Cute Comfy Top - Simplicity S9182

This morning I woke up to over 12 inches of snow!  Yesterday afternoon we thought we had a head start on clearing it off driveway and the side walk.  But when I peaked out of the window, there it was more of the fluffy white stuff.

Surprised?  Nope.  It is to be expected.  We hoped for a lighter snowfall over night. So, while the mini blizzard was taking place, I spent the evening cooking and sewing up Mimi G.'s Simplicity S9182 top, view A.

I grabbed a copy of the pattern at Hobby Lobby on Saturday for 99 cents.  I couldn't wait to try it.  The the collar and the center front zipper were what that sold me on this one.  So, today I'm reviewing View A.

This pattern includes three views: two tops and a slim skirt.  Simplicity has very little descriptive information.  So here is mine.  Knit tops with center front zipper, dropped sleeves with sleeve bands and large sailor like collar.  The waist is finished with or without a waistband.  The skirt is a pencil skirt with waist darts, center front and back seams.  Large hip pockets with flaps and a center back zipper.  

This pattern is available in sizes 6 to 24.  I used a size 16 with a few modifications.

My "first version" looks like the drawing.  The instructions were typical.  Most of them I followed as stated and others I changed a bit.  Nothing complicated though. 

I used a tie dye french terry knit that I purchased from Sew So English Fabrics.  I ordered this yardage along with a few others months ago.  The same day that I received the fabric, I tossed it in the washer so it would be ready to sew when I decided what to make.  The fabric came from the dryer soft and fluffy ready to sew.   

The few changes are:  

• The first few steps are related to sewing the zipper to the center front of the top.  This is the major focal point.  So I really wanted to get this right.  First, I marked the cutting lines.  Then, I fused a strip of fusible tricot interfacing to the wrong side where the zipper would be placed.  Next, I stay stitched along the lines where the zipper would be stitched.  Carefully I cut the center front and each side of the triangle where the base of the zipper would rest.  Next, placed the zipper with the right side facing the right side of the top, the bottom of the zipper pointing to the top edge of the top. Stitched horizontal seam. Then flipped the zipper up with the zipper pull at the neck edge.  Using the stay stitching as a guide, I turned the edges in along the vertical sides of the zipper.  Pinned and hand based in place.  Finally, I machine stitched the zipper to the top.  I used this method because I was sure it would work for me.  It was very important that the zipper looked perfectly centered and stitched to the top.

•  I did a small FBA (,75") for comfort.  This FBA does not result in a bust dart.  Instead I eased in the difference to maintain the original look of the top.  It worked well.  The adjustments added 1.5" to the width of the top.  I eased it in when I attached the waistband as I only need the extra width in the chest area.  I actually could have reduce the length of the band maybe a inch or so.
• Instruction #15 indicates stitch stretching band to fit.  The sleeve opening is several inches wider than the opening of the sleeve band.  So I decided to gather it instead.  It worked.
• I lengthen the sleeve two inches.  I have long arms. 
• After stitching the under collar to the top, I folded the upper collar over the top sandwiching the top between the two collar layers  pinning only to the front neckline.  The rest of the collar was hand stitched to the back.  I like this finish better.

These are my changes.  The first change was the most time consuming.  But not difficult to do.

I want to make this top again for sure.  It came together very well and I like how it looks on me.  When I searched online to see if others made the top.  Only a few post so far.  Don't sleep this one.  It's a great top and it's not difficult to make.  

I enjoyed making this top and will make another soon.  

Parting Shot:  This is my block after the Monday night big snow.  It's a beautiful site.  But to shoveling.., Now that is another story. Lol

Rewind - First Project of 2021 - Leggings Simplicity S1280

 

Simplicity S1280 Leggings, S8423 Turban,  and Naughty Bobbin Presto Popover top 

I almost forgot to post my first project made in 2021.  These leggings were easy.  But I did need to tweak the pattern a bit to make actual leggings.  This is the same pattern I used for the Christmas knit pajama pants.  These pants fit more like a pair of knit pull on pant.  So, I had to taper the legs on the in and outer seams to make them leggings.

My preference is the Papercut Ohhlala leggings, but for this fabric I need a one or two piece pattern to do the fabric justice.

Pattern

The fabric is a plaid jersey knit that I purchase from Mood Fabrics a few years ago.  I finally got around to making the leggings.  

I pretty much follow the pattern instructions with the exceptions of my changes to taper and lengthen the leg.  Super easy and simple.

This was a short post.  Stay tune for more on my sewing adventures.

Happy Sewing!

C

Presto Popover Top - Naughty Bobbin Pattern

This was my first time using Naughty Bobbin patterns.  And I decided to try the Presto Popover top.  

