Doctor Who Novelty Dress – McCalls 6696 Pattern Review

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KODAK Digital Still Camera

This dress turned out so well.  I want several of them, and I have Kittenish Behaviour to thank (Thank you, girl! :)).  I saw this pattern when it came out and passed on it because I felt like the envelope photo made View D look boxy,  A had a belt and I don’t own belts, I didn’t like the gathers on the back shown in the line drawing, and buttons mean handsewing and I’m not about that life, LOL!  However, I was listening to Sian’s vlogs, and saw her floral version with the pink buttons and it made me look twice.  She wears it in several videos and each time I saw it, I wanted it.  Then when I searched for it, I saw so many lovely ladies loved the pattern I knew I had to give it a go.  I used the holiday (Labor Day) to pick up a swirly red and black cotton from Joann and off to sew I went.  I loved it, so I immediately made two more including this nifty Doctor Who version.

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KODAK Digital Still Camera

As a pattern review, I made View A in a size 10, and I picked that size based on the finished garment bust measurement and how much wearing ease I wanted.  The instructions were easy to follow, however I only followed the construction order.  I used what I’ve seen called the burrito method to cleanly attach the fronts to the yoke without slipstitching.  I topstitched the yoke, front band, waistband, and collar like on a man’s button down shirt, so I didn’t slipstitch anything indicated on the pattern.  When I made my muslin, I tried the gathers and didn’t like it, tried a pleat of the excess and didn’t like that either, so I redrafted the back piece. In doing so, I removed the ease at the top (2″) and the ease at the bottom (3″).  In case you can’t see the detail, here’s a closer look.

 

Tropical Print Birthday Dress – Inspired by McCalls 6887

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KODAK Digital Still Camera

Look, it’s my birthday dress! I’m posting this a month late (sorry), and I didn’t wear it on my birthday (I was at a dance event), but I did wear it to my birthday dinner two days before.  As I walked into the restaurant a girl gave me a compliment on it and said she wanted one, so I consider that #winning.  That tropical print knit fabric was found on FabricMart Fabrics website.  I saw it and knew I had to have it, it represented the vacation I haven’t taken yet this year, LOL.  I decided to make McCalls 6887, again.  I made it in the straight skirt version the first time, as you can see here.

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KODAK Digital Still Camera

As a pattern review, I made a modification of the full skirted version of the McCalls 6887.  Since I used a knit on a pattern made for woven fabric there were a few modifications that needed to be made.  The tropical print is lightweight so I underlined it in a heavier black knit (also from FabricMart Fabrics).  I initially made the size 6 in the woven so I made it smaller for the knit.  I deepened the neckline, and moved the section that crosses the back down 3/4″.  Since my version is not lined, in order to finish the neckline, armholes, cutout, and hem I turned over and stitched.

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KODAK Digital Still Camera

Yay for the birthday dress!  What do you think?

Cheetah Print Dress – Simplicity 1059 Pattern Review

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KODAK Digital Still Camera

I’ve had Simplicity 1059 for over two years, and haven’t made it until now.  I even made a muslin of it about two years ago.  I knew from the muslin that I wasn’t going to be happy with it, so I set it aside.  Fast forward to this summer, I was perusing my pattern stash to match with fabrics that I had purchased with no plans in mind.  I thought that it would be a good pattern to use for this grey and yellow cheetah print fabric I picked up from Fabric Mart Fabrics.  I pulled out the muslin (Yes, I still had it, but I have since cut it up to use as a muslin for a LeKala pattern I will review soon), tried it on, and decided to make it as is, and see what would happen.

