Sunday V-Neck

 This is my first attempt at a v-neck. I had a hard time following the instructions, so followed a tutorial on Melly Sews site. It's not bad. I used scraps from my stash and will probably wear this as a pj top. Especially since I managed to nick a hole in the back. Sign. I don't know how I did that.

The pattern is from Friday Pattern Company. I made an XXL and graded out to a 1X. I probably could have made a straight XXL.

Wardrobe Builder Tee

 I was nervous about this pattern since I am at the top of the size range with my waist and hips 2" out of range. I graded out the size 24 by a 1/2" starting under the arms. I made the O-neck with cap sleeves.

I used the same navy cotton jersey I used for the Tonic Tee. 

There's a little gaping in the underarm/bust, but I don't know that I will notice after a few wearings. Overall it's not a bad fit.

Rose Capris

I made a few adjustments on these Made by Rae Rose pants and think I am ready to make a dozen more. I went up to a size 4 to have more room in the hips, but used the size 3 crotch and shortened the rise by 1”. Even without the adjustments these pants fit pretty well. So happy to have a tnt pants pattern. I used Essex linen from stash 

Joss Shorts

I am so excited these Seamwork Joss pants hacked into shorts fit!!! I went for it and adjusted the rise based on the fit of another pair of pants. I used this cute quilting cotton figuring I could always make it work for pjs.

Pattern: Seamwork Joss
Size 22, waist 44, hips 51
Fabric from stash
Mods: inseam pockets, rise adjusted by 2", shorts length

Cap Sleeve Tee

 Moral of the story—don’t sew during a migraine. But all’s well that ends well. I have a wearable tee.

Had a bit of a runaway serger incident along the top and then clipped a hole trimming the seam allowance. Fortunately the busy fabric hides my accidents and it’s still wearable.

I like this pattern but absolutely detest rayon/lycra knit!

Fabric: Rayon blend knit from Joanns deep stash
Pattern: Winter Wear Designs Cap Sleeve Tee
Size: 3x for my 48” bust, 50” hips

Tonic Tee

 I'm pretty disappointed in this tee. The scoop neck is way too low, and I have some weird fabric bunching in the upper bust/sleeve area. I need to hem it and we'll see how I feel about it. I made this in a size 2x in some navy cotton jersey.

Upcycled nightgown

 I don't really wear nightgowns and I've been thinking for months that I should upcycle this into a top and shorts. I ordered some white jersey to use for a waistband and hem. I'm pleased with how it turned out.

Joanne Faux Wrap Top

Firstly will someone please give me a high five for working with this beastly modal Lycra knit? It is no small feat this didn’t wind up in the trash.

Can I get a second high five for my online thread color matching skills? See 3rd pic.

I survived an incredibly poor fabric choice to make a stinking cute top and as much as I detest this fabric with every fiber of my soul, it feels lovely to wear. 

I cut this out last fall and lost my sewjo and for some reason decided to work on it this week. I love this pattern and will make more in an easier fabric. I made a size XL graded to XXL in the waist. We will not discuss the craziness that is the hem.

Pattern- Sinclair Patterns Joanne Faux Wrap Top (there’s a dress version too.)
Fabric - Elderberry blue modal/Lycra sheer stubbed jersey knit - Halston from Fabricmart Fabrics

Wonder Woman pants

 I used this awesome Wonder Woman fabric I've had in my stash to muslin the Glebe pants pattern, and figured I'd be able to use them as PJs. I didn't have enough fabric for the waistband and pockets, but had some navy that worked well.

I made a size 1 and the crotch hung really low on me. I wound up taking it in by a little over an inch and they are very wearable but I'll have to shorten the rise if I make them again. I'm not sure if I need to size down, or if these just aren't the pants for me.

Rose Shorts

I made a pair of Made by Rae Rose shorts last summer in a size 2. They fit, but were a little snug in the hips and I've been wanting to make a pair again in the next size up. I've had this moth quilting cotton fabric in my stash for a long time. I bought it to make a skirt, but it wasn't wide enough for the pattern I wanted to use, and I thought it would make a fun wearable muslin.

