I Sewed (But I Hate It)!

This is a top from the Spring/Summer Ottobre Woman. I know this isn't a great style for me, so I used my least favorite cotton voile that I ordered recently from fabric.com. The scale of the print is bigger than I realized, the top has way too much volume to be flattering. I have a few poly sheer print peasant tops I've bought from Target and other RTW places and they don't use so much fabric, I think.

Oh well, the fabric was a dream to work with and I loved the actual construction of the top. It went together great. I had posted a photo of it without the belt tie, but it was SO BAD. A muu-muu. . .

I've been working for three weeks now, commuting in every day while the kids are at school. I took this week off for spring break, but I think when I go back I'm going to request the work from home option, beginning as soon as possible. I don't want to have to buy any more work clothes or pack any extra lunches. I feel like my day will be so much better without the 1 1/2 to 2 hours drive time. I am in awe of people who do this every day. . .

Green Wool Coat

I love simple garments like this. It looks like a nice *boutique* kind of coat, but a non-sewer would never know how easy it is to make.

I bought the green wool at fabric.com. Looks like now they only have pink. When I was shopping, they had a purple that was very close to the Ottobre pattern photo, but I was also considering a robin's egg blue. I have a lot more lime in my wardrobe, so I decided that was the best color. For sewing details, check out this Patternreview.

I had some almost matching wool embroidery thread, so I made a handsewn buttonhole. It looks awful, so I'm too embarrassed to show it to you. I ripped it out once and redid it, but I learned to make the buttonhole first and then open it up, duh. . . I wasn't planning on sewing it at all, but once I cut it I decided to do it. Also, I couldn't get the back on the covered button. (Hammered and hammered, I hate those things!) I just sewed it and steamed it. Here's hoping it doesn't go anywhere if I'm gentle with it.

A sort of side view. The pockets aren't level, so I need to redo one of them. This pattern runs big!

Hanging up, you can see the unlevel pocket.

I made this scarf from a kit I bought at my yarn shop a couple of years ago. I thought the *bubble yarn* was so fun and it's really soft. I haven't ever worn it because I had nothing to go with it. Now I just need to make a top out of some lime or bright blue and I'll be set. I might even have something in my stash of kid's knits. I have a couple of lime-ish tops from RTW, but I'm not sure if the colors will work, they are a muddier green.

Here's a shot of the neckline seam, covered with ribbon.

I pretreated the fabric using this method, sorry you'll have to scan down the page, the entry is dated 9/7/2009. Basically, you put your yardage in the dryer with some wet towels and tumble it on hot for 40 mins. Seems to have worked just fine, my wool looked great coming out.

I have one more pattern traced from this Ottobre issue. Dh's company is having their holiday party this year (the last one) so I will need a new dressy outfit. I traced the taffeta skirt pattern, and bought some fabric, so I might get it made. Need to figure out what to wear with it.

"Every Woman's Favorite" Cardigan

I made this up over the weekend. It's from the latest Ottobre Woman. It's not the most flattering thing I've got, but it'll be nice for walks to the bus stop and walking the dog.

The fabric is a sweater knit from Emma One Sock. Looks like it's sold out, but it's mostly wool, but very light weight.

Picking out the buttons.

Neckline closeup. The buttonholes went badly, as usual. I need to learn to make them by hand, I guess. (Or get a new sewing machine, maybe?)

Inside facing. The pattern calls for coverhemming or using a decorative serger stitch to sew down the facings. I decided to topstitch them on the sewing machine, because I felt like my accuracy would be better. I coverhemmed the hems on the bottom edge and sleeves to give them some stretch.

This makes five patterns I've used from this issue, which might be a record for me. I'll try to post a review at patternreview.com before I forget all the details.

Next up is the "Salma"Boiled Wool Coat. I need to research how to pretreat the wool. I haven't traced the pattern yet either, so it might take me a little time for this one. We're finally having some cool weather so I can wear some of these new Fall clothes.

Memento from Yellowstone

When we went to Yellowstone back in July, I didn't buy any souvenirs in the shops. The mass produced stuff is all the same and since I own an electronic embroidery machine I can put any message on any tshirt or hat any time.

