Last night I worked on the snap crotch/legs on the Christening outfit. In not one of my finer moments, I installed the tape on the front legs, installed the tape on the back legs, then go to snap it together and realized something wasn't right--the recollection of baby clothes running through my mind.
You know, I could have looked at the pattern directions again! The method for installing the tape on the back legs is different than the front. If I still had wee little ones, I would have known this but wasn't paying too much attention to things. A moment of smugness with the thought, "I don't have to look at the directions!" will give me another hour of frogstitching with the seam ripper and installing the back tape again. How stupid is that?!?!
Again, the wording could be a little better on the snap tape installation instructions. Same type of thing with the back closure. Better wording would have eliminated any second guessing of "Is this what I'm supposed to do?" I will elaborate on this when I do a pattern review. It would have been fine if I had some baby clothes around to examine but I don't.
Lorrie made me feel much better about things anyway. She posted:
"I had the same problem with their instructions on the same outfit. I ended up modifying to fit my needs...alot easier. good luck finishing."
For once...I'm not the only one :) !
Thank you to Lindsay. She suggested I contact Bunny of La Sewista for help, and I would have except I'm starting to become pressed for time. So I'll follow the pattern instructions and use small, flat buttons. Filing that link in a brain cell for future reference should the need arise.
And, of course, thank you to everyone else for their words of encouragement. Baby clothes certainly are not my specialty but this project is moving along fine with just minor detours along the way.
NOW! HERE'S THE GOOD NEWS!!!
Yesterday I finished my maxi dress with my Spandex World ITY fabric. It looks FABULOUS! I love it and will wear it today. Get ready for pics!
AND...I'm picking up my Janome CP1000 Coverstitch machine that has been on layaway for 10 months! I used all my birthday, Christmas, anniversary, and sewing lesson money to pay for it. So when I go to my local Sew and Vac for tiny buttons today, my Coverstitch will be coming home :) ! In fact, DD#2 was trying on polos (new school dress code a/k/a uniforms, yes, for a public school!) and said the bottom might need to be cut/rehemmed. No problem! I can give her the same hem with my new coverstitch.
Wednesday, July 22, 2009
Saturday, July 18, 2009
The Christening Outfit, Part III: 85% complete
First, let's talk about the pattern. That Simplicity Christening outfit boy/girl pattern 5813. The instructions were great until the back, "placket" section. I'm a "visual" person and read the instructions and closely examine the pattern illustration that corresponds to the numbered item. The problem is, the illustration was a little misleading. I spent an hour scratching my head after doing the back closure part wrong. Still not sure if it is right, but it looks right so all is well.
Here's the front in it's current state:
Here's the back. Notice the ridge that needs to be pressed out on the back placket aggravation area. Dumb pattern!
Another thing, what the heck is wrong with Simplicity??? Putting a baby sleeve in, in the round instead of flat? I can't imagine using the smallest size for this pattern and machine stitching the sleeve in the round. When I do a pattern review, I'll be sure to note this.
The pattern required bias tape to turn the neckline seam to the inside. The likely purpose for this is to enclose the seam so it would be comfortable against a baby's neck. Instead of purchasing Wright's bias tape, I used bias strips cut from the dress lining. The positive of this is that the lining is thinner and softer than the bias tape. I wasn't going to do this, but when I looked at my clock and it said 2:40 with the store closing at 3, the lining called out to me, "Use me as bias tape!"
Right now I just have to work on the back closure and the snap crotch at the legs. I think I'll do buttons/buttonholes at the back. I was thinking about small snaps as well. Not sure which way I'll go, but will mull this over tonight. If anyone has any thoughts regarding snaps or small buttons, I'd appreciate posting a comment about it.
Now I'm off to examine the pattern instructions for installing the snap tape in the leg seams. I haven't used that stuff since high school!
Here's the front in it's current state:
Here's the back. Notice the ridge that needs to be pressed out on the back placket aggravation area. Dumb pattern!
Another thing, what the heck is wrong with Simplicity??? Putting a baby sleeve in, in the round instead of flat? I can't imagine using the smallest size for this pattern and machine stitching the sleeve in the round. When I do a pattern review, I'll be sure to note this.
The pattern required bias tape to turn the neckline seam to the inside. The likely purpose for this is to enclose the seam so it would be comfortable against a baby's neck. Instead of purchasing Wright's bias tape, I used bias strips cut from the dress lining. The positive of this is that the lining is thinner and softer than the bias tape. I wasn't going to do this, but when I looked at my clock and it said 2:40 with the store closing at 3, the lining called out to me, "Use me as bias tape!"
Right now I just have to work on the back closure and the snap crotch at the legs. I think I'll do buttons/buttonholes at the back. I was thinking about small snaps as well. Not sure which way I'll go, but will mull this over tonight. If anyone has any thoughts regarding snaps or small buttons, I'd appreciate posting a comment about it.
