Striking Out this Summer

Blog posting has been reaaaaaly sporadic this summer, I'm sure you've noticed. Part of it was the normal aversion to standing next to an iron while it's 95 degrees outside.  Mmmm heat exhaustion. However most of it was loss of sewing mojo due to STRESS!!!

I've been a stay at home mom or mom to be for 7 years now.  My husband was on board with this plan with the caveat that I would need to return to work when our child started going to school full time. Mostly because being a one income family was something we could not sustain indefinitely.  So I went into the the summer knowing that I'd have to start hunting for jobs. Ugh. Let me tell you the dread of starting a job hunt and the depression of being the middle of one are equally draining to your creativity. It almost makes me long for the days of learning a trade... or bartering. Can you pay your mortgage in cookies? What if I threw in a chocolate cake?

Anyway we've got that stress and the normal stress about how your kid is doing in school. Desmond just made the cut off for entering kindergarten last year and I think being the youngest kid in the class is sometimes hard.  I also worry about him socializing with other kids because he's a lot like me and I was HORRIBLE at that. (I sat alone during recess for the entire 5 years of elementary school. My mother was very relieved when I went to middle school where there was no more recess.) I keep wishing there was another kooky kid who's crazy about dinosaurs so they could be best friends. They might successfully make a dinosaur hybrid that would eat us all, but it's a risk I'm willing to take.

So yeah, adulting is hard when you're not eating chocolate bars at 10 in the morning. Fortunately I did have a chocolate bar today so we can talk about the other source of my lost sewing mojo...... a string of muslins that didn't make the cut.

As someone who's been sewing for a long time I know that not every pattern is gonna be a winner on my body. But it still sucks when you have back to back projects that don't pan out.  I started to wonder if I really was any good at sewing.  Has this whole blog just been a lie?! Maybe the frog does sew all the garments after all.  On to a parade of badly lit muslins, I know you can barely contain your excitement.

First up the top half of Simplicity 3885.

OK, this doesn't look too bad from the photos.  What you can't see is that it's super tight around the neck. So tight that I couldn't button it closed like the causal lady in the sunglasses. This one is in my bust size so my own grading isn't at fault....that problem will come later.  I also found some of the construction on this pattern to be annoying which colored my impressions. The neckline issue could be fixed but frankly I liked McCall's 4265 a whole lot more and it didn't seem worth it. Bye Bye blouse, into the bin of failure you go.

Second victim, suit jacket from Hollywood 769.

This was the first size 34 bust that I graded up and my math was WRONG! This baby is about 1 size too small in everything but the length.  I've pinned that scant 1/2" overlap to give myself that pregnant look all the girls are going for these days. Sexy.  The style gets a thumbs up, but have I felt like regrading 9 pattern pieces for the second time? Nope!  This one goes in the bin of shame until the pattern grading frenzy seizes me.

Last questionable muslin of the summer, Advance 4227.

This time I was able to do basic math correctly and properly grade up the pattern.  The skirt portion gets a thumbs up, but the bodice was drafted for someone much much much bustier.

Honestly I could smuggle a pair of cantaloupes in my bra and still have extra ease. Since I'm not into shoplifting this bodice needs some serious adjustment.  Adjustment that I do not have the head space for at this time. Into the bin it goes until next summer or some perfect fabric talks me into giving it another go.

So that was my summer with the exception of one successful project that I've yet to take photos of. Hopefully I can get off my butt and do that soon before blogging summer projects seems ludicrous. Until then I hope your sewing projects are being a lot more agreeable than mine. :)

It's Baaaack - Sundress Sew-a-long

Hello all you fabric mavens out there.  We had such a good time sewing sundresses together last year that it seemed a shame if we didn't do it again. So I had my trusty sewing room helper Froggie put on his administrative hat and hash out all the details.  We are happy to announce that Sundress Sew-a-long 2015 is a go!

To keep things simple, the sew-a-long will be pretty much the same as last year. The only real change is the time frame.  "Someone" might have misremembered when we rolled out the sewing machines and frozen drinks last year. Alcohol is not responsible for that though.  The problem is that I don't read my secretary's memos....because she doesn't exist. Annnnyway, here's the skinny for this years sundress sewing palooza.

