The End of a Blue Period

Ballet Dancers in Blue

Edgar Degas

Don't get me wrong, I love blue.  And green.

But after all that blue and green for the wardrobe contest, it was really nice to sew something

in nice, happy, sunshiny yellow.

Pattern: Papercut Patterns Undercover Hood

Fabric: Theory rayon-blend ponte

Notions: knit interfacing for pocket

Construction notes:

I have  made this once before, and decided I wanted a summery sweatshirt for vacation plans we have coming up.  Because you know, summer sweatshirts.  

Last time I added 1" to the sleeve length, which I kept, but may not have been as necessary here.  This fabric has quite a bit more drape and stretch to it than my last version, which honestly, still gets pretty regular wear.

Can I just say this is the softest ponte ever?  I had originally purchased this with plans for a summer dress, but after sitting on it for a year, I ultimately decided I'd get more wear from it this way.

I am also pretty surprised it is still available.  The yellow is a pretty, soft, buttery yellow, which helps make it more wearable (at least on me...)

On this version, I used tricot interfacing to stabilize the pocket (in order to help match those stripes), and opted NOT to line the hood.  I thought it would weigh down the hood too much in this fabric, and to be honest, I liked the stripes.  

For construction, I used a serger on all seams, and a double needle on the coverstitch machine to hem the hood edge and attach the pocket.  I switched to a single-needle chain stitch along the neck edge to help the collar edge lay flat.

Also, I guess it's worth noting that I have an older version of this pattern, which has since been updated to include a couple more options.  I don't know if sizing has changed, but I made a small.

And while it looks kind of oversized and sloppy, it still fits pretty neatly under a light jacket.

And as for why I'm wearing a sweatshirt in the middle of May in Missouri, I have no freakin' idea. 

We've been having the coolest, wettest month; which is great for the garden,

but not if you're ready to go swimming.

the Sea Glass skirt

 Because sea glass is incredibly prevalent in the Midwest.

Pattern: Simplicity 2215

Fabric: cotton/rayon blend for skirt, cotton lawn for lining

Notions: invisible zip, hug-snug seam binding, interfacing for waistband, 2 snaps

This is the last of the items to complete for the Wardrobe Contest on PR, and it took me awhile to stop waffling on this skirt.  When I ordered this fabric, it was listed as great for tops, dresses or a even as a lining.  It does have a slight sheen, but a soft hand and great drape, and I just couldn't get past wanting to use it for a skirt.  

But also afraid it was a hair too thin for a skirt.

Lightbulb moment:

I realized I had some light sky blue cotton lawn that would make a nice, soft lining, that would also provide just a tiny bit of structure to those pleats.

(Did I mention I waffled on the pleats, too?  I briefly thought about just gathering a skirt, but in the end decided the pleats would be more interesting.)

The lining was not a great color match, but I decided no one would really see it anyway.

The colors here are a bit muted. That blue cotton is bright.

Okay, no big deal.

Until I went to get a zipper.

Which didn't match either color.

I picked as close as I could, and decided--it's invisible, it'll be fine.

Couldn't find a great match for serger thread, either.

And at this point, opted to screw all, and used aqua hug snug to finish seams.

And that's when I realized, this skirt was full on sea glass.

Honestly, it's probably by new most favorite skirt ever.

It's soft and swishy, but not poofy. The cotton lining feels amazing.

Also, I used two medium weight snaps on the waistband.

Why haven't I done this before?

They stay snapped, and they're not nearly as fiddly as a hook and eye.

This is the best rear-view I have right now, and I'm wearing it with a top I haven't yet reviewed for the contest.  Honestly, I'm still trying to decide if I like it enough as-is, or if I should take it in a bit at the sides.  We'll see. 

 I have um, 4 days to decide?  

Photobomber

 Today's photos are brought to you by motherhood.

All the glorious and unique sides of motherhood.

Don't tell me. He's pretending to be a zombie, right? Right.

These are probably the quickest photos of a garment ever taken.

1. I was trying to get them in before rain.

2.  My husband was 3 steps out the door to take our oldest to practice.

3. My youngest really wanted to be in the pictures with me.

And honestly, who would say no to that?

Someone who's forgotten said child is a ham, that's who.

Please, for all that's holy, tell me he's not actually mooning the camera. Please.

Pattern: Butterick 6168 

Fabric: cotton sateen

Notions: 22" invisible zip, interfacing, hook and eye

 I love you.  Now sit over there for a minute.  

Notes:

So, there is a sewalong for this dress here, and I honestly thought, nah, I got this.

And then I went and worked on that waistband, and had no idea which ends were up.  So yep, I checked it out.  It was helpful!  

Other than that, construction was pretty simple and straightforward.

It's worth noting I think I have a little extra ease there along the center back, and I'm not sure yet if it bothers me enough to fiddle with.  The zipper looks pretty good, and I'm not one to jump in on undoing that.

Fit-wise, I sewed a size 14, and seriously debated adding width to those sleeves.  I measured, and they were close, and ended up deciding that with a cap sleeve length, they'd be okay.  And they are.

Mostly.

As long as I'm well-behaved, they're fine. but God forbid I ever have to drive a school bus, though. 

I discovered this driving into work on Monday.  

Also what I discovered on Monday?  This dress does NOT go with a cardigan.

If you know me, you also know I probably own a cardigan in every color.

(This may be a teacher thing.)

BUT, this dress does not work with any of them.

The neck tab, which is so cute on its own, looked so wrong with a crew neck cardigan.

Maybe a v-neck would work better, but my mind was blown at this point.

I felt so...lost.

(That may be the saddest sentence ever written about one's self.)

Luckily, I rallied, checked my big girl panties, and went to work without one.

Moto 7, Gate 5

Pattern: Butterick 6169, Lisette moto jacket

Fabric: chambray from Fabric Recycles, cotton shirting for body lining, and rayon for sleeves

Notions: 18" separating zip, also from Fabric Recycles, and homemade shoulder pads

First worn: to BMX racing on Friday night.

What can I say? It got chilly after the sun went down.

Construction-wise, I made a size 14, and followed the sewalong here.  

I did not make any alterations, and the sleeves were an absolutely perfect length and width.

In the photos, it looks rather roomy unzipped, but I have to say it feels like it fits right.

In a fabric with more structure/less drape, it may not look as drapey.

Also, the fit is perfect when it is zipped, and isn't that the goal? 

Please note that all wrinkles are due to the jacket being balled up on my passenger seat most of the weekend.

But, you know, a good press and a hang in the closet, and all will be fine.

As versatile as I thought the chambray would be, I have to admit it looked vaguely...office-y.

So I added a plaid lining.

And a bright blue zipper.

And that's that!  I'm pleased with the way this turned out, and the directions are clear and concise.

Also, I should note that the pockets are teeny-tiny, but since all I'll use them for is a place to shove my car keys, I think they're fine.  

(If it's a problem, I can't imagine it would be too hard to add an interior pocket.)

And finally, after thinking things through, here's what I came up with for Me-Made-May:

I, Joanne, of www.bluebirdssinging.blogspot.com, sign up as a participant of Me-Made-May '15.  I endeavor to wear 1 me-made garment each day for the duration of May '15.  Additionally, I vow to revive 4 garments this month that would be worn more if there wasn't something slightly off with them.

Also, I'm giving myself permission not to photograph my daily outfits. 

Unless they're awesome, of course.