The Chiffon Collection

 During the summer months it gets pretty hot and humid here in Kentucky.  I have a lot of chiffon in my stash, some from many years ago.  I thought it would be cool dressing to wear some loose-fitting chiffon tops over tank tops.  I always wear them under my scrubs for work, so I have several to work with.  

Butterick 6853

I have one word for this pattern:  Voluminous.   I sewed a Large, when usually I sew an X-Large.  If you're a Large, buy the medium pattern--you'll have plenty of room in it.    I omitted the ties on the end of the cold-shoulder sleeve; they just looked silly sitting on my elbows.  I also trimmed 3 inches off the hem but I'm only 5'3".  There are lots of narrow hems, but it's still a quick sew.  

    Simplicity 8172 

This is a quick, simple little kimono jacket, View A.  I intended it for my one of my daughters because she loves elephants and the print is rows of right-side up and upside down elephants.  I made the XXL, but it's barely fitting me and I find it a little on the short side.  You can't see the trim, but there is 2-inch black fringe on the hem.  (It called for 3 inch fringe, but Joann's only had the 2 inch.)  I accidently ordered a second cut of this fabric, but can't seem to place it now. I'll find it eventually and make her a topper with that.  

This is a View D from the same pattern, in an XL.  I made it from all the same fabric instead of doing a contrast skirt.  I just fell in love with the little white embroidered daisies and leaves but they were a bugger-bear to sew because they're so dense.  My hem is a little off in places, only noticeable to me, because the flowers just would not fold.  This jacket fits well, and I love the flared skirt on it. 

Vogue 9275

This pattern actually calls for knits, but I always saw it as a loose-flowing material, like the chiffon.  Since it called for a knit, I cut an XXL.  Next time, I'll just cut a large.  I also scooped out the neck, a little too much it turns out.  I'm not thrilled with this one, I fell like a yellow fire hydrant in it.  And the "cuffed sleeve" was awkward to sew.  I don't know if I'll play with this pattern again or not.  I love the leggings and would like to try them.  

Well, that's got me caught up on the chiffon sewing.  I have more to share soon.  Happy sewing!

New Year, New Outlook, New Jacket

I know. I know. I've been gone so long it's heinous.  I have a terrible history as poor blogger but I'm taking steps to improve that.  I sew, but often don't blog it because of the photo issue.  I can take photos on Zelda, but they're meh because it's not a real person.  Getting one of the men in the house to take a photo is like hunting down a rare, wild animal--they're just not to be found when the time is right.  So I've tried a friend's tripod with remote.  I liked it and I ordered one up for myself.  This is going to be so much easier than the 10 second delay on my phone!  Now that I can take photos of my projects I should be able to blog about those projects as they come off the machine.

To keep me productive and focused, I've joined the 50 Yard Dash sew-a-long on Pattern Review.  The purpose of this sew-a-long is to sew 50 yards of fabric this year from our stash.  I think that this is a very attainable goal.  It comes out to roughly a yard a week.  That doesn't sound so bad.  It's a very busy thread with a very large group of participants.   So far this year, I've finished Michael's shirt-jacket = 3 yards.  This will be blogged about as soon as I can capture photos of him and the jacket.  I've also just finished today's jacket for 2½ yards.  That makes me with 5½ yards sewn and 44.5 yards to go.  Woohoo!  I've also joined the 2018 Fabric Fast thread and so far, I've not bought fabric since mid-November.  Another big Woohoo!

Now on to the jacket.

This is Simplicity 8172 view C one of their kimono jackets.  View C is supposed to be done in contrast fabric for the top and bottom, but I have this lovely knit velvet that is embroidered with flowers and swirls and has little sequins scattered over it that I wanted to use for a kimono  and I loved the flair in back on this one.  I used the Large size for my size 42 bust. As  you can see, the fit is still very forgiving.

In the pattern photo, the underbust seam comes just below the bust.  Mine is riding on my very short waist.  I like it on my waist ok, but I think next time I'd really like to shorten it but I'm not sure how.  If anyone has ideas, please let me know in the comments.

I didn't realize until I got to that part in the instructions, but the neckline and front edges are finished with single-fold bias tape.

I thought this gave a neater finish than folding over and stitching.  It also gave some structure to the neckline and front edge without being stiff.  Luckily, I happened to have some in stock in just the right color.

You can see the little flair in the back skirt area.  The sleeves end with a self-fabric cuff. (Pattern calls for contrast color here.)   It's warm and cozy with my pale yellow t-shirt.  I have plans for a lime green charmeuse tank for it for this spring.  There's a yard or so of it left over from another project.

Hope your New Year's resolutions and plans are all off to a good start.  And I hope it includes some  sewing!