The Details

1. Sew-a-long runs from July 1st to August 31st. Feel free to start hatching plans before then.

2. Pick any pattern you want to sew. While the true definition of a sundress is a "sleeveless dress", I'm not a stickler about it. If you prefer a to wear dresses with sleeves, then choose a pattern that says "Sundress" to you.  Modern, vintage, self drafted patterns are all welcome. 

3. Join the flickr group. Post your finished garments so that we all can admire and be inspired. (The flickr group is by invite to keep the flickr creepers out. Everyone looking to actually sew something is more than welcome.)

4. Get social. For those of you hip to hash tagging you can use the tag #sundresssew15 to share your plans or progress. 

5. Wear that Badge with pride.  Grab the code below for this years sew-a-long badge. 

<div class="handmade-by-heather-b-button" style="width: 200px; margin: 0 auto;"> <a href="http://handmadebyheatherb.blogspot.com/" rel="nofollow"> <img src="http://i12.photobucket.com/albums/a223/Heather_Beckley/Smaller%20Badge_zpstlhrwddh.png" alt="Handmade By Heather B" width="200" height="175" /> </a> </div>

Now that the sew-a-long has been announced I'd better get Froggie on frozen drink duty. I know all that sewing works up a thirst. Chop, chop, margaritas for everyone. Here's to pretty dresses and summer time fun. Cheers!

Speaking of Stash Layers

Last week's blog post was really supposed to be this one, but Professor Froggie's helpful teaching aid spun me off on a "scientific" tangent.  I think that was for the best.

Lately I've been pondering over my inability to sew the "orange layers" of fabric in my stash and what to do about it. My sewing records clearly show that with the exception of Butterick 5824,  I've been sewing exclusively from layers 1 and 2 this year. I'm not surprised by this since I'm a "non-planner/SQUIRREL!" type of sewer.  The new shiny thing is usually going to draw my focus and become the next project.

This is all well and good except there are some older pieces of fabric that I'd actually like to wear. How do I trick myself into sewing those things up with it becoming a chore? Here are the possibilities I'm currently mulling.

1. Have an older stash only month of sewing.
Pros - a clear time frame might help me focus on using this fabric.
Cons - Potentially sew-jo killing if I decide that sewing old fabric sucks.

2. Make a rule that after sewing 2 projects from new fabric, I must sew 1 from old fabric.
Pros - Mixing in some newer fabrics may keep the sew-jo flowing.
Cons - Keeping track of numbers of projects is quickly going to get on my nerves. I can see myself just abandoning the system after a bit.

3. Plan a wardrobe capsule that incorporates old and new fabric.
Pros - I do like thinking up outfits and mixing stash layers might make the process more exciting.
Cons - This might be "too much planning" for a non-planner.

These are the times that I wish my personality was one who liked to follow plans! Oh well, let's just blame my parents for that and my love of carbs. (I say that knowing my own offspring can blame me for the same things.)

 Right now the wardrobe capsule sounds the most fun. I've been thinking of adding more green to my wardrobe and the deep stash has several fabrics that would work for this. Don't hold your breath though about seeing blog updates about this. SQUIRREL! ;) What I really need is a monthly general sewing theme that exactly matches my taste and old stash. Not a tall order or anything. I'm sure some minions are working on it right now. *Snort* It just so happened that all the stars did align in April by providing me with the Stashbusting Sew-a-long theme of Vibrant Color. YES! Take your pastels and shove'em where the sun don't shine. Let's get out some fabric that sear your eyeballs.

OK fine, these fabrics don't sear your eyeballs, just make them tingle a bit. Oooo minty! Both these fabrics were from Layer four labeled "Aborted plans and remnants" by our favorite sewing frog.  The top is Liberty London Lawn and was supposed to be a Scout tee. The skirt is some stretch sateen that was left over from making a Beignet. They must have been conspiring because one day they fell out of the stash cave together and I realized the colors coordinated. Yes I will make wardrobe decisions based on gravity!  That and frogs on pieces of fabric. "Sew me, rib-bit!"

