Brown Version

These cozy - knit/stretch dresses are so trending now!
I can't wear stripes at work- but I love, love ... love this time of dress.
But why buy one... for $30 when you can make one for about $12?


That cute blue dress (can see HERE)-- was so easy, so comfy and so fast to sew!
So I made a second!

It's just brown.
kind of boring.
When I bought the fabric- I thought maybe that was too safe?
(I really like patterns- but I am gun shy- in picking out a patterns. Especially one that will work- at work, as an ASL interpreter.)

I am glad I made a solid brown dress.
It is a neutral - that will look great with many of my cardigans.
I can see wearing this and the blue dress a lot!
Did I mention how comfy it is?
It's like wearing cozy pajama's to work! Except- I don't look like I am wearing pajama's.

 

 

I cut the dress- exactly the same as the blue dress. (YES! the front is cut smaller than the back- lol)

Besides that goof-up,  I had modified the pattern to accommodate my smaller top half-- to my larger bottom half...

 

This time- when the pattern with fabric was cut out...

I placed the top piece over the bottom and lined up the silhouette's. I made sure they were the same. (trimmed where the shapes didn't match up)

That took care of the bubble- problem I had with the blue dress.

 (so glad I figured out the problem.)

 

Sleeves are the same as the blue dress.

 

So cute! I love this pattern. But I am going to limit myself to 2 dresses.

I feel like I have conquered this pattern.

(I might make another one in the future- a striped dress? Wouldn't that be fun for summer?)

 

I need to move on... continue on my path- of learning how to sew.

 

Buttons next! (gulp)

Ready or not...

Here I come!

 

Project Sewn: Blue Dress Success!

This week's challenge at Project Sewn- was to sew something that was our strength.

Since I am new to sewing- I don't consider myself as having many sewing strengths.

 

 

I learned a great tip on this project.

Don't cut your fabric out- while watching the Olympics!

I wanted to alter/tailor the pattern to my body.

My measurements said I was a size 8 top and 12 bottom.

(I am a classic pear)

I started cutting- and the dots and dash lines that distinguish the different sizes- became blurred.

Who knows what I cut! But I know the top layer was cut smaller than the back layer.

Since the fabric is a interlock knit, I thought it might be forgiving enough- to proceed with the project. (Even if the side seams aren't going to lay- exactly CENTER on my sides because the back part of my dress is wider and longer than the front side of my dress.) lol

 

Here is the finished version.

Can you see it "bubbling" on the right.. on my hip? Yeah I need to work that out.

 

I don't plan to wear this dress- without a sweater or jacket over it. I just wanted to show you the finished dress- without embellishments.

 

I love the color combo of Royal Blue and Light Blue/Turquoise.

(I've had this belt for probably 4 years- and have NEVER worn it. This is why I have a hard time getting rid of anything... because I just might wear it- ya never know! )

 

I didn't really wear this outfit with the scarf.

( I mean- Yeah- I wore it outside with my coat..

but I took the scarf off with my coat, when I was working.)

 

but I wanted to show you.... these are my favorite colors and color combination.

I am drawn to these colors! They make me happy!

 

 

And I just have to show you a close up of the neckline- Great job on the top stitching - if I do say so myself!

Now.. I need to fiddle more with the bubbling side seam... sort that out so it lays flat. But over all.. I am very pleased with my first dress sewn!

Signature style

Okay- I am so my MOTHER!
When I was a teenager- I was rummaging around my mother's closet to wear something- and I realized she only had Navy Blue dresses! ( Like- 14 different Navy Blue Dresses!) I made fun of her and suggested she branch out.

I went to the fabric store to pick out a pattern and such for this weeks challenge.
(I was trying to be thrifty-  Interlock fabric was 40% off and McCall patterns were on sale again for $1.99. That was my perameters for my selection.)

I picked out Navy Blue fabric.
(Haven't I already documented- I own a lot of BLUE already??)

Whatever- from here on out- I am going to be more thoughtful with my sewing projects.
Also- I am going to make more quality projects and not quantity. I don't need a closet full of mediocre articles of clothing. A few, well made, well tailored pieces would be my goal.

Here is a peek at  next  Monday Project Sewn project.
I can't tell you - how great participating in this link party- has helped challenge me to sew!

Also on the topic of Colors and me thinking of colors.

Wardrobe Architect shared her favorite colors HERE

I have to say- I am drawn the exact same colors!

I just had to laugh! The only 3 colors I would omit: Mint, Warm tan, Blush.
Other than that! Those are exactly the colors in my closet! It was nice to see them all together- and help me see... I DO have a color range.

If you haven't visited Wardrobe Architect yet- you should!
So many great ideas and assignments on how to create a wardrobe that reflects YOU- individually!

And please-- please wont you play along in July? Think about it!
It is exactly 6 months away! Plenty of time to put something together! click HERE to learn more.

Inspired by Shoes: Project Sewn

Real Quick! Plan to play-along in July

Click HERE to learn more!

Okay! The real reason you all stopped by!

Here are my shoes and the fabric for this project.

They remind me of a "Victorian style" shoes. I love Victorian style! Streamline skirts with hemline ruffles. Just all the feminine details of that era.

So that was my vision.
Streamline skirt- I own none. (Okay- one, I made it two weeks ago for Project Sewn.) I normally wear A-line skirts. But for winter- I feel like I wear so much bulk- everywhere- on TOP on Bottom.. I feel like my shape is very non-descript.

