Vogue 8742

Hooray for more stash busting and perfect pattern/fabric pairing.  I bought Vogue 8742 after seeing Leisl blog her amazing orange one.

Don't ask me what kind of fabric this is.  It's knit and I got it off the remnant table at G Street Fabrics near DC.  (Are you tired of hearing me say that about fabric yet?)  I had to have it because of the color. My favorite color is purple and this is one fabulous shade of purple.

I don't really have much to write as far as a pattern review.  I loved it.  It was straightforward and everything matched up.  

I was scared at the thought of inserting a zipper into knit, but it turns out that I didn't need to anyway.  I feel like I have to be gentle getting it over my head, but it really has plenty of room.

I took it in a smidge in the back because of my sway back.  I just shaped it a bit so it would curve with me.  That's a super easy fix though, since I could just put it on inside out and mark where I needed to change it.

I'm not totally sold on my look with the ankle boots.  I bought these boots specifically to go with this dress and the belt I already had.  I made this dress to wear to a wedding being held at an old schoolhouse/farm event space, so I wanted to let that guide my fashion choices a bit.  As I said, not sure I made the right choices, but whatever, I still love the dress and will just style it differently next time.

I'm already considering making another with 3/4 length sleeves and a lower cut back for family Christmas pictures.

I am glad I saw Leisl's inspiration and glad to have this pattern in my collection.

There's No Saving It

Some times I can get myself out of a pickle, and sometimes, I can just tell that it's not worth trying.
I need to go get some shut-eye, so this is going to be short and sweet.

I cut this out a long time ago so I haven't the faintest idea why it's so short.  It can't be the pattern (Simplicity 2599), because this pattern is well-reviewed and well-loved.
Issue Number 1: too short for some unknown reason
Issue Number 2: dart in completely wrong place for me

See where my fingertip is?  That's the end of the dart.  See where my thumb is?  That's where I need the dart to point to and to end.
I can't blame the pattern on this one either because I didn't mark my darts very well.  It usually turns out pretty ok when I eye it, but not this time!

Issue Number 3: the poofy ruffles!

This synthetic something-or-other fabric that I got from Hancock's sure is pretty, but it won't hold a crease and it's too floaty and not drapey enough for those ruffles.  They look downright stupid.  Very clown-like.

Issue Number 5: print + ruffles = too loud and confusing

I actually think the lovely spatter print on this fabric that I was attracted to, doesn't really work with all the ruffles.  It's too much going on, yes?

Just goes to show how important it is to match the right fabric type and print to the right pattern.  And how important it is to cut things out according to the pattern.... and to sew them according to the pattern.

Really, pretty much everything is important.  It was all too much stacked against this top for it to have any hope of not being a wadder.

Jeggings!

I bought some jegging fabric, like, months ago and it's been sitting in a pile.  I was in my post about plans to sew things... my stashbusting post and I've finally busted it!
I had plans to sew some leggings for myself and for my two girls and I've sewn two out of three, so that's something!
Here are mine, made from McCalls 6173.  Sorry, no awesome or styled shots.  These are just with the t-shirt I had on and with my Photo Booth on my Mac.

I altered the fit (again... this is the second, maybe third time) and I'm kind-of sorry I did because they are a leeeeeetle tight for this particular fabric, especially at the calves.

I wanted to do something different with these besides hem them at the bottom so I made long cuffs.  I was thinking of doing little buttons up the outside of the cuffs, but I'm not sure if they would bother me with boots on.

I don't even really have anything in mind to wear them with, besides boots.  What do you wear jeggings with?

I made them with a knit waist band because I was inspired by another pattern to try it out on these.

Wanna see the other pair of leggings and see the inspiration for the knit waistband?

It's Titchy Threads Fancy Pants pattern. It's part of the Sew Fab bundle, one of 26 patterns for $29.95

My babe is wearing her Fancy Pants jeggings with the Molly Blossom Buttercup Tunic.

This leggings pattern is really great.  There is a long and short version and a knit waistband option (thus the idea for mine). There's a panel in the bum that's great for nappy-wearing babes or just for active toddlers who want to do "tricks" without splitting a seam.

If you have a babe or two of your own and you'd like to see what else is in the Sew Fab bundle has to offer before it's gone on October 8th, you can read about the rest of it here.

A Favorite, Miniaturized

The photo above is from a while ago, but I had to show you again one of the two cowl-neck Sewaholic Renfrews I've made.

I remember thinking back when I made them, "I wonder if I could miniaturize this?"  I wanted to be able to make something like this for my two little girls.  I never tried, but thank goodness, someone else has made a pattern for it so I don't have to make mistakes and waste fabric trying to figure it out for myself.

I introduce to you the Bimaa by LouBee Clothing.

There are actually three options in this pattern; a rolled neck band, a cowl neck and a hood.

The hooded Bimaas I've seen are totally adorable and I already bought fabric today to make on for my little sweetie.

Now how am I going to draft a hood for my Sewaholic pattern?!

Do you need a mini cowl pattern in your life?  How about 25 other patterns with it and all for $29.95?  The Bimaa is a part of the Sew Fab bundle, only available through the 8th of October.  Want more info and a chance to purchase your own?

Head over here, see all the patterns that are included and read all about it.