Remember when I said that I was fine with the sleeves ties of this dress being kind of (too) longish?  Well I guess that was a lie because I kept thinking about those dang sleeve ties after I posted about them.  That is actually a really great thing about taking photos of your work: you see things (aka problems) you would normally miss otherwise.  And overall I thought the dresses were a bit too plain although simplicity is what I was going for.

So back to the drawing–sewing–board!  I re-cut and sewed the sleeve ties and added a slouchy little pocket.  Much better I think.  Now it looks finished.

The denim dress needed a little extra love too and got a sassy heart-shaped pocket added to it.

Sorry, this detail pic out of focus; my camera did not want to cooperate with me.  Just wanted to show the stitching a bit close up.  The opening is in fact reinforced (like I did with the pocket on this skirt) but that’s done in navy thread so it would blend in with the fabric.  These photos were snapped after I washed the dress and you can see the edges now have that nice, faded rumply-ness you see on jeans.

Did you have any grand plans for the weekend?  I’ll be playing housekeeping catch up for part of it since I was out of commission last weekend.  But I hope to get to some alterations: I’ve got some lovely (and very girlie) vintage dresses that need to be hemmed and repaired.  And a sweater to continue working on before spring really takes hold!

Thank you for your “get well” wishes–I’m feeling much better today with the exception of the occasion coughing fit.  I had to leave the house to drop off some packages at the P.O. so I threw on this outfit.  (It’s quite warm and Spring-ish today so no jacket needed!)  I decided to snap a couple of pics since I haven’t shared this hankie top with you yet.

It’s a pullover style and has to fit loosely (to avoid tearing while slipping it on) because of the delicate vintage hankies, but it’s looser than I would normally prefer.  My concern with too-loose fitting clothing is looking shapeless, but I think it’s okay with fitted pants.  (Dare I say jeggings?  Yes, jeggings.)   Maybe I should add a ribbon belt to cinch it in a bit?

The pattern I used is Simplicity’s Built by Wendy 3835, my fave as you know.

Happy 2012!

I’m starting the year off right by sharing not one but two projects I recently completed. Today is the first official day back to work and I’m simply not ready so I’m posting to the blog instead (being used to working into the night and occasionally on weekends, my slowness into getting back to work is not such a big deal).

First up is another Built by Wendy #3835 dress, this time with the sleeve ties.  Honestly I don’t know why the ties on my version are so long compared to what is shown on the pattern cover.  I really think there is some serious funny business when it comes to companies representing finished garments from sewing patterns, at least there seems to be!  But the super long ties don’t really bother me, not enough for me to redo them (I didn’t notice how long they were while I was stitching them on, oh well).  We’ll see…let’s just say they are very fashion statement-y!

The fabric is a lovely cotton voile in a print that reminds me of the night sky.  I’d probably wear a slip under this is real life because the fabric is thin.  I also made this version super short because I’m realizing that short dresses/skirts really does look better on me (being 5’2″) although I’m super self conscious about my legs.  But I’m I’m feeling particularly modest (or cold) I can wear leggings underneath.

And I just this morning finished this dress:

I took New Look #6022 that I used for a blouse and merged the top of it with the lower half of BBW #3835 because the latter had more shape and is overall more flattering.  The fabric is a super soft denim and I top-stitched with traditional mustard-gold denim thread.

Seams are pinked because I figured serging them would make them kind of stiff.  I almost added patch pockets but decided to keep this one really simple and to keep the focus on the pleat details.

Now I’m going to trace off this new pattern 6022/3835 hybrid so I can make another dress just like it!

All I want to do is sew clothes.  I have many ideas for other crafty projects, including shop stuff, but at the end of the day I just want to make a skirt or cut out a new blouse.  Life has been a bit crazy lately and sewing for the pure fun of it is my therapy, I suppose.

The clothes I’m working on are fall items I can wear now.  Because, you know, it’s not really going to get chilly here ’til late October or so.

Here is a blouse I made combining pattern pieces from McCall’s M5977 and New Look 6022.  I shortened the sleeves, drafted the v-neck and made the bows.  I don’t recommend attaching sleeves to bodice pieces meant for a sleeveless top (which is what I did) because the armholes aren’t quite right but I don’t think it’s noticeable and fits comfortably anyway.

The original design had 5 larger, pointier bows going done the front.  Even after testing the placement I didn’t get a feel for what it would truly look like until I had made and attached all the bows.  (You might be able to see bias tape stitched down the center front on the inside; this was placed there to support the bows.)  But I didn’t like it afterall.  Don’t know why, it just seemed too stiff or something.  So I re-cut 2 of the bows and attached them just near the v.

The skirt is my favorite of the 2.  The colors look blown out in the photo where I’m modeling it but the fabric really is so pretty and has a nice, slightly coarse texture.  (By the way, I probably wouldn’t wear those shoes with this skirt out and about because they are too orange but I’m currently without dark brown pumps.)

And yes, I used Simplicity pattern 8418 for this skirt.  Of course!

I’m so glad it’s Friday.  Do you have any fun plans for this weekend?