Calypso and Review on Self Drafted Jumpsuit

I hope everyone had a great weekend filled with peace and quiet and lots of crafting. I buckled down this weekend with some knitting and I finally have a finished knitted garment to show you. I am so happy with the outcome.

This is Calypso. I've been working on her for the past few months off and on. I got a chance to test drive her last night at the Italian festival. Man were those pork sandwiches good. Now, if I can focus a bit, review all my notes, and channel some sizing issues, I might just have a pattern to share with you all.

I'm also happy to add that I finally started working out. I started with a half hour of yoga yesterday and I made it through 25 minutes of the DVD. Today I'll add and aerobic workout first and do the yoga afterwards. I hope I can make it. It's crazy how out of shape you can get when you don't work out for a few months.

On a lighter note, as promised, here is a review of the Self Drafted Jumpsuit I made.


Pattern Description:

one piece strapless jumpsuit

Pattern Sizing:

12

Did it look like the photo/drawing on the pattern envelope once you were done sewing with it?

Self drafted pattern

Were the instructions easy to follow?

I winged this one all the way, and love the outcome. Man do I love my serger. It makes things so much easier and faster to finish.

What did you particularly like or dislike about the pattern?

I put this jumpsuit together in about 2 hours.

Fabric Used:

Cotton or polyester jersey knit. Not really sure. I'm starting to think it's more of a polyester knit. I picked the fabric up at Walmart for a $1.50 a yard. That price alone has me smiling.

Pattern Alterations or any design changes you made:

I didn't want an elastic casing to show at the top of the band so I stitched the elastic and tricot to the edge of the fabric at the top of the bodice. The band is then folded down and the tricot is in place hiding any inside work.

The bottom of the tricot is then serged to the waistline where the bottom of the bodice and pants meet. After that, I tacked/stitched a couple of stitches on the side seams right below the elastic (stitch in the ditch) to keep everything in place.

Would you sew it again? Would you recommend it to others?

Definitely. I think I want one in red now.

Conclusion:

It was a wonderful idea that stemmed from a picture of a well known celebrity. The concept is pretty easy. Make a tube top making sure to place darts in the front and back of the bodice to get a more fitted look. If you have a TNT pants pattern you like with a wide leg, use it. The sky is the limit.

McCall 5621

McCalls 5621


Pattern Description:

Slim fitting tunic with gathered front and contrasting neckband.

Pattern Sizing:

10-18

Did it look like the photo/drawing on the pattern envelope once you were done sewing with it?

Yes very much so.

Were the instructions easy to follow?

I really didn't follow the instructions. I think I checked it once for the sleeves but that was it.

What did you particularly like or dislike about the pattern?

I liked it for the design. I was looking for a dress that I could easily pull on and off, and this fit the bill. It also had a 70s look to it and that pulled me in.

Fabric Used:

I remember when I purchased this fabric. I was in the check out line and someone walked up with it. I thought to myself, I have to have it. I ran back to the cutting table and bought it with no specific use in mine. I didn't know it then but it has a one way stretch to it.

Pattern Alterations or any design changes you made:

I made view A/B but I wasn't crazy about the sleeves for view B so I did the sleeves for view C. I also lined the inside of the dress, so that I wouldn't have to wear a slip. It makes things so easier.

In doing the lining, I cut out the dress portion of the pattern. Sewed the 2 dresses separately not connecting the shoulder seams. I placed the lining inside the dress, then connected both pieces by serging the shoulder seams together. After that I basted for the gathers on the front of the dress, treating the 2 pieces as one.

Would you sew it again? Would you recommend it to others?

I am going to be making this dress again, either in a solid or a print that isn't as busy as this one. My husband loves the dress, but isn't crazy about the print.

Conclusion:

I didn't have any problems with this pattern. I thought that is was a pretty easy pattern, and a nice addition to my wardrobe.

Inga, Matilda and My 1st Self Draft Pattern!!

I hope everyone had a wonderful holiday. Mine was relaxing and uneventful. It's been a while, and a lot has happened. I think I needed a blog break/vacation. Although, I've been away, I still kept up with my reading even though I haven't done much commenting.

My birthday presents finally arrived in the mail. Meet Matilda, she arrived first. It's the Dell Inspiron mini, which I received from my wonderful husband. I like the fact of knowing that I can carry her around in my handbag. I'm still getting use to her, and I do like a regular laptop better, but she is growing on me.

My next lovely present was Inga!! She is the Singer 14CG754 ProFinish Serger. Can I tell you that I just love her. I've never owned a serger before, and I think I'm in for a lovely ride. She had me a little frazzled at first. After a phone call to Sheila,(she always calms me down. Thanks girl!!) and then one to Sew and Vac Direct, (One of my strings weren't caught in the tension dial tight enough. Shoot, I thought I'd broke the darn machine)I was up and running.

