Raindrops Saltspring

Finally, I finished my Saltspring Dress.  I don't have a whole lot of new or interesting things to say, as honestly, I think everyone on the planet has made this dress.  Unfortunately, I don't learn from other's experiences very well, so I went out and learned the exact same thing that everyone else on the planet already knows: this dress doesn't need the zipper.

Wait, didn't I read that somewhere? Yep.  I did. 

Several places, in fact.  And now I know, irrevocably, that they were right.  All of them.  After I dicked around with the zipper, installed it, picked it out, and reinstalled it correctly.  Sigh.

I look like I'm giving the death stare here, but I think I was just checking to see that the door to the garage had gotten closed.

Top Ten Things You Should Know About This Dress

10.  Yes, it's comfortable. Unshaven legs are our little secret.

 
9.  Yes, it is cool and breezy.

 
8.  Yes, I closed it in the car door 3 different times today while running errands.

 
7.  Yes, my youngest son did bike over the hem more than once as I was "helping" him on the bike.  (He says, "Hold my hand, Mom!" I say, "You're fine. I've got you.  I won't let you fall."  x100).

 
6.  Yes, the very same son told me I shouldn't wear it today, as someone might see me...and rip it off, because they don't like it.  I have no idea what that means.

 
5.  No, I do not take style advice from the men in my home.

 
4.  Yes, a strapless bra is required.  Although, it was a comfortable one.

 
3.  Yes, those straps are crazy long. They don't need to be that long.
Thank God they didn't get stuck in the door, too.

 
2.  Yes, you can expect to spend twenty minutes getting dressed just working on getting those ties situated not in the front, but kind of toward the back side of your shoulder, where there's still a cute bow, but not so that it's flopping around in your face all day.  If you dress after your spouse has left for work, you may debate the wisdom of asking a child to tie them, and if your child can even remember how to tie a bow tie after wearing flip-flops all summer.  You may also consider stopping by your mother's house to have HER fix the ties, before ultimately deciding you've spent way too long on something lame, knot them, tie them crappily, and call it good.

 
1.  No, you don't need the zipper.  It both goes on and comes off easily over the head.

Please admire my useless, but well-installed zipper.  I was also worried that the lining would show where the bloused part hangs loose, but there you go: proof, no lining show through.

The Details

Pattern: Sewaholic Saltspring Dress

Fabric: rayon challis, Valori Wells raindrops print

Notions: 14" invisible zipper, optional, and 1/4" elastic

Notes: I do like this dress, but I think I need a little help styling it.  (I actually searched pinterest for maxi dress outfits, and everything seemed to involve a jeans jacket.  Or a scarf.  With a jeans vest. Not happening in July, people.)  Granted, these pictures aren't the most flattering, as it had suffered through a long hard day prior to dusk and pictures.  And I did get a compliment on at the vet's office.  But I had just purchased a year's supply of heart pills and flea and tick treatment, so really, it was the least they could do.

That said, it was quick and easy, and I do like how comfortable it is.  I just think my next version will be knee length, with no zipper, and bra-strap style adjustable straps.  And I adjusted my pattern for a little more room across the chest, as it feels a little tight.  No biggie.

Bathing Bombshell

When Karen proposed a Sporty Summer Sewalong, I originally thought, Hmm. 

I've been trying to get back into running lately, and while that's not going so bad, the idea of sewing running clothes really didn't do anything for me.

Even though I've totally oogled everyone's amazing XYT and VNA tops and not to mention the duatholon shorts that are longer-than-booty-but-shorter than bike shorts.  Those do make me consider...perfect running shorts that are long enough to prevent rubbing, but short enough to be cooling are truly rare birds.

So while I may yet get there, this summer is about taking it slow, and enjoying it.

Can you consider basking dock-side a sport?  

I really liked this pattern last summer when Heather Lou released it, but ahem, didn't get to it.

When I saw it was part of the Perfect Pattern Parcel, I took the plunge (ha) and went for it.  

Now I just need to make up some of the other patterns, or this goes down as the most expensive pattern yet!

 Well, if lounging dock-side doesn't count, I could always dive in.

You know, with the ducks.

