Oops, I Did it Again (Pretty Much)

Hi all ! 

I recently had a birthday, and my wonderful daughter gave me gift certificates for both Mood and Beyond the Pink Door. Perfect presents for me! I haven't used the Mood gift certificate yet, but I immediately went on Beyond the Pink Door because I'd had my eye on some exclusive prints that the owner, Andrea, had recently commissioned.  The only reason I hadn't purchased any of these exclusive prints is because I did not want to pay the tariff, but since I had the gift certificate, I just went for it!

So, Andrea has six of these exlusive prints. I figured I could only buy one, so it took me a while to whittle down my choices. Eventually, I chose the Summer Bloom in viscose. It arrived last Saturday. I washed it on Sunday. I cut it out on Monday. I sewed it on Tuesday. And I wore it to a luncheon and meeting on Wednesday. Phew!

It is a beautiful, vibrant print. Probably a little bright for my coloring, but I don't care! I had purchased 4 meters of it, thinking I would make a dress. But when I got it, I wanted to do something with it right away. I thought I'd get a lot more wear out of a top since I rarely wear dresses these days.

Immediately, I thought of McCall's 7757, a pattern from 1995, that I recenly made out of rayon challis, blogged here. I made this version just like that rayon challis version. The verdict? I love it! It's probably seasonally inappropriate, but it was 80 degrees when I wore it on Wednesday, so it was perfect.

With some judicious cutting, I have enough fabric left to do something else. I'm thinking I'll make a top for my daughter. And also with judicious cutting, I was able to piece together a scrunchie from the scraps. This one is 18" x 5" with 7.5" of 1/4" elastic looped.

You might have noticed that I haven't followed my edict: if you have a new top, you need new pants. Well, the only reason I didn't make new pants is that I already have at least 3 pairs of pants that go with this top (not counting the jeans I wore in the photos). I have sapphire blue Jalie Eleonores, and both sapphire blue and fuchsia linen Closet Core Pietras.

So, this was a very happy and very quick make. I'm thrilled that this fabric won't languish in my stash. What's my big problem now? It's what to make next! Such problems.

I hope you are making some fabulous things!

Happy sewing ~ Peggy

Prepping for Winter: the Itch-to-Stitch Hepburn Turtleneck

Hi! Well, last Saturday it was hot here, but by Monday it was cold and rainy. Of course, not as cold as it will be later in the year, but still it was downright chilly! Cold enough that I pulled out a turtleneck I made last year: the Hepburn Turtleneck from Itch-to-Stitch. However, I'm a little tired of my current turtleneck selection, so I figured it was time to whip up some new ones.

The Hepburn Turtleneck has a great size range as it comes in sizes 00 to 40. It has been my go-to turtleneck pattern for several years although I've tried others. In cold weather, I've learned that I need my neck to be warm or I'll be uncomfortable. So, every year, I make a bunch of new turtlenecks to rotate into my wardrobe--and, I like variety. 

As I mentioned in my last post, I attended a 3-hour open studio, "Scream Allowance," last Sunday at our downtown library. It was a lot of fun, although I was the oldest there by far! There were six of us, and I'd bet they were all in their 30s and 40s. Nevertheless, it was really nice and I got quite a bit done. I brought my serger and five projects to work on. Now, I didn't think I'd actually get all five done, but just in case, I wanted to be prepared.

I brought a Pete the Cat T-shirt to make for my grandson. Done. And I brought another pair of Pomona Pants for me. Done (except for the hems and sewing down the waist). And I brought 3 Hepburn turtlenecks. One, completely done, and two, just with shoulders and necks attached.

The turtleneck I finished was out of the Art Gallery Mille Fiori fabric--which I used last week, but in rayon woven. This cotton/spandex jersey was purchased from Fabric.com several years ago during one of their sales. Cotton/spandex jersey is my favorite fabric for turtlenecks as it has enough body to hold the collar. I've tried it with rayon but the neck just collapses--although I love the feel of the fabric.

This came together easily. I had cut out and prepped each piece at home by pressing up the hems, adding interfacing to the back shoulders, and pressing the collars in half. I also decided to coverstitch the hems before actually serging the tops so that I could completely finish the tops at the open studio. Not ideal, but it worked just fine. After that, it was easy to put it together. I mostly sewed the turtlenecks in assembly line fashion at the open studio. I serged all the shoulder seams and pressed them, then I pinned all collars to the bodices and serged those. At this point, my assembly line stopped, and I decided to complete each one separately.

