The Thin Economy - Showing Up at the University Part II

Some time ago I wrote a post on the troubled economy from my own personal point of view. Today, the economy has not healed. It is evident at the university where I am employed and where my daughter is an undergraduate student.

At the beginning of the year, employees were asked to furlough six days between February and June of 2010. On top of that, the university had to cut 10 percent of its staff to offset costs. Tuition is expected to rise over the next year, and some fringe benefits may be reduced or eliminated. Boy am I glad my daughter was able to take advantage of the 50 percent free tuition during her studies.

These days, I’m reflecting on my blessings that no one in my unit was cut. We, at the university, are under severe constraints. We have not realized a raise in three years. Everyone on my team is grateful for continued employment. (It would be nice to realize a raise and some hope that things will improve soon.)

One thing I’ve been eternally grateful for is the ability to make additional monies sewing. I’m still not very good with pricing. The extra money has come in handy; it helps feed my fabric and pattern addiction. Wink, wink.

Currently, I have a few clients, some for the fall and others next year. Oh yeah, I have a project for my sister and another for my cousin. All to fuel my own fabric, pattern, and wardrobe desires. So in between client projects, I’m building my wardrobe and will make a few things for my DD.

So in the face of a failing economy, God is still forever present watching over us all. I’m thankful for everything; food, shelter, clothing, employment, social events, mini vacations, family and friends.
God’s continued blessings! Happy sewing to all the fashionistas out there! Keep up the good work.

New Look 6749 The Third Time Around

Dress number three. This time I made View A.


NL6749

Like the other views, there was nothing difficult about putting the dress together.
Changes: I did a FBA similar to the adjustment made for view C. I also added a few inches to the length.


Fabric: It's linen and rayon blend from Vogue Fabrics. A good choice for this dress as it perfect for warm weather.

How Does it Look: Yes, the dress looks like the dress on the model, except mines sits a little further off the ball of the shoulder. (Soon I'll post a photo of me wearing it. Lately I've been using Rochelle to showcase my creations.)

I will wear this blue bubble ring with it and maybe these shoes.






This is a great little summer dress pattern. You can get a lot of use out of it.

View D

View C

Happy Sewing!
C

PS - Simplicity jacket/blouse post coming soon.

A Little Sewing Over The 4th of July Holiday - Starting w/S2633

I hope everyone had a great holiday weekend. Ours was quiet compared to the normal gatherings. My third blogoversary went by almost unnoticed. Well, I did a little of this and that: shopping, sewing, socializing, and cooking. Lately, I've been on a strict pattern and fabric diet (ha, ha, ha). Seriously, I'm becoming more selective when choosing patterns for myself. These days I'm paying close attention to not just the designs I like, but whether or not this will look good on me. Recently, I sewed some wadders that didn't look good on and/or off the body.

Last month I thought I'd abandon the S2633 waistcoat/shirt project, but I couldn't let it go. So this weekend I was back at it trying to make this a wearable, likable garment. Today I'm very pleased with the results of my third attempt to get it hanging in the closet. So here's a preview:

I'm almost done. Last night I made the buttonholes and checked some of the seams again. I now need to hem, complete the closures, and press it. (Note on fabric: It is a stretch woven with the look and texture of sateen.)



When I tried this on I thought, "This can't be right. The collar stand is showing." So I looked at the diagram again. And yep it's showing.




Understitching of the facing.



Finally, the sleeve. This is what made this pattern attractive to me.



Closing on a tasty note, here are a few shots of the kabobs I grilled for the holiday. Hmmm, Hmmm, Good...,

Mixing It Up with NL6557 & M5624

This pattern has been reviewed 44 times on PR. It is no questioning the likability of this patterns. The first time I made View B was in 2007.

So why I'm I reviewing it again? Because there are endless possibilities for creating your own one of a kind dress. In recent years all of the major pattern companies have a "Create It" or "Design Your Look" line of patterns encouraging sewists to mix and match sleeves, bodice, collars, etc. This is a "technique" I've practiced for over 20 years. It was out of necessity/desire to get that sought after look without trying to draft my own patterns. So for this dress, I combined the top of NL6557 with the skirt of M5624.


