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

Progress

I picked some of my patterns for the Basic Wardrobe Sew Along! For most of you this is an easy part of the process, but as my little sister so kindly pointed out I am too much of a perfectionist to allow it to be simple. First up on Lori’s list is a pair of black ponte pants. I choose Burda Magazine 11/2010 #122. It is a straight leg with a back leg seam. I’ve read a lot about Burda pant patterns being easier to fit, so for my first attempt at pants I figured I would set myself up for success (the additional seam can’t hurt either).

Next on the list is a dark wash jean. I selected the much talked about Jalie #2908. All the reviews on PatternReview make this sound like a MUST have, so I ordered mine today. The pattern is for a stretch jean with two rise options in sizes ranging from kids to adults, so it will no doubt get plenty of use. I should have it in plenty of time to get it fitted, etc before the sewing begins. I’ve never worked with a Jalie pattern before, so this sew along is shaping up to be a “let’s try new things” sew along (which I think counts toward my Res-sew-lutions).

The third item on the list is a white button down shirt. I selected McCall’s Palmer/Pletch M5433 which features three different lengths as well as sleeve variations. I already have a great shirting fabric that I pick up last year from Cynthia’s Fine Fabric with the intentions of making a button down. I also hope that the fitting will not be as challenging since this pattern has all the alteration lines printed on it already.

I have made some progress on Simplicity 2404 Amazing Fit pattern that I am working on, so once that it off the table I can get to this great list of basics. If you haven’t already checked out Lori or Lynne’s blogs, do so now for all the details.

~Renae

Decisions Decisions

Ever since I started sewing (WAY back in 2009) one of the hardest parts of the process for me has always been deciding what style/pattern/fabric combination I wanted to use. I think many of my not so successful pieces have come about because of bad style to body or fabric to pattern choices. Which leads me to today. I know that I need a basic wardrobe, with a classic style. Nothing trendy just yet, I figure I can add those on in pieces. Suzie over at Su SewsSo-So has put out a 12 in 2012 challenge to help motivate us into sewing something at least monthly. Which is exactly what I needed to get me moving. I then saw that Lori over at Girls in the Garden is hosting a Wardrobe Sew Along which is also perfect. All that to say this… I have been working on Simplicity S2404 the Amazing Fit dress to count towards the 12 in 2012, but I find myself eating through time trying to pick the right pattern to use to make the black ponte pants for the Wardrobe Sew Along. No sewing for either challenge happening, just a lot of second guessing. So tonight I think I am going to work on the dress so that I can get that finished and posted. Then I will start on the pants and hope by then I will have found the “right” pattern. I’m I the only one that is so torn by these decisions?

New Year, New Blog, New Me?

Welcome, Happy New Year, Happy MLK Day and anything else that I missed since the first of the year. It was my intention to get this up by the first of the year, but you already know about that road paved with good intentions. I have during the past year really reevaluated by new found hobby and wanted to capture on paper (internet, what have you) a wish list of things I would like to tackle for the New Year. While I will most certainly deviate from this list I thought it a good starting place by jotting down a few things. So here goes, in no particular order:

1.      Work on fitting and fitting alterations. – I seem to start off a pattern on the right path, then get stuck once I start making adjustments. I may be over fitting, but I’m not sure.

2.      Find a local sewing circle. – While I love reading blogs and feel as though I know these sewist personally I would love to have someone that I could ask to help me take back measurements and the like.

3.      Make an attempt at fitting and sewing pants. – I have had wearable success with tops and dresses (not love affairs, but passable) but have been way too timid about attempting pants. When I first started sewing this was my only motivation to learn and yet I have never tried it.

4.      Plan and execute at least 4 mini wardrobes. – This for me is really ambitious. The planning stage is painfully slow (like I don’t want to pick the “wrong” patterns), then I sew maybe a piece from the collection and wonder off in a different direction altogether.

5.      Nail down some TNT patterns – I know that this takes time, but some of my favorite bloggers make so much use of their TNT patterns that I want to have some of my own.

6.      Sew quality – I want to sew with fabric that is gorgeous instead of just fabric that is on sale. So if that means I can only have 1 great item per month instead of 5 ok items, then so be it.

7.      Stop rushing – I have always been an instant gratification type chic, but that has not served me well in the sewing world (back to the 1 item vs 5 items).

8.      Develop a style – I have lived most of my adult life not caring about what I put on (as long as it was clean). As I get older, I find myself wanting have a well put together look. Which seems to include layering and accessories which I have never done.

9.      Keep up with this blog – I have learned so much about so many things from reading blogs. I want this to be a place that helps someone someday.

Well I think that’s it for right now. I’m sure I will add to this list as the year progresses, but I should not be subtracting from it (unless completed that is).

Sew Long For Today,

~Renae

Butterick B5746 Fitting Shell

I have been working on the Butterick Fitting Shell for what seems like an eternity now. I have managed to get the bodice to fit around (since my local Joann's only had the pattern in a size 14), but there is soooo much still wrong with it. The darts on the flat pattern seem to be in the right places and pointing to the apex, but in fabric they are way off. The back has a decent fit, but the neckline sits too high and the darts bubble. I used the armhole line closet to the body but it still seems wide across the upper chest. I have been using FFRP, Fast Fit and Fabulous Fit to try and work out some of the issues, but I am stuck. I am heading over to Pattern Review to send out an SOS signal to see what advice I can gather from the fit experts there. 

On the plus side, my coworker sent me pictures this morning of her new baby sporting the onesie and blanket I made for them. She said it fits like a glove and the blanket is super soft. At least someone is getting a good fit out of my sewing studio.

This week I will be busily making a top for my sister, a top for my daughter and a dress for my mom in preparation for an upcoming party. If I decide to go, I guess I'll be there naked LOL since the "dress code" is all white. Until next time!