I decided to finish the Art Gallery one first, so I pinned and serged the sleeves, and then the side seams. The last piece was to weave the serger threads into the seams--which I did with an embroidery needle I brought with me. FYI, I'll probably wear this with a hoodie/pullowever/cardigan on top. Bonus: I can also wear this with the rayon woven Mille Fiori scrunchie I made last week!

All in all, a fun and satisfying day and I look forward to attending another Scream Allowance at the end of October.

If you have a chance to attend a sewing social, I highly recommend it! It's so nice to meet others who share similar interests.

I hope you are doing well and having fun getting ready for the changing weather! 

Happy sewing ~ Peggy

Summer to Fall Transition: Pomona Pants and McCall's 7757 in Art Gallery Mille Fiori

Hi all ~ It is still hot here--most of the time--but fall is officially here and I know the cooler temps will come sooner rather than later. I have summer coloring, so I'm best in pastels and soft shades mostly in pinks, blues, and lavenders--not your classic autumn shades! But I was determined to make an autumn outfit that suited me. To that end, I recently bought the Pomona Pants pattern by Anna Allen. It has tapered leg- and widish leg- pants, and shorts. For my first effort, I made the tapered leg pants.

There is just one pattern piece per view! Super easy. The hardest part was taping the pattern together.

Before I cut anything out, I amended the pattern. I added an inch in length right around the hip, and I added two inches in length to the legs.

Then I cut it out. I used a navy cotton/poly twill that I recently bought at Mill End Fabrics. I sewed these almost entirely on my serger. I used my sewing machine to loop the elastic and to sew down the waistband. The hems were done by hand.

So--incredibly easy and I like the finished pants, although next time, I'll probably remove a half inch from the leg length to give them a more modern look.

My adage: If you have new pants, you NEED a new top! Yup. And herein lies a story.

Several years ago, I purchased some Art Gallery cotton jersey in the Mille Fiori print from Fabric.com. I love the quality of the fabric and I love the print. Well, I couldn't decide whether to make a summer piece or a turtleneck; I couldn't do both. So it sat in my stash. Fast forward quite a few years. I was in Mill End Fabrics in Reno, Nevada, and I spied the same print but on a rayon challis. It had Art Gallery printed on the selvedge, so it was legit. I snapped up what they had--with no plans. But when I got home, I realized I could use the rayon for a summer top and the jersey for a turtleneck. I could cover all bases!

Then I had to decide what top to make. I settled on McCall's 7757--a pattern from 1995--which I've had since then. I've made this pattern four times: as a sleeveless dress for my daughter; as two tops with added puffy sleeves and a button placket; and as a top with the puffy sleeves but no button placket. This time, I wanted to add a V-neck to the bodice, a scarf/bow collar, and the same puffed sleeves. I re-vamped the facings to accomodate the V-neck--and, I also made a scrunchie from the offcuts!

It worked out perfectly! I have a new fall/spring top and pants, and I'm looking forward to wearing them. And the bonus: I have enough of the rayon left to do something else!

By the way, the scrunchie is 18" x 4" with 7.5" of elastic.

Soon, I think I'll cut out the turtleneck in the cotton jersey. I like the Itch-to-Stitch Hepburn Turtleneck which I've made dozens of times. We're approaching that time of year when I wear a turtleneck almost every day just to keep my neck warm. If my neck is warm, I'm usually comfortable. 

In fact, I plan to cut out about six turtlenecks to take with me to a sewing retreat. Yay! This will be new for me. A group called Scream Allowance has been hosting sporadic sewing days at a local library which I haven't been able to attend. I just got notice of the next one, at the end of this month, and I RSVPd that I'd love to attend.

I think I'll bring my serger and a bunch of knit fabric projects--including the aforementioned turtlenecks. It should be fun!

I hope you are having fun creating all sorts of wonderful outfits!

Happy sewing ~ Peggy

Inspiration to Reality (#2): Simplicity 1461 & Style Arc Barb

I recently learned of a clothing manufacturer, Jude Connally, and had a perusal of her website. Cute, classic clothes. I'm not planning on buying any as these are items I can easily make. But there was one section, the Holly Holden Collection, that caught my eye. Again, these are all pieces I could easily make at a fraction of the cost.  One look, in particular, was something I had planned to make anyway, but then I saw this one and decided to use it as inspiration. These two items retail at $188 each.

