Red Sequins Maxi-Dress - M7119

I couldn't tell you why it took me so long to finish this maxi-dress.  It was in a bag in a box with ten other UFO's that I had cut and made ready to sew.  I was beyond happy when I finally finished it last week.  2018 is actually when I had planned to make the dress.  That's a long time to leave this beauty undone.

 Ranata of The Twilight Stitcher hosted a little red dress challenge (Instragram) in December 2020.  I didn't even start sewing it together.  Christmas gifts took up all my sewing time. Before I knew it, February had rolled around and gone.  Next target month was March; then finally April for the Maxi-Dress Mother's Day challenge hosted by Crystal Sews and Stuff and Crumpets Tea and Sewing, both on Instragam.  So I made it this time!

With that said, here is my review.  In hindsight, I should have done a "Notes on a Pattern" for the fit adjustments.

McCall M7119

This pattern is OOP.  Many have made it.  There are quite a few photos posted on the net.  Anyway, the pattern description:  Misses' Dresses:  Wrap dresses have bands, fitted bodice, gathered back, neckline, tie ends, skirt (semi-fitted through the hips) variations, and narrow hem.  A, B: Bias armhole facings B: Shaped hemline, wrong side shows. C: short sleeves. D: Elasticized sleeve. C, D:  Gathered sleeve cap.

Pattern sizing are 6 to 22.  I used 16 with modifications.  Lots of modifications. Lol.

I really love how this dress turned out. My version is a cross between views C and D. Basically, it is view C with long sleeves. The instructions were typical, but easy to follow.  Nothing in them confusing.

There are so many things I like about this style of this dress.  They are:

• Wrap dresses are flattering for my figure. ;-) 
• The gathering at the neckline and the sleeves
• Skirt waist.  It defines my waist or lack there of. Lol
• The neckband.  Makes it easy to adjust the neckline. No gapping.
• So easy to make and it looks great.

Dislikes - None

The fabric is from Mood Fabrics, item #319054.  They may or may not still have it if you are interested.  It's a moderate stretch knit with sequins rectangles throughout the fabric.  

My pattern adjustments were mainly to the bodice.  This is were my greatest fit challenges are.  Truth be told, this one felt like I redrafted the entire front bodice.  The adjustments are:

• Full bust adjustment, which created a waist dart.
• Moved the bust dart down about 2 inches.
• Two small tucks to keep the neckline from gapping, done to both front bodice and neckband.
• Lengthen the bodice by about an inch or so.  I wanted to make sure it came to my waist.
• Prominent shoulder blades adjustment to the back bodice.
• Lengthen the skirt by a few inches.

I will definitely make this dress again.  It sewed up in about five hours.  No buttons or zipper.  Easy.  I also, recommend it to others.  It is a great little dress for all seasons and occasions depending on your fabric choice.

I'm so pleased with how it turned out, it is one more UFO finished!  

Happy Sewing!

Cennetta

P.S. - My necklace and earrings are made by my DD. ;-)

April Sewing! - The Machines Were Humming All Month Long

The month of April is over!  I did some "power sewing".  Some quick, some very quick, and some time taking projects.  My DD got a lot of attention this month.  Four garments for her, four for myself, a few pattern adjustments for future projects, and a little practicing on sewing techniques.  Half of what I made has not been posted yet.  It's coming..,

Here's the list:

1 Sequin Bomber jacket - DD
2 Pleated skirts - DD
1 Princess seamed, skirt waist dress - DD
4 Pairs of pants - me


More later..,

Have a great weekend!
C

Spring Bling! Blush Baby Sequins Bomber Jacket - M7100

YES, Spring is here.  And I decided to start it off with something sparkly and fun.  I promised my daughter a bomber jacket  (M7100).  To make it special, I chose Mood's Blush Baby Sequins on mesh.  Pink is definitely her color.  This beautiful baby sequins comes in a great selection of vibrant colors.  It sews like a dream.  No need to cut sequins from the seam allowances and no breaking needles. It's worth the cost.  Keeping the bling on ten, I used Mood's Baby Pink Sparkle rib knit trim for the collar, cuffs, and waistband.  All eyes on this beauty.

