Episode 8: Yarning Over the Days

I’ve really been on a sewing kick lately. And I am not fighting it. Because sewing happens so infrequently in my life (I’m a knitter at heart), I don’t get much sewing done. So, I’m using this bout of inspiration to fill in some wardrobe gaps I noticed during Me Made May. At the conclusion of Me Made May, I really wanted more dresses and skirts in my wardrobe. So far, I have finished two dresses and a skirt. Today, we will talk about that skirt.

Years ago, I noticed this beautiful pattern when Tassadit created the most wonderful and elegant version of this skirt HERE. But, I wasn’t sewing at the time (didn’t even own a sewing machine), so I simply admired the beautiful work. This skirt pattern has been the pattern I’ve been searching for since I started sewing. It is Sewaholic’s Hollyburn skirt. I really like the high-waist fit and the flared bottom. This is the epitome of my style. And an extra bonus is the pockets! And the button tabs! I actually purchased this pattern over a year ago for the Outfit Along, but was unable to participate. So, this pattern just sat static for over a year.

The pattern worked up surprisingly quickly. I actually cut out the pieces, the fabric, and started sewing after church on Sunday. I finished at around 1am that morning. (Sewing always makes me pull late nighters. Lol). The fabric used is a salmon pink denim that I found at Joann’s Fabric store. I actually visited Joann’s fabric store the day before and bought a zipper. I noticed that fabric while there, but resisted purchasing it. Well, that night I couldn’t get it out of my mine. So, I woke up early the next day and went back to Joann’s to get the fabric (It helps that the Joann’s is literally down the street from my place.) Overall, I am very pleased with the flow of the fabric with the pattern. It is exactly how I envisioned it in my mind.

The button tabs are another favorite aspect to the skirt. I purchased the buttons at Joann’s also for only 50 cent! That was a deal for beautiful wooden buttons. In addition to that, the flowers on the buttons perfectly match the color of the skirt. They were made for each other.

I definitely see more Hollyburn skirts in my future.

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Update: OAL2017

Posted on June 13, 2017 by cmc

I have been working diligently on my outfit for the Outfit Along. Last week I underlined my dress and begin sewing on Friday. The dress was completed on Saturday. And I actually wore it to church on Sunday. I actually received a few compliments on the dress.

I forgot how long the bodice takes to work up on Simplicity 1803 (especially compared to Simplicity 2444); however, I really like the shaping that the princess seams provides with this bodice.

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Once the dress was finished, then I decided it was time to give my Anaheim cardigan more attention. That has been my sole knitting project this week. I did have a mishap at the underarm CO and waist shaping section. In this part, the instructions tells me to include the stitch pattern as it fits. Well, I didn’t include it where it fit on one side and there was more stockinette than lace. I thought that it wouldn’t bother me and kept working. However, the more I looked at it, the more I hated it. So, I had to rip back 6 rows in the body. That was a pain. Ripping back lacework is no fun. But, I did it and it all worked out beautifully. I am so happy that I decided to fix that mistake.

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I look forward to wearing this cardigan with my finished dress and will be sure to share the final images with you all.

Finished Object: Simplicity 2444

Posted on June 5, 2017 by cmc

DSCN5974 (3) In the past, I had issues when I first created this dress. My problems and solutions to those problems can be found in this past post. Despite the problems, I still really liked the dress and it is one of my most worn dresses in my closet. Therefore, I thought it was about time to recreate another Simplicity 2444.

The fabric was bought and cut over a year ago, but it sat in my stash just waiting to be sewn. So this past Saturday, I made it my business to finish this dress. I am so happy that I did! 😀 I made the same adjustments that I made to the previous dress by letting out the side seam allowance to 1/4” and not bringing in the back pleats/darts in as much. The fit is exactly how I like it.

The fabric used is actually this corduroy that I found at Joann’s. I bought it with the intention of it being a staple autumn/winter dress. Of course, I plan on wearing it other times of the year. In fact, I just wore it this past Sunday. 😉 I really enjoyed working with corduroy and want to make another dress in corduroy and a pair of pedal pushers in red corduroy. The fabric has a nice volume/substance and it presses so well.

The pleats turned out alright and I know I could have done a better job. However, that is such a minor thing compare to the overall dress.

I just purchased a new Simplicity 2444 and want to sew it up 2 sizes. Because I cut out a size 4, that ended my chance of sewing a larger size. With this new pattern, I hope to avoid having to make those adjustments. Also, it was on sale for only $5!

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