Simplicity 2473 - Final Post

Edited: blogger put my photos in reverse order, so the photos and comments are backwards. I would fix it but the kids are fighting and I need to break it up!
The finished dress front

The closer look at the bodice

Back view

The correction on back neck facing; I don't know what happened but after inserting the zipper, the tops did not match. At this last moment, the only solution was to fold it down more, trim the facing and I topstitched the back neck only ending at the shoulder seams. I have long hair that will cover the topstitching, the thread color matched perfectly and I pressed the seams in. I could have fixed it better, but the hook/eye were in and ripping this was painful as the colors matched too well.

All in all, a great pattern, the bodice fit me out of the envelope so that is unusual. I like the flared skirt, but would have liked a bit more volume. I also would have liked it longer than knee length, so if I make it again, I will add to the hem area. Summerset recommended 5/8" strips of fusible interfacing for them hems, worked like a charm. I machine stitched them hems since the thread matched and it was a knit. For a longer hem and in a woven, I would have hand hemmed. Now I may be ready for Sunday night; it's the Knights of Columbus 4th degree Christmas party and since Mike is our Grand Knight, I wanted to look nice. For the retro style, I have been experimenting with wet-set curlers and have tamed my curly hair into a softer look. I will get Alicia, our friend/babysitter to take a photo of us on Sunday with him in his tux.

Simplicity 2473 - Post #4

No photo on the dress, but it is getting closer. I still have hems to do and zipper to insert, I am currently handstitching the inside midriff facing down to the seam allowance. Some things to note:
1. Sophia Double Knit from Fabric.com is wonderful. Even handstitching a knit is going easy so I plan on hand stitching the hem/sleeve hem.
2. I had added to center front on the skirt but had to redo the stitching attaching the skirt to the midriff in that section to "ease" in the difference.
3. I gave up on the neck facing and steam a seamed it down inside along the seam allowance and the shoulder seam areas.
4. I opted for 16" zipper stopping at the lower edge of the midriff. I had basted in a 22" for fit, it was too bulky along the curve of my backside and stuck out. Now that I remember, I rarely had RTW dresses with that long of a zipper as I usually bought petite dresses.
I plan on getting the midriff finished, zipper in tonight and hems tomorrow. Summerset shared her info from her blog, since I wasn't sure of the width to cut, how to use fusible interfacing to stabilize it before hemming. Hopefully I will have a finished photo tomorrow. This dress pattern is awesome with the princess seams. The fit is so much better than my experience using darts. Using the rayon double knit makes it even better.

Obituary - something from an email and very true

The younger you are the less you may morn at the passing, but maybe not.


Today we mourn the passing of a beloved old friend, Common
Sense, who has been with us for many years. No one knows for
sure how old he was, since his birth records were long ago
lost in bureaucratic red tape.

He will be remembered as having cultivated such valuable
lessons as:

- Knowing when to come in out of the rain;
- Why the early bird gets the worm;
- Life isn't always fair;
- and maybe it was my fault.

Common Sense lived by simple, sound financial policies
(don't spend more than you can earn) and reliable
strategies (adults, not children, are in charge).

His health began to deteriorate rapidly when
well-intentioned but overbearing regulations were set in
place. Reports of a 6-year-old boy charged with sexual
harassment for kissing a classmate; teens suspended from
school for using mouthwash after lunch; and a teacher fired
for reprimanding an unruly student, only worsened his
condition.

Common Sense lost ground when parents attacked teachers for
doing the job that they themselves had failed to do in
disciplining their unruly children. It declined even further
when schools were required to get parental consent to
administer sun lotion or an aspirin to a student; but could
not inform parents when a student became pregnant and wanted
to have an abortion.

Common Sense lost the will to live as the churches became
businesses; and criminals received better treatment than
their victims. Common Sense took a beating when you
couldn't defend yourself from a burglar in your own home
and the burglar could sue you for assault.

Common Sense finally gave up the will to live, after a
woman failed to realize that a steaming cup of coffee was
hot. She spilled a little in her lap, and was promptly
awarded a huge settlement. Common Sense was preceded in
death, by his parents, Truth and Trust, by his wife,
Discretion, by his daughter, Responsibility, and by his son,
Reason.

He is survived by his 4 stepbrothers; I Know My Rights, I
Want It Now, Someone Else Is To Blame, and I'm A Victim

Not many attended his funeral because so few realized he
was gone.

