Simplicity 5581

This is what I have to show for kids clothing week 2013 - Simplicity 5581 cargo shorts for Mr K. They do say measure twice, cut once but I was flat being able to wrap a tape measure around him once and then I got it wrong. There is no way that these will fit him just yet, but then again there is nothing wrong in sewing ahead and he can try them again at the end of the year.

I just love this drill fabric purchased from Spotlight (on sale).  It is classic boy style.  My pattern review can be found here. 

I love the style of the shorts although they have a faced waistband (no elastic) so may better fit a boy perhaps not so 'bean-like'. I love all the pockets, although they did take some time to sew and I think these shorts would look great in mixed prints rather than the one print where it all tends to blend into each other.

This pattern also includes grown-up sizes although I'm not sure if I'm quite ready to get into menswear sewing!
Front


I think I need more practice on sewing a front fly zipper.

More pics
back


I think it would look better with another back pocket.

side pocket

Make this look - Verily Cowl Neck Dress

I just may have picked up this pattern on the weekend. Vogue patterns were on sale and I couldn't resist!  This pattern was awarded one of the best patterns of 2011 by PatternReview.com and has a long list of great reviews. Some versions included added sleeves and a tunic or blouse version.  I think this will be an easy to sew, easy to wear dress and I love the Verily ready-to-wear version in a black and white print. Some style with a belt and a jacket. Another DKNY basic I look forward to adding to my wardrobe.

Brownie-Goose Henry Pants

I've been waiting for the right moment to get a modelled photo of K wearing his new pants. But it has been rain, rain, rain here so I'll catch up with this a little down the track, and also when it is not so warm here. There there hasn't been much opportunity to wear long pants (and we have been spending alot of time at home too).

The suspenders won me over for this pattern - The Henry Pants by Brownie-Goose but in the end I left them off.  They aren't really Mr K's style.

 

The welted pocket though is a LOVE! It was so easy to do and adds a professional-looking touch. Great for the boys.There is a flare down the bottom of the pants but once on it doesn't look so extreme.  All in all these were easy to sew but next time I think I'll add a fake fly to the front. I made the size five but next time I might make a size six and shorten the length. 


 

There is a pocket down near the bottom hem.


The back view


I'll be back with other photos showing them in action a little down the track. 

Pattern: Brown-Goose Henry Pants
Fabric: Cotton main, cotton pocket and welt. Both gifted to me by friends. 

That cheeky Jordy!

It is so wet outside, and the rain is predicted to continue for days so I thought I would go ahead anyway and show a work-in-progress photo (pardon the face I think he was pretending to be a dog sniffing) of the little vest I have nearly finished for Jordan.

The pattern is called "That cheeky Kea!" and like my favourite patterns is knitted on circular needles. With this one I have a love-hate relationship with the pockets. I found it fiddly to do them and I hate fiddly! I also wish that I had knitted a size up as even though I added a little more length, I think it could do with a bit more.

The yarn is Bendigo Wool 10ply hand dyed by a lady on Ravelry.  The colour is called "Buzz" and is very colourful! I have finished the pockets now and they are in a purple colour and once the wear warms up I will block it and add the green buttons. I'll come back with a photo of the finished product then (perhaps in a week or so..).

Emaline skirt - sewing for self Part 2

  
This skirt is one of those where the fabric can really make it "sing". A simple design and construction it is a great classic design that can be dressed up or down. I learnt a lesson though about how to store fabric as this gorgeous linen was washed and then folded for storage (where it sat for about two years *gulp*) and when I unfolded it to cut I found fold lines down either side. I tried vinegar, soaking, ironing with brown paper. While the lines faded a bit, they didn't go away completely. A little line down the back of the skirt I could live with but a line down the front I found 'distracting'. My workaround was to fussy-cut the animals and create a small panel to run down the front.  Nobody ever questions why it is there and I usually get a comment or two about this skirt - it certainly is an original! I purchased the fabric from a local quilting/sewing store at their annual sale. I'd love to pick up more one day (and use it more quickly)!

The blouse is from a Lisette pattern and you can find the details are couple of posts back.