Pattern Description from the website: The Presto! Popover Top is designed specifically for knits for the wash and wearability your daily life needs.  Knits with 5% or more stretch, especially ITY knits and rayon/elastane come in all colors and patterns, so make more than one and get on with your life.  Good bye washday blues!  With it’s clever double-front V-neck collar construction and the always comfy 3/4 sleeve the Presto! sews up quickly on the serger, but can be made on a zig-zag machine, too.  Can be made in heavier knits for winter, lighter knits for summer. Excellent choice for sheerer knits.

For its ease, comfort and a fast sewing project, you’re gonna love the Presto!

Pattern Sizing: It comes in sizes small to 4 x-large.  I used large with a few tweaks.

This is the first version made.  I call this my wearable muslin.  For the other three tops, I added a few inches to the bottom.  I could use a little more move in the bust area.  So when I make it again, I do a little FBA (no dart) to have a better fit.

My tops look exactly like the drawing and the photos.  The instructions were very good and easy to follow. 

I really like the construction of the front of the top. The double layers of fabric and hide "body details" that aren't as flattering.  The seam down the center front also has a slimming affect.  Another detail that I like is the neckline.  You can choose to lower it and bring it up a bit.  Your choice.

All of the fabrics that I used were from FabricMart Fabrics.  The red and blue are a crepe knit that has a beautiful drape. The purple/pink print  and the black are jersey knits.  All fabrics have about the same amount of stretch.

My alterations were minor.  And like I said, I need a little more room in the bust area. When I make it again, I think I make it into a dress.  Rhonda gave me that idea when I saw her dress version on Instagram and on her blog.

This is a neat pattern that is flattering on most figures.  Try it. It easy and doesn't take a lot of time.

Happy Sewing!

C  

Simplicity Accessories S2508 - Tackling UFO's in 2021 - Part I

In the past six months I have made so many hats!  This next post adds two more to the list of completed toppers.  I'm pleased with getting off to a good start with accomplishing my sewing goals for 2021.  I'd like to complete at least one UFO per month.  So for January and February, I finished three things:  two hats and a scarf.  

Oh, it's so amazing how time flies.  These projects were cut and stored from over seven years.  Incredible..,  It only seems like yesterday.  

Often I'm so excited about sewing, and I want to make everything.  Then I see something on social media that inspires me to try even more things.  Thus, I end up with so many projects to make and/or finish.  This year, I'm making an effort to slow down the excitement and focus more on the project before me and get it done.

Simplicity S2508

This pattern is out of print.  It's loaded with goodies: jacket, scarf, hat, shawl.  Nice accessories and coordinates to try.

I made view E and F  The pattern has grouped sizes 6-14 and 14-22.  The hats come in sizes small, medium, and large.  I made a large.  The fabric I used is anti-pill polar fleece.

My hats and the scarf look like the illustrations on the envelope and guide sheet.    The instructions were typical and easy to follow.  Nothing confusing.

I found the construction of the hat interesting.  The brim has cording incased to form a ridge.  I like the affect.  I didn't follow step 5 for the bow.  I just machine stitched it to the hat.  I enjoyed making the flower and leaves for the scarf.  I do like making those little extras.

Overall, there was nothing to dislike in the construction or the finish projects.  I enjoyed making both the hat and scarf.  It took me less than two hours to make all three pieces.  

I like how these accessories turned out.  Really quick projects.  Good for all level sewists.  And I do recommend this pattern if you have it.  

My UFO bind is getting smaller.  wink, wink. I have to figure out what will I finish next.  So in the meantime, I hope you are having a great day.  Do something that brings you happiness.  It's the little things that seem to count the most these days.

Parting Shots:  Facial masks - I apply at least one per day.  During these cold, blustery winter months, stay hydrated.  Drink plenty of water and keep you skin moisturized too.  Masks are a great additional to my facial routine. 

Enjoy and Happy Sewing!

C

Butternut Squash Soup Recipe

I wanted to start the work week with a delightful soup recipe.  Here goes.  I hope you try it and like it.

3lb Butternut Squash (I used two squashes for this recipe)

Vegetable Broth (vegan) or Chicken Broth

1 Can Coconut Milk

3 Tbsps. Olive Oil

3 Garlic Cloves (minced)

1 small onion (chopped)

3 Tbsps. Fresh Sage (cut)

3 Tbsps. Fresh Ginger (minced)

2 tsps. Rosemary

Salt 

Pepper

Cinnamon

2 Red Skin Potatoes Optional

1 Cup Fresh Spinach Optional

First things first.  You want to cut the squash into 1 inch cubes.  Or you can roast it in the oven at 375 degrees.  Simply slice the squash in half, Scoop out the seeds and the stringy substance, place on a cookie sheet or shallow pan uncovered.  Roast in the oven for about 45 minutes or until tender.  This makes it easy to remove from the skin and gives you a head start on cooking the soup.  After squash has been roasted, let it cool.  Then scoop the squash into a bowl.  

