My Man in Blue

Here's my mini-wardrobe entry for PR. I've called it "My Man in Blue", even though my man in blue wears a brown uniform most of the time. (Local sheriff's office, not those delivery guys.) Anyway, I think he looks nice in blue, so I've created him a fun weekend wardrobe. (Besides, he wouldn't let me do a purple and gold wardrobe--darn Arkansan!)

The requirements were 4 pieces, 3 colors, 4 outfits. Here are the outfits:

McCalls 4518 unbuttoned over McCalls 5282 with Jalie 977 Pants

McCalls 5282 with Jalie 977 Pants (Unzipped to shorts)

McCalls 4518 with Jalie 977 Pants (unzipped to shorts)

KwikSew 3570 with Jalie 977 pants

A little sewing...

I've gotten a few personal pieces (as opposed to jon-jons and jumpers) finished over the last few weeks.

KWIK SEW 3570

This is part of the mini-wardrobe I've got planned for the August PR Mini-Wardrobe Contest. He still has 2 shirts and pants coming. Maybe.

I really like this shirt. I did have trouble figuring out which size to make. Come to find (figure) out, the finished garment measurements that are printed on the pattern tissue are incorrect. It was very easy to put together. The wrap-around side seams are great.

As for the pattern: the instructions were wonderful. Just reading them, the zipper installation made no sense, but I followed them anyway. The instructions worked perfectly! I'm thinking of trying this again in a few months with a heavier jersey knit. My review is here.

Vogue 7799

I'm really beginning to love most Vogue patterns, this one included. I was first attracted to the long, lean look of this top.

This is actually my muslin, but is a quite wearable one. I made my usual adjustments (FBA, sloping shoulders, rounded shoulders). I also used my serger for most of the seams, though, oddly enough, the instructions included no mention of that. I also used a double needle for the hems of the top and armholes. I do think the neck is a little long. (It's folded down again in this pic.) The PR Review is here.

Vogue 8392

This is my back-to-school sewing. (Not the "wearing back to school" kind, but the "hurray, the kids are back in school and I can sew" kind.) I love this top.

I've made view A before. This is view B. I must admit the tiger print is a first for me. I have never worn an animal print before. But, I love this top. (Did I say that already?) It was very easy to make. The instructions are easy to follow. I made a FBA by just increasing the side seams, tapering from armhole out 1/2 inch and back in at waist. I adjusted for rounded shoulders.

New Mini-Wardrobe Contest

PR's next Mini-Wardrobe Contest starts August 1! I've been thinking about my entry for a while, but I thought it started in October. I'm not ready!!!!!

That said, here are the rules:

1. 4 pieces, 3 of which must be different types of garments
2. 3 different colors in the wardrobe
3. they must combine to make -4 distinct, different outfits

Ugh! That's exactly what I did in May--and others did not! (Yes, I'm whining. Now I'm done.)

Anyway, now it's almost August and I need to get in gear. I had been thinking about using this contest as a way to expand the hubby's closet. I'm leaning toward:

1. A pair of casual pants
2. A long-sleeve button-up shirt
3. A short-sleeve tee shirt
4. A fleece pull-over

I think that adds up to:

1. Pants + button-up
2. Pants + tee shirt
3. Pants + tee shirt + unbuttoned button-up
4. Pants + fleece pull-over

I just need to confirm that the different shirts will count as different types of garments and choose some patterns and fabrics.

My Mini-Wardrobe Contest Entry

Well, I've done it! I'm finished. And just in the nick of time. Top 10 things I learned (or was reminded of that I already knew):

10. Try a new pattern--it's fun!

9. How to put a pocket in my favorite pants.

8. Ribbon is a creative cover-up.

7. If you are going to sew with a plan, work with the plan

until you find something you like. Don't settle.

6. How to make a round shoulder adjustment.

5. A great reference is invaluable! Watch for a review this Monday.

4. Altering for the shoulder slope will keep arm holes from gaping.

3. I can make a pair of pants in 63 minutes!!! (with a pocket)

2. Plans can change!

and my huge #1...If you wouldn't buy it in the store, don't make it!!!!!

Simplicity 3631 made a great jumper. Here's what I did:

1. I made my lining as my muslin.


2. I altered my pattern pieces.


3. I made up the lining/muslin bodice according to my newly altered patterns. I also used the skirt pieces and basted the skirt onto my lining/muslin, just to be sure.