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KODAK Digital Still Camera

As a pattern review, I made a Size 6 of View A.  It looks similar to the pattern artwork, but the neckline isn’t as low.  This isn’t usually my style, but I tried it to see if I would like it. I would make adjustments to the pattern if I were to make it again.I would lengthen the sleeve and adjust the armhole and sleeve for a better range of motion.  I think I would also lower the neckline a little.  I knew these things from the muslin, but decided to make it stock and see if my impressions from the muslin were accurate.  They were 🙂  You never know unless you try. 🙂  By the way, I took these pictures at 12pm on one of the few sunny days this month.  It was bright and beautiful and too hot to be wearing polyester! LOL I was sweating buckets even though there was a slight breeze, and I promise my eyes are open! LOL

Striped Crop Jacket, Oh and a Strapless Dress – Simplicity 1325 Pattern Review

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KODAK Digital Still Camera

I had an idea that I wanted to play with stripes, so I made this strapless dress with a strapless bodice block and a gathered skirt.  I actually made this in the spring and it was too cool to wear it alone. So off I went through my pattern stash, and pulled out Simplicity 1325.  I have made the jumper before, and the shirt a few times, with and without modifications (darn, I haven’t blogged about that yet.  Sorry y’all, i will do better about taking pictures.)  The crop jacket looked like it would be perfect, and as you can see above.  It is.:) I like how it falls open at the front.  The fabric is a polyester blend with a slight amount of stretch to it. 

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KODAK Digital Still Camera

As a pattern review I made View E in the size 6 without the ribbon detail.  I didn’t need to make any alterations.  I hemmed the sleeves with a 3/8″ hem and steam-a-seam.  Quite honestly I was too lazy to blind hem stitch this one, but that would have been my other option.  The facing finishes the front, and the back I left folded and stitched in the ditch of the darts so there would be no visible stitching lines.  This was exactly what I needed as a light jacket for this strapless dress.  Oh, and speaking of the dress, in case you want to see it, I’ll leave the pictures here. 🙂

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KODAK Digital Still Camera

KODAK Digital Still Camera

KODAK Digital Still Camera

KODAK Digital Still Camera

Shorts with Pockets – New Look 6100 Pattern Review

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KODAK Digital Still Camera

FYI, I wrote this last year and never took pictures so sorry in advance.  Spring and Summer are almost here and I want/need more shorts. Since I’ve been sewing so much I decided to try my hand at making them instead of buying them.    I found the New Look 6100 pattern, and decided to purchase it.  Next we need fabric, right?  I wanted something substantial, yet soft.  On a whim at lunch one Friday, I stopped by a local fabric shop that caters to bridal customers (unfortunately this shop has since closed 😦 ).  I found this white satin in their remnant bin, it certainly fit the requirements of stiff yet soft at the same time.

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KODAK Digital Still Camera

As a pattern review, I used View A from the envelope.  This pattern is straightforward and the instructions are clear.  I don’t wear belts, so I omitted the carriers and tie. I interfaced the waistband with fusible interfacing instead of organza.  🙂 I have to admit, I was hesitant about adding the cuffs, very hesitant.  But when I tried the shorts on during construction, I decided that the cuffs would be necessary for the shorts to be flattering.  I continued following the instructions and added them with no issues.

I like the crisp clean lines of these shorts. Even though they sit higher on the waist than I prefer (I’m a low rise kind of girl), I think they are flattering. I was excited about them after I made them and wore them to a WCS (West Coast Swing) dance that weekend.  Someone looking at them asked me to turn around slowly, and then said “I’m not trying to be rude, but where’s the zipper?”  I showed them the side and said, “It’s invisible!”  Think that means I inserted it well enough? LOL FYI, the top they are pictured with is Lekala 5665, which I made this week, and the review can be read here.

Cute Pink Crop Top – Lekala 5665 Pattern Review

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KODAK Digital Still Camera

So I decided to try my hand at Lekala Patterns, despite the reviews of poor instructions and complaints about pattern geometry and construction. I purchased a five pattern bundle, with three knit patterns and two woven patterns.  Let’s talk about the first one up.  It’s listed as Top – Sewing Pattern #5665 and is a crop top.

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KODAK Digital Still Camera

I entered my measurements per the measuring tape, with no fudging (and that was hard lol).  I used a Pink and White Pebble polyester knit from Fabric Mart Fabrics to test this one and it came out well.  The instructions were fine (a bit bare, but it’s not a complicated item), however I changed the process to fit the look I had in mind. I doubled the front panel so the wrong side wouldn’t show. I did not serge the edges, I turned them under.