Craft Sale

For such short notice, I feel like it went ok. I sold four of these crayon rollups in various prints, these are the two I have left and are in my etsy shop. Sold a variety of things, now I have a better feel for what people are looking for. I may try some other locales in the area.

Now, back to S2473 tomorrow...

How to Sew an Extra Layer in Your Garments For Added Warmth - CraftStylish

How to Sew an Extra Layer in Your Garments For Added Warmth - CraftStylish

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Simplicity 2473 - Post #3

Here is the close to assembled S2473 in the Sophia Double Knit from Fabric.com in Wine. I love this stuff. It is all conventional sewing machine as my serger is acting up and it sews so easily. Cutting was another issue, though as it was a bit slippery and hard to tell right and wrong sides. I have used the "bow" design element, put it off center a bit more than I wanted, because direct center would have sat on my tummy. This way it falls in the side where it goes down a bit, but is it too much off centered? It is only basted in and could be moved. I also built in some center ease for my tummy, so it drapes a bit on the dummy. The top looks like it will fit fine. I went with a back zip even though I opened the neck a bit more. The facings will not stay down, though. Should I top stitch or just tack down? Would topstitching make it look too homemade? Any feedback or answers would be greatly appreciated.

Simplicity 2473 - Post #2

Ok, Thanksgiving is well over, I have about made all I am going to for the craft sale booth, so I decided to cut out and work on S2473. I decided to use the sophia double knit, has rayon, so it is soft, has some "give", but not too stretchy. I am undecided about the sleeves, cap or 3/4, I went with the flared skirt and will use the tie ends that simulate a belt. I plan on using this next Sunday for the KC Christmas social/dinner. I am lowering the neckline in front somewhat. Now, with the princess seams, do I need to seam finish? What would be best since princess seams are so clipped? Also, with 25% stretch, should I put a back zip like the pattern calls for or a side zip? I need opinions!

Also, for some eye candy, this is on its way to me:

I am thinking of using some eggplant matte jersey for this one. That may be next on the agenda.

Thanksgiving

Thanksgiving Day, should be interesting at mom's house.
I am thankful though, for my husband of 18 years, we have spent 23 holidays as a couple, even though some apart when he was in the service. He is always there for me, the kids, through thick and thin. I am also thankful for the kids, those here and in heaven, even though they can try the patience of a saint, and I am no saint! Also, thanks to you guys who read this blog and give encouragement and help!

As if I needed something else in my life...

I am making small items for our church's upcoming craft sale. So far, I am concentrating on little girl hair clips, children's apron/smocks, decorated onesies. It is December 6th, so I have a little time but not much. If I get that far, I may try twirly skirts and diaper covers to match the onesies. I must be crazy, I have Christmas dress fabric ready to go, other things in the works, but no, I decided to have a table and try to sell some things. I may list them in the etsy shop as well.

Like I said, I am a bit crazy... Not really.

Completed NL 6901

Completed NL top, hemmed and finished off. Serged the raw edges, steam a seam fused them then stitched on sewing machine. This top is a little shorter than I would have liked, but will be ok with dress slacks to wear out. Next time, I would lengthen it about an inch or two. I consider this on its way to a TNT.

Update: Photo of almost complete NL6901

NL 6901

OK, Yesterday I muslined the bodice of the Simplicity mentioned before, pretty nice fit. I still plan on the Sophia Rayon Double Knit.
I also muslined in a cheap CHEAP Joann poly knit, NL 6901. I worked out most issues by doing a half-way FBA, adding to the sides and flattening the shoulder. Enough to feel comfortable making it in this Rayon Jersey from Gorgeous Fabrics I just got on Thursday, no stashing this one. It is a beautiful print, hand, drape. I also stayed the back neck and shoulders with fusible stay tape from Fabric.com. There are no instructions for finishing the facings off, I added bias tape to the front cowl facing and serged the back facing. I know knits should not ravel, but still... I hate when patterns ask you to gather and set-in a sleeve on knits. If you want an easier way, use Threads magazine's suggestion on doing it flat construction. I know many of you bloggers do that already but for the beginners, it works great. I tried it for the first time when I first started sewing and never looked back. I even do some wovens that way, just more pinning needed. Especially on little clothes.

