Simplicity S2404 the Amazing Fit dress

Pattern Description: From Simplicity’s website – 2404 Misses Dresses Misses' / Miss petite dress with pattern pieces for slim, average and curvy fit & A,B,C,D. Amazing Fit collection.

Sizing: 6-24.

Fabric Used: Gray mystery fabric from Walmart & silver crepe back satin from Fabric.com for the lining.

I made this dress back in January, but have not gotten around to posting it until now. I was hoping to get some pictures of the inside before I posted but it didn't happen. The pattern comes with different skirt pieces for slim, average and curvy fit as well as separate bodice pieces for A, B, C & D cups. Since my main focus this year is on fitting, this seemed like a great starting place. I had what I thought was a suit weight gray fabric and silver satin in my stash so I figured I was set. I used the D cup bodice and the average skirt. I did a 5/8 inch broad back adjustment (which was about ¼ in too much) and I did a ¾ in FBA. I added to the waist and hips, but I don’t really remember how much. There is a little puffiness just under the bust, but I think that may have been due to the fabric stretching. The dress is a little plain for my taste, but it is a good basic if done in a better fabric. I did have some successes with this dress as well. I fully lined it (which the pattern doesn’t call for), I added lace to the bottom of the lining and my invisible zipper came out great. Overall the pattern has good “bones” and now that I have it fitted I can see myself going back to it again.

 

 
I have also started working on my white button down shirt using McCall’s Palmer/Pletch M5433. My hope was to start on the second item in the Wardrobe basics, the jeans, but the pattern is on back order and I needed a top to pair with my newly finished ponte pants. I have some white shirting in my stash that I bought about a year ago with hopes of a white button down, so I’m pretty excited to start sewing it up.

Until Next Time,

Renae

Yatta! - McCall's M6440 Done

If you didn’t watch the show Heroes, Yatta! Means I did it! After three years of sewing I finally made a pair of pants. With a little persuading, my “photographer” agreed to snap a few pictures for me. The photos are not wonderful (DD doesn’t really get that I’m trying to highlight the clothes LOL) but you get the idea. I am very behind, but I present to you the first item of the Basic Wardrobe SAL.

Pattern Description: From McCall’s website – MISSES' PANTS: Narrow legs, self faced contoured waistband with left side or center back invisible zipper, optional pocket in waistband with invisible zipper. A: Plain hems. B: Invisible side zipper on legs. C: Slits. D: self cuffs.

Sizing: 6-20.

Fabric Used: Black Ponte from JoAnn Fabrics

I have already mentioned this but I was not at all happy with my choice of Ponte. It was very thin and not at all like a bottom weight that I would normally wear. I do like the seam down the back leg of the pattern though. Anyone trying pants for the first time will appreciate the extra seam. I was able to get an ok fit in the back because of it. I did not make a muslin ahead of time but I did attempt to tissue fit the pattern. I’m not crazy about the fit in the front and after looking at the pictures I can see a lot of drag line that I did not see when I pin fit it. I made several changes to the pattern, which was not all necessary and no doubt added to me not being crazy about the finished pant. I added 1 inch to all pattern pieces, most of which I ended up removing. I added 2 inched to the CB tapering to nothing at the side seam and I added 1 inch in length below the knee, which were the only changes I think I'll keep for the next pair. I will make these again in a different fabric but I will not add so much to the pieces, so that I can actually get a slim leg fit next time.

I am so glad that I finally made an attempt at pants. I starting sewing in the first place to make my own jeans and it’s taken all this time to “work up the nerve” to actually just do it. One more review and more pictures tomorrow.

Until then,

Renae

What I’m doing in the blogosphere

Carolyn from Diary of a Sewing Fanatic posted a question on Tuesday about construction details on sewing blogs. If you don’t already follow her, go and check out her blog right away! Anyway, her question got me thinking about this blog and what I am ultimately trying to achieve with it. I would love to one day show off my fabulous construction details, write meaningful tutorials and post gorgeously stylish photos but I’m not at that place in this craft just yet. What you will find here is someone who enjoys the art of sewing, who is constantly trying to learn something new, can convince her teenager to snap a few horrible pictures from time to time, that will gladly bring you all along for the wave of ups and downs that go with the trial and error of garment sewing.

Ok, enough about! My black ponte pants for Lori & Lynne’s Wardrobe basics SAL are almost finished. I think they will end up more of a wearable muslin than a prized piece because I am not crazy about the ponte that I purchased. More details to follow.

Didn't Make It..

The first 12 in 2012 deadline that is. I had hoped to finish the Simplicity 2404 Amazing fit dress that I am working on by last night, but an impromptu visit from my sister and brother in law and then my BFF on Monday stalled my plans. Last night I was able to get the invisible zipper put in and give everything a good press before turning in for the night. Tonight my plan is to hem the dress and lining to finish it off! While the dress is rather plain, I am very happy with some of my improved construction techniques. I will do a full review over the weekend and post along with some pictures.

In other sewing news, I have my pattern for the Basic Wardrobe Sew Along black ponte pants all copied and ready for fitting. I had hoped to use the Burda pattern I spoke about in my last post (which I did copy off), but after looking at the pattern pieces it does not have the separate leg pieces that I was looking for. I did find this in my pattern stash however

It's McCall's M6440 which has a center back seam and leg variations. Exactly what I was looking for, so I copied it off as well.This will be my first time fitting a pair of pants and I am hoping the learning curve is not as long since I have “some” fitting practice under my belt.

Stay tuned!

~Renae