finished - La Sylphide

I love the name of this pattern, La Sylphide (Papercut Patterns). It just sounds beautiful. This pattern has been sitting untouched in my sewing room for about a year. I bought it as soon as I saw this version made by Lauren. Not sure why I waited so long to make it. I didn't love the pattern's cover photo, but the pattern itself was really cool. It was my first time working with Papercut patterns and I was impressed by the packaging. Everything was made of brown paper and the instruction booklet was very cute.

I chose teal lawn for this dress to match my favorite shoes! Us sewing nerds can do that, make a dress to match some shoes. (shoes: Poetic License from Modcloth)

Some slip peekage here, oops.

The assembly of the dress went very easily and the only time I was stuck I just checked the sew along  page, very helpful! This pattern can be made as a dress, peplum top or skirt. I'm curious to try another  variation. The only change I made on the pattern was to lengthen the skirt, because it's real short otherwise. I used my rolled hem foot to hem this and it worked out better than my last try, so I'm getting better at that skill.

Here's a closer one of the bow collar. Also you can see the cute flower shaped buttons I used!

I'm still posting in the Me Made May Flickr group. I have a bunch of new ideas for future sewing projects thanks to the inspiration there.

 I'm thinking next I need the Flora Dress pattern and possibly the Darling Ranges Dress, but that one is quite similar to La Sylphide. I need to concentrate on what's already waiting in my stash. It's hard not to succumb to crafter's ADD sometimes. I just want to make everything.

I have two Belladone Dresses on my sewing table now!

summer sewing: Rose T-Shirt pattern

When Melissa of Melly Sews was looking for testers for her latest pattern, I jumped at the chance. 

Here is my version of her new T Shirt pattern, the Rose T-shirt.

This is an extremely verstatile pattern offering sleveless (like mine), short sleeves (next on my list), 3/4 sleeves or long sleeves.  I also loved the fact that it uses a soft knit but with the extra touch at the neckline, which is a woven fabric.  That meant I could break into my scrap drawer since it only uses about a quarter yard!  I used one of my favorites, this bird print from Studio E Natureology, it was left over from one of my favorite skirts. 

Maura wants me to make one for her, so that's going on my list!

The pattern should be released around March 12th.

Thanks Melly for letting me try it out.  I'll be wearing this all summer.

The timing worked out perfectly, so this will be my first entry for: 

Hooray for Spring tops!!!

a few spring tops finished

I didn't know if I'd get the photos in on time, but here are my two entries for this year's Spring Top Sew-Along:

Spring top #1:

My Juliet Tunic in lilac/white shirting.

A little see-through, but I love the style and color.  I wore this out on Mother's Day with a cardigan.  I like the lilac and brown combo.

Spring top #2 

Jalie 2804 in aqua and brown interlock knit

This is so comfortable I want to make 50 of them!  I used the assymetrical hemline on this pattern.  I love how incredibly easy this is to sew!  

So those are my entries this spring.  I realize they're not the most exciting tops around, but I looked in my closet and decided what tops I needed to round out my wardrobe.  I have some pretty crazy looking skirts and needed some basic tops. 

Check out the flickr group to see all this year's entries!

2nd Jamie dress

It's amazing to me how you can make two dresses from the same pattern and one is a success and the other not-so-much.  The dress went together easily enough.  Maybe it was my choice of fabric, but I'm really not liking the second version.

I actually took a few inches out of the skirt/gathering this time around, but it looks even more voluminous than the last jamie dress.  After 4 kids I'm a little sensitive about looking bigger around the waist.

This is the best photo I got:

This was the worst:

ICK!!  What happened in the back of the dress?  Still pondering that.  I may have done that when I tried to force the front and back waistbands to match up.  Maybe I can still rescue this dress.

In this one I think I'm holding down the poofiness of the skirt subconciously.  This dress will have to go back to the drawing board if I want to wear it out in public.

Sew Along Dress - finished!

I finished my dress for the Jamie Dress Sew Along a few days back and was finally able to get some pictures, thanks to my favorite 9 year old photographer, Liam. A few days ago it was too dark, and today it was really bright, maybe too bright. But, I'm not complaining!

This fabric was something I had lying around since last summer. It's from JoAnn's, it a "linen look" fabric. I actually like the drape, it's very light. I was a little worried about the large print making me look large, but I really like this funky pattern - good for summer!

The pattern, the Sis Boom Jamie Dress was actually very easy and enjoyable to follow. I have used Scientific Seamstress patterns in the past and I'm always floored at how great the instructions and photos are. I also loved how easy the paper pattern was to assemble on this one.

The only thing I changed from the pattern instructions was adding a ruched waistband to the back to match the front. Sara added instructions on her blog on how to do that. My favorite thing I learned from this pattern is how to use a glue stick to apply a zipper - SO awesome, how did I not know about this before??

I'm very happy with the dress and I'm already in progress with version #2, it's actual linen. Stay tuned for that one!

Than you, Sara, for hosting this sew along! Check out her flickr group of all the dresses.

Also linking up here:

 

 

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Sew along progress and New Machine Love

I'm almost done with my dress for the Sew Sweetness Jamie Dress Sew Along.  I just have the bottom hem left to do!  The completed dresses are rolling in each day to the flickr group, but there is still plenty of time to join.  The finished dresses aren't due until April 21st.  I may make another before then.

I picked some pretty crazy fabric!

I got a little sidetracked.  I've been learning how to use my new machine and I think I have her all figured out now!  Many, many thanks to my understanding husband who agreed to let me purchase her even though my Singer works fine.  I just really wanted a Bernina. I love how smooth it sews!

Here she is...

I know there are much fancier machines, but I think this one is perfect for my use.  I was looking at used machines, but found this one brand-spanking-new and on sale at my local sew and vac store.  I tried out a few features on the machines and fell madly in love with this one. 

Move over Silhouette machine, you have competition.