White Denim Jacket...I did it, I did it!

Jacket Express #218; Islander Sewing Systems.  White denim fabric

It's the second jacket I've sewn, using the same pattern as the last, but this time in a white, non-stretch denim fabric.  I like it!

Jacket Express #218; Islander Sewing Systems

Most recent project: Islander Sewing Systems Jacket Express pattern #218. Fabric: Dark magenta/natural animal print, cotton/lycra slubbed bottom weight fabric, which I had purchased online for $2.99/yd some time ago and, until I tried it on this jacket, I had no idea what to do with this wild print.  I had purchased a class through Craftsy.com, "Sew Better, Sew Faster/Garment Industry Secrets," by Instructor Janet Pray (the jacket pattern came with the class). I think the pattern and the fabric turned out to be a good match. By following the written pattern instruction booklet and with the Craftsy video instruction as a guideline, I got good results. In fact, this has turned out to be one of my favorite sewing projects to date. A fun project, I plan to make another jacket, next time in white denim.

Room for improvement

Can she sew? Yes, but Christine, take a  note.  In 2018, shall we plan better? Still chasing that wearable, artsy wardrobe, says me.

It's a bag...and I'm all over the place

Come November, my mindset switched direction, thinking of soft quilty things as well as gifts to knit and sew for the holiday season. I will set aside garment sewing until after the holidays...that is, with the exception of the warm sweater that I promised to sew for hubby, and also a nice knit top to wear for Christmas...something like that. Digging through, while organizing my closet-full of fabrics, I came across a half-finished project which, until two days ago, amounted to only a couple of rows of charm squares sewn together. Pictured: It's a bag! Just have to pop in the lining and I'm done with this one. See the little embroidered face? I did that and only note it because...well, I love that face : )

front side

back side

Just a note...

Super excited to work on independent designer patterns. First, sizing is pretty much spot-on, thus fit is good. Downloading, piecing together patterns and then tracing onto tissue paper; time consuming but not difficult; I have not yet been disappointed. The results are what I hope for in that continual search for an artsy, wearable wardrobe. One of my latest, favorite websites is https://indiesew.com/. Also, I'm a member of https://sewing.patternreview.com/. When browsing/shopping for patterns these days, these are the sites that I often visit.

About Goldie's Bowl: Thoughts to share therein; inquiring minds want to know; that kind of thing...lol. I see you, can you see me?  

eTee - The Sewing Workshop

Purchased the download-only, "e-Tee" pattern from The Sewing Workshop a while ago.  Here are two tees that I've made to date.  Wish I could get my hands on some quality knit fabric for tshirts; with a little more weight, a little more stretch.  Next time, I will lengthen the sleeve just a wee bit.  Otherwise this is a reliable pattern for a casual tshirt; quick and easy to sew.

Grainline Driftless Cardigan

Grainline Driftless Cardigan

Grainline's Driftless Cardigan pattern is simply fabulous; one of my favorites to date.  Purchased this pattern as a PDF download; the fabric is a lightweight thermal knit.  I love the results.  It's comfortable, travels well, very wearable and, for me, was quick and easy to sew.  Having a serger made for finished seams that hold up well in the wash.  I'll be making more of these cardigans, that's for sure.

Busy sewing this and that...

Been sewing more things than I have posted.  These tops are both sewn using lawn fabric, which have worn well in hot weather.  It's that same pattern, Simplicity 1694...my "go to" shirt pattern, quick and easy to sew, with good results.  Took them with me on a trip to North Carolina where the weather was warm and slightly humid; pleased to note my shirts held up and did not wilt.

Vogue 9171 #MarcyTilton

Second time I've used Vogue 9171, #MarcyTilton. First time, it was a solid aubergine, linen-like fabric. This time, I used a lawn print fabric purchased on sale from www.marcytilton.com. While both versions have appeal, I prefer the soft feel of this light-as-a-feather printed fabric, even though this gauze-like, textured fabric required careful handling while cutting and sewing.

Simplicity 1694; Another Shirt

Most recent shirt just finished; I'm on a sewing roll again. This fabric is a breezy semi-sheer cotton, good in warm weather despite its dark color. Simplicity 1694 is a pattern I've had for a while. In fact, this is the second shirt I've made. The nice thing about this lightweight cotton fabric? The collar band and collar were so easy to handle, with so little bulk to deal with.

Chloe's Custom Fit - Grandma's Panty Factory

At age 7-1/2, my granddaughter has experienced problems in trying to find ready-to-wear underwear that fit properly, serious business in my book. She's somewhere in between a size 6 and 8 off the rack, too small at one end of the size spectrum and way too big at the other end. "This won't do," I said to my girlie. I already had a class stashed in my www.craftsy.com library, "Sewing Panties - Construction and Fit" taught by Beverly Johnson. Following class guidelines, I was able to create a custom-size child's pattern with no problem at all. After sewing up a sample and with only a couple of minor adjustments, I had a perfect-fitting, master pattern for this dear girlie of mine. "These are so comfortable, Grandma!" she exclaimed. I am so very happy to oblige and will be sending along a batch of undies which I know she will love. We laughed as I teased that grandma had a mission and that Grandma's Panty Factory was now in action. Fabric of choice: cotton/lycra jersey with about 30% crosswise stretch.