I think her hat might be the Wauwinet hat from Peter Beaton. I have this hat, and hoped to make a matching bow from fabric remnants. For the pants, I thought the Style Arc Barb Stretch Pants would do the trick. I've never made these for me, but I've made them many times for my daughter. And for the top, I have several tunic patterns, including the Tunic Bible, but I've been wanting to try Simplicity 1461 because it has cup sizes and I'm lazy!

Like my other Inspiration to Reality makes, I intended to use this look as a guidepost and not make an exact copy. In preparation for this look, I had purchased some deadstock ponte from Stonemountain and Daughter. I also had 3 yards of cotton batik in turquoise and lavender that I had gotten recently at a local quilt store, Going Batty. I was there for a meeting, and the owner offered us 30% off our purchases. It would've been rude not to buy something! If I had enough fabric left over, I planned to make a tie for my hat.

I used Simplicity 1461 and I didn't even make a muslin. I used the size 14 with the D cup, and lowered the bust apex by an inch. Unlike the inspiration, I didn't want the band collar as I thought it would be too hot during the summer. I lengthened the top by an inch in order to get a similar look, although I don't think I lengthened it enough. Other than those changes, I didn't make any other adjustments. 

The top has princess seams in front, a neckline facing, side slits, and bands at the sleeves. I sewed everything on my sewing machine and finished all seams on my serger. Actually, I did my usual thing: I finished all edges (without cutting anything off) before I sewed any seams. Then, after seams were sewn, I was able to press them open for a nice finish.

The hems were topstitched and I mitered the corners at the slide slits. 

I didn't have enough fabric left over to make a band and bow for my hat. So instead, I used a length of turquoise grosgrain that I had in my stash. Normally, I would wear such a tie with the bow at the back of the hat. However, I wanted to mimic the inspiration, so I moved the bow to the front.

The pants were made using a deadstock ponte from Stonemountain and Daughter. These were constructed entirely on the serger, but the hems were done by hand. The pants are super comfortable and they were easy to construct. I'm so glad to have added a pair of white ponte pants to my wardrobe; these will be very versatile.

I wore this outfit with my silver sandals. Holly Holden is wearing hers with black heeled slingback pumps, but I wasn't about to do that. Have I mentioned: I like comfort?! This new outfit will be perfect for an afternoon of board games at the clubhouse.

This is a simple outfit, but I'm delighted to use this cotton batik. While I like the top, I'm not sure I'll use the pattern again--one time might be enough. If I have a hankering to make another tunic, I have plenty of other patterns to try. 

Thank you Jude Connally and Holly Holden for the inspiration!

Have you copied any looks for your own wardrobe? Inquiring minds want to know!

Happy sewing ~ Peggy

A WEEK of Pietras? Oh My!

Hi all ~ 

I thought it might be fun to share a week of my handmade outfits. I always enjoy reading/watching when other bloggers/vloggers do them, so I decided to give it a try. I do exercise every day, but I haven't included those outfits in the mix, because they're pretty boring. As it turned out, I wore a different pair of the Closet Core Pietra Pants EVERY day (except for one day)! This wasn't planned.

On Monday, I had a committee meeting in the morning and an afternoon crafting meeting with like-minded crafters. I wore my pink floral seersucker Pietras. On top, I wore my McCall's 7757 (from 1995) in white double gauze to which I added a button placket and hot pink buttons. These were both made last summer.

On Tuesday, I went to a political meeting. It was a very hot day, and since the meeting was to be held outside, I made sure to wear my sunhat. This outfit was just right for my day.  I wore my Pietras in turquoise linen (bought at Stonemountain and Daughter). On top, I wore Simplicity 8752 in an underlined white cotton dobby.  I have blog posts about these pieces, here and here.

Wednesday was a busy day. I had my book club meeting in the morning. After that, I went to a luncheon at a local restaurant, The Twisted Fork, and that afternoon, I had my Creative Connections meeting with a group of other ladies who knit/crochet, sew garments, and/or quilt. I wanted to look put together, but be comfortable and appropriate for these three things. I wore my Closet Core Pietra Pants in a red/white Oscar De La Renta print I had purchased years ago at Mood. With these pants, I wore my Butterick 6848 shell in white ponte, and my Helen's Closet Blackwood Cardigan in a textured white double knit. I have a blog post about this outfit, here.

Thursday was a quiet day. I ran errands, went out to lunch, and I hosted my grandchildren in the afternoon. I wanted to wear clothing that allowed me to be flexible but still put together. I chose to wear the Pietras in fuchsia linen, and on top, I wore New Look 6650 in a rayon jersey from Mood. Put together but very comfortable!