 

Pattern Description: An innovative redesign of the  popular Emily skirt by Serendipity Studio. A-line easy to sew with three different skirt options with easy to read pattern markings and hand illustrated instructions. This skirt is designed with a small amount of ease that fits just below the waist to be extra comfortable as well as complimentary to every figure. The pattern includes instructions for all variations along with alteration and fitting tips to produce a flattering fit for all sizes and body types. Embellishment options offerred .

Pattern Sizing:XXS - XXL. I made a medium.

Did it look like the photo/drawing on the pattern envelope once you were done sewing with it? Yes

Were the instructions easy to follow? Yes and there are also instructions with photos on Serendipity's website for sewing an invisible zipper. 

What did you particularly like or dislike about the pattern? Easy to sew and lots of options

Fabric Used:  Echnio fabric purchased on sale

Pattern alterations or any design changes you made: None

Would you sew it again? Would you recommend it to others?  Yes I would love to sew it again, perhaps with a better fit (add in a little ease around the hips) as I think it could do with a little extra there.  A great A-line skirt pattern. I will be really using my block from my Voodoo Rabbit skirt drafting class as a guide for future versions to get the fit better to suit my body.

Make this look Monday - French Connection Jacket

Make this look Monday - French Connection Jacket by susan-smith-i featuring french connection

French connection
usa.frenchconnection.com

Cynthia rowley
simplicity.com

Cynthia rowley
sewing.patternreview.com



Voted one of the Best Patterns in 2011 by Patternreview.com, the jacket in this Cynthia Rowley could easily be mistaken for a current season jacket by French Connection (USA).  The jacket is unlined and I love the multi-pocket look although it would require a little patience to sew to get nice smooth and even corners on the pockets. Reviews say it is, "worth the effort". A nice look over a dress.  

Simplicity 2211 Lisette blouse - welcome back to sewing for self

This is one of those projects that you make a while ago but finally get around to photograph and share. I think I even made this before the Vogue dress blogged earlier last year.

My husband said I was posing like a model when he took the photos LOL! Although I don't think models come with double chins....

A couple of lessons learnt though with the sewing so I'll write them up in the pattern reviews. I'll start with the blouse.



Blouse - Simplicity 2211


Pattern Description: Misses blouse pattern, Simplicity 2211
Lisette Sew your style pattern with short sleeves and fake front placket.

Pattern Sizing: I cut a size 12

Did it look like the photo/drawing on the pattern envelope once you were done sewing with it? Yes I think so although my choice of fabric could have been better.

Were the instructions easy to follow? I had no problem at all with the instructions.

What did you particularly like or dislike about the pattern? I think it is a cute pattern on other people but I don't think it is the right pattern style for me. 

Fabric Used: Quilter's cotton. I wanted a colour to match the skirt and this was the only fabric I could find in Spotlight.

Pattern alterations or any design changes you made: I made quite few. Firstly, a full bust adjustment. I had trouble fitting the neckline and shoulders/back so maybe I should have gone down another size and made a larger FBA. It seemed to fit ok when I made up a muslin, perhaps it was the difference in the drape of the fabric between the muslin and final version. As I had to go with the size 12 I had cut, I put darts in the back neckline to reduce the neck gap. I adjusted for sloping shoulders. The shoulder/sleeve line was also in the wrong position for me so I sewed in little pleats which are hardly noticeable to bring it up further onto the shoulder line (thanks to an online sewing friend Margo for the tip). Please ignore the dodgy sewing....
 

To show you that sewing for yourself is sometimes a journey, here is the blouse before I adjusted the neckline and shoulders.


I originally extended the length but someone that was lost in translation so after I had worn it a few times I decided to go back and sew on a bottom band as I like that extra length to tuck in. I think adding extra length is a must for this pattern. I also added to the armband (the pattern was a bit tight) like others who have sewn before me.

Would you sew it again? Would you recommend it to others? No, I won't be sewing this again. It is a cute pattern but I think looks better on a different body shape. A few others like this pattern so have a look through the other pattern reviews before making up your own mind.

Conclusion: Cute style, but not for me.  This was my first attempt at sewing for me after a long break so I think I did ok.