OAL2014: Blue Myrna and Marvel Dress

I finally got around to taking those pics of my second finished outfit from the OAL2014.

In reality, I made this dress before the Owl dress. So, this dress will always have a special place in my heart because it is my first dress. To top that, it’s a dress I love! The process of this dress went by wonderfully because of LLADYBIRD’s wonderful tutorials and detailed instructions. Near the end, I did get anxious and did the skirt portion on my own. In retrospect, I wish I would taken LLADYBIRD’s advice and put the pockets on the side. I definitely have kangaroo pockets.

So, let’s get into the details. I went with the offical OAL2014 dress, which is Simplicity 1803.This dress was made as written. The only slight adjustment made was tacking down the yoke portion to prevent gaping. I made Version A without sleeves. I also added the tie end to this version of the dress. I like how the tie end wraps around the back and then ties in the front. The details are kinda obscured with this print. I did a narrow hem which turned out pretty nice for the most part. The line did get a bit crooked when I top-stitched the hem. I finished my seams by using pinking shears. However, for the interfacing, I finished the seams using the zig-zag stitch.

The fabric for the dress is a Marvel print in cotton. I underlined the dress with a black satin fabric.

So, let’s talk about my Myrna cardigan. This is my second Myrna. After my first Myrna worked up so quickly, I decided to make another. The yarn used is Knit Picks Wool of the Andes in Whirlpool. Again, I got gauge with Size 8 needles. Initially, this blue cardigan was meant to go with the owl dress but, when it arrived I liked the color with the Marvel dress. With the Marvel dress in mind, I decided to go with contrasting buttons in the color red. I was hesitant to do this at first because I thought it would limit the cardigan but, it doesn’t limit it at all. Also, this time I went with 1-inch buttons and they stay on perfectly. I made the XS size, which has a 30 bust. My bust is 32” but, I wanted the 2-inches of negative ease. I really like the fit of this cardigan. And of course, I really appreciate that Andi’s designs always fit into my wardrobe so seamlessly. I have already worn this cardigan so much. It is the perfect balance of lightweight yet warm. It gets really hot in Alabama so, I like lightweight cardigans that work perfectly in air conditioned buildings.

I can’t think of anything else to say about this outfit besides I adore it. As I’ve said before, I am all up for participating next year should LLADYBIRD and Andi decide to do another OAL because this really made me step out of my box and challenge myself.

OAL2014: Finished Myrna, Cutting, and Underlining the Dress

Last Thursday, I finished my Myrna cardigan and actually wore it this past Sunday to church. I probably won’t wear it again until my dress is finished. I don’t want to wear it out. Check out the pic below of the finished cardigan. Let me tell you, it was HOT this past Sunday yet, this was the perfect lightweight cardigan. Since this cardigan worked up so fast, I actually started another Myrna using Knit Picks Wool of the Andes in whirlpool yesterday. I’ll talk about that later on in this post.

I started cutting for my dress this past Friday. To ensure accuracy, I took my precious time about it. I finished the cutting for everything last night. I am definitely moving at a snail’s pace.

I really debated with myself on if I should add underlining. I wanted underlining to give the garment a better structure. Also, this would make the dress fit seamlessly into my wardrobe for the Fall and Winter. After much debate, I decided to go through with the underlining. At the end of the day, I was just being lazy and I figured that I might as well go through with it. Last night, I started basting my pieces. I used LLADYBIRD’s tutorial for underlining and I really like how simple it is. The process of basting the pieces was so relaxing to me. Or maybe I was just so done with the cutting that I enjoyed this next step. I sat at the dining room table and watched a few detective shows while basting.

So, let’s talk about some changes I’m making to my outfits. Yes, outfits with an ‘s’. Remember when I told you all how I bought some owl fabric from Joann’s because I couldn’t find the Marvel print. Well, I did find the Marvel print later on but, I still kept staring at the owl print with the pretty pink lining I bought for it. It sat next to my sewing table and just tempted me. So, I made up my mind to make another dress! I will make these dresses simultaneously and hopefully they will be finished around the same time. I know this is a lot for a person that has never sewn a dress but, I can’t help myself. I like to challenge myself and I figured it’s definitely possible.

For the Marvel dress I plan on making Bodice A with the yoke, which isn’t everyone’s cup of tea but, I adore it. For the Owl dress I plan on making Bodice B, which has no yoke. Both dresses will be sleeveless. Since I wear cardigans the majority of the time with my dresses, I don’t like the added bulk of sleeves.

Both dresses will have underlining. The Marvel print dress will have a black satin lining and the Owl dress will have a pink rayon lining.

