New Looks on Sale for $2.99

Hey Ya'll. I just thought you would like to know that New Look Patterns are on sale on the Simplicity site for $2.99 until 8/22. I got the email this morning.

Almost A Wadder

I have had New Look 6729 (OOP) in my stash for a couple of years but for some reason felt intimidated by the pattern. Why? I don't know because I was able to put it together pretty easily. I purchased the fabric from Fabric Warehouse about 3 or 4 years ago.

There was barely a yard of it, so I knew I had to be careful with how I cut the fabric. Anyway, I was in a rush to cut the fabric out because I wanted to wear it on Saturday and decided to cut and sew it on a Friday night before I ran out the door to go to the hair dresser to get my hair done. (I made this top in June by the way. Well, in my rush to cut out the fabric, I didn't check to see which way the stretch was and cut out the back. Of course to my horror I realized that I had cut the back out with the stretch going lengthwise. I freaked for about a minute and forged ahead, because there was no way I was throwing this fabric away. I liked the print too much. I cut the front piece out and made sure I had enough to cut it the correct way, sewed it up and left the arms and hem undone before leaving to get my hair done. When I got home I hemmed the sleeves and top then tried it on. In doing so I realized that the bottom of the top in the front was drooping in a weird way. I assumed that that was from me cutting the back out wrong.

I wish I had taken pictures to document my fudge up, but, of course I did not. (Mental note to self, start documenting everything. You never know when you may need this information again, or it might be helpful to someone else.) I put the top on Lola and messed with pinning in the sides a little, and it did the trick. I was able to get rid of the hanging droop in the front of the top.

Pattern Description

Pattern Sizing:

14, View C

Did it look like the photo/drawing on the pattern envelope once
you were done sewing with it?

I think so.

Were the instructions easy to follow?

Pretty much. I didn't have any problems with them.

What did you particularly like or dislike about the pattern?

I liked the style of the pattern.

Fabric Used:

Rayon/Lycra Knit purchased from Fabric Warehouse.

Pattern alterations or any design changes you made:

None.

Would you sew it again? Would you recommend it to others?

Yes and yes.

Conclusion:

This is a nice top to add to your wardrobe and would look good with slacks, a skirt jeans or a suit. It is a top that can be dressed up or down. Definitely a keeper.

P.S. I made updates to my last post on how to make the laundry detergent for those of you that are interested. (Serenity, Sheila, Karen).

McCall's 3830, OOP Style 2571 and New Look 6457

I had seen many reviews for McCall's 3830.

Everyone that has made it had said that it was a fairly easy skirt to put together and a must have for garment basics. Well I'm putting my 2 cents in on this one. If you need a basic pencil skirt, and you only have a yard of fabric sitting around, this is the pattern for you. I love this pattern and it is so quick and easy too. This is definitely a TNT in my book.

I made View C last Sunday with a jacquard print 100% cotton that I picked up from JoAnn Fabrics. Can I just tell you now that I love this fabric, and the texture is just lovely.

I wanted a top to go with the skirt so I looked through my stash of patterns and found (OOP) Style 2571. I've had this pattern since 1995 and I had never tried it.

The fabric I used is a bottomweight that I picked up from Joanns. It's 97% cotton and 3% Lycra. I don't think Style patterns are around anymore. If anyone knows please let me know what happened to them. At one point, I was thinking Style and New Look were the same company.

Now, this past weekend, I think it got up to 100 degrees here. I've been wanting to make a maxi dress for 2 summers now, but I still haven't gotten around to it. I've been wanting to make this strapless dress for even longer I think. Well, I finally did it on Saturday(I've only had the pattern for like 2 or 3 years now). Last minute Andrea struck it rich with New Look 6457.

I love this pattern and plan on making this dress again.

I picked up about 2 1/2 yards of fabric on Saturday during a lovely visit with the planning committee for PR Philly Weekend and Deepika. A great time was had by all and we were able to bear the heat well.

Here's a little taste of what's up next.

I joined Elizabeth's sew-a long for Butterick 5147. I'm calling it the ultimate sheath dress because Sheila has made it sooooooooooo many times.

Before I sign off for tonight, I have to give a major shout out and Thank you, thank you, THANK YOU to one amazing woman. Rachelle a.k.a. Knit Machine Queen of Smoking Needles Fame. A couple of weeks ago I had a give away and never expected to get anything back in return. Well, last week I came home to find this lovely package on the mail. My mouth was on the floor and I was speechless. I've had many friends in my life, but I must say that the blogging community is one very special group of people that I am so honored to be a part of. I haven't met all of you in person yet, but I hope to in the future. Rachelle you are one of those lovely ladies I would like to meet in the very near future. Until then, I will continue to read your blog, email you and and leave crazy messages from time to time. You are one sexy, amazing, cool mama that keeps on ticking and roaring down the road on your 2-wheel demon with a vengeance. Don't ever let anything stop you.

