A New Dress--New Look 6298

I took a break from the quilting to get a little garment sewing in.  Just a quick little something that I had already cut out as part of a mini-wardrobe I had set for myself last fall.  I got the skirt and 2 tops done, but the dress. skirt and jacket are still on the top of my pattern cabinet cut and ready to go.  Waiting.....  

I got to a good breaking point in the quilt process and decided to pick up this dress again, New Look 6298.

It's a simple knit sheath dress made in a Liverpool double knit from Fabric.com, I believe.  I cut a size 18 neck & shoulders, a 20 bust, waist and hip.  I also added 3 inches so it would come to mid-knee on me.  My last version of this bears far too much thigh for my age and size.

Photobombed by the cat, Fritzi, making a rare appearance.  The double knit is such a pleasure to work with -- it just hums under the machine. The pattern is an easy one too with raglan sleeves that sews up quickly

I have a off-white jacket that looks great with this.  I forgot to "style it" for the photos.  

In Crazy Quilt News:  I've started on a new block.  Here's my blank slate:

Quilty news:  I finished both the inner border and the outer pieced border.  Got my batting tonight at Joann's but couldn't find the 505 spray recommended by class.  Will check at Wally World tomorrow and if that's a no go I'll order on line I guess.  

In the meantime, I'll be working on the skirt I had cut out, Simplicity 1760.

Floral Block Finished!

Good news… the floral block is finished.  I still feel like it's missing something, but since I can't determine what that could possibly be, I'm calling it done.

The open wreath roses with little pearls left such a large space, that I added the locket and bow.  The white button flowers don't show up as well as I'd like against the rose fabric, but I didn't find anything in my stash that I like any better.  The ribbon running across the bottom is actually a brown ribbon with a bit of lacy ribbon on top of it.

I really liked this applique and  how well it works on this bit of man's tie--it has so much lovely texture to it.  The buttonhole stitch actually follows the lines on the lace.  I got really close with the roses to the seam edge of the quilt.  I hope I don't lose part of a rose when these get put together someday.

This floral section was so enjoyable to work on.  These pink seed beads and yellow French knots were positively therapeutic to work on!

In Quilting News:  The Friendship Star Quilt is pieced and now I am working on the inner borders!  It's looking good--I'm surprising myself with how well it's going so far.  Knock on wood!

In Garment Sewing News:  I finished the dress, too and will be posting about it soon.  Just need a couple of photos of it. 

Well that's all for here now.  Til later y'all.

Cathy.

January Sewing Wrap Up

I'm such a bad blogger.  I'm so behind with my sewing activities.  January has been a productive month for me, considering I only got one item out last month.  I made three items this month: a dress, a top, and some exercise leggings. 

 

First up, the dress:  New Look 6298, view C.  I've seen so many of these on Pattern Review I just had to get the pattern.  Then I found this really cool mystery knit at Joann's.  It's thick and spongy with a crepe-like texture on the surface and a smooth finish on the back.  It may be a ponte; it was wonderful to sew with, though.  Due to the very large print, I decided not to put on the pockets 1) because it would be difficult to match, and 2) I just thought they'd look silly on this dress.

 

 

The dress went together like a breeze, so few pieces and they fit together perfectly. The darts on the shoulder are a neat feature.  I just love my new dress.  It's so easy to wear. I started the day with the dress loose, but just felt better with it belted.  It seemed to give it just a little shape. 

 

 

The top is Simplicity 2181, view B with twist front and 3/4 sleeves.   The fabric is also from Joann's, a cotton jersey that wanted to curl at the edges making hemming all these edges a bit of a challenge.  I've sewn this pattern before; the sleeveless version of this top a couple of years ago in a spandex knit.  What a difference fabric makes.  That top fit much snugger.  This one is a little loose at the waist, but not so much so that it needs to be taken up.  The print on this fabric is rows of small dots growing into larger brushstrokes.  This meant careful pattern placement so the top looked balanced. 

I think I succeeded in that respect. For some reason I'm just not wild about this top.  I don't know why.  It looks fine, feels good on, no trauma and drama in sewing it up but it just doesn't make my heart sing. 

 

 

Next and last for this January is Butterick 6295, a Lisette pattern for exercise togs.  I made view D. full-length leggings with the gathered calf inset.  These look so cute on the pattern envelope! I mean really its got it all going on--in a good way:  Exercise leggings that are cute, have contrasting side inset with the cute gathering on the calf and pockets!  Pockets big enough for a phone, not just a single key!   These aren't just pretty, they mean business.  I thought I'd give them a try as I like wearing leggings for exercising in--and boy do I need all the encouragement I can get with that!

 

 

These were a little fiddly to sew.  First there's the getting of the pockets on.  Which I managed to get one on upside down and didn't notice it until I was nearly done.  In other words, too late to do anything about it.  Then there's all the gathering at the calf.  I also couldn't wrap my head around the directions for the seams.  I think they were going for a faux coverstitch look, but it just wasn't making sense to me.  I just stitched, serged, then top-stitched the seams.  I know I'm not a good model for these, but they are comfy and the pockets are terrific! So there will be more this spring or summer.

 

February is already off to a roaring start thanks to some serious motivation on Pattern Review.  But more about that next post.