Friday, June 20, 2008

Some new garments!

Happy First Day of Summer!!! Today is summer-like weather here in SW Washington (finally), tho tomorrow is bringing cooler weather and the possibility of rain - rats!

I've been so darn busy lately, but managed to squeeze in two things for me in the past week - yippee! First I made a new top for me last weekend from BWOF 02-2008-122. I decided to use a knit instead of a woven fabric (what the pattern suggested) and am pretty happy with the results. The top was super easy to make and because I used a knit I omitted the back zipper so it was even quicker. I did have some issues with the front gaping open, however I did neglect to interface the upper front and back pieces. As you know too, I'm not too well endowed, so that could have been part of the problem of it being too big in the upper chest. I fixed the issue by sewing some clear elastic on the seam line which I gently pulled to make a gather. Viola, all fixed! I forgot to take a picture of this fix during the construction process and now it's all enclosed, sorry! Also I brought up the back neckline as I knew I'd wear it more if I was more covered up and took 5" off the length. All in all, I'm pleased with how it turned out. Here is the review if you'd like to read more.


It has been so cool out the last few weeks that I'm having a hard time believing summer really is coming. I decided to make myself a new fleece hoodie to wear around the house. I used Kwik Sew 2993 and it was super easy! The best part is I used up some fleece that has been in my stash for eons (actually I used all of it because I had to recut some pieces due to the fleece being too lofty and the front pockets looking terrible - must faster to recut than rip stitches out). Because of the trouble I had with the pockets looking terrible, I decided I'd just omit them. When I tried my jacket on during construction, I decided that I really did need some pockets, so I opted for an inseam pocket. I felt so clever thinking of this solution on my own! lol I used a pattern piece from another pattern in my stash and it worked great! Here is the jacket review on PR.

And a close up of the inseam pocket.

And last, but no least, I finally wrote a review of a top I made for my daughter a few months ago. She seems to really like the top so that is good since she's creeping up on 11 and those 11 year olds can be so fickle! It's a Ottobre 04-2007-31 ~ my review.


Well I'm going to go enjoy some of that glorious sunshine we have. Hopefully I won't be so long between blog entries, but now that the kids are home, who knows how much sewing for myself I'm actually going to get done. Have a great weekend!

9 comments:

Christina said...

Your daughter's shirt is too cute! And gosh, I totally understand about needing a fleece jacket right now... sheesh, all I want is to run around in summer dresses and sandals but it's just not so...

Lori said...

Melissa, great job on all the sewing. Your new top looks great on you, the jacket sounds like it will be well used. BTW, we are going to be mid-80's this week! And lastly, your daughter is so cute and her new top is darling. Great job.

Sew-4-Fun said...

Yes 11yo's can be fickle. LOL! I have one in my house too. Great job on the top, and your jacket looks so toasty warm. I could use it about now as it's freeeezing outside!

Birgitte said...

Well here in LA its 90 right now...
Great tops and jacket, your daughter is so CUTE! Just had Chaia pick buttons for her jacket yesterday- spent about an hour at F & S, every button had to be different and 'fashionable'...

toy said...

cute top, love your daughter's skirt and love the red jacket, great stuff!

Mel said...

Hey Melissa, that short sleeve top looks great! Can you make me one? Just kidding.

Unknown said...

I love all of these projects. Your work on the fleece hoodie is just immaculate. :)

Nancy Winningham said...

I love your red jacket and the inside looks just as great as the outside. Well done!

Leslie said...

I really love your projects and it's nice to find another WA (even though I'm in a whole other part of the state - Ephrata) blogger and sewer! I'm amazed with how many reviews you have listed at PR and how terrific each is!