So I want to experiment with straight skirts and pencil skirts... and see if they don't flatter my pear figure- when I am wearing bulky sweaters on top.

I bought this pattern- it was on sale (Yay!) and had the details I wanted.

Here you can (kinda) see the cute ruffle in the back.

Here is a closer look at the back of the skirt. (My ruffle didn't look like the one in the pattern package- if it bugs me too much, I am going to rip it out and remake the ruffle. But for now- I am happy with it.)

I lucked out - with matching the lines as I fitted the skirt to me.
Then with the hem ruffle detail- I opted to cut the fabric with the lines horizontal- to make it stand out a tad more.
I wore it to church- and was relieved..... no one asked, "Did you make that?"
YES! Something I MADE looked normal! NOT home-spun!

Great progress for me!
Can't wait to see all the amazing projects over at Project Sewn!

And as far as straight skirts go... I think I am warming up to the idea. I probably could taper this skirt even more and make it a pencil skirt and not feel silly. (Since there is extra fabric in the back ruffle- I would still be able to walk normal.)

(big sigh of relief)
FINALLY  a sewing project that was pretty straight forward- with no major hiccups!

These are pictures of other times I've worn this skirt.. I took these pictures FIRST and then last minute... realized... I am NOT WEARING my inspiration shoes! lol.. what was I thinking!!!

Seeing RED: Success!

Remember this big red shirt? (complete with shoulder pads?)

 

I tried to re size it and in the process, created this "elephant ear" shirt. Not flattering at all!

I got some great advice from the blogging/sewing network!
(I went to the fabric store- to try and find more fabric, I couldn't find a red, but I found some cute polka-dot fabric.)
I started sketching- and trying to incorporate the two fabrics.

After sketching- I realized I really just want a cute RED- shell shirt.

(I was worried that using the polka-dot fabric. That this project would turn to clown costume.)

I was a little skeptical about using another shirt as a pattern (because of my DIY fail here), AND because I didn't have another "shell" shirt to pattern off of.
So I took a baggy T- shirt- that had a nice shape.

I felt a little better about the idea, when I saw that the T-shirt followed the sides I already fit to myself. I used the green shirt to cut/re-size the arm holes of the red shirt.

I used the green shirt to also re-size the sleeves.

Yay! It is cute and fitted and I left it long- so when I tuck it in... I won't have to constantly be tucking it back in- if ya know what I mean....

I am so happy!
A success story- to this cute shirt.

Can I say, I love my seam-ripper! I love that when I mess up- my little seam-ripper can make it all go away... and I have a second chance at it, to get it right, or a third time, or fourth, etc... you get the idea.

Here is the polka-dot fabric. Cute right? But do you see how it could be clown-like? I only bought 1/4 of a yard. I hope to be able to use it.

RED elephant shirt

Think Pink- challenge at Project Sewn!
I love how it is motivating me on my goal this year to: LEARN HOW TO SEW.

I need your suggestions!
I got this great blouse from Deseret Industries.
(A bit big) After thinking about PINK for a week, I thought I could use a cute RED blouse in my life.

(Shown here with my cute skirt from last weeks Project Sewn challenge.)

This is where I need your help!

 I thought it would be an easy project:

Take off the sleeves.

Re size the sides.

Reset the sleeves.

 

As you can tell- Not a great success story- .... yet!

I don't want to give up on this project, because the color is great!

 

Once "fixed" it will be an amazing addition to my "work wardrobe".

 

So I need some advice.

Hind-sight being 20/20- I maybe should NOT have taken the sleeves off.

I should have re-sized it like my coral sweater... just one seam, up both sides, including the sleeves in the seam. BUT I can't change that now.

 

Any suggestions?

 

Project Sewn: Week One- Attempt 2

I just couldn't leave the first challenge that way- with a DIY Fail. It just left such a bad taste in my soul.... my little, budding, sewing soul...

And especially- when the challenge was to be inspired by a fashion icon- my favorite!
Princess Kate!

So back to Pinterest to find a picture of something I could sew!

I won't make you wait for it. This is the cute skirt I made- inspired by this image of Kate.





I couldn't find the red tartan fabric.
I could find this flannel fabric.

Yes this is a flannel skirt- reminds me of my flannel pajamas growing up! I can see this quickly becoming my favorite skirt.


The reason I labeled my project: Braveheart Inspired on Project Sewn is...
as I was sewing this skirt, my husband walked into the room and asked,
 "Are you going to unite the clan?" Braveheart is his favorite movie- all time, so I knew exactly what he was referring to. lol.

It helped me giggle my way through the project until the skirt was finished. All the picking out and pinning etc. I mean, for an experienced seamstress.. this is probably an hour-project not two days.

After looking at some other people's projects on Project Sewn, especially Kristi (click here), I thought I needed to add lining to this skirt.. lining really makes a sewing project seem more professional and less home-spun. Also, I thought lining will help this skirt hold it's shape better (since it is made out of flannel) and not bunch up when being worn with tights.

I have never, NEVER ever lined anything!  Since this skirt is just a tube...I thought I would be able to handle it.

 

(Spoiler Alert: This is extra fabric from a future Project Sewn assignment. )

Look at the hem! no.. really LOOK AT IT! I did a dang good job!
My son helped me with the pictures, he said "Why are you standing like that?"

I don't know what I am doing?... awkward model syndrome.

 

Besides the awkward photos- the skirt turned out cute! (and comfy!)

I love /live for comments - they really help me stay positive as I try to learn how to sew.
So thanks for taking the time!
Laura