Pattern Description: A-Line sundresses with various bodice styles.

Pattern Sizing: 8 - 18

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

Were the instructions easy to follow? Yes. Nothing difficult.

What did you particularly like or dislike about the pattern? I liked the style of dress. Perfect for summer. Easy to make and wear. No dislikes.

Fabric Used: silky polyester purchased at JoAnn's.

Pattern alterations or any design changes you made: I did my usual FBA on the bodice and used the skirt of McCalls 5624 cutting it at the desired length.

Would you sew it again? Would you recommend it to others? Yes. And yes I would recommend it to others. This patterns was published in 2006. But it is still popular and fashionable.

Conclusion: I like really like this pattern. This dress will be part of my cruise wardrobe for my upcoming vacation in Mexico. If you like this style of dress, try this pattern. You won't be disappointed.

Butterick 5497

I bought this pattern a few weeks ago with the idea I wouldn't have to make fitting alterations. Every once in a while I want something that does not take a lot of time altering to fit. Butterick rates this one as easy. True..,

This was the last pattern in the drawer and it did not include my size. But I purchased it anyway. Size 12 was close enough as I could add more to the seams to get size 14; plus there is a lot of style ease in the upper bodice.
My review:

Pattern Description: MISSES' TOP: Tops A, B, C, loose-fitting at bust, have short or long dolman sleeves, gathered upper section, shoulder casings with elastic and stitched hems. A, B: lapped upper back sections have neck binding. C: upper front and back cut on crossgrain, shading may occur.
I made View A.

Pattern Sizing: 6 - 20; two separate groups.

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

Were the instructions easy to follow? The instructions were ok.
What did you particularly like or dislike about the pattern?

Likes - the design of the tops. I actually like all three views. it's easy.
Dislikes - No dislikes.

Fabric Used: cornsilk bamboo knit purchased at Vogue's last year.

Pattern alterations or any design changes you made: The only changes I made was to scale it up to size 14. After I finished it, I tried it on to see how it looked. The lower bodice is kind of long on my torso. So I decided to add ruching on the side as well. Plus it's more flattering with the rushing. I just followed the same process for added elastic to the shoulder seams. First by measuring the length of the elastic against my body for the desired length. Then I inserted it and stitched across to secure it. Not hard to do.




After stitching the upper bodice to the lower sections I noticed I didn't "cross" the back section in the right direction. That's okay though. You get the same affect. Lol




Would you sew it again? Would you recommend it to others? Yes. I want to at least make view C. And yes I recommend it to others. It takes a little time inserting the elastic and depending on the knit - careful sewing. In particular at the neck binding. The bamboo is very soft and it curls a bit. So I hand stitched the openings to have better control and a better finish.


Conclusion: I like this top and plan to make at least one more (view c).

Fall 2010! Trends - Will You follow Them?

Can you believe it? Magazines are already publishing fall trends. Summer has just began. I'm always behind the eight ball. Grrr!


Here's what Marie Claire published as "101 Ideas":

Riding Pants and Blouson Blouses -



Camel Coats and Leather Skirts -


Chiffon Dresses and Cable Knit Sweaters -



All photos from Marie Claire, July 2010 issue

Question to all the fashionistas..., Will you follow the trends or make your own?

Easy Breezy Shift Dress - Simplicity 2938 Revisited

After finishing S2692, I felt energized to finish another summer dress. This is a repeat of S2938 made two years ago. This time, I made my usual FBA, no back darts, and added a belt.

I followed the Threads tutorial for making your own bias tape.

Note on the shoes - I really wanted some of those new strappy galdiator sandals to wear with this dress, but didn't find the "right" pair for the "right" price.

The fabric is from JoAnn's which I got on sale for about six bucks per yard. It's floaty, soft with some gloss. I really like to colors in the print and the feel of this fabric.

This dress is easy and a great wardrobe builder. I may make one more this summer.

Coming soon: More dresses, of course; but I really need to finish up the tops and pants that already cut and ready to sew.

Happy Sewing!
C