How’d I do that?

Visit www.needlesnutsandbolts.blogspot.com to see how I modified this pattern.

 

The great grey vest

Simplicity 2443

First you need to know that I.heart.Cynthia.Rowley.

Next you need to know that I can never never never never never afford her stuff.

Thankfully, Simplicity is trying to help.

I bought this pattern because I loved the jacket. But…

Simplicity patterns fit me crummily (is that a word?).

So, I decided to make the vest first, sort of like a muslin.

But…it fit so well and looked so cute that I finished the details and miles and miles and miles of topstitching and…

wore it on the first day of school!

My review on PR is here.

Fall Sewing, Part 1 (AKA Boy, I’m glad we didn’t use her favorite fabric first)

Simplicity 2436

We saw this dress made up and displayed at one of our local fabric chains. The Big Girl loved it. Maybe because it was bright purple cord.
We brought the pattern home and decided to give it a go. I only had 2 pieces of corduroy in my stash and she didn’t love either of them, but I convinced the BG that we were “just practicing” so she had to pick from the fabrics I had. (Now, I have a huge stash, but since we only need warm clothes about 3 days a year, I just don’t keep a lot of warm fabrics on hand.)

I sure am glad we didn’t go buy any fabric just yet because the fit is just weird for my tall, skinny, almost-9 year old. I cut an 8. She’s really slim. Unfortunately, I just went with the numbers on the back of the pattern envelope and didn’t actually measure the pattern pieces. While my BG is very slim, her shoulders are too wide for this dress (at least in an 8). Also, it needs more length. My finished length was about 1 1/2 inches shorter than the envelope listed. I don’t know how it happened because I used all the recommendations for seam allowances and hems and such.

On a positive note, the pattern was easy to follow. It made up quickly. And—my fashion-designer-wannabe loves all the detail variations.

Next time, I’ll cut a 10 and maybe add a little more to the length. I think I’d prefer an invisible zip. Also, I think I’ll use bias tape to finish the neckline rather than the facings the pattern includes.

And—I’m sure there will be a next time. Actually 2 more times. I’d like to see this made up in a cotton with a crazy rock-star type appliqué and, of course, we need to make it in purple cord!

You can see my review on PR here.

Simplicity 2568-Easy, Trendy, and Short!

Simplicity 2568- A Sew Stylish pattern for Misses’/Miss Petite Pants and Dress or Top with Neckline Variations.

I picked up this pattern at a 99 cent sale because I loved the top and pants of View C. After looking at my fabric stash, I decided to make View A. But—since I didn’t like the pockets so much, I used the tabs off View C. I further modified the pattern by omitting the zipper, hemming the neckline instead of using facings, and lengthening the hem. I used a purple boucle out of my stash. I used purple thread, but there is A. LOT. of topstitching on this dress that would have looked cute in a contrasting color (or silver). I found my round buckles at the local Hancock’s. I can’t comment to the quality of the instructions, because I didn’t follow them. Because this fabric frays so badly, I serged all my seam allowances. You can see a picture of the inside below. (Yes, I used pink thread. Why? Two reasons: 1)I was too lazy to change and 2)I kinda like something sassy on the inside.)

I have the habit of making a pattern up 2 or 3 times before moving on to something new. This one is pretty trendy, so I don’t know if I’ll do it again or not. If I do, I’ll use just the top, probably with the higher neck and maybe with the sleeves. My bigger concern right now: booties or knee boots???

Front:

Close-up of Tabs and Buckles:

Inside (just to show that the inside looks just as nice as the outside):

Good-bye Simplicity 4020!

I think I'm done with this pattern (and I think it's out of print):

Oh, I've enjoyed making it up. So quick and easy. And, such versatile tops. I still wear all of them. I do prefer the 3/4 quarter length sleeve version to the sleeveless. I don't necessarily love the neckline on the sleeveless version. Another problem--finding cute knits locally. There are none! And I don't enjoy ordering fabric online. I need to touch it first. ;)

Here's my first version:
My second version was an integral part of my wardrobe contest entry last year.

I made this version for my sister (as a very, very belated gift):
And, the latest version. This time I added a tie around the neck like a ready-to-wear I'd admired recently.Okay, so maybe I'll just file the pattern away for a while. If only I could figure out how to

do something different with the sleeves...

Speaking of Undies...

I was rolling on the floor laughing at this post earlier today. It appears my mom and two aunts have decided to start a new tradition at their regularly scheduled quilting weekend at the camp. They're dying their undies. Well, painting them to be more exact. Yup. That's what I said-painting their panties with spring colors!

And, that led me to remember that I haven't told you about these:

Do you know how hard it is to find cute boxers for little boys? I wanted Valentine's boxers for my LM and couldn't find any small enough. So, Simplicity 9958 to the rescue.

I used 100% cotton fabric and 3/4 inch elastic. I can't comment on the instructions, because I didn't really use them. I did follow along with the diagrams. I used an XS for LM.

I would recommend this pattern to anyone looking for boys' boxers. I think a beginner could easily follow along (with only the basic knowledge of finishing seams, hems, and elastic waistbands). The shorts took less than 1 hour from start to finish. Too cute!

His first shirt...(remember that pic I promised?)

Remember this shirt pattern that I hated? Here's the picture I promised so long ago. And, okay, I'll admit, it doesn't look quite as homespun as I'd thought it might.

Sorry it's so small. I snatched it from my SIL's pics on another site. (Thanks Anne!)

Too much?

Here's my take on Simplicity 2971. I had originally planned to make view B, but after seeing Erica B.'s, I couldn't resist View F.

I made two significant changes: I made the straps a bit wider in hopes of covering bra straps and I used narrow elastic to create the bubble hem line.

Unfortunately, I'm not comfortable with my shoulders that exposed. (Even my swim suits cover more up top!) So, I'll be wearing this one under a jacket.

And, as the personality quiz in this magazine pointed out, I'm allergic to bling. I'm thinking the rhinestones are bit too much...