The Dixie O'Dare Sun Frock Sew-Along

Recently I joined in the Dixie O'Dare Sun Frock Sew Along. The lovely Dixie O'Dare graded this gorgeous Australian Home Journal pattern to several different sizes and then kindly sent them out to everyone who wanted to participate. I chose this turquoise and navy polka dotted cotton that I've been holding onto for a while. 

 

I had a little bit of trouble right off the bat with the fit. This pattern calls for a line of buttons up the back, but when I put it on Millie, it seemed huge. I took at least 6 inches of ease out of the bodice.

 Once I got that worked out and the new darts sewn in, I got to work on the trim and shoulder straps. I used a navy blue piping to trim the edges and made self covered buttons for the back.

The skirt went together quickly. I did add a bit more fullness to the bottom of the skirt since I prefer them that way. 

The last bit was adding the pockets. I think I put them a bit too close together in the front, but they aren't terrible so I'm not ripping them off to try to move them.

I am very pleased with how this dress turned out. It fits great. I think if I were to make it again, I would lower the front darts about 2 inches. I have discovered that this seems to be a recurring problem for me, and no one like pointy boobs... Not sure why, but I'll try to work it out on my next make. Thanks again to Miss Dixie O'Dare for letting me play along on this one!

Until next time!

I'm a Busy Girl

Hello my dears. I apologize for the lack of content lately. I'm now 9 weeks into my first semester back in college and just finished up midterms. I'm so ridiculously busy, between taking 14 credit hours at school, working 25 hours a week, and being a full time single mommy to my two munchkins that I've been neglecting the sewing and the blogging a bit while I'm trying to get the hang of this juggling thing.

I hope that you are all doing well. I've got a few projects on my table that are almost finished, and I've got a few things planned for the next few months. Now I've just got to find the time to get sewing!!

In the past month, I have dyed my hair a fantabulous shade of red. My thanks to RockNRoll Red from Manic Panic!!

I have drawn this super awesome teacup and saucer for my drawing class.

I have traded in my beloved Flock Tula for this rocking Betty Tula in Toddler size because the little rockstar is growing too fast!

 I have finished a simple navy blue circle skirt and a leopard print circle skirt recently. I have another one in a cute cherry print waiting for a zipper and a hem.

(Sorry for the crappy pictures, I just haven't had time to get proper ones.)

I joined up with the Dixie O'Dare sew-a-long, and hope to be starting on that soon. You can find out more about that by clicking the link.

I'm also working on a pretty green halter dress for my Halloween party at work, but I don't know if that one will get finished or not???!!?!? I'm going to try my best!

Thanks again for being my readers, and I really miss you all!!

Until next time!

Butterick 6217 - Gertie Blouse

#Butterick6217 - This was such a great pattern, quick to sew up and the fit turned out great, and is very flattering. I am planning to make both of the other versions. Seriously, I can't rave enough about this pattern. Go buy it now! You won't regret it!

For this one, I chose this red and white Swiss dot heavier weight quilting cotton I purchased at Wal-Mart for about $3/yd.

I was hesitant about the tie across the front. I wasn't sure how it was going to lay or look, but once I got it put together and onto Millie I was in love! It's such a fabulous detail!

The petal sleeves are a dream and as a sewist with large upper arms, I often have trouble fitting my upper arms into sleeves. I tend to sew a lot of sleeveless shirts because of this. This type of sleeve makes that problem non-existent.  My arms fit beautifully and I don't get that claustrophobic panic attack feeling when trying to take it off and it gets stuck... Someone please tell me I'm not the only one that does this??

I serged all of my seams and finished the facing with lovely red bias trim. My serger threads seem to be a little on the loose side on that outer edge... not sure what is going on there. I'll have to work on that. 

This is definitely a favorite top. It goes great with skirts and pants. I feel sassy and awesome when I wear it!

The fit is great from the back. This is a heavier weight cotton and it hugs my curves nicely.

The petal sleeves are awesome, fits the arms nicely and shows off the tattoos!! I need more sleeves like this in my life.

All in all, this was a fantastic make. I sewed this up in a day. Totaling about 5-6 hours worth of work. I bought the pattern on sale at Jo-Ann's during one of their Butterick 3 for $5 sales. The fabric cost me about $6 for two yards. What a crazy deal!! The total cost of this top, $7.70!! Those are the moments, that really make sewing my own clothes totally worth it! 

This is #vintagepledge make number 11!!

Until next time!

New Look 6184 and Simplicity 2478

Last month, I decided to participate in Handmade by Heather B's Sundress Sew-A-Long as a way to finish out the Summer. Then, I started school for the first time in 15 years and my first two weeks have gone a bit crazy, so this is a day later then I had planned it. Everything is running a bit behind right now... 

