One hour golf dress - McCalls 6395

I decided late last night that I needed something new to wear for golf today. Although it was only 10 p.m. I couldn't keep my eyes open and had to retire for the night. Luckily I did have some fabrics in mind. Fast forward to 7 a.m. this morning. Waiting until the last minute to sew necessitates using a pattern that has already been altered. I chose McCalls 6395 (sadly OOP) and retrieved the fabrics from my stash .

I originally used this pattern for another golf dress back in 2012.

Pattern Description:
Semi-fitted through bust and hip. Loose-fitting waist. Self-lined sleeves
Pattern Sizing:
8-24W
Did it look like the photo/drawing on the pattern envelope once you were done sewing with it?
Yes. Like View C without the collar.

Were the instructions easy to follow?
I never even touched the instructions
What did you particularly like or dislike about the pattern?
I like the styling and didn't have any dislikes
Fabric Used:
The houndstooth is a very high quality Ponte de Roma while the back is some el-cheapo Ponte from JoAnn's
Pattern alterations or any design changes you made:
I made an FBA and transferred them to waist darts.  I added 1" to the bodice length and side seams and  2 1/4" to the skirt length. I also omitted the sleeve lining, pockets and back zipper. Not only did I not have the time I probably didn't have enough of the houndstooth or a matching zipper. I added a length of foldover elastic to hold golf tees. I add this little touch to all of my golf wear.

Would you sew it again? Would you recommend it to others?
Duh...yes! The question should be how many more times am I going to use it.
Conclusion:
Winner, winner

Diva that I am, I matched them up with this pair of golf shoes! If I must say so myself...I was stylin'. I'd also like to say that I am so thankful that I have been blessed with a stash of fabric and the skills to translate that into a super cute and comfortable garment!

Graphic T-Shirt Dress

I'd ordered a piece of fabric from Girl Charlee in the Spring but have been spending most of my time golfing and sewing golf clothes. Over the weekend I decided I needed to dig into my stash and make something cute and simple that wouldn't be worn for golf. I chose McCalls 6747.

I think I actually ordered the fabric to make this dress.

Pattern Description:
Misses' Top and Dresses: Pullover, close-fitting top and dresses have button neck and front bands and stitch hems
Pattern Sizing:
XS-XXL
Did it look like the photo/drawing on the pattern envelope once you were done sewing with it?
More or less
Were the instructions easy to follow?
I never even looked at them
What did you particularly like or dislike about the pattern?
I wanted something that was simple that would let the fabric be the star. Although the pattern description calls this pattern close-fitting, it is anything but. It is extremely generously sized and could wind up looking like a sack or a house dress so beware! I usually make summer dress sleeveless so the short sleeve was a change and I like it a lot.
Fabric Used:
A graphic ITY print from Girl Charlee and an ITY knit from Fabricmart.
Pattern alterations or any design changes you made:
I made my usual FBA and omitted the button placket. I also removed some of the ease in the graphic dress.

Would you sew it again? Would you recommend it to others?
I'm sure I'll sew it again but I do plan on adding the button placket.
Conclusion:
It was a great pattern choice for what I was looking for. I sewed both dresses almost entirely with the serger.  I'm glad I chose to use gray thread to sew both dresses. It blended it very well.

 

Quick Golf Dress

I'm still working on revamping my golf wardrobe. The shorts are a smashing success except needing to removing about 2 1/2" from the waist. Don't ask me what happened because I don't know.  Friday morning I decided I need a new golf dress. Even on the golf course dresses are my favorite because of their ease of wear and they allow maximum air flow. I do tend to wear biker shorts underneath. With two hours before tee time I did a "franken pattern" of Butterick 5522 and McCalls 6559 and came up with this cute little number.

The fabric is from Fabricmart.com and is the same fabric that men's athletic shorts are made of. I added the exposed zipper as purely a decorative element in hope the dress wouldn't look like a nightie. The last golf dress I made of this fabric got seriously "butt sprung" but this one didn't. The only difference is the back seam. Hmmm. I didn't have enough time to embroider a golf motif but before I wear it again I will add one. I wore it with white Callaway golf shoes with light blue trim and rhinestones. It was a hit and so was I. I played badly meaning I had to hit the ball a LOT of times...LOL

Vogue Pattern Magazine

Have you seen the latest Vogue Pattern Magazine? If yes, why didn't somebody tell me that I won a year's subscription with my Vogue 1320 coat pattern! Luckily Faye called and told me.

Thanks Faye and to everyone else...I'm unfriending you and removing you from my wall! LOL

Monday Musings 7/07/2014

Here's some of what's been on my mind lately!

