Romantic Floral Dress - Birthday Dress 2022 B6320 and M8090

Hi There!
 
It's seems like forever since I last blog anything! I've been so occupied with other things.  I took a break from my usual sewing and blogging to complete a major goal, which I’ll share at a later date. 
 
Anyway, I'm happy to post a pattern review on my last birthday dress that I finished in September 2022.  A long time ago, right?  There are a few things that encouraged me to write a post.  (1) I was nominated (by two people on Facebook) to post things I've made for a certain number of days.  (2) Lately, I've been thinking a lot about sewing and blogging, and how much I've missed sharing and interacting with fellow sewists.
 
So today I want to review my birthday dress that I made for 2022.  I designed it using the bodice of Butterick B6320 and the skirt of McCall's M8090.  I really enjoy splicing two or three patterns together to come up with an entirely new design.  The bodice of B6320 is really cute, but for this dress I wanted a fuller skirt.  So I chose the tiers from M8090 to complement the bodice.
 
Pattern Description:
 

Butterick B6320 - Misses dress and jumpsuit:  Dress and straight-legged jumpsuit (semi-fitted through hips) have semi-fitted bodice and midriff, raised waist, tie ends, side pockets, armhole bands, and back zipper.  A:  self-lined sleeves B: bias sleeve band. B & C: front pleated pants. Separate pattern pieces for cup sizes.
 
McCall's M8090 - Misses' loose fitting dress has skirt tiers and sleeve variations.  B:  Lace trim.
 
I used B6320 view B bodice.  The bias binding on the sleeve is a really nice detail.  For the skirt of the dress I used the three tiers of M8090, no pockets.
 
Pattern Sizing:

Both patterns come in sizes from 6 to 22.  I used size 16 with modifications.

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

The dress bodice looks like B6320 (View B) and the skirt has the gathered tiered look of M8090.  Together the look is different from either pattern.

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

The instructions of both patterns are easy to follow.  Nothing difficult to understand or follow.   

Likes:

• Midriff of the bodice
• Bias binding on the sleeve
• Design of the bodice in general
• Tiered skirt
• Fullness of the skirt

Dislikes:

• As the dress is, I have no dislikes.  This style/design works for me.

Fabric Used:

I purchased the beautiful floral gauze from Mood Fabrics last summer.  It is still available if anyone cares to purchase  it.  Here is the link for the fabric,  This fabric is lovely.  It's perfect for spring/summer.  The fiber content is 100% viscose.  Easy pressing and handling.

Pattern alterations or any design changes you made:

My design change was to splice the two patterns together to come up with a new design for the dress.

I did do some tweaking of the bodice.  But it wasn't my usual intense slashing to make it fit.  I used the cup D for starters and made my adjustments from there. Other than that, I really didn't make huge adjustments to get a good fit.

Would you sew it again? Would you recommend it to others?

I will probably use B6320 bodice again.  My plan is to make the dress of M8090.  And I recommend both patterns to others if this is a style that you like.

Conclusion:

I like how my dress turned out.  Each year I make it a point to make myself a birthday dress.  This addition was more like a summer dress, but it was a perfect choice for last September.  It was a very bright and sunny day. More summer like than fall.  

As for the patterns, both are great choices to begin your spring/summer wardrobe.  

Happy Sewing!  It's good to be back blogging and sharing.

Anthropologie So Inspired: It's Spring and Summer Dresses

Dresses, dresses, and more dresses!

It's time for a little dress inspiration.  Spring is already here, and summer is around the corner.  I'm itching to make a pretty dress.  Before I start planning what fabric, style, and color I wanted to see what RTW styles are on the horizon.  Anthropologie has a great selection of the season's best spring and summer looks.  From their posted inventory, I see an entire caribbean vacation wardrobe.  They have beautiful florals, abstract prints and solids of every style and for every shape.  Below are some of the dresses I'd like to have.  But you can take a look at the entire collection that is posted online here.    

Happy Sewing!

C

Just In Time For Spring - Kelly Anorak Jacket - Part II

 

Good morning everyone,

It's a beautiful day in the Chicago area.  The sun is shining, the grass is green and lush with the temperatures in the 50's.  It's a great day.  Yesterday was pretty much the same as today, just a little warmer.  

