BURDA 8/09 #132

A 'LIL BIT ROCK N ROLL!!!

Pattern Description: Burda says this shirt is a lil bit rock-n-roll.

Pattern Sizing:I used a size 44

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

Were the instructions easy to follow?

OK...not really...These are typical Burda WOF instructions. I was confused about what line to cut on...turns out I choose the wrong one. Having done that I had to try to ease in and extra inch in the collar stand...UUURRGGHH!!! Thank goodness the collar and flounces covers it up nicely.

What did you particularly like or dislike about the pattern?

Ok...A shoulder princess seam blouse with flounces!!! What's not to love. I am a fool for flounces and ruffles...When I saw this blouse I knew I would be wearing this puppy. I think everything I make has one or the other...My husband says if they go out of style I will be naked, so I told him no way 'cause I am gonna be wearing ruffles til the day I die!!!...I digress.

Fabric Used: Cotton shirting

Pattern alterations or any design changes you made:

I used the longer length version of the shirt. I added 4 inches of length to the sleeve and I did a 2" FBA. I used my serger's rolled hem function to finish the ruffles and the sleeves.

Would you sew it again? Would you recommend it to others?

I probably wont sew it again because it is so distinctive, but if you love all these frilly numbers then go for it.

Conclusion: I love , love this blouse...It never fails to get attention.

Vogue 7975

I needed some more "Sunday go to meetin' clothes" so this is what I came up with.

Pattern Description: Lined jacket in two lengths with high round neckline. A, B: short length, has long sleeves and patch pockets. A: purchased ribbon ties and trim. B: purchased trim on outer edges. C: three-quarter length sleeves, mock welt pockets, purchased trim along outer edges of jacket. D: button front, three-quarter length sleeves and mock welt pockets. E: button front, full length sleeves, patch pockets, outer edges trimmed with purchased fold-over braid. D, E: longer length.

Pattern Sizing: I made a size 18.

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

Were the instructions easy to follow? I did not use them.

What did you particularly like or dislike about the pattern? No dislikes.. I love the shoulder princess seams.

Fabric Used: Wool Boucle from fabricmart...At least I think it was fabricmart. It was about 2 years ago.

Pattern alterations or any design changes you made: I did my usual 1 and 3/4 FBA. I added 4 inches to the sleeve length. As a boucle, this fabric wanted to ravel, so to help prevent that, I interfaced all pieces with fusi-knit. The jacket is lined with Ambiance. I added a pocket from a burda magazine jacket pattern...

I always go thru Burda and copy any interesting pocket patterns and put them in my jacket pocket folder to use for later. The skirt is made from my TNT skirt pattern. The turtleneck is from my TNT turtleneck pattern that I gathered at the neckline.

Would you sew it again? Would you recommend it to others? Oh yes...I wore this to church on Sunday and I got lots of compliments. This is going to be my TNT collarless jacket pattern. (Well, at least one of them!!)

Conclusion: Nice, versatile pattern. Here are the shoes I wore with the suit.

Christmas Party 2009

Pattern Description: Self drafted one shoulder knee length formal dress

Pattern Sizing: custom

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

yeah...just like the image in my head.

What did you particularly like or dislike about the pattern?

I wanted to make an off the shoulder dress for a Chrismas party my husband and I always attend... I drafted an off the shoulder princess seam bodice. I cut 2 strips of glitter organza for the ruffle. I cut one layer at 7 inches and 1 layer 5 inches wide. I used my serger to do a rolled hem on the organza. I attached the organza all around the front and back edges of the dress. I used my tnt pattern for the skirt. The dress is also fully lined in self fabric.

Fabric Used:

Black crepe back satin from Hancock's and glitter organza from hancocks

Conclusion:

I got lots of compliments on my dress and lots of people wanted me to make them a dress for next year's gala (NOT!!!). My husband and I had lots of fun and I even danced ( a little). Maybe next year I will actually get a picture with my hubby!!

WHIRLWINDVACATION!!!!

OUR FAMILY VACATION

My family and I just got back from a whirlwind vacation...We flew from Tampa Airport to Raleigh,NC to visit some friends for a few days...We then rented a Suburban and drove to Harrisonburg, VA to visit my brother. He is working on his Master's degree from his alma mater JMU. The kids dont get to see uncle Lou that much so they were in heaven.

We then drove to Washington DC and took the kids sightseeing...It was my first time there so I was sightseeing too. It was also our first time on the metro train and it was neat!! We saw Arlington Cemetery with all of its graves. Reminds us all of the high price some paid for us to enjoy the freedoms we all take for granted.


We saw Old Abe in the Lincoln Monument...It was huge...Upstairs they have a lot of Lincoln's speeches etched in stone...Very educational...

Of course my daughter wanted to see where President Obama lived...She was so elated.

The Washington monument...

We were so tired from all the walking...On TV of course it looks like everything is so close together. NOT!!! The next day (which happened to be my 38th birthday) we took the kiddos to the Smithsonian Museum of Natural History...It is awesome to say the least.

I also pursuaded my hunny to take me to G street fabrics...I bought 4 cuts of wool suiting and they had all their patterns marked down to $1.00...I lost my mind on the Burda's...I bought 16 patterns.

