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 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!

Vintage Polka Dot Top Refresh

I found this super cute bow tie blouse at Goodwill a few weeks ago. The only problem with it was that the sleeves simply wouldn't go over my arms. So, I removed them. This was a really simple project. There isn't a lot to talk about on this one. On to the pictures!

This is the blouse before I removed the sleeves. Even though this blouse was serged in the seams, making it harder to removed them, the seam was sewn in with a daisy chain stitch, which when pulled just the right way, comes off in one simple tug. Think of the stitching on the tops of dog and cat food bags. That made the removal of the sleeves a little easier.

I'm pretty sure this blouse is genuine vintage, but I haven't done much research on the tag. From what I've found, Styled By Terry Chicago, and most of their bow blouses date to the 70s. I'll have to keep looking to see what I can find.

My favorite part of this tag is probably the union tag for the Ladies' Garment Workers Union. How cool is that? The top is still just a bit snug on my trying-to-lose-the-baby-weight-mommy body, but I really do like how it turned out!

So there you have it. A little update to a vintage thrift store find. Nothing special, but now I can wear and enjoy it!

Until next time!

Simplicity 1692 - Blue Cherry Blossoms

Whew! Two posts in a few days. Being able to get several pieces photographed over the weekend, gave me a surplus of material to put up here for you! As you can see, I changed my blog design again... cause I'm cray cray like that. ;) Mostly, because I'm a creative soul and need to redecorate every so often to make me feel good. So what do you think of the new colors/header/redesign? Hopefully you like it and find it easy to look at/read from.

Now, on to the stuff you are really here to see. I recently completed a second version of #Simplicity1692. You can see my first one here. This time I'm sewing View D, without the little ric-rac bow... I'm still thinking about going back and adding that, but I'm on the fence. What do you think? To Bow or Not To Bow? 

I used a nice quilting cotton (because I lurve them so much!) in this pretty light blue and navy cherry blossom pattern. I also used a navy ric-rac to trim it out. *Sewists note... always check your trim for content and watch the temperature of your iron. I pressed this cotton shirt on the cotton setting, without realizing my ric-rac was some kind of synthetic. It got all melty on me. I may replace it, but honestly, you have to get REAL close to notice. And if you're that close to me, you better be buying me dinner first. ;)

The construction was super straight-forward. The sleeves are cut in, so no setting them into the shirt. You literally just sew in the darts/tucks, front and back, put in the facing for the neckline and buttons on the shoulders and then sew front to back and turn and hem the sleeves and bottom. I love the button detail on the shoulders and I wish I had gotten a better picture of that part. I honestly didn't even think about it when I was taking photos. (That's what happens when you're trying to get as much done as possible during the baby's nap.) It is a really cute feature of the blouse. 

I paired this with a navy pair of high-waist shorts. I believe they are Voodoo Vixen brand. All in all this blouse is very comfortable and easy to wear. Because I made it of cotton, it's pretty cool and breezy on these hot summer days.

This blouse has a great fit. Especially through the back and shoulders, which is a recently discovered problem area for me. I'll be posting more about that in the near future.

I really have no complaints about this top. As I said before, construction was a breeze and it went together very quickly. The fit is great, and flattering thanks to the front and back darts/tucks. This project cost less than $5 to complete. The pattern I bought on sale in a 5 for $5 Simplicity sale at Joann's and the fabric is from their Quilter's Showcase and it runs $4.49 a yard not on sale. I'm pretty sure I got this on sale. If not I used a 50% off coupon, so either way, I didn't pay more that $2.50/yd and I bought two yards. The buttons and ric-rac were in my stash, so they didn't cost anything to use.

This was #vintagepledge number 7 for me.

Thanks for reading!

Until next time!

 

Two Peasant Tops... and a Partridge in a Pear Tree??

My title has absolutely nothing to do with Christmas... just saying. When I typed Two Peasant Tops, that's what followed in my head. I know, I know, I've got problems. 

But that's not why you're here... is it? Hopefully you're here to see what I've been sewing! I got a chance today during little girl's long afternoon nap to snap some photos of some finished projects (five to be exact, look for the rest coming soon) and I'm excited to post them for you!

