Fall for Cotton Final Project

After a but of fussing with Simplicity 1590, it has been determined that this body does not do well with peplums. I switched over to New Look 6945. It is not a vintage pattern, but I think it is generic enough that with the correct fabric it can look good in a wardrobe from any decade. Pants are vintage reprint  Simplicity 3688.

I did an FBA, Moved the darts about 1" toward the middle, then changed them to princess seams, shortened the bodice by 3/4" and had to grade between different sizes to get it to fit properly. I also widened the back by 1".

Fall for Cotton Inspiration

I am in love with the wide leg 1940's swing style trousers. I will use Simplicity 3688. I bought some milk chocolate colored 100% cotton twill at Jo-Ann's last week with my 60% off coupon. At that point it was only $4.00/yard!

I am also going to do Simplicity 1590 View A. I am using the pink, white and brown striped quilting cotton. I got it on sale for $1.85/yard. 

I already had both patterns in my stash so that worked out well!

Sew for Victory - 1940's Sew Along

The Sew For Victory Sew Along is hosted by Lucky Lucille. I think I want to make Simplicity 1692. It looks like a fairly simple top to throw together. I make tons of dresses and I would like to make some more separates. This seems like as good a place to start as any. I need to look at some more photos of 40's fashion before I decide for sure what to make.

KCWC Fall 2012 Recap

Billy in his awesome coat!

Simplicity 2526 view B in a wool polyester blend. This took so long because it is the first time I have ever worked with plaids and I wanted to be very careful to match things up properly. The lines actually do match up in the front when the jacket is hanging straight.

By the time I was finished this coat I was a little tired of sewing. Instead of pushing myself, I took a break. I still plan to make a little hat to match =)

Sunday Strategy # 2

This week my goals are defined by the upcoming holiday and my sew along participation. Luckily, the Sew Colette 2.0 obligations for this week are light and I can focus on Halloween costumes.

1. Halloween Costumes for me, Brian and Billy.
2. Fabric for Peony. I have a few different options that I can't choose between. I think I should really make it in a flannel so it is nice and warm for the fall and winter. The only problem is that I have all these cute cotton prints that are just begging to be sewn into a beautiful dress!

Recap Of Last Week (Sunday Strategy # 1)

1. This week is the fall Kids Clothes Week Challenge over at Elsie Marley. I want to make a coat for Billy. I am going to use McCalls 6385 or Simplicity 2526. If I manage to get the coat completed I would like to make him a vest (Simplicity 1923) and a long sleeve shirt (Simplicity 1923).
• Completed the coat. Didn't get to the vest. Will Blog tomorrow =)
2. I need to do the fitting on my Colette Peony muslin for the  Colette 2.0 Sew Along.
• Done, again will blog later!

Sunday Strategy # 1

There is so much I want to do this week. Most of it revolves around various Sew Alongs.

1. This week is the fall Kids Clothes Week Challenge over at Elsie Marley. I want to make a coat for Billy. I am going to use McCalls 6385 or Simplicity 2526. If I manage to get the coat completed I would like to make him a vest (Simplicity 1923). If I have time after all that I would like to work on Billy's Halloween Costume.
2. I need to do the fitting on my Colette Peony muslin for the  Colette 2.0 Sew Along. This is going to be a doozie!

I think that is enough to keep me busy for the entire week.

Recap of last week (Monday's Sunday Strategy):

All in all I am pleased with the progress I made this week considering I did not have a sewing machine for 2 days. I like that the Sunday Strategy really helped me stay focused! Hopefully I can be consistent with posting them and then actually following my own plan.

1. Make my Colette Peony muslin for the Colette 2.0 Sew Along.
• Blogged here.
2. Get my patterns and fabrics together for Kids Clothes Week Challenge for next week.
• Ordered faux shearling from Hancock Fabrics.
• Chose Patterns
• McCalls 6385 - View B Coat. If my shearling doesn't arrive on time I will use Simplicity 2526.
• Simplicity 1923 - View C vest.
3. Finish fitting issues on Vogue 8615. I have already made this dress 3 times and still haven't gotten it quite right.
• I made up the pattern pieces with my adjustments but did not get to sew another dress since my machine died. I will try this one again in a couple weeks!

New Simplicity Collection

I am very excited about some of the new patterns from Simplicity's Early Autumn 2012 Pattern Collection. (Early Autumn? Seriously? It isn't even officially summer yet.)

My favorite is Simplicity 1777, a 1940's reproduction dress pattern. I think I am going to add it to my list of items to make for the Sewing Through The Decades Sew Along.

Image from Simplicity.com

Simplicity 1778: I am not sure if I actually like this pattern or I am just excited because it has a red polka dot dress on the front. I am not sure how I feel about the bunching on the front.

Image from Simplicity.com

Finally, I like Simplicity 1779. I would like to make view c, white with navy ties.

Image from Simplicity.com

The Exceptionally Festive Dress

This is the dress I made for Christmas this year. I used Simplicity 2176. I used 100% cotton Christmas fabric I found on clearance at Jo-Anns.  Instead of hemming the bottom I used white bias tape. 

I designed and crocheted my little white shrug.  

(I was dramatically eating chocolates while Mom was taking pics.)

Back view. Next time I will use an invisible zipper. On this dress it blended well with the main fabric, but really popped out at the contrast band.

I am very happy with the fit of the bodice. I was not so excited about the drape of the skirt. I think I need to use a more flowy fabric next time. Overall I am pleased with the finished product.

I am such a nerd =)

I was quite happy to have an excuse to wear a pair of cute shoes and show off my snowflake toenail polish!