Mini Wardrobe Contest 2013

So I decided to enter this contest again, and again my wardrobe is for work.  This time, I'm lightening up the color scheme.

PIECE 1:  Simplicity 1658 view A

Front view

(For some reason, the picture looks like there's a spot on the front, but I don't see the spot in person.)

Back view

This dress was a lot more work than it looks.  From the pictures on the envelope, I could not tell that the front overlay is open on the sides.  I also assumed that the overlay on view A was really just the dress such that there weren't multiple layers, but not so.  For all views, the bodice actually has 3 layers!  I completely wasn't paying attention to that when I bought the pattern, so I ended up having to go back to the fabric store to purchase lining...and then I had to go back again for the right size zipper.

This style of dress is my favorite...I love drop-waisted blousy dresses because they hide everything, but I think this one isn't particularly flattering because the overlay is open on the sides.  I just feel really big in this...like football player big.  If I ever make this again, I'll sew the sides of the overlay closed.  I think I'll end up tacking under the arms so that it's at least a little more fitted in the bust.  Sadly, just as I was finishing up the dress trimming frayed edges, I accidentally cut a hole in the front!  It's small so I sewed it closed, but it's still visible.  I think once I tack under the arms, the hole will be under the arm so it won't be a complete disaster.

Anyway, piece one is done.  I also plan on making a suit and another top to complete my wardrobe.  I'll update this page as I complete my pieces.

 

Wore this today:

 

Vacation Preparation Pt. II

It's almost here!!  I had hoped to make more dresses and I do have time to make one more but I'm exhausted.  So here's the last of my vacation wardrobe...

Simplicity 1614 view B:

I don't really like it, but I'm going to wear it anyway with the skirt below.

Butterick 5756 view D:

I LOVE this skirt!!!  Can't wait to wear it.

Vogue 8574 view A:

This is my second time making this dress.  This time I put darts in the bust to make it fitted.  Also, as much as I love pockets, I omitted them in an effort to save time and get more dresses done.

Now I need a vacation from preparing for vacation...

Vacation Preparation Pt. 1

Eight days till vacation and I still have so much work to do!  The plan is to make a bunch of dresses and right now I'm only about half of the way done.  Progress so far:

McCall's 6558 view E:

Although the pattern calls for knits, I used chiffon I've have for at least 2 years and lined it.


Burda 7364 view C:

I dropped the waist by about an inch and a half because when I cut out the pattern pieces, it didn't look like it was going to hit where I wanted it.  I dropped it a little too much though.  I also completely enclosed the elastic in the waist and added a faux drawstring.  Lastly, I used bias tape for the armholes and neck line...Don't know why (maybe the bias tape is too heavy for the material), but the neckline and armholes are really droopy.  I'll have to wear a camisole under it.

 
MCCall's 5893 view D:

This dress is really comfy on, but sadly, it also looks like a moo moo.  This will definitely be a beach/lazing around dress only. 


McCall's 6465 view C but using the length of view B without the contrast:

I wanted a short loose dress for the beach.  I thought this fabric would be perfect and it is, but since it's tissue thin, I had to line it.  I did the ruffle sleeve so it wouldn't be so blah.  I love it!  Although I could've made a size smaller.


Butterick 5644 view C but I added 8 inches to make it a dress:

In addition, I'm almost finished another dress (I have to get lining for the skirt and add a zipper), I've started a maxi skirt, bought a pattern for a top to go with the skirt and have 2 other dresses I'd like to get done (but probably won't).....

Natural Fibers Contest Entry

It's been a while since I've entered one of patternreview's contest so since I've been purchasing cotton "African" prints from G Street, I thought I'd make something and enter.  I decided to make Simplicity 1607...a pattern I've been itching to make since I first saw it.

Here's my version:

This dress was tedious to make.  The straps are super complicated and the instructions are not that clear.  Luckily, the pictures are, but it takes a lot of studying.  I thought I had them down and when it came time to pin my strap facings to the straps, I realized I sewed one strap together wrong and one facing wrong.  Additionally, either the fabric cutter was way generous or the pattern tells you you need a lot more fabric than you actually do.  I have just under a yard left!  Finally, this pattern required custom fitting...which I pretty much figured beforehand, but apparently, I didn't do a good enough job guestimating.  I cut different sizes for the bodice, midriff, and yoke, knowing I'd need a bigger size in the middle.  Now that the dress is done I see I should've cut the bodice smaller at the top half and gradually cut it to a larger size closer to the midriff.  Now, I'll have to do some adjusting since the bodice is too big...maybe some extra darts might take care of the problem.  This dress requires a lot of handwork as well and I hate slipstitching!  Anyway, I'm glad it's over (aside from adjusting the bust) and can't wait to wear it.  

I tried to take some pics of myself...

one thing I noticed when I just tried this on and sat down...the girls are on display!!...yikes!  Once I put extra darts I think it might help a bit, but this is not a modest neckline at all.


... I'll update the pics when I get someone else to take pics.

UPDATE 5/30:

I fixed the bust!:

It looks ugly on the inside now, but at least the girls are inside!  :)  As suspected however, they are still on display, just not full display as before...hence my camisole under it to make it work appropriate.  Also, for some reason now the bra straps show.

 

 

 

PR's Mini Wardrobe Contest

For this contest, I decided to make work appropriate clothes as I just started my first post law school job last month and I need more work clothes.  To my surprise, I actually finished my four pieces on time, and here they are:

I had to change my key item to a different cardigan, because the other one didn't really go with the Vogue dress.  New key item:

Here are the pieces.  #1 Vogue 1316:

 
You can find my review for this pattern as well as more pics here.

#2 Butterick 5639:

 

You can find my review for this pattern here.

#3 Butterick 5816:

 




I was originally going to do Collette's Sorbetto, but saw this and thought I would make both because I just had to make this top immediately.  Because of all the issues with this one, I'm going to rest for the rest of the day instead of doing the Sorbetto.  You can find my review for this pattern here.

#4 McCall's 3830:

Vote for me!!  :)

One Yard Challenge

I entered yet another patternreview.com contest...the one yard challenge.  For this contest I decided to make a shorter version of Mimi G.'s maxi dress.  Btw, this is a great tutorial...very easy to follow and the dress is very easy to make.  I used fabric I've had in my stash for a long time because it was a remnant and I had no idea what to do with it.  Here's my dress:

I found the perfect beads to add to the ties at Joanne's:

 I plan on wearing my new dress this Friday to Chi Cha Lounge for my pre-graduation celebration with my 3/4 sleeve denim jacket (times like these I wish I had a khaki jacket) and my fave sandals:

 

Little Red Dress Contest

I finally finished my dress for sewing.patternreview.com's little red dress contest!  I made McCall's 6518.

For a little something extra, I beaded the ruffles.  It ended up being a major undertaking, but I think it was worth it!

This was my first saddlestitch.  Thanks to youtube, I figured it out although I think if I ever do this type of hem again, I'll make the stitches smaller.

You can see my review of the pattern here.