Butterick 5247

Another one of my new creations, this time a cowl neck, dolman sleeve dress in rich, dark burgundy:

Vogue 8597

My latest creation, a Vogue pattern.  Easy, simple, comfy.  Seems like most of the things I make fall into that general category.

Simplicity 2804

I got this awesome animal print from eBay seller bestonlinefabrics.  I love their stuff.

I love this top--it's so comfy and easy to wear.  Easy to sew, too.

Butterick 5398

I finished this one last night.  Do you have any idea how long it takes to pin up a hem by yourself, without a decent full-length mirror?  About 30 minutes in my case.

The $8 special

I got this fabric in the clearance aisle of Jo Ann's during one of their 1/2 red tag specials.  I got three yards for $2.50 each and I have fabric left over.  So this dress cost me less than $8, including the cost of the fabric and pattern.  I'm going to make something cute for the baby with the leftover fabric.

This is Simplicity 2766.

Recent acquisitions

These are recent purchases from bestonlinefabrics on eBay.  Both have a satiny finish.  The first is a knit and the second a burnout satin.  I'm thinking the blue/green fabric would make a gorgeous blouse with shoulder gathers, and the second could be the basis of my graduation dress.

Charlotte's winter poncho.

After some deliberation, I finally made Charlotte's winter jacket.  It is still in the 70s here, so I am ahead of schedule.  I have enough fleece for a heavier jacket, should it become necessary this winter.

I saw, I sewed

Here's my first vintage pattern sewn, See and Sew 6223.  I believe it was printed some time in the mid-70s.  Anyway, I think it turned out pretty well.

What I'm wearing today.

I finally finished this dress, from Butterick 5101, last night.  I love the fabric, I love the cut of the dress, but I'm not sure I love them together, if that makes any sense.

Tried and true

Do I need another Magic Pencil Skirt? Probably not, but it has become like comfort food for me. I made this one in black stretch denim with less stretch than the fabrics I have used in the past for this. The result is that it does pull on over the hips, but the fit is more snug, and in my opinion, more flattering. The fabric was $3 at Super Textiles here in Dallas.

I love this pattern--it makes me look about 20 lbs lighter. Maybe that's why Pamela calls it "magic."

Recent fabric purchases

I got these from my favorite eBay vendor recently, bestonlinefabrics. The blue sweater knit I think will make a nice twin set. The flame print I'm going to use with one of my 70s dolman sleeve tops.

Tropical ensemble

These colors are good on her too. Note the matching panties!

More baby boho

Few people can wear red and orange like this girl can!

Clothes for Queen C

Here are a couple things I made for Charlotte. The peasant blouses usually turn out well (I've made a few) but I'm not crazy about the ruffles on these pants.

The cardigan was made from fabric left over from another project of mine.

The Magic Pencil Skirt

I made three of these over the past couple of weeks. I will probably make several more. This is now my tried and true pattern for a fast pencil skirt. It only takes about a yard of 60" stretch fabric. Probably when I lose the rest of the baby weight, I can get away with just one yard of 45" fabric!

I got this pattern and the special elastic that goes with it from Pamela's Patterns.

What I'm working on now

I have this one all cut out in a black shirt weight mystery fabric that was included (for free) in an order from Fabric Mart. Could be a wearable muslin but if not, hey, free fabric and I won't feel bad if it doesn't work out.

The instructions are a bit more detailed and involved than I'm used to. After I'm done with my first try, maybe I'll do a quick jumper for the little girl, or one of my quickie patterns from the 70s.

I'm working on View A. I really like the style and I need a plain, tried and true blouse pattern that is suitable for a wide range of fabric types and prints. The skirts are really cute too.

More vintage patterns

And here are a few more:








Why do I like vintage patterns? I love the soft, flowing, feminine styles. I love the shoulder gathers, the collars and the flared silhouettes. Can't wait to get started on these after class is over this weekend.

Vintage patterns

I've been "investing" in vintage patterns lately. Here are a few scored off eBay and other places.

One of the first things I made for Charlotte. The colors really suit her!

A new day, a new blog

How exciting! My first post in my new blog!

I'll be using this space to put up photos and commentary about my sewing projects. Nothing fancy here, just a place for me to catalog my sewing progress.

My mom taught me how to sew a little when I was a teen. I made a few skirts, kids clothes (I made a jumper for my baby sister Tiy) and not much since then.

In June of this year, I gave birth to my daughter Charlotte:



I started making clothes for her and was surprised to see my old, rusty skills coming back. When I went back to work, I found that I am now several sizes larger than I was before the baby, and while I'm still losing the baby weight, it is going to take a while to get back into my old wardrobe. Meanwhile, I have to wear something and I've really taken to sewing, so I've been sewing my own wardrobe.

Anyway, I'll update this space with my projects whenever I have time.