McCalls 5508



TODDLERS’ AND CHILDREN’S TOPS, JUMPSUITS AND PANTS: Loose fitting, pullover tops have hood, front pocket, front zipper, with or without contrast raglan sleeves and stitched hems; jumpsuit has back shoulder straps and side openings; jumpsuits C, D have stitched hems; jumpsuits E, F have elastic casings at ankles; jumpsuits D, F have binding; jumpsuit E has purchased applique; pants G, H have elastic waist; pants G has stitched hems; pants H has elastic casings at ankles.









I made this for my 5 year old grandson about a month ago. Just now getting around to posting it.




Fabric Used: Fleece



Were the instructions easy to follow? This was an easy pattern. The only tricky part for me was putting in the zipper.

Conclusion: Cute pattern You can use all kinds of fun fleece prints. I'm making another one for my 2 year old grandson.

Simplicity 2700


I made these pants about a month ago. The pattern was pretty easy if you have already make pants before. I got the fabric at Joann's it has a big of stretch to it. I was not thrilled with the fit. I took out some of the depth in the crotch area but they still seem a little big in the crotch. I think if I remember I use the curvy fit ( the pattern has curvy, average and slim fit )I think I will give them another try maybe with the average or even the slim fit and see how that works for me. Overall not a bad pattern I know over on Patternreview.com a lot of people love these pants.

Happy Halloween

We got to dress up for work yesterday I was not going to dress up but at the last min I decided I would so I went to the thrift store and found some eighties looking jewelry and legwarmers. The tights I got a Target the top is a vogue pattern and the skirt I just added some trim. Put on a little more makeup than usual and some bigger hair and there you have a eighties chick.

Hawaiian Shirt


My husbands work was having a Hawaiian day at work so he needed a shirt to wear so here is the first shirt I have ever made for him.
Simplicity 5582


Fabric Used: I used a cotton shirting fabric.



Complexity Of Pattern: This was an easy enough pattern. I have never made a shirt for my husband but I have made some for my grandsons so I knew how a basic shirt should go together.

I love the buttons they are made of seashells.

Pattern Sizing: This pattern has boys and men's in the envelope. I made the size small in the men's. I held the pattern pieces against a RTW shirt that my husband likes the fit of. Just needed to make the shoulders a little narrower . The fit turned out great.

Overall Review: I'm so pleased with how this turned out. Next I would like to make my husband a dress shirt for work. I will try to get some pictures posted of my hubby wearing his new shirt.

Burda World Of Fashion

Burda 11/2008 103b:

Complexity Of Pattern: This had a two dot ratting in the Burda magazine. (easy to sew but more time consuming)

Fabric Used I used a ITY jersey knit that I got at Fabric.com. It has a nice feel to it and was easy to work with.

How Long Did It Take: It was quick to make, no zippers or buttons and using my serger makes it a lot faster to whip up.

Changes To Pattern: I did not need to make any changes to this pattern. I traced a 38 and it fitted great due to the stretch in the fabric. I think with a fabric with out stretch I would need to trace a 40 for Burda.

Overall Review I love my new top. Again burda was a great fit on me. No adjustments needed on this pattern. Overall the instructions made sense, nothing to confusing There is not to many pattern pieces in this pattern so it's easy to see how it should all go together. I put some tape on the neck line to stop it from stretching out when I sewed it. ( I cannot remembered what this tape is called). I also decided to sew the sleeves in flat which I find to be a lot easier. I may make another one.

Balance

I have been trying to put a little more balance back into my life. I can become a bit to focused on one thing, like my sewing. I will get into just wanting to sew or plan what I want to sew or shop for fabric for sewing. You get the point! So this past couple of weeks I have been making myself work on other stuff that I need to get done.

I began with working on painting some furniture a friend of mine give to me. It's a bedroom set that had some dark stain on it so I thought I would paint it a brighter colour. The colour I choose is called cottage white. I'm really liking how it is looking so far.

Finally, a few years ago I thought I would try quitting so I got some fabric made up some quilt squares and that's as far as I got. So I'm looking at this furniture and thinking about that quilt I never finished and how nice it would look with the furniture. I got it out, bought some more fabric that I needed and I intend to finish it. I also got my run in today and cut out a few patterns -Simplicity It's so easy 4823, simplicity 2564 top and skirt, simplicity 2700 pants three pairs and Burda 8497 blouse. So it's been a productive day.

Burda Does It Again

Can I just say that I love Burda patterns. The patterns seem to be so well drafted, all the pieces fit together so nicely. So far I have found the fit to be great on me. When ever I sew a knit top with one of the big 4 pattern companies it always seems to gape at the back neck line. I'm new to sewing and so not always exactly sure of the alteration to make. I have found with Burda I do not seem to have this problem. I have a subscription to the Burda World Of Fashion magazine and I love all the patterns each month, but as I said I'm new to sewing and so not always sure I can follow the directions in the magazine. So I thought I would try one of their envelope patterns because it would be much easier to follow the instructions.

Pattern Description:

Burda 7828

Close fitting dress, shirt. Burda calls it a shirt I would call it a top.

Pattern Sizing: 34-44 I sewed the size 38 which is the same as a size twelve.

Did it look like the photo/drawing on the pattern envelope once you were done sewing with it? Yes except I sewed the wrap over into the lower front seam.

