The Ultimate T-Shirt Dress - Vogue V1314

Fabric from FabricMart Fabrics

Butterfly Fabric from Fashion Fabric Fabrics

I used Vogue V1314 to make so many t-shirt dress.  It is my go to for something quick and easy to make.  It sews together in less than 2 hours.  A great staple for my wardrobe.

This was my favorite 

Here are some of the dresses and tops that I made in the past.  Do you have a favorite t-shirt dress pattern?

Stay Tune.  More later. ;-)

Butterick B5680 - Shrug Ready for Fall

Finally, some photos of me wearing my new shrug.  It's just in time for fall. Let me know what you think.  Pattern Review here.

Happy Sewing!

C

The One Pattern Piece Shrug - Butterick B5680

After completing the emerald crepe outfit, I needed a few easy projects to complete.  This super easy shrug was one of many UFO's I needed to complete.   I don't know what took me so long to sew it up. It didn't take two hours to finish.  I just want about five more really quick projects before a tackle another complex one.   LOl

Anyway, below is my short review of this Butterick shrug, View D.

Pattern Description:  Loose fitting.  A: button and buttonhole shoulder closure. B,C:  front extends into shawl collar.  D:  front extends to back, no side or shoulder seams.  Purchased pin; wrong side of fabric will show.  E:  V-shaped neckband, stitched at sides.

It is out of print.  copyright 2008.

The pattern piece is a modified rectangle.  Very simple construction.  It creates a interesting "V" shape back with the point resting a the waist.

 Pattern Sizing:  I used size medium.

Did it look like the photo/drawing on the pattern envelope once you were done sewing with it?  Yes,  On the dress form, I pulled the collar closer to the neckline.  The drawing is positioned about midway the shoulder.   But for all intents and purposes, it looks very similar to the drawing.

Were the instructions easy to follow?  Very easy; not difficult at all.


What did you particularly like or dislike about the pattern?  I like the way the shrug came together as I sewed it.  The "V" at the back is super cute.  I also like the hem of it and the shawl collar.  

No dislikes.

Fabric Used:  I purchased this sweater knit from Fabricmart Fabric a few years ago.  Initially, I thought I may make a long cardigan.  But this shrug was perfect for the fabric.  I still have about two yards left.  So I need to come up with something else to make.  Maybe a skirt or a pull-over top.  Both would be nice.

Pattern alterations or any design changes you made:  No pattern alterations.  But I did serge the edges.  Then turned the hem, pressed it, and sewed it down by machine.  So the serged edge is exposed.  I think it is a nice design element.  

Would you sew it again? Would you recommend it to others?  I don't think I will sew this view again.  I am interested in making view A.  I do recommend this pattern.  It is beginner friendly.  These wraps and jackets are a great way to spruce up your wardrobe.

Conclusion: This shrug was a great palette cleanser. It is very easy and beginner friendly.  I recommend it to all level sewists.  

Navy Stripe Leisure Set - Vogue V1835

Surprise, Surprise!

I'm back. Lol  

It's good to be back.  I missed blogging and sharing my sewing projects. There are so many things going on.  And lately I seriously wanted to spend my limited free time sewing.  

So today, I'm reviewing one of my outfits made in early May.  This little leisure set was easy to make and didn't take much time to do so.  I do want to point out that I could have given myself a tad more move across the bust area.  In the photos I notices a little pulling across the bust.  Anyway, here is my review.

Pattern Description: Misses' close-fitting tops can be worn on or off the shoulder; close fitting cropped pants have elastic, drawstring waist.  Slippers are lined.  

Pattern Sizing: This pattern comes in size A(XS, S, M, L, XL, and XXL)  I used between medium and large.  I should have just used the large for the top.  It would have been better for me across the bust since I didn't want to fuss with making a FBA.

Did it look like the photo/drawing on the pattern envelope once you were done sewing with it? Yes, it did.

Were the instructions easy to follow? The instructions were very easy to follow, and there weren't any confusing or complicated steps.

What did you particularly like or dislike about the pattern? I liked the style of the outfit.  It speaks comfort and chic at the same time.  It just depends on how you style it.  I became interested in trying this pattern after seeing other sewists' version on Instagram.  

No real dislikes.

Fabric Used:  My knit fabric came from FabricMart Fabrics.  I bought it several months ago.  At the time, I didn't know what I'd make with it.  Vogue V1835 was a great choice.  This medium weight knit fabric has an interesting diagonal stripe navy on navy. There is about 35 percent stretch crosswise.  I think the same lengthwise.  

Pattern alterations or any design changes you made:  I made a few changes/adjustments. 

 

• I cut between a medium and large for both top and pants.
• The neckline was a little snug when I wore it off my shoulder.  So I made the opening slightly larger so the right side wouldn't bunch up at the base of my neck.
• For the pants I installed two eyelets instead of making buttonholes for the drawstring.
• As usual, I lengthen the pants.
• Adding elastic to one side of the top to create ruching and drape.

Would you sew it again? Would you recommend it to others?  Yes, I actually would like a few more sets of this outfit.  I will tweak the bust area a bit though.

