Marie's Pink Fig Easter Dress...last day to enter Whimsy Couture Giveaway!

Pattern: Lily Top by Pink Fig

Fabrics: from Marie Madeline, bought last year.  =) 

Thoughts:  I loved this pattern...it went together so quickly and easily.  This is a super simple pattern that looks anything but simple! 

I appreciate how well it is drafted--the back and front pieces are not just rectangles with a curve for the armcye, but they are slightly shaped and drafted specifically for the front and back.  Same with the sleeve pieces.--they specifically line up with the front and back bodices and I think this makes for a better fit.

I skipped the sash and pants (separate pattern) shown on the pattern, and added a little teal polka dot ruffle at the top of the bottom ruffle for some fun contrast.  

Note: this pattern has you use elastic thread in your bobbin to shir around the waist, neckline and sleeves.  This is a super fast and easy method if you can get your machine to do it properly! I had to loosen the screw on my bobbin in order to get the elastic to work....at first it was sewing too tight with no stretch at all.  Once I'd fiddled with it though, the actual shirring was a breeze.  Definitely practice on scrap fabric first.

My two greatest treasures on Easter Sunday!  

Tomorrow is the last day to enter to win three patterns of your choice from Whimsy Couture.  I'll be drawing a name Friday night. Check them out if you love sewing cute kids clothing!

Blessings, 

Jessica

Whimsy Couture Top, Giveaway, and Coupon Code!

Pattern: Whimsy Couture Easy Peasant Top PDF pattern

Fabric: quilters cotton from my stash. Yay for using up fabric that I've had for several years!!

My thoughts:  I made the size 4t for Marie and it seemed to run right on, size wise.  This was a very easy, simple design that went together quickly for a fun, mama-made summer top that looks great with jeans or shorts.

I opted to skip the elastic on the sleeves to create "flutter sleeves" and followed the included instructions to add a contrast band along the bottom.  The pattern also included instructions for puffed sleeves, ruffles along the bottom, a tuxedo front, and pockets.  Overall, it was a versatile pattern for a breezy relaxed shirt or dress.  Great for beginners!

For a chance to win your choice of 3 patterns from Whimsy Couture's esty shop, please like/subscribe to them on facebook (HERE) and come back and leave a comment on this post! If you are not on facebook at all, go check out Wimsey Couture's patterns, and leave a comment anyway.  =)  I will draw a winner next Friday, the 27th.

SewChic readers may also save 30% off of their entire purchase in the pattern shop with the code SAVE30.

Blessings to your day,

Jessica

Unfinished Knitting

During this past winter I found that I enjoyed knitting more than sewing.  I managed to finish a few knitted projects, but I accumulated four UFOs--unfinished objects.  Four unfinished knitting projects, and I'm quickly losing my knitting obsession as the warm weather is now here and I WANT TO SEW.  Oops, I know that I'm not supposed to use all caps when typing, sorry.  But seriously, I have a problem with letting myself go to the sewing room when I have these half-completed knitting projects cluttering the space around my knitting chair.

What's a girl to do? Sew or knit?

Oh, and ooooohhhhh, did you know that the new issue of Ottobre is due to arrive any day now?!!!!  (Yeah, I know I'm not supposed to use multiple exclamation marks, either).  But this new Otto issue looks promising--full of pretty new patterns for summer.  For Emily.  And I can't wait for my copy!!!!

Guess I should get off the computer and work on one or the other knitting project...or sew something...hmmm...maybe I'll go read a book.

Happy Sewing,

Ruth

 

Acer Cardigan:  

By far the most challenging thing I have ever knit!

  

 

Rivulet Scarf:  

Thank you, Tammy, for writing about this lovely pattern.

 

 

Silky Drop Socks:  

This silk-blend yarn is so soft.

 

 

 Rambling Rows Afghan:

I started this several years ago and pulled it out again this winter.  

It is now at the half-way point.  

At this rate, it may be another few years before I get back to it.