4. I found that my armholes gaped and that the waist was indeed too long.


5. Folded out an inch of length just above the waist. You can see this in the image to the left.


6. I made a sloped shoulder adjustment per page 48 in my book.


7. This fit nicely, so I took the whole thing apart, adjusted my tissue pattern again, and cut my garment.


8. I put the garment together following the instructions, which I found quite easy to follow.


9. I ventured from the instructions in step number 13 where it appears they treated the lining and garment as one during the installation process. This gave me very poor results, so I ripped it out and inserted the zipper into the garment only. Then I folded under the lining and tacked it in place. Just FYI, I have been using the lapped zipper technique published in the December 2007/January 2008 Threads magazine with great success. (Upper left image.)


10. I finished the garment as instructed.


11. I added bra strap carriers in the same ribbon used throughout my mini-wardrobe pieces.

Simplicity 3631 also had a fun jacket:

For this jacket, I made it straight by the pattern. The only exceptions:

1. I did my darts on the inside. A little less fussy that way.

2. I wasn't happy with my button holes, so I hid them in ribbon. I took lots of good pictures of this, so look for a tutorial posted during the next week. Here is the ribbon I used. I also used it as an accent throughout my wardrobe.

Here's another shot of that jacket.

McCalls 5426 Princess Seam Top

You'll have to excuse my photographic assistant in the bottom of this picture. Rex couldn't stay out of the way!

This is a McCall's "Made for You" pattern that includes different pattern pieces for AB/C/D cup sizes. I made view C and I did not have to make a FBA. I did shorten the length as usual. I followed the instructions without problems, but I wouldn't recommend this pattern to a beginner because it lacks the friendly little reminders to clip curves, press seams etc. I would also note that the construction order is strange to me, but I followed it and it worked out fine. There is a LOT of topstitching in the pattern.

BTW, I used a Kona Cotton. It will wrinkle a little, but when I first washed the piece, it came out of the dryer quite nice, so I'm hoping...

Here's another image of the shirt under my jumper.

Hot Patterns Sugar Babe Set pants! (These are seen in 2 of the images above.)

You already know I love these pants. I now have 4 pair! My only complaint--they don't have a pocket! So, I added one!

I traced my hand so I would know about how wide I needed it to be.

I drew a slanted tear drop around my hand.

I added 5/8 inch seam allowances around it.

I taped the pocket to my pattern tissue, matching the side seam lines and cut out my pants. (You should note that this took about an extra 1/2 yard and had much wasted fabric.)

I stitched a piece of ribbon along the seam allowances on the front of each pocket for support. (At this point I referred to a handy sewing guide. Look for a review of the Reader's Digest New Complete Guide to Sewing coming soon.)

I basted the pocket opening closed along the seam allowance.

I stitched the pants leg together from the hem up to the waist, following the curve of the pocket.

I clipped the corners at the pockets and finished the raw edges. I removed the basting and "bingo!" I've got pockets!

New Mini-Wardrobe Plan

So...I've re-evaluated my plan. Here's the plan:
Brown Fabric: Simplicity 3631 View C
This jumper will be really cute alone, with a top under it, or with the jacket.




Pink Linen: Simplicity 3631 View B
This pink jacket will be cute over the jumper, or over the pants I'll make. Plus, it will go with all 4 of the bottoms I made during the Big Contest.




Khaki Linen (from stash, not pictured yet): Hot Patterns Sugar Babe Set Pants
I love these pants!

Vanilla Jersey Knit that I will have to purchase: Vogue 8451 (That I will also have to purchase)

Now to get busy!

Re-evaluating my mini-wardrobe

I had the most successful shopping trip this weekend--and I didn't buy anything! I tried on lots of styles and quickly found the things that I liked (and that flattered me). Then, back at the hotel, I looked at my mini-wardrobe plan. Yuck!

So, now I'm looking at patterns again. These are similar to the clothes I loved in the dressing room. Now to decide on a 4-part wardrobe:

I saw this top as the bodice on a full skirted dress. Loved it!

These puffed sleeves are really cute!

I like this tank.

White shirts were everywhere!

I like this top sleeveless and banded or belted.

The shirt in the top left hand corner is much cuter when made in a great fabric. I've looked over it before because that blue is quite tragic.

Shirt dresses were everywhere!

I'm at it again!

I love a good contest! They seem to motivate me to finish a project. So...



Here is my entry for PR's mini-wardrobe contest.


The rules only call for 4 pieces, but this 6 will combine to give me 8 more new outfits, including a Sunday set. If I need to drop 2 to finish in time, I'll drop the pink skirt and the knit top.


As with the wardrobe contest, I am shopping entirely from my stash. However, if I don't have enough khaki twill, I will be running to the store. I must have another jean skirt for the summer!

What do you think?