Conclusion:  I think this wearable muslin version turned out pretty good.  This is a design that I think would look good on most people.  Plus it is easy to sew.

Parting shots:  This is my nephew, Roy.  He graduated in May.  Roy also received a full football scholarship to Northern Illinois University.  We are very proud of him.  Believe it or not, he is the baby of the family, standing at 6'7".

Happy Sewing Friends!

C

January 2022 - End of the Month Sewing Review

I owe this new approach to reviewing my sewing activities to my friend, Carolyn, over at "Diary of a Sewing Fanatic."  Carolyn has been doing this for quite some time now.  I really like the idea of posting mini recaps of my sewing journey.   This may be better for me than waiting until the end of the year for a grand post about all my makes of the year.  Following this practice will give me 12 mini recaps that I can draw from at the end of the year.  Then hopefully, I will find it easier to post an end of the year review.

After the holidays, I'm happy to stay at home and sew.  I'm encouraged and excited at the close of the year to start making new goals, new plans for a rewarding year of accomplishments.  This attitude is no different for things I want to make.  Usually, I decide what I'd like to make in December for January.  By the first of the year, I cut out a few garments to start.  Something easy.  

This helps get the mojo going after all the holiday season cooking, cleaning, and decorating.  So, this year I started with three knit tops.  I cut them all out on the same day.  I made the black velvet top first, as I thought it would be the prettiest of the three.  Then, I moved on to sew up the second and third tops.

Black Velvet Top - M7836 - View C 

This is actually my favorite, and it is a good compliment to the black leggings that I made last year.  So, I was off to a great start with a pretty top and something new to wear with the black leggings.  My fabric came from JoAnn's.

Ribbed Knit BS6990 - View D and M8238 - View B

The next two tops, I've made a few times before.  Especially, the Burda Style turtleneck BS6990.  It is a TNT.  This is the fourth time I've made it.  And McCall's M8238 - View B.  I just had to try it again.  From bodice to pullover knit top.  Both are great staples, and I will get a lot of wear out of them.  Fabric from FabricMart Fabrics.

Beige Polyester Suiting - V1294 - View B

Black and Ivory Floral Blouse - NL6560 - View D

My next two projects were not the quick and easy two-hour projects.  I wanted to add some details to a plain pair of pants.  I selected V1294.  These pants are well drafted and good for a sloper/TNT pant.  Welt pockets are still a challenge for me.  I don't know why as I've made them several times.  For these pants, I added them to the back.  They turned out perfect.  Happiness.  So, this was my challenge project for the month.  It was also a Minerva Fabric sponsored project.

My Coordinate of choice is also a Minerva sponsored project.  I've wanted to make this blouse for a while.  I like it paired with the subtle pinstriped beige pants.  Both the bold and the subtle show up in this outfit.  My new blouse is floating and feminine; it can be worn with a few other garments in my wardrobe.  That's another sub-goal of mine.  Is to create more mixing and matching instances in my wardrobe.

Black Faux Suede with Fleece Backing V1515 - View A

My final garment made for the month of January is a pullover vest made of faux suede from JoAnn's.  Unfortunately, this is my least favorite make of the month.  Nothing to do with the construction, but the style on me is not that great.  So, this one I will gift to someone.  

This sums up my sewing projects for the month of January 2022.  In total I completed six garments.  The majority are knit tops: fancy and staples.  Love my new neutral feminine blouse and pants.  There is only one not in love with project.  Pretty good for the first month of the year.

Til next time!  Enjoy!

Cennetta

January 2022 - The Month of Knit Top M8238 Burda Style 6990 M7836

My last post was a pattern review on McCall M7836, View C.  I didn't have any photos of me wearing the top at the time of the view.  Since then, I had an opportunity to take a few photos along with photos of two other knit tops that I made the same week.

Before I talk about the other knit tops I made, here are a few pictures of me wearing M7836, View C.

I'm wearing a pair of McCall 8244 leggings that I made sometime in October, I think.  I didn't bother to review them.  They were super easy. I was just waiting to show them with a new top or tunic.

You know I really try to maximize my use of patterns that I like.  So, my little collection of TNT patterns is growing.  Lol. I made another version of M8238-B and another of Burda Style 6990-D.

M8238-B

I just made a little minor change of making it a little smaller for a closer fit.

Burda Style 6990-D

Minor change to this one too.  I didn't have enough yardage to make the sleeve one piece.  So, I added a cuff like to make my desired length. 

Happy Sewing!

C

Turtleneck Sweaters Are A Winter Staple

It's turtleneck season again!

I'm starting off the season with Burda Style 6990.  I think it is safe to say that this pattern is a TNT top for me.  This is the third time I've made view D.  

The sweater knit comes from FabricMart Fabrics.  It's a soft cozy cotton blend sweater knit that washes well and has great stretch recovery.  I needed some more navy in my wardrobe.  So this striped knit is a welcomed addition.

I'm wearing my new turtleneck with another pair of Burda Style 6879 pants made of a textured stretch woven fabric also from FabricMart.  These were made in early October.  This is the forth version I've made.  Other versions of the turtleneck and pants are here and here with full pattern reviews.

Save warm and cozy this winter.

Cennetta