Oh To Be Sewing Again!

Hello!

 

It’s been quite some time, hasn’t it? Well I’m back! I’m sewing again, with lots of projects coming up.

Today I’ll go over my Deer and Doe skirt, as well as a simple petticoat. I didn’t make them to go together, especially considering the skirt doesn’t actually need a petticoat. Made out of denim, and an a line shape, I don’t think you could even stick one under there except for decoration.

To start: The Skirt

I already have plans for multiples of this skirt. I love the shape, the fit, and the fact that it’s a high waisted skirt. High waisted fashions seem to be loved or hated with me falling into the former category. Shorts, pants, skirts, high waisted pieces are just supremely flattering in my opinion. Thankfully my boyfriend agrees. Again, sorry for the somewhat crummy pictures, lighting in Portland is not easy to work with. The ‘halo’ around my head is actually the lamp! I thought it was funny. You’ll also notice my work area is a mess. I left it like that because I feel most people don’t have a picture perfect setup or that it is indeed constantly clean and tidy. This is my true workspace and I’m not ashamed to show it off!

This pattern was very simple as well in my experience. It says for intermediate sewers on the envelope but I think a beginner would have no trouble with it. It is lined, and needs an invisible zipper, with the instructions easily explaining those steps.

What I found to be most frustrating was how to style it! The website shows the model wearing a longer, tight fitting shirt but for a more summery or casual look I experimented. I do like it with a tank top and was also happy to show my nerdy side. The shirt says Hogwarts Alumni with the crest in the middle of the shirt, something the skirt covers up.

 

To Finish: The Petticoat

My favorite part of this project is the confidence it gave me to make more petticoats of different styles, shapes, and materials.

The yoke is just basic lining fabric and the tulle isn’t anything special either. The elastic for the waist is 1.5″ I believe and when put together it makes for a cheap yet effective petticoat! This is also one of the cheaper projects. I used about 6 yards of tulle, and when it’s on sale it can be as cheap as a dollar a yard, with elastic being a couple bucks for a few yards, and lining (of which I needed a yard) can be 5 dollars or less depending on the brand and sale. So this petticoat was about 8 dollars because I only needed to buy the tulle, everything else was already in my stash. Not bad!

The shape was a little flat, so I went ahead and added more near the top.Now it has a sort of bell shape, with more volume up top and leveling out toward the bottom. I have barely enough tulle left to make a second tier but I think I will, just to get more near the bottom. Or I might take the top tier and move it down. That’s something for later though, as I’ve gotten tired of the tulle and want to work on some personal projects while I can.

Simple elastic casing, french seams where possible.

Wayward thread! But check out that french seam!

Upside down but easy enough to see how simple it is.

Sans petticoat

With petticoat

Sans petticoat

With petticoat

It’s actually a nice shape but not as common I think, so I’d like to get that lower tier to make the bottom come out a bit farther.

Like I said though, I have some fun projects coming up! I’ll be making a dress for my boyfriend’s mother for a wedding she’s going to (that I wish I could go to as well), as well as the bridesmaid dresses for the wedding I am in as maid of honor.

Aside from that, I’m working on Simplicity S0210, a 70’s dress, and I just finished up Simplicity S1460, a 50’s shirt with peplum.  I’ll blog about that later, for now I’m going to finish cutting out S0210!

I’m glad to be back to blogging, it’ll be nice to be cataloging my progress again.

 

Until next time!

—Bethany Out

Simplicity 2154 Take 1

This shirt is astounding. I am head over heels with this pattern! It fits well straight from the pattern (although I did do the petite alteration, easy peasy), is quite customizable, and a pretty quick sew compared to some shirt patterns I’ve tried. In fact, I think of the last 2 or 3 shirts I’ve tried making this is the only one I’ve finished!

 

Simplicity 2154 is a semi-fitted shirt with a side zipper, collar, button and loop at the back of the neck, and a huge bow at the front of the collar. I’ve seen versions of this shirt without the bow and it really gives it a more modern feel, so I’m thinking of making future versions with detachable bows so I can just decide what look I want for the day.

The zipper was a bit odd and I’m considering either making a change to an invisible zipper, or seeing if I can find a different zipper with a smaller pull. It just makes it a little bulky at the top and sure it’s on the side but still it’s more awkward than I like. The pattern tells you do sew the zipper with the fabric covering just one side and that is a good technique. You just press in part of the seam allowance on one side and compensate with more on the other side. It means a covered zipper in the end and the instructions were easy to follow. I also used a separating zipper for mine though the pattern calls for a regular one.