Since they were both small pieces of fabric I went with my low yardage favorites, Edith and Betsy. You've seen these patterns on the blog several times so I won't bore you with repeating details, just click here if you want them. So now the 4 layer is two pieces of fabric thinner and I have a new outfit with matching shoes. If only sewing the rest of the deep stash could be so easy.

How about you guys? Do you have any tricks that get you sewing the deep stash. Tell me all about them over some cake. :)

Wardrobe Holes

I've spent most of the last week in bed thanks to the latest round of "school germs" that Desmond has so kindly shared with me. They say that sharing is caring, but the line really should have been drawn before getting to germs. It would also be helpful if my toddler would stop trying to stuff his fingers in my mouth. Love you kid but your obsession with my lipstick needs to stop.

So anyway, forced bed rest is bad for sewing/blogging/housecleaning, but it is good for planning, knitting, and watching Timothy Olypant be menacingly charming in a cowboy hat. Honestly guys, why didn't you tell me about "Justified"?   Olypant in cowboy hat, Marshalling shit up! Pretty much the perfect show for a girl that was raised on Westerns and cop movies.

While the sewing part of the Fall Essentials plan has gone to shit, Timothy/Rayland and I have been making pretty good progress on the Chickadee sweater.  Thank the lord for that or I'd be ripping my hair out right now thinking about how I'm going to be ice cold in a few weeks. Chickadee is a top down sweater and I'm just to the point of starting the waist decreases. That's probably not 50% of the sweater done, but it has to be close to it.

On the planning front I've been mentally adding things to the Fall Essentials list as I find myself reaching for clothing that doesn't exist. Damn, why aren't my sewing elves anticipating my every need? So far these items must to find their way into my closet....

1. Some sort of snow leopard top - All my snow leopard fabric has been used up. How did this HAPPEN!? Please don't revoke my animal print card.

2. Cobalt skirt and/or pants - DSW told me to do it.

3. Magenta or purple skirt and top - The stash does have magenta jersey so my 20th or so Nettie is an option. Still I'd like a purple skirt because fabric purchases are fun and I already own two pairs of purple shoes.

4. Anything hot pink - My pink and black Luxulite set needs some love.

5. A black and white striped raglan top - Keep seeing people wearing these on instagram with brightly colored skirts. "I want to go there."

OK then, I'm sure adding a bunch more things to the sewing list is not going to stress me out in the least. Shhhh, shhh, shhh brain, turn on some more "Justified" and look at the cowboy hats. "You'll never leave Harlan alive, baby."

Fall Planning......Maybe?

I'm having a horrible time with planning fall sewing this year.  Here's the problem, I'd like to look put together and feminine but it gets too damn cold here.  As the temperature drops, taking my body temperature with it, my outfits will revert back to "pile as many things on as possible to keep warm." Really hard to look feminine when your proportions are circular due to the 3 + sweaters swathing your body.  Winter footwear is also a challenge once the snow starts falling. I love a high heeled bootie as much as the next girl. but I'm not going to risk a broken bone prancing around on ice in such footwear. Oh cold weather, we have such a dysfunctional relationship. I love how you indulge my need to cover myself in hand knits, but why you gotta mess up my shoe mojo?

Due to all this, I've been spinning my wheels for the last month, mostly sewing summer items and hoping inspiration will strike me. Or lighting, cause that probably would convert me from being a lizard human to a real live mammal. Mmmm actual warm blood. Well I didn't get struck with inspiration so much as being presented with a sew-a-long format that stopped me from making everything terribly complicated.  What, totally paralyze myself by imagining all the possible negative outcomes? I never do that! *cough, lies, cough *  What sew-a-long am I talking about? Well it's Sarah's Fall Essentials Sew-a-long.

Despite it being the 4th annual, I confess it was something completely off my radar. Oh internet how is it that you manage to hide secrets from me when I'm on you for hours every day? Stop being coy!  But anyway, back to the sew-a-long.  My brain latched on the fact that there were seven clothing categories. Surely I could think of one of two things for each. Then I could get a few garments made up and see if they actually got worn once the indoor temp returns to 68 degrees. It's like a testing phase for my "make Winter Heather pretty" plans. I hear Winter Heather laughing at my nonsense as she pulls another quilt over her head.  Hush up you! Why don't you go play in your blanket fort and let me do some planning. I'll have Froggie make a pot of tea and we all can have a cookie break after I'm done.

