Bowties and Harlequins; McCalls 6601

After nearly a full month of endeavor, I've finally finished McCalls 6601.  It looks like its out of print now.

Its a loose-fitting blouse with bow-tie front, front bands, back yoke, sleeve plackets, pleat and cuffs.  It also has a pair of pants with a shaped waistband, carriers, front pleats and side front and back welt pockets. 

I made the blouse in a size 16 using some black rayon challis and this fun harlequin print crinkle rayon challis from Fabric Mart.  It was lovely to sew with: fluid without being slippery.  I used a little color blocking on this.  I made the front bands and tie and yoke in the solid black, and the rest in the harlequin print.  I didn't do any alterations.  I see in the pictures I could have used a little narrowing of the shoulder.

It all went together very nicely except the sleeve plackets.  For some reason, I just couldn't get them right and had to do them over twice!  I did the ones for Gene's shirt perfect first try!  Grrrrrr.  Purely operator error, not the pattern.  But they're on now  and look lovely.  I'm still not sure about the tie: whether to tie it in a bow or leave it hanging from a square knot.  The bow doesn't look bad, just feels like more than I'm used to on my bust. 

I like how neatly the back turned out: the contrasting yoke and the little pleat.  It's not binding at the waist at all.  That's me turning to see what my photographer was up to. 

 

 

 

It is winter, and cold, and this is a lightweight fabric so I have to wear something over it.  Today I'm wearing my white scuba knit jacket, Simplicity 1761 made back in March but never blogged.  I also have a lovely light taupe-gray sweater that goes very nicely with it.  So it fits nicely into the wardrobe.  I'm planning a black skirt soon that will work with it also. 

 

I'm getting more sewing time lately so next up will be New Look 6298.  It's already finished!  Happy sewing. 

Pretty in Pink, McCall's 6606

I'm getting some things finished around here.  One of them is McCall's 6606.  This is a loose fitting blouse or tunic with shoulder yoke, collar with stand, front shoulder pleats, long sleeves with gathers and button cuff.  I made the size 16 based on the garment's finished measurements I used a  polester-charmeuse from Joann's with a very soft shirting from Let's Sew in Evansville. The stuff at Let's Sew is so nice but sew expensive. (I just love going in and drooling. I can usually get something on sale though.)  I originally wanted to do this top in a different fabric but didn't have enough to do it.  Then I remembered these two in the stash and a blouse was born!

The front placket and cuffs came out so nicely.  Even the continuous lap, which has given me fits in the past.  I guess the skill set is getting better.  I was worried that the pleats on the front would cause mega-boob but they fall nicely and gently and form a nice feature. 

I love how the back yoke turned out with the paisley nearly intact.

You can't even see the yoke seam in this photo.  It was pure happenstance, not planning I assure you.  My cutting skills are not nearly that good yet.  The blouse fits nicely both tucked in and loose with a cami underneath.  It has fast become a favorite, it feels so good on.  I can see me sewing this one again as it makes for a good basic.

Coming soon...McCall's 6601.  Happy sewing.

Going Boho With McCall"s 7095

I'm finally getting around to showing you my finished Mccalls 7095. I'd been seeing these tops all over the blogosphere.  There are several of course on Pattern Review and Carolyn of Diary of a Sewing Fanatic has made several cute ones.

 I actually finished it back in October during my sewcation but never got anyone to get a picture of me in it. So I broke down and got pictures on Zelda.  First the stats.   I used an ivory peachskin from Joanns and a matching lace also from Joanns.  They've been in the stash for about 2 months waiting for this project.  I'd read this pattern ran very large, so I cut a medium for the yoke pieces.  Luckily, I had lots of lace because this was too small.  I re-cut in large and cut the bodice in large also.  This fit much better.

 

I love the lace inset on the sleeve and the bottom of the sleeve is gathered with elastic.  I was afraid the lace would have trouble holding its stiches since its so open and loose in places.  So I  stitched it with a smaller stitch length then serged the seams.  All is groovy and firmly in place. 

 

This was a really quick and easy sew.  The only real time hog being slip-stitching the collar in place.  It's super cute with jeans or leggings.  This is a pattern I can see repeating this summer in a lighter, flowier fabric.  It was that fun to sew.  Happy sewing!

New Vogues Are Up

The new Vogues have just been released and I actually like a few time.  Enough to purchase, I mean.
Like this asymmetrical top 9169. Its a must have for me.

 

I also love this jacket on 9176.  It has a nice dress with it too but the jacket makes me swoon.

 

 

 

And 9166 is calling out to me.  I don't really care for the shirttail hem, but I like the dress and as a top it's pretty cool, too.

 

 

Those are the three I can see me wearing.  There are others that are pretty, well-designed, drool-worthy (or ugly).  Whatever.  They just don't fit me and my lifestyle.  I'm getting a better handle on what that is now and sewing for that instead of  just sewing the clothes I liked.  Several I just don't have anywhere to wear them.  I have a beautiful brocade jacket: a labor of love, gorgeous but it just doesn't fit my lifestyle anymore.  It may get worn once or twice a year now; breaks my heart.  So I'm trying to be more conscious of what I pour my valuable sewing time into now.  Garments I love that will get worn frequently. What about you?  Do you sew for the life you have or do you sew for the life you wish you had?  Food for thought I guess. Hope you find some Vogues you like, too.  Happy sewing.

Happy New Year!

Hope everyone had a lovely Christmas.  Here it is, the cusp of a new year.  All new possibilities and goals.  I plan to be a better blogger, have more output as a sewer, and to try welt pockets some time this year.  On Pattern Review, I have joined the Fabric Fasting  and the Monthly Sew-A-Long threads in an effort to use more of my stash.  I don't have a very big stash, especially compared to some (oh my some!) but I do need to make better use of it.  I'm going to try to use 2 yards of stash to every 1 yard of new.  And patterns.  I have so many I really need to make a serious dent in those. After all I bought them because I want that garment.   But like the saying goes: so many patterns, so little time. Surely a reasonable goal is at least on garment a month even for this slow sewer.  I have two garments to "catch up on" with you when I can get photos.   Catching one of my guys is hard but I should have an update this weekend.

What about you?  Do you make resolutions or set goals for the New Year and what are some of them?  I wish you luck with them and bloggy people that I follow I look forward to seeing your progress this year!  Happy sewing.

Happy Thanksgiving!

Hoping everyone has a lovely day with family and friends!

Burda 6761, The Cotton/Linen Top

I finally got all my ducks in a row to do a post on  this top.  I used Burda 6761, a cute little pullover top with a gathered peplum and 3/4 sleeves.

 

I used the cotton/linen voile that I got from Fabric Mart.  It went on sale right after I bought it.  Darn it all but I just had to have it. The print just called out to me.

 

 

The peplum doesn't go all the way around, it ends at the front sides forming the front darts; ingenious.  This also leaves the front flat which is flattering to everyone while the peplum hides all kinds of fluffy.  I used the size 18 (44) and it fit well with no alterations.

 

The back has a slit with a button/loop closure but the neckline is plenty roomy enough to make this a pullover.  The pattern is rated as easy and it really is but you do need to follow the directions as they don't go in the usual fashion.  The darts and the side front seams are one and are done after the application of the peplum.  It sounds strange but makes sense in the pictures.  Fancy that! Burda directions and pictures making sense!

It's a great little top that whipped up in no time.  I just love it and know it will get lots of wear. Happy stitching!