FO: Burda 02-2010-104 Skirt

My first Burda (magazine) pattern... 02-2010-104 skirt. I love the simplicity of this skirt! There's some great versions here and here and here. I'm glad this was my first Burda pattern since it's so easy... I didn't really need to refer to Burda's infamous instructions. :)



Pattern: 02-2010-104
Fabric: Stretch cotton sateen print from Hancock Fabrics from summer 2009
Notions: invisible white zipper



As much I love this skirt, I ended up giving it away to my sister-in-law due to sizing.  I like to wear my bottoms at my lower waist. The pattern specifically said that the top of the waistband was going to be at my waist, and I chose to ignore it. It wasn't blatantly ignored... I reasoned it through saying that the little bit of lycra would be enough to make the skirt hit my lower waist. I was wrong because it was interfaced! Haha... I could wear, but I wouldn't be happy with it. It's where it will be loved and worn. :)

On another note, the waistband got a little wonky and the "stitch in the ditch" isn't looking so hot... I think it's because I was originally going to omit the interfacing and then changed my mind, which ended up going on the lining/inside portion.





But on a good note... my invisible zipper looks much better than my last skirt.

Even though I didn't end up with the skirt, I really like the pattern and will give it another shot. Happy creating!

FO: McCalls 5590 Skirt

Back in November of 2009, I started a yellow wool crepe skirt... completed right in the thick of the Texas heat! :)

Pattern: McCall's 5590, view B
Fabric: 100% wool crepe in dandelion yellow from Fabric.com back in 10/2008, white mystery fabric for lining both from stash
Notions: white invisible zipper, Rigilene boning, self-covered buttons

Modifications based on A Sewn Wardrobe's version

• Added lining
• Used an invisible zipper
• Added Rigilene boning on the side seams

I've worn the skirt twice now and it's a little warm, but still wearable in the summer heat. I think it's due to the loose weave of the fabric. The skirt itself is a little loud, but I like it! Please excuse the wrinkles... this is after wearing it twice.





Close-up of the buttons and tab:


View of the back:



My invisible zipper is not very good... I should've used a yellow one, but was too lazy to go buy one and used one in my stash. There's also a little ripple in it as well. Although it's not perfect, I spent way too long on finishing this and decided to just wear it as is. I suppose one of these days I will try to fix the zipper. Warning: wool crepe unravels a lot!

FO: Father's Day Ties

Pattern:  Father's Day Ties by the Purl Bee
Fabric:  Art Gallery Fabrics Retro-spective Kitchen Bouquet in blue (This was bought at my local fabric shop, The Common Thread.)

I LoVE this fabric!!! It feels like there's a super high thread count and doesn't feel like a typical quilting cotton. I used less than a yard of this fabric to make two ties; however, I wouldn't recommend getting less than a yard since it needs to be cut on the bias.

I made two of these ties out of the same fabric... one for my daddy and one for my father-in-law. They can match! :)



I was able to get a flower right in the middle of the tie... I shouldn't have undone it... oh well!

Tips:

1. When using quilting weight, omit the heavyweight sew-in interfacing.
2. Make sure the fold-lines of the pattern are on the fold-lines of the fabric. I cut the middle piece incorrectly and it make my tie shorter, but it's still long enough to be a tie.
3. The back-end piece is a little wide when compared to a store bought tie. When tying a double knot, I had to wrap it tightly in order to get the right length... but this is also due to mine be shorter than the pattern.
4. Be ready to TONS of hand sewing.

Here's a cute gift box idea I used to box the tie in...
Father's Day Shirt & Tie Gift Box by Paper Crave

Yes, I was in a rush and just used tape to adhere the bow tie. Hehe...

::Giveaway Time::

Out of appreciation for moving blogs with me, I'm hosting a giveaway. I hope I've chosen items that you would want. :)

Patterns: 
Out of Print Vogue 8420 - Size 14-20
 

Out of Print McCall's 5711 Size 6-14
 

Fabric: 
Cotton floral gauze - approx. 1.5 yds with 50" width


Turquoise Rib Knit - approx. 1.125 yds with 60" width
This picture should be rotated 90 degrees.
 

Rules:
Leave a comment with which item you would want and contact information by Sunday, July 4, 2010 midnight Central time. I will ship worldwide.  Good luck!

::Welcome::

Welcome to my new and improved blog~! Hehe.. it's still a under construction so I hope you'll bear with me. I will get a giveaway together sometime this week.