Here are my planned garments by categories.

Fashionable Foundations
1. Black denim pencil skirt.
Anyone remember how I was gonna make one during the summer?  Yeah, hasn't happened yet. I blame those cotton sateen prints that distract me with their charms.  Must decide between Betsy and Burda 127 patterns.

2. Wool circle or pleated skirt. Pattern undetermined.
I'm not sure if a wool skirt will be warm enough for my cold cold reptile blood. However I have a shit ton of wool in the stash, almost of it gray. There's more than enough to sacrifice some on a garment that may or may not get worn much. Who knows, if I can find some of these magical fleece lined tights that my Canadian friends seem to be hoarding, a wool skirt might be nice and toasty. Hey Canadian friends, hook me up with some super warm tights. I know you need them too but Winter Heather is so cold.

Chic Chemises
1. Ysolda's Chickadee out of stashed yarn.
Knitting was the one area where I wasn't mentally blocked about my fall wardrobe.  I know that Winter Heather loves cardigans with color work on the yoke. Basically if you knit one in a color Winter Heather likes, then it will get worn on heavy rotation.  I'm making the body on this one red which will thrill her.

2. One or two long sleeve Nettie's
I'd like to make one with a scooped back for the transitional weather before listening to Winter Heather and making Nettie's with max neck coverage. Darn drafts making Winter Heather sick. Maybe I should put a turtle neck on one. Hmmmmm.....turtle neck.

3. Vogue 8747
I loved this blouse on both Katie and Elizabeth.  The fitted shape also seems like it would look equally good tucked into a skirt or left out over pants.  I'm planning on sewing up a white one in some stashed blouse weight to start.  If I like it then there are plenty other fabrics in the stash screaming to be made into blouses.

Fabulous Frocks
1. McCall's 6696
Yup I still want another of these despite my hand sewing PTSD. Besides this time I'll top-stitch everything and my fingers will be free. Freeeee!  I've got some nice "gray denim looking but has to have wool in it because I made stuff with it already and it washed funny" fabric in the stash. Wow even I can't believe that last sentence.

Underneath it all
Not committing myself to making any undergarments.  If I do change my mind then the hard drive has plenty of underwear PDF patterns lurking in it's downloads folder. Sigh, so hard not to buy patterns.

Tender toesies
1. Hand knit socks
I always have some socks on the DPN's, the current pair is 3/4 done.  Socks aren't a high priority since my sock drawer is still pretty full. Thank you yarn companies for that merino/nylon blend that wears like iron. So if I get a pair done during the sew-a-long, then great. If not, no big deal.

Those Cozy Nights
1. Laura Lounge pants (From Maria Denmark but I don't see the pattern on her site right now.)
Not a high priority need either, but it's not like anyone has to twist my arm to buy more Lillestoff. There can never be enough juvenile print lounge pants.

Baby it's cold outside
1. Ottobre coat
If this looks familiar it's because that's the coat pattern I made for my sister.  It's almost winter again so it's time to make my version. Though if I crank this out before 2015 I'll be ahead of schedule and receive some sort of bonus from my frog overlord. Cookies? A girl can always hope. I have no less than 5 different wool coatings in the stash cave. Don't judge me!!!  Right now the yummy, yummy red wool has been dug out for this project, but I reserve the right to change my mind.

2. Hand knit berets
I need to get off my duff and knit a red and a blank beret to coordinate with my coats. Considering a beret takes a few days at the most, I can only chalk up my inertia to being easily distracted by shiny things. Or maybe froggie is has been smacking me with the "forgetful stick."  A frog has to get his kicks somehow.

So those are my Fall Sew-a-long plans for now.  Do you think I'll stick to the list or veer wildly off like I usually do? Darn bossy lists, who do they think they are? What's that list? You made Froggie the manger of all Fall sewing? Uh oh, he's gotten the efficiency cattle prod out. No Froggie, No! *Bzzzzzzzzzzzzzzztttt*

Summer Sundress Sew-a-long - Let's Have Some Fun in the Sun

Is your summer sewing list a mile long?  Are you longing for some focus and maybe a soft deadline to get something done? Do you want to help me, help you, help me with my own sewing queue? Is that a YES??! 

