas (and that November skirt has a lot of pieces) so it may jump ahead.

-Butterick 5760 skirt in black wool blend suiting with Bemberg lining
Next month...

-Burda 10/2017 top (unsure what fabric I'm going to use)
I didn't want this Burda top until I saw Chris' version!

 

I just have to search the stash for the right fabric!

I'm traveling for Thanksgiving but have a quiet month otherwise. I think those 5 4 items are plenty ambitious.

************************

I came across the Stitcher's Guild SWAP 2018 on Ruthie K Sews blog. I liked the color-based rules and since I'd already planned to beef up my work-appropriate-neutrals wardrobe, I decided I should join in. Now, it is intended to run December 26 - April (with some leeway for a garment or two completed prior to the December start date), but I hope to get A LOT of it done during my long break from work -- I was already planning a blazer, dress and pants for that time -- so mine will be completed long before April. By April we'll be at the tail end of winter,  I'll be #sooverit and will be trading out dark clothing for brights, hoping that spring shows up. :)

I will move the Butterick skirt to December and that will be my item that I complete prior to the official start.

L-to-R: Burda 11/2007, Vogue 9201, Burda 6853, Butterick 6331

Butterick 5760, Burda 8/2017, New Look 6261, Burda 7/2017, Style Arc Emily

Burda 6/2017, Burda 4/2014

 

Most of these patterns are representative of what I want while some are actual patterns I plan to use. Shhhh, mine isn't necessarily intended to be a stand-alone collection as it is designed to fill wardrobe holes. But, most everything will actually work together.

 

My neutrals will be black and tan.

 

Black: blazer, straight skirt, black dress with simple shape but interesting lines (e.g. the seamed Burda dress) and an 'interesting' black knit top.

Tan: pants with tie waist (suiting) and trench skirt (cotton twill). I plan to modify it to copy a RTW trench skirt.

For a print I'll be using the black & white glen plaid that FM sent me by accident. That will be for the sleeveless sheath and the other pant.

The other print will be the tie-neck dress. I really love the lines of this Vogue; I'm just unsure if I have enough fabric for tie neck, long sleeves and pleated skirt. I may have to find an alternate pattern.

My accent color will be magenta/fuchsia (which I never spell correctly btw). I want a more casual jacket in the pink and a soft, flowy button-front blouse.

From reading on Artisan Square, there are rules but there is also your interpretation of the rules. So the accent items may be in the same color family but not "match".

The only thing I've added to my existing plan are the blouse and casual jacket. All of the other things were on The Big List of plans.

Are you SWAPing? Do you have concrete plans for the upcoming season?

Simplicity 2061 and Some RTW Love

There isn't much to say about S2061 honestly. I've made them a handful of times. I cut a size 18, added 3/4" to the back rise, scooped out 1/4", removed 3/4" from the front and otherwise, they are sewn from the pattern. I am thinking on my black pair I may have slimmed the legs down a little. I was okay with he width but I wore them yesterday and realized they're too big in the waist. They kept slipping down. So I may remove the waistband and slim them down. 

These went together lightening fast. I used my machine to stitch the pleats and the elastic. They were constructed on the serger and the hem zip-zip-zip done on the cover stitch.

I love having a coverstitch!

WAIT!

Before getting the Brother 2340cv, I'd see reference to difficulties in removing the fabric. I was worried! Before mine came I watched tutorials and read blogs and on and on. And then I had some fits and starts trying different methods. So when 2 months passed without me using it, I had to look at tutorials AGAIN. I was having a tough time. You know what I did? I took out the manual. And followed the instructions. And it's easier and simpler and more straightforward than any blog post or YT tutorial on removing the fabric!

Sheesh.

You do NOT need to turn your needle tension dials to 0.
You do NOT need to pull forward the threads and all that.
Just do what the book says.

Raise needles to the highest position, lift the presser foot, hold down the thread release on the needles, pull the fabric back, snip the needle threads, keep pulling (gently!), snip the looper thread(s).

Easy peasy.

BTW, the day I took these pics I wore my skirt. I freaking love this skirt! 

Tossed on the cardigan with the pants for a quick photo. I can't wait to pair the cardi + skirt/pants with a bright top (someone needs to put their excessive amounts of now wrinkled laundry away).

I am working on the teal silk blouse from the 9/2017 Burda mag now!

As luck would have it, I ran out of tracing paper with one pattern piece left to go. BLEHHHHH. I use Bifeng paper and Amazon will deliver a new roll post-haste! :-D

Now, you all know I'm not anti-RTW. But I do shop at like, 2 places. I don't like having to try to figure out fit over and over again. I know that at LOFT, I wear a 12 in their Julie (curvy) fit. It's perfect. In their 'straight' fit, I need a 14 and to have the waist taken in. I cannot wear their Marissa. I usually go straight to the Julies but I saw these (straight fit) pants and had that 'sharp intake of breath' moment!!! I do need to get them taken in at the waist, which I don't do alterations (shot out to Tara! haha!) but these are a definite WIN.

