My First Sew Along

I've never tackled a coat before and when I saw the Trench Coat Sew Along,

I thought that might be the ticket to get me going. I emailed Elizabeth yesterday morning to see if it was too late to join and she gladly sent me my invite.

Since I already have it in my pattern stash I thought I'd go with McCall's 5525 for this one. View E.
I'm a little apprehensive about this because it is my first coat, but I will try to do my best. I found this fabric believe or not at Walmart.

I think it is a polyester blend of some sort. It was marked as fabric unknown. I haven't picked my lining or buttons out yet but I would like something colorful for the inside of the coat. I figure I can decide on the buttons as I move along.

The other decision I have to make is whether or not to treat the fabric so that it's waterproof. Do any of you have any suggestions in reference to that? I've never done that before.

In other sewing news, I'm also cutting out McCall's 5978

so that I can sew along with my buddy Sheila. I also plan on cutting out Butterick 5030.

I think that's all I can handle right now as I start back to work this week and I'm crazy with knitting projects right now. I'll tell you more about that later this week.

Sheer Madness!!!!

I knew this fabric was a little sheer, but I really can see it now in these pictures. I finally finished Simplicity 2584. I am very proud of this dress. It turned out really nice and I can't wait to wear it next week to work. That's right, I start back to work on Monday. I'm hoping things won't be to crazy, but hey, who knows. Anyway, back to this dress. So, you already know that I tried french seams on this dress. I was thinking about trying some piping around the neckline, so I decided to learn how to make that also. I think it turned out pretty well, but in the end, I decided not to use it. I followed the pattern directions, sewing in the facing and then did top stitching. To make sure I didn't mess up, I used carbon paper to trace the lines from the pattern and then went over the lines on the interfacing with marker.

My favorite part of this dress was the sleeve construction. I remember when I cut this pattern out that there was a piece for the sleeve lining. When I looked at it, I said to myself, what the heck is this for. Why would I need that? Well, it genius. The sleeve is made up of 3 parts. The actual sleeve, the ruffle and the sleeve liner. Each piece is sewn together separately. Then you connect the ruffle to the liner while gathering it on one side. Then you attach the ruffle to the sleeve and gather it on the other side. When you've completed that you attach the sleeve liner to the inside where the ruffle and the sleeve meet. In doing this, you pull the ruffle into the inside or wrong side of your garment, as you can see in this picture. And it looks like this on the right side of your garment. In conclusion, I love the dress and will definitely be making another one of these. Probably next Spring, as this pattern has various other sleeve options for the dress. I have to go for now, but I wanted to leave you with my clearance find from JoAnn's last week. They were clearing out for new stock and I just could not leave them at the store. Oh, the possibilities.
I hope everyone has a great weekend. I'm going to try to.

Rainy Fridays and Progress Pics.

With the season turning to fall weather one can not help but set their mind towards fall fashions. I have a few items in mind but before I start them, I want to sew a few items that I classify as in between weather clothing or transitional clothing.

I started working on Simplicity 2584 yesterday. I am making View A. This dress is similar to the McCall's dress I made this summer, but there are some differences. This dress has a zipper. It is more shapely. The neckline is a little different. You actually sew the facing on first, and then cut the neckline for the V-shaping(like steaking). Also, the waist has a drawstring waistline. I will be omitting that, and just make a belt to tie around the waist. The fabric I am using is a sheer cotton batiste in black with white embroidery stitching at the bottom. I purchased this fabric in July of 2008 at Fabric Warehouse during their 40% off sale. Love that place. Anyway, while making my dress, I wanted to try something new, french seams. I think they give sewn garments a very nice finished look on the inside/wrong side of garments.

I had read up on how to do french seams from Reader's Digest Complete Guide to Sewing and this sight. The only thing I was unsure of was the seam allowances. I thought I would have to compensate and cut for a larger seam allowance, but thanks to Amanda(I think she is the queen of french seams) and her tutorial, I learned differently.


