Summer Linen and Cotton Blend Gingham - S8389 and S9894

Finally, I have some photos of me wearing some of my recent sewing projects.  For this posts I'm showing Simplicity Bustier S9894 and S8389 pants/shorts (TNT).  All can be paired with other summer coordinates.  Love the neutral tones.

My initial post is here.

Happy Sewing!

C

It's Not Too Late - August, 2018 Sewing Projects

It's incredible, I wrote this blog on August 28, 2018; but didn't publish it.  Why?  I think because I became disappointed with the last project to finish in August.

I was almost finished with the dress when I tried it on again and decide it's just not for me.  It's, it's.., something..,  What I couldn't exactly pin point.

Anyway, after two weeks, I decided to try it on again.  This time, I saw renewed hope of finishing the dress. With a few more adjustments, it's wearable. 

Now, what's left to do is:
  - take it in where needed
  - finish attaching the facing to the dress
  - Make buttonholes and sew in buttons
  - Hem dress
and finally,
  - Decide on a different color belt.  I think that will improve the look.

This will be the last of five projects started in August.  To recap my sewing projects for August, 2018.  Blue is the common color theme for August; I really didn't notice before.


Vogue Top 1247 - I haven't worn this top yet.  I want to pair it with a red or white denim skirt for vacation.

Simplicity 8014 Gingham Dress - Love the 1" inch gingham squares. Perfect for this style shirt dress.

Simplicity 8014 Crane Shirt for DD - She really appreciated this little summer top and will get a lot of wear out of it.

Vogue 9260 Hacked Dress -  This floaty challis dress is my least favorite of my August makes.  But it won't be hidden in the back of the closet.  I've worn it and will wear it some more.

Stay tuned for notes and reviews.  I should finish the dress this week.   BTW - I still have a few projects from earlier this year to review.  They will be added to the September and October reviews.

Thanks you for following me and special thanks to those who continue to post comments.  They are much appreciated.

Happy Sewing!
Cennetta

Summertime Gingham - Simplicity 8014

Sorry about the frowns- The sun was really high.

Happy Monday!

It's good to be able to work, play, sew and see the light of day.  We have about a month left of summer.  The leaves are already starting to fall from the trees.  It is very humid in the mid-west.  Good thing is the sun is bright and the temps are in the 80's during the day and 60's in the evening. Great weather for my new gingham cotton shirt dress.

This is one of the five projects I cut out to make in August.  With four sewn and one more to go.  I think I did all right for the month of August.  I'd planned to make something, well a few things gingham, since the spring.  This is the first; maybe I can squeeze one more in before the end of summer.

Simplicity 8014 has been on my "to make list" for over a year.  I finally made it!  The dress is relatively easy to sew.  I made view C - A-line dress with yoke, gathering at the bottom of back yoke, breast pockets, front button closure, in-seam pockets, long sleeves with cuffs and tabs.

The pattern is available in sizes 6 to 24.  It's a good basic shirt dress pattern.  I used size 16 with modifications. My finished dress looks very much like view C pictured on the pattern envelope.  In fact, I selected my fabric based on that illustration.

No confusing instructions. Most  of them I followed and some construction I changed.  Overall the was easy to make. The thing I liked most about the pattern is the style options for the shirt dress.  My other likes are:

• tabs on the sleeve - I have the option of rolling up the sleeve and holding them in place on the hottest days.

• yoke with back gathering - This is a nice detail that can be easy changed to a inverted pleat if you like.
• collar stand - I prefer shirt dresses with collar and collar stand.  It just looks nicer.
• pockets - breast pockets or in-seam pockets or both.  Options..,
• cuff and continuous lap.  Nice finishing are always good.

My least favorite thing is the faux front placket.  For this pattern the placket an extension of the front dress, instead of a separate piece.  I like two separate pattern pieces.  It's feels sturdier. 

My fabric is from Fabrics.com.  Last month I ordered about six different colors with various size checks.  It's 100% cotton, the drape stands away from the body; it's on the crisp side before washing.  After washing it is softer though.

I made a several alterations/changes:

• FBA - my usual, which increased the depth of the bust dart.  The pockets covers part of it.
• Lengthen the dress by a few inches.
• Lengthen the sleeves by an inch.
• View C only has a collar stand; I added the collar.

• Doubled the yoke.  I cut two yokes using the extra for self lining the other.  I didn't want any seams showing.  It's nicer this way.
• No belt; I'll use a purchased belt instead.

• I did some matching of the gingham plaid from piece to piece.  For the yoke and the collar stand, I cut them on the bias. I intended to do the same for the cuffs, but forgot to.  On the other areas of the dress I came pretty close to matching the plaids.  Incidentally, I used a white cotton for the in-seam pockets.

• Sleeve - I made a french seam.  It looks nicer than the regular seam.

• No broad shoulder adjustment - But I could use just a little more room
• No swayback adjustment - Because I'm going to wear a belt with the dress.

There are options for other dresses with this pattern.  I like view A with short sleeves.  I will at least make that.  My next review will be a shirt I made for my daughter using view C.

This is a good basic shirt/shirt dress pattern that I believe other sewists will enjoy making.  I certainly did.




Next Review:  Shirt made for my daughter using Simplicity 8014, view C.

Happy Sewing!
C

On The Sewing Table - Dresses and Shirts

It's August already!  I can't believe it.  I wish I could rewind time back to July.  There is so much summer sewing I need to do.

Anyway, today's post is about sewing project for August.  I'm always overly ambitious hoping to sew no less than ten garments per month.  These days I'm lucky to finish four.  Last week I gathered up about fifteen potential projects only to cut out three dresses and two tops (one for DD).  The goal was to cut more, but I decided it was best to stop with this first batch.

Ready to sew:

• Vogue 1247 Top for me, red, white, and blue crane fabric; it's almost finished.  Blog post soon.
• Simplicity 8014, View C for me, blue and white gingham.
• Simplicity 8014, View C (shorten for a shirt) for DD, red, white, and blue crane fabric.
•  McCall 6116 lavender linen blend for me.
• Vogue 9260  hacking a dress out of it.

Parting Shots:  This is one of two garments made in July, McCall 7753 Top. Review and more pictures coming soon.

Stay tuned; more to come later this week.

Happy Sewing!

C