Now I'm off to examine the pattern instructions for installing the snap tape in the leg seams. I haven't used that stuff since high school!
I've found it! My Fab Maxi-dress Fabric!!
The perfect knit for the maxi dress I want to make! At first there was a knit that caught my eye at Gorgeous Fabrics, but then I decided on this brown/blue beauty from SpandexWorld:
Maxi-dress-to-be fabric!
I know--it's ITY poly/lycra. Here's the kicker. In the Poconos, we've had one of the coolest, non-humid summers in years with temps in the mid/high '70's, low 80's. The last time we hit the 90's was a brief hot weather spell in May. Very atypical, but I'm not complaining about it.
The brown/blue combo has to have just enough blue so I can pull off this color scheme, and I think it has it. Too much brown, well it's just not my color. Karen is one of the few people I know that can pull off the entire palette of rust, brown, orange, etc. with panache. She really knows her colors, AND they look great on her!
Just wanted to post this because I LOVE this fabric! The print is busy enough, but not too busy. Bold colors, but not too bold, if you KWIM. It has an artsy flair and is different from anything I've seen is RTW. And the beauty of it all? I'm using a Q&E 1-hour pattern. Okay, 2-hours--I've got a few pattern alterations to do first.
The fabric just came in the mail today and I LOVE it! It's not too thick so it won't it be too hot, but is substantial enough with (what I think will be) fantastic drape.
I'll work on the christening outfit for a while today, then do some minor pattern alterations for the maxi dress with a very quick upper body muslin.
Maxi-dress-to-be fabric!
I know--it's ITY poly/lycra. Here's the kicker. In the Poconos, we've had one of the coolest, non-humid summers in years with temps in the mid/high '70's, low 80's. The last time we hit the 90's was a brief hot weather spell in May. Very atypical, but I'm not complaining about it.
The brown/blue combo has to have just enough blue so I can pull off this color scheme, and I think it has it. Too much brown, well it's just not my color. Karen is one of the few people I know that can pull off the entire palette of rust, brown, orange, etc. with panache. She really knows her colors, AND they look great on her!
Just wanted to post this because I LOVE this fabric! The print is busy enough, but not too busy. Bold colors, but not too bold, if you KWIM. It has an artsy flair and is different from anything I've seen is RTW. And the beauty of it all? I'm using a Q&E 1-hour pattern. Okay, 2-hours--I've got a few pattern alterations to do first.
The fabric just came in the mail today and I LOVE it! It's not too thick so it won't it be too hot, but is substantial enough with (what I think will be) fantastic drape.
I'll work on the christening outfit for a while today, then do some minor pattern alterations for the maxi dress with a very quick upper body muslin.
Wednesday, July 15, 2009
The Christening Outfit, Part II: Tracing/Cutting
I realized today that I neglected to post the pattern I'm using for the Christening outfit in my previous blog post. It's Simplicity 5813, view D (romper). So here is the pattern photo:
Two nights ago I was able to trace off all the pattern pieces for the Christening outfit and start cutting out the pattern pieces. Today I finished the cutting and am ready to start the sewing. Hopefully, my snap tape will arrive soon because the actual sewing of this is very easy.
The traced pattern pieces:
The pattern pieces/fabric all cut out:
Oddly enough, I can't believe there doesn't seem to be mention of interfacing in the collar and leg cuffs. Is this standard for baby apparel? I'm thinking of just putting in some P/P sheer interfacing anyway. Also, I'll need some tiny buttons and bias tape so I'm hoping to get that in town.
In other news, I did take a trip to Walmart and picked up McCall's 5893:
In other news, I did take a trip to Walmart and picked up McCall's 5893:
I loved 3kid's version of this in her pattern review and had to get it. There's this great knit at Gorgeous Fabrics that I'm dying to have for this dress. I did have a beautiful border print in my stash purchased from EOS about two years ago, but only have 1 1/2 yards! I need 2 :( . Oh well. The fabric is aging beautifully. It WILL become something, someday. Wouldn't it be great if I could make this maxi dress *THIS* summer when it's in style??? We'll see...we'll see... Monday, July 13, 2009
The Christening Outfit, Part I: FEAR!
Today I started the Christening outfit for my niece's son. I'm making it from her wedding dress along with a pillow using the bow from the back of the dress and a clutch purse.
So...there is no fear like the fear of cutting into a wedding dress! I purposely put off making the outfit until now because the growth of a baby can vary. I feel confident about the size I'm using, but actually taking the scissors to the gown is kind of maddening. Once you clip, there's a point of no return LOL.
Here's the pattern piece ID stage:
Pieces cut out next to pattern:
Scared as heck looking at the dress:
Feeling the fear...and doing it anway:
Christening outfit fabric panels on left, clutch lining on right:
(Big sigh...) The What-Have-I-Done Feeling when examing the dress back LOL!
