Liam the Lion

Halloween is very near and dear to my heart. Any holiday that allows me to dress in costume and eat treats all day is okay in my books. I've had some great costumes over the years (I am right now donning  the bee costume I made a few years ago that has made the rounds with all my friends who needed something last minute, and also inspired last year's flower/bee couples costume (B, you were a real champ).

This year, I was very happy to focus on the newest member of the family and welcome him into the tradition.

I used McCalls 6105. I nearly loose my mind from the cuteness every time I look at this pattern envelope.

Here is my pattern review:

Pattern Description: 

TODDLERS' COSTUMES: Included in this envelope are instructions and pattern pieces to make skunk (A), lion (B), monkey (C), elephant (D) and panda (E). I made the lion.

Pattern Sizing:

I had the 1/2 size. Liam is a tall 14 month old. I had to add an inch to the torso length, and it fit him perfectly (but probably not for long).

Did it look like the photo/drawing on the pattern envelope once you were done sewing with it?

Yes

Were the instructions easy to follow?

They jump around a lot, but they include a lot of good illustrations. I ended up following the instructions for one of the other views by accident when putting in the elastic at the wrist, but it ended up being easier and less fiddly. The pattern envelope doesn't list all of the notions you need to make this, and I still don't know where that information is. I didn't use cording for the hood around the face as a result. Besides the ribbon, I luckily had everything I needed in my stash (zipper, lining, contrasting fabric, velcro).

What did you particularly like or dislike about the pattern?

I like that it's a basic body suit with really cute details that take it to another level entirely. 

Fabric Used:

I had this sandy coloured sweatshirt fleece in my stash that was going to be used for a hoodie for myself, but I was more than happy to repurpose it. 

Pattern alterations or any design changes you made:

I asked my sister to measure Liam from the base of his neck to his crotch. Finding that measurement to be exactly the same as measuring the pattern at the same spot, I added an inch to the torso and it was a perfect fit. 

Would you sew it again? Would you recommend it to others?

This costume is great. If i get the opportunity, I will definitely make it again. 

I need to add that Liam, upon realizing that he had a tail, proceeded to chase it, turning around about 3 times before falling down. It was hilarious.

I entered this in the PR costume contest. Please vote from me if you like it!

Happy Halloween!!!!

Jana's Guilt-Shirt

When I won tickets to SNL, B wasn't sure he could take the time off of school to come with me. My sister said that she would be my backup if he couldn't go. Turns out, B was able to go and Jana was pretty disappointed. As consolation, I offered to make her a top of her choosing. She had already had NL6025 in her pattern stash, we just needed fabric. And so the guilt-shirt was conceived.

She and I have quite different tastes, so when I was at mood, I was unable to find something I knew for a fact that she would like. So I waited until she was able to go to our local fabric store to pick out something she would actually wear.

She actually picked out something that I am in love with. I made a wrap top for my bridal shower three years ago out of the same fabric, but ended up donating it because I never got the fit right across the upper back. Many may find it hideous, and honestly, my photography may not have done it any favours, but it really is beautiful in person.

This is a super easy pattern, made even easier with the fact that I did no fittings. Because of the fray-like-a-sonofabitch nature of my fabric, I did take the time to do french seams, and I ended up hand sewing the neck binding. 

Here is my review from PR: 

Pattern Description:

Misses' tunic or top with sleeve variations and tie belt. New Look easy sewing pattern. I made view B with the E/D neckline.

Pattern Sizing:

8-18. I made a 10

Did it look like the photo/drawing on the pattern envelope once you were done sewing with it?

Yes

Were the instructions easy to follow?

Yes. I deviated a little with my seam finishes because of my fabric choice.

What did you particularly like or dislike about the pattern?

I like it. It's for my sister and I just finished, so I've yet to see it on her to get my final opinion.

Fabric Used:

According to Simplicity Fabric Guide, the closest matches I can make would be polyester georgette or chiffon. I made a beautiful top out of this same fabric for my wedding shower, but have since donated it because it was too narrow in the upper back. 

Pattern alterations or any design changes you made:

I only changed the way I handled the seam finished, opting for french seams because my fabric was somewhat sheer and frayed like crazy. I also had to hand sew the neckline binding down. There was no way it was going to stitch-in-the-ditch. 

Would you sew it again? Would you recommend it to others?

Depending on how it looks on my sister, I may make this again. It looks like other sewers have used it as a maternity top, so that's an option for the future as well. 

Conclusion:

Super easy pattern. It's a quick make. I recommend.

Beautiful buttons: 

Neck binding: 

French seams: 

And the Winner Is....