Here are how my seams turned out. I am pretty proud of myself so far.

Wrong side of garment.

Right side of garment. I was hoping that I'd finish the dress today, but unfortunately, that wasn't the case. We had a family emergency last night with my mother-in law, so I've been a little busy with that. There is always tomorrow. Anyway, this is what I have done so far. When I cut the pattern out, I added 2 inches to the length.
I don't have any knitting news but my fingers have been working the needles. I casted-on for another Turn A Square hat. By the way, are any of you knitters going to Rhinebeck? Anyway, I hope everyone has a wonderful weekend.

Labor Day Weekend Update!!

This is a warning. This post is very picture heavy. Saturday was our lazy day. We hung out by the Sckuykill River with our new toy.

It was a beautiful day. The weather was great and we had a nice time. It was my first time riding a jet ski.

I also started a new project. I've made socks before, but never one from the toe-up so this is my introduction to that. I'm using Berroco Sock 50% Nylon and 50% Acrylic which is actually very nice to work with. The pattern I'm using is The Humble Sock Goes Toe-Up by Nikki Burns. I found the pattern on Ravelry. I had to make a few alterations as for the size because it was too big. I casted on for the smallest size but worked up to 46 stitches on #2 circular needles. I also learned a new technique which was the Turkish Cast-On. The sock seems to fit me fine so far. I'm almost up to the heel flap part.

Yesterday I finished Sursa. I think she turned out really nice and should keep me warm on those chilly days like today. All that's left to do is to weave in the ends. I pretty much followed the pattern. The only thing I did differently was the ruffle. I wanted instant gratification so I decided to crochet the ruffle instead of knit it. It took 10 balls of yarn and 2 evening sessions in front of the television but it's done.

Last night I casted on for a blanket. It's a Christmas gift so I can't say who it's for. I don't have any pictures yet, but I hope to have it done in time.

In sewing news, I went to JoAnn Fabrics yesterday and had a field day. McCalls, Vogue and Simplicity patterns were all on sale. I thought at first that my visit was going to be a bust. When I got there, I wasn't finding what I went for but then the boxes started showing up for restocking and the nice girls at JoAnns let me go to town. 11 patterns later, I walked out a very happy camper. Here's what I purchased. I have to thank Amanda of Amanda's Sewing Adventures (great blog) for mentioning over the weekend that McCalls had listed some new patterns. When I saw this Laura Ashley pattern 5972, I had to get it. I love the ruffles on View C. I was afraid that my JoAnns didn't have it yet, but like I mentioned earlier, they had just received the new shipment with the new patterns.5929. Even though I've been sewing for quite some time, I've never sewn a button down shirt. I figure it's about time, so here's one of the blouses/shirts I'd like to tackle this coming year.

Every girl needs a sweater set in their wardrobe and I thought 5978 would fit the bill. What I like about this pattern is that it has a set- in sleeve on the sweater. That's great for me because if I want to change the sleeve design it will be easier for me to do and it opens up quite a few options.

I purchased 5975 because I just liked it. Plus I do like all the dress options.

I can see myself making at least 3 versions from 2504. I love Views A, B, and C.

There's not much to say about 2508. I think it's a definite must have. I love all 3 versions.


Getting in the holiday mode. I picked up these 3 patterns. Simplicity 2739, 3696 and McCalls 5248. My mother asked me for a bathrobe for Christmas so I think pajamas and bathrobes will be in order for her and my husband this year.

Robin has made this one a few times. Because of that, it has become a must have in a sewer's collection. I figured it was time I picked this one up before they discontinue it.

I saw 2665 the last time I was at a Simplicity sale. I decided to pick it up this time. I like the vest and pants from this pattern. It's the vest and pants version of Vogue 1053 which is already in my collection(jacket and pants). The fronts of the jacket and vest on these 2 patterns are very similar.

That's about it for me. I want to sew something today, or at least cut something out. I just need to pick a pattern out.

I hope everyone enjoys the rest of their Labor Day!!