Wardrobe Planning and Random Thoughts

The mojo is still absent, but I have been trying to figure out if there's anything I want to sew or need to add to my wardrobe. 

There are a couple of patterns that I'm interested in sewing, and I did add to the stash during the recent $.99 Simplicity sale at JoAnn:

New Look 6698, S9385, 9373, 9375, 9376, 9326, 9275, 9372

And while I'm really excited to sew both the skirt in 9375 and a couple of the shrugs in 9372, that still didn't get the sewing mojo going. 

I also sorted through nearly the whole stash because I donated a bunch of fabric (4 plastic Mood bags full!) to our High School theater program. My son would be offended, he says they don't deserve anything> LOL!!!!!

So I couldn't rev the mojo in the normal way, next up was assessing if there were wardrobe holes. I still had all of my summer clothes and shoes out and had to go through the work of pulling out the fall goods. Every time I make the switch, I analyze both sets of clothing. As the spring/summer clothes are going away, I am deciding what to keep, donate, or toss...and the same with the fall/winter clothes coming out of storage. I took note of my favorite garments and realized a color story was happening!

Now, I'm not going to do any color theory or anything because...I know me and I'm just not going to do it :-p But there was a definite pattern. 

• Black, Navy, Grey, Olive, Camel, White
• Blush, Wine, Plum
• Chartreuse, teal, slate blue
• Black & white stripes and prints

a representative sample

I think I'm going to work mostly within this color palette and see how that works for me! I am also going to try to avoid buying new clothes. I have added several garments, and they all work, but I want to really thoughtfully add to my existing wardrobe. Especially with the schedule I'm maintaining right now. 

Another part of the process is NOT including anything in my closet that I cannot currently fit. I have mentioned before but, I have never really had body image issues and am having a hard time right now. Not necessarily with the weight gain (I've been over 200 lbs before) but with how I feel about my body right now. Blergh. So it's really important not to bring clothing in that's going to hang there and be pointless. 

This orange jacket has been in the wardrobe for awhile - I got it from J. Crew 5 years ago, it's linen, and I love the color. It's clearly too small right now but I think the length is wrong now too! It's funny how trends change and we end up being shaped by them, whether we intend to or not. 

In a nutshell, I would really like:

a deep red pair of pants (maybe ponte for now)

a skirt in one of the deeper shades of red (wine/brick red - it'd be great if I could find leather!!)

a chartreuse cardigan (I have the fabric for this)

a deep magenta shrug (I have the fabric for this)

slim black pants (I bought a pair last year but can't fit them right now)

1 or 2 heavier knit dresses (I have a charcoal ponte in the stash)

On the non-sewing front, I'm coming down from a high of daily grandkid visits for a whole week! Swoon! The kids have some business to tend to but my daughter and the babies were here while my son in law was taking care of some things and I was happy to help out and get alllllll the baby snuggles!

He's almost 2 months old now! 

He was born a little early but I think he's all caught up now :)

And, Nana's house has not been kid-proofed so it was a free-for-all! Just keep him safe! LOL!!!! 

January's Epic Wrap-Up and February Plans

This month I sewed 14.25 yards and 10 items. WHEW!

The month started with a plan of adding some new tops to my wardrobe. I cut out S8948, realized I didn't have proper interfacing and the project stalled. I still ended up getting it done in January along with 3 other tops. Woohoo!

Also, I've changed my "from stash" criteria to fabrics that I've owned for 6+ months (vs 3).  Thanks Carolyn!

• Vogue 8772 top - 3 yards (narrow fabric)
• chambray cotton twill from Fabric Mart (stash)
• buttons 
• McCall's 6886 dress - 1.25 yards
• mushroom colored rib knit from Stonemountain & Daughter 
• snaps
• New Look 6150 top - 1.25 yards
• deep purple wool jersey from SR Harris (stash)
• elastic
• McCall's 7061 x 5 - 6 yards 
• rainbow hearts cotton knit from Fabric Mart (stash) 
• top: cording
• pants and shorts: elastic
• unicorn cotton knit from JoAnn
• shorts: elastic
• Simplicity 8948 top - 1.75 yards
• black and white print poly georgette from JoAnn (stash)
• buttons, elastic
•  Butterick 6183 top - 1 yard
• silk cotton blend twill from SR Harris
• zipper, beaded trim, bias tape

Favorites: I just finished the Butterick top and I am crazy about it!!!! But I have to say, this was a very successful month overall.

