Finished: "Pass Me a Cupcake, Mrs. Cleaver" Apron

I finally have another finished object ladies and gentlemen! I made an apron so dripping with sugar and housewifey-ness it brings tears to my eyes. An apron with such characteristics must have an awesome name of course, so I present to you the " Pass Me a Cupcake, Mrs. Cleaver Apron."

The details:
Pattern: Simplicity 2592 ( A retro re-release from the Simplicity archives and still in print)
Fabric: Hot pink polka dot quilter's cotton from Joann's red dot section
Lining Fabric: A super sheer poly/cotton shirting from fabric.com
What I changed: The way this pattern is written it does not call for a lining fabric, but instead the edges are to be encased in bias tape. Thee packs of bias tape to be exact. Well, I had pinned on about 1/2 pack of bias tape and was sick of it, so I decided to line it instead. I simply cut out every piece, with the exception of the shoulder straps and waistband, in the lining fabric and stitched right side to right side and then turned.  I encased the shoulder straps within the bib by pinning the straps inside of the bib so they ended up on the outside when I turned. Easy as pie, er a cupcake, and it gives it a nice drape to boot.
Make again: Maybe one day. Since I lined it, it did take a lot of fabric for an apron.
Recommend to others? If aprons are your thing, then I say go for it!

Finished: The Dainty Dot Blouse

Hello my lovely readers! I finally have another finished object to show you all, even though it didn't turn out quite as I envisioned it. Let's just say I shortened it by a wee bit too much, and now it appears that it has already shrank in the dryer.

You see, the original pattern was for what appeared to be a tunic, so before I cut out my fabric, I shortened the pieces by 2 inches. In hindsight, this was a terrible idea, but alas, you live and learn. Well, in this case you sew and learn.

Pattern: Simplicity 7446
Year: 1976
Size: Large 16-18 ( If I make this again I will fold at least 2 inches out of the center back before cutting it out)
Fabric: A cotton/poly blend shirting from fabric.com, which if I recall correctly, was $2 a yard
Notions: Zip, zilch, nada
Time: Way longer than it should have due to my icky cold
Make again? Probably not as a top, but I would consider lengthening it wear as a bathing suit cover up, if made in a super light fabric

Obviously, I used the pattern on the right.

So, there you have it, another finished object!

I have cut out a Vogue skirt to sew up next, but I am considering starting a McCall's dress instead. Stay tuned to see which I choose!

Also, over the weekend I hit up some estate sales and came home with about 80 patterns and 20 yards of fabric. About 90% of the patterns will be going up on Etsy in the next week or so. If you need petite patterns there will be quite a few so check out my Etsy shop!

Finished: The Oatmeal Dress

It's a finished object post! Can you believe it? Today, I present to you, "The Oatmeal Dress". I have had this dress cut out for about three months, but just recently got around to stitching it up. In hindsight, I should have sewn this up sooner as I am in love with it. Thankfully, this project went together without extreme hassle. I did sew one of the skirt pieces on backwards, which I was able to easily fix after a few quality moments with my seam ripper.

I pulled out all the stops for this dress. I finished every single seam, hand sewed the facing instead of my usual stitch in the ditch method, used a vintage metal zipper, and applied hem tape. This dress is the creme de la oatmeal of dresses!

The details:

• Pattern: Simplicity 2176
• Fabric: Lightweight linen from Goodwill
• Notions: Vintage metal zipper, thread, hem lace
• Make again?: Perhaps next summer
• Recommend to Others?: Most definitely

If you'd like a more detailed account of the pattern, you can find my pattern review here.

Happy Sewing!

Finished: Hawaiian Lisette Dress

I love those shoes!

I made another "Lisette Passport Dress" from Simplicity 2209, which may just be my favorite pattern. If you haven't already, I seriously recommend that you pick up a copy and give it a whirl. It doesn't require massive yardage and can be "slapped" together rather quickly. ( Not that I'd ever slap something  together. )

I must admit that I didn't follow the directions for this version whatsoever, in fact I didn't even remove them from the envelope. This fabric was free from my aunts stash. Yippee for free fabric!

What I did differently:

• I didn't have quite enough fabric, so I didn't cut the back bodice and skirt on the fold.
• I inserted a lapped zipper in the back, as opposed to the side. ( In my last version I omitted the zipper, but I have to evolve into contortionist mode to get it on.)
• I didn't use the neck facing, instead I used store bought bias tape.
• I constructed the back of the dress so I could set in the zipper flat, then I constructed the front of the dress. 

The Other Details:

• Pattern: Simplicity 2209
• Fabric: Hawaiian print quilter's cotton, free from my aunt's stash
• Notions: One package bias tape, one regular zipper
• Make again: Heck yes!
• Recommend to others: Absolutely!