Were the instructions easy to follow? They were very easy to follow. Burda,s paper patterns come with pictures and clear instructions. They are not at all like the Burda World Of Fashion magazine instructions which can be a little vague to say the least.

What did you particularly like or dislike about the pattern? I love this pattern. Burda does it again with a great fitting top right out of the envelope. It was quick and easy sewing with the help of my serger.

Fabric Used: ITY knit from fabric.com

Pattern Alterations or any design changes you made: No Alterations needed on this Pattern. The only design change I make was to sew the wrap over part of the top into the seam where the bodice and the lower front are sewn together. (hope that made sense)

Would you sew it again? Would you recommend it to others? This is the second time I have made this pattern. I'm also sewing the dress version so yes I would definitely recommend it to others.

Conclusion: Great pattern. Quick and easy to make with nice results.

New Top

New Look :6895

Fabric: Sheer poly

Pattern sizing: size A 8-18

Where The instructions easy to follow: The instructions where really easy to follow nothing at all confusing.

Pattern Alterations: This was make straight out of the envelope no alterations. The only change I made was to sew veiw C with the sleeves from veiw D

Conclusion: I love this top it's quick to make and it's great for sheer fabrics. I would recommend it. Great easy pattern . The pants are vogue 1051 made in a demin fabric.

Maxi Dress

It's So Easy Simplicity 2638.

Fabric Used: Some poly blend I think. Bought at Jo-Ann's 60% of sale.

How Long Did it Take: I worked on this last Saturday, while my husband and his friend when putting new windows in our house.




How Long Did It Take: Sewed it up in about six hours last weekend. I already had the pattern cut out so about seven hours altogether from start to finish.

Complexity Of Pattern: This was an easy pattern nothing to complex other than a little confusion on how to seam the bodice lining and side seam together but I worked it out.

Overall Review: I love the shape of this dress it's very flattering. The bodice is lined which I like. I could have done with it being a little bit bigger in the bust area. I have not hemmed it yet waiting to see if I like the maxi look on me if not I'll shorten it. The only change I made to the pattern was to put in an invisible zipper.

McCall's 3566
Fabric Used: Swimwear fabric that I pick up at Jo-ann's sale table for $3.00 yard

Complexity Of Pattern: This was an easy pattern. The instructions were very clear and easy to understand.

How Long Did It Take: I made this in about four hours.

Overall Review: This was my first swimsuit and it was much easier to make than I thought it would be. The top is fully lined which I like. The bottoms are just lined at the crotch area. The next time I make this I will fully line the bottoms also. It was also nice that it had separate pattern pieces for a C cup. I made the size 12 and it fits great. I now plan on making one for my daughter.

Curtains

Fabric Used: Embroidered Taffeta Total of nine yards.


Complexity Of Pattern: This is the first time I have make curtains using a pattern. In the past I have just sewed some basic straight curtains. The pattern is simplicity 5318 .The instructions where clear and easy to understand.

Changes To Pattern: The only change I made was to line the side drapes. The pattern called for just the valance to be lined. I thought they would hang better with a lining.

How long Did It Take: I worked on these for a couple of days maybe nine hours total.

Overall Review: I love how these turned out. I'm now working on making a new fabric headboard and covering my trunk in the bedroom in fabric I bought to accent my curtains.

Some Sewing

This is the outfit I wore to Church last Sunday it was a little cool here so I was able to wear pants and a jacket.

Simplicity 4076

I have make this knit top a couple of times. I make this one for taking on my trip to Ireland.
It's easy to wear and does not crease. The pattern is an easy one. I make it in a size 12.


I got the fabric at Jo-Anns.








Vogue 1051



I love these pants I have made two pairs. The fit is great. I made a size 10 but added a little extra at the hip area. This was my first time doing a welt pocket but I found some websites to help (can't remember where right now).








McCalls's 5859




























I made this jacket for a wedding a few weeks back (I also make a dress to go with it will show in a later post)
I made view B in a linen blend I got at Jo-Anns. This jacket went together great. I did not have to do any alterations .I made the size12..

New Windows Yaaaaaaaa

It's been a busy week around here. A couple of years ago my husband and I bought this house we are living in now that needed a lot of fixing up. We have been slowly working on it and it is coming along . Last night we went to Lowe's and order some new windows that we are going to put in ourselves. The window really need replacing they are single pane and the paint is falling of them they look really bad so I'm excited. All the work we have done on the house so far we have done ourselves it's been fun to see it all come together. I make some new curtains for the
bedroom that I will post pics of later this week. We are also making a fabric headboard that I will show when it is finish.

Burda

PHTO0042
Originally uploaded by sharonbwhittle

This was my first time working with faux fur and also working with
Burda World of Fashion. I make this jacket for my daughter. It was not to hard to make but I did forget to add the hem allowance so it was a tad short on her but she loved it.

First Post

Yesterday spent the day cutting out a couple of patterns: Simplicity 2616 . I used a linen blend for this dress and cut out the longer version. Got the fabric on sale at Jo-anns 60% off sale. The next pattern is Simplicity 2599 the fabric is a silky type colour blue and white. I do not have my camera right now as soon as I get it back from my daughter I will post some pictures.
Sharon.