a new lemon drop top

A finished piece to show you! This time it's the Lemon Drop Top by Skinny Bitch Curvy Chick. This pattern company specializes in patterns for petites, which is awesome for me! I'd been hesitant to try them, in part because their product photographs don't do much for me... I want to see what it looks like on real person, but for Sewing Indie Month I decided to give them a try. Plus I was looking for some easy basics to sew for my wardrobe.

The fabric is some silky, synthetic from Joann Fabrics, that actually sewed up well and feels nice on. I had bought it originally for some silky pajamas, and I think I still have enough for a set! And check out the proportions! I don't look like I'm swimming in it, or like a kid playing dress-up in their mother's clothes! The shoulders are not too wide, and the neckline not too big!

I like a bound neckline, even if this one doesn't lay perfectly. I sew bias strips to the front first on the machine, then hand stitch it on the underside.

I attempted a machine-rolled hem again. It came out a little uneven, in part because I had to cut off my first attempt, but for a casual top I'm not bothered.  I'll also need to snip off some shaggy bits that stick out from the tiny hem. I'm getting better at it every time, and still prefer it to traditional hemming with a fabric like this!

I will for sure try more SBCC patterns in the future! Unfortunately there doesn't seem to be too many SBCC makes around the blog-o-sphere to check out. Have you ever made one of their patterns?

mmm'14 update #3

I promise to show some new makes very soon (I have a couple pieces nearly finished)! But in the meantime, here is a MMM'14 update:

May 13th - A light, flow-y, floral maxi-skirt, shown here after I changed to mow the lawn.

May 14th - My new Hemlock Tee

May 15th - A repeat from May 5th: a fishy, cotton Eucalypt Tank, skinny jeans and a black cardi. I love this look!

May 16th - We were delivered 20 cubic yards of dirt the day before, so I needed an outfit for gardening and housework. I screen-printed this t-shirt for the Running with Scissors Kickstarter, so it totally counts as me-made.

May 17th - Two me-altered outfits today. The dress was recently bought at a thrift store but way too big, so I took out the side zip (it was so big that I tried it on, bought it and had it home before I even noticed there was a zipper!) and took in at both sides, the waist and the sleeves. Underneath is a half-slip that the elastic had worn out of, so I sewed in some new lingerie elastic. Now if fits even better than when it was new from the store.

May 18th - A Sunday working at the art studio. My Hemlock Tee is going to become a studio staple.

May 19th - At the studio again. This time working in my grey, jersey maxi-skirt, a favorite black tank and raspberry cardigan. It was my most worn item last year, and is starting to show it. Another great studio piece now! (But not a great picture... oh well!)

mmm'14 update #2

May 6th - A jersey maxi-skirt, that it looks like I never blogged. I made it in early August last year when we were living at my grandparent's house since our lease was up on our apartment, but we hadn't closed yet on our new house, so that could explain why you may not have seen it here. The fabric print is fabulous, but it pilled like crazy after even one wash, so it's perfect for a fay working in the art studio. Pretty, comfortable, but looking kind shabby.
May 7th - Another unblogged piece! I made this a very long time ago and love the fit, but the seams had started to come apart so I stopped wearing it. I was able to mend it for MMM'14 and now it's a great piece back in the wardrobe! It's made with Butterick 5826. (And the picture is with my friend Casey at Trivia night at a local Mexican restaurant. We came in second after 3 tie-breaker questions. Not too bad!)
May 8th - My Moss Mini with a lightweight cream sweater. I had taken in a little at the center back waist and yoke, and it's much more comfortable.
May 9th - An outfit repeat from May 6th. I actually started out wearing a fold-over waistband ruffle skirt that I wore a ton last Me-Made-May, by the waistband is just too loose and was driving me nuts! My style has changed in a year, since my waistline certainly isn't smaller! These photos were taken in the hotel on a weekend away in Boston.
May 10th - My new Cambie Dress! This was so comfortable to wear around town and to the aquarium with a friend. I am very pleased with this dress and I suspect it'll get a lot of wear!
May 11th - Butterick 5885.

And today is a lazy day in, wearing my slouchy, grey New Look 6216 while working on the computer writing you this update:

How's your Me-Made-May 2014 going?

finished silk copy-cat maxi-dress

Here it is! My copy-cat maxi-dress inspired by Reves Mecanique! What do you think?