Initially, I had planned on wearing the yellow Myrna with my Marvel dress. Then, yesterday I randomly noticed that the blue from my current Myrna matched Captain America perfectly in the Marvel print! Then, I grabbed my yellow cardigan and put it next to the owl print and it looked absolutely perfect against it! So, I plan on wearing the blue Myrna with the Marvel dress and the yellow Myrna with the owl dress. Of course, down the line I will remix it either way. But, I prefer these combinations.

I plan on cutting for the owl dress sometime this week. Next week, I am off work so I hope to get quite a bit done. I’ll keep you posted.

OAN: I’ll be leaving for graduate school in North Carolina soon and I can’t believe I am making dresses and moving at the same time. I’m a busy bee. This has really been the year for moving. I for one am sick of the moving process but, I look forward to the relocating process.

 

 

WIP: Myrna

I am making headway with my Myrna cardigan. I finished the body last night and I am about to start on the sleeves. This project works up super fast. I plan on finishing it in the next day or two. And since it is such a quick and fun knit I have already ordered yarn to make another in turquoise.

I really look forward to wearing this. The color is just beautiful. And I love the eyelets surrounding the body and the keyhole in the back.

I’ll keep you posted.

Outfit Along

 

I am such a craft geek and can’t resist a challenge.

Well, two of my favorite bloggers have teamed up to have an Outfit Along 2014. This is pretty much a knit along and a sew along combined. I can’t begin to tell you how super excited I am about this! Andi of Untangling Knots and Lauren of LLADYBIRD are the brains behind this wonderful outfit along.

A couple of post ago, I was just telling you all about how I yearn to venture into dressmaking. It seems like such a feat but, something I really want to try. Me Made May has really inspired me and I have enjoyed seeing all the wonderful dresses other ladies have made. So, I can’t wait to start this challenge.

First off, let’s talk about the Myrna cardigan. This is yet another gorgeous design by the super talented Andi Satterlund. Her designs fall right in line with my style, which is why I can’t stop making them. I think this will be a fairly simple knit with some interesting details. I plan on using the suggested yarn, which is Miss Babs Yowza in Squash Blossom. I have really been flocking to the color yellow lately and this shade is simply gorgeous. Suffice it to say, knitting the cardigan will be the simpler part of the challenge for me. If for some crazy reason I can’t get the Squash Blossom, I will go with green in Ghoulish or blue in Clematis.

Now, let’s talk about this dress. As you all know, I am a novice sewer. I only have 3 skirts under my belt and those were the most simple creations ever. They just involved rectangles and elastic. I thought my first dress would also be something as simple as pie such as the pic below. But, let’s be honest how often would I wear such a simple design. And it definitely wouldn’t fit into favorite dress category.

 

So, the pattern they chose for the dress (and you can use another pattern if you choose to) was Simplicity 1803. I looked at the picture and fell in love. Every detail about this dress was beautiful. I really like both versions and debated about which version to make. After thinking long and hard, I really like the first version with the slashed neckline. I chose this version because it’s not like anything I own yet, it is something that I would really like in my closet. I think I am going to go for the gathered skirt because I like how full it looks. And I definitely need pockets.

Moving on to the fabric choice. Me Made May has really inspired me with the retro dresses. My favorite dresses have been the comic print dresses because they look retro, unique, geek, and girly. I haven’t completely decided which fabric to use yet though I know it will be comic inspired. I know I will be ordering from Joann.com because they have quite a few options. Look below for details about my choices so far.

Marvel Print – This is my number 1 choice but, they are currently out of stock on the website. I asked them to notify me as soon as it was available. I like how the comics look like the original vintage comic books. I am also in love with the colors because my yellow cardigan will go perfectly with this.

 

Marvel (Option 2) – I actually like this print. It has a more modern look to it. Again, I like the yellow in it, which would really compliment the cardigan.

 

Archie – When I was a child, we would always read Archie comics. So, I have a special love for them. When I was a child, I was a Betty girl. But, now I actually like Veronica more.  Again, I really like the colors in this print and it goes with what I have in mind.

 

Archie (last option) – So, this fabric does not have the vivid colors but, I really like the gray scale. It would make the dress more versatile. I like pairing really bright cardigans over neutral dresses so, this would work with almost any color.

 

OK, that concludes my thoughts on my fabric choices. I do hope that Lauren will add a lining to her dress so, she could walk us through that. If not, I will try to figure out how to add a lining to the dress. Personally, I feel that if I am going to make my clothes I should make sure to give it the highest quality.