Expert Tricks & Sewing Techniques: Tips for Muslin Fitting

Expert Tricks & Sewing Techniques: Tips for Muslin Fitting

Sewing Perfect Collar Points: A Tutorial

Sewing Perfect Collar Points: A Tutorial

Finally Finished....... UFO Vogue 8645

One of my sewing goals for 2014 is to finish some of my many UFO's.  One unfinished project was Vogue 8645 I started this dress last year for a trip to Savannah.  I decided to late to make this dress so I didn't get a chance to finish it before going on my weekend getaway.  Here is a picture and my review of the dress.

Pattern Description: Ladies dress

Pattern Sizing:12-18

Did it look like the photo/drawing on the pattern envelope once you were done sewing with it? Yes

Were the instructions easy to follow? Yes they were, I did not like the instructions to add the lining.

What did you particularly like or dislike about the pattern? Mentioned before I did not like the instuctions to add the lining. I bagged the lining and closed it at the shoulder seams.
Fabric Used:Rayon Challis, a light weight challis for the lining

Pattern alterations or any design changes you made: I started with a 18 based on the measurements, I graded down a size, because it was super big.  To me the top is still a little big. I added an inch to the front so that it would hang so low and deepen the shoulder seams.  I also had to take in the under arm seams.

Would you sew it again? Would you recommend it to others? No, I don't need another one, I do recommend it to others if you like this style dress.

Conclusion: Ok looking dress, definately needs the belt otherwise it looks like a sack.  I read other reviews and liked the dress on the other people but I am still on the fence whether I like the dress on me.  To me it looks better on the dress form.

Ready for girls night out with my daughter.

McCalls 6754

The first piece I made for my SWAP is a purple peplum top, McCalls 6754.  This pattern has been in my stash for over a year.  I have loved the pattern since Mimi G made it in a green and navy stripe.  I have the same fabric and plan to make it in the stripe fabric later this year.  Peplum blouses and jackets are so popular and look flattering on people of all sizes.

Here is my review:

Pattern Description: McCalls 6754

Pattern Sizing: I cut a XL and graded down to a L

Did it look like the photo/drawing on the pattern envelope once you were done sewing with it? Yes

Were the instructions easy to follow? Yes very easy

What did you particularly like or dislike about the pattern? I did not like the sleeves they were too wide and unflattering I shortern and took them in.  I few other reviewer mentioned the same thing about the sleeves.

Fabric Used: Knit

Pattern alterations or any design changes you made: Shorten and pinched out about 2 inches in the width of the sleeve

Would you sew it again? Yes, I plan to make the shirt, and the dress from this pattern     Would you recommend it to others? Yes

I like the look of the top.

I plan to make skirt OOP Simplicity 2512 out of the purple fabric as well, I will be able to interchange the two purple pieces with the print pieces.
I will post more pieces of my SWAP coordinates as I complete them. 

My SWAP

I am participanting in a SWAP, I am a member of the American Sewing guild, Atlanta Chapter and the City Wide Couture neighborhood group.
We have a started a 5 piece SWAP (Sewing with a plan).  We have 5 months to sew 5 pieces, the pieces include two tops, two bottoms and a jacket type piece.  My SWAP theme is "KNIT COMFORT"

Below are the fabrics that I plan to use in my SWAP.

This print fabric is the focal fabric of my SWAP, I love this multi color knit fabric and all the many colors that I can pair it with.  I plan to make a top and skirt with the print.

Here is the print with a purple solid that I am going to coordinate it with.

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Here is the print with a beige solid that I am going to coordinate it with.
I plan to make a cargian and pants with the beige.












Here is the print with a green solid that I am going to coordinate it with.

I see a pair a pants with the green.

My SWAP fabric also includes a blue and lime green solid fabric.

I am still narrowing down the patterns to go with the fabrics but will get started sewing soon.

McCalls 6842

                                   I finally finished this easy skirt pattern, McCalls 6842.

I used a knit fabric from Fabric Town in Stockbridge, Georgia.  The pattern is pretty easy and should have taken a few hours to finish.  But life got in the way at it took me about two weeks to complete. Some days I go into my sewing room really to get so much done and I spend most of my time surfing the internet and do not get anything done.

Here' s my review:

Pattern Description: McCalls skirt, I made view C, I used one color for the entire skirt

Did it look like the photo/drawing on the pattern envelope once you were done sewing with it? Yes

Were the instructions easy to follow? the instructions were very easy

What did you particularly like or dislike about the pattern? I liked how easy it sewed together

Fabric Used: Some type of knit fabric

Pattern alterations or any design changes you made: I shorten the yoke so the skirt would be too long

Would you sew it again? Would you recommend it to others? I would sew it again and recommend it to others

Conclusion: Easy, quick skirt

Easy Tank Dress Maxi

I love maxi dresses, you can wear them for formal and casual occasions, with high heel shoes or flat sandals.  They are so comfortable and flattery that they look good on everyone.

I prefer to sew mine out of knit fabric but there are no rules when it comes to sewing maxi dresses.   You can make your dress all one print or solid or multiple prints, prints and solid together.  I have seen RTW maxi dresses with the top out of stripes and the bottom half out of dots and it looked really nice.

I needed a dress real fast and decided to make a quick  tank top maxi dress.
I purchased a RTW tank top and a yard of print knit fabric from the fabric store.

                                                               Print knit fabric

                                                        Black RTW tank top

I cut the tank top the length of my natural waist,  I used some black ponte knit from my stash to make a waist band, then measured the amount needed to go from the waist band to the top of me feet, plus enough for the hem.
I serged the the front and back of the bottom together as the side seams, I also gathered the top of the skirt portion then I attached the waist band to the tank top, then added the bottom of the skirt to the tank top.  After a few adjustments to the garment presto I had a maxi dress completed for Brunch the next day.

                                  Ready for Brunch with the family.