Methinks I like My New Jacket

Sewing time for me has been at a premium lately, and this jacket has been a long time in the making. But it's finished, and I like it.

The pattern I used is Vogue 8480--a pattern with a lot of pieces. I did sew a muslin first and made a few alterations based on the muslin. I altered the shoulder seams to eliminate gaping around the armholes, and I lengthened the sleeves and reduced the amount of flare in the sleeves.


This jacket was somewhat of a challenge for me, particularly the collar stand, notch collar and lapel. But the instructions were well-written and thorough. I just followed along, step by step, and was so pleased that everything went together so nicely.

My favorite part about the jacket is the inside--the part that won't be seen when I'm wearing the jacket. A new technique for me, I made Hong Kong finishes on the seam allowance using a bright pink fabric. I'd wear the jacket inside out if I dared...um, maybe not, but I do so like the seams.




You can read my more thorough review of this pattern at pattern review if you're interested. : )

Next on the sewing agenda: spring and summer clothes for Emily. It seems like just yesterday that I sewed Emily her fall/winter wardrobe, but she just doesn't stop growing.

Ruth

Thank you, JC and Meg...

Thank you, JC and Meg, for awarding SewChic the Sisterhood Award.

It's so much fun to "meet" other ladies who love to sew, and to read your sewing blogs. How wonderful it is to be part of such a network of sewing friends. I read more sewing blogs than I care to admit, and each one deserves this award. : )

Quilts, Quilts, and More Quilts

Well, I have been busy sewing lately. Baby quilts and more baby quilts. As I posted last week, I finally finished Marie's baby quilt. She plays on it almost every day and I love it.

This is the quilt I just finished for my first soon-to-be-born niece. I'm going to be an aunt!! I'm pretty excited and can't wait to meet this little girly.

For this quilt I used prints from the Park Slope line by Erin McMorris. As usual, Etsy came to the rescue and I was able to buy a bundle of these prints already precut into fat quarters and yardage for the borders and backing. I love Etsy!

I sort of made up the pattern as I went and it ended up being kind of fun and different. I quilted around the inner edge of each rectangular shape and did a free-motion stipple quilting design on the borders.

Of course, a set of burp clothes to match!

I also finished a couple of quilts that are available in my Etsy shop. Both of these came out so soft, thick, and plushy. They are almost like comforters! You can check them out here.


Thanks for looking, and have a blessed day!
Jessica

Chimpanzee Shirt from Ottobre

Intro:
This was my first ever attempt at painting on a shirt. Ottobre patterns are simply fabulous in my opinion. The chimpanzee may be a bit scary, but I rather like him. :)

Pattern Description:

A raglan sleeved t-shirt with a stenciled chimpanzee print. The raglan seams are curved, making this design unique from most raglan shirts.

Pattern Sizing:

European sizes 92-122; I made a size 122 for my 8-year old son.

Did it look like the photo/drawing on the pattern envelope once you were done sewing with it?

Yes

Were the instructions easy to follow?

Very Easy. However, I did not follow Ottobre's instructions for the stencil. More details below.

What did you particularly like or dislike about the pattern?

Everything to like, nothing to dislike about this pattern!

Fabric Used:

I used a poly/cotton jersey fabric from my stash.

Pattern Alterations or any design changes you made:

No alterations, and no design changes. The only thing I did differently from the instructions was my procedure for cutting out the stencil design.

Ottobre suggests using plastic (like from a sheet protector) for the stencil design. Instead, I traced the monkey design onto freezer paper and then cut it out with an x-acto knife. Next, I ironed the freezer paper onto the front of the t-shirt and proceeded with the paint. The freezer paper works great because you don't have to worry about paint seeping under the edges of the stencil and smearing the design.

For the paint I used Tulip Soft Fabric Paint--black and white, mixed together to make gray. I used a sponge brush to paint the design. I am very pleased with the results, but I'm curious to see how this will hold up in the wash.

Would you sew it again? Would you recommend it to others?

I'd like to do more stenciling on clothing. I probably won't make the same chimpanzee again, but I'd like to try other designs. Also, I will definitely be making this raglan shirt pattern again. The pattern goes together quickly and I highly recommend it.

Conclusion:

This was the first time I've ever embellished a piece of clothing with this stenciling method, and I enjoyed doing it. I also enjoyed seeing Jacob's delight when he first saw the shirt this morning. I have a feeling he will be wearing this shirt a lot.


Update, 2/5/09: I just took the monkey shirt out of the dryer, and the paint stayed on, didn't smear, and didn't melt. Yay! I washed the shirt turned inside out with a normal load of dark clothes.

Marie's Baby Quilt

Finally finished!

I made the quilt top when I was pregnant, but just finished the quilting and binding this weekend. The floral prints are from Moda's Three Sisters, Sanctuary line. I fell in love with the purple fabrics when I was pregnant and just had to make Marie's baby quilt with the coordinates. I love the combination of lavender, pink, green, and yellow.


I'm finding that I'm really treasuring these fleeting baby days in a new way with my second baby.

I love the way her little fists flail and beat against me when she gets mad, and I love how her eyes light up and her whole body trembles with excitement when we are about to nurse. I love her little milky smiles when she finishes nursing and falls asleep, so happy and and contented.

I love the rolls of baby chubbies on her arms and legs! I love how she smells...so soft and sweet. I don't want her to ever change...

I'm trying to enjoy every little moment, because it's only a matter of time and she'll no longer be a baby.



Miss Marie and her Aunt Emily. Marie will be 3 months old next week. They are just over 4 years apart.

Blessings!
Jessica

This, That, and the Other

THIS: Not a whole lot of sewing happening at my place, but I did spend some time in my sewing room today trying to clean up and organize a bit. My next sewing project--unless I change my mind--will be Vogue 8480. I've been reading reviews at Pattern Review and have gotten some good ideas, mainly using a Hong Kong finish for the inside seams since the jacket is not lined. I already have the fabric washed and ready to go--a navy blue twill.

Vogue 8480

THAT: I sewed these two dresses (pictured below) in December for a friend's daughters. My friend just recently sent me the picture of her girls with her permission to post it here. The dresses were both sewn from McCalls 9424. I've made this pattern in the past for my own daughters, and let me tell you, from my experience costume patterns run big. Very big. But the girls were delighted with their new dresses, and so was their mom. The girls enjoy reading Little House on the Prairie, and they are happy to have their own Laura Ingalls dresses.

McCalls 9424

The Other: It always delights me when other bloggers give their commendations to this SewChic blog. Recently both Pamela and Fiona awarded Sew Chic the Kreative Blogger Award, and you can imagine how encouraging this is to both Jessica and me. Pam and Fiona are wonderful seamstresses and I enjoy reading their blogs and seeing their projects. Thank you, Pam and Fiona, for this award.

I want to sew!

I want to sew. I really do. I think about it all the time and plan projects in my head. I buy fabric. And more fabric. But have I accomplished any sewing lately? No. I've been knitting instead. You see, when I sew I like to sew for hours and hours on end. A whole day is nice. But knitting can be done in snatches of time--5 minutes here, 10 minutes there, in the car, during waiting times, and yes, even while homeschooling the kids at times. :) So...I have been knitting. That's cool. Knitting is fun.

BUT I WANT TO SEW!

projects on my Ravelry page

baby bonnet and booties

"rambling rows" lap blanket

"retro rib" socks