Finished: "Anchors Away, Matey!" Skirt ( Vogue 8603)

Well hello dear readers! It's been a long time since I have written a post here. But, don't despair, as I have a finished object to show you today.

I finished a fantastic little navy blue skirt that is perfect for a day out on my yacht. You know, if I owned a yacht. I must admit, I love anything with a nautical flair, and when I spotted this pattern at Joann's I knew it would be perfect for a button decorated skirt.

This skirt did not come together without and hiccups though. I had finally stitched the lining in when I decided to try it on. Much to my dismay when I attempted to zip it, the zipper separated and broke! Out came the lining, out came the zipper, and then back in went a new zipper and back in went the lining. It was definitely worth it in the end though.

Here are some more details:
Pattern: Vogue 8603 ( A still in print modern pattern)
Size: I cut the 16, but took in the center back seam just a bit for a little more snug fit
Outer Fabric: Some sort of suiting from the Goodwill, $1
Lining Fabric: Leftover taffeta lining from my Romance, Rekindled jacket, ~$.50
Buttons and Zipper: From estate sales, cost negligable
What I love: This skirt fits so so well! I love the buttons and the fact that this pattern takes so little fabric.
Dislikes: The way they have you construct this skirt, the facing ends up on top of the lining, only tacked at the seams. I fell like a lined skirt should not have a facing flapping around on the inside. I would like to make this skirt again, but I will be seeking out a different way to deal with the facing/lining. I also wold like it to be just a tad bit longer. It rids up a lot when I sit down since it is so fitted.

New Vogues!

Hello wonderful readers! I trust that you all had fabulous, and hopefully sewing filled, weekends. My weekend didn't include too much sewing, sadly. I am however, plugging away at at my Modcloth inspired dress. The envelope boasted that the pattern was easy in bright bold letters across the front of the envelope. However, upon opening the directions and reading over it, I realized that there were actually a ton of steps, and a lot of seams to finish. So, in an effort to not become overwhelmed, I am taking it step by step and trying to be neat in my work. So, it may be late next week before I have a finished object to show you all.

So, for now, I thought that I'd show my picks from the new Vogue patterns. As usual, there are some winners and some losers, There seems to be a lot of drapey and ruched offerings, which are generally not my taste, but I might give them a shot.

First up is Vogue 1257, a very classic looking long sleeved dress from DKNY. The model dress is brown, but I'd probably opt to make this up in a really bright, but solid, shade.

Next in the lineup is Vogue 1254, which is so classic and chic. The pattern is rated average, but perhaps if I took is slow and steady I might be able to handle it.

Thirdly, I have fallen in love with 8751. These pants seem to be everything I love in a pant all bottled up into one pretty pattern. I will definitely be picking this up at the next sale, as long as Joann puts the patterns out instead of hoarding them in the stock room.'

I also really like Vogue 8743, though their suggestion of wool flannel seems a bit odd to me for a full skirted, summery looking dress. I'd definitely be making this one up in the shorter version.

Vogue 8745 is also another winner, though I am most fond of view A. I love that this can be made up in a woven, since I prefer those over knits.

So, there you have it, my picks for the newest Vogue collection. Which patterns do you plan on picking up?  As I stated earlier, I'm chugging away at a Modcloth inspired dress. I'd love to hear what you all are working on!

Finished: The "Hot Pink Mullet" Dress

Yes, you read that right. I am naming my dress after a hairstyle that was sported by someone who belted the 90's horror known as Achy Breaky Heart, but I make no apologies. This dress truly is business in the front and a party in the back! If you'd like your own honky-tonk hairdo dress then you'll need to pick up a copy of Vogue 1102.

Let me say thought that this dress has not been without it's fair share of drama. When will our patterns learn that drama is so high school? Anyways, after carefully studying the finished bust measurements I decided that I should cut a size 16, instead of my usual 14. This was a big mistake! When I tried on the dress last night I immediately deemed it the hot pink mullet maternity dress. Seriously, octomom could have worn this dress right until the point she popped. It was gargantuan. So, today I did some terribly quick and dirty side seams take ins and called it good. Luckily, since I will never allow anyone who knows how to sew see the inside, my terrible alterations will always be my dirty little secret.

The Details

• Pattern: Vogue 1102, a modern pattern from Joanns $3.99
• Size 16 and I would definitely cut a 14 next time. Truly, I need to cut a 12 for my high bust and do a FBA.
• Fabric: Hot pink broadcloth from an estate sale ~$.75 ( I still have a few yards of this stuff left)
• Directions: The directions are really good for this pattern. I would recommend cutting four ties ends, sewing right sides together, and then turning if your fabric has a definite wrong side. The wrong side of the fabric is visible when you make the bow. You also might want to do this if you're in a hurry since it does take a while to make narrow hems on them. 

