Ottobre 2-2008-14

Not on my mini-wardrobe or anything, of course. But I have sewn a couple things this past month that I haven't shared yet. Why?

Well, one didn't fit the way I wanted it to. Two of the pictures were crap.And none of it was for my wardrobe, so they were all tinged with contest guilt.

Here they are anyway! First, I made a Textile Studios Santa Monica tee, one of my favorite TNTs for a quickie sewing fix. This one is in that pretty blue aqua knit I showed you last month (I'm still making a BWOF tee out of it too, I have plenty!)

See, not the best pic because you can't actually SEE any details of the tee. Especially not the neckline, which is my favorite part (it's raglan sleeve, but the neckline squares off. It's pretty, but you'll just have to take my word for it.)

Then I made the Jalie Sweetheart top out of my mauve knit. It would be perfect except that I didn't mark the shoulder portions clearly, so when it came time to gather & match notches, I had to guess. I guess too low for the top notch, so the entire neckline is off. Argh.


Still an OK top, but you can see my bra strap on the left. Phooey. This is a really thin knit though, that I planned to wear a cami or tank under. Maybe I'll wear a tank in a contrast color and pretend like it was "planned" to show.

Then I made the gored skirt from Ottobre 2/2008. I had this gorgeous brown Amy Butler print, but not quite enough to lengthen it like I wanted. I think it needs another inch. This is becoming a regular alteration for me with knee-length skirts. I have long legs and a shorter torso.


I am not crazy about the finished skirt. (It's been sitting on my sewing table waiting for finishing stuff for 3 weeks.) I loved it in the magazine! And I liked the contrast hem band, but I think the proportions are a bit off. I'll make it a bit wider (deeper) next time. Th.e skirt is also a bit too big. It sits below my waist and I can tug it over my hips without the zip. Whoops.

The directions were wonderful. No problems at all deciphering them. I really like Ottobre directions. They're to the point with no fuss or wasted time. I didn't have an invisible zip, so used a lapped zipper instead. I also added topstitching to the gore seams, in pink thread:


I really like the waist treatment on this skirt too, it's neat and tidy. It has a weird overlap though (for snap(s). I left it at first, but it was really unruly (almost 2 inches of overlap!) so I ended up trimming it off and I'll add a hook/eye instead.

I love the fabric I used for the hem band so much I've been hoarding it for years. It pains me that I don't love the skirt now. The only pic I have where you can see it is before pressing.


But you can see the tone on tone embroidery & the sequins that add a little "sparkle" (hehe, Tamara, are you reading?) You can see the lining fabric in this shot too, a pale pink satin batiste, also from the hoard, erm, stash.

I'll probably try this one again and lengthen the gores a tiny bit, and add to the hem band's depth. I have lots of quilting cottons and this skirt is perfect for them!

12 TNT's

Here's my response to Lisa (from Sew Random), who asked this earlier in the week...What 12 TNT patterns would you take with you if you had to move into a small space w/no access to retail or internet pattern sources for one year?

No. 1...Simplicity 5074


I've dressed these simple drawstring pants up, down and everywhere in between. I even used them for the One Pattern Many Ways contest last year on PR. Definitely a keeper.

No. 2...Simplicity 4068


Basic flat front, fly front trousers. You gotta have trousers. Right? I can even make these in denim.

No. 3...Loes Hinse Design Tango Skirt

Super simple, you almost don't need a pattern. But it's nice that someone else figured out the lengths and angles of the panels for me. Perfect execution every time, with a sassy little swish around your legs.

No. 4...Loes Hinse Swing Skirt


Exactly what it claims to be...a flippy little skirt with lots of potential for variations.

No. 5...Loes Hinse Sweater Set


I've made this too many times to count, and it always amazes me how quickly it goes together and yet still looks like I picked it up at a boutique. Loes' magic. I love it in sweater weights and lighter knits too.

No. 6...Textile Studios Santa Monica Tee


I almost left this one off, but I do reach for it at least twice a year. Simple to construct, with an elegant neckline that never screams "homemade".

No. 7...Textile Studios Milan Dress


My all time favorite sundress pattern. The one people stop me to ask "this is gorgeous, where'd you get it?" Often.

No. .8..Textile Studios Capri Jacket


This is one of those patterns that I have to store in a big ziplock baggie and use extra care because the envelope and pieces are all raggedy from use. I've made it long, short, velvet, linen, and everything in between.

No. 9...New Look 6414


Lounge wear at its absolute best! I perfected the fit on the tops in this package a long time ago, so when I need a quick summer top I can whip one out in no time, but with style! The wrap jacket is a perfect complement to a cami or tank too, and goes together super easy because of the raglan sleeves.

No. 10...Ottobre 2/07 Puff Sleeve Tee


I can't remember if we had to choose just patterns or a magazine was ok, but it wouldn't matter. I'd cheat on this one. I can't live without my Ottobre tee!!! Even if I can only take my tee pattern pieces with me to the desert island, it would be worth it.

No. 11... New Look 6407


The best "basic shirt" pattern ever. All of my other tops are knit patterns so I would really have to take a woven pattern along to the island and this would be my first choice.

and finally No. 12...New Look 6429


I might find myself in need of a dressier dress than the Milan, thus the NL dress must make it into the top 12 also (even if the fit isn't totally perfected yet. But hey, I have a year, right?)

