Ruffle Tunic Dress

Thank you so much for all the great comments on my little pretties and my anniversary wishes. Rachel and Linda, take the plunge and make some, you will not regret it. I have a few patterns but I haven't tried them yet. I like Antoinette's tutorial because you use an old pair of underwear that already fits you great.

Last summer I purchased a yard and a half of some ruffle fabric from Joanns clearance section in the hopes of making a tank top or something for work. The more I thought about it I wanted to make a tank dress but I wasn't sure I had enough fabric to accommodate that. It also doesn't help that I'm 5'9. I had the day off on Friday so I decided to see if I could work or at least start to work it out.

I started with the tank from Kwik Sew 3740.

I made the cowl so much this past winter I was comfortable with the fit of the bodice. I figured that the tank should probably fit the same way. I drafted out a skirt adding it to the bodice and angling out to make it a little more a-line than straight. I wanted a more tunic/shift look than a sheath dress.

It wasn't hard keeping the ruffles lined up as long as I took my time and sewed slowly. The hardest part were the armholes. Sewing around in a circle had the ruffles going in two different directions. There were a lot of stop and go moments. I really like how this dress/tunic turned out and I wore it to work on Monday with capris as I thought it was too short for work, but I can possibly see myself wearing it out on a date night or possibly to gig in. Oh, and yes my friends, the dress is fully lined (sorry no pics, I guess I was in a hurry). There was no way I was going anywhere in this dress as sheer as it is.

Spring is definitely here!!!!!

I can see it. April showers bring May flowers. I don’t know about you, but we have been having plenty of rain lately. Friday was our first break of sunshine in a couple of days, and last week we had a day that hit over 70. Since Faye was having the 15 day Over the Top sew-a-long, and yes, I’m apart of it, I figured I’d better get moving. Last Friday night(that's right a week ago this past Friday) I worked on 2 tops. One isn’t that Springish, but hey, I already had it cut out and I can wear it right now with the weather the way it is, so I worked on it. In fact, I wore it to work this past Thursday. Here is my final cowl for Kwik Sew 3740 .

The fabric is from Joanns, which I purchased back in the Fall before I put myself on a fabric diet. I’m also thinking about using this pattern to make a couple of t-shirts. I really like the cut. I also worked on Simplicity 2283, a mix of views A & D. A few people have done this pattern on PR. If you haven’t checked this blouse out yet, please do. It’s a little time consuming with all the pleats you have to sew in, but the reward and outcome of the blouse is awesome. The fabric I used on this one is remnant that I picked up at Jomars. It’s from Marc Jacobs. Yes I broke my diet for this one. When I saw it, I had to have it. It also didn’t help that it feels like butter. I didn't accomplish everything I wanted to yet and now Faye's doing a Bottom's up sew- a- long for the rest of the month. I figure, I can still get a few tops done and work on some pants as well.

On a totally different note, I want to thank all of you for the comments you left me in my last post. I really appreciate all of you and enjoy going to your blogs. Rachel, Myra and Monique, the shoes are Aldo from last Spring. Carolyn, even though it may seem I don't listen, I do.

Tricia(aka Ms. Clio), Thank you, thank you, thank you. I received the pattern(Kwik Sew 2935) in the mail along with the beautiful charm. I can't wait to work it up for Mr. D. In fact I think we've may have a problem. He asked me the other day even though I already have fabric picked out, if he could go in search of fabric on his own for this pattern as well, and he's asking about jeans, go figure. I barely have time to sew for myself. Oh well, my hands are going to be busy.

Hello Stranger!!!

As they say in the song, seems like a mighty long time. Or a few weeks. I kind of went on a blog break, which I did not intend to do. But life happens. I hope you all of been well. I haven't done any sewing really in the last few weeks. I've wanted to work on my Burda dress, but at the beginning of the month it was just too hot to go into the sewing room. I purchased a portable air conditioner for the house, but it never quite got the job done on cooling the house off. Don't get me wrong, it works if you're standing right in front of it, but it's not good on cooling off the whole room. I think because it was on the floor and the cool air tended to just circulate around the floor. Mr. D and I finally took it back and for the price we paid, replaced it with a window unit, a fan and a dual flush toilet for the bathroom that we are going to start renovating. Now we feel like we've gotten our monies worth, and the house is finally cooler.

A few weeks ago, a friend asked me to make a baby blanket for her to give to her god daughter who was having her first child. This is what I was able to come up with.

When she received it she seemed pretty pleased.

This past weekend I decided to try and see if my sewing mojo was back. One of my knitting buddies Marissa is getting married next month. We had a shower for her over the weekend at our friend Robin's house. A great time was had by all. And the food was delish. It was a brunch and everyone brought a dish. Here is some of the food.

These first 2 dishes were made by Robin and Marissa. This sausage and egg dish was made by Lisa.This strawberry dessert was made by me, and the cupcakes were made by Laura.

I had been wanting to try Kwik Sew 3554 for quite some time, and since I have really never sewn for anyone before beside family, I thought this might be a start. I traced out the pieces for the small thinking she was a 36. I used stretch lace with a tye-dye floral print. and outlined the bodice with a floral trim. Front View Side View Back Close up of Front. I didn't hem the bottom as I used a wavy blade in my rotary cutter. I followed in Robin's footsteps and did a halter top instead of spaghetti straps. With not having Marissa around for fittings as I wanted it to be a surprise, I figured it would be easier. In doing so, I couldn't follow the directions to the letter. All in all, I love this pattern, everything went together very easily. When she tried it on, it was too big. I took it in an inch on each side, and then it fit perfectly. Ladies, I see this one in my future very shortly(as Mr. D saw this one and asked, "Hey babe, is that for me?"). This was my very first Kwik Sew experience and it will not be my last. I plan on sewing more of their patterns as I have recently purchased and have a few in my stash.

In knitting news, I'm working on wardrobe builders right now. Plain sweaters to wear with dresses and tops. I'm starting with the Short Sleeve Cardigan from Spring/Summer 2010 Knit Simple. It's part of the 1st Lady Flair Collection which were inspired after Michelle Obama. I finished the back, and am now working on the left front. I wanted to do both front pieces together, but the buttonholes are based on the button placement, and since I haven't figured that out yet, I have to do each piece separately. The yarn I'm using is Berroco Comfort. I have to tell you, I love the feel of this yarn.

Myra, I haven't forgotten about the blogger award you gave me. I'll be posting about that next. I also just realized that my blogging anniversary is in a few days. 5 Days to be exact. Stay tuned for a giveaway for that as well. As always, Happy Crafting!!