Bear and crown baby bibs, Butterick B4533

Yup so I am so entailed with my last minute halloween costume that I didn't finish up my posts and get it together. So here is my late posts...Another baby gift, been sewing a lot!



I opted to try this pattern and make 2 of the patterns- the bib and the crown. Now I will preface this will I lost the instructions after I cut the pattern. Yeah true story. So I had to wing it!

For the teddy bears, I never want to see them again. So, at first I embroidered a lot- the pink cheek circles, the eyes, nose, smile. It was absolutely too much and took a lot of time. I figured out how to sew the cheeks via my sewing machine. Then I used paint for the eyes. This then left embroidery of the nose and mouth. Much faster. It was a lot of sewing. Just a lot. After the face was done, then ears were added, then the back, then I attached everything to the front of the bib, then attach the back to the front of the bib. Close and add a snap. Yeah it was that involved. Just wow. I never want to see a bear anytime soon!

Now the crown bibs were way easier. I sewed the front and back of the crown to each other, turned right side out and then attached to the bib. These were super cute.

Overall, I am very happy with this pattern. I love the end products. I just never want to make another Teddy Bear bib again (I made 5 so yes I am over it!). LOL. But something cute and different.

Cheers,
Lauren

Blue satin bow top, Butterick 5784

Got my July project done. Just lazy to take a picture in it. Let me tell you it wrinkles like it is nobodies business. I iron it and then it wrinkles. LOL it is a never ending battle. Yes the fabric is from my cousin's Tiffany's themed bridal shower. I snagged some, hee hee!

Easy sew really. It is nice to have that sometimes. Especially after some of these battles recently. Fit was right on target! I sewed a medium. No changes were made and it looks like it was supposed to- only issue was tying that bow. It seems a bit bulky to me.

Can't beat my cheesy, tired, goofy grin sometimes. :)

Cheers,
Lauren

Indian Skirt Refashion, Refashion #22 butterick 5599

I am so excited this dress is complete. It was a LOT of work. A LOT of work.

First I started off with this skirt. Of course it was too big but look how lovely it is.... Paisleys, ahhh. It had some issues with fraying at the bottom with the hem that someone attempted to fix but didn't work. I decided to combine it with some blue fabric and make this lovely dress from Butterick, 5599.

Little did I know how much sewing was going to be involved. There were over 20 pattern pieces. Combined with interfacing and lining. The grand total was 93, yes people 93 pieces!!!!!

Sewing this was crazy. After I joined the pieces, I ironed the seam open. Then did another seam on both sides of the joining seam. The easiest way to do this was the using my clear open toe foot. But I got my best seams with my regular foot. So you guessed it, I had to switch between my sewing feet after each part. I did learn that I would join a piece, do the other mirror side and then press, sew, sew. Repeat, repeat, repeat......

My beef with the instructions and pattern pieces with Butterick is they did NOT label some of the pieces on what side was for what. Like this side is the center back, center, side seam, etc. The pictures were not the best. So on top of all the sewing I had to pull out a lot of seams with my seam ripper. Sigh.  Then when I got the lining complete (which was a mirror image of the dress bodice) and the zipper went in I realized that there was a huge gap in the top of the dress. It was not the placement of the straps. 

The dress went into the corner while I pondered the fit issue. I realized I needed to take in the middle portion of the bodice in order to keep things covered. Ahem... I wound up taking in 2 inches in the middle of the bodice. Then repositioned the straps. OMG I was done. Hem. Complete. 

It was worth it, I mean the dress has pockets! 

Heyyyy..... the sides even match up!

And the back isn't bad either. It was a lot of work to make sure I stayed on 

Recap... I love this dress.

Now I have sworn off this pattern. It was a lot of work. I will probably never sew it again. Things were confusing. I have gotten the OMG this dress is fabulous, would you consider making me one? The answer is NO! Right now I am scarred from this pattern it would take a lot of money to sew this for you. A LOT!!!!

I am happy it is over and happy this dress is done. And I shall wear it proud!! There were totally blood, sweat, and tears shed for this dress. But it is lovely.

Cheers,
Lauren

Iron Craft '14 #2: Get organized

This iron craft challenge is about getting organized. This was the perfect time for me to do a project I have been waiting to sew. I used Butterick's 5006 to make myself a knitting needle case. And to add some jazz to a holder- I made it with pink leopard print poly satin. Oh yeah. Super easy, I cranked this out really fast! The fabric was a bit challenging, it isn't my best sewing but it works. And now I have a sassy needle holder.

Cheers,
Lauren