January 6, 2013

...While enjoying my lovely Christmas vacation my sewing room became an impromptu PENCIL SKIRT FACTORY of sorts.  I made one skirt from the new McCall's knit pencil skirt pattern 6654, and can I tell you that I FELL IN LOVE.  What's not to love: a)only three pattern pieces (one of them I eliminated by the way by substituting my own elastic waistband treatment). b)It was an easy peazy way to use up part of my pile of ponte de roma knits.  Yes there is a pile - over in the corner, not to mention that I have some more stashed in a dresser drawer.  Can't you just feel the knit love oozing out?  c)I just love being able to get that tapered pencil skirt shape from knit fabric.  Mind you, I'm still very much in love with the Pamela's Magic Pencil Skirt pattern, but simply could not resist giving the McCall's pattern at least one little try after seeing the cutest mother/daughter snow-leopard duo whipped up by Victoria a little while ago, (still need to get my snow leopard skirt made up).

I actually made four of them, and still have plans for a couple more.  I used Lynn's wedge alteration on this pattern too, but this time decreased the wedge to 1" rather than the 1 1/2" that I had used before.  A word of advise about the wedge though is (it does not work for me when using plaid or stripe fabric) makes it almost impossible to line up.

 All of the skirts are fully underlined with poly-interlock so I don't have to be bothered with a slip.

 I love the ease of pulling one of these things on in the morning.  Match up a top or sweater, tights, zip up a pair of boots - it makes dressing for a comfortable day at work just little bit easier.  I wore two of them to work last week. 
I also managed to re-organize ALL my closets right before returning to work.  Founds some things I really needed to get rid of and a few things I had forgotten I had.  One of them being this 3/4 length coat.  This coat was given to me by not my Grand Mother, but my Great-Grand Mother way back in the 80's.  I can remember LOVING it and wearing it over and over again mainly because my Granny gave it to me.  I still love it, especially the little gold braided hat that is attached to the lapel.  Thought I'd pull it out and give it some more wear.

I was also able to squeeze in a 4 day surprise visit with my grand-children after Christmas.  My daughter knew I'd be arriving the day after but we kept it a secret from the kids.  LOVED IT!!!

I guess the SCARF FACTORY is still open as well.  I made 2 special order big button scarves right before Christmas and have orders for 2 more.  I don't mind - they are so easy to whip up and put a few
extra dollars in my pocket to boot.


I have lots of sewing related plans in the works that I'll mention here later.  Hope everyone had a marvelous weekend....


39 comments:

  1. Very nice! Sometimes creating multiples at one time is best.

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  2. I like your skirts and that is a nice pattern. With the McCall's pattern you have some other length and style options. I am curious as to where you are buying all of your ponte knits. I want more print ones and less solid color.

    I like your scarves as well!

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    1. Linda, all of my print ponte de roma knits were purchased at my local Hancock's. They had an array of pretty ones, as well as some that I thought were not so pretty. It usually runs $12.95 per yard, but I ALWAYS wait because it goes on sale quite often at 30 to 40% off. I got a lot of my solid ones there too, Joann's has the solids as well. Some of my solids have been hoarded from my one and only dream trip to Mary Jo's Cloth World in North Carolina right outside of Charlotte. Mary Jo's everyday price was $7.95, but that was like two years ago.

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    2. Faye, our closest Hancock is 160 miles away, but for Christmas my hubby gave me $100 to spend on fabric plus a promise to take a road trip to Billings. No one has better apparel fabrics than Hancock.

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    3. Enjoy spending your $100 Marty, what a WONDERFUL GIFT!!!

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  3. Very cute skirts and I love the scarfs.

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  4. Very flattering cut, I may have to get that pattern.

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  5. Those skirts look like wonderful additions to your wardrobe. Nice job. Your scarves are really nice as well. I think you had a very productive vacation.

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    1. Thank you Andrea! Love your year in review.

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  6. I agree with Andrea, what a productive vacation. Lots of sewing done, some tidying of the sewing space and a visit with the grandies as well. Well done you! Love the skirts.

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  7. Those skirts look great! Everything always looks so good on you.

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  8. Happy New Year Lady!!! You've been busy. I love your skirts! So cute. Thanks for the shout out. I definitely need to do some more. You can't beat an easy pattern with good results huh? Happy Sewing to you and I see your new year is off to a great start;)

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    1. Victoria you know you are my "Home Girl". Love everything you make, even for the wee one!

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  9. Great skirts and I LOVE those scarves.

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  10. Great looking skirts and how fun to have the coat from your great-grandma.

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  11. Nice skirts. Those scarves are fabulous!

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  12. Anonymous1/06/2013

    Skirts really do look comfortable--even through pictures! I can imagine how they feel and fit for real! You must be relieved and very proud of making 4 AND re-organizing. I enjoyed having 2 days off to create and organize a sewing space. :-). You're probably like me when you get something done, you're relieved, and motivated to continue. :-)

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  13. Great skirts Faye! Love your selection of Ponte knits too!

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  14. WOW Faye you have been one busy woman! I reorganized some closet spaces and it makes me smile to see the reorganization!
    I love your ponte knit skirts! :)
    Also how great is that, that you're getting orders for scarves! YAY!

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  15. Nice skirts and I 'love' the scarves.

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  16. The skirts are lovely - very flattering. The pattern is now on my radar! And the scarves - what a clever idea!!

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  17. What productivity! Those scarves are darling and I love your coat.

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    1. Bunny for some reason I never feel productive. Guess it's because I always have an over flowing "yet to sew list".

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  18. The skirts look great on you, prefect length with the boots. Congrats on the scarf orders.

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    1. Thanks Sheila. Love those leggings too!

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  19. Well that's the way to start the New Year! Happy belated birthday Faye!

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  20. I might have to try some knit skirts in the (very near) future! They looks super on you. Lining skirts is always a must for me - helps keep the bumps-&-dips at bay...

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