I saw this hand embroidery design right after we got back from our trip, so I had to make it. The designer (who I don't know, just so you don't think I'm a shill) has an Etsy Shop where she sells art work and embroidery designs.

I used Sulky spray to adhere the paper to the dish cloth and traced it by light of the window with a water soluble quilting pen.

The finished design next to the print out. I used french knots to make it look like purple loganberries on the stems. The gift shop sold loganberry products, so I assume they grow in the area. We never saw any. (Also, I'm not sure whether they're like a blackberry or a blueberry.)

Hanging on my oven door handle. I always keep a hand embroidered towel here. It's about time I changed them out, the last were a set of Kewpie towels that I've had up since February I think!

Teal Dress

I made a dress today from the latest Ottobre. I'm wearing this issue out, which is fun. I know this is not a very flattering dress. I used to wear a lot of these back in the late 80s/early 90s, except they were more drop waisted. But it's very comfy and the fabric is wonderful. It's this rayon/lycra jersey from Emma One Sock.

It's No. 9, the "Pigeon Grey" knit dress. I'm not sure if I'll do a pattern review, maybe tomorrow if I feel like it.

The magazine shows it over pants, but that girl is way smaller than I am and I think that would be a lot of bulk on me. I might make some leggings, just to complete the cliche of the look. I want to make them with outseams instead of inseams, but I'm not finding any patterns for those. I don't think it would be too hard to change up one of my Kwik Sew patterns for leggings. Cut it down the grain line to form an outseam and then tape the inseams together. . .

Closeup shot of the neckline. I think it came out looking very nice. The skirt gathering is done with clear elastic, which was very simple and leaves you with a stretchy seam. I have just enough fabric left to make a pair of panties and found some matching teal lingerie elastic in my stash. There's a panty pattern in this issue of Ottobre, so I'll probably use it.

Some Sewing

I made a top from the new Ottobre Woman Magazine. I went to JoAnns and picked out this rayon knit, along with fabrics to make This Pretty Outfit for dh's company holiday dance. But, I was busy trying to convert the centimeters into yardages, and wasn't paying close attention and ended up buying fabric for the top and jacket and THE PATTERNS DON'T COME IN MY SIZE. Argh. I can make the skirt though. I'll have to look through my Burda Plus to see what kind of jackets and tops I can find. I don't have the mad grading skilz to make the Ottobre patterns bigger.

If you want more details about the top, I did a Pattern Review. I'm planning to make the other top, that has identical sleeves, but with a turtleneck next.

I ordered some wool melton from fabric.com to make the "Salma" boiled wool coat. I ordered the green, but I also love the royal blue. They have some fun bright colors. I ordered some brown sweater knit from Emma One sock to make the "Every Woman's Favorite" cardigan, along with some rayon knit to make the Pigeon gray dress. I might try to make leggings to match the dress, so I can wear them with tall boots. I guess you can say I'm planning a whole fall wardrobe this year.

Chuy in her submissive pose. She's saying "please don't put me in my crate."

We have one cocoon from all of the parsley worms. I guess the birds or chipmunks ate the rest, but there's another worm left and I hope he also makes it into his shell.

No Pattern Brown Skirt

I bought this brown cotton gauze at JoAnn's the other day. I searched through my patterns for a skirt pattern, wanting basically a straight skirt with a ruffle at the bottom. Couldn't find anything, so I made it without a pattern. It fits just fine, think I'm going to like it.

I measured the widest point of my hips (saddlebag area for me) and added two inches for ease, plus seam allowance. The fabric was thin, so I doubled the upper section, basically making two skirts and sewing them together at the top and bottom.

I doubled the ruffle too, cutting a 12" strip, 1 and 1/2 times the width of the skirt, folded it in half lengthways and pressed it. Then gathered it and sewed it on. I didn't want to make a narrow hem on the ruffle and I had enough fabric double it. It's much easier and I think it hangs nicely with the extra weight.

I cut the front waist two inches lower than the back, for tilted waist. I used 1/2" elastic for the waist. Very comfy. I love these fast and easy projects. I have an almost identical skirt I made a couple of years ago, but the brown fabric has sequins on it and my kids make fun of me for wearing it. I guess sequins are not a look I can pull off, imagine. . .

