Is It Practical or Pretty...or Both?

I can't seem to keep myself from making pretty dresses...I am quite practical in other areas of my life... really I am. But when I come across such a pretty and painterly print...it just begged to be made into a dress. Another dress...like my closet needs another dress. 

On the topic of practicality... if you want to make a great fit and flare dress that doesn't require a copious amount of fabric or wastage...this is the one. Vogue 1353. Go ahead and look...no... wait I'll save you the trouble...

Whoa!!! Oh Vogue...you make it so hard to love your patterns sometimes! It was pretty easy to pass this one over...until I took a closer look at the line drawings and then the yardage. The yardage was the clincher for me....this beauty only requires 1.4 m! (1 1/2 yards for those of you in the US) Granted, that doesn't include lining but if you are anything like me, you probably already have some that you found on sale stored in the stash. Finding patterns that use less fabric and have less waste has been a goal for me lately. 

My most favorite dress Simplicity 2444 calls for 1.5m just for the skirt! 

Needless to say...I'm hooked on this new favorite.

Pattern: Vogue 1353

Fabric used: The prettiest stretch cotton sateen.

Instructions: I found this pattern to be quite easy to put together. No problems that I recall.

Changes I made: I added 2.5 inches to the length and just did a turn and hem at the bottom. I found it to be too short for me. Next time I may consider going down a size...I'm not sure though. I think that this particular fabric may have stretched somewhat while making it. I may have been a bit too zealous in my pressing. 

Repeat worthy? Yes! I love that this dress uses fabric frugally and it has some lovely details like bodice pleating and bust darts. My only wish....pockets! I added pockets originally but removed them after an initial fit test because I thought that the dress was going to be tighter and I didn't want the pockets to be pulled open. In hindsight, I should have left the pockets because there is plenty of room for them! Oh well... lesson learned and of course I could always add them still!   

I have worn this dress so many times already which is a sure sign that I should make it again. I should actually be making more wardrobe staples but we all know that I won't be doing that!

Polka Dot Chambray

Hey Everyone! I have made another Burda 6849 shirt...a chambray shirt. A chambray with POLKA DOTS shirt! Yes..polka dots!

Let me ask you....when you decide on a sewing project what comes first? The pattern or the fabric? I'm pretty sure we all have a different process when it comes down to it. Sometimes it is the need to fill a gap in a me made wardrobe...so the pattern comes first and I am on the hunt for the perfect fabric. Other times I'm in the fabric store and just HAVE TO HAVE THAT FABRIC! I have no idea what I'm going to make and my enormous stash is proof that this scenario happens most frequently for me.
This time was a little different though...it was like having twins. I saw the fabric and knew exactly which pattern I was going to use. 

I know that the last time I made this shirt I said I would try the Archer but I do like the fit of this one. The length works well for me and I can see me wearing it as a kind of jacket over t-shirts or dresses for cooler summer evenings. I also like the narrow sleeve and this shirt fits me well across my wider shoulders. If a pattern fits so well without any alterations, why wouldn't I make it again?

I won't go into a full review of this shirt but will say that I added the pocket flaps this time. My topstitching is ok but I think it could be better. I also used buttons despite my previous love for pearl snaps. I didn't want the closures to stand out too much on this shirt so navy buttons were used.

I wore it here with simple white shorts but there are so many ways to wear a chambray shirt and I will wear it all summer long!

Sweet Simplicity Skirt

It's sewing 101, this skirt is so easy. I'm sure many sewers had their start with a skirt like this one....two rectangles sewn down the sides, fold down the top and stitch to make a casing for the elastic, insert elastic and hem! (I got all fancy and added inseam pockets to mine...oooooh!!)

 The simplicity of this skirt is perfect for letting a great fabric shine and it is so quick to make. Perfect for beginners or for anyone wanting an easy satisfying make to coax the return of sewing mojo. 

Rather than making a tutorial for this skirt...cause there are so many great ones already out there....here's a link to one that uses much the same process that I did here. 

I'm pretty proud of myself for using a remnant for this skirt. My daughter had made herself a maxi and I quickly scooped up the leftover piece which was a little over half a meter. Some of you are awesome at using up your bits and bobs of fabric in your fabric stashes with incredible creative flair.  Me, not so much. I get drawn to the new and shiny.  Do you use up remnants?

 What do you make with yours?