Yes, I have on two different shoes. I think they are adorable with boots and will wear them both ways through fall, winter and spring (I think they may be too heavy for summer). Just cover half the pic for the effect...LOL!!!

The pants are black with a navy stripe and then a mustard stripe centered over that. The mustard actually lends itself to a variety of combos aside from well...mustard. It works well with bright yellow, and with yellow-toned cream and beige. Of course black and navy but they were also really cute with a chambray shirt. I'm excited! LOL!

McCall's Fest: 6844 and 6654

As mentioned my ponte came, with an extra 1/2 yard (woot woot!). It's not heavy enough for the Butterick knit blazer though. I've made that pattern a few times. The green one, though I wear it often, is floppy compared to the striped one made from a heavier ponte. I'd prefer a grey that is a bit heavier. So I'm switching gears a little with my mini-wardrobe.

I decided to swap that jacket for M6844. I've made it a half dozen times and really like it when it's made with a nice light to mid-weight ponte (I prefer M6996 for jersey fabrics).

Changes made this time include a pivot and slide FBA and a full bicep adjustment of 1 1/4". This sweater/jacket has such tight sleeves!!!  The first 2 times I made it, I interfaced my band as instructed. Other times I did not. I've hands-down preferred the interfaced collar. I had some very lightweight fusible that I picked up from the $1 section at Fabric Mart. It is really nice. As light as tricot but woven.

top-to-bottom: Fabric only, the interfacing I used, Pellon lightweight fusible

For my newer sewers...if you're unsure, take the time to make a test swatch with your interfacing choices. Takes but a few minutes but the right interfacing makes a huge difference!!

Since this pattern has been made a gazillion times, I'm sure you've heard about how easy and fast it is and how well it goes together so I won't belabor it.

The skirt is M6654, also made lots of times. I'm not sure how many...but it's such a great pattern. The last version I made was about 24" or so and I wanted this one longer. View D had a 28" length which was perfect. I cut the front out, held it up to me and exclaimed, "I LOVE THIS SKIRT!!!". LOL!

I also knew I wanted a slit on the left side but wanted more than just an open side seam. I wanted an opening that was about 1.5"-2". I lined front and back up, measured about 3/4" in and about 7" up from the hem (accounting for the side-seam allowance) and free-handed a slightly curved shape. I cleaned it up with my French curve and cut that out. It is EXACTLY how I envisioned!

I dug out a knee-high boot and it is equally awesome with boots as it is with heels <3 

I forgot to take them back out for a pic.

I went back in the sewing room and found the shaped scrap!

These items are SO VERSATILE!!!

I knew I needed some charcoal grey goodies!! :)

I'm super excited to finish the other two pieces -- the pants from S2061 and I think I may have enough to cut a sleeveless dress. We shall see!!

For now, it's on to Round 2 of the Bee. I made it through! This round is all about the sleeve. Since that is my jam and a recent RTW purchase by my daughter inspired me, I'm going to sew for this round.

:-D

Projects are due on the 20th so come back next week to see what I made! :-D

PR SODUKO CONTEST 2 OF 10: Burda 7136

I have a ton of stuff going on but I won't whine about it. I HAVE been sewing! LOL! I actually have 3 things completed and 1 more in progress. I'll start the Birkin flares after the vest is completed. Then the white skirt and white jacket hopefully by mid-March. I'm saving the tees - easiest items - for last. 

So again, no real modeled photos. Sorry. There'll be tons of pics though when everything is finished.

I've made this pattern a few times. When I made the last one, in chambray, I finished it and HATED it. I ended up chopping the sleeves to around elbow length and that made it wearable. Well, same thing happened this time. I finally had a lightbulb moment and went back to the pattern. Turns out I royally screwed up on the full bicep adjustment after making it the first time and there's tons of extra, unneeded fabric through the center of the sleeve. Huzzah! I can fix it for next time. 

I did a good job on the collar! 

This was my first time sewing seersucker and it was fine. I didn't lose the 'crinkles' anywhere even with pressing.

How I ended up finishing the sleeves. 

ALMOST perfect on matching the yoke to the back pattern piece! 

My shirt was going to have pockets. I made the first one and sewed it on. It was crooked - well it was straight on the flat pattern but crooked on my body. I removed it and reattached it. Too low. I removed it and reattached it. Too far from the center front. I removed it and gave it MAJOR side-eye and decided there was no way in {a warm, fiery place} would I reattach that pocket again.

I really like the finished shirt! It screams spring/summer!  I think it's going to be an awesome wardrobe piece as it looks great with SO many of my existing bottoms. And yes, I fitted it very closely on purpose.

WIP:

Simplicity 1499 vest in olive

Vest front and back are ready for topstitching. I added princess seams to the back and will be topstitching ALL THE THINGS on this! :)

Until later!!!!

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!