For a matching skirt, McCall's 7906, view A the perfect choice.  It was also the "Sew Your View" pattern for March, 2019.  I decided to join the challenge making two skirts for my DD.  Candy Blue and Pink mercerized cotton with digitally printed sweets.  Cute. Right?  Anyway,  my DD thinks so. ;-) The second skirt is made of Gray/Blue Purple Floral cotton poplin.

Natural fibers are the best to work with.  No fuss with sewing or pressing.

Details on the constructions:

Jacket - I used between small and medium.  Instructions typical and easy to follow.  I added a lining for body and stability.  When pressing the seams of the sequins, an organza pressing clothe is a must have.  It makes it easy to see the seams while protecting the fabric.

This jacket is a quick sewing project and could be finished in a few hours.  For this first one, it took me some time to find a zipper.  First, trying to find one in Chicago.  You would think I could find a separating pink zipper locally, right?  Finally, I ordered from Wawak.  Playing it safe I ordered two, just in case.  Wawak is a great online source for sewing supplies and my order came within four days of placing it.

Skirts - Easy breezy - I used sized 12 for view -A.  Instructions easy; no problems.  Something that I rarely do is sew the buttons on by machine.  It saved me a little time.

The sewing was fun and fast. I enjoyed the process from start to finish for all three garments.

Our Saturday photo shoots rendered some great shots of my first spring outfit to showcase.  DD and I are tickled pink with how well it turned out.

 

 

Til next time.  Happy Sewing!
Cennetta

PS - Andrea has a  Youtube tutorial on how to sew sequin fabric.  Check it out.

Starting the Holiday Sewing with Mood Pale Gold Sequins

I'm posting a second project for Mood Fabrics (MSN) for October.  Why... because I was not all together pleased with how this top turned out (first choice for October post.).  I wanted to achieve the same dramatic affect as the tops drawn on the envelope.  The problem is not the fabric or the pattern but the combination of the two.  This pattern required a fluid knit.

In these picture, I look happy, silly.  Sure... why not.  It's cold in Chicago. I'm freezing.  So my perky attitude helps me get through the photo shoot.

For Grins:  Trick and Treat of the Drape Sequined Top.

Frantically trying to decide (Monday) on my Mood October project, I selected this Pale Gold Sequined fabric from the six boxes from Mood that are carefully guarded at my home.   The online photo does not do it justice and shoppers may miss out on this audacious textile. So below is a picture of the fabric with the pattern envelope.

Sequins have been on my radar for months now and I thought I could get a jump start on my holiday wardrobe.

Needing a super quick project, I selected Vogue 8905, view B.  How easy is this?  One pattern piece to make a chic, relaxed drapey top and out of sequined fabric.  How cute is that?  On with the review.

Pattern Description:  MISSES' TOP: Pullover top has narrow hem. A and B: fitted, center seams are stitched on the right side of fabric. C: loose-fitting, cut on crosswise grain. A, B, C: stitching lines form sleeve openings, wrong side shows on hemline, and center seams A, B. A and C: shoulder openings, purchased bias tape to finish openings C. D: close-fitting.

Sizing:  XS to XXL.  I used a larger pattern, but eliminated some of the width on both sides of the bodice along the vertical stitching lines  (only two yards on hand).

I thought I had it made and selected a very easy pattern.  The challenge came in sewing the sequined fabric.  I spent quite some time removing the sequins from the seam allowances.  Most of the stitching is hemming the edges.  The exposed seam allowances for the center front and back also require a small rolled hem.

Sorry to report that my top does not have the drape of the drawings on the envelope.  I think it is due to the sequins.  It makes the fabric stiff and only a few folds are formed in the areas where the drape should be.