I decided to make New Look 6184, view C. Not exactly a sundress, but I think it works. After completing the dress, I decided to add on a modified Simplicity 2478, also view C, I think. Neither patterns are vintage, but I think the final product definitely has that vintage feel!

I found this Waverly navy blue Swiss dot, cherry quilting cotton at Wal-Mart of all places and got it for $3.98 a yard!! BARGAIN!!! I've been terrible lately about taking pictures while I'm actually working on a garment... so no progress pictures with this one. Sorry, I'll try to do better next time!

I sewed a side-lapped zipper into the back of this dress. I'm getting better at zippers, and honestly, side-lapped is the way to go!

Here's my Instagram snap of the finished ensemble! If you aren't following me on Instagram, join the fun! I post there more frequently when I'm working on a project.

On to the final project photos!!

This little dress and bolero were such a huge hit when I wore them the first time. My coworkers totally approved and I'm looking forward to wearing it to school... that's why I made it in the first place.

The bolero has a really nice pleating detail on the sleeve. I hacked the pattern just a bit and omitted the band that forms the front facing and used bias binding instead. I used the same bias throughout the dress. It forms the arm hole facing and the hem.

I've styled it with a great Red satin bow cinch belt and a pretty red orchid in my hair.

I feel like I look like a matador in this picture... weird.

The dress pattern doesn't have pockets but I love pockets, so I added some to the side seams! A girl needs pockets!!

Without the bolero, it looks adorable, I love the pleated detail at the neckline, but the facing in the front keeps want to roll out. I don't know if you can see it in this picture or not. I under-stitched the whole facing, but it's still doing it. I think I'm going to have to top stitch it to keep it down.

The fit overall is great. I really didn't have to make any adjustments to the pattern. I sewed a size 14 and I'm pleased with the way it fits.

Even without a petticoat it hangs beautifully. It's a gored skirt, not quite a full circle, but it still has a good fullness.

Showing off the good looking interiors. (WOW... Wrinkles, oops) I love when something looks as pretty inside as it does outside.

A little cherry red binding on the bolero, really helps it to pop when worn over the dress.

Well there you go. This is definitely a winner in my book. I'll be making this dress again. I'm adding this to my #vintagepledge makes, not really sure which number it is at this point... I think I'm at #10!!

Until next time!

New Look 6104

 Recently, I finished up New Look 6104. I actually completed two of these, one with sleeves and one without. The one with sleeves will be blogged at a later date when the complete project it's a part of is finished.

I've been focusing most of my efforts on separates lately, because I've discovered that is a huge gap in my wardrobe. Currently on my table is three more circle skirts. After I finish those and three more tops, I think I'll be able to put my attention to some fabulous dresses for next spring and summer. I need to get a jacket or coat made this year for winter, but I'm finding it really hard to think about the snow and cold that is coming, when we are still having wonderfully warm days.

Enough about me... here's the deets on what you're really here for. *winky face*

I had just a yard of this great yellow floral cotton in my stash and it was just big enough to get the sleeveless version of #newlook6104 out of. Luckily, I had some pink bias tape in my stash as well, and that was a perfect match so no facings needed on the arms or neckline.

I posted this picture of the buttons in my stash to one of my Facebook sewing groups, and there was a complete divide on whether these matched or not. I was hesitant after seeing the photograph, because in reality, I thought they were a lot closer in color. After some hemming and hawing I decided to just go for it and sew one on... lo and behold, they match tons better than I thought they would.

I love the pin-tuck detail on this top, this is my first time doing pin tucks, and they turned out really great. I think I'll be putting on lots more things!! Side note, the top button really isn't that uneven, I just didn't think to straighten it before I took the picture... oops.

Finally some pictures of me actually wearing the top. I've worn this top several times, and have had to restitch two of the buttons so far. It's a great shirt, and I wish I had a bold blue skirt to go with it. Maybe that's a project for next spring.

I tried to prevent the yellow from getting washed out in these pictures, because it really is a great buttery shade. Alas, when you are your own photographer, you take what you get sometimes. Plus, I don't have a fence around my yard, and I'm not brave enough yet to set up outside and get pictures.

I was feeling a bit sassy, when I was taking these. I finally got a day truly to myself. My children were with their grandmother and I was free to get these done... so... sassy pictures.

All in all, New Look 6104 is a great pattern, very easy to follow, sews up super quickly and I think it looks great.

There you have it!

Pattern: New Look 6104 - $2.50 from Wal-Mart

Fabric: Yellow floral quilting cotton from stash - $0

Trims/Notions: Button and bias tape from stash - $0

Not too bad for $2.50!! I couldn't get a better deal than that at the thrift store!

Until next time!