The Slappy Dress

The fabric has been in my stash for a while. Don't ask me what made me purchase it but I liked it. Originally I was going to make a bathrobe but that never happened. Enter Halloween. I'm currently working as a court reporter and wearing a costume in court is not an option...enter "The Slappy Dress." If you didn't know, Slappy the Dummy is a fictional character and antagonist in the Goosebumps children's series by R. L. Stine. He is one of the series' most popular villains and the main antagonist of the Night of the Living Dummy saga and a major villain in later series.

I "frankenpatterned" this design using two of my favorite patterns--Simplicity 2684 bodice and McCalls 6953 skirt. I've altered the 2684 bodice to fit me perfectly but the 6953 skirt presented more of a problem because the fabric was only 45" wide and I didn't have enough. Not to be deterred, I pinched out a pleat between each of the pattern pleats to narrow each of the skirt pieces and voila!

I didn't even cut the dress out until 9 pm on Halloween Eve...me and my procrastinating. All seemed to be going well until I decided it needed pockets. I couldn't find my favorite Mimi G pocket pattern from her maxi skirt download. I had to spend about 30 minutes looking for that. When I finally got the pockets cut and sewn it was nearing 1 am. I have to start getting ready for work at 6:30 am. I've got to get some sleep! I'm was going to line the bodice with the "burrito" method so the zipper still has to be installed. As I was tacking the top of the pocket to the bodice seam the sewing machine jammed. I cleared that jam about three times to no avail. At this point I'm exhausted but not deterred. I called it a night at 1:45 am.

I slept fit-fully until 5:30 am. I got up swapped out the jammed machine for a backup and finished the dress by 7 am. Thus the invisible zipper is "nearly invisible" as I'd never installed a zipper on "said backup" machine. I also didn't have time to be fooling around with a curved hem. I serged around the dress bottom. While I thought I was going to pair it with a fine-knit cardigan...it looked too "Mrs. Doubtfire" so I added a chunky necklace, cropped denim jacket and black suede over-the-knee boots. I absolutely loved my look. Of course when I got home from work I was too exhausted for pictures and while I thought this would be a "one of" wearing, it's so comfortable and fun I'm sure it will get lots more wear. It'll be a great conversation piece!

Butterick 5687

Pattern Description:
Semi-fitted, lined above hipline jacket has front and back princess seams
Pattern Sizing:
8-22 I sewed a size 18 at the shoulders grading out to the size 22 at the hipline
Did it look like the photo/drawing on the pattern envelope once you were done sewing with it?

I think so except that my fabric has an "houndstooth-like" plaid design
Were the instructions easy to follow?
I'll admit this was not my first jacket "rodeo." I didn't use them at all. That's why I rated the pattern "Intermediate." Not sure how the instructions tackled the collar and lapel.
What did you particularly like or dislike about the pattern?
I didn't dislike anything about this pattern. I particularly like that it is above the hipline. That is a good proportion for my body. It has been in my stash for a while. I'm trying to not buy so many patterns but use ones I already own. I love a good princess seam bodice whether it be for a jacket, blouse or dress.
Fabric Used:
This fabric was from my stash. I don't remember when I got it...as a matter of fact I forgot I had it. I do know that it was from Fabric Mart and not recently!

Pattern alterations or any design changes you made:
I cut a 18 through the neck and shoulders grading out to a size 22 in the hip. I love how well-drafted the armhole and sleeve cap are. I also did my usual 1" FBA following the Palmer/Pletsch instructions.
Would you sew it again? Would you recommend it to others?
I've already cut it again and have several more pieces of fabric lined up. This will be my go-to jacket pattern for a while.
Conclusion:

It's a keeper...if only my photographer were! He's my husband so I don't have much of a choice!