Butterick 5035 and NL 6922

Over the weekend I got a little bit of sewing done. I have now completed all my tops for MOT. I originally said that I would make 4 tops, but I did complete a 5th one. These 2 patterns were not the original patterns I had picked out, but hey, we're entitled to change our minds right? First up is #4. I had a club gig over the weekend and literally decided to make a top to wear that night an hour before I had to get ready. I chose Butterick 5035 as the pattern said you could make it in an hour. They weren't lying. It took me an hour and a half but that included cutting the pattern out so I thought that was pretty good. I did View A. The fabric was actually from my very first purchase from Fabric.com about a year ago. I remember when I bought it, I wasn't crazy about it, but thought I'd hang on to it. You never know when you might find a use for it. I'm glad I did. I love the top.

Top #5 is from NL6922, View D. This baby I worked on last night, and it also came together pretty quickly. I didn't follow the pattern directions. I lengthened the sleeves as I didn't want 3/4 sleeves. I also attached the neckline flat. Faye, who got the idea from Karen did this for one of her tops during the sew-a-long and I decided to also try it. If you've never tried this technique before, give it a try, you will not be disappointed.

That's pretty much it for me today as I have a lot of work to go and do. Before I go, I would like to thank Faye and all the lovely ladies who participated in this sew-a-long. I now have 5 new blouses which have added to my wardrobe, and I feel motivated in the sewing department. Now, to get to that holiday sewing.

New Toys and Work in Progress NL 6922

I hope that you all are doing well. I'm hanging in there, but I'm still trying to figure out where the time is going. My days seem to fly by. I'm still trying to figure out where last week went. Anymore, I barely have the energy to get up in the morning and go to work. Once I get home, I've pretty much been heading to bed. Anyway, first off, I need to give a very big THANK YOU to Robin. We had an awesome conversation a couple of weeks ago about feet for our sewing machine. Mine didn't come with an invisible zipper foot or a gathering/shirring foot so she guided me to Singer and Ebay. I hit the jackpot over at Ebay, and the new additions to my sewing family arrived last week.
I haven't tried them out yet, but they fit my machine, so we'll see.

Yesterday I cut out and started working on NL6922.

I wanted something new to wear for PR Day in NYC this Saturday. If you're going leave me a message so I can look out for you.

I was on Sheila's blog the other day and saw this picture, and thought, "I can make that.


Ms. Sheila had made a jacket similar to it back in September and I liked the pattern so much, I had to go out and get it. Since it was in my stash of patterns, it was even better. I had some knits at home but I wasn't crazy about what was in my stash and most of what I had had Lycra , or a sheen or more of a jersey knit and I wanted something a little thicker. Hence, I took a little trip to one of my favorite places, Fabric Warehouse on Saturday, and I picked up 2 yards of argyle sweater knit fabric.

This jacket came together so easily and in no time last night.

Pretty much everything is done on it. I'm just waiting on my leather goods to arrive. I ordered these two closures from M& J Trimmings in both black and brown on Friday. I'm leaning toward the one with the round silver buckle instead of the square one.

What do you think? I tried the jacket on, and it's covering my butt, but I might take off a couple of inches, so it looks like the picture, but I haven't decided yet. I figure I can make that final decision once I put the closures on. I plan on hemming the sleeves tonight if I'm not too tired.

Today I'll leave you with a picture of me from Friday night, of course, after the night was over.
Boy, did I dance my feet off. They were still killing me on Saturday.

Family Update and some sewing

First of all , I would like to thank all of you for the well wishes and prayers. The more prayers the better, they are helping and working. My mother is doing better every day but I know it's going to be a long road. My MIL is doing alright as well. I just wish we could get her to stop smoking as the doctors have told us that is one thing she can't do. But, she is not willing to stop.

In other news, my project for Knit Picks is coming along nicely. I should be done soon, since it's due back to them by the end of the month. Then hopefully I can get back to my knitting projects that are already in progress.

This past weekend I worked on New Look 6828.

No time like the present to get this one done since I've only had it cut out and sitting since late Spring. I did View A with sleeves. I love this dress. I purchased the fabric at one of my favorite places, Fabric Warehouse in Bensalem, PA. The construction was very simple and easy. The hardest part was doing the gathers.

After that, you pretty much fly through the rest of the it. I wore it to work today and got quite a number of compliments. Once they found out I made the dress, a few of the girls including my boss asked me if I could make them one. I have to think about that one, as I wouldn't know what to charge and if it's worth it.

I also reworked my mother's padded cushion for her travel wheelchair. I talked about it in my last post. Well, the staples weren't going into the boarding all the way, so I went to JoAnn's and found upholstery tacks and used those instead. I actually think it looks nicer.


Last week I got a chance to iron the pattern pieces for McCalls 5978 and Butterick 5030. This week hopefully I'll cut out the fabric and finally cut out the pieces for my trench coat. I am so behind on that.