Kristine, Duchess of Sewing

I have always loved the blue Issa dress that everyone knows as Kate Middleton's royal engagement dress.


Now, I have my own version of it!


I used McCall's 5752 (OOP) and 3 yards of the finest, softest, silkiest, drapiest, navy blue knit from Gorgeous Fabrics. It's called, "Poly Matte Jersey" in deep navy, and it feels like a thin silk jersey, but without the shine. There's still some left, if you want in on the most heavenly knit. Perfect for the Vogue 1250 that everyone is making right now...

So, here is the back:


And the side...


Anyhow, I made view D (long sleeves, no hanging ties), and just needed a few minor sizing adjustments. 16 was the smallest size in the envelope, but I've gotten back on the diet and fitness bandwagon, so I'm more like a 14 now. I will likely add a snap inside the bodice for modesty, but love everything else about it.


It's really comfy for being so dressy, and once I scale this pattern down to the correct proportions (even the sleeves are too wide), I will definitely make another!

Thumbs Up or Down???

I picked up Vogue 8747 during the last sale, in hopes of bolstering the "top options" in my wardrobe.


View A is the one I chose (bottom right corner) and using the finished garment measurements on the pattern paper, I went with the 16. This pattern also includes special sizing for different cup sizes, so I figured it would be a pretty close fit. As it turns out, I had plenty of room to take it in, and should've made the 14. Oh, well...


It's difficult to see the front gathers because of the print (bummer), but this is how I looked as I headed out the door for work today. I wore my super dark wash denim jeans, which made for a comfortable day.


What do you think?

Simplicity 2362

A very good friend of mine (and former co-worker) asked me to make her this dress. She is headed to Florida next month, and said, "I have always wanted a dress made by you!". How sweet (and flattering) is that? She made it quite easy, as she came with the pattern and fabric already purchased! She is about my size as well, with no major fitting issues), so his came together with very little stress!


It's Simplicity 2362, which includes 5 views with different length and sleeve options. As a child of the 60's, she said this silky print from Joann's grabbed her attention, and I have to give her kudos... This pattern is the perfect use for such a large scale print. In the picture below, you can see the relaxed skirt pockets.


I used an invisible zipper in the back, and a blind-stitch at the hem. The true color of the green is a little brighter (my basement doesn't have a lot of natural light), and the blue is more of a royal blue.


Here is the back view...


She loves it, and I am thrilled to have a client that really appreciates my time and effort. It's exactly what she hoped for, and her happiness definitely helped rejuvenate my sewing mojo!

One for You, One for Me!

Finished the skirt for Little Miss, and we both love it! I used Simplicity 2242, a Lizzie McGuire pattern of coordinates, which she will likely get 2 more pieces of!


It came together pretty quickly, but it sure was a lot of gathering! The pattern pieces are all rectangles, so I didn't bother to cut the paper... I just used my rotary cutter aft measuring the dimensions and number of pieces I needed.


A lighter weight cotton would be my only recommendation, as the ruffles are full enough without the stiffness of the cotton making them stand up. This will likely be her "First Day of School" outfit for 3rd grade on Tuesday...

Then, it was time to make myself a little something!


This top is from Vogue 2987, an OOP Anne Klein pattern. I have had this yard of luscious knit from Gorgeous Fabrics in my stash for far too long, and I love that I can wear it with so many different bottoms (brown, tan, gray, black).


Yes, my wrap is backwards. That's what I get for laying out and cutting a pattern while watching tv!


This came together very quickly, and my only modification was the elimination of the lining (the pattern calls for a lightweight sheer knit), so I used bias tape to finish the arm and neck openings.


You may not be able to tell from the pics, but there is a bronzy metallic sheen to it, which reminds me quite a bit of the winning look from the "Dress Nina" challenge on Project Runway" a few weeks ago. I am very happy with it, and really want to make the suede jacket (from the same pattern) to carry it into fall...

Challenge... Accomplished!!!

I wanted a challenging project, and it certainly was one! Putting the finishing touches on it today made me smile on the inside and outside, as meeting any challenging goal would!









It ended up a little shorter than I planned, but DH assures me that I look great. ;)

The neck facing went in easily, and the armholes were hemmed with just a little issue getting a nice finish at the side seam (because of the two separate layers). The hem ruffle was time consuming, as I used my serger to stitch a nice narrow rolled hem on both the top and bottom. Then, I used my gathering foot to speed up the process (just a little fiddling wi the tension to get the desired result). I applied the ruffle to the outside of the dress, hemmed the lining accordingly.


Photo shoots at the fire station are always more fun...

My only recommendations on the pattern (Burda 7/2011 #138) are to MAKE A MUSLIN. It was much bigger in the waist than I expected (I took it in 1/2" on both side seams and another 1/2" on both the back darts), and much longer than I expected (not afterward, though!)

I love the final results, and while I didn't make a million garments this summer, I am very happy with the quality of the few that I did make!

I think I can, I think I can...

Progress is slow (we are just having way too much fun this summer), but the Challenge Dress is coming along! I have the invisible zipper installed, which meant meticulous matching of stripes. Lots. Of. Stripes.





The chiffon and lining were stitched together along the center back seam, from neck to zipper bottom, and then below the zipper the layers are independent of each other. So, after installing the zip, the center back seams are stitched separately.





This last pic (above) shows that I left the lining long enough to still add the ruffle and hem. It was very important to keep the layers separate for exactly this reason. I will run these seams through the serger to prevent the seam allowances from fraying.

I can see the light at the end of the tunnel, I think. All that's left is to...
-attach the neck facing
-stitch the side seams (separate layers, again)
-hem the armholes
-gather and attach the bottom ruffle (the last "big" job)

I think I can, I think I can...

**ETA: I have been blogging from my iPad2, and the picture quality on the camera isn't perfect, so my apologies. It's my only complaint about this most wonderful tech gadget!

Progress Update

Hey hey! Life continues to be busy, but this summer will go down in history as being one of the most productive and memorable!

We went camping (finally) on the west side of Michigan (Muskegon) and enjoyed some amusement park roller coasters...

I surprised Little Miss with tickets to the Selena Gomez concert. She was shocked, screamed, and then cried "tears of joy", and we were at the venue an hour later enjoying the show from the packed "cheap seats"! It was a great first concert for her, and I enjoyed it, too!


In the sewing room, I have been busy with paying jobs, mending a dress, embroidering some hats, and making a dress! More on this later...

The chiffon dress is coming along, although I made a mistake by using carbon paper to transfer the markings for the front tucks. You can see the blue marks at the base of each tuck below.


I used some coordinating thread to stitch a tight zig-zag over the lines, and I am happy with the outcome.


Meanwhile, Little Miss has made some "back to school" selections from the pattern and fabric stash, so I am obviously trying to do way more than is humanly possible. I had better get moving...