Kangaroo Pocket Sneaker Dress

6747

My "go-to" pattern for a quick and easy dress. I call it a sneaker dress because it looks just as good with sneakers as it does with heels.
Pattern Description:
Pullover, close-fitting top and dresses have button neck and front bands, and stitched hems.
Pattern Sizing:
XS-XXL which translates to sizes 4-26. I made the large
Did it look like the photo/drawing on the pattern envelope once you were done sewing with it?
Not really

Were the instructions easy to follow?
I didn't use them at all
What did you particularly like or dislike about the pattern?
 I really love this pattern because it is so versatile and includes a center back seam that enables me to use less fabric.
Fabric Used:
Cotton knit from JoAnn's. it has an "oxford-like" texture. I wish I could find more of it!
Pattern alterations or any design changes you made:
I omitted the front button placket, I've added a 1" FBA (horizontal dart)  as I do on all my patterns. I raised the neckline a little and added contrast armbands. I used the pocket pattern from McCall's 7061 because I love the shape and size of it and added contrast bands onto the pocket opening. I also shaved off some of the A-Line shape and turned up and top-stitched a 1 1/2" hem.
Would you sew it again? Would you recommend it to others?
I've already used it multiple time and will use it many more
Conclusion:
This pattern was released in 2013 and is now out-of-print, but if you do have it in your stash it's worth digging out and using.

It's been a while

I used to love blogging but these days it seems to be such a chore. I think Instagram has made me lazy or maybe I was lazy all the time! LOL.

I'm still working on building a wardrobe around a few core pieces but have also made quite a few things that have nothing to do with anything. Am also working on the much dreaded alterations I need to make on some of my favorite pieces.

Disco Ball Dress

Butterick 5706

I made this dress for a sorority event and it went over really well. Although I've have the fabric for months, I waited until the last possible moment to sew it. I only had about 1 3/8 of a yard of fabric and cannot image using any other pattern. When I use regular size sequined fabric, I sew right over the sequins. Not so in this case. The dime-sized paillettes had to be removed for the seam allowance before sewing.

Removing the sequins from the seam allowance

Pattern Description:
Misses'/Misses' petite dress. Semi-fitted through the bust, lined dress have neckline variations and back zipper.
Pattern Sizing:
8-24
Did it look like the photo/drawing on the pattern envelope once you were done sewing with it?
Yes it did
Were the instructions easy to follow?
I didn't use the instructions.
What did you particularly like or dislike about the pattern?
I think I bought this pattern because it has back darts but I didn't sew them in this dress
Fabric Used:
Dime sized sequins for mesh.
Pattern alterations or any design changes you made:
The only alterations I made to the pattern were to enlarge the bust dart. I am so anal about drag lines pointing to the bust.

Bust Dart

I overlaid the hem with the three inches of selvage on crosswise grain. That way I didn't have to turn under any sequins for the hem as it was only the mesh. The pattern was cut crosswise on the fabric.

Hem edge

I also omitted the back darts and the zipper. Before sewing, I removed the sequins from the seam allowances and the bust dart.

Inside Armhole

I added piping to the neckline to stabilize. As I had to remove the sequins from the neckline to stabilize with the piping, I had to hand-sew sequins back on to fill in.
Would you sew it again? Would you recommend it to others?
I think this will be my "go" pattern in a pinch when using sequined fabric.

Pattern Review Jeans/Pants Contest

Simplicity 8842 Amazing Fit

Pattern Description:
Misses'/Miss petite pants in two lengths with individual pattern pieces for slim, average and curvy fit. I'm entering this pair into the jean/pants contest.
Pattern Sizing:
6-24 The pattern I actually used was made from a size 14 RTW pants and my best guest is a sewing size 18.
Did it look like the photo/drawing on the pattern envelope once you were done sewing with it?
Since I didn't use the actual pattern, only the pockets, I'd say my pants look somewhat different but I love them all the same

