dresses dresses dresses

I'm tellin' ya, folks. Thrifted vintage bed sheets make the best apparel. Here's another.

Simplicity 2177. I wavered over buying this one, mostly because it looks like this chick is wearing hers to Easter mass:

Not really the look I wanted. But I liked the design and shape of the dress, particularly the bodice features and how the front is cut on a diagonal.

I banned floral patterns from my wardrobe for awhile, but I'm slowly starting to embrace them. I like when they're small scale and simply designed, anyway.

Pockets!

The back has a 20" lapped zipper, which only gave me a minor headache when putting in. I still have trouble making a smooth transition from the bottom of a zipper to the regular seam below it. I got this one to work for the most part. 

The back neckline gaped a bit, so I added a couple darts up there to take in the fabric. I don't know if upper back darts are a real allowable thing, but I did it anyway. It still gapes open when I bring my shoulders forward in a hunch, or when I do the chicken dance/flap my arm wings -- yes, of course I tried that. Guess I can't wear this to a wedding reception, then.

I considered adding long sleeves, but thought all those flowers might be too overwhelming. During my midway fitting, the dress seemed kinda Little House on the Prairie, but that was easily remedied by slashing off a few inches off the hem and making sure the bodice was nice & fitted to the waist.

The sleeveless version of this dress calls for bias tape to finish the straps, but I just made my own from my fabric instead of buying a solid color. They stick out a little but I'm terrible at sewing narrow bias tape. And may I report: today I finally (finally!) bought a rotary cutter and ruled mat (finally!). HELLO, STRAIGHT & EVEN BIAS STRIPS OF FABRIC CUT AT PERFECT 45 DEGREE ANGLES TO THE SELVEDGE. I also bought a seam gauge (finally!) and a tracing wheel with tracing paper (finally!). Um, best day of my sewing life.

So, this dress works for summer but the colors pair well with brown so I can definitely layer it for fall. Nothin' better.

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Linked to:

Our Creative Spaces

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lisette itinerary dress, ala missoni

 Did Missoni for Target explode all over your closet this fall? 

I steered clear of it when the craze hit in mid-September, and now I'm glad because I'm usually uncomfortable wearing something that is instantly recognizable by brand. You won't see me strutting around with a Ralph Lauren flag sweater or a Coach bag, for instance. Not like I could afford those things even if I wanted to strut with 'em.

I am attracted to Missoni designs in general, and the Target ones use interesting color combinations in their signature zig zag style. But the zig zags are too big, and straight sweater dresses aren't flattering on my body. Not to mention everyone owns something in it. So when I came across some smaller-scale colorful zig zag cotton on clearance at Joann's, I knew it'd be a way to emulate the Missoni style without anyone saying, "Hey, cool Target dress! My mom, aunt, sister, best friend, boss and 3-year-old daughter have that same one, annnnnd I also have it in blue."

Kinda makes you dizzy when you scroll down the page. The colors are nice -- black, purples, olive green and some white. I don't have anything like that in my closet.

I used the Lisette Itinerary dress pattern from their new line in Simplicity. It's Lisette 2060, view B. 

All the Lisette stuff is pretty cute, but I think it's mostly the styling, font, colors and layout of their pattern covers that make you wanna make their clothes. I DO appreciate this attention to aesthetics; other pattern companies have nice-looking designs once made, but sometimes the pattern covers and model styling just make me laugh...or groan.

I didn't use contrasting fabric for the yoke because I didn't wanna buy any. I squeezed this dress outta 2.25 yards of 45" fabric so I wasn't able to cut the yoke along the selvedge. I like the vertical zig zag effect, though. I also couldn't make the obi belt with what I had, so my existing waist belts will have to do. This dress is a basic rectangle, and because I used quilting cotton (I know, an apparel sewing no-no) it needs a thick sturdy belt to keep the waist cinched without looking puffy or sloppy.

The neckline looks wavy in these photos. I guess it doesn't really lay completely flat against my chest, but in real life when I'm moving around you can't really tell.