Froggie says he hears some of you yelling yes and to stop asking questions.  Ok then, no more questions. Instead let's break out the frozen drinks and announce the "Summer Sundress Sew-a-long!" *Cue some Beach Boy's music*

The Details

1. Sew-a-long runs from June 16th to August 18th.  That gives you two months and an extra weekend to fit in some sundress sewing time.  Heck you can even fit in a couple of trips to the beach.

2. Pick any pattern you want to sew. If you're wondering what counts as a sundress then the standard definition of sundress is:

1. a light, sleeveless dress, typically having a wide neckline and thin shoulder straps.
2. 
   

In the interest of everyone being comfortable, I'm not going to be a stickler about the sleeveless part. Heck for years I didn't wear sleeveless garments either. For sleeve lovers, pick a dress that meets your own idea of a sundress and sew along with us.  All pattern companies, current or vintage, are acceptable choices.

3. Join the flickr group. Mingle with fellow sundress enthusiasts and drink some virtual mojitos. More importantly post pics of your patterns/fabric/finished dresses for the rest of us to admire.  (The flickr group is by invite to keep the flickr creepers out. I can't guarantee that there won't be creepy comments from your fellow sewing friends.)

4. Get social. Want to share your sewing plans/progress/FO on social media?  Use the hashtag #sewsundress so that other sewcialists can see what you're up to.

This week I'll be posting pattern inspiration to get your creative juices flowing or to pad your already long sewing queue.  That's right, MOAR Dresses!!!! Stay tuned through out the sew-a-long for helpful sewing links, inspiration, and some goofy fun.  I might even be talked into demoing how to sew up Butterick 6019, view A ........ if you butter me up some with liberal amounts of chocolate.  

Wanna get in on the fun in the sun? Sign up with the flickr group and grab yourself a blog button. Then dust off your sandals and meet us down at the beach cottage.  Summer won't last forever. ;)

Small sized sew-a-long button

<a href="http://handmadebyheatherb.blogspot.com/"><img border="0" src="https://farm4.staticflickr.com/3880/14350651666_f9e8db0e39_m_d.jpg"/></a>

Large sized Sew-a-long Button

<a href="http://handmadebyheatherb.blogspot.com//"><img border="0" src="https://farm4.staticflickr.com/3880/14350651666_f9e8db0e39_z_d.jpg"/></a>

Summer of Sundresses and Separates?

Hey there blog readers, seasonal summer temps have arrived and that means it's time to come up with a summer sewing plan.  At least that's what organized people would do and I'm trying to masquerade as one. Shhhhh don't tell.

My brain hasn't gotten the organizational memo though. Probably because it's been busy deleting pertinent knowledge to store more song lyrics. When I asked it, "What do we really want to wear this summer," it returned me a null value.  Really brain?  You have no preference to what gets sewn? You do know that we really need clothing right now. So maybe you need to keep me from sewing evening gowns or Jem and the Holograms costumes. Brain ignores me, tries to recall who sang that cover of "Careless Whisper" it heard on the TMS podcast the other day. Fine brain, I'll just pull out my pattern stash and see what's lurking in there. Oh so many things were lurking there....so many things.

Separates - My sewing hasn't quite caught up to my weight loss. Right now I'm working with 2 A-line skirts, one stretch denim pencil skirt, and exercise clothing for bottoms.  A couple madewell knock-off Tees and RTW shirts from my late 20's for tops.  This girl needs a few more separates and fast.

1. More Netties - These don't take too long to sew up and I'm digging how they look with skirts.  Current plans are for a turquoise, royal blue, and black versions.

2. More Emery skirts hacks - Cause I need them to wear with my Netties.  Watch me go and sew all of my rayon up into gathered skirts.

3. Some neutral colored Betsy Pencil skirts - I like my current denim pencil skirt a lot and would wear it regularly even if I wasn't short on clothing.  A few more that coordinate with my random collection of knit tops would be useful.