Happy Sewing!

Finished: Sky High Shorts

I finished a pair of shorts for summer! Yippee yippee yay! I used a vintage pattern, Simplicity 9416, which came from my recent pattern haul. This pattern had a unique detail that doesn't seem to be available in modern patterns but I wholeheartedly believe should be. The pattern included both shorts and pants, but each garment had different pieces for short, medium, and tall heights.  This seems like such a good idea to me and I wonder why pattern companies don't continue to offer this in the patterns?

I have to admit that these shorts are significantly more high-waisted than any I have worn in the past. However, as someone who is not sold on the idea of "Snooki-esque"  short shorts, I think I just might embrace the style. Since these shorts require under a yard of 60" fabric I might just whip up a few more pairs.

• Simplicity 9416 circa 1971
• Size 18/Waist 31/Hip 42 ( The pattern was a bit bigger than my measurements so I just took really large seam allowances on the sides.)
• Fabric: I believe it was a stretch cotton twill from Joann
• Notions: One regular zipper from an estate auction

What I did differently than the pattern instructed:

• Even though I have hundreds of zippers I didn't have one zipper that matched. The pattern instructions are for a regular zip, but with the predicament of no matching zipper, I decided to learn how to do a lapped zipper. (I used this lapped zipper tutorial from Youtube which was extremely helpful.)
• I made the short height size even though my height fell into the medium category. 
• I used a stretch woven.

• My pattern grade: A-

Happy Sewing!

Finished: Simplicity 2593

The forecast says that it is going to be in the upper 70s this weekend, so what better way to celebrate than sew a cute spring top? The originally intended to make view A of the pattern, which features a really awesome rolled tube like collar. However, no matter what I did I could not get the collar to lay as nicely as the picture on the envelope. Since the collar must be slipstitched on, and I am not too fond of hand sewing so far,  I opted to leave it off. Version B is the exact same shirt sans collar so I just ended up with a different view. If I am ever feeling overly patient one day I may attempt to sew on the collar, but for now I am satisfied with how it turned out.

I don't really have any fun details of the construction, by leaving off the collar there are only two side seams, hem, neck binding, and armhole binding that must be applied.  As for sizing I cut a 14, one size less than what my measurements suggest. The top is quite roomy though as a 14 has a finished bust measurement of 42". Because it is so roomy it does look a little strange with jeans. I think I will call it my "Modern Ellie May" shirt, because, you know, all clothes deserve to be named.

Happy Sewing!

Finished: Lisette Dress

Ladies and gentlemen, drum roll please, the Lisette dress is finished! I feel the overwhelming need to share with you with pictures of the dress before the details, so here we go.

I am SO excited about this dress! For one, this is the first dress that I have made, so I am ecstatic that it came out more than wearable.I ended up leaving out the side zipper because I don't really have too much trouble getting it over my head. If I make it again I think I will add the zipper. The instructions call for a side seam lapped zipper, and I think I need to practice inserting this type of zipper on a muslin before I try it on my good fabric. Also, I ended up cutting out a size 14 all over and I think it fits much better than my muslin (which was a 16) did.


I highly recommend this pattern. The directions are the best directions that I have ever worked with in my short sewing life. There are "Lisette tips" sprinkled throughout the pattern along with a reminder to finish seams and recommended methods for doing so included throughout the whole list of instructions. If all sewing directions were written this well it would be much easier for beginners like myself to learn to sew.

The bodice has two darts in the front that overlap in the center. It should be noted that it is imperative that you mark the left dart first, stitch, then press before you ever mark and make the right dart. Also, it seems to me that the armholes are a bit deep and there could be some potential for some side bra show.

Tomorrow I should be able to get some better pictures outside while the sun is still out. Thanks so much for stopping by my blog!

Simplicity 2626

Sewing has been slow nonexistent at my house lately. I haven't sewn a single stitch all week long, but hopefully that is going to change this weekend. My goal is to finish the vintage vogue reprint apron and to finish the Butterick skirt I had started that was a bit too big.  Since I don't have anything new to show ya'll I thought I'd show a few aprons that I made before I ever started this blog. I think I should let it be known that aprons are my first love in sewing and nothing, not even adorable retro dresses, can steal the spotlight away from them.

This pattern, Simplicity 2626, has three variations, which all look very similar, and includes misses' and child's sizes.  Since I have no children I obviously only made the misses versions.  The great thing about the ones that I made is that they only take one yard of fabric each. The only downside is that quite a few yards of bias tape are required.  Personally, I don't really mind applying bias tape but I understand that bias tape is the archenemy of many.  The pattern instructs you to use 1/4" bias tape, but on the white and black apron I used 1/2" bias tape instead. Come on, we all know that notions requirements and directions are only suggestions right?  I did as I was told for the green one and used 1/4" bias tape but it just doesn't show up as well. 