FO: Simplicity 2886 - The Sundress

I made this dress to wear to my little brother's graduation. It's a nice cotton sundress that was perfect for the Texas heat. I think it looks like a little girl's (around the age of 5) dress due to my fabric choices. It's cute, but I'm not sure it suits me... it's growing on me and the husband likes it. I've already worn it out in public twice in less than 2 weeks so that's a good sign. This also the first completed item for my Summer Essentials Sewalong. :)



Pattern: Simplicity 2886
Fabric: Amy Butler's Lotus Collection Lacework in brown (main) and pink cotton (contrasting) both of which were from my stash :)



Modifications:

1. No elastic in the back bodice... used 2 darts instead to remove gaping.
2. Used bodice from view C and skirt from view A.
3. Used a 2" hem allowance.

Recommendations:

1. Sew the pintucks down... otherwise you'll it will look uneven and you'll have to iron it every time and it will still look like this:

2. Don't wait until the end to insert straps like it says in the instructions.
3. Be careful with markings and the curves.
4. Pins are your friends. :) I don't normally use very many of them, but they definitely helped on this one.

Please ignore my funny facial expression. I did have a picture where I was smiling, but it looks like I accidentally deleted it thinking that this was the correct one... boo! There's also some wrinkling due to wear. :)




I love the pleating on the skirt, which isn't too noticeable with my busy print, and the pockets on this dress! I do recommend this pattern... it makes for a great sundress.

Currently in progress:
- Kwik Sew 2689... pieces cut out and partially sewn


- Burda 02-2010-104... traced

FO: iPhone Cozy Take II

I'm supposed to be working on my Summer Essentials Sew-Along, but I've took a little detour yesterday. Awhile back I made a wristlet / iPhone cozy... I liked it but knew I would need to make some changes for the next one. Here's my updated wristlet made for a friend.







Pattern: my own
Fabric: Amy Butler's Daisy Chain and navy Kona cotton both leftover from other projects
Notions: d-ring, swivel hook, and pearl snap

I followed Tanya's suggestion about using pearl snaps... I definitely love more than the button!  Thanks, Tanya!  I already like this much more than my previous one, but I'm already thinking of some changes for Take III.

Summer Essentials Sew-Along

Ali from the wardrobe, reimagined is hosting a "Summer Essentials Sew-Along" that I've decided to join. Click here for more info.



Here's what I have imagined for my summer sewing so far...


Poolside Pretties:
Kwik Sew 2689 - swimsuit

Amy Butler's Modern Diaper Bag from Little Stitches - beach bag


Clamdiggers & Co:
Simplicity 4135

Sailor pants - NL6190 & Sailor in Burmuda mash


Sweet & Sassy Skirts:
Burda 02-2010-104


The Sundress:
Simplicity 2886 - Completed 6/3/10 (Post on this in the making...)
Infinity Dress
Vogue 1086
Burda 04-2010-116


Tees, Tunics, & Blouses:
McCall 5977
Self-drafted halter


Those Summer Nights:
Simplicity 3538 - JCrew Fiona modification
Burda 04-2010-117

 What can I say... I love to plan! Who knows what I'll actually finish, but my goal is to have at least one item from each category. This will be my composite page for this sew-along.

FO: Mother's Day Aprons

I originally had this post ready before Mother's Day, but it looks like the month of May just came and flew by...

2 aprons in 2 days for Mother's Day... my mommy (yes, I still call my mom mommy) and my mother-in-law.

Pattern: Mango Tango from A is for Apron
Fabric: quilting cottons from Joann in my stash... they were both leftover fabric from previous projects.
Notions: lots of bias tape

Apron 1:




Apron 2:

I really wasn't in the mood to model the apron for you, but I didn't know how else to photograph it... I didn't like how apron 1 was photographed, but it was mailed before I could retake the pictures... one of these days I'll get a dressform. Yes, I sew in a t-shirt and Jordan basketball shorts... it's so comfy and easy to get in and out of when I need to try on things. :)



There are some really neat aprons in this book, and I do want to eventually make some other ones, too. The above apron is designed by momomadeit. The only thing I disliked about the pattern is that you have to enlarge and piece it together. I may not have been doing it the best way, but I felt like I wasted lots of paper. It just wasn't efficient. Here's how one of the pattern pieces came out.



Any suggestions for the future? Happy Sewing!