P.S.  You can see my knitting projects here at Ravelry if you  have a Ravelry account. 

I have this one lone skein of yarn that I bought for a specific project, 

but now I don't remember what.  Any suggestions?

The coming-soon Otto!

 

My poor son never gets his picture on the blog, so here he is!  

Smiling

Thanks for all the comments on my previous post! I wore the New Look top one day this past week and decided I absolutely must make another one. Or two. I liked it that much! For all who commented that this pattern is on your to-do list, I say go for it; you will love it. I'd like to try a version out of a woven fabric, perhaps a cotton voile or silky print. Of course, I'd have to add a slit or keyhole opening in the back if I use a non-stretchy fabric.

Just because I can't seem to post without a picture, here's one of my beautiful little girl and her cat, Molly. Emily is wearing a peasant top that I originally made for her 2 years ago as a dress for Easter. The dress has been hanging in the closet, too small for Em. I still like the fabric, and so a few weeks ago I decided to turn the dress into a tunic top. To make it fit, I simply took out the neck elastic and inserted a longer piece. I chopped off 4 inches or so from the bottom and sewed a new hem. And now Emily has a new summer top. :)

Speaking of Easter dresses--Jessica, I sure hope you post soon about the beautiful dress you made Marie!

Oh, and just so you know, I did get my hair cut. It took the stylist over an hour to thin and layer my hair. I only had three inches taken off the length, but my head sure does feel lighter because of the thinning.

Again, thank you for all the comments, suggestions, encouraging words....yes, you make me smile.

Happy Sewing,

Ruth

New Look 6648

I'm so excited about my new top....it's totally different than anything I've ever worn, but I love it.

I've seen this pattern reviewed on various sewing blogs, most recently Lori's blog. I have liked all Lori's versions but wasn't sure if the style would suit me. I bought the pattern anyway, but procrastinated making it. The deciding factor to sew it up was when Jessica bought me a ready-to-wear top of a similar style, and I found that I really liked it...a big surprise to me, because I didn't think I would. This style works well to hide my "I've had seven babies" midsection (ie, no waist, and a fluffy tummy).

Pattern changes on my version:

• I made the armhole/sleeve to be a higher cut.

• Next, because I did not want the neckline to be too loose, I moved in my center fold (to make it smaller) by 1/2" on both front and back pieces, taking out a full inch from both front and back. I added an extra 1/2 inch to each side seam at both the bodice and the waistband to accommodate my midsection.
• I reduced the width of the neckband. The pattern is 2 inches wide; I cut my neckband to 1 and 1/2 inches wide and applied it as instructed. I like the narrow band better.

• The instructions call for gathering the waistband side seams before sewing them together. Instead, I sewed the side seams and then used clear elastic in the seam allowances to gather the sides. Using clear elastic worked quite well.

On another note, I have waaaayyyy too much hair and it's driving me crazy.  Any ideas of how I should cut it?  If I go too short it will stick out in a frizzy, fluffy bush, lol.  So I definitely need a haircut--but don't know what I want. Seriously, if you have hair style suggestions for thick wavy hair that's not curly but not straight, let me know. 

Ruth

McCall's 5838

Trying to get a picture of Emily without a fake smile was difficult yesterday when I took these. But here she is, in all her princess glory, wearing the dress I sewed for Easter.

The pattern: McCall's 5838, size 6.

The fabric: cotton that has aged in my stash for upwards of 10 years. (Heather, do you remember the purple version I made you when you were about 12?)

This pattern runs big. The bodice is wide, and the straps are too long, in my opinion. Keep that in mind if you ever make this dress.

To make the dress work for Emily, I shortened the straps. The bodice is still big, but at least the dress is wearable.

The dress length was made to Emily's specifications...long. She told me she loves her new dress, and I can see her wearing it a lot this summer.

Trisha, you commented that you used this same pattern for Rachel's dress. I'd love to see your version! :)

Happy Sewing,
Ruth