FAILS: Kinda but not really (yet) was the fabric fail of that Doodle knit from JoAnn. My 2 yards shrank a full 1/4 yard in length during pretreatment and we'll see it how it performs with washing. Also, I made a muslin of V8772 but missed this weird shoulder fit thing. We'll see if it affects wear.

Accomplishments: My biggest accomplishment this month was drafting a custom sleeve pattern! I haven't worked out the possible adjustments needed but I did it! More later!

Otherwise, I didn't step TOO far out of my comfort zone this month but I think I did some good sewing. I did not pay attention to cutting layout when working on V8772 and ended up piecing one of the tie neck pieces after freaking out about it. I added a front placket with snaps to the M6886 TNT. I am super proud of my work on the loungewear from M7061. I was way more patient than ever with B6183. I was using a suiting fabric and adding trim and merging the pattern sleeve with "my" sleeve. It was a fun albeit slow sew (for me!).

I did buy fabric and patterns this month. It happens that a fabric idea I had in mind popped up on FM's site for a steal. I want a pleated trouser with matching top in a coral/orangeish color and scored the Milly cady suiting for $3/yd. I bought 5 yards.  And the Sue's pick that day was a beige/black/white printed rayon challis that is SO. Me. and it was $1.99/yd. I bought 6. That print is the kind of fabric I'd wear as a top or a dress or even a skirt and I wanted more for later. I kick myself often for not buying a gazillion yards of the rayon challis I used on THIS dress when I knew it was love.

So while I sewed a lot, I'm already “upside down” at 22.5 yards IN and 14.25 yards OUT for a total of $85.43. That's the JA Doodle knit, the SR Harris remnant, and a FM order. Totally worth it though.

 

 


I bought a Simplicity (8457), a NL(6633), 3 McCall's and 3 Vogues this month. Oy!

February's Plans:

I finally scored a knitting machine!! Woohoo!!!!!!! My first lesson is February 5th and I think we'll meet weekly for like, 4 weeks. So I'll probably spend a good deal of my free time working on the assignments in between lessons. BUT, I do have some sewing planned.

I am doing the Burda challenge this year. The fabric I used for B6183 was a remnant I picked up to use for my January Burda project (DOH) and I jumped into the Butterick top :)

• Burda 01/2020 hooded top (WIP as of 2/1)

• Simplicity 8694 and a pair of matching pants for my daughter. Not sure specifically but I'll use a pattern that I've made for her before.

• I initially planned to sew V8890 for my husband this month but now, KNITTING MACHINE! :-D But I do plan to, if nothing else, get it cut out and prepped. 

• I am attending the U of MN senior design student fashion show this month and I always plan to wear something handmade. This year, it's on the 15th and we also have 2 other events/functions so I'm going to try to make V1674 to rock that day.

New Patterns!

I posted this month's Pattern Roundup on the Curvy Sewing Collective blog the other day. There were SO many new patterns released, and I did NOT capture them all, so be sure to check back next month! As mentioned there, some of them are already in my stash!!

There were a few Big4 releases that had some decent items but that didn't move me much. Today, at my monthly sewing meetup group, I happened upon new Butterick patterns and WOWZA!!!! I ~love~ this release!

6675 - A wrap dress with some interest...I'm a huge fan of cut-on sleeves for summer dresses and the shape on the skirt is beautiful. Don't eliminate those seams!!

6676 - is very cute though not quite my style. Without the faux-belt or split neck it isn't terribly original, I know. But if you don't have a simple fit & flare already...

6678 - is similar to the V9311 that I *just* picked up. I do like the Vogue version more because, cut on sleeves! :-p I don't care for the sleeves on the Butterick but love the sleeveless versions and the flounce options!

6679 - I am on the fence about this one. I just worry about the FBA to get that top part to fit correctly. There is nothing worse than seams bisecting the bust. But the twist front is SO CUTE and I love all 3 skirt options!

6681 - Lisette patterns have always worked really well for me. I haven't bought too many of her latest designs. This is a bit too boxy for me though I like the denim/chambray version pictured.

