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