I worked on the shorts during my "summer camp" and finished them over the weekend. I'm happy with the fit, and I love the fabric so much! I worked on the shorts in about hour long sessions and they came together quickly. It was a nice reminder that it can be enjoyable to work on projects in small time chunks and you can still get a lot done.

Oilcloth Bags

I wanted a zipper bag to hold some watercolor markers, so I pulled some oilcloth out of my stash and made a few bags.

Donovan Skirt

I cut this skirt out last fall, and kind of lost my sewjo. I finally got around to sewing it up. It's in Brussels Washer Linen. It was an easy sew and such a comfortable skirt.

Sewing for 2019

I got behind on blogging. Here are my sewing makes in 2019.

May 2019
Sunset lounge pants in a cheery whale print

August 2019

Rose Shorts

Ashton top

Tacara dress

Seamwork Tacara looked so cozy and I knew I wanted to make it right away. I had a super soft, slinky rayon knit.

I made a size 18, but really should have sized down. My knit was too lightweight for the pockets; I thought it made it hang weird. I also didn't like it as dress length. so I took about an inch off each side to get rid of the pockets and cut about 3 inches off the bottom. I'm pleased, but would definitely make the 16 next time.

Bust 46.75"
Waist 43
Hips 49

Seamwork Hayden top

I've been on a quest for a top pattern. I hoped the Seamwork Hayden pattern would do the trick.

My hopes were dashed. This is the first time I have not had the sleeves fit. I had this mostly worked up in October, but was stuck since the sleeves were so tight. I waited until this month's Open Sew Workshop, and with Niku's help I was able to hack the sleeves so they mostly fit. It's still a bit tight. I think it fits good across the upper bust, but feel like it's really big everywhere else. Not sure if the quilting cotton is impacting the drape.

Niku reworked the sleeve pattern for me so it should fit next time. I'm undecided if I will make this again or not.

Size made: 18
Bust 46.75"
Waist 43
Hips 49

Knit skirt

This is the 4th Kwik Sew 3513 skirt I've made.  It's a nice easy pattern. I cutout the extra large, but then I tried on the waistband I knew it would be too big. So I cut down to the large, and added elastic to the waistband.

Ruby Top

Back in August I made a Ruby top in XL It fit well around my upper bust, but was definitely a little snug in bust.

I decided to size up and see how it went. It definitely fits better in the bust and I think it's a better armhole fit, but I feel like there's some gaping in the neck and again the sloppy fit in the upper bust. I think I'll need to try grading between the two sizes. I'd really like to get where I'm happy with this and add sleeves!

Bust 46.75"
Waist 43
Hips 49

Caftan Life

Took a class to make the Closet Case Charlie Caftan. I used this dreamy London Calling Lawn - Flowers in Mint. The fabric is buttery soft.

I made a size 18 top and graded to 20 in the hips. In class, I raised the neckline and also lowered the waist. I'm super happy with those adjustments. If I make the maxi length again, I would probably add an inch to the length.

Sutton Blouse by True Bias

This might have been the neatest sewing I've ever done. The instructions were great, and it's finished so beautifully with French seams and bias binding on the neck.

I made this with a drapey rayon. Since I often use quilting cotton for a wearable muslin, I thought maybe I'd try using the "right" fabric.

I made the size 18, which is a bit tight given my measurements, but the instructions said there was a lot of ease. Sadly there wasn't enough ease, and it's a pretty tight fit.

I have also decided I do not like kimono style sleeves. I don't like the way the fabric lays around my armpits/bust. From here on, I will stick with set in sleeves or raglan.

Bust 46.75"
Waist 43
Hips 49

Ironing board cover

My ironing board cover was looking pretty rough, so when I saw this bee fabric, I knew I had a winner. I more or less followed this tutorial: https://www.tillyandthebuttons.com/2015/05/pimp-my-sewing-room-how-to-make-ironing.html.