6673 - I really like this and it's on the maybe list for me. I do feel like I could probably find this in a Burda mag. 

6685 - I really like this top! I love the cut-on sleeves, rounded hem, and the tie waist. I just bought a very similar Burda envelope pattern though so will pass on this one.

6688 - Is one that's "not quite" there for me. It looks a little too full/boxy for my tastes but I was drawn to the gathers and split-neck.

6687 - I am a sleeve frill kinda lady so I like the idea of this one. But like 6688, it's a bit too boxy and that neckline worries me a bit. It looks very different in the tech drawing vs. on the live model vs. on the artwork.

6690 - I love how well this fits the model! I don't make a lot of raglan items but definitely have some patterns in the stash that have been made before, so this one isn't a must-have for me.

6684 - is right up my alley! Aside from the cut-on sleeves, it is very close to my beloved B6378 which I might love a little more because of the shoulder gathers :)

6689 - I am all for the Tilton "art teacher chic" aesthetic. This one is just a bit too roomy for me, but I love the neckline frill and cool pockets.

There was also a caftan pattern, a retro pattern, and a costume pattern that was on the 'meh' list for me.

What made it to my OMG I HAVE TO HAVE THAT!!!! list? :-D

I have been after "this" pattern for awhile. Button front, princess seams, full skirt (that CB seam is necessary!), scoop neck...I LOVE IT. The pockets and optional neck frill are extras. I really like both lengths too.

The maxi version is kind of giving me life -- Both versions! It's a simple dress but in the right fabric, quite impactful.

I am calling it. I think this will be very popular. It will work for so many body types, can be dressed up or down, has options for colorblocking...

I said I like cut-on sleeves! :) Really love the back yoke with gathers and I like the sleeves on B and C (D less so).

Now, this jumpsuit is designed for wovens. I 'just say no' to woven jumpsuits without closures. No, no, no. I'd make this in a knit though!! I also like the kimono quite a bit. The contrast band is fine for me though I'm not a fan of the contrast sleeve flounce. 

This is pretty much the entire Butterick release, lol! But it's just so good!!!  I think I'm up to ~40 patterns for the year. Doh!!

I didn't make an official MMM pledge...I do wear handmade near daily and as I've said before, I really enjoy being introduced to new patterns, seeing everyone excited about their handmades, and being more conscious of what I'm wearing (or not wearing) and outfit combinations that I like (or don't like).

Day 1 (lower left): Butterick 6464 skirt with RTW tee and blazer
Day 2 (lower right): Burda 7136 shirt with RTW corduroy pants
Day 3 (upper right): Ogden cami with same RTW pants and a denim jacket
Day 4 (upper left): McCall's 7812 top with RTW pants and a denim jacket

Days 1-3 I was in the midst of a migraine and look so out of it! Today is *much* better though post-migraine symptoms are pretty sucky in their own right.

In other news, I registered for Beth's jacket making class this fall at Hello Stitch after stalking her and the store and I am PUMPED! I have made a handful of jackets but have always been way too overwhelmed to do full tailoring (even speed tailoring) and there are some parts of construction that I've still never fully grabbed. Caveat - the recent B6641 Lisette jacket had really great instructions and I learned a lot making it...but it will be nice to have some professional hand-holding. Beth will be using the Closet Case Jasika - I have unfortunately sworn off CC for anything on my upper body. Every one has been a fail for me. But I will be sewing either a Burda magazine pattern or Vogue 9099, the extremely classic Claire Sheaffer blazer:

Are you as geeked over this Butterick release? Are you summer sewing yet? Participating in Me Made May this year?

New Look 6189

This pattern was released early in my sewing journey. I first attempted the pants in April 2013 and I actually had a somewhat decent out of the envelope fit!

 

I'd tried to lengthen them but the lower legs were twisting. I have butt wrinkles I didn't know how to resolve, a too-long front crotch and apparently an inability to correctly sew in a belt carrier?? :-p

I did say somewhat decent!

I tried the pattern again later but used a stretch denim and could not make it work. I've had this pattern on the brain for awhile and am glad I finally got back to it!