The next day we packed up again and headed for Philadelphia. We have a friend who plays for the 76 ers and he got us tickets for the game...

The kids loved it and they got to go out on the court after the game.

The next day we went to the Philadelphia Zoo.

They have a beautiful blond Lioness with a Mane...They say she has hormone problems. I still think she is pretty.

My husband dropped me off in Philadelphia's Fabric district. I went to Maxie's daughter and bought 5 yards of wool to make a suit. Then I went to Pennsylvania Fabric Outlet. I bought some weft interfacing there. I had never seen interfacing 60 inches wide. I went down the street to Baldwin Fabrics and bought some leather. I am going to attempt to make a handbag one day. I also bought some beautiful brown wool tweed.

We left Philadelphia and headed to The Big Apple...thats right NY City...We went to Manhattan!!!...

We saw the famous tree in Rockefeller Center...They were still working on it, hence the scaffolding

Took this photo in front on the Chase Manhattan building...We call my daughter Chase Manhattan because her name is Chaise. Doesn't Chancellor look excited!! Right!!

I have never seen so many people in my life, and on a Saturday and Sunday... Unfortunately, I did not get a chance to hit the garment district but my husband assures me I can come back soon to shop for fabric and he will pay for it. We stayed in Manhattan for 2 days right at the Hilton in Times Square.. We took the kids over to Rockefeller center and saw the big Christmas tree in place with scaffolding all around it and let the kids watch the ice skaters. From there we went to Connecticut to see some of my husband's relatives. We the hit New Jersey and saw the Statue of Liberty and headed back south to Baltimore for 1 day and then back to DC for 1 day and then back to Raleigh/Durham where we then got back on the plane and headed back home...This was the best vacation ever!!!! I am already anticipating our next one. Let's see, where shall we roam next???

MCCALLS 5323

Ok, I admit it...I cant get enough of ruffles and frills and fluff and flounces!!!! I think this is an OOP pattern but of course I had it in my stash...I just happened to be riffling thru my pattern drawers and found this...Yeah, more ruffles!!!!

Pattern Description: Unlined, fitted wrap blouse has sleeve and neckline variations; blouse A has purchased applique; blouses A, B have side ties, purchased trim; blouse C has sash; includes separate pattern pieces for A, B, C and D cup sizes. I made view B with the ruffles.

Pattern Sizing: I used size 18.

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

Were the instructions easy to follow? Yep

What did you particularly like or dislike about the pattern? Ruffles, and no FBA.

I cant get enough of ruffles so had to have this one.Fabric Used: cotton shirting

Pattern alterations or any design changes you made: This pattern has the separate D cup bodice so I didnt need an FBA. I lengthened the bodice by 3 inches to make it 26 inches... I also changed the sleeves to short sleeves and added a cuff. I saw that the bust dart on the pattern was REALLY long so I shortened it about 2 inches... Next time I make it I will lower the dart about 1 inch.

Would you sew it again? Would you recommend it to others? Yes, I think this will be part of my Christmas party suit...I am going to make it up in red satin with a matching pencil skirt.

Conclusion: If you are craving the ruffles go for it. I t is OOP, but if you have a pattern stash like mine, it may be worth it to go hunthing thru it for this one.

There's A Jungle Out There

What do you do when you have a great comfy chair that you love but you are sick of the upholstry and the kiddos have spilled every substance known to man (and some not known) on it... I say slipcovers baby!!!

I have a Chaise lounge and a overside chair the I recovered. I got this fabric at Hancocks...I think I bought about 25 yards... I pinned the fabric on the chairs upside down to make a pattern and then sewed it together. For the cushions made a pattern by tracing the outseide on the cushions, and added my 1 inch seam allowances...My cushions are 6 inches thick, so I made the covers 5 and 1/2 inches high so the covers were nice and tight...I added a strip at the back and inserted a zipper...Perfecto...Now when the kids decide to pour koolaid on my chairs, at least I can wash them and they look as good as new...

SIMPLICITY 2473

About a week ago I tricked my non sewing sister into stopping by Hnacocks with me to "pick up a few things" after our weekly lunch date. They were having a pattern sale and my sister spotted this and I had to have it. I loved the collar and the shoulder princess seams.

Pattern Description: Inspired by Project Runway.

Misses'/miss petite dress sewing pattern with slim or flared skirt.

Pattern Sizing: 12-14-16-18-20

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 loved the collar and loved the princess seams.Fabric Used: Grey wool woven. Dont remember where it came from!!!

Pattern alterations or any design changes you made:

I always do an FBA. I did a 1 and 3/4 inch FBA. I also added 1 and 1/2 inches to the front and back bodice pieces at the lengthen/shorten lines. I added 3 inches to the skirt length, but next time I will add another 3 inches as I like my skirts a little longer. I used the cap sleeve, but I added 4 inches in length and I also added a sleeve band. I also did a full lining and used an invisible zipper.

Would you sew it again?

Would you recommend it to others? Yes, I really like the way this turned out and I will make it again someday.

Conclusion:

Great pattern that is stylish and easy to alter.