Fashion Night Out & Burda Pattern Sale

I'm pooped! What a long day! I began it early this morning by taking a little detour on the way to work. Did you know that Burda patterns are currently on sale at Jo-Ann's for $2.49??? Well they are!!! I think it's just until Saturday. I stopped in to pick up several since they go on sale every once in a while---maybe something like 2 to 3 times of year. Unfortunately at my local Jo-Ann's the amount of duplicate patterns was VERY low. I ended up buying the last of several patterns.

I have a good bit of patterns since a couple of seasons have passed since they were last on sale and I won't buy them unless they're on sale. Here's my haul.....

 

Also, tonight across the U.S. was Fashion Night Out. Did you go???

Well Savannah had it's 2nd one and I attended for the first time on tonight. I have to say I was pleasantly suprised. It definitely brought out tons of people and there were fun activites like fashion shows that added some excitement to the air. Also, I loved looking at all of the fashions everyone was wearing. It was cool seeing so many different styles!  Now, I would have LOVED to be in NYC for this event and maybe one year will but I really enjoyed this event. Unfortunately I don't have any good pics since my cell phone battery died but I've got the memories. It was good fun!

Did you get to attend the "Fashion Night Out" in your city??? Any excitement to report?

Ok that was my day. Off to bed I go!

What...there’s such a thing as Denim Trousers???

 (White denim trousers from Ann Taylor's)

Ok, I feel like the slowest person on the planet right now.  Why did I just discover this? Honestly, where have I been? Well first off I rarely go pants shopping since it’s SO discouraging. I’m 5’8 and am mostly legs so If I wear pants I have to buy the Tall’s and frankly they’re VERY hard to find. Express & NY & Co. are my go-to stores but only when I found them on sale. Secondly, when I shop for pants I usually will buy jeans or I’ll by dress pants typically made out of a stretch twill or something similar.

I don’t think I’ve ever run across denim trousers. I never thought (well actually it did but I quickly dismissed it)  to combine such a fabric synonymous with casual wear with a classic pants style such as a trouser. I guess in my mind there’s some universal rule out there stating that trousers must always be made out of traditional trouser fabrics.  

(Jalie 2909)

So you can imagine my surprise when I pulled out Jalie Trouser pattern to see one of the suggested fabrics as a stretch denim. Just to double check this suggestion I Googled white denim trousers and yep, low and behold they’re everywhere. Hey denim is nothing but another type of cotton fabric so why can’t it be used? It all makes since now but definitely wasn’t what I expected. Aren’t new discoveries grand? 

 Lucky for me I just so happen to have some white stretch denim at home. I’d planned to eventually use it to make denim jeans  but will use them to make a cute pair of white pants instead (I wanted white pants instead of jeans anyway). I made Jalie 2909 back in 2010 (can't believe it's been that long ago) & outlined my fitting issues in great detail. Although they turned out well I still wasn’t too happy about the fit. I’ll take another stab at it and think it will be much better since I feel I’ve got a slightly better understanding regarding my fit issues (short waist, high derriere).

Wish me luck. I'm going to try and see if I can squeeze these in this week or asap!

But let me ask you, did any of you guys know there was a such thing as denim trousers???

10,000 Hour Challenge Review/ Emergency Surgery

Thanks for all of you guys comments to my last post. I thoroughly enjoyed reading your personal feelings & explanations on how fast or slowly you choose to finish your sewing projects. It was very enlightening!!!

Wow September is already here!!!! Christmas is right around the corner ya'll. Isn't that crazy!!! It's time for me to review my sewing for July & August. I did alot of sewing for myself and others. For myself I made......

1. New Look 6557---Dress for Atlanta Wedding.
2. Butterick 5601---Denim Cut-Out Dress.
3. Simplicity 1810--- Sheer Leopard Print
4. Simplicity 2580- Anniverary top #1
5. McCall's 6241- Anniversary top #2

I had a bit of client work that kept me busy as well. I had a couple of home decor projects which included pillows and stool covers. I had a dress to make for a young client and a costume piece for another client. Plus a good bit of alterations. I actually had a "Stay-Cation" at the end of August before my Anniversary trip and was able to get alot done during that time.

My Sewing/ Sewing Related Hours Tally were: 

July= 89

August = 112

Well now I need to plan my sewing for September & October but I'm still debating whether to continue sewing warm weather clothes, since it will likely still be warm during those months, or get started on my fall wardrobe. I'll get something figured out in the next week or so.

One highlight for this month is I start my in-home Draping Course. You may recall I mentioned a few posts ago that I would be teaching myself to drape. I'm working on my course schedule and look forward to starting and keeping you guys abreast of my progress.

But I do have one task I need to tackle ASAP---an emergency surgery! It seems like my daughter's dolly Sally is leaking filling and in need of major repair. Sally is one of her favorite dolls that she got as a bday present last year.