By the way, both of these fabrics were purchased from Etsy.

Apron number one which was made with the 1/2" bias tape. Here is a closeup of the fabric, which has awesome vintage car advertisements on it.

And here is the second apron, which was made using a Michael Miller quilting cotton.

Hopefully I will have some new things to show you all after the weekend. Good luck to everyone with their weekend sewing plans!

Simplicity 5584

I finally finished the vintage top pattern that I have been working on. The pattern is dated 1973, which admittedly isn't my favorite style decade. The pattern includes 2 tops that have either a v neck or a round neck and an unlined cardigan. I made the round neck sleeveless top in a cream colored knit. I had originally had bought the fabric to make a modern Vogue pattern for a cowl neck top. However, when I went to lay out my pattern pieces I discovered that I didn't have enough fabric. In hindsight, I didn't pick a very good pattern to use up that fabric. The fabric isn't terribly thick, which renders it a bit see through, and you can see the neck and armhole facing through the shirt. Being able to see the facing makes it feel very homemade to me, which isn't exactly what I'm going for.


Now, let's get to the fun part, the picture, before I enlighten you on a few more of the details.

 

I think that it turned out a bit plain, but I have a blue plaid jacket that I think it will work well under. Of course, this project wasn't without a few trials and tribulations. First, I am apparently a horrible sewing machine mother and don't feed my machine nearly enough. How do I know this? Well, my machine attempted to gobble up my fabric every time I tried to sew. It would get sucked down and then chewed on until I could yank it back out with all my might. ( My failure at sewing machine motherhood can also be attributed to the fact that my machine doesn't even have a name.) 

Overall, this top was really easy to sew together and wasn't confusing in the slightest, even with the somewhat scarce directions. I did have to take in the side seams after I had sewn them together though because it was a bit too big, which was causing the underarms to gape open. The bust was a size 38 and I think that I should be making a 36.  Also, this top calls for a zipper to be installed down the seam in the back. Since this is a knit I didn't really find that necessary so I opted to leave it out.. The only reason I can think of for needing a zipper in a knit is if you're still sporting a beehive hairdo and don't want to wiggle a top over your mountain of hair.

Here is a picture of the pattern

The envelope of this pattern certainly won't be winning any awards for artistic creativity, but it is a window into the past, albeit a small one. I don't know if I will be pulling out this pattern again, but if I do I think I will be using a fabric with a pattern or print of some sort so that it won't be plain looking.

Well, that is all for tonight. I am off to attempt to mend the maternal relationship between me and my sewing machine. Thanks for stopping by!

The Shirt is Finally Done!

I finally finished a top! I used Simplicity 2614 and I made view E, which is a sleeveless top with a tie. I used s slippery polyester fabric that I bought it Joanns. As I stated in another post, I am rendered incapable of making an intelligent decision when I am in the presence of anything polka dotted. This fabric was no exception.  In hindsight perhaps a silky fabric that frays like crazy wasn't the wisest decision for my first top.

When I looked at the sizing on the envelope it indicated that I needed to make a size 16. However, I also compared that measurement to the finished garment measurements and decided on the 14 with a D cup. I think next time I would make a 14 with a C cup or add more gathers under the bust if I used the D again.

This top isn't without it's problems though. First, it's just not quite long enough for my taste. It seems that the bottom part is what needs length as opposed to the bust part.  I enclosed the bottom edge in bias tape instead of hemming it and it''s still a little shorter than I would like. (By the way, I am barely 5'7" so someone taller would definitely need to lengthen it.).  It is long enough to tuck into a skirt but I would just like it to be a little longer to wear un-tucked. If I make it again I will be adding to the length.

Secondly, my gathers under the bust are slightly wonky and it makes them poof out in a slightly strange looking way. The worst part of this top was the facing. It put up a fight, a mean mean fight. The winner of the fight is still undecided but I regret to inform you that I think I am the loser in this fight. I sewed it together the wrong way twice, then proceeded to pin it together the wrong way the third time. Once it was finally sewn on the top I couldn't get it to lay right in the "V" part of the neck. I ended up clipping into it in a way that I am sure could make advanced seamstresses cry. Oh well, I am the only one who is going to see the inside. Even though there were trials and tribulations that went with this top I am just counting them as learning experiences and I fully intend on wearing my slightly wonky top.

Thank ya'll for stopping by my blog!