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!

MMM14 Final Wrap-up...Yes, It's June 30th

Sigh.

Belcarra blouse + Thurlow Shorts

I've been thinking a lot lately about Me Made May.  It's a great way to analyze what you wear and what you make and how the two intersect.  

And after several weeks of deep navel-gazing, I've come to a couple revelations.

1). I dress for work.  Work gives me a reason to put on clothing.  

2) In the summer, I don't work.  If I don't work, I don't have a reason to put on clothing. 

Wait. That's not true.  I can't go the the grocery store naked.  Or the library.  Or cook; that's not safe. Or I guess the neighbors might mind if I went out to work in the garden in my underwear...

3) Maybe it's more that I don't CARE about dressing in the summer.  I throw on shorts and a t-shirt and go. My broccoli doesn't care if I'm wearing earrings. The beach doesn't care if I wear mascara.  The playground doesn't care if my ponytail is a little sloppy.  The grocery store doesn't know that today's shorts and t-shirt are only a different-colored variation on yesterday's shorts and t-shirt.

4) As you can tell, I'm currently on a slippery slope towards What-Not-to-Wear intervention.  

Only I know that I'll get my act back together by August

 when it's time to report back and sharpen up my pencils.

But here's where I'm struggling:

I've been TRYING to sew what I wear.

And God, is it boring.

I don't even want to blog about it.

Resized 2x tee + Renfrew + Day to Night Drape top + Renfrew

Huh.  I don't really LIKE making basic clothing.  Huh.

Well, I DO, in that it's fast and functional, but Imma tellin' ya, it does NOT stir the soul.

In fact, I just had a thought earlier today that I'd just rather go buy a quick tshirt and be done with it.

Well, shit.  That's not good.

Coming soon: Lisette Continental Dress

So on that note, I'm giving up.  I'm giving up on sewing everyday clothes for the summer.  Henceforth, I'm sewing things I want to wear--even if it isn't until someday.  An August or early September day.

Planet Money Makes a T-Shirt

 Planet Money Makes a T-Shirt

Just in case anyone missed it (I can't be the only NPR junkie on the web), this is an interesting and informative piece about the garment industry.  Planet Money used a Kickstarter campaign to fund production of a t-shirt, in order to follow a typical garment from cotton seed through shipping.

GMO cotton seeds are grown in Mississippi, shipped to Indonesia to be spun into yarn and knitted, then to Bangladesh and Cambodia for production, and back to the US for sale.  (These are already sold, but you can buy more here.)

Best quote ever? "I imagine they are fat people, because the shirts that we make are immense."

Did you see this?  What do you think?

Randomness

Good Lord.  It's the end of November, and I've only managed to blog once this month.  I have been sewing, I swear, but this project is taking me forever.  I'd originally thought I'd wear my new coat for a trip to Christmas in the Park on the 14th with E's cub scout troop.  That didn't happen.  Then I thought I'd be able to wear it on vacation to Branson.  Um, that didn't happen either.  Then, I thought, ooh, maybe I'll be able to wear it on the 8th grade field trip to see A Christmas Carol at the Rep.  Nope.  Thanksgiving?  Nope.  So much for self-imposed deadlines and overly-optimistic time constructs.

I'm still plugging away, but getting ever closer.  In lieu of having a finished project to show--as it may yet be a while--here's a random list of good things over the past month.

• Light keeper Pro--it may actually involve magic.  I don't know how it works, but it does.  And you get to shoot your offending lights.

• Girl, Stolen--my students encouraged me to read this, so I'm doing our assigned project over it. Yes, I read young-adult fiction.  Yes, I actually do the projects I assign, too.  Is that weird? 

• The Way Way Back--my  husband picked this up from the Redbox last night, and it was freakin' hilarious.  Cringe-worthy, relatable, and laugh-out-loud funny.

• These patterns, which I picked up for 50 cents each.  Don't know when/if I'll actually get around to making them.  Maybe if I ever finish this coat, and about 50 other projects.  That wrap dress is sheer perversity.

• This post, I Want to Be What She's Wearing, from author Jenny Crusie, on characters and clothing. Yes, that's from Call the Midwife. I really wanted a picture from the final scene of season 2, episode 8, where Jenny climbs on the back of the scooter in a great blue skirt, but gave up looking for it.

So, that's been November.  I'm thankful for so many things, not the least of which includes family and friends, and the ability to do so much, and I know December is going to pass equally fast.  Hope everyone else is enjoying the season as much as we will.  : )