4. Belcarra - Bought the pattern when it was released and still haven't gotten around to muslining it up.  My stash as plenty of lawn and blouse weight fabrics that will work great.

5. Maybe a Bustier top - Right now I've got a bee in my bonnet about wanting some bustier tops. My pattern stash has both the Gertie bombshell dress pattern and OOP McCall's 6325 patterns to play around with. Not entirely sure it's a garment I'd wear on a regular basis though. For now it can sit at the bottom of the sewing list until a few other things get made.

Sundresses - I personally wasn't comfortable going sleeveless at my heavier weight, but that didn't stop me from buying patterns. Time to break those babies out and do a little stashbusting too.

1. Colette Lily

Bought this when it was released. How many years is that now?  Anyway I'm pretty sure that I can pull this look off because of all the princess seams. It's also the perfect pattern for the sturdy butterfly pique.....which I may of picked up last month when it was on sale.

2. Sewaholic Cambie

Cause why not jump on the Cambie train years after it's left the station. I blame all of you who keep making me fall in love with this dress every summer.  There's only so many times you can say, "Oh that won't look good on me," before caving and trying it out.  There are plenty of fabrics in the stash that would work for Cambie, but I've paired it with a quaint toile print inherited from the grandma stash,

3. Deer and Doe Belladone

Hey guess what? This pattern has also been around for a couple of years now.  Kept thinking I'd put some sleeves on it, but was too lazy to work out that puzzle.  Sometimes pattern drafting laziness pays off and you can make up the pattern as is at a later date. Right now I've got another cotton pique paired with it, but that's subject to change.

4. McCall's 6833

This baby is new on my radar thanks to Almond Rock who just blogged about her version. OMG it's soooo cute! I might even take this clipped voile out of the "too pretty to sew" pile for this pattern.  Since this pattern isn't in my stash yet, of course that's the garment I want to make it Right Now! However I will be sensible and wait for the next JoAnn's pattern sale day..... even if it slowly kills me to do so.  

So that's the plan for now.  If the past events are any indication of the present, then expect me to sew two items from this list in completely different fabrics before moving on to a new list. You know I'm easily distracted...ooooo shiny things!!!

P.S. Oh yeah, it was Ben Folds and Rufus Wainwright who did that "Careless Whisper" cover. Guilty feet ain't got no rhythm....now try to get that out of your head.

My Ridiculous Dress Sewing List

OK guys, I'm posting this list for record keeping purposes and as a silent cry for help. It's still snowing around here and what I really need is pants. You know something that actually protects your lower limbs from the elements. But does my brain want to sew pants? Hell no! It wants to kick off the summer of dresses early, really early. Maybe writing all this out will bring me to my senses.....or maybe you all could enable me in my bad decisions. I'm OK with our dysfunctional relationship.


1. By Hand London Flora Dress
I bought this pattern on release day and through the oddities of international mail it still hasn't hit my mailbox yet.  Either that or my mailman is getting his giggles from seeing me lurk around the front window every afternoon. Don't toy with my emotions mail dude, I needs me some new patterns. Anyway, when it gets here it's getting traced immediately, snow be damned!  Right now I'm leaning towards the faux wrap bodice, but am undecided about the skirt. I'll be using this flora print pique purchased earlier this year to negate the whole buying on a stash busting kick.  It never even was.

2. Pushing Daises Knock Off Dress
First let's all shed a tear and pour one out for this show killed before it's time. Dresses, pies, a detective that knits and Lee Pace's magnificent eye brows. I'd also like to put out to the universe that if reincarnation is a thing than I want to come back looking like Anna Friel, second choice Zooey Deschanel.  But enough about that, let's talk about Chucks wardrobe.  Girl knows how to wear a dress and I pretty much want all of them. This one caught my eye with it's wrap bodice action, maybe I'm on a wrap bodice kick.  The seaming details aren't too good on the photo, but if I had to guess it's probably a princess line with a kimono sleeve.  I'm going to take the bodice from Burda 117 and put a full skirt on it. My version will be in this stashed blue polka dot because yellow makes me look like a walking dead extra....though technically Chuck is also a walking dead.  Mmm deep man, deep.