That's it! My 12 can't live without, TNT patterns. Of course I had runners up... Loes Hinse Cruise Pant and Textile Studeio Barcelona Dress (two old favorites that I remake a lot), and Ottobre 2/06 Ruffled Skirt (a peasant skirt I will never grow tired of) are three who hope they can stow away!

I can't wait to see everyone else's choices!

Pretty PJ Pants

Hey, you can never have too many PJ's, right?

And since I already have the KA pattern (see linen pants in previous post) fitted & the construction is so simple...I whipped out a new pair from a soft cotton batiste (pale mint with hot pink dots) to take on my trip. Leaving tomorrow to take 20 students to Little Rock. (Need snazzy jammies just in case I'm doing recon in the hotel hallways in the middle of the night.)

Minor changes to the original pattern...I used lingerie elastic in the waistband instead of a drawstring. I also eliminated the hem by substituting a wide lace trim. First I lay the lace at the bottom of the pant leg and zigzag in place at the top of the lace. I used a fairly wide (4.0) zigzag. You can see I didn't use pins, but feel free to pin it in place for more stability!


When I got all the way around the leg, I overlapped the (folding the cut edge under) and finished the zigzag:


and turned and stitched down the fold to the bottom:


Then I trimmed the fabric from behind the lace. Not too close, since this will be a raw edge (it's just jammies after all). I used pinkers.


You can also turn back your raw fabric edge & press (onto the zigzag) and then re-stitch to reinforce the seam. I use this method when doing heirloom lace application and I've never had lace come apart at a seam!

Voila! New jammies:


Closeup of pretty hem:


I'm in a panic about Easter. I don't know where my head has been, but I've been thinking I have 2 or 3 weeks. NOPE. It's less than 2 weeks away and I haven't even started on Lu's dress. Not to mention I don't have a thing to wear either. Phooey.

I'll be back Saturday (very late). Hopefully I'll whip out something else wonderful Sunday when I get home.

Now Go! Make a new pair of PJ's!

a.

Spring Break!

I heart spring break. (Girls Gone Wild behavior notwithstanding.)

So far I altered this pattern for a FBA and cut it out of dk brown crinkle gauze (to go with capri's below, in the shirred shoulder view)...


and made these capri's


I haven't threaded the elastic/drawstring combo in the waist yet. You might notice they're about 2 inches too long for capri's!! I added to the length of this pattern because I have a pair with the leg drawstrings (that I love) but they're about 2 inches shorter than I'd like... and my calves just aren't what they used to be. :P I don't have a clue where I went wrong...but it must have been some sort of error on my part on the original drawstring pair because these definitely DON'T need added length!!! Argh. Now I have to cut them off and try to hem them even. And, as I mentioned to my sewing buddy Shannon, the print will make my a$$ look a mile wide, but I'm not really caring at this point :D They have a comfy pajama pant feel to them, and I'm loving them.

Note the hideous fabric mess in my corner cabinet, LOL. Lu has been searching for JUST THE RIGHT FABRIC for her next outfit. She does pretty good, but I always have veto power (as a good Queen always should). I keep my quilting cottons in this cabinet that once sat in the corner of my grandparents' home and was filled with linens and their medicine. It fell to me after they died, as did a few other pretty pieces, and I store my fabric in it because it has all those "windows". It makes me happy to see it all neatly (usually, that is) lined up by color.

You're right at the end of my sewing area here too. I'll be painting the paneled walls (old house) this summer, a pale grey/aqua color, with white trim. I can't wait! I'm hoping to save up enough to replace my sewing cabinet/furniture too...just plain white pressboard stuff is fine with me. I actually think office furniture might work just as well as sewing furniture. I just want a nice clear sewing space. I hate my sewing cabinet, although I can't really complain about it since my parents bought it for me for Christmas. It obviously wasn't designed by someone who actually sews, because there's this shelf that hits me right at shin-level under the cabinet (for storing your machine when it's closed up). Only problem is , it actually HITS MY SHIN every time I sit down to sew.

Consequently, my 'nina is currently sitting on the kitchen table, preventing the type of homey, conversation garnering family dinners that Stouffer's is so anxious for all of us to have. You know, so we can video tape it and win a trip to Disney.

I'm lucky in that I have half of a huge room I can dedicate to my sewing "crap" (as the kids so lovingly call it). So I want it to be pretty. I'm looking for artwork and stuff now. Er, I WAS. Until yesterday when I went to check the price of this fabulous stretched canvas print at Hobby Lobby and broke a plate. (Which they didn't make me pay for.) And then walked right into a shelf and knocked off 2 candleholders. At which point, they were looking worriedly at my kids like I was probably a drunk, and who has their cellphone so we can call DHS RIGHT AWAY. The kids & I hightailed it outta there pronto.

Did I mention I love Spring Break?

Ciao!
a.

p.s. Hotpatterns has a line of new easy to sew patterns. With diagrams and detailed instructions. FOR A TUBE TOP. I swear. I can't make this stuff up.