My zig zags don't match at the sides but I don't mind. Lemme tell ya, this dress is pretty short. I'm 5'7" and the upward slope at the sides goes to mid-thigh, so this is definitely a date night dress, not a work dress. When I sit down and cross my legs, there's some side-thigh exposure for sure. If that's not your thing, I'd recommend adding a few inches, if not several! I will NOT wear this bare-legged for that reason. Hello there:

It's a pullover dress but there are three functional buttons on the top right shoulder, which helps maneuver the neckline over your fancy 'do. Also they're just kinda cute. Note: continuity error -- the neckline photos were taken in the mirror, so the buttons look like they're on my right shoulder. Actually on the left.

The only design change I made was cutting the neckline slightly lower than the pattern. This was so it'd look less boxy and wouldn't strangle me.

If I made the Itinerary dress again, I'd understitch the facing so it wouldn't roll to the front as easily. The pattern has you "secure" the facing when you top stitch at the bottom of the yoke, which is fine but still allows the top to shift around. I'd also use fabric with more drape... this one's pretty stiff and I know I will have to constantly yank the skirt down as I walk. Like it though!

Total project cost: $11.19 = $1.00 pattern (yes! 5 for $5 Simplicity pattern sale at Joann's last weekend); $9.00 fabric (2.25 yards at $4/yd); $1.19 buttons (notions sale at Fabric.com).

my first sewn shirt, ever

I branched out and bought my first shirt pattern. Yea, and I call myself an "advanced" beginner? New Look 6963 is labeled easy so I thought it'd be a good (& inexpensive) way to learn how to make collars and buttonholes. Not the chicest of blouses, though, by the looks of the cover:

The wind in her hair is a nice touch, New Look. I wonder where sewing pattern models rank in the modeling hierarchy. I usually just feel bad for them because of the things they're often forced to wear.

Anyway, my shirt.

I made view C, with the shorter tab-less sleeves. The construction was pretty simple, but I did stumble on a couple things. The upper back facing is kind of a mess; the shape seems completely wrong and doesn't lay flat. I had to pleat it in a few places because there was so much excess fabric flopping around. I'm blaming the pattern.

Fabric and collar close-up:

Also, I'm pretty sure I accidentally gathered the sleeves at the shoulders. It seemed like I was supposed to ease the sleeve in and still have it lay flat & ungathered? I couldn't see how this was possible due to how much fabric I had to ease in-- probably because I'm a sleeve novice -- but I liked the look so I just made it my way.

Side (wrinkled):

Back:

The shape's a bit too boxy from the front, so I think I will only wear it tucked in with a higher-waisted skirt. The back has a nice shape because of the long darts, but the front looks a little bit like a bowling shirt. Here is the back, untucked:

Oh, and my fabric of choice? Another bedsheet. Can't get enough of this idea. This was a Martha Stewart Living flat sheet in my parents' guest room linen closet that they haven't used in years. I like it as a shirt more, I think.

I guess I've found my calling - giving new life to crumbled linens.

Total price of project: $2.99 pattern + $0 sheet + $1.25 buttons + scrap interfacing

warning: baby stuff ahead

I normally skim over (or avoid altogether) any crafts/DIY/products on the blogosphere related to babies or small children. I've only been to three or four baby showers in my life, two of which were for my baby niece (photo here). She's the only babe in my life at the moment, though, and I haven't ventured into these kind of projects for her yet. So I was sorta out of my element when I decided to make something by hand for my colleague's baby shower next week. Definitely the first time "baby shower DIY" has graced my Google search history. But hey, it wasn't too bad.

Swaddling wrap/tie blanket and matching burp cloths

My co-worker and her husband have chosen not to learn the gender of the baby before he/she is born. I'm all for this idea, because I'm not a fan of most of the gender-specific items sold in stores. Some of it can be pretty awful. Anyway, for my projects I chose flannel with a blue palette, but only because I like blue, not because I hope the baby is a boy. At least it's birds and trees, not cars and trucks or something.

I have plenty more photos of these items after the jump:

just in time for daylight savings: watch makeovers

Saw this scarf watch idea on Scissors and Thread today (original post on A Pair & a Spare). I've seen this concept before, but I liked being reminded.

I've known for awhile that I need a new watch; my white rubbery Target one has had several months of 24/7 wear, so it looks godawful. Why would I think buying a white watch was a good idea? By now it looks like I wrap an old sock around my wrist everyday.

I couldn't easily remove the pins that hold the strap to the metal face, so I just took some scissors to it until the straps came off.

