One Pattern, Several Ways

One of the gaps in my handmade wardrobe (and really overall), is cute and easy to wear tops. I was perusing blogs one day when I saw Kelli's idea over on Presser Foot. She was using a basic top pattern to create variations based on the same shape. Lucky me, the pattern she was using, Simplicity 2599, had already made it's way into my stash during a pattern sale. I hadn't used it yet, but from the reviews I looked up, the fit was good. It also offered the option for different cup sizes, which sounded good to me since I'm not blessed in that area, and always have to take things in at the bust. I made up a wearable muslin out of some cotton lawn that I had minimal yardage of. I omitted the facings and just did a serged and turned hem at the neck and sleeves. I like the button back closure, but figured out that it wouldn't be necessary on all of my versions. It turned out to be a great fit, and I've already made up some different versions that I'll share in the next few days!

Happy 4th of July {Dress}!

Happy 4th of July everyone! Hope you are celebrating with the ones you love and soaking up every single drop of summer :)

I finished up this fun dress yesterday, just in time to wear for today's festivities. If I remember, I'll try to post a picture of me actually in the dress today. (Maybe with fireworks!)

It's a rayon knit made from the Vogue pattern 1224. The design is by Tracy Reese so I figured I couldn't go wrong since one of my favorite dresses that I own is by her. It was my first Anthropologie purchase....ah memories! This was a quick knit dress to put together and I omitted the tie at the neck, and made it 2" longer (thank goodness or it would have been short!). I'm not sure it will get much wear, because red isn't really my color, but it will be fun for summer, and I had the fabric in my stash from an impulse buy a while back. If I make it again, I might make it in a solid or allover floral print. Overall it is a great lightweight summer dress and will probably make it into the suitcase for National Lampoon's Branson Family vacation coming up!

Sorbetto Top

I've been sewing with slinky fabrics lately and it reminds me why I don't like using them! For this top I used the FREE Sorbetto pattern from Colette Patterns. They really have some lovely patterns and I had been thinking of purchasing a couple when they came out with this freebie. What a great way to try them out! I'm sure now that I would like to purchase a dress pattern (if I could just figure out which one!).

The fabric here was a crinkle chiffon polyester. Not the fanciest fabric, but I was really attracted to the fun print, and the black base in the color scheme means it will incorporate into my work wardrobe easily. I cut a size 10, and it really didn't take long to sew up at all. My fabric shifted and twisted, and generally tried to make it 20 times harder to make than it would have been if I would have chosen something more sensible. I'll consider this a wearable muslin, because I found out when trying it on that I should have added 4-6 inches in length. It is too short to wear on it's own, but if I layer it with a cami or tuck it into a high-waisted skirt it will work. Aside from the length, everything else about the pattern was just fine!

Pendrell Blouse

Here is my version of the Pendrell Blouse. The pattern was really well drafted, and I didn't have to make any alterations for a perfect fit. I ended up cutting a size 8 even though my measurements would have been a 10, and it worked out great.

This photo shows the pre-hemmed length which is generous, but is actually nice for a change instead of having to lengthen everything. I used a rayon blend polka-dot fabric from my stash. It feels wonderful and drapes nicely, but was sort of a pain to lay out and keep straight! Don't look too close or you will see that the hem was terribly crooked in this photo, so I let it hang for a few days before I straightened it up and turned it under. I don't see this version being an everyday go-to, but it will be great for work in the fall.

If I make another, I might try the sleeveless version in a fun cotton, or even maybe a knit!

Summertime and the Reading is Easy...

I just finished reading "Are You There Vodka? It's Me, Chelsea," by Chelsea Handler, and I have to say it's hilarious. The perfect read for summer, as it made me laugh out loud, and had plenty of inappropriateness to go around. It's a collection of ridiculous tales from her life, and takes me back to the summer of 2007. (If you should know what I'm talking about, you will.)

I also hit up the local library to pick up a few more books to finish of the summer right. My library card is one of the few things I'll miss about living in town, if we get moved to the country. It may have been a little ambitious, but I picked up 2 books, and went back a day later for a third. I'd hate to risk one of them being checked out when I'm ready to read! Here's what I ended up with:

Dress Day 2

I'm on a dress kick lately. This one is in a fun stripe pattern on super comfy knit fabric. I think this is my new favorite pattern because it only took me a day to sew it up. It's Simplicity 2865 which is a Built by Wendy design. Now I'm going to be on the hunt for more knit fabric on sale at the fabric store so I can make one in every color! Check out the racerback and fun inset on the side. Super flattering, and not too tight to make you feel like it's clinging.

If you're new to sewing, or just need some inspiration on cool things to make, I would highly recommend Wendy Mullins' books. I have the one on dresses and knit fabrics, and I've flipped through "Sew U" a few times thinking it would be a great resource for someone just starting out.

Anyone have weekend plans?? Fun projects you're trying to finish before summer slips away??