ginger high-waist panties - a 2014 goal completed!

To quote Gertie of Gertie's Blog for Better Sewing:

"...what's not easy about sewing undies is photographing them. Unless they're the tiniest of knickers, they look weird and huge in pictures. And then you go into this shame spiral of wondering why you're showing your underwear on the internet anyway."  

http://www.blogforbettersewing.com/2012/08/detour-into-panty-land.html

She's totally right! But, here I am anyway, posting my weird, huge undies on the web... because the truth is I'm actually pretty proud of myself for making functional panties!  And I completed a 2014 goal!

I used the Ginger Bodysuit & Separates PDF pattern by Ohhh Lulu. (You can also buy her designs RTW here. They are gorgeous!) She includes some tutorials on her website which is helpful. I did have a hard time getting all the lines to line up when assembling the PDF pattern pages together. In fact, I never quite got it and had to re-draw a few spots, but the fit didn't seem to be altered by it.

I used some leftover cranberry jersey from Mr. Sew Rachel's Christmas pajamas (it's really soft and thick!) and a thin, very stretchy white knit with a little heart pattern. All the seams were constructed on the serger, with the lingerie elastic sewn on with a zig-zag stitch on my regular sewing machine. I found out that you need to use a fairly wide zig-zag, as I only used a narrow one at first and totally ripped the stitching getting them over my hips, thus having to unpick and resew it.

Are they perfect? No. But they fit! And hold together! And They will be very comfortable under dresses, higher-waist skirts and leggings, which is exactly why I wanted to make them in the first place! And I can use what I learned on this pair to make the next even better! Speaking of that, next time I may try making the center panel out of a woven fabric cut on the bias. Maybe something silky and floral. But that's for another day...

thoughts on sew-a-longs?

Hey readers! So I've seen a few of my favorite bloggers post that they will be participating in the By Hand London Georgia Dress Sew-a-long, and I'm thinking about doing the same. I've had challenges with fitted woven dresses, particularly in fitting woven dresses. Maybe it would be super helpful to have the pattern designer step-by-step me (and many others) through every step of the process, from fabric selections to alterations and finishing touches. And it would also force me to slow down in my construction.

So what are your thoughts on sew-alongs? Have you ever done one? Will you be doing this one?

first make of 2014 - lola dress by victory patterns

I know I haven't finished my Top 5's of 2013... but didn't want to wait to show you my first sewing project of the new year, Victory Patterns Lola dress!

 

I had picked up some medium-weight, heather grey sweatshirt fabric at a surplus/salvage store for something around $3/yard. Looking at the opposite side, I suspect it's some kind of performance fabric. It washed great, and I still have 1 1/2 or so for another project! I also had plenty of matching grey ribbing in my stash from a Fabric.com sale.

 

The Lola pattern is a casual sweatshirt dress, with princess seaming, raglan sleeves and a hi-lo waistline that's actually quite flattering. Makes for a dress that's super cozy without being frumpy. I purchased the PDF version, which meant taping all those pages together before cutting the pattern out. That part took more time that the whole dress construction! (Or at least it seemed like it!) I made a size 8 with no alterations and it fit great, although I did accidentally loose some length at the waist because I sewed the skirt on backwards and had to cut and re-sew.... oops! 

Everything was constructed on the serger, aside from the little triangle at the neckline and the top hem of the pockets. My seams came out a little wobbly as I'm still learning my serger, but for a sweatshirt dress like this no one will notice! The pattern includes notches to line up along the princess seams and other curved seams, which I thought was a great benefit for easing those curves.

I love the raglan sleeves and princess seaming... so flattering!

I would totally recommend this pattern, and hope to make it again. And looking ahead to my  new year sewing plans, it seems that 2014 is going to be the year of the indie patterns!

How about a iPad selfie to end the post? Until later!

top 5 of 2013 - part 3: goals for the new year

 

Today's Top 5 of 2013 is Goals for the New Year, and what would be a more appropriate day to post it than today?  I've come so far in my sewing skills in 2013, but still have more I can learn!

#1 - Pants

This means real, wearable-outside-of-the-house pants. Not pajama pants. Leggings would be great to make, but the goal is actual pants. I attempted McCalls 6707 last February.... which ended in a ball of fabric and pins in my sewing drawer.  Gillian of Crafting a Rainbow suggested I try pants from the Austrailian pattern company styleARC. Gillian has made a lot of great versions of the Elle pant (check her makes out!), so I'm leaning towards that pattern for my 2014 pants goal, and may even splurge for the shipping on the suggested Stretch Bengaline fabric.

http://www.stylearc.com.au/stylearc/index.php?page=shop.product_details&flypage=flypage.tpl&product_id=404&category_id=2&keyword=elle&option=com_virtuemart&Itemid=42

http://www.stylearc.com.au/stylearc/index.php?page=shop.product_details&category_id=31&flypage=flypage.tpl&product_id=587&option=com_virtuemart&Itemid=47

#2 - Swimsuit

I've made a bikini a number of years ago using Kwik Sew 3330. I love the flirty mid-rise bottoms... but alas, I'm not quite comfortable in a bikini at the moment. 