Sophie Miriam!!

Thank you to everyone who commented, especially for all of the nice comments.

Special thanks to Kathleen (Scarf) for indulging me in sending a pic of her ugly muslin.

Sophie, I'll be in touch on your blog to get your contact info to send you your pattern. I'm glad it will be put to good use!

Thanks again everyone, and have a great weekend!

-Erin

SNL and McCalls 6241 Review

I recently went on a sewing binge that included about 5 or 6 pieces. This may not seem like a lot to you regularly prolific sewers out there, but for me, it's gotta be a record. What precipitated such a vast outpouring of makery? I won tickets to Saturday Night Live!!

Apparently there's only a 5% chance of winning their lottery—every August, you can email (one per household) NBC and they draw the audience for the entire season. If you win, you get an email with the date you were chosen for. So, if you don't live near NYC, you have to make a decision of if it's worth it. People, I am here to tell you that it's worth it! 

I've been a long-time fan of the show, and I admit that I nearly cried a few times when sitting in the audience not believing I was actually there. On previous trips to NY, we went to David Letterman and Conan O'brian, and I wasn't truly impressed. This was an entirely different experience. Our tickets were for the dress rehearsal, so we got to see about a half an hour more content than what makes it to television. We saw the Daniel Craig/Muse episode on Canadian Thanksgiving weekend. Big Bird even made an appearance, with which I was delighted! SNL, and a childhood icon in one night!??? So happy we went. 

Anyways, back to sewing. McCalls 2641 was one of my makes before the trip, and I ended up wearing it, and my Minoru jacket to SNL. No, I don't have any pics of this, because B and I are notoriously bad picture-takers. Mostly, we just can't be bothered at the time. I think we have 4 or 5 photos from this entire trip. Boooo on us.

McCalls 6241 Review: 

Pattern Description: 

Pullover tunics A, B, C have extended shoulders with pleats at one shoulder and side, machine-stitched hems and asymmetrical lower edge; tunic A has cap sleeves; tunics B, C have long sleeves.

I made view B. It took me a while to figure out what the difference was between view B and C (C is slightly longer). It's a useless variation in my opinion. They are almost identical.

Pattern Sizing:

8-16. After reading reviews, I made the smallest size, even though my measurements work out to a 12. I still took 1-2 inches off the sides seams.

Did it look like the photo/drawing on the pattern envelope once you were done sewing with it?

yes? I hesitate, because the line drawings make it look quite a bit more structured than it actually is, and then in the photo, the model looks a bit like she's being swallowed by red fabric. The uneven hem doesn't really show up in the finished garment either.

Were the instructions easy to follow?

Yes. It is very easy to put together. As per usual, I mostly followed the pictures instead of reading anything.

What did you particularly like or dislike about the pattern?

I like the drapiness of it. Before I took it in on the sides, It looked like I was going to need to pinch another drape/gather at the waist on the opposite side of the shoulder tucks, but once a total of 4 inches were taken off the side, I was happy with how it was falling. This would be a great pattern for a maternity top. I also really liked the cowl at the neck. There was no facing at the neck, but it naturally turns in on itself so you don't have to worry about the wrong side of your fabric showing. Because the top is so loose fitting, the cowl/neckline shifts around quite a bit, so be aware that it won't sit like it does like the pics on the envelope. I usually use a twin needle to hem knits, but used a zig zag on this one. I was very happy with the finish.

Fabric Used:

I believe it is a cotton-lycra blend. It's one of those really drapey knits that stretches A LOT but has great recovery.

Pattern alterations or any design changes you made:

I took in about 2 inches on either side pretty much from bottom hem to sleeve hem. This may have been partly due to the amount of stretch in my fabric, but seriously... 4 inches total??? And I was already making it 2 sizes smaller than what I usually make??

Would you sew it again? Would you recommend it to others?

I may make it again if I find a fabric that inspires me. The top is incredibly comfortable. It's stretchy and slinky, but not clingy. It will work very well as a maternity top too.

Conclusion:

After the fit issues were corrected, I am very happy with this top. It is super comfortable and easy to wear. I recommend it as long as you're aware that you are most likely going to be taking it in a lot. on the sides. 

My Minoru and First Giveaway

I finally did it. I've had the Minoru pattern since last Christmas (two of them, actually, but more about that later). I've coveted this pattern since I first laid eyes on it. I struggled with what fabric to choose (I have a history of choosing loud patterns and inappropriate colours that don't end up working with what I have in my closet.) 

