Sew What It's Summer - Week #13

For this week's challenge, Hidden Treasure, I decided to make a little purse.  It's the first time I've ever made a bag this small so it seemed to be super easy and hard at the same time.  I used a Simplicity pattern so the piecing the purse was very easy. The zipper however definitely came out a little funky. I'm sure next time will be a little easier.

So what was the hidden treasure in this purse? Well I went back and forth with this one, but in the end I decided to use a pale fabric on the outside and have the inside be SURPRISE polka dots. I thought it was a nice contrast to the outside.

Sew What It's Summer - Week 6

For this week's challenge, Maxi Dress, I deviated a bit. I still made a dress but not quite a maxi dress.  I have piles and piles of patterns scattered throughout my house. Every time there is a sale on pattern's at Joann's (which is often) I stock up. They go from costing $10 - $20 down to about $2 a pattern. I would be crazy to pass that up. The result is piles and piles of patterns. So a couple months ago my niece found this princess pattern on my coffee table and immediately wanted it.  She's turning 5 this Friday and in her sweetest little voice asked "Auntie Manda will you make this for me?" Of course I said yes, that I would make it for her birthday. She picked out the dress style and the color fabric and I picked out the trims. A week ago when the dress was still sleeve and peplum-less she tried on the dress for a fitting and twirled around my kitchen like a little princess.

I used a medium weight hot pink/raspberry color linen and even managed to find thread and a zipper that matched the fabric exactly.  I then used a white & pink daisy trim on the collar and a pre-gathered pink satin trim at the wait.  The peplum was suppose to be removable but I know my niece - if the peplum was not attached this would be the only time it would not be lost somewhere hidden in a pile.  I stitched the peplum and waistband to the dress front, just past the back sides, leaving the ties free in the back.  I will say that although the pattern was very easy to follow their construction steps were a little odd. They had items completely finished, hemmed and trimmed on the top before the skirt was even attached.  It seemed a little odd to me.

Over all I think the dress came out great and my niece is going to love it. I'll post pictures next week of the princess in her dress :)

Sew What It's Summer - Week 5

This week summer definitely arrived in Maine. It's has been sunny and warm for days  - today it's 90 but with humidity it's peaking around 98. I nearly melted in the 20 minutes I modeled this week's project with jeans.  Anyway back to sewing, this week's project was ombre and I had the perfect fabric - a sheer dark to light blue I picked up on sale a few years ago. I love the fabric, I just wish the top had turned out a little better. I can't decide if I cut the pattern a size too big or if the fabric was just not drapey enough. Either way, I like the design but I'm going to need to go back and rework it a big. The back of the shirt looks and feels huge and billowy, the front is a little short and the sleeves cause a weird fold when my arms are down. It also just feels wide and from pictures it makes me look like I've instantly gained 20lbs.  All that said I still like the shirt.

I will advise anyone following this pattern (Simplicity 1660) to pay attention closely to what you are cutting. There are several size lines on each piece according to what design you are following. I messed up a couple times, fortunately it was just over cutting so I was able to trim down.



Maybe you'll see this shirt again later on as a reworked item. Hopefully I have a chance to attack this shirt again and iron out the problems bc I really do love the fabric.

Sew What It's Summer - Week 4

I had a lot of fun with this week's challenge - swim coverup. They way I approached this is that you don't need to look fantastic in a beach coverup. It should be comfy, easy to get on and off and made of something that will dry quickly.  

I have had this pattern, Simplicity #2702 for years and always wanted to use it but I knew from looking at the picture is would like like a sack on me. I jumped at the chance to use it for this week's challenge though.  I was so happy when I found almost identical fabric to the pattern picture on a 50% off redline shelf at Joanns. Lightweight, slightly stretchy and absorbent this fabric was perfect.   The dress was easy to construct but definitely needed some alterations. It was so huge that I could have easily cut two sizes smaller and it still would have been big. I took almost 2" off each side of the waist and shaped the bottom a bit. The top however was a perfect fit and for a little more fun I added some beading to the neck - like the picture in the pattern. 

So I may not have the skinniest legs but as a swimmer I am looking forward to using this coverup all summer long :) Next week Ombre!