Sewing Ketchup

Sewing Reviews!  If you're into sewing reviews, this post is just for you!  I've got a serious backlog for several months now... in fact, I can't remember the last time I posted a newly sewn item of mine. 

Why bother, you ask?



 Well, any time I'm interested in a pattern, either new or vintage, I always Google it first.  I love finding photos and a good pattern review accomplished by someone else out there in the sewing blogosphere.  It helps me envision and plan for what I'm going to sew. Since I find sewing reviews so helpful in my own creative processes, I try to "give back" by contributing something Googlable for any other curious sewing people out there. 

    Colette Macaron

obligatory awkward cat shot.  She loves it.  Earrings made by my buddy, and similar ones will be for sale later this month at our booth!  Call now! 

 

Took me forever and a day to realize that a "macaron" cookie was different from a "macaroon" cookie.  Here I thought this pattern was named after the coconut delicacy all these years... I had no idea a "macaron" (with one "o") was an entirely different French treat.  I'm kicking myself now for never picking up a real French macaron pre-paleo and trying one-- they sure look yummy.  One day.

This dress!  It was a great pattern to sew up!  I didn't need any adjustments, really.  I spent several evenings cutting it out and sewing it up, just a week before a big fancy fundraiser for my daughter's school.  I tried to look chic.  Tried being the key word here.  I was wearing a homemade quilting cotton dress afterall .  Ahem.  This is as close as I get to a "strapless" dress.  This pattern sat in my stash for a couple of years, since I wasn't sure about the voluptous silhouette.  But in the end, I found it to be a very flattering and COMFORTABLE, cute dress.  Much easier to sew up than I anticipated!  

Fabric:  The purple-ish fabric was purchased at Bolt during a sale, and the black fabric is some mystery blend I thrifted.  Yay for stash-busting!

Simple Stylish Sewing tee

RED SHORTS

 Here I am, in a common-for-me day time look.  No, I don't don Macarons on a daily basis.  *sigh*  Wouldn't that be grand? 

The top is Simple Modern Sewing.  I was a bit worried how these dainty Japanese patterns would transfer over to a lumpy, pasty, mom of 4 figure.  I think I cut a "large", and was surprisingly pleased with the results!  This is a simple woven tee that can easily be worn with shorts, or a nice linen skirt.  The neckline is perfect (to me), and the sleeves are just right.  The only adjustment I'll make in the future is adding an 1" width to the back.  I think I slump too much.  Bleh.   

And these bad boys?  These are my red corduroy shorts.  And I have a black dot perfectly nestled over my nostril.  Darn mascara marks on my mirror.  Ugh.  I made these shorts a few weeks ago, and I'm sad--no--happy to say that they are a little baggy.  I have to take them in a bit, so that they aren't completely sad and saggy (Portlandia reference... follow link at own risk).  Guess what?  You can't tell, but these are basically extra sad because I made them like maternity shorts (no, I'm not pregnant).  Instead of a waistband, I attached a giant ring of 2" elastic wrapped in orange sweatshirt knit, making them uber-comfortable.  One day I hope to make a pair of shorts with a real waistband.  Maybe Colette Iris?

Pattern:  modified Built by Wendy, Simplicity 3850 (out of print)
Fabric:  Red corduroy from stash and orange knit from stash
Make again:  Sure! 

Clara Dress

Here is the Sew Liberated Clara Dress.  Since this is technically a pattern review, I guess I have to be honest and say I didn't enjoy making this dress.  I'm accustomed to very descriptive written instructions, but found the ones for this dress to be kinda vague.  There was an online video accessible to customers via the Sew Liberated website, but I'm not a very visual learner, so I didn't find it helpful.   But I did not give up!  I loved the fabric too much, and I had saved it for what I'd hope to be "the perfect shirtdress". 

