WHEN WILL I EVER LEARN...

...that most, if not all of the pretty Aztec prints that I'm so highly attracted to are actually strips that need to be matched!  I try to steer away from Aztec prints, I really do, but the colors are usually so vibrant and tend to draw me in.

I used this fabric to make a top for my daughter earlier and there was just enough left to make the same top for me.

McCall's 6751, view D

I did not want to cut the the pattern on the single layer that allows me to easily match my strips and patterns - I was lazy - so I took a chance and cut it on the fold.  Cutting double on strips, plaids or checks doesn't always work out for ME.  It did this time however,

Side seam match-up

The pattern suggested finishing the armseye and neckline with a narrow hem or purchased bias tape.  I got a wonky finish by turning under and hemming, and I hate to use purchased bias tape in these areas.  So I made my own self fabric binding using this tutorial.

Another white pant or jean top...

FABULOUS...

...

 I know you agree - Fridays are just so fabulous!  Matter of fact we should go ahead and rename all 52 of them Fabulous.  

Dinner's planned, I'm in the sewing room (of course) and to top it off - it just started raining.  How good can it get - really!   I'm actually thinking about starting to work on (one) of the piles of fabric sitting under the cutting table.   So many POSSIBILITIES down there. 

I know -  IT'S SUCH A SHAME!

 But if I sew some of it up, then I won't have to find a suitable place to stash it - right? 

NEXT UP:  McCall's 6751 View D in an Aztec challis.

This will be my third time making this pattern - once for me and once for my daughter.  Love it!!!

WHAT TO WEAR WHEN YOU WORK IN A MEAT LOCKER...

...no kidding, the office and lab that I work in during the summer is just that cold.  Sometimes I have to go outside just to warm up my fingers and toes.  So I have to take a jacket, sweater or blanket (just kidding) with me every day.  So I though Butterick's 5926 knit jacket would work out just find for me.  I wore it to work yesterday with white pants - took pictures but hated them - so you get to see my dressform version instead.

I loved this fabric when I saw it at Fines and knew at the time of purchase that I would use it with the Butterick jacket pattern.  Lovely fabric, but thought it was the weight of the pontederoma I'm use to buying - it wasn't - but rather akin to a sweater knit in the way that it handled and sewed up.  Removing misguided stitches was a picky nightmare, and so was making the buttonholes.  The fabric is so picky (hope you know what I mean) that the garment will definitely need to be hand washed.  Oh well, it gets the job done, it will get worn and I do plan on making it again in a beefier knit later on.

I am very proud of the stripe matching.  I hated the pattern instructions for the collar so I "did it my way" and it worked out fine.  Because I did the collar the "Linda Faye" way I had to draft a back neck facing to end up with a nice finish on the inside. 

All in all this is a really good pattern (sans the collar instructions) and there will be one or two more in my future...

SNEAKY SEWING...

....I only have about a million and one important things that I should be doing - but felt the need to get a little sewing in. 

I call it Tuesday Night Sneaky Sewing

Butterick 5926 jacket muslin still in progress.  The collar is giving me a FIT...

SATURDAY MORNING CUTTING TABLE ROLL CALL...

...truth be told
my cutting table is in a straight up mess!  There certainly hasn't been any production coming out of this sewing room.  Been too busy with end of school year close-out, traveling to my grandson's graduation, finishing up this loooong 4-day workweek, and sewing project indecisiveness to produce anything.

 I am perched up in here this morning however.  Enjoying my non-traditional breakfast (perhaps a southern thing).  Left over of Parmesan grilled Salmon, pasta w/Broccoli, and a big old glass of Iced Tea w/ lemon (tea Arnold Palmer style).
So the main goals for today are:
1) clean up my cutting table mess ( I do commend myself; however, in that I've kept it clear for quite some time); and
2) muslin a project I've been pondering for a while.

 Hope you have a great sewing related day...

HAPPY MEMORIAL DAY...

...

BETTER LATE THAN NEVER...