Butterick 6330; summer dress

Picked up this cotton knit fabric from downtown Los Angeles fabric/garment district which we visited on June 17, 2017. I chose Butterick 6330 from my pattern stash to make this simple summer dress. This knit fabric is lightweight and has very little stretch.  I paid particular attention to matching the stripes and placing the sequence of the print just so. There are no pattern facings but instead, the raw edges of the neck and armholes are turned under and then stitched. I included side pockets and, overall, the dress turned out nicely.

McCalls 7100, Bomber Jacket #2

Bomber Jacket...me in it

This pattern, McCalls 7100 is the bomb.  You can easily add a lining, but I have not lined either of the two jackets I have sewn. Lining the jacket is a good way to enclose messy seams; keeping it unlined makes me pay attention to neat and tidy finishes. I have read that scuba knit fabric does not breathe, so I will think about wearing this jacket on cooler days.

McCalls 7100; Bomber Jacket #2 in the making

#2 in the making

Jacket #1

After finishing #1 of this Bomber Jacket pattern, I am working on another one; fabric choice Nicole Miller scuba knit fabric, purchased from JoAnn's. This time playing with color and fabric choice. To successfully stitch on this fabric, had to switch to Schmetz stretch needle 75/11, as well as a wider stitch width (3.5); otherwise machine was skipping stitches like crazy. I think this "splashy color" jacket will be "the bomb" when it's done.

McCalls 7100; Bomber Jacket Sew-Along; all done!

Here's my Bomber Jacket, McCalls 7100, completed.  Mine is cut in a size Medium.  I used 3/8" seams instead of 5/8" on the side and sleeve seams, to gain .  Neck, cuffs and bottom band attachments were sewn with regular 5/8" seams.  I made usual adjustments, shortening body and sleeve lengths by about 1".  Such a fun project.  I'll be making more.

McCall's 7100 Bomber Jacket Sew-Along; work in progress

McCall's Bomber Jacket Sew-Along, using McCall's #7100; I signed up, yes I did! Would not normally have thought to sew a Bomber Jacket, but sew-alongs have always piqued my curiosity. I tend to go it alone, but fellowship among like-minded persons with a passion for all things sewing is a fabulous, heartwarming thing. My jacket is currently a work-in-progress. I'm waiting on a metallic-silver separating zipper which I had to order online; thus, a short breather until that zipper arrives. I love everything about this metallic-coated fabric which I got at Joann's with a 50% off coupon. Subtle sparkle on the outside, soft dusty rose color on the inside, this fabric drapes softly, dare I say "a buttery feel;" easy to handle, both in cutting and sewing. I chose not to line my jacket; this pattern does not call for a lining, and I took my cue from that. I have been very careful, using a serger as well as pinking shears to finish the seams. I will say that next time, I'd consider working on a light jacket lining, which would hide all those interior seams; a clean finish and less work in the long run. Note to myself: I cut a Size M, with a 41" finished garment measurement around the bust.  Size L (45" finished measurement around the bust) would have been too big for the fit I was looking for. To provide extra inches without going up a size, I used 3/8" seams instead of 5/8", which brought me to a 43" measurement. The fit is good.

Cuff detail

Pocket welt detail

New Look 6414; Lacy Sleeve Top

I've been on a sewing roll these past weeks. The kind of patterns I pick are mostly quick to sew and I average about one garment every couple of days at this pace. I'm working on whittling away at my stash of fabric, so that I can re-stock...buy more that is. Lately, a lot of patterns feature the use of lace which creates a very feminine touch. I picked View D from New Look 6414, a short-sleeve, V-neck top, that flares softly to the hemline, with contrasting lace fabric at the shoulder and sleeve. 

Butterick 5922; Sleeveless Knit Top

Butterick 5922; View A

I wanted to practice sewing a Peter Pan collar. Butterick 5922, View A, was what I was looking for, a simple sleeveless top with the kind of collar I wanted. There is a good go-to tutorial that provides information on how to sew a Peter Pan collar with a more professional finish. Thank you,
Sure Fit Designs: http://www.sfdlearningcenter.com/Peter_Pan_Collar_Instructions.pdf. Your instruction worked for me and my collar turned out nicely. I used an inexpensive cotton knit (not much stretch) that I had in my stash; I don't even remember where or when I purchased this fabric, it's been that long ago.

McCalls 7314; getting dressed

First of a bunch of dresses I'm making to wear at home and for running errands around town. Dedicated sewing, one full day, to complete this dress, after pre-washing and cutting fabric.

Jennifer George Top; Vogue Attitudes #1600

Initially, I had intended to use this Nicole Miller polyester twill, tropical parrot print fabric to make a bomber jacket. I'm currently participating in the McCall's Bomber Jacket Sew-a-long. The accompanying black twill fabric that I purchased for the sleeves of the jacket turned out to be stiffer and did not have the drape that the jacket calls for, so I scraped that idea. Decided to use the parrot print while it was still fresh on my table, so I dug into my pattern stash and came up with a vintage pattern, Vogue Attitudes #1600, by American Designer Jennifer George. Sleeveless, lined, cropped to the waist, fitted darts in the front and back, I'm pleased with the results. The Nicole Miller fabrics found at JoAnn's is a good line, decent quality at a fair price. I'll be going back for more.