Over a medium flame add olive oil to a large pot or Dutch oven. Then add garlic, onion, ginger, sage, rosemary.  Stir until tender.  The smell is delightful. Now you want to add the squash, broth, and coconut milk to the mixture.

With a Cuisinart Quick Prep, I blend the ingredients together until the squash is smooth. Allow the soup to come to a low boil.  Add salt, pepper, and cinnamon to your taste.  

Optional - You can choose to add potatoes or spinach.  I like to add a few potatoes.  At the point of boil, I add bite-size potatoes to the soup.  Cook until tender.  You may add spinach as well.  First chop it up and add at the boil point cook a few minutes and it's done.

Meal ideas - You can serve the soup with you favorite bread.  For this meal I served it with Bruschettini.  You can serve with bake chicken (non-vegan). 

Enjoy and stay warm!

C

Scrap Busting with Simplicity Turban - S8423

One of my sewing goals is to sew and/or donate a large portion of the fabric scraps that I have accumulated over the years.  This may take some time.  But I'm going to take to stash bust as many scraps as I can.  One way I'm doing it is to make accessories.  

At the end of 2020, I started making turbans using Simplicity S8423.  It is so quick and easy.  Tje pattern piece is a rectangle and two seams to sew.  Literally, it took me 15 minutes from cut to sew to make one of these.  So I made ten of them.  The first one was made out of a remnant from my Cashmerette dress, the blue paisley one.  

I gifted it to Venus.  She a Nurses Aide at Senior facility near Chicago.  Venus was very happy to have it.  In fact she purchased three more from me just last week.  

These little turbans are great for holding you hair in place during facials and make-up applications.  Or wearing it as a head wrap like Ms. Venus.  

So here's to the easiest sewing project ever.

Caution regarding the sizing. This is a large. Depending on the stretch of the knit you may need to adjust the size along the opposite sides of the pattern that identifies the sizes.

Happy Sewing!

C 

Color Blocked Jacket With Ooh La La Leggings - Vogue V8795 and PaperCut Leggings

 

I decided months ago to make another pair of OohLaLa leggings.  Actually, I planned to make two pairs out of the designer rayon double knits that I purchased from Gorgeous Fabrics last fall.  After completing them I had about 3/4 yard leftover of each color.  It was too much to through away and two little to make another garment.  I was determined not to start another bin of scraps as I already have several in my sewing studio and in the garage.   So, I had to figure out some way to use them up immediately after making my leggings.  

This is why I came up with the idea to make a color blocked jacket.  It took some thought and a whole lot of playing Tetris with the pattern pieces.  The best design solution was to make each side a different color.  It was still a challenge with making the sleeves long enough.  So, I did something that my grandmother taught me many, many years ago.  She called the process "piece mill".  The sleeves are actually two pieces sewn together to get the desired sleeve length of the jacket.   I guess it could be considered a design element.  

Once I got all the pieces cut out, I began to happily put together my jacket.  This is not the first time that I used this pattern.  I first made the jacket way, way back in January 2013. It is Vogue V8795.  The complete review on that project is here.

The first time I made the leggings was in 2015.   I loved them and can't say why it took my so long to make them again.  The Papercut Ooh LaLa Leggings are reviewed here.   

There is nothing to add to the review of the leggings.  They were super easy to make and my likes remain the same.  As for the jacket, the major difference is color blocking it.  My design changes are centered around using a limited amount of two different fabrics to get one complete jacket.   The sleeves are two pieces: a upper and a lower piece.  The back of the jacket is also two pieces with a center back seam. This jacket is about 1" shorter than the first one due to fabric limitations.

I love how the jacket came together.  The whole process was fun.  All of the fabric was used. And I have a little jacket that I can wear with either pair of leggings. 

The fabric is a Designer Rayon Double Knit from Gorgeous Fabrics.  Here is where you can find the Deep Purple on Ann's site.   There are several  other colors to choose from.  This knit is wonderful.  It does not pill and has great recovery.    

I'm pleased with this project.  It was the last outfit that I made for myself in 2020.  I think it was a good final project.  The leggings are great and super easy.  Although the jacket took a little time to make, I am very pleased with the results and glad I was able to use the scraps.  Both patterns are a good sew, and I recommend them.

Happy Sewing!

C