The rest of the outfit:

• Shoes: St. John's Bay, from JcPenney
• Brooch: I believe this was from Belk.

Happy Sewing!

P.S. Today, while thrifting, I bought a 1960's vintage union made winter coat with bound buttonholes and it's red. Pictures to come!

Finished: The "Undying Love" Apron

The sides are even, I promise it's just the way I am standing.

Phew! This apron is finally finished! I have dubbed this apron the "Undying Love" apron, simply because I would have given up and never completed it had I not been in love with the fabric. This apron by any other fabric would have been a forever UFO. Allow me to explain.

First, this apron has concave and convex curves which must be attached, something I had never done before. I sewed one of the curves on, unpicked it, sewed it on again, unpicked the whole thing again, sewed it on again and then realized that I had two curves going in the same direction. I had cut my beloved fabric out incorrectly. Frantic, I dug through the scrap pile hoping there was enough fabric left to redo the incorrect piece. Then my heart sank to my feet, there wasn't enough fabric to redo it. Okay, so there must be a plan be right? I went to my fabric bin and started digging, and I found a piece of contrasting fabric. Not exactly what I had seen as my original vision, but at this point I just had to go with it. Walking back to the sewing machine I decided that I would re-cut the straps from the contrast fabric so that it would have a more cohesive look. I laid out my pattern pieces once again, only to discover that I didn't have enough fabric to cut the straps.
Ugh!

Had this apron been made from any other fabric I would have thrown in the towel a few rounds ago. This fabric, however, had my heart from the moment that I had plucked it from the rack at the Goodwill. My best guess is that it's from the 1970s or early 1980s, so I couldn't buy more when I discovered that I had incorrectly cut it. It features a design of pepper grinders, pitchers, fondue pots, and flower arrangements, making it unusual indeed. It is cotton, but is a different texture than quilting cotton, and cost me two bucks.

The pattern is Vogue 8643, which is the same pattern I made a half apron from in the recent past. When I made the half apron, I noted how horrible the directions were, but it seems that the directions for this view were much much better as they didn't share steps with another view.

What I like about this pattern:

•  The curves at the side seam are an interesting detail not found on may aprons.
• The giant pockets
• The fact that I am finally done sewing it 

What I don't like about this pattern:

• The straps are extremely long. I had to cross mine and they're still too long.
• I don't like the way the back closes. It doesn't fit quite right and I am not sure if there is even a way to alter it after cutting out the pieces.
• It requires a lot of fabric for an apron, 3 1/8 of 45" to be exact.

The other details

• I cut the size large, which is a 16-18.
• The printed fabric was from the Goodwill. It cost about $2.
• The solid fabric was from Joann's. If I recall correctly it was $4.
• The buttons came from my button stash, originally purchased at an estate sale.
• Would I make it again? Probably not. I had too much trouble with it, and it doesn't fit as well as some other aprons I have made.
• Any changes: I cut about an inch off the bottom because it was uneven, most likely caused by my repeated unpicking. I also added a bow to the bodice.
• If you decide to make this, be warned that it is not a quick apron. It has multiple darts, gathering, curves attached together, buttonholes, and buttons. 

 Happy Sewing!

Vogue 8643

I finished something! I finished something! I finished something! The apron that threatened to eat me alive yesterday has finally been tamed.

The pattern is Vogue 8643, which is a retro reprint featuring five different aprons from 1952. I made view D, which is the one in the top row in the middle. The fabric is a vintage bed sheet I picked up from Goodwill for $2. If I remember correctly I believe that the sheet was a full size, but I had very little waste as this pattern calls for 3 1/4 yards of fabric. I still have one more sheet with this exact same print, but I think it is destined to be used as fabric for a non-wearable muslin.

If you read my last post you will certainly remember my near breakdown over how confusing the directions are. I found them to be very sporadic and it was quite hard to follow along with the steps that you need for your particular view. Also, the directions for attaching the tie ends are crazy. If I made this particular apron again I will be inventing my own method. I have already cut out view C from my prized piece of vintage fabric, so hopefully I won't have as much trouble with those directions.

I love aprons, and this one is no exception. If you love aprons too, give this one a try, that is, if you can justify over 3 yards of fabric for an apron. Happy sewing and have a good night!