Striped dress, McCalls 6319

Today is a sewing day, I decided to use my knit stash (cough, cough pile...) I liked this pattern from McCall's 6319. Looks like a simple dress, I chose view A. I opted to not use the zipper.

I cut a size 10 b/c I had a feeling it would be big based on how the model is standing. I needed a lining for this reddish-pink, cream and blue striped fabric. I chose a cream color. It was a quick sew. The bottom hem is raw because this knit is super thin. Just like the red skirt I just made. I did not try to match the stripes because I knew I could not do it since it drapes. Here is my new dress! Super soft and comfy

Here are some better photos when I had just finished sewing it to prove that I do clean up well, I just do not like to take after pics sometimes.

Fit is great!

Easy sew. Nice dress. Win win!! I might not get a lot of use out of it until after winter but I will try!

Cheers,
Lauren

August MGAM Project- bow tank top

It is still August and darn it if I am going to keep sewing summer stuff. You know you can take the girl out of the south but you can't take the south out of a girl. So while it is still warm out, I shall make myself this McCall's bow tank top in this awesome bright fluorescent pink knit fabric I got from G street fabrics for $2.97 a yard. I seriously went nuts with their sales area. Because, well it was awesome!!

I have done some reading and it appears that this tank runs a bit big so I am going to be daring and cut a size X-small. Let's see what happens! Who knows. Yay for pink and yay for bows! :)

As yes I have been a bit absent again from the blog. Yeah, life gets in the way and so does being sick, like really sick. Again. Sigh.

Cheers,
Lauren

McCall's Leopard lace dress M6647

I literally was finishing this dress at the last minute. I finished the major sewing part of it before I got on the plane. Then the hooks on the dress the day before. I actually had issues with the dress b/c the back hook kept popping open if I moved, which I was going to move, while I was putting on my makeup. So I rescued it with a safety pin (which I brought b/c I know better!) and proceeded with the wedding festivities.

Here is proof I actually wore it. Unfortunately, no full length shots. I am horrible with taking pictures at events, I usually get so wrapped up with seeing people I have not seen in a while and forget to take pics. But here is proof.

The pattern is from McCalls and is for an open back dress with a circle skirt. I used some cream satin I had in my stash, ran out (those skirts take a LOT of fabric than I thought would), went and bought more- turns out it was bridal satin, so a nice quality. The overlay was this semi-sheer black almost chiffon but not quite fabric with velvet feeling leopard spots. I also used a cream cotton for the lining. There are 3 parts for the bodice: the lace, the underlining, and a lining. You can also adjust for bust, so I cut a size 12 and for a C cup. I wish I had done a D, in all honesty. My other modification was I added 2 inches to the lace part b/c I thought the dress looked short. The pattern calls for 2 different lengths, so I used the original lace length for the satin underlining. I am happy I did add those 2 inches!!

First step was basting the bodice to the underlining. Front and back. And even the darts. I had white threads EVERYWHERE!! 

That was my only during photo, as I was frantically sewing to finish in time for the June 7th wedding. Sewing really was not too bad. The bodice just took time and patience to sew it right the first time. The skirt was easy except for the open back part. What was confusing was they don't call for a lining with the skirt, remember we have the satin underlining. Now you sort of need that for the hidden understitching for the skirt back. I swear this didn't call for it and with time ticking I improvised. Then I cut the lace so you wouldn't see the fabric. This lead me to ruining parts of the stay stitching, so I said forget it! Top stitch!!!! Then the other part which I initially missed, was there was 1 pocket. Yes, 1 pocket! I had cut 2 but then I realized it was a side zip- impossible. I put in both and had to rip and one late night, rip the one out. The dress JUST fit. I totally watched what I ate. LOL

Here it is done. Now I promise, it is not crooked. As you can see it just fits.

I was uncomfortable with my back fat showing, but my boyfriend promises me that it wasn't noticeable at the wedding- but it is when you are posing in front of the camera. LOL The back is cute. The only issue is that closure for the top portion of the dress. I put the hook and eye and moved it 2x, and it still popped open.when I would move. It was weird. I can't decide if I want to add a button or a snap. The hook and eye does not work. Thank goodness for safety pins. 

The one dang pocket!

The dress had awesome twirling capability. Just have to watch the wind. I had a Marilyn Monroe incident 2X. 

I love this dress, great for events. I got a ton of compliments on it, wherever I went. From the hotel, to the casino, the wedding, the reception, and random people. Would recommend with the suggested length addition.

Cheers,
Lauren

Snowflake long sleeve top McCall's pattern 6796

This was a really easy pattern to sew. Since it is sooo cold out I am trying to focus more of things I could wear right now in these frigid temperatures. Time for more of that snowflake knit fabric.

I used this easy McCall's pattern 6796. 