Details

Pattern: Closet Case Files Bombshell Swimsuit

Fabric: 1< yards nylon/spandex and >1 yard swim lining, both from Girl Charlee

Notions: swim cups and swimwear elastic (cotton) from Sew Sassy

Time to complete: about a week of evenings

Notes

First off, there is a great sewalong on the Heather's blog that completely walked me through each step.  That doesn't mean I still wasn't worried it wasn't going to be a hot mess up until I was able to try it on.

All that gathering is thick, and I was worried it wasn't looking very neat on the inside.

Second, the directions don't call for stretching the elastic at the bust line, but I did, and honestly, I probably could have stretched it a bit more.  As it is, it doesn't gape, but I still might feel a little more secure if it fit a little more snugly across the bust.  Granted, I don't have a lot to fill out the top. That may not be a problem for others.  : )

Third, the directions call for using a zig-zag stitch for topstitching the elastic in place, but I used my coverstitch instead.  It did turn out very nice looking, except full disclosure: I could have stitched closer to the inside edge of the elastic, as it kind of tends to flip out.  Totally my own fault, though, as she clearly explains that in her directions.

Oh, and I added swim cups by sewing them directly to the inside of the lining.  An extra layer there never hurt anybody, if you know what I'm saying.

In any case, it is very comfortable, and I feel secure and sexy in it.

And isn't that what we look for in swim suits? 

The Birds and the Bees Dress

Okay, so I just like how this picture looked with a filter.  It reminds me of heat, grittiness, snapping peas, and life before air conditioning. 

All of the above is true, except I have air conditioning.  Sweet, sweet air conditioning.

So my first move in giving up was to make something completely random.  

I chose a random pattern from the stash, and some material I had purchased with good intentions that had long since lost their way.

Pay no attention to the unfortunate flower placement here.

 Details:

Pattern: Simplicity 2059 Lisette Contintental dress (view A) (OOP)
ETA: still availabe for purchase here

Fabric: 2 yardsTula Pink Birds and Bees cotton voile

Notions: thread

Time to complete: a couple hours here and there

Back view in action/inaction/deep discussion

Notes:

This is a pretty simple dress with a gathered neckline at the front, and 3/8" bound neckline and armscyes. I originally ordered this fabric because I loved the colors, but when it arrived, I wasn't as excited by the print. Desperate for something fun to sew, I grabbed it and decided it would make a great summer sundress. Unfortunately, I needed an additional 1/4 yard to make the dress full length, so I had to fudge a bit.  

I ended up having to cut the dress about 3" short, then added the length back on with a doubled band cut on the lengthwise grain.  It ended up working well, though, because the extra weight helps hold down the skirt from random wind gusts and exuberant floor vents. You can just barely see the seam line there at the bottom.

I used French seams on the sides and shoulder seams, if only because I like to make it difficult to figure out whether I have it on inside out or not.  Please tell me I'm not the only one who struggles with this at times.  

I am particularly proud of how the binding turned out.  After attaching the front, I hand basted the binding closed, which made all the difference.  The last time I made this I cut it off into blouse length, and while no one else ever noticed, I never liked how sloppy the inside of the binding was.  Warning, excess binding pictures ahead: 

Also, (gasp) I did not line this dress.  Yes, it's voile, but the print is busy enough that you can't see my polkadot underwear through it.  Also, who wants a lining when it's 92 degrees out with 70% humidity? One layer of voile is the next best thing to nakedness.  (See what I mean about not wanting to get dressed?)

The belt is just a self-fabric tie, and I still plan on adding thread chains for belt carriers, but that will be a perfect sitting-on-the-porch-outside-while-the-boys-ride-bikes activity.

Without the belt, it's kind of a swingy a-line dress.  I'll be honest, it reminds me of a teacher I used to work with who wore muumuus.  Not sure I can rock that look, but here's what it looks like:

And just in case you were wondering...

 Birds...


and bees

So, how is your summer going?  How do you handle not wanting to sew what you actually wear?

 Do you find places to wear what you want to sew, or do you just go ahead and wear it, even if you're the only mom at soccer camp in a dress?

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.