I used a size 16, added 1" to the back crotch length and extended the crotch curve 1/2". This was a bit of an overcorrection. I'll likely remove some of the addition from the CB seam. I lowered the front 3/4" and did a full inner thigh adjustment (thinking I need a fisheye dart in back...we'll see).

 After finishing them I decided to add a belt. Only mildly weird functionally since they zip on the side ;-p

I like the front notch and kept it but forgot to interface both the waistband AND facing in front so it collapses a bit. 

OMG do you see those facing wrinkles?? Fabric is wool suiting from SR Harris from the clearance section for $8/yd.  I washed and dried it before cutting. I had no issues with shrinkage while pressing anything but interfacing was a nightmare! I tried two different interfacings and in the end had to live with a not-so-great presentation on the inside.

I so love lapped zippers when skirts/pants have side closures and this one turned out really well. The instructions for the zipper installation were great! I have my own way but I followed along and all good! I also kept the length and the cuff. I would add a little more length for future versions. This length is just shy of working well with boots but is fine with heels or flats. 

I like the cuffs more than I expected! I serged the edge and then transferred the fold lines with a tracing wheel and white wax paper. The cuff is tacked at the inseam and side seam.

I can definitely see making these again...I'd probably leave off the front notch...it doesn't add much.

I am now unsure about the NL6123 dress :( I haven't tried it on in awhile and the lining shreds every time I touch it. I'm just going to leave it be until I can hem it and then go from there. I think I may be able to do some hand sewing in spurts soon. I have my V1411 knit pants and B6441 jacket to review and then I'll be caught up for my February sewing projects. 

I have managed to not buy any fabric in March! Woohoo!!!!! I got a bunch of notions from Wawak at the start of the month and I've purchased 20 patterns. 

sigh.

I belong to club BMV and ended up with 7 new McCall's and 3 new Kwik Sew patterns...then the Makerist site was having their $2 sale (which apparently isn't that rare an occurrence?) and I bought a pattern for a jewelry travel case and 7 Kommatia patterns. I had the Ferri bodysuit and Susan cropped denim jacket in my cart a couple weeks ago. I didn't buy them because I knew I wouldn't be sewing any time soon. And then this sale pops up!! And at $2...I paid the same price for all 8 patterns I bought for what those 2 would have cost!

I also got the Cannes and Claire bodysuits, the batwing dress, the long cardigan and the relaxed tee. 

And then I went to JA and picked up 1 new Simplicity (8889), 1 Burda (6330) and 1 New Look (6606). Whew! :)

Why Hello There, 2019!

Let's get the most important thing out of the way...

I AM TURNING 40 THIS YEAR!!!! Wooooooohoo!!!!!

I remember being so excited for 30 and am just giddy for 40. I am one of those people who say you could not pay me enough money to go back in time. No, I don't wish I were in HS or 20 again or...No. No. No. No Thank You.

I embrace the passage of time and the growth and change that comes with it. Let's get this next decade started!

Personal goals for 2019:

Read More
I came to the realization that I read very few books last year. I don't know how many but probably only 2 or 3 and it made me sad!

I plan to read at least 12 books this year.

Eat Better
I am basically a small child inside :-p If I didn't know better, I'd live on pastries, cake, cookies, other bread items, bacon, potatoes, tacos, nachos and pizza. Yesterday for dinner I made salmon, risotto and green beans. I ate 2 green beans while I was cooking to gauge done-ness and was pretty sure I needn't eat anymore than that. Vegetables, bleh. :-p

I'll probably start making smoothies for breakfast again. I can eat A LOT of veggies in smoothie form! I have a bunch of recipes I used to make that are low in sugar, which tends to be the tricky part with smoothies.

Exercise More
I hate outside. I hardly ever WANT to go outside. There's a short period between the cool, rainy spring weather and the sticky, humid summer weather...(and a little bit in fall too!) where I voluntarily get outside almost daily. And I don't like gyms either...but love yoga and pilates. So I'll plan to start the year doing videos at home and then look at some local places for monthly membership.

Be Present
It's so easy to be bogged down by all of the things constantly demanding our attention. Also, I have started to become frustrated when I realized I've picked up my phone with zero intent or I've navigated to some site or social media again, without realizing it.

Sewing Goals, Plans, etc

My 2018 plans were:

• 3 outerwear items
• Navy coat sewn, black coat is a UFO and possibly a wadder, trench coat didn't happen.

