New Projects

Thank you for all of the nice comments on my last two projects. 

I started one more dress (I can't help myself), which I am trying to drape on my dressform.  I'm keeping it super simple.  I completed the box pleat skirt and waistband.  Now I am playing around with the bodice.  The fabric is a linen/rayon blend from Sawyer Brook.

As for knitting, I've been working on a simple top featured on the cover of Interweave Knits summer 2013.

I found just enough suitable cotton yarn in my stash, and it happens to be in trendy emerald green.  Who'd have guessed I'd be working on a fairly new knitting pattern in the "it" color?  I'm just so cutting edge.  :-)

 

New Look 6849 - beaded tunic

I used New Look 6849 to make this tunic.  The pattern appears to be out of print since I can't find it on the Simplicity website.  I've used it several times already and find it to be a great starting point for a woven, not-button-front blouse.  The only changes I made were to shorten the sleeves to a cap-sleeve and I omitted the back darts for a looser fit that doesn't need a zipper.

 I was a little concerned about the beading.  I originally wanted to use small wooden beads, but I ended up liking these stone ones.  I worried about the weight and sharpness of the beads, though, and after wearing this top for a few hours yesterday, the large ones on front were drooping.  When I snagged one on a book, I gave up and snipped off all 4.  Now I'm not sure if I'll replace them with something else, or leave it as it is, or maybe take off all of the beads and go with some embroidery instead.  The troubles we have...

The fabric is from Sawyer Brook.  It is out of print now, but it is a very interesting rustic silk.  It looks a lot like linen.

Colette Patterns Macaron

Here it is!  My finished Colette Patterns Macaron.

 I feel like I've said so much about this already; there isn't a whole lot left to say.  :-)  The fabric is from Sawyer Brook - Tennis White and Spaqua.  The only change I made was to make the waistband the main color instead of the contrasting white.

 I cut a size 4 at the bust and tapered out to a 6 for the waist and hips.  The fit is perfect!  If you want to make this, definitely go with the suggested size for your mesurements.

 I got a ton of compliments at church on Sunday, and I really like it, so it's a win!

TWO finished projects

I finished up TWO projects today!  Just have to wait for good light tomorrow to model them.

 

Macaron progress

I need to line the bodice of my Macaron dress.  The white would let the facing show through.  Rather than do the seams above the bust, I overlapped the pieces to cut one front and one back.  So far, it seams like this worked fine.  I put together the lining and put it in the dress last night.  Now, I just have quite a bit of hand finishing to do.

McCalls 6696, kind of

I was so anxious to finish my altered shirtdress that I pawed through my mom's button stash last night (I'm visiting her, obviously) and found 9 silver shank buttons that fit my buttonholes. 

So, here is my kind-of-shirtdress, made from Sawyer Brook's beautiful Vieux Carre and McCalls 6696.

 I admit I removed most of the shirtdress details - most obviously the collar, but I think this makes for a more casual summer dress.  I wore it out to the grocery store and lunch today and didn't feel too fancy or retro.  I even got a few compliments!

 I kept the yoke and gathers in the back, which gives it a little bit of shirtdress feel and makes it so airy and comfortable to wear for summer.

 I didn't use the skirt pattern pieces at all since I simply didn't have enough fabric for the full-skirt option.  What I did do is cut my whole piece of fabric (2 yards, I think) to length for the skirt and then cut out my bodice pieces from the remaining white portion.  The skirt is all one piece, buttonband to buttonband.  I just did some simple math to figure how many and how big pleats to make to attatch it to the waistband.

I explained how I did the hem here.

I am really enjoying wearing my new dress today.  I think I have been successful in my attempt to make an everyday dress that is comfortable and cool for summer!

Macaron Progress

A few pics pics of my Colette Patterns Macaron progress.

 Why is it that this looked nicely pressed on the ironing board and it looks a hot mess here?

 The fit of this seems to be great.  Check out these little neck darts on the back. 

I also really like the side zip feature to leave no center back seam.