Stitchin' in My Kitchen

I love a moto jacket, and bought Simplicity 1070 as soon as I saw it. It's described as: Misses' knit sportswear pattern features a ponte moto style jacket with leather or faux leather front panel, long sleeve top in hip or cropped length, and slim skirt and pants. I started with the jacket.  I used a really nice heavyweight black ponte and a black vegan stretch pleather, both from Califabrics.com. I cut a size 12  - full disclosure: this is a gift for my sister. She is taller and bustier than I am, so it is not only a gift but a way to check the fit before I make one for myself, haha! Generous or evil, or both? I started this one afternoon and surprisingly had most of it sewn in a few hours! There are a lot of pattern pieces but the sewing is straightforward.  It took more time to finish the bottom facing and slip stitch it in place than it did to sew the main body of the jacket. The instructions were fine. I used a combo of my machine and my serger, because of ...

I sewed McCalls 6754 knit dress back in May, I think, but hadn't worn it yet, so I'm finally getting around to reviewing it.   It is described as "Close-fitting and flared tops and dresses have neckline variations, elasticized (seamed) waist, and narrow hems". I made view B, the sleeveless dress.  I cut a size M, and my fabric was a pretty seafoam green ponte knit from Califabrics.com.  It's a lighter weight ponte, so not too heavy for summer, and with enough drape for the full skirt. This is really easy to sew, I have no complaints about that. I really hate the way the Big 4 pattern companies size knit patterns.  They never put finished garment measurements and their sizing is always HUGE for knits.  After I sewed the side seams and tried it on, I realized I had to take this in - 2" on each side!! And it's still too big on me.  First, some pictures - Unbelted The bodice is still too big, and kind of unflattering, but I couldn't take it in ...

I've had this pattern in my stash for a while now, and there are so many cute versions floating around online that I decided to try out the sleeveless version for summer. This pattern is designed for knits, but don't let that stop Vogue from trying to throw a back zipper in there! (More on that later). My fabric was a cheetah cotton jersey from Mood: Cheetah Cotton Jersey I cut a size 10, but I think Vogue knits patterns run large, in general.  The instructions were fine, this was pretty simple and I sewed it up in a few hours.  I read a pattern review which omitted the back zipper, and did the same. I cut the back as one piece, no back seam.  The need for the zipper is the result of the instructions having you finish the arm and neckline with purchased bias tape, which I did not do. I used a self fabric binding, to keep it simple.  Why ruin a knit dress with a zipper!? Especially if your fabric is lighter weight, you can stabilize the center back but the ri...

I love my comfy breeze knit dresses in summer, but wanted to branch out from making another Lady Skater, so I recently bought McCalls 7160.  It has long, short and sleeveless options and an option for a contrast panel on the skirt. I decided to make the sleeveless version with the contrast panel.... ....since I had just ordered 2 yards of this bright striped jersey from Mood. Cotton jersey, 62" This fabric is a little lightweight, so I lined it (with power mesh! Because the 4 yards or so of knit tricot lining I had in my stash has vanished). I cut the size 10, based on my measurements.  I was JUST barely going to get this cut out from 2 yards of fabric, so I taped the two skirt pieces together, pinched out some of the skirt fullness (like a dart or wedge), redrew the line for the pattern pieces (since it was no longer straight) and cut them apart again. There is still plenty of fullness, as you'll see. But I eeked it out of 2 yards.  Alternatively, you coul...

One of my February purchases from StyleArc was one of their new skirt patterns - the Brook Woven skirt. Described as: This on trend asymmetrical skirt has a full wrap that will allow you to wear this skirt with confidence that it will not fall. We have given you two full patterns in two different lengths that gives you the choice of the mini skirt or the more sophisticated knee length. You will feel fabulous in either! Will I feel fabulous? We'll see.  I bought a size 10 and made a muslin of the mini length, which was a  tad short (for work).  I didn't have a fabric in mind until I saw this stretch cotton online at Mood a few weeks ago - for $3.99 a yard! Yes please.  I normally don't wear yellow, but I've been trying to get out of my comfort zone in terms of style and color lately, and I liked the print. Stretch cotton - $3.99/yard! This is an easy sew, I whipped this up in maybe an hour and half, or less.  There is nothing tricky - a few darts, mi...

Lately I've found myself buying patterns that I never would have thought I would like - the cape in my previous post, for example!  Which brings me to this Burda Style pants pattern: First of all, I haven't really gotten around to making myself real non-leggings pants yet, although my apartment is full of muslins.  I saw this, and bought it, I'm not sure why - I was sober and of sound mind and body.  I kind of liked the pleat, but doubted it would look good on my body.  I decided to make view A, first with some fruity rayon challis I'd just bought from Califabrics.com: Fruity!! Rayon challis from Califabrics.com It is very lightweight and drapey and silky - perfect for this style.  I cut a size 12 - based on my hip I would have cut a 14, but I chose the 12 based on the finished measurements printed on the pattern (thanks Burda!) It came out to about 6" ease, which is plenty. Burda instructions are sparse, but fine. This is a pretty simple pant t...