•  Loungewear and Sleepwear
• DONE! I love all of these items too!

•  Black workwear wardrobe
• Done! But the jacket didn't work out (it fit weirdly around the shoulders), the dress and pants are now too big, I've taken the skirt in a couple of times. I also plan on altering the dress.
• Replace my Birkin Flares
• I did not get this done. I really have the need for a couple pair of jeans but I have never felt like my hand was up to the task of cutting denim. The ivory skirt I just made took 2 sessions to get it cut out :/
• A nude-to-me Slip
• Nope. I did get some swatches from mood but never ordered. Maybe this fall.

  My 2018 goals/resolutions were:

•  No new fabric before May 1 - FAIL! lol!
• Well...that was before I knew I was going to SewCamp. I bought almost 90 yards of fabric between NYC and FM and bought a bunch more because I saw fabrics at Fabric Mart that hadn't yet made it to the website, took note of the stock numbers, and ordered all the things when I got home.
• Buy no more than 18 patterns   - FAIL!!
• I purchased 30 new patterns this year. I did give away the True Bias Landers; I didn't like the crotch curve and didn't want to bother fiddling with it to make them work.
• Tracking - Almost!
• I DID track the patterns I used and realized, using TNTs isn't that important to me yet. Yes, when the mojo is low or I've had a couple fails, I pull out a TNT to break the slump (usually). But I love new patterns. LOVE! LOL! Less than 25% of my 2018 garments were either TNTs -or - used more than once during the year.
• I did pay attention to success vs. fails along the way but didn't discuss that much.
• I lost steam on my outfit-a-day pics. 
• I tracked Fabric in/out totals
• I tracked sewing spending for the most part. I'm almost certain some purchases were missed, like popping into JA to buy a spool of thread for example.
• Sew at least 18 Burda mag patterns - Success!
• I sewed exactly 18. Setting a general goal like this of just making sure I use my mags works better than forcing myself to choose something from each issue. Many, many times, the magazine patterns have to grow on me a bit.
• Sewing community engagement - Ehhhhhh. LOL!
• I'm a cranky old lady at heart...I have been making sure I comment on blogs more. I just haven't found the energy to continue writing pattern reviews on PR though. I've tried to be more positive but I had a crappy year.
• Blogging - I ain't going nowhere! :-p
• I just can't get the same feel on IG as blogs. 

 My 2019 Goals and Plans!

Patterns:

• Sew minimum of 18 Burda mag patterns 
• Sew minimum of 4 Ottobre mag patterns - I have no intention of NOT subscribing so I should use them more. I often stop myself because "I don't know my sizing yet in Ottobre." Well, I'll never know if I don't sew them!
• BUY FEWER PATTERNS. OY! My son said he's going to open up a pattern store in the basement. Wah! LOL! 

Fabric:
Continue to be more mindful of fabric purchases. I feel like I need to cull my fabric as well. Having a stash is great for me and it isn't necessarily that it's too much (whatever that means!), but it's no longer organized and I KNOW there are pieces that just do not move me anymore...

I need it to fit on my Expedit and in the bins I have for it. I rotate out for fall/winter and spring/summer and the current season needs to fit on the Expedit! The out of season fabric needs to fit in the bins. 

And the bin of fabric that I keep in the sewing room for "upcoming projects" needs to fit in the bin!

Whew.

Skill Building

• Sew some menswear! Woohoo! I'm not sure why it didn't occur to me before but I suddenly realized (duh!), *I* can make hubby some jeans and a blazer! He has a hard time buying jeans and I keep telling him he needs a sportcoat. But his proportions are weird! He's 6'2" with EXTRA LONG arms but SUPER narrow shoulders and a small neck comparatively. Seems like it would be easier to sew him one than to find one that fits well or one that is good enough + alterations.
• Outerwear. Again. Aside from my down coats, my outerwear wardrobe is OLD. I have a few things in mind, yes, including the trench! I so wanted that Burda from April 2018 but I traced it off and didn't make it and now I'd have to trace it AGAIN a size smaller. IDK if that's going to happen :/

V1479

I really NEED a dress coat in black or camel or something neutral.