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I like this one, it was first Lekala pattern I’ve tried, and people are correct about sparseness of the instructions, but it did fit properly.  I will be trying the others soon, and will let you know what I find.  By the way, the shorts are New Look 6100 and you can read the review here.

Strokes of Fire Colors Top – McCalls 7092 Review

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KODAK Digital Still Camera

I’ve had McCalls 7092 in my stash for a while, and decided to use some of the leftover fabric from the strokes of fire colors dress to test it.  I was drawn to the V neck when I bought it.  I’m glad that I did, because it’s really comfortable.

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KODAK Digital Still Camera

As a pattern review,  I made View A  in a size 8, using the same fabric for the insets instead of contrasting fabric.  The insets are folded so you end up with at least four layers at the under bust seam, not counting that the upper bodice pieces are also pleated.  I do like this top and will definitely make more.

 

The Matrix Dress – McCalls 6886 Pattern Review

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KODAK Digital Still Camera

I have so many complicated patterns, and few simple ones.  I finally got around to purchasing McCalls 6886, a simple knit dress pattern.  I mixed and matched view features for the look I wanted and that’s definitely part of the beauty of this pattern. I had a knit from Fabric Mart Fabrics that reminds me of The Matrix, and I think it was perfect for it.  I love it!

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KODAK Digital Still Camera

As a pattern review I made View F with the length of View C instead of the longer length on View F. I also used the long sleeves of View B and lengthened them by 2 inches (I’m 5’8″).

This dress is so flattering and comfortable. It’s a great basic and I’m so glad I got a chance to try it out. I will definitely be experimenting with it. 🙂

A Spring Dress in Winter – Butterick 5317 Pattern Review

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KODAK Digital Still Camera

This dress has been on my mind for quite some time.  Last spring, I bought this floral border print fabric as a floor cut from Promenade Fabrics in New Orleans. I didn’t have the full yardage because it had a piece cut from it.  None of the patterns I had suited this border print, so after some perusing, I bought Butterick 5317 specifically for it.  However, when I initially tried to fit the pattern pieces on the fabric in my idea to have the bodice and skirt go from white to black, I couldn’t.  I didn’t have enough fabric to make it happen, so I folded the fabric up and decided to see if another pattern would catch my eye.  Months passed, and every time I looked in my stash, it stared back at me, desperate to me sewn and worn.  Last month, (I know I’m behind on posting, but it’s been cold and raining) I decided to try again.  When I laid the pieces of this time, I figured out a way to make it work.  Not the look I initially wanted, but as close as I could get it. 🙂

KODAK Digital Still Camera

KODAK Digital Still Camera

As a pattern review, I made View A, in a size 6.  The floral print is a stretch cotton sateen,  and I used a lightweight white satin from my stash to line the bodice.  The deviations from the pattern that I made were, I did not add the contrast band at the bottom and I used a narrow hem due to fabric constraints.  As a note, the instructions for the side seam pocket and side zipper are interesting.

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KODAK Digital Still Camera

I like this dress and am glad that I finally got to sew and wear it.  When I went to take pictures, a lady came over to tell me it looked like I was in a garden 🙂 Wouldn’t you know it, I was in a printed garden in a botanical garden LOL.

Strokes of Fire Colors Dress – New Look 6301 Pattern Review

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KODAK Digital Still Camera

While perusing Fabric Mart Fabrics, i stumbled across this knit and fell in love.  It reminded me of fire, for some reason, so I think of it as my strokes of fire colors dress.  I have had New Look 6301 in my stash for a while, so I decided to use this fabric to try it out.  I was most interested by View D, the sleeveless version with a straight skirt.  What do you think of the result?

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KODAK Digital Still Camera

As a pattern review, I made View D, in a size 8.  I noticed the ties looked a little short, so I cut the the size 20 length of them.  I liked the pleats in the skirt and I thought the pleats in the bodice were interesting, but ultimately I don’t prefer them.  I also think the ties would need to be longer for me to really like what they would add to the dress.  It was very comfortable to wear all day, though, so that’s a plus.  I’m glad I finally made a dress from this pattern, but I’m not thrilled with the result.  I think I just like other wrap dresses better on me.