 

You may remember that I decided to alter  Very Easy Vogue V8870 from my pattern stash from a hi-lo skirt to maxi-length. The alterations came out fairly well. The front bodice fits nicely, although the side and back I think could be taken in a little at either the waist seam or at the side seams under the bustline. I think is would be just that much more flattering if it were a tiny bit less blouse-y in the back and sides. Unlike the Sewaholic Saltspring pattern I was inspired by, this bodice has a facing at the neckline instead of being fully lined. With this fabric that worked just fine. I used lightwieght fusible interfacing on the facing and sergered the raw edge. The side seams on the bodice are finished with a french seam, and I inteneded to do the same with the skirt... but made a in a moment of absentminededness I sewed the piece right-sides together, and trimmed the seam allowed to 1/8 inch before realizing my mistake! (For french seams I should have sew wrong-sides together, trimmed seam allowence, then stitched the seam again right sides together for a beautiful encloused seam.) So I eneded up having to finish my skirt seams with the serger instead. A neat enough finish, but not as nice as french seams would have been with this lovely fabric.

The back also has elastic on the top, too, and I like how it holds the bodice in place. This pattern calls for two, narrow straps on each shoulder. I had to fiddle a fair amount to get them to lay even on the shoulders, and even still one strap likes to slip down.

The fabric is a silk/cotton blend from Grey's Fabric and Notions in Boston, MA. It sewed up very nicely. I used just a regualar size 9 needle. The fabric slipped only a tiny bit along the skirt side seams, which is barely noticible after a good pressing. Speaking of pressing... I can not seem to get the original fabric fold line out of the center back, even after a pre-wash and good pressing! Maybe it'll work itself out with wear.

I used my rolled hem foot again for the hem, and most of the hemline cam out really, really well! There were a few spots I had to go back over with hand stitches, but no one will even notice that way down by my feet! I think this will be a great tool.

Overall I am very pleased with this dress and expect to get a lot of wear out of it!

mmm'14 update and new tops

MMM'14 Selfie!

Thanks for all your kind comments on my last post! I'm glad me-made-pjs count when you are feeling cruddy. I'm feeling a lot better finally (and my house bunnies are starting to feel better, too!), and have actually put on real clothes the past few days.

May 2nd - One of my favorite makes from last year, McCalls 6751!
May 3rd - A brand new Grainline Hemlock Tee... which doesn't really go with the hat, but it was sunny out on the deck :)
May 4th - Here I'm wearing a favorite infinity scarf out to dinner with some friends. I was wearing my grey, knit maxi-skirt earlier... but sick bunnies meant I had to change before going out, and before I'd taken my MMM'14 photo.
May 5th - A new  Megan Nielsen Eucalypt Tank with gold sandals, skinny jeans and a cardigan.

I made the Grainline Hemlock Tee with a sheer, striped,  sweater-knit from Fabric.com. I love the look, but it already started to snag after only one day of regular wear. Also, I constructed this on my serger, and the seams didn't come out great. I know a lot of folks like to sew knits on a serger, but I just don't have the hang of it yet. I do better constructing on my regular sewing machine with a zig-zag, and neatening up the seams afterwards on the serger. It's a wearable shirt that will be good on days I'm in the art studio, nothing I'll be upset over should I get it covered in ink. Still, I do really like the pattern and may make another version!

I made my  Eucalypt Tank from the same fish-print cotton that I used to line my me-made purse. I love this print! For this version I cut the fabric on the bias to allow a little more stretch and shape. Even with that, I think I will add some bust darts next time I use this pattern. I used french seams, a narrow curved hem, and homemade bias binding along the neck and armholes. I'm really, really pleased with the construction on this top.

I've also finished my black, silk, copy-cat maxidress! But that will deserve it's own post, so stayed tuned. :) 

In the first week of MMM'14 I've realized I need some khaki pants to go with a number of my me-made tops, so that's what I'm sewing currently. I found some nice twill (I think?) with a fair bit of stretch that had come from my mother's stash and have started a pair of Simplicity 1696 Amazing Fit Pants. It probably would have been way smarter to use the StyleARC Elle Pants pattern that I had success with before... but I guess I just want to make things difficult for me! Really, I wanted a more traditional pant look with front pockets and a lower rise waistband, and I found this amazing red version while searching pattern reviews that are seriously cool! I at least laid my StyleARC pattern pieces on top of the Simplicity pieces to (hopefully) confirm a similar fit... but more on that project later!

happy me-made-may!

