Double Trouble

I need bottoms desperately (really I just need clothes.) I can suffer through RTW tops, but that is not the case with pants. Skirts can be an issue too, but more about that later. In the meantime, I've become obsessed with skirts. I even bought a book to help me figure out how to line an A-line skirt.

I was ready to conquer V8882 with gusto:  I traced the pattern. I added 1" to the side seam allowances and my usual 2.75" length to the CB for my high and round rear. (This is why RTW skirts can be scary.) Side note:  what I have been calling a sway back issue may actually be my high and round rump. Not sure yet if it's just my rear or if I really have a sway back.

I moved on to the muslin. I now see my tilted waist in action! I raised the back 1" and lowered the front 1" (people, I'm on a roll!) By pinning, I was able to fix the hemline curve.  I still needed the 2.75" at the CB, I just can't seem to draw the curve correctly on paper. I draw half the curve, fold the pattern in half and then trace it on the other side.

Not a great shot

I was ready to cut some fabric. Dang! The piece I wanted to use was too short. My alts required an extra 3/4 yard. See how the Lord helps fools and babies? I was completely willing to ignore the pulling around my high hip and what the pleat was doing as it opened over the ummm ... apex of my bum. Also, that 2.25" waistband looked like it was sitting directly under the girls. I definitely had an old man in Florida look.

The desire for a quick win was so great, I decided to move on to an easier bias skirt with an elastic waist (that didn't need as much fabric.) Enter S2614. How the hell do you line a skirt with an elastic waist? (Lining is a requirement for me.) Thank God for Google.

In my brilliance, I did the tissue alts in the following order: Overall length, CB hem length, hips, high hip, back waist (notice how I forgot the front waist?) The high hip alt was torturous. I tried to use the seam method. Completely severed the tissue on both the front and back. Still wasn't sure if I really got the alt right, but I moved on to the muslin.    

Yep. Still needed to lower the front waist. Here is where I am amazingly awesome. I still don't know why, but although I marked the new waistline on the muslin, I chose to use a curve to draw a different waistline. The CF was the same, but I angled it differently. I started with the left side. I couldn't quite get ruler to match up on the right side. So I cut the left side, folded the skirt in half and cut the right side based on the left! YES!! I CUT OFF THE LENGTH I ADDED FOR THE RIGHT HIGH HIP. I am greatness and excellence rolled up into one.  Luckily, I saved the piece I cut off.

My hemline curve wasn't right on this skirt either.

This weekend will be spent working on both skirts ... Of course, none of the fabric in my stash will do now ;-) I have my heart set on the Potent Purple linen from Jo-Ann. I could probably go for Calla Green as an alt. (Yes, I have a 5+ yd piece here, but that's for a dress!)



Third choice is potting soil.


I see a top in my future with this fabric.

Under the Tree

Merry Christmas to all of you! I hope today is the source of treasured memories for each of you. Now for the goodies. What did Santa bring you? In addition to a minor family miracle last night, I was blessed enough to get a few sewing treats. First is fabric! After being defeated at Hancock, I took my valued 20% off everything to coupon to Jo-Ann and snagged this special occasion fabric, which was already 40% off.

I give equal praise and censure: I was pleasantly surprised when I went back to Hancock to get the patterns that were left out of my bag during the last visit. The new spring Simplicity patterns were in stock! From the new collection, I got 2257. This has happened to me before, but I end up seeing what I think are new patterns, but they aren't. I don't know how I missed these before, but I picked up 2373 and 2655. I've been looking at 2758 forever, but I didn't realize it was also a skirt pattern until recently (duh). Yep; I'm going to attempt more skirts in 2011. I talked myself out of 2451. It will be my treat when I lose weight.

There are a couple of things Santa and the elves didn't have time to get to my house, but I've been assured they are on the way: KS3380 from Fabric.com and red stretch velvet from Distinctive Fabric. I just looked out of the window and we have fresh snow for a white Christmas.

Happy Holidays!

