Happy Thanksgiving

As we enter into the holiday season, I am reminded how lucky I am.

 

 

I have 2 healthy, responsible girls.

I have 2 healthy elder dogs.

 

I have a good job that I'm really, really enjoying.

I have good friends.

My husband loves me.

 

I am able to make things.

We have enough.

 

I am thankful for each of you that read my blog

and take the time to comment and give suggestions.

 

Happy Thanksgiving to you all.

BHL Anna

I'm always far, far behind the cool kids in the sewing blogging world.  The first By Hand London Anna dress that I saw had me gasping.  Of course, Lizzy is a little wisp of a thing and I am not - so I didn't buy the pattern.  Then, I saw Karen's first Anna, followed quickly by her second, and then another favorite blogger made a spotty one and I was sold.  Add to that all the variations of Anna that Roisin has made and I had to have it.  (I might have also bought the Elisalex pattern).

I then decided to make this my November make for Make a Garment a Month.  Of course, early in November I made some easy dresses - that have been worn and photographed but not blogged.  I started by tracing the pattern and made a muslin.  I decided that I needed to add a smidge to the hips and started looking for some fabric to make this with.  I also had to lower the bust tucks by 1/2".  And I took a 1" sway back adjustment at the upper back ala Nancy Zieman.  The waist seam feels like it falls in a good place and doesn't need to be moved at all. 

I found a lovely paisley cotton and set about cutting out a dress.  Imagine my disappointment when there wasn't enough fabric for a dress.  So, instead - I made Anna into a top.  And honestly - I'm glad I did.  I think the center back panels need to be straightened slightly on the center back.  All of the skirt panel pieces are shaped like triangles - flaring toward the floor, but at the center back it's getting a weird flare that I don't care for. 

 Oh - I was totally mixing prints in this outfit too.  Not that you can tell, but the skirt is brown pinstriped.

Wearing the top all day and looking at the photos, I think the 'smidge' that I added (1/4" on all skirt seams - 14 seams in all added 3.5") might have been a bit too much.  I have already cut a dress out - but I think I'll take the 1/4" addition off the center front and leave it everywhere else - as well as straighten that center back seam.

So - what do you think?  Do you love Anna?  Have you jumped on the By Hand London bandwagon? 


My photographer has been listening to Carolyn and telling me to act like a runway model and stand up straight.  of course he always snaps the photo when I'm goofing off. 


For the record - the arms look tight in this photo, but they are not.  They are lose and I have full range of motion with no binding anywhere. 

I felt cute and sassy most of the day.  But I think this top/dress might have the ability to look 'maternity'.  I'm hoping taking that smidge back out of the center front panels will help alleviate that. 

I might have to consult with Lynne's Fashion Consultant because when I see these photos I feel dumpy and that's not how I want to feel. 

Enough blabbering.  Happy Holidays Everyone! 

Winner - Sharing the Love

Lisa had a give away to celebrate 8 years of blogging.

and I won!

 

Those 8 patterns arrived at my house.

Lisa said, you could keep 1, none, or all of them.



 

 

I'm keeping this Butterick 5760 Wardrobe pattern.

Love the cardigan and the shirtdress.

We all know I have a problem with shirtdresses.

 

I'm also keeping this Simplicity 2152.

I think this skirt will be a good one to try with Cynthia Guffy's skirt fitting class.

Plus  I think it will actually work well with my body shape.

 

 

To the remaining 6 patterns from Lisa - I added a whole bunch of my own.

68 in fact.

I have a bunch of vintage patterns that a work friend gave to me.

I'm never going to make anything with them.

 

Each group of patterns contains 1 from Lisa.

 

Some Vintage.

 

Some current.

 

There are skirts, pants, tops, wardrobe patterns

 

Each stack of 12 patterns contains at least 1 large envelope vogue. 

 

No choices.

 

Rather than have a contest and say you must follow me.

Say you must have an active blog. 

I'm going to give one stack of patterns to the first 6 people who comment and say they want one.

The only qualifier - I must be able to contact you somehow

an email or a link back to your blog.

As soon as all 6 are gone - they are gone.

I will ship anywhere.