3. By Hand London Anna with the long skirt
I'd like an Anna dress with a tropical vibe to it so I can waft into the grocery store like I'm just stopping by to pick up Margarita fixings for my beach party. Preferably with some of these Miss L Fire sandals.  "Oh you all are all shopping for food? How quaint. Now can you tell me which aisle the mini pirate swords and tiki torches are?" Yeah, I'd bitch slap me too if I wasn't so fabulous.  My stash has only one tropical print that is mentally tagged for another project.  In a perfect world I'd be buying some of this print from Australia cause it's perfect. Damn those stash busting/saving for a new sewing machine goals. I want fabric!

4. Gertie Alfred Shaheen-equese Halter Dress
This is the pattern that the tropical print is tagged for, cause apparently I need multiple outfits for fictional tiki parties.  Frog says, "Hey get enough crushed ice and we can have all the tiki parties we want." Good point Frog and I really can't resist the vavoom of this dress.  It's been long enough since my last Gertie sewing project that I've forgotten all about the gratuitous hand sewing and want to drive right in.  Now someone pass me the boning...huh huh huh.

5. Anna/Pencil Skirt Mash up
Instead of having to go through the work of having to grade up this lovely vintage pattern, I'm gonna do a pattern mash-up.  Take Anna bodice, do a little slashing, add Billie Jean skirt and we're done. Then I can break out a bouffant and work on my "I'm so much more glamorous than you" fashion illustration look.  Maybe Joan Holloway can school me on delivering classy put downs.  I've got another polka dot cotton tagged for this baby.  You can never have too much polka dot right?

So that's all the things I have concert plans for.  There are plenty more dress patterns floating around my stash and oodles of printed cotton yardage.  I'm sure someone will release some new dress pattern to add to this list. God help me, I'm gonna need a bigger closet. 

Dreams of Spring and the Reality of Winter

It that time of the year, all the stores/websites are featuring spring dresses, shorts, and hell even bathing suits.  Meanwhile outside it's 15 degrees and we're about to get another 6+ inches of snow dumped on us.  It's the kind of thing to give a sewcialist a split personality.

At least my sewing can have a split personality without causing my family any inconvenience.  Or any more inconvenience than they're already used to. (The dining room is my sewing studio, go eat your meals in front of the TV.) Right now I'm planning on splitting March sewing production into half winter clothing and half spring clothing.  That way I can have some "fun" with spring dresses, but not freeze my butt off every time I leave the house. If only you could reduce your butt that way.

I was inspired by Ginger Makes Coco post, specifically when she coined the phrase "secret pajamas." Mmmm french terry or sweat shirt dresses, I want some of those! I don't think the Coco pattern will work with my figure, but I already own Pattern Victory's Lola.  That would work perfectly with the black sweat shirt knit in the stash.  My stash also contains a few sweater knits that "could" be sewn into some sort of secret pajama.  They are a little itchy so some lining might be required.

The leopard print sweater knit is a jersey, so maybe a lady skater or hack of that pattern?  I could break out New Look 6097 again and do the longer sleeve version instead. The purple sweater knit is a rib knit so a simple pattern would work better. It's gonna stretch all over the place and I'd rather have a few seams to tweak. Maybe the new Maria Denmark Olivia shirt or something else with a kimono sleeve.

The Sew Dolly Clackett sew-a-long it gonna take care of all my fun spring clothing needs. I've got lots and lots of fabric candidates in the stash. So many that I might not be able to limit myself to one dress.  At least decisions have been made about the "first" project.   I'll be using this gorgeous border print which has been on my brain since ordering it late last year.

My pattern plan is to make the top half the By Hand London Anna dress and put a full skirt on it. You know like Dolly Clackett would. Then I might continue to channel her and buy some new shoes.  It's what she would want. ;)

Holy Crap It's November

Do you hear that ticking?  It's the slow countdown of crafting days left until Christmas. AHHHHHHHHHH!!! Someone hold me and maybe contact the sewing birds and mice from Cinderella. Do they knit too cause I got all the female members of my family hooked on hand knit socks. I'm afraid of what might happen during Christmas dinner if they all go into sock withdraw.

