Thank You, Thank You!

There were some absolutely wonderful comments in response to my Begging post. I hope the answers give Jessica the courage to start making herself some cute summer skirts and then taking off from there! I have actually been sewing this week. I'm working on V8063 from the pink print I got at Expo from Billie's Fabrics. Last Saturday I had the muslin ready to go and had my ASG group help with some fitting issues. I needed to take it in a bit at the side seams through the bodice and let it out just a smidge on the back only - through the hips. It's funny how different fitting issues will give the same problem. I thought at first glance that I needed to do a swayback adjustment and shorten the back bodice piece through the center because I was getting horizontal wrinkles at the waist. The group opinion was that there wasn't enough room through the hips for the skirt to fall and I needed to add just a bit through the hips to stop the wrinkling. Thank goodness for the eyes of others! I have the bodice almost complete (one more armhole to handstitch) and I'm hoping to attach the skirt tonight. Next up is this fabulous print that I got at Vogue Fabrics. Again - I have a muslin of the dress done - this will be Simplicity 3877 - View A - the shorter length, but I think I'm going to have long sleeves. With the dark, rich colors in this print - this dress will work from Fall clear through the Spring. I'm a little disappointed that it isn't really a wrap - but I'll get over that. At least it will stay closed - which is always a good thing, especially when at work :) Finally - does anyone remember this fabric that I got at Hancocks? I absolutely love this fabric and it's screaming to be another multi-season dress. The problem is that I can't figure out which one! I measured the fabric again and I have darn close to three yards of 60" wide fabric. After seeing Claire's recent pattern binge, I had to get a few of the same patterns. I mean really - they were only 99 cents! I did have a project in mind - that polka-dot fabric. So this is what I got and what I think about using the polka-dot fabric for each dress. This is always where I'm looking for opinions - so let's hear them :) First up is Butterick 4996 - I like the neckline on this dress, but I'm not sure about the polka-dots with this one. I think they might be a little big - also - I don't like the godets on the skirt portion of this dress. They are the really rounded ones and the seams really stand out - at least in the white fabric used on the pattern envelope. I like the idea of the top and skirt - but honestly, I don't know if I would wear them together if they were actually 2 pieces. Any thoughts about that? Next ix Butterick 4978. Again, I like the neckline on this dress - what I'm not sure about here is the bias cut skirt - the English What Not to Wear girls say that bias skirts cling to your hips and thighs - not really an area I need to make stand out more! I have enough fabric for this dress (the shorter one). But I'm not sure the fabric is a good choice for this pattern. The envelope calls for georgette, chiffon, and/or matte jersey. I have a poly. Any ideas about this one - is it a disaster waiting to happen to if I join this pattern with that fabric? The last pattern I bought is not about the dress at all, but about the Jacket. Carolyn issued a challenge to me in my comments to make a jacket. She suggested one of the lined Lois Hinse patterns - since I don't have any of those and $1 was much less expensive for a first effort than the $16 of most of her patterns - I decided this could be a great jumping off point. Also - if I could find the right fabric this jacket would be great with the polka-dot dress. So that's my plan. So, what would you all suggest that I use to fabricate this jacket and where is the best place to find it? Otherwise I'm going to end up using some sort of crap fabric from JoAnns or Hancocks and will probably never make another jacket! Happy Sewing all - hope to have projects to show soon! The Princess is coming by for dinner tonight (oh the joys of a free meal with the folks after you've moved out!). I'm hoping to get her to model the aprons that I recently finished. I'm also feeling good about having a couple of new dresses to share by the weekend.

I'm Begging You!

