Happy 2015! (+ new stuff)

    I hope everyone enjoyed the holidays and spent plenty of time with family and friends!  The past two weeks of break have been much needed, and I absolutely loved that I was able to see everyone over the holidays.  2014 seemed like a rough, long haul there at the end! Between my youngest starting preschool and my husband's shoulder surgery, blogging took a back seat over the past couple of months. 

 And I'm okay with that.

So this is not a Year in Review post.

This is a...

Top 5 Things I've Made Since My Last Post and Haven't Yet Shared
Post

#1 Details

Pattern: Simplicity 2060

Fabric: Tula Pink Prince Charming cotton voile

Notions: 7 buttons from magic stash

Time to complete: who knows?  

Notes: 

This is like the billionth time I've made this pattern.  But the first time I'm happy with the fit.  I went up a size, and the arms fit much better. They're still drafted with a relatively high sleeve cap, which freaks me out a bit.  I actually made this blouse once before in this fabric, and when I just couldn't deal with the tight armscye fit in the other version, I bought more of this fabric on etsy.

Seriously, I know this is a busy print, but I swear, it goes with 90% of my closet.

Also, I added an inch to the sleeve length to account for monkey arms, completely changed the cuffs (drafted my own), and conquered sleeve plackets using this tutorial from threads.  I also completely admit to making 3 samples, and having to print off an extra paper copy to origami fold so I could figure out what was going on. Who knew they were so tricky?

Movement is not restricted, but you can see what I mean about the close fitting sleeves. I need to slash and spread at the bicep a squidge.

Asymmetrical buttons, and not too shabby button holes.  3 on shoulder seam, 2 on each cuff. Found in a unmarked baggie in the button drawer.  Weird.

Sleeve Placket achievement unlocked!

#2 Details

Pattern: Simplicity 2054
Fabric: bright green ponte from Girl Charlee
Notions: none
Time to complete: probably not very long

Notes:

Eh, it's a big long t-shirt.

I need a slip.

I did bring in the side seams a bit at the waist.  Next time, (if), I'll taper in the sleeve seams between the elbow and wrist, too.  They're a bit too loose to push up and stay.

Crazy back/side view, and I have no idea what I'm doing with my hand.

#3 Details

Pattern: Burda 7123
Fabric: Theory medium weight stretch cotton sateen (Mood, I think)
Notions: interfacing for waistband and an invisible zipper
Time to complete: a couple of evenings to fit, involving a run to mom's for wrinkle assessement

Notes:
There are only three pattern pieces, so there's not much too much to say construction wise.  I started with a size 16ish, and skinnied everything but the hips.  I consulted a number of print sources for wrinkle-diagnosis on the back thigh, but to be honest, these are super comfortable to sit in, even criss-cross-applesauce. The hems are just serged, folded up once, and invisibly stitched.

Considering no one is going to be staring at this view, it's not as bad as it looks.

I took in the seam allowance on just the back inseam, and it marginally helped, but taking in too much screwed up the fit across my rear and through the rise.  I will keep at these, but I honestly don't believe these are meant for a smooth, wrinkle-free view, and I wasn't aiming for a jeans-fit.

Side view

Interior view

#4 & 5 Details

Pattern: Jennifer Lauren Vintage Bronte Top
Fabric: Kaufman Laguna stretch jersey (gray), cotton lycra blend or something from Girl Charlee (blue)
Notions: none
Time to complete: an evening and a bit for each

Notes:
I honestly can't remember which shirt I made first, but I remember struggling a bit with figuring out the sleeve, and where the center top should line up with the shoulder-no-seam. I did not lengthen the sleeves, and they are perfectly cozy.  My measurements put me between sizes, and I chose to go up. And I'm glad I did.  The blue version has that length of sleeves because that's exactly what I could get out of one yard.  Damn Girl Charlee and their whole yard purchasing requirement.

A smart person would just order two whole yards, but I prefer remaining stubborn.
I don't wanna have extra leftovers.

I did not put buttons on the bands, even though I think they're cute, because I just couldn't pick any.  I may yet, as I think they would help tack down the band to help it lay more smoothly, and not flip up when I get all excited with my arms.

So that's that.  My goals for the new year are to keep on keepin' on.

Happy New Years!

Exit Signs Shirt

My youngest son has already christened this the "Exit Signs Shirt".  He was playing in the button box while I was sewing this morning, and asked whose exit sign shirt I was making.  I guess the design looks like exit signs.  I'm down with that; I like exit signs.

I've been overthinking this shirt all week, and on Thursday, I got tired of thinking about it, and just jumped in. The body is from Simplicity 2060, but the sleeves are stolen straight from 2211, minus the sleeve band.  I've made a couple of shirts from the Itinerary dress pattern, and I don't like those sleeves.  For some reason, they just bug me--either I've set them in wrong each time, or they needed some alteration--they're fine when my arms are hanging loose, but any sort of movement and the whole yoke slides up.  And this was even after sewing the seam with a narrow allowance for a little more ease. ( I'm open to suggestions here if you've got 'em.)  Rather than dinking with bicep alteration, I just pirated the sleeves from the Market blouse, again minus the sleeve bands because they are ridiculously narrow.  My biceps lift children and cast-iron cookware; I don't know whose arms these are drafted for.  I would like to be able to say I took careful consideration to compare the cap heights and seam lines, but no, I just gathered the top as needed to fit the hole.  And we have functional arm-movement!  Hooray!

The armscye still may need to be dropped a smidge, but this works for now.

The buttons are from my inherited stash--they are Sears brand, and there were only 3 of the 4 remaining on the card.  They're 5/8" vs the 1/2" listed on the pattern, but really, what's an 1/8 of an inch between friends? Also, I would've sworn these buttons were red on the card, but they look like a pretty dead-on match for the fuschia/magenta/dark pinky-purple of the blouse.

Let's all just agree to not notice the first button hole is stitched twice, and the other two, not so much.

The fabic is Tina Givens voile, and it is soft and light.  I also bought this in a pale turquoise colorway, so I could actually have this exact shirt in two different colors...although that may be too much, even for me.

Anyway, easy sewing, easy shirt, short weekend, and I'm already plotting out the next 4 projects. : )