• I bought a couple of bras over the weekend. I wanted something without a seam visible when I wear my golf polo shirts. Why is it that the stitching is already coming loose on the bridge and I've only worn it one time! I'm thinking of returning it.
• Who keeps putting all the crap on my cutting table? I cannot keep it clear!
• I hate having carpet on my craft room floor.
• I think the foot pedal on my machine is acting up again. It's already been replaced once. Thank goodness it's still under warranty.
• I have an idea for a cute golf dress. I hope to have it sewn by Thursday morning for my golf league. I'll need to try to find shoes to match! Divas gotta do the darn thing from head to toe!
• Need to prewash some fabric.
• Been sewing Barbie dresses. Need to take some photos and post them.
• I've golfed five days in a row! I'm going to try for seven..
• My latest passion is audiobooks. Does this count as reading?
• Come on people. Are you so important that you have to have a cell phone attached to your ear 24/7? It's rude and I don't want to have to hear your conversations. Unless it's an emergency at least wait until you get to the privacy of your own car.
• BTW...turn up your figgin' Miracle Ear or at least get tested for one.
• Did you look in the mirror before you left home? I don't think so.
• My knee is almost as good as new.
• I'm practicing a song on the violin as an accompaniment for a jazz singing friend. Summertime is the song.
• There was a pre-teen at JoAnn's today that was picking out a pattern and fabric. She is a first-time sewer and was instructed to buy cotton fabric. The pattern she chose was for knit fabric and was well beyond her skill level. The fabric she picked was a very ornate sequinned decorated prom worthy fabric. WTH. The sales lady said she tried to discourage her from the purchase but she wouldn't be deterred. The young lady said she wore side 18 in RTW. When the sales lady said the young lady's FB was 48 I knew it would be a disaster. I suggested she find a cotton knit from the 50% off Red Tag clearance fabric and McCalls 6559. I'm pretty sure she didn't take my advice. Once again a potential sewer is led down the wrong path and may never revisit what could have been a very rewarding experience. 

I Showed My Crotch Who's Boss!

I fought my back crotch and won. At least I think I did. If you read my last post, you know that I've been fighting with my crotch. Okay not literally but rather fighting with getting my crotch length and curve to a point that I can live with. While it's still not perfect, in my opinion it's close enough that I feel confident that if I don't leave it alone, the battle might start up again and then it'll be back to the drawing board!

This is not a good look but remember I've altered my pattern for feet shoulder width apart.

This is a little better but still with some unsightly wrinkles.

 From the front. Not bad at all.

This fabric has slight stretch and I like it a lot. These photos were taken after five hours on the golf course and three hours of errands. Luckily you can't see the huge safety pin I have at the waist. I certainly hope I don't have to end up in the hospital. That could be embarrassing!

For this next pair, I removed some of the inside thigh curve because my thighs touch (note the yellow arrow).

This fabric has slight stretch. I added pockets which the pattern does call for. The crotch is a vast improvement! I love everything about this pair except the hem. Are shorts supposed to be bell bottom???

Yikes! The knee replacement scar looks kind of scary in this shot!

Obviously fabric dictates some of the crotch issue. This is a softer, drapier fabric and I notice some wrinkles that weren't on the black pair. It could be too, that they've been laying on my cutting table for a couple of days. They're also a little big in the waist. Okay, what the heck is up with the bell bottom hem? I left them unhemmed so that I can work on it.

I think I did a great job but there are a couple more corrections I'd like to try. One being that I have some wrinkling right below the waistband on both side of the center back.. That'll be easy enough to fix by just lowering the waistband  about half an inch. I give these alterations and fit and resounding "thumbs up!"

Shorts Circuit

It's July already?? I'd lost my mojo for a moment but I'm back in full sewing mode. All the fabric is back in the fabric closet and although my sewing room could use a little more organization the idea of making shorts has lit a fire in me. I haven't made or worn shorts in years but all of a sudden I can't get them out of my mind. I swear I've been feeling like a hobo at the golf course because my golf wardrobe is nowhere near what it has been in previous seasons. I haven't worn shorts because although I think I'm still hot...I don't want my crotch feeling hot! Secondly I hate having shorts crawl up  between the thighs. You know the look...

Not a look I want to be seen in. So to the drawing board I went. I started with Simplicity 1696.

I know it's not a shorts pattern but I liked that it had the "curvy" pattern pieces and frankly, I'd already trimmed it. Although they're are plenty of fitting videos, books and classes available, it is impossible to address every possible fit issue and I don't feel any have addressed how to fit a big butt with big thighs! There I've said it. Talking about it is one thing but nobody has done it! And you have to be able to adjust it by yourself, not to mention that the fit is different standing with knees together as opposed to standing with feet shoulder-width apart. I'm think you should shoot for shoulder-width apart fit. My journey was not nearly as painful as I thought it would be. It did involve making muslins...three to be exact but the fourth pair are nearly perfect.

I didn't take any shortcuts. I even added the lapped zipper to each pair but I took the time to remove it and use the same zipper in subsequent models! Try to picture in you mind, adding to the back crotch point but having to true the seam back to the existing inseam. ALL WRONG! That will only create diagonal lines that radiate from the buttocks to the inseam. If your thighs rub, why is the inseam curved several inches as if you could view a movie through that space...yeah right. Never was, never will be. While I think I still want to tweak the pattern a little more, I got a fabulous fit with this adjusted back pattern piece:

The green arrow is pointing to the typical wedge adjustment. The blue arrow is pointing to the amount you have to add that was taken away from the pattern on the opposite side for the seat. The red arrow is pointing to an adjustment I've never seen anywhere but came up with on my own that adds to the back crotch length and adds width to the thigh but doesn't screw up the crotch point. Finally the yellow arrow is pointing to what I consider an adjustment for thighs that touch. That adjustment alone takes care a lot of diagonal lines that radiate from the back crotch. I'm currently working on a second pair of shorts to test my new theory. I promise to post photos before the end of the week so that you can see these adjustments do work. Can you ever really get enough information for fixing fit issues?