The dress has several panels in the back. I think I'll only need two, and will use the upper bodice for the clutch purse and pillow. The other panels can be saved for a Christening gown for a girl. And what is it about snap tape??? That stuff is hard to buy in short lengths. I saw Internet stores selling 30 yard minimums on up. Uh...$36 or more for snap tape? I'd have enough for 5 lifetimes! Thankfully I found a short length on Ebay.
Okay. Now I'm going to trace off the pattern pieces. That's the good thing about this project! The pieces are all nice and small which makes for quick tracing.
So...there is no fear like the fear of cutting into a wedding dress! I purposely put off making the outfit until now because the growth of a baby can vary. I feel confident about the size I'm using, but actually taking the scissors to the gown is kind of maddening. Once you clip, there's a point of no return LOL.
Here's the pattern piece ID stage:
Pieces cut out next to pattern:Scared as heck looking at the dress:Feeling the fear...and doing it anway:Christening outfit fabric panels on left, clutch lining on right:(Big sigh...) The What-Have-I-Done Feeling when examing the dress back LOL!
The dress has several panels in the back. I think I'll only need two, and will use the upper bodice for the clutch purse and pillow. The other panels can be saved for a Christening gown for a girl. And what is it about snap tape??? That stuff is hard to buy in short lengths. I saw Internet stores selling 30 yard minimums on up. Uh...$36 or more for snap tape? I'd have enough for 5 lifetimes! Thankfully I found a short length on Ebay.
Okay. Now I'm going to trace off the pattern pieces. That's the good thing about this project! The pieces are all nice and small which makes for quick tracing.
Thursday, July 2, 2009
Quick Sewing Update!
Yesterday I FINALLY put in my order to Sew Sassy for bra making supplies. I was supposed to do that two weeks ago but hesitated every day thinking there might be one more supply to add to the order. I finally placed the order and am happy about it. Next week I can get my bra done and work on Bra version 2.0.
Started a second pair of lacy panties in royal blue with black lace. Had to stop because I ran out of plush finishing elastic. Waiting for that in my order. I modified the panty pattern tweaking it here and there. Added a little bit of width at the back booty area near the crotch/back piece horizontal seam, narrowed the upper width of the back piece a smidge, raised the center back a little bit, and shortened the crotch piece about a 1/2". Let's see where these pattern alterations take me. I was thinking on my third try to cut the width of a size XS at the mid/upper side seams. We'll see. Here's the KS panty pattern I'm using, the style is the green illustration:
My swimsuit muslin has been tweaked. You'd think in nylon/lycra I wouldn't have to do anything, but no.... When am I ever able to get around alterations??? The KS swimsuit pattern as altered according to my back waist and crotch depth, but there is way too much length at the front between the shoulders and bustline. It's far too low. Then the bra shelf is far too low as well. You wouldn't believe how much I had to shorten the bra shelf, which put my boobs dangerously close to the upper edge LOL. Bra cups won't work in a bathing suit that low cut so the upper edge had to come up.
Bra cups are a mystery that is unraveling for me. I've never used them before in anything so that is a learning experience. I'm very happy to be involved in the lingerie/bra making sew along because it's very helpful as I try to work in some sort of shelf bra in my swimsuit. The bathing suit style is more of a "Baywatch" type of swimsuit in that it is a one-piece tank front and it has a low back with high-cut legs. Here is a pic of it:
At some point, I'll try to get a pic of my bathing suit muslin. Maybe within the week.
Also, my friend, Pat, just finished her Cape. It looks great! Right now I'm helping her make a matching skirt. She also has enough to whip up a vest. A complete outfit! She's going to look great in this.
Future plans for the month? A maxi dress. I have the McCall's pattern picked out, the perfect fabric picked out from my local fabric store, and I'll be the first one in my town (at least I think!) to wear one around town. The pattern will likely be a one-hit wonder for me. The maxi dress will be in this summer, and probably out in the Summer of 2010.
Started a second pair of lacy panties in royal blue with black lace. Had to stop because I ran out of plush finishing elastic. Waiting for that in my order. I modified the panty pattern tweaking it here and there. Added a little bit of width at the back booty area near the crotch/back piece horizontal seam, narrowed the upper width of the back piece a smidge, raised the center back a little bit, and shortened the crotch piece about a 1/2". Let's see where these pattern alterations take me. I was thinking on my third try to cut the width of a size XS at the mid/upper side seams. We'll see. Here's the KS panty pattern I'm using, the style is the green illustration:
My swimsuit muslin has been tweaked. You'd think in nylon/lycra I wouldn't have to do anything, but no.... When am I ever able to get around alterations??? The KS swimsuit pattern as altered according to my back waist and crotch depth, but there is way too much length at the front between the shoulders and bustline. It's far too low. Then the bra shelf is far too low as well. You wouldn't believe how much I had to shorten the bra shelf, which put my boobs dangerously close to the upper edge LOL. Bra cups won't work in a bathing suit that low cut so the upper edge had to come up.
