I'm back!

It's been a long, busy week (and a half).

First off, I've finished week 1 (and a half) of Insanity and let me assure you, it is very difficult—it's hard to stay motivated. Getting it over with in the morning is definitely helping. On the eating front—I've already slacked off, but that's how it goes. I'll just start again and do better tomorrow!

Secondly, I've finished a couple of sewing projects:

#1: Burda 7431 featuring the sheer goose printed fabric I obsessed about.

The instructions on the neck were tricky for this one, and weren't made simpler with the fabric I used. I did a little research into interfacing sheers on the internet before I got into this project, and decided on using another single layer of my fabric sandwiched between the folded neck binding. I did not "interface" the sleeve cuffs: too much bulk to make nice ties.

All of the seams, save the arm holes are french seamed. I was going to do a false french seam (see previous post), but decided enough was enough when it came round and just serged them.

I'm happier about this top than I appear. I'm trying the timer on my camera for the first time, and the lighting looks better. I had a pic of the back, but it turned out blurry, but you've seen it before here. FYI, yes, those are our Christmas stockings still hanging. We made them for each other (i've got sequins on mine... jealous??). 

I'd like to try this top again with an easier-to-handle fabric.

Pattern review for Burda 7431 here.

#2 Simplicity 6429



De-70's-ifying this pattern was pretty easy. I just shortened the ridiculously long front placket and took about a 1/4" off the hight of the collar and 1/4" off the collar points grading to nothing at the neck edge so it would still match up with the neck opening.

Luckily, I didn't have to change anything for it to fit. This will be a go-to pattern for B, and I have fabric for another one ready to go the next time I get mad at something I'm sewing for myself and need a break involving a positive sewing experience.

Since the shirt is so simple, I wanted to make things more complicated for myself and do the topstitching three times. (Yes I unpicked it twice—it's amazing what I can find to do to procrastinate doing a workout).

I had these vintage buttons in my stash that worked great. I also had the woven black fabric in my stash and the grey knit was most likely no more than $3 or $4 a metre, so it was a pretty inexpensive project.

I finished off all hems with a serged edge folded over and stitched with a twin needle. Incidentally, the twin needle was used for the first pass at the topstitching, but was ripped out because of the messy backside (and I thought I was saving time!)

The pattern review is here.

Back:



Front:



Closeup of topstitching and cool-ass buttons:

We're going skiing this weekend. SUPER EXCITED. We've been going once a year for the last 5 years. Here is Saskatchewan, there are no hills. Literally. No hills. So we have to drive over a province to partake. B's got family there, as well as good friends. It's going to be a LOT of fun.
So, no sewing, but I'm fine with that!!