I loved seeing everyone's Bombshell Swimsuit by Closet Case Files, but prefer a more traditional bottom so I'm making a Bombshell-inspired tankini! I'd planned on making this last summer, and already have the fabric and made a mock-up of the top using Kwik Sew 3761. This year, it's so happening!

#3 - Underwear

I've attempted the free pattern from So Zo.. What do you know?, with not yet great success. But what I really want to make are The Ginger Body Suit and Separates by Ohhh Lulu. I need some fabulous foundations for my 2014 makes!

#4 - Coat/Jacket

I have yet to decided what pattern to make, but I WILL be making a coat or jack for Winter 2014/2015. (Want some inspiration? Check out this awesome tailored coat by Male Pattern Boldness.)

#5 - While I'd love to use my last goal for making an amazing Sewaholic Cambie Dress (which I WILL make, and I have a feeling will become my new go-to dress pattern), I instead want to use this spot to make a goal to teach. I have had a few folks that have expressed interest in learning, and I know I am a great teacher, so in 2014 I'm going to be offering some informal 1-on-1 sewing lessons. I'm really excited about this possibility (and at the very least it will encourage me to keep my sewing room fairly neat)!

So.. what are some of your 2014 goals? 

top 5 pf 2013 - part 2: misses

This year has been about learning, both in technique and personal style. Here are some of the not-so-successful garments:

#1 - pants

Doesn't that pattern look like a perfectly on-trend-yet-timeless pair of black pants? Thing were going so well, too.... I got the pocket and fly to look fab and altered the waistband  for a more contoured/comfortable rise. But the legs... I didn't even know you could have diaper knee! (You know, when the garment hangs and looks like you could have a wet diaper... except around the knee!) I tried and tried... and got very frustrated and threw it in the bottom of my sewing drawer with the pins still in and everything. That was February... and it's still there. I probably should have picked and easier-to-fit pattern for my first pair of pants. That side panel made fitting more challenging than in needed to be. Not only is this a fail because it's wadded up in my drawer, but also because it hurt my sewing self-esteem and mojo. I know now I was trying something too advanced for my budding skills. I should pull that wadder out and try again.

 #2 - McCalls 6503

Here is another case of major fitting frustrations leading to lack of desire to finish.  You can read more about my issues here, but I can tell you I pulled apart that (beautifully constructed!) bodice way too many times and it still doesn't fit right. It's currently pinned up to my cork board so that I will hopefully regain some desire to finish it.

 

#3 - bridesmaid's dress for my brother's wedding

I had such high hopes for this pattern and was SOOOO frustrated by the results! I didn't even take a picture before cutting the bodice apart.  I was using Butterick 5750, and so excited by this pattern that I actually paid FULL PRICE instead of finding an alternative in the sale patterns. I had tracked down the perfect, sheer modal jersey (more money that I had spent of fabric thus far!) to make if soft and comfy. After I had it assembled and tried it one... it made me look like a blimp! I probably should have sized down more to accommodate the stretch in the jersey, and saved all the cut-up pieces should I even want to look at it agian (yikes, I'm seeing a pattern here....). I ended up buying a lovely J. Crew dress at a consignment shop that worked just fine, but I soooooo wanted this one to work!

#4 - underwear

I love the idea of making my own underthings! What a great way to use up leftover pieces of jersey? So far I have only attempted So Zo... what do you know?'s free pattern. The looked great once together on my sewing table, but did not fit great on my body. The panties didn't come close to covering, and while the cami fit it was no way comfortable. At least my dress form can wear it!

 

#5 - Butterick 5885

I love this dress! I did a great job putting it together, the fit is amazing, I love the print.... yet I new wear it! It's not really a casual dress, but not quite fancy enough to dress up, and I never figured out how to style it for work. So this is on my list for not making it into my wardrobe, despite being an amazing piece! After realizing that, this piece taught me to be more thoughtful when selecting projects to ensure that it's something that will work for my lifestyle and personal style. Do you even make pieces like this? Fabulous ones that for some reason you just don't wear? It's really a great piece, though. I'm going to have to revisit it and reconsider how to style it to fit my life.

 

more presents!

After a lovely Christmas with my family, we traveled to visit Mr. Sew Rachel's mother, my MIL. This year she re-did he kitchen, and it's really lovely, so I thought a brand new kitchen needed a brand new apron! I had found these fun, photo-realistic vegetable print cottons earlier in the year, and used two of the prints to make a reversible apron (using a no-number Wal-Mart Simplicity pattern) . Lots of lovely top-stitching makes this apron look extra nice, and after everything was constructed and ironed I sewed one pocked to each side, so that when wearing there is always a pocket on your right. I think this will also help keep the layers together when washing, just as the stitching on a quilt does.