On Friday, I went to a meeting. I re-wore the pink floral seersucker Pietras. On top, I wore my original Simplicity 8752 in pink jersey. I made both these pieces last summer.

On Saturday, I went to an ice cream social and a board game afternoon at the clubhouse. I wore Pietras made in a light coral linen blend, and a hacked version of the Zoey Blouse by Atelier Jupe. The top was made out of a sheer white cotton dobby. I wrote a blog post about this top, here. 

And finally, Sunday! I went to church and then a quilt show. I wore another pair of Pietra Pants in cobalt blue linen from Stonemountain and Daughter. The top is Butterick 6848 in a border print jersey that I bought ages ago from...somewhere--I just don't remember!  I made these pieces last summer.

And that'll do it! A week of my life all in outfits I made. This is the first time I've recorded such an exercise, and I found it quite fun, although I think I usually have more variety in my outfits! Looking at these photos, I realized that I went without my prosthetic breast in each one. Oh well. It's the real me!

I hope you enjoyed seeing how I wear some of the me-mades. I also hope you are doing well and spending some time at the sewing machine!

Happy sewing ~ Peggy 

Summer to Fall Transition: A Faux Jumpsuit

My daughter will be back in the classroom in a week or so. And around here, the temperature is hovering around 100 degrees Farenheit (37.78 Celsius), so while she wants to look polished and professional, she also wants to be comfortable. She's told me that her classrooms vary from freezing cold--too much air conditioning, to too hot--not enough air conditioning. So, I thought a few summer-weight pieces would be good for the beginning of the semester. The high heat could last well into October, or it could get pretty cool and blustery. Who knows!?

I knew my daughter liked the look of the Lane Pants by Sydney Graham and I was dying to give them a try. Going by my daughter's measurements, I first printed a size 8, but they looked way too big. I then printed the size 6, and while they fit her fine and have plenty of room, I could go down to a size 4. I added some inches in length and was going to make a fit muslin, but I decided to just go for it in some not-precious-to-me rayon challis lawn that I had gotten in a Sew Hayley Jane subscription box (sometime within the last couple years)--I think it's a Lady McElroy fabric, if memory serves.

For this first pair of Lane Pants, I put buttonholes in the waistband which uses both elastic and an optional drawstring. I used a ready-made drawstring which I cut in half and added a section of elastic--I did this because the drawstring would've been too short otherwise. I also omitted all the pocket options, because as I was cutting out the pants, I thought I might have enough to make a matching top if I kept the yardage that would've gone into the pockets.

So, other than a couple changes, those sewed up quickly and easily. I sewed everything on my sewing machine and finished all seams on my serger. The pants call for a 3" hem--which I did--and I topstiched them on my machine.

During a recent sale, I had purchased the Helen's Closet Ashton Top. This is a sleeveless top that can be finished with either bias tape or facings, a potential hem facing, and a choice of cup sizes. An expansion pack with a variety of sleeves can also be purchased. I did. 

I cut out the top with the facings and the hem facing (size 12 with a B-cup, no modifications). I was just able to get everything out of the challis remants, although I did piece the back facing and I cut it on the cross-grain. 

Super easy sew, no closures. I chose to use the facings, because I am a facings gal, and I used the burrito-method to install them. I've used this method multiple times, but if you've never used it, the instructions for the Ashton Top include clear directions for the burrito-method, and I highly recommend it.

This fabric was a little skittery to sew, but it created a great outfit. Soooooo comfy! And, being rayon, it'll work well in our very hot and arid climate. 

But since my daughter's university classrooms are unpredictable when it comes to air conditioning, I thought a completer piece was in order--which would also take this outfit into more autumnal weather. I was going to make her a cardigan in dusty pink, but then I held up a remnant of teal jersey to the top and it matched the teal flowers perfectly! A couple years ago, I had made my daughter the Helen's Closet Blackwood Cardigan out of this textured teal jersey that I had gotten in a Think Pink Box from Beyond the Pink Door. I think it is perfect with this outfit and eliminates my daughter's air conditioning concerns!

I've also been making clothes for my grandchildren, including Pete the Cat t-shirts, dinosaur t-shirts, Baby Shark t-shirts, and dresses for my granddaughter. It is so fun and satisfying to make things that are so appreciated!

Next up? I'm working on a tunic, Simplicity 1461, out of a cotton batik, and I also have more shirts and dresses cut out for my grandchildren. And I have a few ideas of back-to-work outfits for my daughter. I think I'll keep busy!

I hope you are doing well and finding time to create!

Happy sewing ~ Peggy