I also noticed only after taking these pictures just how bad the back is…so it looks like the next one will needs the back shortened for sure. Oh the joys of being petite! I’ll stick in this picture that shows how bad it is, and this way the next time I adjust it I’ll have a good before and after set for fixing fitting issues!

As for the fabric, it’s a chambray from Fabric Depot. It was my first time working with chambray and I’m addicted. I just bought 4 other chambray colors from Hawthorne Threads to use as separates, a purple, white, off white, and a brown. I plan on using them with patterns I just got from Deer&Doe, the Anemone skirt, Datura Blouse, and their new Melilot shirt. These are great staples that can be made in lots of colors and therefore create a great wardrobe!

Back to this shirt though, I do really love it. I want to make a few others in a print or two because this shirt is not only casual enough for jeans, it’s pretty enough for work with a cardigan. Made without the bow and it’s even more flexible! I’d highly recommend this pattern and I’m excited to try the skirt and cardigan as well.

That’s all for now, I do have a lot I’m planning and I just got Gertie’s new Ultimate Dress Book! I am already in love with some of the patterns and I’ll give a proper review soon for those that may have been on the fence like me. I can say though I am VERY happy I picked it up.

I’ll do that review soon, as well as another post with another shirt I hope!

Until next time,

—Bethany Out

 

The Fable Dress Version Two: Pretty in Purple

I told you all I had another Fable dress in the works and here it is!

This purple floral fabric has been in my stash for a while now because while I adore the fabric I had never known what to do with it. This pattern happened to be perfect for it, or the fabric was perfect for the fabric, whichever! It was a gift from a friend in Brazil who happens to own a fabric/craft shop. I had already made a dress previously with the red floral fabric he sent me and this floral was just begging to be made.

 

I’m putting it out there now, these pictures are not as good as usual. I don’t kn ow what is with my camera but something is off and the pictures have almost a fuzzy quality. An issue with zoom is probably the best bet but that’s not something I know how to fix! I tried it on several different settings, to no avail. Still, I hope you get the idea at least and maybe I’ll get some phone pictures up later.

Since this is my second one I decided to change things up a little bit. I made separates! I was going to make the full dress but after seeing the skirt and how perfectly it gathered I just couldn’t resist making it a separate to wear around more often. I’ll also admit that there was some pulling on the waistband in the back that just would not go away, and since I’m out of the fabric for it I just made separates to hide the issue. I’m guessing the waistband wasn’t cut on the grain correctly enough and so sewing it up pulled things funny and created the drag lines. That’s my most likely conclusion because the other dress didn’t have that issue. It could also be an interfacing issue. There’s still a hint of drag but it is considerably less without the skirt pulling at the bodice.

 

This skirt will be perfect for sunny days out and even to feel cute at home. The top is a crop top, though I could probably extend the bodice to cover more if I’d like in any future version. I really just cannot get enough of these gathers! The skirt is just so dreamy and gathered so nicely. I think part of it is because this time I lined the skirt. I had to get creative though because I’m not sure what I did but something happened and the back skirt piece just did not fit. At all. So instead of lining it as I usually would have, I had the back piece gathered at the top but the sides are not sewn down and the bottom is hemmed separately. The front is all one piece essentially which was quite fun to work with. It gave the fabric a certain weight and stiffness that I don’t usually see and I enjoyed it!

Another change I made was using a button at the waistband of the skirt. I still used a hook and eye at the center front for the other side of the pocket. Having the skirt still wrap around is quite nice. I think I prefer it this way and see myself using this pattern for the skirt alone to get some cute pieces made. Changing the skirt length for different fabrics can give dramatically different looks so I’m thinking that I’ll make longer skirts in nicer fabric for office looks and shorter fun prints for everyday wear.

Stay tuned for more/better pictures! I hope my camera acts better soon, the last dress was shot under similar conditions so the dimness shouldn’t be an issue. Any suggestions would be nice as well!

Has anyone else made this up yet? I’d love to see what you’ve done. Email me, message me on Instagram, or just comment here! Have a great week everyone.

 

Until Next Time,

—Bethany Out