This week I really need to get my muslin finished. Nothing yet to see here, just a lot of tracing and prep work. And Esteemed Sewing Assistant helping out.
Category Archives: sewing
What I’m Working on This Week: Advance 8647, the Bridesmaid Dress
In some fit of sewing responsibility, I finally went back to what I really should have been working on since about a month ago: my bridesmaid dress. I’m going with the bustier/sarong version from the late 50s.
I also finished McCalls 5805, and still need to take decent pictures of it.
Laurel, The Gatsby-Hacked Version
It took way longer than it should have, but I finally finished my version of Laurel. I finished reading The Great Gatsby on my commute the other week, and I wanted something that would capture the decadent, opulent, lush feel of the novel.
Btw, I didn’t realize how sheer this dress was. I’m lucky there’s a brown fence behind most of me.
Edit: Thanks for reminding me guys, I am entering this in the Colette Patterns contest.
+ + +
Pattern Description: Loosely fitted basic sheath dress or top.
Pattern Sizing: 0-18. I cut a 4 on top and tapered to a 6 on the bottom.
Did it look like the photo/drawing on the pattern envelope once you were done sewing with it? Yes, sort of.
Were the instructions easy to follow? I have on idea, I didn’t read the directions.
What did you particularly like or dislike about the pattern? I like how versatile and simple this pattern is.
Fabric Used: Sheer crushed velvet.
Pattern alterations or any design changes you made: I changed this pattern a lot. I dropped the neckline, took out the front and back darts, and raised the hem. I wanted a 60s-inspired does 20s-inspired version. I serged the side seams and hem and used seam binding to finish the neckline and armholes. I removed the darts since I didn’t think the crushed velvet could handle it, and I wanted to keep it simple.
Would you sew it again? Would you recommend it to others? Yes and yes. I’d really like to sew this so it would actually look like Laurel version, and not severely modified.
Conclusion: I’d definitely make this again.
Work in Progress: Laurel, The Gatsby-Hacked Version
Here’s my progress so far on Laurel. I really wish I made a muslin. I need to adjust the neckline and the hem, and it’s almost there.
The Santa Muerte Shelf Tablecloth
+ + +
There has been a lot of sewing-involved activities here, but not any actual sewing.
I finally picked up my Hello Kitty sewing machine from the repair shop, went to Mood to pick up some fabric for a new project, and still need to attach an invisible zipper to McCalls 5805.
Santa Muerte is a Catholic folk saint venerated primarily in Mexico and the United States. I tend to see her as an underground or unofficial saint, and is known as the patron saint of criminals, prostitutes, drug traffickers, those on the fringes of society, those in especially bad romances.
In thanks for a favor granted recently, I sewed a shelf tablecloth from some leftover white Swiss dot and lined it with muslin. It’s a long rectangle with the edges folded over double, which came out better than I thought it would.
Sewing Machine Repairs
At City Sewing over the weekend.
+ + +
Any other insomniacs out there who update their sewing blogs at 3 am since they can’t sleep?
I had to bring in the Hello Kitty machine for repairs over the weekend. I’ve only been sewing with the Featherweight lately, which means no knits and invisible zippers, and hopefully I can get it back this weekend.
The Death Rattle of the Hello Kitty Sewing Machine
My green Hello Kitty machine is making strange, rattling noises, and probably has to be taken to the shop soon. This evening’s sewing crisis involves two bent needles, the last of my 80/12 ones. I’m a recent convert to gathered skirts, and I finished gathering and attaching the skirt using my Featherweight. More to come soon.
What I’m Working on This Week: McCalls 5805
+ + +
I finally had a chance to cut out the fabric I’m using for my one-shoulder dress. It’s cotton voile with a rose print border at the bottom (not shown).
What I’m Working on This Week: McCalls 5805
+ + +
I was looking through my stash and I found this interesting dress pattern. I plan to make View A, with the pouffy skirt, and to add pockets.
Simplicity 5601: Skull & Roses Tote Bag
+ + +
+ + +
I’m back to taking pictures inside my living room, but hopefully not for long, since I could barely get decent pictures of this project.
This year’s first finished sewing project is a tote bag. I actually finished this last year, a few days ago, but only had a chance to post about it now.
I’ve wanted a really cute tote bag to bring when I do errands for a few months now. I almost bought one on etsy, when I realized I could make one myself for a fraction of the price. I used leftover black denim for the bottom piece and some quilting cotton skull and roses fabric for the main piece. I lined it with the quilting cotton. It’s lightweight and folds up nicely. I’ve used this already to bring my gym things and so far, so good.