The fit is pretty well, the arms are not tight but it doesn't look like they are supposed to-I am fine with that. Super easy to sew except for that cowl. I got confused on how to add it. Messed me up pretty bad. I actually did it my way as I was afraid that  the seam would show. I added my own buttons- 2 instead of 3. This top was so busy as it was with the pattern- these were just a small little hint of sparkle as they are rhinestones covered in a thin mesh fabric. The length is great for myself.

If you might remember I used this fabric for my leggings project. I now have a dress in the works with this fabric and I should be sending it to the scrap bin. I have a few charity project ideas for this fabric. I mean how cute would this fabric be for a pair of baby shoes? Christmas ornaments? Still thinking. Baby steps. Let's make some clothes first and then deal with the smaller stuff. :0)

Cheers,
Lauren

Leggings- McCalls pattern- 2 pairs of pants!!! OOH!

Yay more sewing! I want more leggings b/c they go well with boots and long tunics and short dresses. But spending $$ on leggings that are see-through sort of anger me. So many that I have found are just a little too sheer for me. And the ones I have found, $50 is ridiculous for pants. I have found some great knit fabric on sale at Hancock and also JoAnn Fabrics. I said I will make them myself.

I found this great pattern by McCalls which further convinced me this was a great idea. I picked it up during the $0.99 sale. Boom

I picked up 2 knits on sale. Grey and black houndstooth and grey and white snowflake. I opted for the scrunched version just because I wanted to make my pants long for my legs. I did not want them to be short. And yes they were long!!

This pattern is so easy to do. Here are my houndstooth

Here are the snowflake which I managed to decently match up and make even. 

They are still a bit big and I need to take them in more. I already did but it looks like I need more. The top of the pants fit well but the legs too loose.

I did a medium based on measurements and the fact that the fabric was not super stretchy. I should have done a small or XS. If I do these again, I would definitely go a smaller size. Love my leggings. Total cost was less than $10 including the pattern. Definitely recommend!

Cheers,
Lauren

Red tie bow top: mccalls M6650

Yeah I finally finished this sewing project. McCall's pattern 6650. I am finally happy with the outcome

This was the pattern I did. I love this pattern. View A.

Let me say.... the shirt did not start out as pretty as the first picture... I tried to use another fabric but it just didn't work

As you can see the fabric is too heavy and it just doesn't work. Sometimes things just don't work out. Good idea gone bad. So I found whatever fabric I had leftover (which doesn't fit the pattern piece). So I had to wing it myself. I cut 8.5 inch wide pieces of fabric. not on the bias just straight up fabric pieces with what I had leftover. I got 2 long pieces. Sewed them together, tapers the ends, and attached it to the top. Here is me at the last step. 

Ahh at least it works. I can wear it. 

I would totally sew this pattern again. Next time I know to use the same fabric weights. ;)

xoxoxo,
Lauren

Pink Maxi Skirt

FYI this is a big skirt! I saw this pattern from McCalls and thought it would be fun to make!

I cut my normal size for patterns (12) and I had gotten this great inexpensive pink t-shirt material. I did not realize it was not wide enough (or it shrunk in the wash!!!) and it has a lot of stretch. The fabric also grabbed so I had to cut piece by piece singly-no cutting on the fold! It was impossible to square up! I gave up!

So I was a few inches sort :( Like almost 6). Instead of going to the store and buying more I cheated and sewed and extendor. I did not know how I was going to like the actual skirt. 

The instructions were easy to follow. The skirt is heavy and stretchy. I may need to make some modifications later. And wow it is full. I need to shorten since I did not hem the bottom. Oh yeah I used my walking foot to sew the entire skirt-which is a pain and took me longer but the seams look so nice. 

Like the model. LOL I could do a high kick in this skirt. 

It is hard to say if I had a less stretchy fabric if cutting a smaller size would have worked better. The skirt did appear to grow after I sewed it. I do love it. I added a yellow short sleeved cardigan and wore it out shopping on sunday. Oddly I got a few compliments. I washed and dried it again-maybe it will shrink? LOL But I do recommend the skirt pattern. I felt very feminine in it. Love the pink color!!! :)

xoxoxo,
Lauren

Lace long sleeve shirt pattern review

Thought I would give this pattern a try.... M6604 form McCall's

I really liked this shirt

I really thought this would be a lovely top. What I did not notice was there is no lining under the lace of the top so I had to add my own.

Here is the finished top...

The top was a little low but it may have been the way I sewed the binding on the neckline. Sleeves are a little big but not bad. They were a pain to sew. I also changed the way I finished the top. I used bias trim on the bottom because I was in need of the length. Loosing almost an inch was out of my comfort zone. I cut a size 12, which was perfect. Any smaller of a size and it would not have fit in my chest. Overall, I do like the shirt. I am very happy with the way it turned out. I don't know if I would make another one. We will have to see.

Cheers,
Lauren