Late Inspiration

I've discovered Serendipity Studio patterns (thanks to the recent sale at Fabric.com). I wish I'd found these earlier in the year. I might have been inspired to get behind the sewing machine more for some summer clothes!  The catalyst was the Chicago weather. It cooled down to highs in the 70s and I started thinking about my fall knits.  Then, it got back up to the 90s and I was dying for something cool and cute to wear!

What's so great about Serendiptity Studio is that it has forced me to hit the quilting sections in the fabric stores. I went nowhere near any of that stuff before. For some reason, I had no problem with patterned ITY knits, but I was lost when it came to patterned wovens. So this is how you get those cute summer dresses and skirts :-)

The Stella Strip skirt is so interesting. I was worried about cutting all of those strips. Now I know what a jelly roll is. Why are the quilting fabric bundles named for cake and pastries?

Aren't the patterns cute? I'm ready for summer skirts! Too bad it's Labor Day weekend, but I'm early for next year. (Trying to be positive.)

I think these are my favorites:

Now, you can't look at patterns like those and not buy any fabric, right? I'm new to mixing patterns, so I hope this works.  It took a consultation at Jo-Ann to figure this out:

It's for the Emaline skirt. The check is for the tie and a hem border. I had to have a top to match. What do you think about KS2856? (This top has been discontinued. As of right now, there are two left at Fabric.com.)

View B with this pink jersey:

With such a bold print, I thought I needed a more dramatic top to make this an outfit and not just a skirt and a random top. Hancock Fabrics comes through again with a $2.95 value fabric! By the way, both the floral and the check were $3.00/yd.  The lining was $1.79/yd. Just looking at the fabric makes we want a glass of lemonade! Working on this in February might chase away the winter blues. If the patterns arrive today, I might start working on the skirt now!

Stuff For The Stash

Here are some recent additions to my fabric stash:

I got these while in Baltimore at A Fabric Place.  The pink is the one I fell in love with, but there was only about 1 3/8 yds. on the bolt. Perhaps B6085 View E?  I have 3 1/4 yds. of the yellow. I'm torn with what to do with it.

The goal was to find the perfect shirting because I love a well-made shirt (think Thomas Pink). However, the yellow would make a great summer dress, for next year of course.  S2401 View A?  Even my beloved, but yet-to-be-made KS3704 View A would work. How about S2579 View A or S2888, A or B?  Then, there's the sweetest of them all, B4443 (pick any view).  It think it would be a great winter blues-buster if I could work this into a dress. That still leaves me in search of killer shirting ...

My camera is not doing the richness of the Deep Lake knit any justice. These are from Jo-Ann. I'm thinking S2345 View B.

Now what made me want to jump for joy was this mauve acetate from Hancock. $2.37/yd!!! I've been holding on to this denim (also from Hancock) forever. I see Burda 8269 and KS3620 View A.

The only one I'll get to soon is the denim, I think.  I need skirts ASAP!

I've Been Banned

I am not allowing myself to purchase another scrap of fabric or thread! I don't know what happened to me this weekend, but I veered away from my budget. Between Vogue Fabrics and Jo-ann, I now have fabric for three dresses and two tops. I also picked up the lining for the jacket I've given up on until maybe Thanksgiving, but more about that later.
I am the most excited about the chocolate paisley from Jo-Ann. I see that as another Kwik Sew 3221. The knits are either Butterick 4914 or McCall 5974. The black I'm saving for when my skills are legitimate -- there is a Vogue 2900 in my future. Maybe not near future, but future.

That leaves the chocolate brown which I think will be smoking as Kwik Sew 3573. That goes with the intimidating Simplicity 4509 jacket and a Burda 8269 skirt. I'm determined to wear that outfit for Christmas Eve service and be proud of the work.

I've started on the skirt. (You can see the pattern underneath the fabric.) Wait until you see that post! Fitting me is a trip. I really want a dress form. Maybe for Christmas. In the meantime, I've got to figure out how to translate my curves onto a piece of tissue paper.

Here's the Christmas fabric combo. I know it's not holiday, but they're the colors I love. The charmeuse and denim have a pink tone to them. I can't wait to wear them. Well, I guess I can since I've been holding on to that denim and boucle for four or five years! Hopefully I won't be waiting after December 23rd!