Burda 6845

• A Blazer. Argh! I've sewn lots of jackets. I didn't get to the Lisette jacket so it's going to happen early this year. 
• Party Clothes! Okay the SA dress was PARTY dress...but I also need other cute stuff! At least a couple of fun tops and a dress. 

That was a lot of words so I leave you with 1 teaser photo of my new wool jersey Butterick 6621 dress! :-D

Spoiler alert: I love it <3 I will have 3 dresses from this pattern when I review it! :-O

Simplicity 8529

I was first 'introduced' to the Sew House 7 Toaster Sweater during Sew Camp this spring. One of the ladies sewed it up and it was SO cute. As I've watched them pop up on blogs and IG, I've gone back and forth on the pattern.

When the Simplicity version (there ARE some differences) was released, I figured I'd give it a shot and decide if I wanted the original (I actually like the original more). The funnel neck is the same on both I think and that was the feature I was on the fence about.

 

 It's okay...

I sewed view A in a medium and shortened it 3 inches (I'm not a big tunic person). I love this fabric and was hoping for a wearable muslin. I have really fantastic cut of off-white ponte and had high hopes. I think I'll have to save that fabric for another pattern. 

The fabric is a hacci sweater knit picked up for cheap from Fabric mart a ways back. I have "the same" (idk now if it really is!) fabric in a different colorway and was concerned because that one felt polyester-y and icky. This one is fine. 

Construction was straight foward. The collar is sewn like a lot of cowl necks are which gives a nice, clean finish inside.

 

I like the dropped shoulder and I like the funnel neck and I like the roomy, "sweatshirt" feel and I like the side slits...but I just don't like this.

When I finished it, I tried it on and KEPT tugging at the neckline. I knew it was doomed -- I do not wear fussy clothes. I got compliments though so I went ahead and styled it:

And again, liked it in theory, but wearing it was a different matter. Also telling? I finished it on 11/24 and haven't worn it yet. Sigh...win some, lose some.

In other news, I am COMPLETELY GAGA over the Butterick release! Woohoo!

Some patterns, even if they aren't necessarily special...they come along and they are exactly what you've been looking for!

I have a large wardrobe (duh) of toppers and have been leaning more towards my blazers/jackets than cardigans. 

 

My $10 Marshalls find has gotten quite a bit of wear already!

I squealed, for real, when I saw this pattern. Must. Have. It. I love the cut, the collar, the details (princess seams + those shaping darts in front/back neck + forward shoulder seam + 2-piece sleeve + welt pockets!)...I love that it's a Lisette pattern (all of the tops, dresses and jackets that I've sewn of hers, I've really liked), and it has cup sizing. I am crossing my fingers for a Butterick sale before my holiday break.

 

There was seriously so much to like for me in this release but I've been tempering myself with the pattern purchases.

Tilton tunic - I know, I'm not that into tunics, but I love the seaming and shape of this!!

*

Lifestyle wardrobe - I like the top and maxi dress...I like the mid-length version except for the curved shirttail hem...I don't really care for that hem style on dresses.

*

Another Tilton tunic - yeah, yeah...but it's awesome. Maybe I"ll get one or the other. Maybe.

*

This. Dress.! - I need this. I need view A and I need view B and I need view C! :)

*

Top options - you will have to pry the peplum from my cold, lifeless self...I also like the little tie front on the main view. I like that it has a crew neck and faux wrap option. Plus multiple sleeve options!

*

Connie Crawford tunic - Okay, I would shorten this quite a bit if I made it...but it is so interesting!! I've never sewn a CC pattern so I'd have to do some research on how the fit of her designs may differ.

That's going to break up my no-pattern-buying streak soooo I figured, what the heck. I've missed the last 4 Simplicity sales and snagged these 3 and this Style Arc (par-tayyyyy!). 

Hey, my last pattern purchase was in August. Not too bad! :)

In other news, I've replaced the KwikSew peplum in my plans with M7812. I just kept thinking of that pattern so I figured, why not!? It's all cut out and partially sewn.

I have Z.E.R.O. things that I'm doing Friday/Saturday. Okay, I may clean up a little on Friday...but otherwise I am going to Chill and Sew. And Chill!!

