Sew-A-Thon

Last week I got the sewing bug. It's been too long! I cut out 4 baby dresses for Etsy, sewed them up, and finished two other dresses that needed finishing touches. Here are a few sneak peeks:

Yes, this one looks mighty familiar doesn't it? I liked the custom one I made so much I made another one!

Colette Patterns: My Second Hazel Dress

I have quite a stash of Colette Patterns and I'm happy to say that I now have two successful, completed projects under my belt. For this particular version I used a busy but really beautiful Amy Butler print (If I remember correctly it's from the Lark line?) It's a blue print that's on egg shell with hints of red, orange, turquoise and yellow. I love it. I do. I really do. It's from the Hazel pattern again which sews up quickly and is actually really fun to sew. The first time I wore this dress my sweet husband actually though it was from Anthropologie which is a huge compliment considering that it is my favorite non-workout clothes store!

The entire dress features serged seams.

I used an invisible zipper of course:) 

The dress is NOT lined...which for me is a big deal. 

However, no lining = nice and light for Texas!

I took extra time to work on lining up the fabric pattern for this dress.

This pattern turns into a comfortable, versatile, warm weather friendly dress. It's a wonderful and easy pattern for everyone. If you haven't bought it yet, do so. It's flattering and fun!!!! Just do it :)

Closet Flashback: Simplicity 2587 Upcycled Version

I made this dress about 2 1/2 years ago to wear to the pool in the muggy heat in Virginia. It's made out of an old tablecloth and is fully lined with a sheet. It was kind of an experiment dress so the fabric wasn't my primary focus. The dress has (of course) an invisible zipper and hidden side pockets. You can see the original post here which has additional pictures of the back and inside of the dress. I decided go a different route today and instead of posting a picture of my silly mug, I shot the dress with what I'd actually wear it with. Some funky jewelry from Etsy and my fav cardi and wedges!

Closet Flashback: The Muse Dress

I made this dress over two years ago (original post here) and it would seem that I can't get a decent picture of it no matter what I try. It's a very classic style with princess seams, fitted waist and little pleat details on the skirt. It's fully lined with an invisible zip (my favorite!) and it's made out of some sort of rich chocolate colored, cotton blend with a little stretch. There are some tweaks that I'd like to revisit to clean a few quirks up but overall I'm still happy with the end result. 

The skirt is about knee length.

Stitched details are on the waistband and neckband.

I learned a lot about garment construction while making this dress. It's how I learned to install an invisible zipper AND fully line with hand stitching for a more polished look.

Closet Flashback: Easy Vogue 8469 - Version 3

This is by far my favorite version of this dress (you can see the pink one here and the black polka dot one here). It's actually made out of a curtain panel that I got from Target on a crazy discount. It's a lightweight cotton and is fully lined. 

I redrafted the back of the dress to make a deep V and I love how that detail worked out.

I also lowered the neckline a little.

I like that this dress has a fitted, high waist.

Cowboy boots go with everything.

The fabric was very, very thin. It's lined with a lightweight muslin.

My obsession with the invisible zipper can be seen here! 

I had forgotten that I had done all princess seams for this dress. It made me very thankful for my serger.

Colette Patterns: My First Hazel Dress

I had so much fun making this dress. It was just one of those projects that came together beautifully and didn't require any adjustments, fussing or seam ripping! I cut my regular size for the bodice but used the size 18 for the skirt to give it extra fullness. I've seen other people around the internet use the same technique and I definitely prefer the way the skirt hangs with the extra fabric vs. cutting your regular size. 

The skirt has pockets too! 

This was an interesting project for me because I think it might be the first dress that I've ever made that has been totally unlined…gasp…even if a project doesn't call for lining I usually neurotically do it anyway. 

I had fun sewing in my "Straight from my Stash" label that I got from Etsy.

I got my money's worth outta my serger on this project…this dress has officially almost been serged to death!

I learned a new technique for finishing off an invisible zipper using a facing. Very cool. The folks over at Colette Patterns really put some nice touches on this design.

Narrow hem…and serged seams...YAY!

This is just a shot of the skirt and bodice detail. I bought the pattern just for the V design in the front. 

I already have the material for two more versions on the way from fabric.com. I absolutely LOVE the way it turned out and it's a fun bonus that this fabric matches my fedora. I actually bought the fabric from G-Street before I moved to Texas. It was on the clearance table for $2 a yard. I love when things come together like that!

My one qualm with this pattern is the darts…I may just need to get my ham out again and take them to task.   As of now though, they kind of, sort of make things look a bit like an 80s Madonna flashback if you catch my drift. 

Closet Flashback: Pink Easy Vogue 8469

If I remember correctly, this was the second dress I ever made. It's made out of a cotton shirting fabric with pink, purple and white stripes. I've worn it a lot over the last few years and it fits me perfectly. There are simple gathered details along the waist and bust line which give it shape. 

 The shoes are a light pink pump from Aldo and go perfectly with the dress.

Check out the side lapped zipper. That was probably one of the last ones I ever installed before becoming an invisible zipper convert.

I like looking inside old garments that I've made to see how far my skills have come as a seamstress. This one has some unfinished seams and some that are finished with a zigzag. 