It's as easy as slipping through a scarf or ribbon or one of those belts that come with your Forever 21 dresses, and then wrapping and tying it around your wrist as you like.

I bought some single fold bias tape the other day with the intention of using it as finishing on a baby swaddling blanket I'm making for a co-worker. I didn't end up using it for that project, so I thought I'd try it here. Kinda cool-looking, actually.

This is the whole package (4 yds) wrapped around. Pretty dramatic but I think I like it. 

Don't forget to "fall back" your scarf/bias tape watches tomorrow night.

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Project linked to

Finding Fabulous Frugalicious Friday

and

simple sewing: fabric-covered pencil cups

Here's an easy breezy sewing project: turn your lunch into pencil cups.

I've never done anything with tin cans besides toss them in my recycling bin, but I can now say they're pretty much a craftswoman's dream since they're so accessible and versatile. They have such a practical shape and size, and are still cool-looking just on their own without their labels.

I can't cook, so I eat a lot of canned soup. It's about time that I used all those cans to enhance my life in other ways. Why not pencil cups? I probably spend as much time per week looking for a frickin' pen in this apartment as I do eating soup, so I need them to be more accessible.

OK. Step 1: Remove the label, which comes off easily under hot water. At least for Amy's soups it does.

Step 2: Cut a 5.25" x 10" rectangle of fabric. I used leftover fabric from some other home projects, because living room matchiness is a must. Turn the long edges over a 1/2 inch each and stitch. The resulting width is about 4.25" (the height of the can).

Step 3: Wrap the fabric around the can and mark where the ends should meet. It should be snug but not too tight that you won't be able to slide it on. Stitch the ends where you marked, right sides together. Trim the excess and press the seam open so it lays flatter on the can.

Step 4: Turn it right side out and pull it over the can, kinda like a beer coozie:

That's all it takes. Make one or one dozen. They contribute both color and functionality -- gotta love that.

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Project linked to:

Finding Fabulous: Frugalicious Fridays
and
I Heart Naptime Sundae Scoop

prep skirt: from a sheet

I bought a blue and white striped sheet set from a thrift store for $6. I've never made clothes from a sheet before, but it's ridiculously economical. So much yardage! Makes so many things! Freedom to completely mess up and cut anew, guilt-free! 


I already used some of it to create a lining for my scallop tote bag. I decided to make a skirt next because I hadn't sewn a skirt in, what, three whole weeks? My nearest Wal-Mart surprised me with its revived sewing/fabric section so I snagged a few New Look patterns there for under $3 each. 

This one is New Look 6030, view B for the most part. View B doesn't call for the belt/sash but I made one anyway; no belt loop deserves to remain empty.

I'm calling this the prep skirt because it looks like something one would wear while sipping lemonade on their rich uncle's sailboat. I ain't mad. I like the skirt length and pocket detail. The belt loops and sash are what attracted me to the skirt initially, but I'm not crazy about where the belt loops are placed -- they're far apart on the sides, so the belt inevitably creeps up between them. I thought about attaching the belt to the waistband permanently so it won't roll, but then the skirt would be difficult to take off and on since the zipper's in the back and the sash closure's in the front. Maybe I'll just use a real belt in the future.

The pattern calls for a regular zipper but I used an invisible one, recycled from a never-worn skirt in my closet. It's tan instead of white but the belt covers the tab so it doesn't matter. I also didn't use a hook and eye because there wasn't much of a gap above the zipper.

The "View B" skirt has ribbon on the pockets and around the waistband. I just used self-fabric on the pockets and nothing extra on the waistband. I used interfacing on one side of the waistband but left it off its facing.

I also changed how the belt loops were attached -- I sewed them into the seam between the waistband and its facing, though the pattern says to fold under the raw edge and topstitch it to the waistband. No thanks. I guess my method makes the belt loops shorter, so I had to make my belt skinnier. 

So, I still have no idea what size to make for myself in commercial patterns. With my real waist and hip measurements, I should be a size 16, the largest in the envelope. Seemed a bit extreme, so I made the size 14 and I still had to take it in quite a bit. Am I doing something wrong?

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Linked to:

Pattern Review - see my review

and

Our Creative Spaces

and

Mine for the Making DIY Diva Thursdays