After looking around at a lot of various resources, (I'd hope to find something really great at Ikea, but it was all just a bit too weird for a jacket I wanted to wear every day), I spotted this beautiful charcoal grey stretch cotton twill just to the right of the cutting table at Fabricland. I was there to get some baby shower gift supplies and didn't have time to get it, but made a mental note to come back. 

I did go back and get that fabric (obviously), and searched for about an hour to find just the right lining. Again, this is where I'd normally go all mental and pick something I'd regret later, but I managed to find a winner in, of all places, the home dec section. Its a taffeta-stiff blue/yellow cross weave polyester. I'm not really sure what it's intended purpose was, but I found it to be the perfect foil to the grey twill. 

Alterations: 

I added an inch to the width of the upper back with by doing this adjustment.

I've avoided raglan sleeves for a couple of years now because I couldn't get this adjustment right, but have finally figured it out. I did the same adjustment to the lining, but took an additional 1/4 inch from the back raglan seam since the lining fabric had absolutely no give whatsoever. I also added room in the sleeves of both the shell and the lining by using a 1/3 inch seam allowance. I cut a 6 on the top and waist grading to a 4 at the hip. I was very happy with the fit.

I added pockets using this tutorial and the pocket pattern piece from another coat I made a while back. This jacket definitely needs pockets (in my opinion), but the side seams seem too far back to feel like natural pocket openings. If I make this again, I'll use some variation of this pocket tutorial instead.

The PR review:

Pattern Description: 

The Minoru Jacket is a zip-front weekend jacket with a secret hood hidden inside the wide collar! If you prefer, skip the hood and let the dramatic collar be the focus. Flattering raglan sleeves are comfortable and easy-to-sew, and the elastic waistline creates a slim, curve-hugging silhouette.

Pattern Sizing:

0-16 I made a 6 at the shoulders, bust and waist and graded to a 2 at the hip. The sizing was right-on for me.

Did it look like the photo/drawing on the pattern envelope once you were done sewing with it?

Yes! I made the version without the hood.

Were the instructions easy to follow?

I'm used to following the directions of the big-4, or I should say that I follow the illustrations and only sometimes read the directions. There were a number of times when I assumed that I knew what to do next from the illustrations, but then had to read very carefully to fill in the blanks. I would have appreciated some notches on the illustrations so I could more easily tell at-a-glance what I was supposed to do. I followed Tasia's sewalong on her blog where she offered some professional construction tricks that weren't in the written instructions. I love that as an independent pattern designer she is able to offer sew alongs on her website. I'm a visual-learner, so that works best for me.

What did you particularly like or dislike about the pattern?

I love that it is easy to construct, doesn't have a lot of pieces, does have a lot of straight lines and, in my opinion, is super stylish. The big collar gives it a real "cool" factor. 

I did find that there was a large gap between the back of my neck and the large collar that let a lot of air in—I need to invest in a pashmina to keep the draft out. 

I think this jacket deserves pockets. I added mine via this tutorial. I would not recommend this, as the side seam is too far towards the back for the opening to feel like a natural place to put your hands, but there's another link on the Sewaholic website to a welt pocket tutorial that I could place anywhere I like.

The sleeves are a bit long, but I didn't find them cumbersome when wearing it and probably won't alter the length if I make this jacket again.

Fabric Used:

Grey stretch cotton twill for the outer, and a yellow/blue cross-weave polyester in a stiff taffeta-weight I found in the home decor area of fabricland.

Pattern alterations or any design changes you made:

I made a broad-upper back adjustment shown in my previous post.

I also cut my elastic quite a bit shorter than recommended. It really hugs my back, and I like how much more of a waist I get with this alteration.

Would you sew it again? Would you recommend it to others?

I only need one at the moment, but now that I've done the fitting, it would be really easy to make another one. I was so careful to pick a neutral fabric with this version that I could make one out of a louder fabric to indulge my inner "weird". I also considered making one out of sweatshirt material and/or colour blocking it. 

Conclusion: 

I love this jacket. I wish that fall here in Saskatchewan lasted longer so I could wear it more. I made this for a trip to NYC this past weekend. It was perfect. Thanks for the great pattern Tasia!

NOW FOR THE GIVE-AWAY!!

I asked for this pattern last Christmas, and since men can't seem to communicate effectively between each other, my husband and my dad both got me the same thing. So... I have two Minoru patterns and I really only need one. Since there are no returns on patterns, I would be happy to give one to one of you. It really is a great pattern, super simple and SO good-looking. 

In my last post, I tried to do an ugly muslin contest for my giveaway, but since I don't have too many followers—it was a bust, so all you have to do is comment below and on October 19 (next Friday), I'll draw someone at random as the winner.