July Wrap-up and August Plans

I cannot believe how fast this year is flying by. I cannot believe how quickly this month passed! It was just my birthday! Eesh!

Well, I certainly made up for a non-sewing June. This month, I sewed 16.5 yards.

• New Look 6507 dress - 3 yards
• print rayon challis
• elastic
• Vogue 9238 dress - 2 yards
• black and ivory Ponte, knit print
• Butterick 6330 dress - 2 yards
• print double brushed poly
• elastic
• Butterick 6330 dress - 2 yards (awaiting hemming)
• black rayon jersey
• elastic
• Burda 8/2012 pants - 2 yards
• black cotton sateen
• zipper, elastic
• McCall's 7780 top - 1.5 yards
• ivory cotton/linen blend woven
• d-rings
• Vogue 1522 pants - 2 yards (to be reviewed)
• navy Telio jockey ponte (this fabric is seriously amazing)
• elastic
• Grainline Felix dress - 2 yards (to be reviewed)
• blue tencel chambray

Favorite: Ooh. I had a good month. Nothing was "perfect"; whatever that means. Every thing had it's niggling issues. But I am pretty happy with most everything I sewed this month. I'm going to go with the Butterick 6330 dress as it was literally exactly what I've wanted in a summer dress.

Fails: Nothing went terribly wrong this month. As you may have read in my last post, I made a lot of silly mistakes when making M7780, but the top worked out great!

Accomplishments: Nothing stands out this month...perhaps the fact every single one of these items was basted, adjusted/tweaked, before final sewing. This may sound like a no-brainer but this is NOT something I've done routinely!!

This month, I purchased 9 yards of fabric: 5.5 from Mood - sewed 2 yards this month and 3.5 from SR Harris and sewed 1.5 this month.

For the year I'm at 206.5 in and 98.5 out. I purchased 32 (yikes!) cuts of fabric when I went to NYC/PA. I've sewn 5 of them. In my defense (haha), I bought fabric for fall primarily. And quite a few shirtings for the stash. I have plans this summer/fall for 9 cuts of that fabric and the remaining 4.5 yards from this month. Fingers crossed?? :)

I purchased 4 patterns this month. I'm officially over my goal of 18 for the year (19 purchased)...and there are 4 of the new Vogue's on my list. I tried. LOL!

-The Paco pattern is similar in neckline to a Burda from 11/2017. I like them both but want a fall dress. This pattern looks like it has an extended shoulder and dropped armhole so not readily able to take a sleeve. But I'd have to look at the pattern. I want a fall dress and will not be making a dress with this zipper and amazing lines to be covered up with a jacket!

-The Badgley Mischka is so neat! I just love it.

-The Tracy Reese wasn't on my radar until someone posted the back of it - gorgeous! I can do without the chain in front and that length won't work for me, but otherwise, I really like this one. 

-Okay, this is a quirky pattern, the Kathryn Brenne, but it's cool! I think it can be a fun top in the right fabric and I'd probably skip the buttons down the back or match the color to the fabric.

Honorable mention to these, I like them but don't need them:

I like this view of Tilton's 9332

My daughter likes 9330 but I don't need to spend $5 for this pattern IMO.

I love the shape of 9329 and the lines; may end up getting it later. Maybe. 

I don't love the handkerchief hem.

This view of 9327 is SO pretty. Swoon. 

Aside from the giant flutter sleeve on view F and the circle cut-out in back (easily remedied by cutting a full back), This dress and it's sleeve options are really nice. I may get this one. We'll see.

For August, I really want to stick to my plan. Fingers crossed. Some more. LOL!!!

I have the Burda 4/2018 trench mostly traced out. I really want to get this done this month. We're already having several 60-65 degree mornings (52 degrees this morning!!) and by September, I'll likely need a light jacket in the a.m. (and then it'll be too warm by afternoon. sigh.)

Butterick 6562 for my mom (I should have done this awhile ago. oops!)

McCall's 7547 to round out my casual pant needs

 

And I hope to get the Burnside bibs sewn!! 

I'm going to plan to do my mom's top first, then the pants, then the bibs then the trench. Again, I know you're thinking, that's nothing for you! :) I am traveling one weekend and have visitors another...plus, a whole, entire trench coat?!?. 