Simplicity 2473

I recently bought this at Hancocks on the 1.99 or whatever it was sale. I wasn't sure but have seen blogs mentioning it. Had a few minutes today to muslin the bodice. The princess seams were spot on the right spots, A standard 18 fit the bodice with the exception of a hollow area on the upper bust. I have a double knit picked out, double knit not being listed on the pattern, but it only has 20% stretch across the grain, I think it will add some ease for breathing, moving, etc. and not be too flexible.
http://www.fabric.com/apparel-fashion-fabric-knit-fabric-double-knit-fabric-sophia-double-knit-stretch-fabric-sophia-stretch-double-knit-wine.aspx
Now that high neckline has to go, I will probably scoop it out a bit or add a soft v-neck. Having a tummy to also worry about, debating on the flared or slim skirt. What do ya'll think? Also, should double knit be acceptable?

HP Geisha Girl Jacket is done but

it is huge. I used a 14, that has the best measurements for me, but I could have gone down 2 sizes, I think. I want to make it again trying that. As you can see, I bias tape finished the facings, topstitched them down and finished the seams. Even the added shoulder pads are covered. I love the finished product, but it is really big. I may see if I can find a loving home for it. At least it's not a wadder.

I am still working on the jacket...

I did not get to town until Friday, I went to Walmart in the next town over on Thursday, no matching thread. I went to Hancocks on Friday, perfect color match, but I think the newer threads from C&C are thinner. Oh well, just for 2 inches of topstitching at the bottom of the jacket. Still need to finish, but I had no time over the weekend. We had to see a baby rabbit my parents found in the open field. It was a tiny furball! Sunday was chaos with the rain and the kids not being able to go outside. Today, I have utilized my energy with basic household cleaning, which was desperately needed. I may get to work on it now, since I am more caught up, but I never totally caught up! Now on to the dishes and another load of laundry, then to the jacket.

I am sewing even though it doesn't seem so

I have almost finished HP Geisha Girl Jacket, adding the elastic to the sleeves. After so many disappointments lately with fit, I went with something that is not really fitted, relaxed fit, actually. I picked a sportwear twill-like animal print I got last year at Hancocks that has a mild stretch. So far, so good, but ran out of thread so I only got to topstitch the front/neck facings. The bottom hem will be handstitched. I even finished the facings with bias tape. I have been sporadically working on it since I cut it out on Saturday, and was not home Sunday, so three days is pretty good progress for me.

Halloween came off well. We had a puppy dog, Spiderman, a cowboy and SpongeBob, I made the puppy hat and decorated the shirt and made SpongeBob.

Citrus Paisley top

Yeah, I did not want to take a photo of myself, too hard. It is resting on my desk chair. In the second you can see the added embellishments to utilize the puffs on the neck binding. For the record, this is my TNT, B3070, from the 1980's, traced and redrafted to fit me. I used two layers of mesh, which made it puff a bit in the front armpit area. This does not happen with regular knits, which makes me think it is the mesh and the two layers. I sewed them together and the neck and cap sleeve hems, left the sides free and hems are free and two lengths so the underlayer peeks out at the lower hem, both ruffle edged with zig zag.

Giveaway

Lots of them out there, here's one. http://seemommysew.wordpress.com/2009/10/21/as-promised/#comment-1086

Also checked out a coop for quilting fabrics: http://www.fabfanatic.com

Check them out if you want.

Working on SpongeBob costume today...

My sewing time today was

none, except for cutting out a jumper for the oldest and a dress for the baby. The jumper is a vintage size 8, she is really a 10 now. I took a 10 bodice and transferred the details to the 8 jumper bodice, made the skirt two pieces instead of 6 gore since I am using a red and black check, to cut down on seam matching. I also cut out the broadcloth lining. I added 2.5" to the skirt length to be sure I cut enough. The old jumper, out of denim is in last fall's posts, and barely fits her, cannot zip it up, so hopefully going to the size 10 should be enough. I can also use less SA and lessen the darts. The baby's is an OOP McCalls in the check also with black collar, two pleats in the front and back and ends about midway with bows on the front where the pleats end. I picked this one based on a Patrones dress from an issue I got from Paco (thanks!). The pattern is about identical, so hopefully it works for her. I am venturing into toddler sizes now for her. A new experience. If it doesn't fit, I have 2 yards left of the fabric and try another size. I got the fabric from Trendy Fabrics for $1/yd and the broadcloth from Hancocks at $1.99/yd. How economical is that!

Vogue 1136

Ok, made a bodice muslin of the dress in a 16, grading to 18 for waist area, no way this will look good on me anytime soon, not to mention the shoulders fall back, which feels weird. Moving on to another...