Today I want to give you the deets on my new Kelly Anorak jacket.  It took about five sessions averaging five and half hours.  This was a new pattern to me.  But I've seen several dozen makes on Instagram and other social media outlets.  I think it's a jacket worth making.  

Yesterday I did my little photo shoot in a little park not too far from my home.  Sorry I forgot the name of it.  Anyway, we were able to get a few good shots of me wearing my first Kelly Anorak jacket.

Here is the description straight from their website:  Style meets function with the Kelly Anorak; a classic shape with a modern cut, this simple coat is the perfect choice for transitional weather.

Lightweight and unlined, it features a two-piece cuffed sleeve, optional drawstring waist, gusseted flap pocket and a zipper placket with snap buttons.  View A will keep you warm and dry with a roomy three-piece hood, while View B features a classic stand-up collar.

Kelly is just right made up in light to medium-weight woven fabric such as twill, gabardine, and linen, and will make the ultimate rain coat when sewn with a waterproof fabric like ripstop or Goretex.

I purchased the online PDF version, which comes in sizing 0 to 20.  I used size 16 and made the unlined version.

My jacket does look like the photographs and the drawings.  In looking at my photos I did notice that my sleeves have more wearing/style ease in them.  It could be because of the sizing.  Note: the sleeve cap also has quite a bit of ease in it. 

Closet Core did an excellent job of providing information on the construction of the jacket.  A few years ago, they hosted a sew-a-long and posted multiple blogs on how to best construct the jacket.  The pattern instructions were very good too. 

There is so much to like about the jacket.  My likes are:

• The style of it.  I've wanted an anorak fashioned jacket for a while,  But hesitated on making it, thinking it was too labor intensive for a basic jacket.  Since making my first one, I think it is a great sewing projects. 
• The construction is loaded with different sewing techniques to practice.  Top-stitching, flat fell seams, installing a zipper, installing snaps and grommets.
• The hood.  It is great for keeping my hands free if it rains while I'm out shopping.
• The length of the jacket.  Perfect for getting in and out of the car multiple times while running errands.
• The pockets.  Love them: the style and construction.

There is one dislike for my first jacket.  And that is, I didn't do a FBA.  I should have.  There is enough room across the front of my jacket.  But in the bust area, there isn't enough length to keep the drawstring completely parallel to the floor.  That's a minor flaw that I can easily correct.  Closet Core has a tutorial on how to make a FBA without a dart.  

 

The fabric that I used is a Stretch Cotton Twill that I purchased from Mood fabrics a few years ago.  This fabric is no longer available.  But they have a huge selection of twills in stock if you are interested.   

Along with the pattern I purchased the Kelly Anorak Hardware Kit. I loved having the kit.  It made tackling the snap and grommet installation easy.  No extra trips to the store to find the right size or style.  Also, there is a tutorial to help with installing them.  I didn't use the zipper or the drawstring due to the color of my jacket.  I'll just save it for another project down the road.

The only thing that I altered was the length of the sleeves. Now, they fall about an inch past my wrist bone.  So they are a little on the long side.  But that's okay.

I like to make my own bias tape.  For this jacket I used a remnant from this skirt.  Here is my tutorial on how to make it. 

I enjoyed making this jacket.  I'm so glad that Rhonda and I decided to go ahead with our mini sew-a-long.  It encouraged me to get it done in time for the spring/winter/summer weather in Chicago. Lol

I will make the jacket again.  At least once more for myself.  I want a jacket with a quilted lining, and I'll do the FBA next time.  My DD loved my jacket.  So I have to make one for her too. ;-)  This is a great sewing project for other sewists.  Especially if your are wanting to try some of the sewing techniques mentioned above.  You'll have a great looking jacket.  One to be proud of ;-)

Parting Shot:  My silly out take.  We always try to have a little fun during the photo shoot. 

 

Happiness in the Sewing Studio!

