aijuswannasew: August 2012

Saturday, August 18, 2012

McCall's 6118

This is another project I started many months ago (I used the left over scraps as the lining for my graduation dress in May) and just finally completed. Not really much to say about it, except that it's very easy and really cute.

(please excuse my dirty mirror)

I do think it may run a little big. I think the top band is too loose. I took it in a little more than 1/4 inch, but it's still slack. I could probably take it in another 1/2 inch, but I'm just going to leave it. Next time, I'll cut the band a size down. Also, I cut about a 3/4 inch off the bottom because the top is a little longer than I wanted.

When I first saw this fabric, I wasn't sure about it, but then I couldn't stop thinking about it. Now, I think it's gorg!

Conclusion: I love this top!

Friday, August 17, 2012

White Party

Earlier this summer, a friend of mine threw an all white beach party to celebrate her 30th. Of course I decided to make my outfit. I chose McCall's 6560:

Initially, I was going to do the full dress option, but I wasn't paying attention when I purchased the eyelet and only bought enough to make a top. Because the fabric was so expensive, I decided to make a skirt as well in a different fabric. As it got closer to the party, I realized I did not have enough time to make the skirt (I was also making a wrap dress for the birthday girl) and purchased a white denim skirt from Old Navy instead. As a plan B, I found a dress at Ross for $8 at the last minute.

Here is my top:

It it way too low cut for my taste. The picture doesn't do it justice...I feel really exposed, even vulgar wearing it. I think you can see a little better how low cut it is in the pic with the camisole under it.

Here is the back:

The bottom of the back is really weird. Admittedly, I didn't consult the directions before hemming (and I still haven't gone back to look at them), but the back looks terrible. It bubbles out awkwardly and looks like I am with child, but carrying it in my back (sorry I don't have a picture of it on from the back). I think I should have left the two back sides separate, basically leaving a split under the zipper instead of sewing them together and then hemming them. I might still take it apart and do that...not looking forward to it though because I've learned that having to take apart eyelet is a bit difficult.

I ended up going with the dress from Ross.

Birthday gift - Butterick 5454:

For Mom

I've had a very long sewing hiatus due to studying for the bar exam. Now that that's over, back to business! Since yesterday was my mom's birthday and I'm broke, for her gift, I decided to finally do some projects my mom asked me to do. Downside is that they're not surprises since she purchased the patterns and fabrics, but she understands. I'll make it up to her later.

Anyway, they are all very simple, basic patterns that are great for beginners.

Dress 1 - McCall's 9172. This is a very simple dress with pockets. I made a fabric loop for the button to make it look a little nicer in the back.

Dress 2 - Butterick 5768. This is one of the see & sew patterns. It is sooo easy...only 2 pattern pieces! The hardest part is the back pleats, and they aren't hard.

Dress 3 - Simplicity 1884:
I had to do a second row of the top stitching at the top of the dress because the first row didn't catch the facing. The second row missed it in spots, but I think it will be ok. I could just hand sew it, but I don't really think it's necessary. I added belt loops instead of making thread carriers.