 Tomatoes and lettuce!

Pocket on the right, stitching from reverse side pocket on the left to hold the layers together.

I love nice rows of top-stiching!

Even the ties are double sided!

I just love this veggie-print cotton, so I also made some reversible tote bags using a tutorial by Handmade Jane (and it's a fabulous one! Go check it out!), only with cotton webbing handles instead of self-made fabric ones. I made one for my MIL to match her tomato/lettuce apron, and mailed a cabbage/broccoli one to Mr. Sew Rachel's sister and her husband in California.

I had also made one earlier this month to include in a package to Mr. Sew Rachel's aunt in New York City, this time instead of stitching the handles into the top seam, I sewed webbing all the way down the exterior fabric... just 'cause I like that look! I used a plain canvas for one side and....

That canvas just would not iron smooth around the webbing stitching!

... sexy NYC fireman for the other! (Remember them from my Christmas post?) I think she's going to love it!

top 5 of 2013 - part 1: hits!

 

I was just beginning my sewing/blogging odyssey this time last year and LOVED reading all these fabulous sewing blogger's Top 5's of 2012. The Top 5 was started by Gillian over at Crafting a Rainbow, and this year I'm so excited to be doing my own lists!

Over the next couple of weeks, I'll be reflecting and blogging about:

• Top 5 Hits: Favourite creations, most worn or most loved.
• Top 5 Misses: Sewing fails, UFOs, worn once, or complete disasters.
• Top 5 Reflections: What did you learn about myself or sewing this year? 
• Top 5 Inspirations: What books, people, blogs, trends etc motivated me this year?
• Top 5 Goals for the New Year.

So let the lists begin with Top 5 Hits of 2013. And this list was actually really hard to narrow down my favorite makes this year, but I'll give it a go! So in no particular order....

#1 - Maxi-skirts

I always assumed that someone 5' tall was too short to wear a maxi-skirt... but this year I decided to give it a go with an inexpensive piece of grey jersey and discovered I LOVE MAXI-SKIRTS! They actually make me look taller, they are super comfy, AND I don't have to shave my legs to wear them! That grey maxi-skirt was probably the most-worn handmade item of 2013, and in the top 5 most-worn in my entire wardrobe. I also made a pink print version and a sheer, teal, floral maxi which both got a lot of wear. On the other had, my very early red skirt shrunk in the wash so that got cropped to knee-length, and the blue floral maxi for fall just hasn't found it's way into regular rotation. 

#2 - Sewing with Knits

Definitely a recurring theme in 2013. I learned from Craftsy.com's "Sewing with Knits" by Meg McElwee (totally worth every penny!) that knits are not scary to sew with, and in fact I believe are easier that woven fabrics! No fussy fitting to a petite frame. No need to finish seams since knit fabrics don't unravel (although finishing on the serger makes such a nice, polished look). So many of my most successful garments this year were knits, not that there weren't any knit flops. 

Aside from the before-mentioned maxis, some of my favorite knit garments include:

the lace McCalls 6614 and striped cardigan 

my purple lace skirt

the teal, polka-dot, Macy's-inspired tank

the three hour, partially self-drafted dress

my Renfrew Christmas sweater

Mr. Sew Rachel's pajamas

my sister's black McCalls 6796

#3 - Totes

I have had some great success this year with bags made from online tutorials! This totally surprised me as I started 2013 with no interest in bag-making. I use my pleather purse every day, and love the larger versions I made for my mother and sister. The little boat tote for my brother's wife was also a big success, and keep posted for some awesome yet-to-be-revealed bags made from Handmade Jane's tutorial.

#4 - Infinity Scarfs

What a fabulous, fun, simple project that is the perfect 2013 accessory! Use my instructions for a serger scarf here, or Simplicity also has a great, free tutorial.

I had made even more as gifts this year, but forgot to photograph them before I wrapped them. I also made a successful knitted one!

#5 - Finding Style

I want to end with what I'm deciding is the most successful piece I made in 2013, my bright, rayon (I think) McCalls 6751. Yes, it's in part because I learned to sew amazing curved, narrow hems, and made lovely french seams, and because it was the nicest fabric I'd sewn with at that point, and because it was a perfect meld of pattern and print. But also, a big part of why I started this sewing adventure was about finding my own style. This top exemplified a perfect balance between making something that fits into my current wardrobe, while still allowing me to push my style into new and exciting territory; into a direction that reflects what I want my style to be. Finding how to best reflect yourself through your own handmade, one-of-a-kind clothing is an amazing feeling, and that's why I've chosen to end this post with this garment. It's a benchmark for all future makes in that regard.

I hope I've shared a little inspiration with you! What are some of your 2013 sewing successes?