 I've made this dress 3 times because it fits me so perfectly straight off the pattern.  I posted about a different version here and you'll be seeing my favorite version in a few weeks!   

Closet Flashbacks: Vogue 8469 in Polka Dots

I made this quick and easy Vogue pattern a few years back and still love how it turned out. It's made from a black quilting cotton with tiny white polka dots. This was one of those great projects where the pattern fit me perfectly with absolutely NO modifications!

This was taken when I was already running late and was trying to get a picture before all my curls fell out (I failed).

I'd been wearing the dress for several hours so please ignore the askew belt and wrinkles!



This is the type of cheesy picture you get when you are in a random parking lot where people are waiting for your parking space.

This is one of the few dresses I've made that actually has a lapped zipper...Now I only use invisible zips! 

Lonsdale Dress in Polka Dots

 A couple of months ago I made a muslin for the Lonsdale dress (see post here). It fit me perfectly and was wonderful to sew. I couldn't wait to finally make it in this Amy Butler Lotus Full Moon in tangerine fabric. I underlined the whole dress and used alternate seam finishing techniques because my serger was in storage when I made this. I call it my "Magnum P.I." dress because I watched copious amounts of that show while working on this project.  

 I really like the narrow waistband, pockets, fuller skirt and longer length. I don't generally go for full skirts or below the knee stuff but I really like it on this dress.

 I have two issues though which are not pattern related. The underlining makes it difficult to tie a nice clean bow that hangs well and the underlining makes the skirt look wrinkled because the two layers cling together. I've read of other people having this issue but it's not a significant enough problem to deter me from wearing the dress.

I've been meaning to get some pictures up for the last few weeks so this morning I went out and tried to get some decent shots BUT I had some technical difficulties so these were the best I could get with the patience I had available.

 

I already have the fabric for a 4th of July version of this pattern which I'll be making soon. The next one won't be underlined and I have my serger back so everything should go faster!



Infinity Dress

I finally made the infamous infinity dress. I needed a dress for Vegas and I needed something that would fold up small and not wrinkle which is what the top picture shows. After countless hours searching for answers and tutorials and examining every picture I came across to understand the process, I finally did it. It still needs a few minor adjustments but, for all intents and purposes it is ready to roll.

For my birthday my husband took me to G Street Fabric and I found this material which is a soft, black, 2-way stretch jersey and what was even better is I got it for $2.97 a yard on some huge sale. I looked into buying one of these dresses and I found that the range was between $100 and $350 which I thought was outrageous. I made mine for $10...Yo soy el ganador on this one!

Anyway, there are crazy ways to tie up this dress but I only showed 5 to give a hint of its versatility. I will be wearing a black birdcage veil with the dress but I haven't decided what kind of jewelry or plumage to wear. I am definitely leaning towards bright flowers though to offset the black.

July = Dress Month

We decided to have a sewing challenge each month in addition to our Christmas present challenge. July is kicking everything off with dresses. It's hot outside so what better to do than create attire that keeps us cooler! I'm a little early, but I just finished the Maryy dress from BurdaStyle.com and you can get the free pattern here.

This is an easy, breezy summer dress with a gathered bust and flowy, full skirt. I thought that the unbelted skirt made me look like a giant, white, puffball so I tightened everything up with a brown belt (which doesn't really match but you get the idea). I do like the pattern but next time I would use a fabric that drapes softly and I would add invisible pockets and belt loops. I used cotton fabric with some stretch to make this dress and I successfully installed my first invisible zipper!

2 More Dresses

I've been slacking. Over the last few months I have sewn several dresses that between being in Texas for a month and moving, didn't quite make it on the blog. The brown dress was my first jersey knit project and I must say that this material IS NOT the menace that people make it out to be. All you need to remember is don't pull it while sewing, take your time and get the correct stretch! Please excuse the terrible pictures...I was still unpacking!
This is a black and white polka dot dress from a simple Vogue pattern. I also made this dress in a pink/purple fabric and will evenually post that pic as well :)

A Dress for Me!

Sewing my wedding dress kind of burned me out in the clothing manufacturing department. Since then, I have sewn very little for myself, and mostly stuff for the kids. However, being inspired by Rachel's latest dresses, I decided I needed to make something for me! This dress was one of Vogue's easy patterns, and it was very simple to make. I lined it with a sheet I found at the thrift store. (so far I have also made pajama pants from it too!) The dress is actually not hemmed yet in these pictures, but if I wait to get a better picture it'll never happen. Pardon the cheesy grin.

The Coffee Date Dress - My First Dress EVER!

This is the first dress that I ever made. I found the pattern on the BurdaStyle website (see the link below) and was very inspired by the completed dresses that other people had posted. I learned a lot when sewing this dress (hemming, facings, zipper installation) and am so excited to wear it when the weather gets warmer!

http://www.burdastyle.com/patterns/coffee-date-dress-multisize-sample

Sewing for Summer

I am trying to patiently wait for spring......or not! The other day I went to the fabric store and found this Simplicity dress pattern for .99 cents and had to bring it home. I already had the fabric pressed and waiting longingly to be sewn into something so it was a match made in crafty heaven. The dress is fully lined and zips up the back thanks to the zipper wizard's (a.k.a my Mom...thank you!) firm encouragement to get in line.