Second SWAP piece done! (and some knitting)

Here's my second finished piece for the SWAP contest.  I'm really happy with how it turned out!  It's about as simple as a pattern gets.  I just sewed up the fashion fabric (6-year-old $1/yard Wal-Mart cotton eyelet) and the lining (white cotton) pieces separately and then joined them at the top.  Then, I inserted the zipper and hemmed the lining.  I hand-stitched the top few inches of fashion fabric and lining together at the side seams and darts to keep things in place.  So simple, and I'm sure I'll get lots of wear out of this this summer.  The bonus of an A-line skirt and a changing body is as I lose baby weight, it will just sit lower on my hips.  

Here is a shot of the zipper.  I think I might be happier with an invisible zipper, but I wasn't going to go out and get one for $1/yard fabric, and it's a casual skirt anyway.  

And here's the lining stitched to the zipper on the inside.

Here's a close-up of the border on the eyelet.  It's so simple and pretty.

In knitting news, I finished the lace scarf I've been working on on-and-off since July.  Just have to block it.  Here's a sneak peek.

I've already cast on for another lace scarf (this one for a gift if it's finished in time).  The pattern is from Victorian Lace Today, by Jane Sowerby.  The book was a Christmas gift, and I want to make almost everything in it!  The border on my just-knitted scarf is from this book as well.  Here's a picture of the one I'm starting.  

Can't I read?

I bought this really pretty fabric from Sawyer Brook thinking it was a knit and would make a cute top.  Well, when it arrived, I was surprised to find a stretch woven cotton.  I looked back on the website, and there it says, plain as day, "cotton/spandex."  Don't get me wrong... I still think it's really pretty... I just don't know what I'm going to do with it!  It would make a cute sheath dress, but I don't need anymore!  Plus, they're really pretty fall colors but the fabric is light weight.  *sigh*  I'm sure something will come to me eventually.  Maybe some kind of woven wrap top?  I'm just trying really hard to sew things I'll actually wear.  That means fewer dresses and more casual things.

Am I crazy?

So, when my sewing mojo came back, it REALLY came back.

I joined a SWAP contest at Stitcher's Guild.  That's Sewing With A Plan.  So, now I'm making 11 garments by the end of April.  They're all for after the baby comes and my body goes somewhat back to normal.  The problem being, of course, that I can't really fit anything around my waist at this point since it's expanding rapidly (We're just over halfway there now).  At least I know pretty well what sizes of the big pattern companies fit me, my hips haven't changed at all yet, and I'm using the same Vogue pants pattern I just completed.  

It's turning out to be a great challenge, because I'm working on several things I've never tried before.  I made my first button-down shirt last night (still need to get the buttons, though), and I'm trying my first BWOF patterns.  

Here's the storyboard I made up with my plan.  

I've already made one change.  After almost finishing the tweed skirt, I really like the detail at the waist and want to wear it with a tucked in shirt.  So... I really don't think I'd wear the tweed top much, so I'm nixing that.  I haven't decided what to make it its place, though.  I still have about two yards of the tweed, so I may make a jacket down the road.  I don't have much use for a tweed skirt suit, I'll admit, but the fabric is so beautiful.  We'll see...

Things are progressing quicker than I thought they would.  I already finished the white pique knit top and am almost done with the white button-down and the tweed skirt.  Both just require a trip to the local fabric store.  The white skirt is also cut out.

Here are pics of the top I've finished.

I have been so busy!

I've been sewing up a storm, and just now took some pictures.  Here are my finished pants:

Ok, ok, I still need to hem the lining... and put on the hooks for closure above the zipper... but other than that, they're finished, and I love them!  

I sucked in the belly all I could for these pics.  You can see a bit of strain at the front.  :-)

Here's an open fly shot before lining.  Oooh, aaah... I'm very proud.

This is a back pocket from the inside.  I must have sewn this last at night - it's really wobbly.  :-)

This is an inside look at one of the side pockets from the inside.

Here's the inside of the fly before I put in the lining.

In other news, I purchased my first Burda World of Fashion (BWOF) magazine at a local fabric store here in Germany.  I already traced off three patterns and have this skirt almost made up.  I just have to get some lining, buttons, and an invisible zipper.  The others I plan to make are this jacket and these cropped pants.

Pants!

Here are some shots of my beautiful pants, which are almost finished!!  Just need to put together the lining and put it in and hem everything.  Of course, the sad news is I can't wear them for about 7 months.  They're linen, and on top of that, they don't like closing over my growing belly.  I will model them when they're all complete, though (hopefully tomorrow!).

Well, here they are:

I got the linen and ostrich leather this past September in Philadelphia.

The pattern is Vogue 2907, which is becoming my TNT pattern.  I made shorts from it last spring.

Here is a close-up of the front pocket and belt loops.  I just folded the leather and treated it as piping.  I originally thought I'd make a bag with the leather, but I decided I doubt I'd make a bag that I love as much as the ones I buy.  So then I came up with this idea.  Can't say I've seen an inspiration anywhere for this look, but I'm sure it's nothing new.  I think it makes the pants a bit funky but still classic.

...and a shot of the back.

Here's a look at a back welt pocket, still stitched closed.  I had to work around the leather for this, you'll see.

I'll show some interior shots next time, also.  I am quite proud of these pants!  Just hope I can fit into them again beore summer is over.

Pants muslin

I started sewing again after much mojo trouble due to pregnancy.  Here is my pants muslin:

None of the front shots came out even that good.  I'll have to ask hubby for help when he comes home.  The pattern is Vogue 2907.   These are going to be summer pants for after the baby comes and I hopefully have my body back.  I have no desire to sew maternity stuff.

I just noticed new Vogue patterns are up on the website.  I really like the top and dress in V1100.  I like how it has the pleating detail at the neck, but it's still fitted.  I don't do tents... at least not except for when I'm pregnant (oh, like now).