 Out of all of the sewing I do, I would say that the sewing that puts a smile on my "Wee-One's" face is the most rewarding. BTW, I'll admit the patient tomorrow and hopefully she'll be in recovery later that day! (smile).

Hope your sewing & craft plans for the month are off to a good start!!!!

Fast because you HAVE to be or WANT to be.....

Today I came home from work and jumped on a dress for a young client. It went together amazingly fast and it was nice to make quick progress (pics to come soon). The whole situation prompted my recollection of an old season of Project Runway where a male contestant was being complemented for finishing a garment in record time, way ahead of the project deadline. He graciously replied " I sew for a living and my lively hood depends on. I'm fast because I have to be". For some reason the statement "I'm fast because I have to be" stuck with me. It wasn't so much his tone or expression it was just the reality of his situation that really stuck with me.

I'm not in his situation of sewing entirely for my livelihood since I have a full time job. I do however have a sewing business which requires a reasonable turnaround on alterations & custom made garments. So to a small degree I feel I have to be "fast because I have to be". And that's understandable.  Yet in sewing for myself there's a part of me that wants to be "fast for the sake of being fast". Like I literally want to get to the point where I can sew up a pair of pants and a shirt within a 24 hour period (and I'm not talking quickie pieces neither---I'm talking jeans with lots of topstitching and a chiffon blouse with lots of layers). I'm talking like Christian from Project Runway season 4. He learned to make very complex pieces in a short period of time. This is my aim and a personal goal of mine. To be able to do something well and do it in record time is quite the accomplishment. In the meantime I"ll keep working hard and continue my challenge to amass 10,000 hours of sewing. Something tells me that fast sewing will inadvertently be a byproduct of that quest.

What about you guys. Do you strive to become a fast sewer? Is it out of sheer will or obligations? Or do you prefer a slower pace?

Part 2---10th Anniversary Weekend top McCall's 6241

This is a continuation of my last post. On Saturday we continued our anniversary celebration with a movie, lunch at P.F. Chang's, & some retail therapy at the St. John's Town Center.

 (I saw this Michael Kor's bag and fell in love. Heck, I'm not into bags but this purple, limited-edition, scratch resistant, fancy leather one caught my eye. Anyone want to gift me a $384 bag? LOL!)

 (P.F. Changs was SO good! It was our first time eating there. Everytime we've tried in the past it was packed and we couldn't get in. They have a gluten free menu which is great for me. Their lemon chicken was ridiculously good!!!)

We had a good time just getting out and exploring a bit. I wanted to wear something that was casual yet bold and fun. That's why I made McCall's 6241 and decided to wear it with some bright red capris I'd purchased the week before. I cut this out on Friday night and sewed it up on Saturday, the day we left for the trip. It's the quickest top I've ever sewn and went together in less than an hour. Here's the review.......

McCall's 6241

Time to Sew:
Less than an hour

Sewing Ease (scale 1 easy to 10 difficult):
It's a 1 for sure!

Pattern Description:
Tunic with pleated shoulder and lower side seam.

(Back View)

Pattern Sizing:
I cut the size 8.

Did it look like the photo/drawing on the pattern envelope once you were done sewing with it?
Yes!!!

Were the instructions easy to follow?
Yes!!!

What did you particularly like or dislike about the pattern?
I wanted an off the shoulder design to wear and this was perfect! I loved this pattern!

Fabric Used:
A rayon/poly/lycra knit I purchased from Fabric.com. This is a great fabric for this pattern since it's thin enough and has great drape. I love that the fabric design is white letters on a black background so it has a graffiti effect.

(Up close)

Pattern alterations or any design changes you made:
 I sewed it together using my serger and intentionally didn't add clear elastic to the shoulders as I normally do since I wanted it to really hang loose at the shoulder. I used my coverstitch to finish the neckline, sleeves and hem.

What would you do differently next time?:
Nothing.

Would you sew it again? Would you recommend it to others?
Yes! This is a cute top and I'd love to have a couple more in my wardrobe.

 Wardrobe Versatility:
-Paired with a bright pair of pants, capris or shorts

-With a black blazer & white pants/capris with wedges.

-With a vest on top & a skirt with cute sandals.

Conclusion:

10th Anniversary Weekend Part 1- Simplicity 2580 Top

 (Colorful water fountain at Jacksonville Landing) 

We just made it back from a weekend in Jacksonville, FL celebrating our 10th Wedding Anniversary which was on Friday, August 24th. Wow, in this day and age 10 years definitely feels like a milestone. I'm very blessed to have married my best friend. We've been together for 15 years and Lord knows I wouldn't have all the fun I have without him!!!! He brings out the best in me.  Here's a little Wedding flashback photo.....

