Fabric sources, thinking outside the box....

 

I bought this xxl maxi skirt off the clearance rack at Target.  I loved the fabric. Looked like perfect summer dress fabric. 

The waistband is just about all that was left when I was done!

 

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I used McCalls 6559.  I traced it out last summer, and love the fit. I went with C, the shorter green one.

 

 

I really love the easy fit and style.  Great weekend summer dress.

 

I did not have enough fabric to cut the front and back as long as I wanted, and I did not want to mess with the border print at the bottom, so instead, I pieced the upper back.  It is 3 pieces for the racer back part, can't really even tell!

 

 

  For the front, I pieced the upper front shoulder portions, then topstitched all my piecing so it looked like a design feature.  The neck band / binding, worked out despite my skills!  It was suppose to just be a neck band, but it would not lay flat.  It was all waffly looking.  I have no idea if that means that I stretched it too tight or not enough, while attaching to the neckline.  So to fix it, I folded the band to the outside and topstitched it down.  It now looks like binding!!  A save!!

 

 

The whole thing took about 2.5 hours, then I wore it out to lunch with my kids.  I wore a cropped jean jacket over it.  I really like it.  In looking at the pic, I wish it were a couple inches longer, but wearing it, it does not feel too short.

 

Next up was this top, 3xl off the same clearance rack.  A lot of fabric, but not a lot of length. 

 

 I used an old cropped cardigan that had expired, it was too cropped and had a stain.  So a pattern it became. 

 I interfaced the neck binding and front placket with a knit fusible.  I decided to go with no closures, because, buttonholes on this seemed scary and hey, I never button a cardigan anyway.

I really like both pieces and am so glad that I checked out the clearance rack at Target!!

 

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Got out to lunch with your favorite people!

 

T shirts...Butterick 5493 / Renfrew morph

 

You just have to love an easy T shirt pattern.  3 pattern pieces.  I went with view C sort of.  The solid blue. 

I only had one yard of material, so ended up lessening the depth of the collar on the square side for the first version.

 

 

 

The body pattern pieces, I laid over my TNT Renfrew pattern and altered them to match, except I kept the original neckline of the Butterick.

 

This was 1 yard of fabric from Joann's.  It has wonderful stretch and recovery.  Feels great on.  I love all the colors in it. 

 

 

For the binding of the neck and armholes, I just cut bias strips, 1 3/4" wide, and whatever length I needed.  Fold them wrong sides together lengthwise and attach from the outside of the neckline and armholes with a 3/8" seam.  Stretching while attaching.  I did not turn them under.  I like the band showing. 

For my next version, my fabric is from Target.  What, you didn't know you could get fabric at Target?  Shop the clearance rack in the larger sizes. 

 

This started it's life as an XXL maxi skirt.  I loved the fabric.  Colors were awesome and it is a nice knit, soft with a great drape. All that remains of the skirt is the waistband. 

 

Pattern matching was not too difficult.

I altered the collar to be a symmetrical shape, lol, looks like a bib!

I think this fabric will get a much more fulfilling life as a t shirt.

 

On the left below, is another XXL maxi skirt..... not sure what this one will end up being... I am thinking maybe a simple summer dress.... On the right is a 3x Tshirt.  Lots of fabric there... I am thinking maybe a summer cardigan....

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Paint your toenails!

 

Liesl & Co, Weekend Getaway Blouse

 

I can't say enough about this pattern.  I love it.  Simple make, looks flattering on. 

 

 

This is my 3rd one.  The fabric is from JoAnns.  A heavier rayon blend.  Comes out of washer and dryer, looking just like it did before it went it.  Gotta love that!  Changes this time....I added to the back shoulder, to roll it slightly to the front, to match MY shoulder roll, I also lengthened the sleeve only at the top portion as when it hangs, it appears a bit shorter on the top of the sleeve on my first versions.

 

A lot of matching required with this fabric, but I am quite happy with how well it came together.  LOTS of pinning. 

 

Love the back pleat detail.  Adds flow and roominess without looking baggy.

The front facing is visible as the collar and down the front. I interfaced only the upper corner section of the collar portion, on the outer fabric, which ends up being the underside of the collar. 

 

Very quick and easy make.  I love this shirt.

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Play cars with a cute boy.

 

Simplicity 1422

 

Not sure what draws me to patterns that are not flattering on me.  I went with view C (orange shirt).  I muslined it TWICE.  The collar pattern piece was one piece collar and stand together.  Not a good look on muslin 1 or 2.  and short? damn.  belly button short.  Also not a good look.  For my 3rd and final version, I lengthened the front by 4".  I used the Grainline Archer collar and stand.  I shortened the sleeves.  Finally a shirt that fits and is flattering.    I would love it, except.  EXCEPT the non planning on my part of the polka dots along the front button band.  I hate how the flow seems broken by the cut off polka dots on either side of band.  Just makes it look off somehow.  I keep thinking a non sewer (100% of people I see ) would never notice.  But it nags at me.  What do you think?

 

I also added a center pleat to the back, easy way to add more drape and fitting room.

You just have to love the Archer collar.  A beauty every time.

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Make some chocolate ice cream out of frozen bananas, Splenda and cocoa powder!!

 

 

New Look 6251

I had bought this gorgeous quilted knit from Fabric.com.  I thought it was to be a Renfrew with the cowl turtleneck, but it said no.  It wanted to be a light spring jacket. 

Arguing with your fabric, never really pays off, it will win in the end.

 

I had high hopes for this light spring jacket.  I don't know if it was the pattern, the extra stretchy fabric or a combo, but I made the medium.  It looked like a linebacker could wear it.  I showed my husband, he said, wow.  Maybe you could just take in the shoulders?  Men.  I cut the serged a sleeves off.  I cut the serged front from the back.  I measured it against a fleece I already had and removed INCHES from the shoulder depth.  INCHES from the side seams.  Re-sewed princess seams a little deeper.  This resulted in the princess seams not sitting exactly where they should, but the fit was much better. 

 

 

Not sure how, but at first glance of pattern, I did not realize that the pocket zippers were exposed vs inserted.  I really like the look. 

 

In hindsight, I should have lined the outer layer of the front pockets to keep them from stretching out while my hands are in them.

 

Inside finishing was not detailed in the instructions, I did a lot of serging to keep my quilted fabric from coming apart.

 

Despite the fitting fiasco, I ended up with a light spring jacket that I really like.  I wear it almost every morning.  So success.  YAY!

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Go hiking with your sweetie