My Friend Jess, who is blogless but occasionally posts in comments, wants to learn to sew clothing - for herself. She is young, cute, hip, trendy, childless (although she has two dogs). Currently she is living in Kansas - which is far from where I am to help her. She knits and can follow a knitting pattern and before her hubby got his marching orders (career Army) that had them leaving California - she started quilting. We have discussed quilting and while Jess and I both love the look of it - it's too matchy-matchy for both of us. So - here's where I'm needing all your help. If you could only have one fitting book, what would it be? Does it have pictures? Is it easy to find the answer? I like Fast Fit by Sandra Betzina - but I don't like her pictures. They are always drawings and it's hard to know if that really is the problem that I'm having. How about a basic technique book? You know, the one that shows different seam finishing, talks about straightening fabric and laying pieces out "on the grain." Again, does this book have pictures? Are they clear and make sense? On the 'net who has the best helpful information. What blogs would give her helpful information - that's not too in depth, but not geared toward a total moron? I'm sure you all know what I'm getting at. Jess' birthday is around the corner and I would like to put a care package together for her. I know she'll read this entry and hopefully there will be tons of comments she can read too. Jess recently asked me in an email for an easy skirt pattern. All my favorite skirts have zippers and waistbands - maybe not the best for someone just starting out. We want success here folks! She's looking for something with an elastic waistband. So, again, what's your favorite easy skirt pattern. Something that will give sewing satisfaction so she continues to learn. Currently she's looking at making some cute summer skirts from quilting cottons. I personally like to use quilting cottons for summer skirts - they don't have to be lined, are generally quick to make, and I always feel great wearing a cute skirt that nobody else has. So - I'm begging you - please post a comment. Let me know what the one reference book is that you refer back to time and time again. The one that helps you figure out layout and the best seaming. The one that leads you toward different ways to insert elastic to get a smooth waistband. Which fitting book shows you if the bust is too tight, or how to adjust for wide hips and/or full thighs (those are my problems). I would also like to ask if you do visit and don't necessarily have a favorite, would you mind asking people to pop on over from your own blog? I want this to be a great birthday gift, something that really encourages and inspires her to move forward with this - even if she doesn't have any help locally. Thank you - I know that more of you than are listed on my sidebar links (guess I should really update those) have helped me to expand my skills, to work outside my comfort zone and to try new things. Thank you.

Expo Love

This is the first piece of fabric that I bought. I love it! I bought 3 yards and it's 45" wide. I was thinking shirtdress, but then Claire and I decided that a halter type button down dress would be better. I just happen to have Vogue 8063. Sunday night, I measured myself and preped the pattern tissue. I rarely cut the tissue, bu this time I did. I got the muslin made last night and it needs some help - I have gaping at the armholes and some funny wrinkles at the back - but my ASG meeting is Saturday and they'll help me work out the fitting issues. Next up - I found this fabulous 60" wide peachskin (but it doesn't feel like a peachskin at all) at Vogue Fabrics booth for $6.99 a yard! I bought 5 yards - because I knew it wanted to be a wrap dress - similar to the Hot Patterns Cosmopolitan Dress which is popping up here and here. However, I don't have that pattern! But I do have both Vogue 8315 and Simplicity 3877. In my opinion, the Vogue pattern is just too full but in the words of Goldilocks - I believe the Simplicity Pattern will be "just right." I plan on working on a muslin for that tonight. I'm learning toward View B, but I also want sleeves - so I have to decide if I want the cap sleeve or a long sleeve - I don't love the elbow length sleeve. Next up were these great cotton prints! The background on the diasy print is chocolate brown. The petals are white with pink centers. This is a quilting cotton. I plan on making the same Kwik Sew 3337 as my Amy Butler Skirt. However, this one will have the banding on the bottom of the skirt. In this case it will be the tiny pink with white polka-dots. It's gonna be so cute! I have this Friday off - so the agenda will include a quick Kwik Sew skirt and a white t-shirt. Which will debut at ASG on Saturday. What a fun summer skirt.

The same quilting vendor had the fabulous brown huge rick-rack! I don't have any idea what I will do with it, but I bought 2 yards. I just love it! It's so fun.

Finally - the last piece of fabric I bought was a Liz Claiborne wool (I think - burn testing may be in order). It was $3.99 a yard at Vogue Fabrics. I bought 2 yards. Now I'm wishing I bought enough to make a skirt 'suit.' Although while I was showing Claire my sewing space and fabric storage - I have at least 4 pieces in the cupboard that have enough yardage to make both a skirt and a jacket. Since I've never made a tailored jacket - maybe I should just back off! Anyway - this is sage and taupe on a cream background and will make a great straight skirt for work. I think I might have a knit or two in some or all of those colors to make coordinating tops, cardigans, twin-sets, sweaters - whatever to work with this skirt. This will be an outfit that is way more professional looking than my office has ever pretended to be - but I just dress how I'm comfortable and let them tease me for looking professional! I know I work better when I'm dressed for working :)

Okay - speaking of working - time to get ready. Hope everyone else has great sucess at their upcoming sewing Expos!