Mother's Day 2013

Dresses finished!!....unfortunately one looks like it will be too small.

Simplicity 1804:

McCalls 6073:

 



I think this picture shows the actual color better:

Both were very easy to construct.  However, sewing them confirmed that I really need to take a basics course.  I had a hard time with the fabric and it may just be that I know nothing about what kind of needle you should use for different fabrics and what settings you should use.  I generally use the same settings (although this time I put both on 2 and it seemed to work better) and always just use the same needle for everything.  Something wasn't working for these dresses.  I had to sew every seam about three times (sometimes more) because the stitches kept skipping and sometimes it wouldn't catch at all till I tried 4 or 5 times!  It ended up taking me a lot longer to complete these.  Anyway, I assume if you use the right needle, etc these dresses should be very quick projects.  They're perfect for spring/summer.

...Hopefully they fit!

So many projects, so little time...

I just realized this week that Mother's Day is around the corner and I hadn't planned anything.  I remembered that I do have fabric and I have a bunch of patterns, so dresses it is!  I think my mom gave me this a year ago to make her something with so I'll use it to make Simplicity 1804:

 

I also went to G Street today (they're having a 25% off sale plus extra coupons this weekend) and got this
and will use it to make McCall's 6073:

 

On top of gifts for mom, I just started cutting out the pieces for McCall's 6721  for my cousin's baby's quilt and I just started my first quilt.  I am making a scrap quilt using the instructions from sewtakeahike's "a little help from my friends" tutorial.  This is my progress thus far:

 

Also, I'm going to the Bahamas in June and am thinking of what I'm going to make for my trip.  I picked up these

from G Street today and will make Burda 7364 with the blue:

        

 

...and I will make another MimiG mini maxidress with the other.

 

 

I'm daunted just thinking about it...

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.

 

 

Skirt - Simplicity 2257
I added lining because the fabric was very light and sheer.

 

Happy birthday to the greatest mom ever!!!



***UPDATE***

Some pics of mom wearing the dresses: