fall sewing ideas

I'm not going to be so confident to call this a fall sewing plan... because let's be real, I don't really know what my fall schedule will allow for sewing time now that I'm back to work and school. So here's a reasonable "wish-list" of things I'd like to make for me! You'll notice a lot of basics in basic colors, kinda boring for you I suspect, but I've noticed some wardrobe gaps and wanted to make things I know will get a lot of wear using some of my newly-determined tried-and-true patterns.

1.) Scout Tee

I bought some black, white and ivory rayon fabrics to make few of these, as well as a poly with a slight luster to attempt a dressier version. The fabric has the same look as the cotton/silk blend I used for my black maxi-dress, but was 1/4 of the cost. If it comes out well I'll splurge on some more of that lovely fabric for winter!

2. simple tops

I purchased some lightweight, crinkly bright coral poly (I know...) and a soft, semi-shear, grey-scale print to make into and easy  Megan Nielsen Eucalypt Tank. I wear my cotton version all the time, so it;s time to make some more!

I may also use some leftover fabric from the Scout Tee for a Lemon Drop Top by SBCC Patterns. They make patterns specifically designed for petites... I need shop from them more often!

3. Jeans! Burda 7214

I've been itching to make jeans ever since the Ginger Jeans popped up all over the blog-o-sphere. They all look so good! But they still seemed a little scary... with all the fancy jeans details (even though all the blogs assure me she makes it super simple!). Then a few days ago One Small Stitch posted her Burda 7214 success, and I decided these were the next pants I want to try! She talks about how easy it was to fit this pattern, which is something I can have challenges with. The pattern is discontinued and it took me a few days to track down a copy online. I would make a plain and simple version without any extra fancy details in denim first, and if that goes well maybe black. 

4. Tan Greenstyle Taylor Shorts or Simplicity 2258

If you've looked back in my blog you'll see I've made both of these patterns recently (plus one more skirt yet to blog!) and like them a lot. I have 1.5 yards of dark khaki bottom-weight cotton with ab it of stretch, and think it should be come on of these two patterns. If I decided on shorts I better make them soon before it gets too cold! If I make the skirt, it would be view C but with the ties from A, and maybe add a center front and back seam to get a more RTW look. What do you think I should make?

5. Tilly and the Buttons Fifi Set!

Because I deserve some pretty pjs! And this grey challis is sooo soft!

6.) Pencil Skirts

A grey wool and a black, quilted leather(ish) pencil skirt using my custom-drafted skirt pattern. I know... quilted leather? But they had a fabric at Joann's that look very cool.

7. Black A-line or sheath dress.

I'm thinking about either extending the length of the Scout Tee (that I love so much!), or trying the Laurel by Colette Patterns (which I hear nothing but praise for!). I have yet to find the right fabric, so that my determine my pattern choice and timeline for making it.

8. A Sport Coat for Mr. SewRachel

He's been asking for one for a while (does he understand how hard a men's jacket it?!?!), and now he has a job where he will need to wear one once in a while... but lets look at the list above and be real... probably not going to happen. Haven't even picked out a pattern....

This winter....

When I was visiting Italy this summer I splurged on some fun, designer Italian silk! I was only going to buy a meter to make a top, because it was a little pricey, but he ended up selling me what was left on the bolt for a meter and a half... so now I have 2.5 yards! i can make a dress! I think this print would be great as a Papercut Patterns Midsummer Night's Dream Dress. This dress is not something I'll need for my fall/winter wardrobe, so it's not too high on the priority list. Maybe I'll make it when I'm on winter break, as I'll was time to make a mock-up first before I cut into my lovely silk!

bright new simplicity 2258 skirt

Back when this blog was brand new and I was just starting to sew my own clothes, I made a teal, denim skirt using Simplicity 2258. I LOVE that skirt! Even with my just-developing sewing skills, that skirt came out great and I continue to wear it often, because this pattern is drafted so well, fits great, looks good, and is very quick and easy to sew. Ever since, I've been saying I'll sew another, and finally I did:

Despite a little bit of weight gain in those years, my original skirt still fits nicely so I sewed up the same size as before. I used a beautiful "linen look" print from Joann Fabric. The only change I made to the pattern was to take the hemline up about a 1/2" in the front, to even out the hem all around (due to my little booty).

This fabric has more drape than my original denim, making my pretty bow a bit "floppier." I may end up wearing the bow pieces as just a simple side-tie instead.

My favorite feature are the big pockets!

Here's a peek inside. I finished my seams and pockets with the serger, and double-folded than machined-stitched the hem.

And the best part is, I can wear this with just about any color top! Guess I'll need to be making some more Scout Tees...

another present for me? and also one for mr. sew rachel!

You thought you weren't going to hear from me again until after Christmas.... but... SURPRISE! Actually, I thought the same thing, until I saw these Christmas PJs from Did you make that?.  I immediately decided that I, too, needed a pair, promptly ordered the Alexander Henry fabric, and this evening, in about 3 hours start to finish, I made myself another Christmas present to me!

I've been itching to try the Tofino Pants pattern by Sewaholic, but with a print like this a simpler pattern was needed, something that wouldn't break up the print. I decided to go with Simplicity 2258. I had made the skirt from this pattern before and loved it, so this time I chose view D, the capri option, lengthening it to pants by tracing some RTW pajama pants. 

I love the pockets on this pattern. It goes together very easily, too. I spent longer cutting out the pieces than I did sewing! With any large-scale print (and especially this particular print!) you'll need to make sure your pattern pieces are cut to avoid awkward print placement. I also wanted to make sure I had an even distribution of the dudes on my PJs.  I ended up cutting each piece out in a single layer, so I could select how the print would look on each individual pattern piece. I was so tickled with myself, I even cut it so I have one of the guys peeking out of my pocket!

...that is until I tried them on. The waist band was too high, hitting at a spot not only unflattering but uncomfortable! I sadly had to trim the rise on the waist down another 1.5", re-cut my waistband, and cut off the head of my pocket dude.

Before

After

Oh well! I'm still very smitten with them. I added a little satin bow to the front, just for a feminine touch, and I took a risk attempting to match the print over the center seams... look how well the back came out!

That tree ended up matching perfectly at the back center seam!

I didn't even notice until Mr. Sew Rachel pointed it out.... the print matches up when I'm standing

And Mr. Sew Rachel got some new jammies too! Since we recently bought our first house, we decided to not exchange gifts this year. BUT a pair of his wore out catastrophically last week, and I thought it was only fair for us both to get new Christmas PJs. I decided to try something new and make him some jersey pants using New Look 6165. (Ok! So I picked this pattern in part because I liked the women's options that came with it. What a selfish seamstress! But hey, more bang for you pattern buck!) He usually goes for grey or navy, but I spotted this lovely cranberry red in a thick jersey. And you know what? He loves them and the color looks great!

Instead of a 1" or 1.25" elastic waistband, this pattern divides the waistband into three casings, the top and bottom for .25" elastic and the middle for a drawstring. Very cool design! I improvised the drawstring out of white, single fold bias tape that I folded in half and top-stitched with cranberry thread. A simple knot finishes each end, and you have a good-looking, study drawstring. I'm also pleased with the double line of top-stitching on the pockets. I think these came out pretty polished!

I constructed both pants on my regular sewing machine (using a slight zig-zag stitch for the jersey pair), after each seam finishing the raw edges on the serger for a polished look. I particularly love my serger when it comes to hems! All I do is go over the raw edge on the serger, then fold over and stitch once on the machine. Viola! Two new Christmas PJ bottoms!

sew many skirts!

I have been sewing up a storm lately and need to keep you up to date! I've been making a lot of skirts because they don't take too long to make and I actually really enjoy wearing skirts! I wish I had a job where I could wear them more often, but I am doing Made-by-Me Tuesdays since I don't lead exercise class on Tuesdays. Today I wore:

Yuck, horrible picture! But you get the idea. Think the fabric looks familiar?  It's the same fabric I used to make a full skirt here. I loved this silky, matte, lace-print! After finishing the full skirt, I found I was still really pining after a slim one, but I only had a little over a 1/2 yard! I tried to get some more, but my habit of buying from the clearance rack meant that was not longer an option. So I had to think a little outside the box. I used New Look 6053, because view B only took 7/8 yard.

Mind you I didn't HAVE 7/8 yard. Thankfully, I'm short so I knew I could take a few inches off at the hem. I did the same at the waist and added a waistband using the lining pattern piece of the original design. I just cut two instead of one and sewed it up similar to the waistband in Gertie's Full Gathered Skirt Tutorial.  I did the waistband in black, because I didn't even have enough scrap to do the waistband in the the lace print! Came out great. Looks way better on me than on the dress form, especially when paired with black boots, a black v-neck t-shirt and charcoal-grey boyfriend cardigan. 

I also made this super cute teal denim skirt with pockets:

Obviously this was taken before my new "model" arrived, so please forgive the bad mirror picture and t-shirt. I used Simplicity 2258, and would totally use that pattern again!

After a MUCH overdue sewing machine tune-up (my mother sewed on this for YEARS and never had it cleaned or tuned) with the tension tip-top I decided to try some knit fabric. I bought this pretty red ribbed knit for $1/yard in the clearance bin at a large box store that I am ashamed to have bought fabric in when we were also buying windshield wipers and pet prescriptions. ANYWAY, I wanted to make a simple maxi-skirt. I cut a piece a little longer than the skirt I wanted (to have some room for error, which I needed) a sewed a tube. Then a took the remainder and cut a piece that made a nice, snug waistband when stretched and sewed it into a tube; folded it over to make a double-thick waistband; gathered the skirt, sewed all three edges together to attach the waistband to the skirt, easy right? Every seam I made I had to take out and re-do! I would cut the waistband too big. Then I would catch the skirt into the seam. Then I sniped the knit fabric trying to take out the stitching and had to darn the hole. Finally when I thought I had it, I had sewed the waistband so the seam was on the outside of the skirt...

so I had a hissy-fit and threw the skirt on the ground and stormed off.

Then I came back and realized that I could just fold over the waistband to cover the exposed seam. Problem solved. Oh well. Sometimes you just need to have a good hissy. And after all that I feel like I'll wear this skirt a ton this summer.