No really, I have a list and it seems completely doable....as long has Des doesn't bring some some mutated cold germs that lay me up for a month.  Now that I've said that it will totally happen.

Luckily for you guys most of the Christmas sewing doesn't need to remain secret. My sister requested all of her items and my youngest niece and nephew can't read yet. Once they can I'm just going to make them giant pink bunny suits like the one in "A Christmas Story," then laugh at the photos on social media.  Worst Aunt Ever! But enough about my future Machiavellian sewing plans, let's talk about this years list.

1. Peek-a-Boo Patterns Alex & Anna Winter PJ's
Made these for Des earlier this year and loved how RTW the finished PJ's are. Plus it gave me an excuse to buy more yummy Lillestoff prints from Kitchsy Coo.  It's the Mercedes of cotton knits!

2. Pajama Eaters from Sew Fearless
Cause PJ's and PJ eaters go together like peas and carrots!  They are so cute that I want to sew them and hug them and then feed them PJ's....NOM, NOM, NOM! Also I want one for me, cause reasons.

3. Lady Skater Dresses for my sister
My sister enjoyed the "Summer of Dresses" and put in a request for some of the knit dress patterns. The Lady Skater went to the top of the list since it's easily adaptable for all seasons.  I mocked up this one for her to check the sizing.

She did an awesome job taking her measurements so I only need to shorten the torso and the sleeves. Next up, one with a maxi length skirt.


4. Ottobre Peacoat also for my sister
So my sister bought me an iPad for my birthday, which I love almost as much as my own child. She pretty much has a ticket to ask for as much custom clothing as she wishes.  Right now she's reading this, tenting her fingers, and saying "Excellent."
Since she was eyeing a peacoat style coat last year, I'm going to use this Ottobre pattern from Issue Autumn/Winter 5/2010.

It's going to be made up in some charcoal gray wool from my stash and have a faux fur collar. I'm pretty sure this is gonna look so awesome that I might recreate the "Fat man in a little coat" scene from Tommy Boy, just with out the the ripping.

Now I'd better get sewing, Christmas waits for no woman.

The Me-Made-May Effect

Confession, I joined Me-Made-May to get more pattern ideas by ogling other peoples finished garments.  All The Pattern's Heather has a reputation to uphold and I get a little antsy when my "to buy" list runs low.  Never fear gentle readers, cause I got a whole new list of dresses that NEED to be sewn this summer.

1. Vogue 8728 made up in a knit. So much vintage goodness and it looks pretty comfortable to! 

I first noticed this on The Sew Convert in the flickr group and wanted it immediately.  Since then Jennifer has also made a pretty knit one in a striped knit. So Yeah, I might already be making this. Don't you love my fabric!

 2. New Look 6097 just a nice causal knit dress with a little faux wrap action.

I'm not sure that the pattern photo would have convinced me to make this up, but I love feynman lives version.  Right now I'm thinking of using this long stashed navy knit.

3. Burda 102 from issue 8/2012 The drama!

 I didn't even know about this pattern until I saw Merche Martinez knock out red version during Me-Made-May.  Luckily for me the pattern is available for download from the Burda site cause I Wants The Precious.  It calls for a stretch woven so I'm thinking about using this favorite from the stash. Beware you eyes may burn.

4. Simplicity 2444 Pretty with pleats.

Margo really showcased how great this pattern is done up in a bold print. In fact she did it more than once.
I might use some newly acquired fabric from Gertie for this.  YES NEWLEY ACQUIRED FABRIC.  Pay no attention to that stashbusting button on the side bar.... anyways we got straight up cotton

Or cotton/silk voile....it's like butta!

5. The yet to be released adult version of the Kitschycoo Skater Dress modeled here by the lovely Katie.

 

I love everything about this pattern!  It's a knit dress so you can just pull it on and go look fabulous.  I'm not sure what the yardage is for my size so I'm thinking either...

Sophicated Foxes

Or Oatmeal/Blue Ikat

My apologies for the night time pics of the last two fabrics.  I suck at planning, 10 blogger demerits!

So that's it, which is probably the understatement of the year. I'm sure that I can get all these sewn up by the end of the month.....Haaa haaa, snort, snort. Now where's my 6 pack of Red Bull?