It's day one of MMM'14! I've realized I want to make an addition to my MMM '14 pledge, shown here in bold print:

'I, Rachel of sewrachel.blogspot.com, sign up as a participant of Me-Made-May '14. I endeavor to wear and photograph at least one handmade item each day for the duration of May 2014'

Last year I usually just copied the photos from my previous blog posts when I wore an item during the month of May, which probably ended up being more work than if I just snapped a photo each day. Plus, MMM is not just about what I wear handmade, but also how I put my outfit together. So this year, I'm going to do my very best to remember to snap a photo (though I don't promise great photos!) of my handmade outfit every day. And so without further ado......

Yeah, I know. Not a terribly exciting or sophisticated outfit, and some may argue that me-made pajamas are cheating, but let me explain. I'm still coughing and feeling gross from my week+ long cold, both of my bunnies have been sick and need extra care, attention, medications and hand feeding (and are making sooooo much laundry!), and it's been cold and nasty and rainy today.... so I staying home with the handsome men that I slept with last night: my Alexander Henry Pajamas! 

Now I know that MMM can lead to a lot of blog posts to both write and read, I won't be posting my outfit updates daily but instead doing a round up of outfits worn once or twice a week. I also will be working on another Liebster Award post thanks to the awesome ladies who write Sew Short Nissa and Reves Mecanique! Lots to do and look forward to this month! Guess I better get to sewing!

me-made-may eve

Last year was my first Me-Made May, and I was so proud of myself! I well exceed my goal of at least 2 handmade items per week, and that's after only a few months sewing. This year, I'm upping my game:

'I, Rachel of sewrachel.blogspot.com, sign up as a participant of Me-Made-May '14. I endeavor to wear at least one handmade item each day for the duration of May 2014'

Woo hoo! Getting ready for wearing handmade everyday I've been repairing and altering a couple of items, including taking a wedge out for the back waist of my Grainline Moss Mini, and have been thinking about what are my needs and wants in my wardrobe that can be filled. Sure, I'd love to spend all mt time whipping up another batch of floral Cambies, but what is really going to be practical day to day? Where do you find that sewing balance of pretty once-in-a-while dresses, and practical basics and separates? Not to mention, I'm now heading back into the art studio full-time... not exactly a place to wear precious, handmade beauties. So here's my plan (after my black, silk/cotton maxidress, of course... which is both a practical wardrobe staple AND luxurious sewing!):

Needs:

• More pants. I have the fabric to attempt another grey pair of StyleARC Elle Pants, but also should look for some other comfortable, casual, easy pants.
• A spring jacket. Yes, many of you thought my last polar fleece attempt looked nice... but it just doesn't fit they way I want and therefore uncomfortable to wear. Any good spring jacket ideas? 
• Knit dresses. I have lots of casual knits and dress patterns ready to go... just need to get on 'em!
• Maxiskirts and dresses. I wore these all the time last year! 
• Casual tops that go with everything. Why are these so hard to sew? Or at least so hard to want to sew?  Maybe a Grainline Hemlock tee, and some Sewaholic Renfrews.
• Studio clothing. Something quick and easy to sew, inexpensive, and comfortable. Maybe I can start making muslins into wearable studio clothing, or take a trip to the thrift store for some re-fashioning. 

Want:

• Swimsuit. You may remember this was one of my 5 goals for 2014, and while I don't NEED a swimsuit (I have a boring black one that works just fine...), I am so making this. I already have everything I need for this project, too.
• Shorts. I haven't bought shorts in years, but would love a really nice fitting tan pair, and maybe a cool, printed pair in something like an ikat. Pattern options include Grainline Maritime Shorts or Sewaholic Thurkow Trousers
• Circle Skirt Cambies! Including one for my 2-year wedding anniversary. 
• An amazing red day dress. I've always wanted one and should make that happen.
• A Patterns by Gertie slip. I even ordered her slip kit, and she's currently hosting a sew-along.
• Some pretty pajamas. Not a need, but a very much would-like.
• A casual By Hand London Georgia Dress. This is where I could use some help. What fabric could I use to make this dress a more casual summer option? I love the fit, but remember I live in Maine... not exactly the fashion capital of the world. I'd love to make a version of this dress that can be worn to a casual BBQ, or just out for coffee, etc.
• Make a button-up shirt for Mr. Sew Rachel. Maybe I can make him one for our anniversary? That would be a great goal... although I've never made a real button-up shirt before... or menswear!

Wow... that's a lot. While I most likely will not accomplish everything, participating in Me-Made-May will help me to prioritize what to make and maybe keep me focused enough to get a fair number checked off this list in the next few months.

You can learn more about MMM'14 and sign up at "So Zo, What Do You Know" by clicking on the image below: