Two Red Dress - Simplicity S1314 and McCall's M7405

 McCall's M7405

Simplicity S1314

That's all for now.

Happy Sewing!

Two Red Dresses - Simplicity S1314 and McCall M7405

Like I said in a recent post, I've been sewing quite a lot during the past few months trying to sew up some of the beautiful fabrics that I already own.  These two red dresses were made in early July.

Simplicity S1314 is a favorite TNT.  I can make this dress in a few hours.  All adjustments already made and using a neoprene knit makes it quick and easy.  This fabric comes from Minerva Fabrics in the UK.  I've had it for a few years.  Originally, I made an off the shoulder McCall's top.  But it just didn't work out.  The whole project was trashed, and I order two more yards of fabric because I really like the print.

McCall's M7405 I only made it once before in 2022.  I thought  it was time to make another.  It is a perfect style for summer.  And these dog days of summer in the Midwest have been extremely hot.  This fabric came from Fashion Fabric Fabrics.  I purchased it this year.  The light and airy viscose challis moves with the slightest ease.  It's a great little summer dress that breathes. 

So, these are two of the dresses that I planned to make and wear this summer.

Stay Tune for more of the summer sewing lineup.

Happy Sewing!

C

Purple Flower Power Dress Revealed - Vogue V1858

 

It has been almost a whole month since I last posted about this dress.  I had mentioned that I wanted to do something extra.  My "extra" was to add some silk flowers and petals to the dress.  It took me a while to decide how to place the flowers and the petals on it.  I knew I wanted to make a corsage like flower, not detachable.  Also, I thought of putting one flower at the hem.  I still wasn't sold on the placement.  

After talking with Rhonda about my idea, she helped me rearrange the flowers and the petals.  So today, finally, I'm sharing how I finished the purple flower power dress.  First, I added three flowers at the top shoulder area.  The one directly on top is a detachable corsage.  I was afraid that it would get mangled if I sewed it onto the dress.  The leaves were the biggest concern.  The remaining two were placed on the back shoulder, kind of in a cluster like a bouquet.  Then I sewed on petals falling down the back of the dress with the majority of them at the hem.  To complement the beaded zipper, I added a few beads to each petal and flower. 

I changed the length of the dress as well.  Initially, I added several inches to it.  After taking a few pictures, I decided to shorten it a bit.  Above are a few photos taken prior to the floral additions and the length adjustment.  So, that's it for now.  

I haven't made anything new since March.  I've been busy with other things.  We will see what the coming warmer season brings.

BTW- This was my Easter dress.  

Happy Sewing!

C

Vogue Skinny Leg Pants 8859 - The Third is a Charm/TNT

I made my first pair in 2017 (pictured above) and never posted a review.  I basically wear this pair around the house.  They are the best for working out-doors  especially in the fall and winter.  Why I never posted, I can't say.  But since I made my third pair at sew camp, it was about time to talk about how great these pants are.

Vogue 8859 

This is a Marcy Tilton Vogue pattern (OOP).  Vogue describes it as close fitting pants that has elastic waist, three construction methods for pleats in knew area, back yokes/pockets, and stitched hems.  The suggested fabrics are two-way stretch knits and stretch wovens.  Sizes 8-22.  I used a 16 with a few minor modifications.

These are super easy to make taking only about 1.5 hours to finish. The instructions very easy to follow.  Nothing confusing in them. 

What I like most about them is that they are not your typical pull-on legging pants.  They are sturdy and have some attractive details:  tucks, back pockets and yoke.  Love them and because I've made them three times, the pattern is now stored in the TNT basket atop of the other patterns that I own.

Below are pictures of all three pants side by side.  The Fabrics I used for each:

• Heather Purple double knit from Vogue Fabrics
• Marcy Tilton ponte knit from her online store
• Teal scuba knit from FabricMart purchased during sewcamp 

I enjoyed making each of them for different reasons:

• As I said, the purple ones are for working out-doors in fall/winter season. 
• The Black ponte knit ones were part of my beefing up the wardrobe.  The medium weight fabric allows me to wear them in spring, fall and part of the winter seasons.  
• The most recent pair, were made in between two dress projects started at sew camp.  They helped me through the challenges of the McCall's 7890 dress.  The other dress I haven't completed.  

I made only a few minor changes:  I extended the hook on the back pant leg about 3/4" and I lengthen them about four inches.  Because the back has three pieces:  yoke, upper back and lower back, I added  length to both upper and lower back pant legs so that the joining seam at the knee will fall where it should.  For each I did different top-stitching.  For the black I drafted a lower leg for the front and back repeating the same top-stitching.

I really like the comfort and style of these close fitting "legging" like pants.  I can see myself making them in several colors.  Try them if you have the pattern.  So, that's all for now.

Happy Sewing!
C

About Last Week - SewCamp

Gaylen and Jay Owners' of the B&B

Some of the lovely ladies at Breakfast

SewCamp was so much fun!  I had an opportunity to see some old friends and make some new ones.  I headed for Philadelphia early Thursday morning.  Andrea picked me up at the airport.  We went to get Philly Steak and fries.  Then off to JoMar for our first fabric shopping experience of the weekend.  After that, we picked up Laquana (of course, we had to bring her a cheese steak too. Lol)

Andrea

Laquana with her sewing projects

Group after the shopping

Next stop Carriage Corner for our four day Sew Camp!  Within an hour of our arrival, we were all gathered in the sew studio selecting sewing stations and pulling out projects to sew.  On Friday after breakfast, we quickly got into the van and headed to Fabric Mart fabric.  Look at the group fabric haul.

Just a few pieces from my fabric haul.

Over the next few days, we did some serious power sewing.  Everyone enjoying the process and the company of fellow sewists.  There was all kinds of buzzing in the sew studio. We were helping fit each other, doing tutorials, snacking, and talking about the news of the day.  Gaylen and Jay are the best.  Hosting a Sew Camp is a big deal.  The preparing of the accommodations, meals, and sharing a lovely studio is a lot of work.  But Gaylen and Jay never failed to make this the most enjoyable experience.

Me with my sewing projects

On Saturday afternoon a few of us decided to take a walk to the local Quilt shop were they sold high end quilter's cotton and notions.  On the way, we stopped a fudge shop to pick up some treats.  After shopping back to Carriage Corner to continue with our sewing marathon.

Lady in the fudge shop

Fudge Shop

Carolyn kindly did photo shoots for each of us on Sunday and Monday.  Each of us have a series of photos to select from for Instagram and blog posts.  I think she took over 100 pictures of three outfits for me.  Great start for blogging my pattern and sewing project reviews.

Monday afternoon, my kind friend, Andrea, drove me and Laquana back to the airport for our flights home. I love everything about Sew Camp:  the location, the hopping, and the sewing with friends.  I'm looking forward to my next Sew Camp in 2020.

For more Sew Camp stories, check out these posts:

Carolyn, Diary of a Sewing Fantatic
Gaylen, gMarie Sews 
Andrea, Knit-Knac
Laquana, Made by Laquana 


Happy Sewing!
C

Maroon Double Cloth Lace - Simplicity 1314

My eyes light up with joy when I see something beautiful.  And that was exactly what happened when I saw this Maroon Double Cloth with Lace from Mood.  At first, I imagined a high-waist pencil skirt.  But when the pretty cloth arrived to my surprise the yardage was more than I requested.  It must have been the last on the roll, because it included this tag.  No matter the circumstance, I was too happy to get a little more and couldn't let it go to waste.  So I decided to make Simplicity 1314 again.

There is nothing wrong with getting a little extra mileage out of your pattern.  Especially if you've spent time making fit adjustments.  My first look made from it was "Cookie Lyons" inspired, from the hit show, "Empire".  This time I wanted a more sophisticated look.  So I paired my maroon lacy double cloth with black neoprene from a local fabric store in Chicago.

All of the descriptive information is the same as before.  I made view B. For the most part the pattern was ready to use without more adjustments.  But I did want to bring the neckline closer to base of my neck.  With most patterns I find that the necklines are very wide.  This makes it difficult to keep the garment on the hanger.  Also, I had to take it in along the sides about three more inches.

My likes for this dress are, of course, the fabric.  And all the things I mentioned in the first review.  It was even easier to sew this time.  I consider this a sloper, a basic princess seam dress that is very easy to sew.  I definitely recommend it to others and will probably sew it again for myself.

That's all for now.

Happy Sewing!
Cennetta

Mood's Neoprene is Still Supreme - Vogue 1429 Sandra Betzina

I simply love Mood's neoprene fabrics.  It is vibrant, soft, and beautiful.  You can easily sew up a dress, top or even pants.  For this project I chose this leafy stained glass window digitally printed stretch neoprene and used nautical blue stretch rayon ponte knit for the contrasting yoke. Both fabrics are super easy to work with. Mood has an assortment of prints and solids to chose from.

The pattern I used is Sandra Betzina's Vogue 1429.   

It is described as: MISSES' DRESS: Close-fitting, pullover top and dress have self-lined upper front extending into standing back collar and stitched hem. A: self-lined yoke and sleeves in two lengths. B: purchased bias tape to finish armholes. 

The pattern is available in sizes A through J.  I used a combination of sizes D and E with a few additional adjustments.

Mine dress looks more like the top than the dress because I wanted a contrasting yoke.  The basic silhouette is the same.  So there are no surprises in the style illustrated on the envelope and the actual drafted pattern.

The dress is not difficult to sew.  It is important to follow steps 10 and 11 to ensure that the two yokes meet as pictured in the illustrations.  In my dress they do not abut as intended as I was attempting to reduce the bulk at the center chest area where the two yokes meet.

What drew me to this pattern was the yoke, dart placement, and the slim silhouette.  The yoke offers an alternative neckline; the dart placement helps create a slender look.

I did make a few changes.  No FBA though.  I used size D through the shoulders increasing to size E in the armholes through the bust area.  Other changes were:

• Lower the dart about an inch.
• Added three inches to the length of the dress.
• Added an inch to the length of the sleeve.
• Added a center back seam.
• Made a sway back adjustment (tuck in the lower back area and curve out the lower center back so that the dress touches my back below the shoulder blades to the waist area.)
• Added fish eye darts for shaping.

I may or may not sew it again.  I have so many other patterns that I want to try. But I do recommend it.  It is easy to make.  I was able to sew my dress up in a few hours after working out the fit issues.

I love the neoprene and recommend that you try one too.  

Happy Sewing!
C