Bra cups are a mystery that is unraveling for me. I've never used them before in anything so that is a learning experience. I'm very happy to be involved in the lingerie/bra making sew along because it's very helpful as I try to work in some sort of shelf bra in my swimsuit. The bathing suit style is more of a "Baywatch" type of swimsuit in that it is a one-piece tank front and it has a low back with high-cut legs. Here is a pic of it:
At some point, I'll try to get a pic of my bathing suit muslin. Maybe within the week.Also, my friend, Pat, just finished her Cape. It looks great! Right now I'm helping her make a matching skirt. She also has enough to whip up a vest. A complete outfit! She's going to look great in this.
Future plans for the month? A maxi dress. I have the McCall's pattern picked out, the perfect fabric picked out from my local fabric store, and I'll be the first one in my town (at least I think!) to wear one around town. The pattern will likely be a one-hit wonder for me. The maxi dress will be in this summer, and probably out in the Summer of 2010.
Last, but not least, I have been commissioned to make my niece's Christening outfit for her infant son from her wedding dress. Wish me luck! I'm not a baby clothes person so this will certainly be an interesting endeavor. I'm starting that in a week or so. Her wedding dress is in my front closet ready to go.
Friday, June 19, 2009
Hello Again!
It's been almost three weeks since I've entered a blog post. It has been so hectic and busy with baseball, softball, work schedules, helping people out, the kids out of school, etc.
In addition, I have been busy at work making lingerie thanks to Sigrid ! Everyone has been very busy with their bras in the Bra Sew Along. My bra is almost finished--just waiting for the straps. It's a "wearable muslin" and I'm going to make the exact same bra again out of the same material. I'll write more about that when I'm finished and why I'm doing that. But a sneak preview is in order. Here are the cups on my dressform a few days ago to give you the idea of what it's going to look like. I'm using Elan B540 purchased from SewSassy.
Before working on the bra, I made my first pair of panties. Again, I'll write more about that, too, when my matching bra and panty set is complete.
Also, today was a really crazy day! I went to the school to drop off my oldest daughter for her run, went to the gym, then the gas station, the grocery store, home to see my daughter off for a tournament, lunch, pick up other daughter, back to the gym, home to housecleaning and by 1 p.m. I decided I wanted to make a quick denim skirt. One of those times when the sewing lightning bolt hit me hard. From cut out to finish it was about 1 1/2 hours. Then back to the gym, post office, home for dinner, out to one baseball practice, head to the other baseball practice, video store, then home for relaxation. Whew!
Anyway, here's my quickie skirt which I made from my self-drafted skirt pattern. Just simple, quick, pull-on with an elastic waist. Perfect for cool summer tops. So sorry--it's a little wrinkly as it's the end of the day and already worn for several hours.
In addition, I have been busy at work making lingerie thanks to Sigrid ! Everyone has been very busy with their bras in the Bra Sew Along. My bra is almost finished--just waiting for the straps. It's a "wearable muslin" and I'm going to make the exact same bra again out of the same material. I'll write more about that when I'm finished and why I'm doing that. But a sneak preview is in order. Here are the cups on my dressform a few days ago to give you the idea of what it's going to look like. I'm using Elan B540 purchased from SewSassy.
Before working on the bra, I made my first pair of panties. Again, I'll write more about that, too, when my matching bra and panty set is complete.
Also, today was a really crazy day! I went to the school to drop off my oldest daughter for her run, went to the gym, then the gas station, the grocery store, home to see my daughter off for a tournament, lunch, pick up other daughter, back to the gym, home to housecleaning and by 1 p.m. I decided I wanted to make a quick denim skirt. One of those times when the sewing lightning bolt hit me hard. From cut out to finish it was about 1 1/2 hours. Then back to the gym, post office, home for dinner, out to one baseball practice, head to the other baseball practice, video store, then home for relaxation. Whew!Anyway, here's my quickie skirt which I made from my self-drafted skirt pattern. Just simple, quick, pull-on with an elastic waist. Perfect for cool summer tops. So sorry--it's a little wrinkly as it's the end of the day and already worn for several hours.
That's it for my day. I'm hoping to check out blog posts via Bloglines but am scared to do it! I bet there's a ton of posts that I'm backlogged in reading. Does anyone else get busy and then dread how backlogged they are? I desparately want to catch up but feel like I'll be just keeping my head above the water until I actually start reading them. Maybe a little tonight, but definitely tomorrow night and Sunday morning!
Enjoy your weekend everyone! Hope you get a lot of sewing accomplished.
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