How I Spent my Bonus Day Off

First I cut Simplicity 3774 out of the brown fabric. I has pink and cream polka dots about the size of quarters. I'm using the wrong side as the right side for this dress. Also, I'm making the full skirted, darted bodice, caped sleeve version. Since I made this once last summer in a nice cotton (I looked and can't find the pictures!) I decided to line this poly version with muslin. It should give it the body that the dress requires that the poly doesn't have on it's own. I'm also planning on trimming out the midriff band with an off-white bias trim. If I have enough, I'll also put the same bias trim on the neckline and sleeve hems. Since I wasn't so happy with how the bodice darts turned out last time, this time I'm planning on gathering the top into the midriff band. I had barely enough fabric to cut out top B from Butterick 4996. I really like this little top. I have 2 other pieces of fabric destined to become it. However, this one will be a muslin of sorts. Next, it was onto Butterick 4980. I'm making the View A jacket. Only I will be lining it. The fabric is a fairly heavy pink home-dec piece. I'm making the open version to wear over the polka dot dress and I plan on lining the entire thing. I'm sleeping with the Taunton book on linings to figure out what I need to do. I have everything cut out, except the linings. Which I will work on Thursday evening. Tomorrow is knitting. Both my 'good' sewing machine and my serger are going to be serviced this weekend. So my back-up machine and I will be finishing the living room curtains. (Aren't y'all sick of hearing about them?) So, slowly, I am working my way through the newest projects. Hopefully I haven't jinxed myself by cutting out too much. I used to be a mass cutter and then sit and sew - but lately, I do much better with one or two things at a time.

Muslin Done!

Finally I have finished the muslin for the Simplicity jumper. Other than the changes I already made - cutting a size 14 through the shoulders to a 16 at the underbust seam, then I tapered out even farther at the hips.

I moved the zipper to the left side seam. So fabric allowing I will attempt to cut the front and back pieces on the fold rather than have a seam down the center of both pieces.

I have a powder blue lining and will line the entire jumper rather than just the bodice. I think it gives a much nicer look and feel to a dress. I plan on just taking tucks in the skirt lining rather than putting in the darts. Hopefully, I can make it back downstairs after dinner tonight to get started cutting the parts and pieces out.

I have the next dress starting to play out in my head. Remember this fabric? I finally decided on a pattern for it. It will become Simplicity 3774. I plan on making a lined pink jacket out of Butterick 4980 to go with it.

So, here are the elements for the next two garments in the lineup. The polka dot dress which will be full skirted and either short sleeves or sleeveless. The pink is for the jacket and the white to line the jacket. I think for this first try at lining a jacket I will leave the pattern as is - no closures. Will keep you posted.