Now, is it the perfect shirtdress?  Well, I love the collar and the neckline.  The sleeves are nice, although I didn't add the keyhole detail with bias-strip tie.  I love that I can nurse in it, and that it has pockets.  I am still on the fence about the elastic at the waistline... but that's really only because I have no waistline to speak of, and neither a belt or elastic are gonna help me in that area.  I might rip out the elastic and see if that helps matters.  I'm glad it's comfy, and I'm glad I can wear it to church.  I'm also glad that it's fairly multi-seasonal. 

Fabric:  swishy, lovely paisley/ blue cotton that I thrifted
Make again?  Possibly!
Changes?  I'd raise the waistline
  

                                                    Tiered Dresses

Ooh!  Here are the Pascha dresses I made for my 2 oldest girls, and my goddaughter.  I "designed" my own pattern and they were fun to sew up.  They wore them with little cardigans.  This style of dress is what I'll be selling at the Glendi, as I mentioned in my last post.  Hurray for cute little hippie dresses!  :)

                                                     "Dress" E

This is the dress/ tunic from another Japanese sewing book, "Stylish Dress Book: Wear with Freedom".  It is Dress E.  This was a wearable muslin that has quickly turned into a favorite, comfy tunic.  I did have to tear off the sleeves, since apparently my shoulders are too broad... or it's my bad posture again.  Also, there are several vertical tucks that are sewn down the front that are supposed to be turn into box pleats at the waist, to make for a roomy empire waist.  Weellll.... it just made me look pregnant.  So I just sewed the tucks closed all the way down.  I probably still look pregnant, but oh well.  The back is gathered at the waist, which probably isn't very flattering on me, but I just love that detail so much.  I'd love to make another one of these, maybe with sleeves that actually fit!  I look forward to trying more patterns from this book. 

Fabric:  An old, thrifted sheet from the stash
Make again:  You bet!


                                                    Colette Violet

Colette Violet

Guess what?  I made this back in September, when I was waiting for Masha to be born, but haven't been able to fit into it until now.  It's got cute squirrels all over it, and I love the orange color.  I'm not sure that I can rock the big Peter Pan collar look.  I don't think it does my puffy prednisone face any favors.  But I love this fabric too much to get rid of it.  I did make another Violet blouse in white, but it seems to be lost at the moment.  I initially did not think this shirt was a success.  In fact, I ALMOST donated the pattern to Goodwill...  But then I raided the Goodwill pile (like a good hoader should) and fished it out.  I think it has more potential, and I'd like to give it another go sometime in the future. 

Fabric:  Dear Stella squirrel fabric in orange 
Make again:  Maybe! 

                                                    Girl Shorts!

Shorts!  Yay!  Here are the ultra basic shorts I made for my girls.  No pockets, no rick-rack, no embellishments like I had intended.  These are purely functional bloomers, worn by themselves or under skirts.  My girls have become accustomed to wearing shorts under skirts, and insist on doing so... which I think is sweet.  In fact, when I asked them where the last two pairs of shorts were, they happily demonstrated that they were in fact being used.  Like I said, I'm so pleased that they like them! 

Pattern Used: Simplicity 2628, I think
Fabric:  Various goodies from stash

Bloomers!

                                                Dad's Shirt

Lastly, here is my latest addition to my Menswear resume.  It's a slub linen shirt that I made for my dad for Father's Day.  I just finished adding the buttons, so it's a tad bit late.  Oh well.  I think he's gonna look handsome in it, and Dad seems eager to get it back from me.  My dad is Italian, and I think he'll look like one of those well-dressed, breezy gentlemen you see stylishly roaming the streets of Milan on the Sartorialist.  :D   Or Home Depot. 

I made McCalls 6044 for the fourth time.  It's a great pattern with great details and variations. 

Fabric:  Slub linen from Joanns, which, for Joanns is kind of expensive!  It's great fabric, though.  I found it very easy to work with, although the pictures pick up all the wrinkles. 

Make again:  You bet!  Gotta special birthday boy who needs his annual shirt pretty soon :)  This time I'll make him a long-sleeved gingham one.  Shh-- don't tell.