Eek! Wish me luck (fingers crossed?? :-p )

Victim of Circumstance...

 

It all started with 1 pattern wish and ended with 1 crazy teenager. I never feel the need to wax poetic about motherhood...and I never feel need to shy away from the difficulties either. For all his positive traits, my youngest is certainly responsible for about 85% of my gray hair. I'd like to skip ahead to about ohhhh...maybe 3-5 years from now?? Ha!!

 

On Saturday, my son was out running errands and I asked him to stop by JA and pick up this pattern. #1 in my 18 of 2018 pattern stash additions. Except for view D (in pink), I love all of these I was excited to add this one to stash for summer and was feeling pretty good about 2.5 months without new patterns.

 

All was well but then...sigh.

 

Usually, stress fuels my sewing. This time I lost my mojo and spiraled a bit. Blerghhhhhhh. I'm not sure which came first, the cart (patterns) or the horse (fabric)! I do know I'm working on a top for my daughter (her creation, I think it's weird) and she wanted another top with statement sleeves. I thought about M7687 for her and was wondering what I had in stash for it.

 

 

 

Somewhere along the line I started looking for an "interesting top" and had forgotten my mild curiosity about M7724 and then saw a couple made up and decided I HAD TO HAVE THAT TOO!

 

And then I went to SR Harris and saw this mustard striped shirting (she loves mustard) and had to have it. I think that's when I thought of M7687?? Idk. See. Cart? Horse?! But I saw the blue/white stripe on the bottom and needed that for the Simplicity top and the modeled version of M7724. But the other two blue fabrics are for the crazy colorblocked version of M7724 and the striped swimsuit knit is for a swimsuit bottom for a trip next month...

 

 

 

 

 

I don't know how it all went down...just that it did! In my defense to myself, I've purchased 10 yards prior to adding this 10 yards. Of the prior 10 yards, I've sewn 5.5 of them so that's something, right?  And theoretically, 4.5 ish of this fabric will be used in the next 30 days (her fabric, the two 1 yard cuts and ~0.5 yard of the swim fabric). So we're just going to call that good. Mmmkay??

 

Moving on! :-p

 

M7687 for DD (with a zipper in back, not buttons) and I could see using it for myself in the future; so I'll trace hers off.

 

B6488 has been on my wishlist since it came out. I think all of the versions have a place in my wardrobe.

 

V9305 is just too, too cute. I wanted this for my mom and me. I'm not a fan of linen but will look for some for her. I'm not sure yet what fabric I'll use for mine.

 

M7724 as mentioned above

 

M7728 because I forgot how awesome that jumpsuit looks (sleeveless and off the shoulder) until I started looking for a specific bodice for a dress for the OTRII tour with Jay-Z and Beyoncé. That's way later this summer but I was ordering, so why not?! Oy!

 

B6330 because the jumpsuit and jacket mimic two rtw items I saw and loved but were not a perfect fit. And we don't need to settle for imperfect fit!

 

This jumpsuit from Target is the kind of thing I can live in in summer on weekends. This is a size Large. Bust, waist, hips? Great. But so much neck and armhole gaping! I will make it custom-sized and I have the perfect fabric for it.

The jacket is very similar to this nice tencel twill jacket I saw in Marshall's but the M was too small and the L too big. So I'll make my own! I have a lovely white tencel twill that will fit nicely into a summer wardrobe.

Other goings ons:

One day, my coat will be done. I did something wonky with the collar facing but had already trimmed and graded and clipped and there was no way I was ripping it out. So I'm going to forge ahead with a little sadness.

 

I posted this on IG the other day. I was wearing nothing handmade in my outfit but this Burda Illusion jacket is one of my all time favorite items!!! And every time I wear it, I marvel at how terrible the sewing is. But I don't care!!!! :) I'm hoping my black coat does the same for me :-p

 

My son loves hockey so I had this graphic created by LeighBee Designs on Etsy. The image printed as separate elements and I see now that I moved the state over too far. I'll  make them one on future versions. He really liked it and brought me 5 tshirts to add the design to.

 

 

I nabbed this off of my daughter's Snapchat <3

 

I got SOME sewing done! This top from Burda 7/2017 is complete now and needs a press and pictures. It'll be the weekend before I can get photos so stay tuned.

Until later!