Butterick 6085 -- Shirt

So far I've managed to avoid most collars and all buttonholes.  I decided it was time to get over that, and made this shirt.  I decided to make view B.  Here are the raw materials:

This is supposed to be a "very easy" pattern and while I didn't find it super-difficult, I think they meant "easy relative to other shirt patterns" because I don't think this is suitable for beginners.  But, because I've made several things it was fairly straightforward.  I only had to pick apart one buttonhole!

My worst habit when sewing is racing through things, I get impatient and take stupid shortcuts and it shows.  Conversely, when I take my time and do things the right way, things come out beautifully.  They fit well, and they last.

I took my time with this (worked on it for an hour or two every night for 5 days) and it fits beautifully.  My husband, Sweetie, said it looked tailored and hung just right and he absolutely will not rave about my sewing unless it's actually good, though he will be nice about it.

Here's the finished product, front:

Here's the back:

And here is Minx, keeping an eye on things from the sewing room couch:

I really like this pattern, and I'm planning to make more of these.  They will be great for work.

Butterick 6301 -- Chonis!

Chonis being a New Mexican term for panties :)

I don't know why it never occurred to me to make these until now.  They're incredibly easy and an awesome way to use scraps or cute remnants.

Raw materials:

I got a yard of stretch cotton, some ruffled, black stretch elastic and the pink bows.  This took less than an hour from start to finish -- I just made the panties which are three pattern pieces (front, back, crotch).

The finished product:

(Ignore that one basting thread I missed)

These are super cute and comfortable.  And very, very easy to make!

McCall's M6571

I recently got a new toy! I was using an old Baby Lock I've had for about twelve years. Then, one day, I was at Costco and guess what was on sale?

Look at all the stitches!

 What's funny is that more than one person asked me if my husband bought it for me. Uh, no, I can buy my own toys, thank you.  There is little more pathetic than a grown woman who expects her husband to get her big ticket items when she should be capable of buying her own stuff. I'm not talking birthday presents or the like, but I know more than one woman who sits on her butt and expects her man to buy her purses and jewelry on demand. It's especially gross when such women are the mothers of daughters, because you know there will be a new crop of spoiled, entitled princesses to deal with later. Looks fade, ladies. You're better off relying on your own efforts long before gravity catches up with you and you can't rely on your pretty face any longer.

Anyway, the Baby Lock is going to a good home. I'm sending it to my mom. I used the new Brother to make a shirt, because what better way to break in a new machine than to use it on stretchy fabric?

Here are the raw materials:

I got this stuff a while back while shopping at Joann's with an enabler (hi mom). The pattern cost about a dollar (sale!) And I had a coupon for the fabric, so all together it cost about $15.  The pattern also called for fusible interfacing which I already had.

The bodice with the facing pinned:

 

Sleeves attached:

After I finished it, I decided it needed some embellishment. I had some buttons laying around, so I added them to the neckline:

Final product:

This was very easy to sew, for a knit. There are only six pieces total, and definitely good for a beginner. The pattern allegedly can be used with woven fabrics too, but that would kick it into intermediate because you'd have to add darts to the bust, and maybe the back as well.

I'm trying to work my way through my fabric stash. I think pajamas are next, I have some awesome flannel and it's been stupid cold here. So cold the cats are congregating on the heated throws and can't be bothered to help me sew.

Vogue V7837

A while back I posted that sewing baby clothes was so easy, I was tempted to make nothing else. Well, you know what's easier? Lingerie!

I didn't take a picture of raw materials, but basically crepe silk, thread and trim. I believe the cost was around $25, including the pattern.  It took me three hours from cut to finish to make this nightgown:

STUPID easy! I need to make more, along with the other views.

Butterick B4571

So, it's been a while. I've done a few things here and there, nothing super complicated. It's been a very exciting, busy year at work.

Here's my Halloween costume. The raw materials were about $35 between sales and coupons:

Note about the trim, I ended up using something else besides those sapphire looking things.  I decided halfway through it needed something else, so I got some of that glitter candle wrapping stuff which worked beautifully.

The bodice:

The skirt attached to the bodice:

 Oh, were you trying to sew something?

Close up of candle wrapping trim:

The final product (minus hem, but it did get hemmed):

It came out beautifully. The fabric, as you can see, was a satin like polyester. I've seen this pattern made with panne but I wanted a different look. The hardest part was the sleeves, which have three construction elements, and when joined require sewing through multiple layers.

 I wore it to our work party and to hand out candy. All the little Elsas loved it, though one said to her parent, "Look mommy, an old princess!"

I just laughed. Time and tide wait for no man. Your day will come, kid. 

So, it's been a while. We've been busy with this and that, including a trip to IKEA where I got this!

This is an Expedit bookcase/desk combo and a whatever it's called chair.  The desk is nice and solid, and doesn't shake when I'm going full throttle. There's lots of spaces for sewing stuff, I'm going to pick up a few more bins as well.

While I was at it I got some more patterns which means more projects.  Nothing tonight though.  In the last two days I put together this bookcase and desk, that chair, a tv stand, a shoe rack and a bloody couch.  I'm tired.

Jacket, Butterick 5712

I've had this pattern for a while.  I got it in the early days of my sewing obsession, when I was still relearning what little I knew. It was on sale for something like 5 patterns for $7, so why not. I decided to use a cute houndstooth fabric I got from my friend's aunt and finally make it since fall is here and while the southwest generally has balmy fall weather it does get a little cool and thus would be perfect for work.

Here are the raw materials:

I had most of this stuff already, so I'm going to guess and say it all cost around $25.

The pattern calls it an unlined jacket but of course you know I have a love affair with interlining, so this too was interlined. The houndstooth is a polyester weave and has a silky, very supple hand so interlining was needed to give it some body.  Don't worry.  I know how to do a regular lining too.

I made view D which is in the lower right hand corner of the picture.  I changed it up a bit; the pattern called for top stitching around the collar. Presumably this is not just for decoration but also to keep the facing in place. That's fine and all but I with a few exceptions I really don't care for that look.  So, I skipped that, securing the facing by stitching it to the interlining. I used one snap at the top, and added a decorative button.

Here's a peek at the interlining:

And here's the final product:

It was pressed, I swear. The combination of the lighting, the check fabric and my dopey phone camera makes it look wrinkled and it's not. I just dug out my actual camera, and I'm going to start using that.

This was a really simple pattern. The sleeves are not set, they're cut on either sides of the front and back pieces, and there is a side panel that runs underneath.  I think adding the interlining and doing seam finishes really elevated this from a simple casual jacket to something a little dressier, but still casual enough for work.

I did the body of the jacket and the collar facing Sunday afternoon.  Work has been quite busy and stressful so I didn't get to the last bit, which was hemming the sleeves and bottom hem with hem tape, and finishing the inner seams with bias tape, adding the snap and button until last night and tonight.  It came out really well, I can't wait to wear it tomorrow!