As I said earlier, the construction of the top is very easy and the instructions are too. I will certainly give this pattern another try, but with a much more drapey fabric.  The seam allowance on the right side does take some getting used to.  I'd prefer the traditional finishing instead.

My first version isn't as great as I'd hoped.  But I think this is an easy pattern that can produce great results.

Happy Sewing!
C

White Party in Jamaica - McCall 7048

One of the few things that I made for my summer vacation was this outfit for Anita's birthday celebration.  Everyone was asked to wear white for the party.  It was left up to each individual to decide to wear something casual or dressy.  I chose to dress it up a bit. 

Recently, I shared an inspirational post that featured sequins.  To my surprise, JoAnn's Fabrics has stocked a few sequins fabrications.  One of them happened to be ivory on ivory mesh.    Not to fancy, just rows of single sequins stitched onto mesh.

For my outfit, I decided to use McCall 7048, which is similar to an inspirational designed I saw in a fashion magazine.  There were only a few changes required to achieve the look I was going for.  With that being said, let me start the review of my two piece sequined dress.

Pattern Description: MISSES' TOP, DRESS AND SKIRT: Close-fitting top and dress have self-lined yokes and bodice with princess seams, and back zipper. A: exposed zipper. B: lined skirt with princess seams and side pockets. Purchased trims and flower. A and C: overlay. B and C: horsehair braid on hemline.

Pattern Sizing: This pattern is available in sizes 6 to 22.  I used between  12, 14 and 16 with modifications.


Did it look like the photo/drawing on the pattern envelope once you were done sewing with it?  My dress is similar to the drawing (views A and C).

Were the instructions easy to follow?  This is a Designer Joi pattern which includes some fitting tips.  The instructions were easy to follow. I omitted some construction steps though.  More on those changes later. 


What did you particularly like or dislike about the pattern?  I selected this pattern because it was similar to the designer inspiration. Other likes:  princess seam top with yoke and full skirt.  No dislikes.


Fabric Used:   Sequins on mesh, Casa special occasion polyester crepe. and China silk from JoAnn's Fabrics.   I used tricot interfacing.  Use a sharp needle to sew the sequins fabric.

Fabric dislikes - handling China silk, but love the polished look of it.  I wish for better crepe.  The polyester gets the job done.  Does anyone sale wool or silk crepe anymore?

Pattern alterations or any design changes you made:  
Changes and Alterations-

Top:  Overlay added to the front yoke, back yoke, and center back; FBA; broad shoulder and swayback adjustments; lengthen the top an inch; hand picked the zipper; and omitted trim to lower edge of top.

Skirt:  Added nine inches to the length of the skirt and overlay; hand picked the zipper; omitted the trim on the overlay; and omitted the horsehair braid to lower edge of lining.

Fit Observation:  The bodice fitting across the bust isn't as smooth as I'd like.  The width below the bust is a little loose. Also, lengthen the top caused some pooling in the lower back area.  These issues can be easily corrected.

Would you sew it again? Would you recommend it to others? I may make this again.   The skirt is common and is the same in many patterns on similar styles.  It can be used as a slopers.

Conclusion: I enjoyed making this outfit.  Adding the sequins as the overlay gave it a little "bling".

Parting shot:  Here is a cropped head shot of me in a group photo at the party.  Sorry I don't have any pictures on my wearing the outfit at the event.

Sequins, Sequins!

 
I used to think sequin was gaudy, and certainly not something to wear during day for casual wear.  Sure I have made a little black sequin/velvet skirt a few years ago for my sister.  Back then, that was the extent of my vision for using sequins.

But now that I've spent sometime on Pinterest, I grown to love sequin. There are so many different types and so many ways to add interest to a garment using them.  I hope to make a few garments that have a touch of sequins. 

Here are a few of the styles that I admired and posted on my two of my Pinterest boards.

Happy Sewing!
C