Sewjo shirt

I finished my attempt at a grossly modified peplum top. I became tired of it in the end, and realized that if I'm going to be spending a lot of time on one project, I had better love the fabric. The final fit isn't 100% in the chestal area so I'm giving it a rest in my closet for a while... at least until the sweater I want to wear it with comes out of the wash. I'll review in the near future.

On to the new love of my life... Burda 10/12 #117. SO EASY TO SEW!!!. Come on... three pieces, cotton shirting, interesting but easy construction. What's not to love? I thought that I had a white zipper in my stash, and I do, but not quite long enough or invisible. I guess I don't have to squish my hips through it (your welcome for that visual), so probably a slightly shorter zip would be okay.... What am I doing sitting here? I have a shirt to finish! (Actually, I have to do the dishes, and work-out, and then probably go shopping with my sister, but believe me when I tell you that I'll be thinking about sewing the entire time.)

Happy Sunday!

Nuts for Downloadables

There was a sale on Lekala patterns on sewingpatterns.com. I've always wanted to try them. I also paid for my first Burda downloadable pattern off of Burdastyle.com. I have a tonne of patterns in my stash already, but you know how it is. My only regret is the printing and taping.

Lekala takes about half of the headache out of downloadable patterns. Unlike Burda, they give you your exact size from a set of 6 measurements (height, bust, underbust, waist, hip/belly, and hip). Also unlike Burda, they give you a seam allowance (either 1/2" or 1/4" depending on the style). Taping was made easier, because I could just match up and tape where the pattern pieces intersected, not necessarily the entire sheet of paper. Unfortunately, the instructions for these are shite. If you are an inexperienced sewer or have trouble thinking in three dimensions, you probably don't want to attempt these. As it is, I'll be faking it the whole way through. We'll see how it goes.

Here's what I got:


1. Lek4097: The bunnyhug (a.k.a. "hoodie". I'm trying to see if I can get this term to catch on outside of Saskatchewan). 
I pretty much live in these. I'm not a fancy dresser and most days I want to be comfortable and WARM. I'll probably use this pattern numerous times (whenever I can score fleece on sale). I love the shape of the hood. Construction seems pretty straightforward.

2. Lek4105: Asymetrical knit top. 
I like that it's different. I may change the sleeves, or make one with straight sleeves (without cuffs) and one as drafted. I can see this in a bamboo knit? Any other suggestions? I'm not sure about how the neck is finished, but if it uses a facing I may try to finish it with a bias strip.

3. Lek5870: Casual swing jacket. 
I have a jacket almost exactly like this in my closet already but it's shorter and red. I probably bought this one because I was wearing the red on a the time. I think it will come in very handy if I made it up in a neutral like khaki or grey, or even denim as shown.

4. Lek5913: Tunic. 
If I only saw the line drawing I wouldn't give this a second look. This is pretty shapeless, which I usually try to avoid, but I've been looking for an excuse to wear leggings and I have a couple of patterns for skinny jeans/leggings that I could pair with this as well. Any thoughts on what fabric I should use for this? Would Ponte knit be too heavy? A lighter weight sweater knit?

5. Lek4042: Cross-neck top. 
If I can get this to work out, I'll probably make a bunch of these. I think it will probably be a very easy make, and I can most likely serge together the entire thing.

6. Burda Gathered Shirt Blouse 10/2012 #117:
I've been inspired by Kristy . I have two very different plaids in my stash already that would work with this. One of them was purchased at Mood almost four ago. Originally it was to be a shirt, but on reading the reviews for that pattern I chickened out and it has been left as "too good to cut" for a long time. On our last trip to NYC, I found it again in Mood and realized that it is silk. I like that it is made from a woven fabric and it has an interesting design. This pattern comes as the full dress with cutoff lines for the top.

Right now? I'm finishing up a peplum top. I used a vintage 60s/70s pattern (I'll check the year when I post the finished product) that I graded down two sizes, gave an sba, changed the darts into shoulder princess seams, cut off at the waist and drafted a peplum. I really like the Vogue peplum top everyone is making now, but I prefer a v-neck and like to make things hard for myself. sigh.

I'm not sure how this trend will fit into my life so I didn't want to invest a lot of cash. I used a cotton chintz I got at a second hand store a year ago for probably $2 and everything else I had in my stash. The only investment was a crap-load of time. So far it looks like it's going to turn out. Fingers crossed.

If any of you have sewn Lekala patterns, please comment and let me know how it went. If you have any suggestions for fabrics for any of these, please let me know. I've been reading Tasia's posts about knits, but I'll take all the info I can get.

Megan Nielsen Sewing Gallery Anniversary (and Birthday)

This is just a quick note to let people know that Megan Nielsen Sewing Gallery is one year old (and it's her birthday too!). To celebrate, she's got a huge giveaway. Check it out: http://blog.megannielsen.com

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.