Sewing Again

I made a robe to go with the rose pajamas.

I used this pattern, which has a cut on sleeve, which makes it very simple to sew and cut out. The only change I made was to add a loop at the neckline. I used up all of the white pointelle fabric. I always forget how much fabric robes take, it's a lot.

I had a little bit of the floral fabric left, so I made another gown.

I used some old panty elastic as trim. At least if the elastic fails from age, it's only decorative here and not *load bearing.*

I ordered this Kindle bag from Janine King at Etsy.

I have a Kindle 2 with a leather case, and it fits, but just barely. The bag is padded to protect your electronic devices. I fell in love with the fabric, great colors. Of course I'm looking at it and thinking how easy it would be to make, but would I ever get around to it? Probably not.

Pajamas

I made a set of pajamas today. I have a ton of fabrics left from the days I used to sew all the kids' clothes. They make good nightwear for me. The white fabric is a very pretty and subtle pointelle knit in cotton. The rose print is from a coop of a fabric line called Painting Red Rhinos -- does it still exist?

The pattern is very simple and easy. I needed to get a one-seam pants pattern that fits me now. (I know the pattern drawing looks like the pants have an outseam, but they don't.) I had to lower the front waist by two inches, then cut an entire inch off the top, to lower the waistline some more all over. Fits great.

Closeup of neckline. I should have topstitched the trim seam allowances down, but my sewing machine is giving me a zig zag instead of a straight stitch when I push the straight stitch button. GGRRR. . . Hope that little problem resolves itself. . .

Made some easy freezer jam with my strawberries. I used the instructions inside the pectin box, which have always worked well for me before. Ds is eating jam and bread like crazy. Might need to make another batch this weekend.

Bird Seed Tote Bag

I borrowed this idea from a link to someone's blog, but I don't remember where. I think she took one of the bigger sized bird seed bags and made several totes from it. I hate to borrow it without referencing where the idea came from, but I honestly don't remember.

My bag was a good size for a tote. The top and bottom edges had been coverstitched with some paper tape, so first I ripped that stitching out, washed out the bag, and hung it to dry. I decided to sew the bottom of the bag right sides together.
The sides of the bag were already creased into shape and I wanted to keep the shape, so I sewed across the short sides, in addition to long ways across the bottom.  (I used a jeans needle, a longer stitch length, regular thread.)

To sew the T- shape, fold it back against the first long seam, start in the middle and sew outward.  You'll have to flip it in the other direction and sew the other side, again starting from the middle.
For the top of the bag, fold down and press with your fingers (remember, no iron, or you risk meltdown).  Sew hem.
Add straps.  Mine are made from belt webbing I had on hand.
The finished bag.  You could attempt a squared off bottom, so it will sit better, but I decided the sewing would be much easier to sew it straight across because I could turn it inside out.  I took it shopping the other day and got quite a few compliments.  I think this particular bag would like better with red handles.  Mine are short because the bag is longer than a standard tote and would drag the ground otherwise.  

So I Sewed Again

I made the collared wrap Tshirt from The Latest Ottobre Woman. Here it is in magazine.

And here's mine.

I posted a Pattern Review Here. I think my New Year's resolution 2 years ago was to publish my 100th review there, and this makes number 99. Oh so close.


Here's a closeup of the collar and neckline.

Here are the front pleats.

I like how it came out. Totally wearable and the fabric is a thin cotton knit which will be very comfy (I sweat so much it's ridiculous, y'all.)

I want to make a pair of pants from that magazine, but I don't have anything suitable on hand. I guess that means a fabric shopping trip. Yay!


I've been working on some wash cloths out of organic cotton, unbelievably soft stuff. I ordered some of the new cotton/acrylic blend yarn from knitpicks for a sweater, so I've been studying patterns on knitty for a cabled cardigan of some sort. The yarn looks so nice I just want to jump in with something.

I've been crazy busy with kids' activities lately (and their neglected schoolwork), so I hope things settle down soon. Waiting for some fall weather too, it's been humid and threatening rain but NOT RAINING. If it's going to be so damp, it should just go ahead and rain already. My tomatoes are coming to a halt, but the okra continues on.