A Good Start: The First Finished Object

After a quick start of the the initial planning stages of the Colette Patterns Fall Palette Challenge, I hit some time snags. I took my family to the beach for a few days the next week and had to finish up another project that had already been started before I could feel composed enough to begin. (That project will be coming up soon... just need to find and apply the perfect finishing touches first! Here's a hint.)

I started out with the most versatile of my pattern inspirations, Vogue 8747. It's an adorable button-front blouse with some gathers at the bust.  My palette called for an ivory color top, and this one was perfect. I made it in a rayon challis with a lovely feel and drape.






It frayed quite a bit, so I finished all the inside seams. As the color was so light and a bit opaque, I had another reason for doing that - you can see the seams from the outside. I didn't want a lot of bulk, so I just turned under the seam and stitched it, rather than using seam binding.


They need to be pressed a bit to lay nice and flat, but it keeps the fraying to a minimum and looks uniform from the outside.

Why do all my photos look exactly the same? I need to go to modeling school. ;)

Next up, I think, will be a pair of green stretch sateen pants. Or maybe one of the knit shirts. I'll probably decide tonight and get started.

The Plan for the Challenge

I think I've figured out which patterns I'm using. I have a few fabrics that are definite and a few that may change, but this is the basic plan.

Are you participating? How's everyone else doing on their inspiration and pattern boards?

The Hungry Sewing Machine

Don't tell my machine, but I'm thinking about breaking up. It's not going to be pretty, I'm sure. We have a long history together. Lots of good memories. But, we seem to be fighting more and more these days and I think I see where it's going. I don't care how starved for attention it is, lately -- if it eats one more knit fabric, we're through. On the spot.

  My first project back in the sewing realm following "Princess Madness" and it was a less than sweet experience. I've been hanging on to this Butterick 5497 for a month or two, since the last sale anyway. It's definitely not my normal style, but I thought I'd go out on a limb and try something new.  I found a nice, thick, black and white polka dot matte jersey (also a bit outside my comfort zone - the dots, not the jersey. I love knits. A lot.) and decided to give it a go.

I suppose I shouldn't be too surprised that the results of this less than "me" pattern and fabric yielded a slightly less than "me" look. The more I look at it, though, the more it grows on me. Only time will tell if it will actually leave the closet and go with me to work. Although I liked the sleeveless, boatneck version better, I went with the 3/4 sleeves since I don't like freezing my bum off in the cold winters. The sleeves are too long at the moment (they're bunched up in the photos - which, to be honest, is probably what will happen to them anyway) so I may shorten them a bit.

I don't know. What do you think, guys?

I'm not sure how I feel about the elasticated shoulders on this one. I really liked it on the dress I did with the same treatment. Maybe it's the sleeves that make it different. I feel a little linebacker-ish. Could also be the aforementioned less than me-ness. *shrugs* One thing is for sure - it feels good to get in a little selfish self-benefiting sewing done before the Christmas sewing begins. Hopefully, I can squeeze in a few more!

I always have to make it harder on myself...

So, as promised, I completed Pixelink's 1 Piece Kimono Tee pattern from BurdaStyle.com. Naturally, I had to make it more difficult than cutting a single piece and adding some side seams and hems. I had a striped jersey I really wanted to use, but (yes, I know I'm supposed to prefer vertical slimming ones) I really wanted horizontal stripes. So, after piecing the printable puzzle-pattern, I just it in half at the shoulders and added a seam allowance.  It really is a very easy pattern and it didn't take long to sew up. I was looking for a few more casual things to add to my wardrobe.... things that I can wear with jeans. So far, I've pretty much stuck to the going-back-to-work wardrobe. So, at least until the weather gets cold, I have one more casual look to sport while I'm cleaning up scattered barbies and spilled juice boxes.


My cat, Toby, guest stars in my photo:

And I don't want to brag or anything, but check out this stripe-matching prowess! :)

Past works, revisited in photos

Here are a couple of pieces that I've done in the last few months that I thought I'd share. These are just some of my favorites:

Butterick 5484
Asymmetrical hem faux wrap dress
Yellow linen-look

Simplicity 5259 Capris

Brown suiting

BurdaStyle download - Kasia #6012   Stretch cotton plaid 

paired with   

McCall's 5661 in Blue baby silk

McCall's 6120
Cap sleeve
Plum rayon knit

Skirt: 

Simplicity 9825

Green embroidered microsuede 

Top:

McCall's 6120 long sleeve

White cotton interlock

And even something for the hubs:

McCall's 6044 in blue herringbone stripe

Kickin' it off

Okay, so let's get this started the right way. A quick, easy project.

 

My choice: New Look 6950 - Misses separates for knits. 

I used some red cotton stretch knit that was in my stash (a sale purchase from Joann's). In case anyone is interested, this one takes about the same amount of time as a 14-month-old's nap... very handy if you happen to be squeezing your sewing into about 2 hours. That even included layout and cutting time. 

I'm certainly no master sewist (yet!), so I don't have the all the great, fun gadgets and equipment I'd love to have access to. No serger means a ballpoint needle, walking foot, and zig zag stitching. I don't mind... I think it still turned out stellar, even if it is just a simple, solid color top. I have bigger projects in the works, but right now I'm trying to build up a versatile wardrobe to go back to work. That's right, folks. In a few weeks, I'll be rejoining the working world after nearly 4 years! (I don't count those part time gigs or the disastrous vet clinic I put my heart and soul into but was horrendously under-appreciated) I digress... Much needed easy-to-pair separates were first on my queue after I got back under the sewing machine. 

Here's how it turned out:

The neckband was quite a bit wider than I expected based on the line drawing. I still really like it, but every time I raise my arms it rides up in a major way. Cute enough, still, that I don't mind pulling it back down and adjusting the shoulders. We'll see if I get totally annoyed after having to do it all day.