Were the instructions easy to follow?
I only used the instructions to construct the pockets. The instructions have you cut the rear pocket pieces of garment fabric which made no since at all to be so I didn't do it. I cut both of my pocket pattern pieces from lining fabric and only cut the pocket yoke from garment fabric.
What did you particularly like or dislike about the pattern?
I used a pattern I made using painter's tape from a RTW pair from 2010 so I already knew I'd like the fit.
Fabric Used:
I totally deconstructed a pair of pants from a few years ago. I've lost weight and wanted to experiment with placing a smaller pattern on top of the larger pair to make a smaller pair of pants. I'm pleasantly surprised that it worked like I expected. I purchased the fabric from Fabric Mart several years ago and while I did have enough of the fabric in my stash to start from scratch, I wanted to challenge myself with using a previously sewn pair of pants. I cut the fronts and back from the previous pants only using new fabric for the waistband and the pocket yoke. I used the previous waistband to cut facings for the hem because I wasn't about to cut the new fronts and backs long enough to accommodate a hem. The faux welt pocket piece was cut from remnants from the original pants.

  Pattern alterations or any design changes you made:
The only pattern pieces I used from the Simplicity pattern were the pockets, the fly and the underlap.. I love the pockets pieces as that are sewn right into the center front. It added a small amount of control and I will continue to use this piece in the future. To stabilize the pocket curve, I added piping because I couldn't find my twill tape. I love the effect. I decided to add slits to the inside seam hem for some added style. The waistband is from Simplicity 2860.

 Would you sew it again? Would you recommend it to others?
This is going to be my go-to pants pattern. Although I'm using a pattern from 2010 I did have to remove one of the back waist darts, my hips are smaller which is an easy fix.
Conclusion:
I have no desire to reinvent the wheel, but I think I will try adding the pleats to my original pattern. If you're a member of Pattern Review please vote for me when voting starts

April Fool's and wardrobe add on

I hope the rest of the month goes better than today. After getting up bright and early this morning, 8 a.m. to be exact, I rushed off to an eye appointment for a checkup for a previously performed procedure. Imagine my surprise when they can't find me on the day's appointments as I remember the appointment isn't until Wednesday! April Fool's to myself!

Next, I spent more than an hour creating a blog post only to realize I lost it out somewhere in cyberspace...April Fool's again. Hopefully this time it'll work. I'm not sure this qualifies as a new make because the cardigan was made about 10 years ago and although I hadn't worn it more than twice, I couldn't part with it. The pattern is Simplicity 3634 view D. The ITY-like, faux-lace fabric is from Walmart. I made it right about the time I really started perfecting FBA's and I totally screwed up the alterations on the tank top. While I did wear it a few times, I hated the fit. I eventually threw it out. Fast forward 10 years and I decided to remake the tank and add the two pieces to my core wardrobe. Yes, I still had the fabric. Initially I liked the fabric so much that I went back to the store and bought the remainder of what was on the bolt...4 1/2 yards. (There's still quite a bit left. Maybe I'll make a dress). Maybe I didn't remake it before now is because it took me this long to locate it in my stash?? Could be, who knows.

  

I didn't use the Simplicity tank pattern this time. This time I used McCalls 6559 which I've altered from the original maxi dress. I love the back, cut-in armhole design.Frankly, I like it so much that this is my go-to tank top pattern. BTW I scored this cool hanging display last weekend. I somehow ended up at the local mall and took a quick walk through. Charlotte Russe is going out of business and selling everything including the fixtures. This supposedly plus-size, hanging display was a mere $10. I couldn't pass it up. It'll come in handy when I don't feel like using my Duct tape dressform which has my measurements to a tee.

Below, I've styled my "new" twinset with my Wardrobe skirt. Love it! Don't love some of the expressions on my face though. The photographer (husband) wanted to know why the funny faces. Excuse me! The faces are because you don't know what you're doing and I'm probably trying to explain it to you and you'res not listening...just snapping away like a maniac!

Then again, I could have been shooing the dog away from photo-bombing me. Either way these two pieces are a great addition to my Wardrobe. Stay tuned.