C

What's Going On

Hi everyone,

It's been a minute! Okay, several minutes (weeks) since I last posted.  I've been quiet on the blog this month, but I'm busy working multiple projects with most of my sewing time being sent of my latest coat project. This will be the second year that I chose to make a coat close to Spring instead of in the fall.  Believe it or not, it's a good time to make a coat in preparation for the next fall/winter season.  The excitement of having something new is not lost because it is the end of the season make.  Living in the mid west, I can expect at least two more months of cold weather and will probably get to wear my new coat at least a few times before it's stored in the coat closet. Then when winter comes again, it will be just as nice to have a new made coat to keep me warm.

My new coat is made using a Simplicity Project Runway pattern that I purchased many years ago.  I'm calling it a coat of many pieces.  The version that I'm making requires the use of 21 pattern pieces.  That's a lot!  I'm using a black wool blend from Minerva Crafts online store.  The plan this weekend is to finish my coat.  So stay tune to the reveal and full review.

Another thing that has been keeping me busy is pattern preparation for upcoming projects.  This year, I'll be trying several new jacket and dress patterns.  When I say "new" I mean it will be the first time to make something using them.  I'm continuing my plan to make a variety of jackets/coats to complement my wardrobe.  Additionally, my dress collection is a little anemic, in my mind. ;-).  There are a few I want to make this spring and summer.  Below are a few that I'm currently working on with  potential fabric already to cut and sew.

Mood Fabric #328986

Mood Fabrics #MD0368

So, that's my little sewing update.  Hopefully I'll have another post up before next week.

Happy Sewing!

C

Simplicity 8891 - Warm Beige and Ivory Bengal Striped Stretch Twill

It is my pleasure to final post my first spring dress, made just for me!  Happy to show off Simplicity 8891 dress in Mood's Warm Beige and Ivory Bengal Striped Stretch Twill.  This dress was draped on my form for nearly two weeks before I was able to take a few pictures.

The mid-west has been like a tropical rain forest 80% of the time.  It rained hours before the photo shoot.  So me and my "photographer" raced to location before the next band of torrential wave hit the south suburbs. 

Anyway.., My review:

My fabric is fabulous!  I think by now, everyone knows I'm love a great striped textiles.  So when I saw it online, immediately I ordered four yards not having anything special in mind.  I just wanted to make sure I got some of it before it had a red sold out stamp on it.  Yes, there are 61 yards still available.  The details on the weight, fibers, and possible garment styles are on the website:  Warm Beige and Ivory Bengal Striped Stretch Twill. 

My pattern of choice is Simplicity 8891.  I just had to have it too.  Early May I posted on my blog my pattern notes.  It focuses on the fit adjustments.  The pattern also includes pants, shorts, and a top.  It's a simple wardrobe pattern that you can create a great little summer mini wardrobe from.  And I will probably make the top and pants too.  When I was finishing up my dress, I saw that Erica B had made the top and short.  It's a super cute outfit. Check it out on her blog if you haven't already.   I think we are the first to post outfits made using this new Simplicity pattern.

I started with size 16 modifying the tissue pattern, adjustments continuing as I constructed the dress. The sewing was very easy and steady. I practically finished the dress in one sewing session.   The instructions were typical.  No problems in them.

My dress looks much like the photographed dress on the envelope.  I only made minor changes that probably will go unnoticed. They are:

• Placement of the buttons.  At the waist I added two close together.  The rest are evenly spaced as I desired.  So I didn't use the button guide at all.
• On the shoulder, I added a little tiny dart where I added width for my prominent shoulder blades.  Initially, I thought maybe I'll ease in the excess.  But truth be told, I don't really like the effect of easing at the shoulder.
• I added a few inches to the length of the belt.

My likes:

• Button Front
• Pleating at the waist
• Lower band at the hem
• Sleeve finishing

My dislikes:

• The neck is a little wider than I like for this style.
• Pocket placement is a little high

I've added the top and pants to my ever growing "Things to Make" list.  This is a super cute summer mini wardrobe pattern that I think fellow sewists will enjoy making and wearing.  Let's not forget to grab a few yards of this lovely Bengal Striped Stretch Twill.  I still have 1.5 yards to make something else. ;-)

Happy Sewing!

C