A New Fall Outfit

Hi all! ~ I've been a busy bee in the sewing room as I continue to whip up some basics that I need to patch holes in my wardrobe. But, in the meantime, I've been having fun crafting work outfits for my daughter. She's a university professor, and she wants to be comfortable, polished, and appropriate for the classroom. Workwear is one of my favorite things to plan and make, but it is something I don't need anymore (no complaints!).

I was recently going through my stash, and I came across a remnant of fabric I used two years ago to make a maternity top for my daughter (also workwear). It is a Lady McElroy ITY from Minerva in paisley. Paisley is one of my favorite prints. This one is in brown, black, white/ivory, teal, and ocean blue. When I made this before, I used the Cara Maternity Top by Megan Nielsen, and I also hacked the Style Arc Barb's Stretch Pants to give them a maternity waistband. Photo below:

I measured out the remnant of ITY, and I realized I had enough to make another top. And, as I was going through my stash, I found two yards of ocean blue ponte that I had bought years ago from Joann. The two fabrics were a perfect match, so I proceeded to plan a new work outfit for my daughter.

Well, if it ain't broke, don't fix it--as the saying goes. And I am a rule-follower! So I made two patterns I've used before: the aforementioned Barb's Stretch Pants, and Butterick 6847. FYI, I used the original version of the Butterick pattern, which was from McCall's. 

I've made Butterick 6847 for me several times before. Here's my first one, also out of ITY:

For this new version, I went down a size because I thought that would better suit my daughter. But, yes, these are pictures of me in the new outfit because with two kids under four, it's hard for her to try on clothes! This outfit will look better on her as she's taller and more athletically built. I also made this a long-sleeved top as I thought that would be better for our weather. Another thing I did to this version--which I won't do again--is that I narrowed the neckline. I did it for better bra strap coverage, but it lessens the drape.

I made this on the serger, except for the hems which I did on the coverstitch. It was quick and easy.

I've made the Style Arc Barb's Stretch Pants over and over, but they work really well for my daughter--and they're comfortable--so I'll keep making them. This fabric in the "refined" ponte, mostly rayon, that Joann's sold in a variety of colors around five-ish years ago. At the time, I bought a few of the colors in two-yard lengths, as that'd be enough for the Barb's Pants, although I didn't have immediate plans to make them. I'm glad I bought these fabrics, because in the last few years, Joann's supply dwindled (at least at my store) to just black and blush pink. And, of course, now they are closed. I now buy most of my ponte from Mood, Stylemaker, or Stonemountain.

These were also made on the serger, except for the hems which I did by hand. These pants were one of the projects I made while I was at the last Scream Allowance sewing social. It was a perfect sewing social project! There's another Scream Allowance this Sunday, and I'm busy prepping more projects to work on. 

I'm pleased to have made an autumn outfit that's in a color scheme better suited to my daughter (and me). Next for her? Maybe a burgundy outfit. We'll see.

I hope you are having fun planning and sewing! I am ;)

Happy sewing ~ Peggy

The Arlington Sweater

Hi all! ~ I've been busy sewing up some staples: long-sleeved t-shirts for my grandchildren, and turtlenecks for me. But I did make a slight detour from staples. I decided to sew up the Arlington Sweater from Love Notions.

This pattern has quite a few options. I chose the cowl neck, straight long-sleeves, and the hem band. This was a very easy sew, although I did put things together in a different order from the instructions. For instance, I prefer to sew the sleeves in flat instead of the round.

I interfaced the back shoulders and sewed it all on my serger--except for the sleeve hems which I did on the coverstitch.

The only thing I found slightly confusing was the construction of the cowl. I was afraid the stitching would show--but it doesn't. I did find a method for a burrito-ish cowl neck, and I might try that in the future. But honestly, how many cowls does one woman need?

Actually, I've made this for my daughter. I think it'll be perfect in the classroom in our current in-between weather. Of course, I tried on the top, and today's photos are of me in the top.

The fabric is a light-weight sweater knit from fabricmartfabrics.com purchased in May, 2020 for $7.79 a yard. I like the colors and the print, and I think it will look perfect with the black ponte slacks I made my daughter (Style Arc Barb Stretch Pants).

All in all, this is a highly successful make! I'll give it to my daughter today when she comes over. Now, I just might need to make an Arlington cowl for me!

I hope you are having a lot of fun at the sewing machine!

Happy sewing ~ Peggy