A couple of weeks ago, while binge watching Miss Fisher on Netflix, I whipped up two peasant tops. 

I used #Simplicity8741 and slightly modified the lengths due to being just a bit short on fabric. Oops.

I made a black one, and a white one. Nothing fancy at all. Just a couple more basic separates to add to my closet.

Enough of my rambling, on to the good stuff!

I've been quiet for the past couple of weeks because I've been moving into my NEW sewing room! YES!! A room just for me. With a door. That I can use to lock small children out!! This is the best thing ever. Trust me!

Just a really simple bright white cotton peasant top. I'm wearing it here with my Unique Vintage Catch of The Day bottoms, a great pair of high-waist sailor style shorts. Perfect for summer, and totally worth the $15!

This top is slightly different than the white one, it has elastic along the bottom. I had to cut this length much shorter on this one, as I was really short on fabric. So this one is more of a crop top, but I have worn it tucked in to a circle skirt, with a belt, so it's pretty versatile.

 

I'm still trying to get comfortable wearing it as a crop top, but with the high-waist shorts it's really quite flattering even with my mommy tummy. These high-waist shorts hide so much!

Well there you have it! These were pretty quick to put together, I sewed them both in one evening, about 3 hours start to finish. They are made of simple quilting cotton, probably broadcloth, I bought on sale. The pattern is one I've had for some time, graded up only slightly because I prefer a more snug fit than peasant tops usually run. 

If you're looking for an easy project to finish quickly, these are definitely the way to go!

I'm still on the fence about whether or not I should put these on my #vintagepledge list. They are not specifically vintage but they are vintage inspired and that is how I will wear them. The jury is still out on that part. What do you think? Should they qualify?

Until next time!

Cupcakes with Sprinkles

I had a hugely productive weekend. I sewed up a trio of three quarter circle skirts assembly line style and decided Monday morning before work, that I needed a top to match one of them to wear. So I whipped up a precious polka dotted peasant top. I introduce to you, cupcakes with sprinkles!

I was working on a skirt for another project, to be revealed later and I decided that if I was going to do one, I should probably go ahead and do a couple of others I've been planning. I used #Simplicity1200.

This was my first attempt at side lapped zippers and I'm so pleased with how they turned out.

I also used self made bias for two of the skirt hems. Time consuming, but so worth it.

I had a lot of firsts this weekend!

I took a poll of my friends and they said I should wear the cupcakes on Monday to work. Well, I got up Monday morning, and started looking through my closet for a top to match the skirt and just couldn't find anything that I liked. Like you do. I got the idea in my head that I needed a peasant top to go with it. I started rummaging through my fabric for something that would work. I came across some white cotton with yellow polka dots that I bought a while back and it was exactly what I wanted. So I sat down at 7:15am on Monday morning, and by 8:30 I had a brand new peasant top made from #Simplicity8741!

The finished outfit was just what I wanted it to be. Completely over the top and so kitschy cute. I even topped it all off with Cupcake Confetti Lucite earrings and an adorable Confetti Lucite Heart and Bow brooch. Both made by me.

Needless to say, I'm thrilled with how all of these pieces turned out. I highly recommend that if you have several of the same pattern to make, do it assembly line style. It was so quick and easy to whip out three skirts. In the course of one weekend, I added three perfect summer skirts to my wardrobe. Next I think I'll do the same process with some more peasant tops!

Thanks for following along. This is #vintagepledge makes 5 & 6!! I've just surpassed my goal of five with this outfit!

I'll be posting the floral print skirt next!

PS: I'm working on getting better pictures for you all, instead of using my cellphone all the time. I have a great point and click digital camera and tripod, unfortunately it's not remote capable, so I have to use the timer. It's next to impossible to get good pics on my own with two children running around. They're 5 and 1 so there's no way they can help either. I'm trying to find a space in my house that isn't a mess, or too dark, so for now you get the back side of my bedroom door. Hopefully it will improve with time, hopefully.

Until next time!