 We were planning to celebrate by jet-setting to somewhere exotic or flying out west but had to put those plans on hold. Instead at the last minute we decided to take a trip to Jacksonville. Well a week before our trip I decided to change up my sewing plans. Originally I'd planned to use this lovely floral fabric...................but after thinking long and hard about it I knew we were more than likely to go out for a night on the town then go to a fancy restaurant---not really our thing. So I thought I'd sew up something fun and sexy instead. Lord I went through all my patterns----TWICE! I was determined to find something that would embody the fun I knew we were going to have. So I ran across Simplicity 2580 and decided to convert it into a top. I knew it would fit the bill perfectly and my Hubby's positive reaction (his face lit up)  confirmed that completely!!! I finished this top in enough time and was also able to make McCall's 6241 too (I'll review it in the next post).

Simplicity 2580

(After a late night an elevator photo was as good as it was gonna get! LOL. BTW, I was wearing khaki capris and flip flops.)

Time to Sew:
This one would have been an easy 2 hours to sew up if I hadn't had to go back and take it apart for some alterations. Now you see why I usually like to make a muslin. Picking small zigzag stitches is no fun. So it took me about 3 1/2 or so.

Sewing Ease (scale 1 easy to 10 difficult):
It's about a 4

Pattern Description:
It's a knit halter dress that I converted to a top.

 (back view)

Pattern Sizing:
I cut the 10 for the bodice, increasing to size 12 at the waist and grading to a size 16 at the hem to add flair to the bottom of the top.

Did it look like the photo/drawing on the pattern envelope once you were done sewing with it?
YESSSSS!

Were the instructions easy to follow?
Yes!

What did you particularly like or dislike about the pattern?
I loved the key hole design and the fact it was a halter top.

Fabric Used:
I used a thin knit with a red, white and light blue paisley design. I've had this fabric in my stash FOREVER---back when I learned to sew in 2004. I was glad to find the right pattern for it!

(up close view)

Pattern alterations or any design changes you made:
1. I reduced the skirt length to convert the dress to a top.
2.  I reduced sides of front bodice piece by 1 1/2"
3.  Did shortwaist alteration---Took out 1" out of center back skirt and tapered to nothing at side seams to reduce length.
4. Created an elastic casing instead of pattern directions. I attached bodice back and front pieces as instructed. I then sewed through both back pieces (lining and fabric) 1" from top back edge--from side seam to side seam. A casing was created. I then too 3/4" elastic and ran it through the casing and adjusting fit. Once good fit was achieved I sewed elastic by tacking the elastic on each side seam.

What would you do differently next time?:
-If I use another thin knit I would interface all of the pattern pieces initially. I did this to the back piece, but had to add the interfacing to the front bodice after it was already sewn up and I realized the stretch was too much. The addition of a knit fusible interfacing really controlled the stretch.
-I'd also lengthen the bodice about an inch or so.

Would you sew it again? Would you recommend it to others?
I'd love to sew it as a dress. That was my original intention before I'd seen this top.

Wardrobe Versatility:
-with white slacks and a white blazer
-with white jeans
-with red or light blue capris or pants
-shorts in khaki, white & light blue.

Conclusion:
Super cute top!!!!

NEXT: 10th Wedding Anniversary Part II: Review of McCall's 6241.....

The Crazy Denim Saga comes to a Good End....

Ok, I'm tired of talking about that strange denim I've been mentioning in the last 2 posts and I'm sure you're tired of hearing it (wink)! But there is a silver lining in it all. Susan left a comment on my last post (THANKS SUSAN!!!) on how I should just return the fabric since it was defective. I hadn't thought about that at all. I figured once I washed it I was liable for the results. But I talked to someone at Jo-Ann's (it helps that I visit the store like every other day and am on a first name basis with the managers! LOL!). I explained the situation and they told me to bring in the fabric with my receipt. So that went well!!!

As a result of the return I had a $17 credit  which I thought I'd use to get a piece of fabric I'd been STALKING for the last several weeks. This gorgeous gray knit sweater knit with gold and silver threads. It's really lightweight and would make for a cute tunic or short dress!!!

It's so PRETTY!!!!! I had a few reservations about paying the $19.99/yd price tag--and I'd need 2 so that would've been a $40 price tag (I know, I'm too frugal for my own good but I can't help it (wink)! Well it turns out I had a 50% off coupon and I combined that with the store credit and only paid $5 for the fabric. Yaaaaaaaayyyyyy!!!!

Well I think I can call this situation a "Story Book Ending"----well one for a seamstress that is! LOL!

So the moral of the story is if you suspect you may have a similar situation buy your fabric piece and an addt'l swatch. Wash the swatch as a test and If you have any problems you can return the fabric and your only loss is a swatch!!!

Oh yeah, and just so you don't think I'm INSANE here's the "disapearing design denim" as seen in-store. I snapped a pic of it today at Jo-Ann's. What a cool design, huh? Too bad washing it removes it:(