Sew Committed: Sewing Goals for 2017!

2016 was a slow year on the blog.  I had some great sewing projects during the year, but it didn't feel like enough sewing time.  I'm looking forward to sewing more in 2017.  Here are my sewing goals for the year.

1.  Focus on upcycling.  I continue to be excited by reusing textiles from cast off clothing and homegoods.  I like a look that smoothly incorporates castoffs so that the finished product does not look too disjointed or over-planned.

2.  Lagenlook.  Let's face facts - I'm over 50 and I've been reading a few articles lately about styles that should be retired from my wardrobe.  Also, at the New Year's gala I attended, I couldn't help but notice a striking, slim woman wearing a lovely teal strapless evening gown.  She was probably in her 60s.  Though the dress fit nicely, it looked as though her back and shoulders were melting over the bodice of her gown.  Her skin was too slack to rock the strapless look.  Because of this experience, as well as my recent reading, I'm always on the lookout for designs that will flatter an aging figure.  The term lagenlook comes from German and means "layered look".  It can be done sleek and businesslike or ruffly and boho.  I've been interested for a while in adding more of these pieces to my closet.

3.  Vintage!  Vintage looks are always inspiring,  I love to "play dress-up", but I also look for vintage patterns that can be worn for everyday use.  Edwardian fashion, the jazz age and mod 60s looks are all of interest to me now.

4.  Perfecting techniques.  Another goal for this year's sewing is to work on perfecting some of the techniques I've used before to make sewing even more enjoyable.  Rolled hems, blind hems, lightweight fabrics, knits, hand stitched buttonholes and flawless zippers are easily called to mind examples.

I look forward to sharing my progress toward these goals with you!  As always, please feel free to add a comment with ideas about anything you might like to see me do this year.  Thanks, and happy sewing!

A Home Dec Project

I am still working on the Downton Abbey gown my friend commissioned me to make for her.  I'm trying hard to wrap my head around how to cut it.  The fabric is not very wide at all and most of the pieces are to be cut on a fold... I'm still thinking about how I can incorporate a second fabric yet maintain a cohesive and relatively period correct look.

So, of course I took on another commission from another friend. this to do a window seat cushion and pillows.  The fabrics my friend picked out are SO cool.  A bright squash yellow velvet, a stately grey velvet, and a midcentury looking bark cloth.

I decided to tackle two round bolster pillows while I ponder my dress dilemma.  First I made a pattern for the ends, and cut two from the yellow velvet.

I made contrast piping with the colorful fabric and made the pillow ends.

I put a zipper into the seam of the roll.

And, one pillow off the assembly line.  Many more to do, but it helped get the dress dilemma off my mind for a bit.

Hope your Monday is going well!

Hand Picked Zipper

I'm working along on my wedding dress, and I decided to do a hand picked zipper, rather than using the machine.  The appearance will be much more subtle on the finished dress.  To review the skills needed, I consulted a recent article in Threads Magazine on hand sewing techniques.  After practicing a bit on plain fabric, I was ready to tackle the real thing.

I applied the zipper with the back seam basted closed.

Here's the completed zipper section of the back bodice.

And here's the inside, with the lining hand stitched down.

Next, I need to apply some lace detailing to the right side of the dress.  this is another lengthy hand sewing project.  Thanks for checking in on my progress!  Do you use a lot of hand sewn details in your work?

Completed Project: Simplicity 2249

The yellow dress is completed!  On this project I used an invisible zipper.

And I used some of the garage sale buttons I got for the shoulder detail and the front placket of the dress.

And here's the completed dress.

I am happy with it, and since it was made from recycled sheets, I will be more willing to wear it for everyday.  Materials costs are as follows:

Main dress fabric $2.00 (yard sale sheet set)
Accent fabric $1.00 (yard sale tablecloth)
Buttons, $0.25
Zipper on hand in stash
Thread $1.59
Cording $2.99 (but will use in mutiple projects)

Total: $7.83

Thanks, as always, for looking in.  Your comments are appreciated!

Butterick 4228 Sneak Peek

Hi everyone!  Hope your weekend was fantastic!  I hit some garage sales on Friday, and I plan to share my haul with you later in the week.  The rest of the weekend was pretty laid back, but I managed to get some sewing done on Butterick 4228.  The skirt is almost complete, so here are a couple of sneal peek pictures.

Well, just the zipper!  Just hooks and hems left on the skirt, with the top left to go!

Also, I have a new post up at SewMantra on getting out of a sewing or crafting slump.  Please stop by there to see it and make my day by leaving a comment!  Thanks!

Progress and Paying it Forward

Tina at Down the Retro Rabbit Hole is playing the Pay it Forward Handmade game, and I would love to play this game, too.  You see, the first three commenters on this post will receive something from me that I have made just for them!  How fun is that, and who doesn't like to receive goodies in the mail?

So, here's what you need to do:

• Leave me a comment telling me your favorite color (or the colors you absolutely loathe) to help me make you a gift you'll hopefully love! Please don't forget to include your email address (if you profile doesn't link back) so I can get in touch.
• To complete signing up, you MUST play along too by blogging a similar post and pledging to make a surprise for the fist three (3) people who comment on it.  

The rules state you will receive your handmade item within 365 days, however, I pledge to get this out to you within 30 days. I wouldn't want you to wait around forever!

 

Now, regarding Butterick 4228. I am in love with this pattern! The top came together like a dream, even though I had to trace and refit the facings. I had just the right zipper in my stash, thanks to a purchase I made from Vogue Fabrics at a sewing show.  I bought a mixed bag of random zippers for

$7.00. I have been saved so many trips to the sewing store by this purchase. I almost always can find something usable in my little box of zippers.

So here's the zipper installed.  Just some handsewing, and this top will be completed.  Then I'll show you the fabric I want to make the entire outfit from.  It coordinates with the "muslin" top so the outfit will have two interchangeable tops!

Don't forget to comment to play Pay it Forward!  Can't wait to make something for you!

AL. most. Done.

So close and yet so far.  I'm almost done with the dress portion of Butterick 4355.  I want to slow down a bit and pay attention to some details.  But here are some sneak peeks.

It has grown and grown on me as I worked on it.  I really like the hand of the fabric.  The zipper went in with very little trouble, but there was the internal lining to deal with.

And it still needs a hook and eye at the top of the zip.  There's a kick vent at the back hem which I really like, but that still needs reinforcing.

And, as you can see, the whole thing still needs a final press.  So, it looks like I was overly optimistic in thinking I could finish today.  The weekend is upon us with lots of plans.

We're supposed to be going canoeing with another couple on Saturday.  I say "supposed" because it's only predicted to be 50 degrees here tomorrow and windy.  Then, we're going out for dinner to celebrate my birthday, which isn't until Monday, but weekends were made for celebrations.

Sunday brings a celebration for Beltane (Maypole dance included) so I'll be at that for most of the day.  No time to sew again until Monday.  Tune in then to see the final result!