...
SATURDAY MORNING CUTTING TABLE ROLL CALL

It's just a little bit messy, but it's all good because it's all sewing related stuff.  I've been really concentrating hard on keeping this in a "Cutting Table Surface" rather than a catch all.  The small piles of fabric are a typical sign of indecisiveness - what do I make next????

HAPPY MOTHER'S DAY...

...

THANK YOU MOM!

Now for sewing updates:

This weekend's make - another Simplicity 1916 view F for my daughter. Fabric has been stashed for eons, jersey knit from where I can't remember.  Nice print, but for some reason the dickens to sew.  Changed needles several times and eventually had to change machines because the stitches kept skipping.  Awful, but I refused to throw in the towel on this one and was finally able to get it finished.

Have a Happy Mother's Day!!!

TWO FOR HER, ONE FOR ME...

... Can't you just tell that I love sewing.  Even if things don't always work out perfectly, I still love it.  I have been having a ball!  This weekend I made

2 for her and one for me

Top #1 from Burda 7340 View A -  Sort of asymmetrical easy two piece pattern. The most trouble I had was switching between a single and double needle two or three times which was a pain.  If I wasn't too lazy to thread up the coverstitch machine it would have been so much simpler.  This top was a easy make and fit right in with my current KNIT TOP FRENZY (no folks, the frenzy ain't over yet.  I've got too much knit yardage calling my name).

Top #2 is Simplicity 1362 View A -  I always end up with kind of pattern - the kind I don't love but  go ahead and buy because it's on sale and cause I might want it later. (hahaha!)  I knew full well going in that there was going to be a battle matching the stripes of this chiffonny aztec print - I usually avoid prints like this.  But it was on sale and I liked the colors.  Easy Pattern EXCEPT I don't like using bias binding to finish the neckline (I skipped using it on the armholes though - just serged and turned under).  The fabric is sheer so it'll have to be worn with a cami.

Top #3 Vogue 1282 Donna Karan's crazy pattern made for the fourth time.  I LOVE IT!, and if it wouldn't be too darned crazy I'd make it in EVERY color.  Several people mentioned that they wanted to try this pattern so I wanted to suggest checking out Barbara V's tip on incorporating a BACK DART that will make the back neckline fit better.  It works like a charm.

KNIT TOP FRENZY RESULTS...

...sewing long distance for my daughter using her measurements was a bit scary.  I love to sew, but don't like to waste my time - like every sewist I want to end up with a good well constructed garment.  Of course the bottom line was I wanted the tops to fit correctly, and I wanted her to like them and want to wear them. I made 5 knit tops altering patterns from my stash because we  have different measurements and body shapes.  I "guessed" at the alterations but I think all in all things turned out very well.  I was happy when she sent me pictures this afternoon.  Her smile let me know that she likes my work.

This makes me want to sew for her more.  Since three of the patterns used have style variations I will be able to use the already altered pattern pieces confidently to create different designs.  This was also a great stashbusting project.  (She dared me to post these pictures on Facebook or Instagram but gave me full permission to use them on my blog.  Even threatened to contact MY lawyer if I didn't obey ) - get your own lawyer bossy girl!  Love my one and only, she's my very best project evah...

SEWING LIFE...

...Happy May ya'll!  In preparation of my next project I performed a little sewing room maintenance this morning.  The cutting table only contains "LEGAL" sewing related stuff (which is a miracle).  I even did a much needed 409 wipe down of my white sewing table.  It surprises me how cruddy my sewing table can become - so much dust and thread remnants.

Finished another top for my daughter last night.

Burda 7340

 

Pleated side seam ruching

Tired and work week weary I made a trip to Hancock's yesterday.  What does it take to re-energize a sewer?  Show her some great knit that is REALLY on sale!  Regular $7.99 on sale for $2.99 (96% poly 4% spandex - in glorious spring colors).  I definitely think I can work with these cuts.

The piece that shows up brown is actually an army green.  I LOVE that color!

Please don't tell my budget that I made this purchase; but I simply COULD NOT pass this opportunity up...