To commemorate the occasion, I decided to try and self draft my first pattern. Here she is. Adrienne, I hope you like her. I got the idea from you a while back. I think I like the cost even better(Nope, I LOVEEEEEEE the outfit too). The fabric was a find at Walmart for a mere $1.50 a yarn and it feels fabulous. I purchased 4 yards and only used 1 1/8 yards. I lined the bodice with black tricot that I purchased at Philadelphia Fabric Outlet in Philadelphia. Let me tell you. I will make sure I check there first for my tricot before going to JoAnn's again for it. JoAnns sells tricot for 9.99 a yard. I stocked up at the outlet. I got 2 yds of white tricot 64 inches for 98 or 99 cents a yard, cream tricot for a little less that 1.50 a yd at 64 inches, and the black tricot was 4.50 a yd at 100 inches. I'll do a more in depth review by the weekend, but I can tell you now that I would definitely make this one again!!

This past weekend I worked on McCall's 5621.I'll try to have a review with pics of me in the dress by the weekend. Mr. D says he likes the dress, but he's not feeling the pattern on the fabric. I think I'm going to make it again using a different pattern.

In other news, I got laid off from my job a few weeks ago. My whole office closed. We are suppose to reopen in September. I guess we'll see. I've been starting to get things done around the house. It's been a slow go, but it's getting done. My mother is loving it, I've taken her to all her doctor's appoints, which so far there has been one every week.

In knitting news, I'm still working on my shawl/wrap. It's coming along slowly, but I do like it. Here's a little taste.

Lost In Lace!!

First off, I want to thank everyone for all the lovely anniversary and birthday wishes. You are all wonderful.

I don't know about everyone else, but I'm really glad the weekend is here. I am truly exhausted. I have a graduation to go to tonight, and all I want to do is see my bed and dive into it. Well, I guess it's a dream right now which will come true a little later tonight.

In knitting news, Mr. D's second sock is halfway finished. I've been slacking on the knitting projects lately. I it's due in part to me being caught up in my lace frenzy. Crazy me said "why start with the easy stuff and design a rectangular shaped shawl first. No, I want to do a triangular shaped shawl first. Well, let me tell you, I've got the whole increase thing pretty much worked out, but working out the pattern has driven me a little crazy. Just when I think I have it worked out, I hit another snag. The repeat rows are throwing me a little, so I'm 3 steps forward, one step back. If anyone has any suggestions, please fire away. Right now the rectangular shawl is looking really good for my instant gratification fix.

I've also been a little slow on the sewing front as well. I think I'm waiting for my serger which is scheduled to arrive early this coming week. I can't wait. I'm hoping that some major sewing will be taking place next weekend.

My shoulder has been aching me really bad for a couple of months and now the pain is going into my neck. I had a massage back in April, and I think/know I'm due for another one now. A friend of mine mentioned that I should try some Tiger Balm, and maybe it would help. Has anyone ever used it? I hear it's suppose to be good. If you have any other suggestions, I am all for it.

To finish out this post today I want to talk about a new documentary that is at select theaters right now. I saw it Tuesday night. It's called Every Little Step. It the making of the revival of A Chorus Line. If you like/love musicals, you'll love this documentary. I know I did. I thought it was fantastic how the documentary incorporated footage and interviews from original cast members and ended with new cast members. You got a real sense of what really goes into making a musical from the idea and concept, the audition process and finally the end result. A definite Thumbs Up from me.

I hope you all have a wonderful weekend.

Birthdays, sewing, lace, and more lace!!!!

Yesterday I celebrated by birthday by relaxing and sewing. I'd show you my presents, but they haven't arrived yet. Mr. D was a little disappointed, but I told him it was fine. He bought me a Dell mini laptop computer. I'm still a little unsure about it, because it so small. I'm guessing I'm just use to the regular size laptop. I am siked about having a new toy to play with though. My other new present is the Singer 14CG754 Pro Finish Serger. That present is from my mother and myself. She doesn't know yet, and she usually gives me money for my birthday. I ordered it Friday night from Sew and Vac Direct.

I also purchased a 36 x56 cutting pad from JoAnn's. I've found that I like using my rotary cutter instead of my ginghers or fiskars scissors. I get a much more cleaner edge.

I worked on my NL 6433 skirt yesterday, and it's coming along nicely. I just have to hem it and decorate it now with the ric rac. So far the only adjustments I made were to the waistband. Per the directions I did a lap zipper. When I cut out the waistband, I cut it a little longer and wider. From past experience, I learned to do that because the waistbands are sometimes a little short for me. In doing this, I'm able to adjust it so that it turns out perfect for my waist.

In knitting news, I started a lace study. I've been reading Eunny Jang's Majoring in Lace. Today I read the article "A Primer on Knitted Lace" by Jackie Erickson-Scweitzer. The article can be found in Interweave Knits Summer 2006. I followed it up by reading "Lace, Shaping Your Garment" by Eunny Jang. That article is in Interweave Knits Fall 2006. I think I'm ready to go, but it's all still a little confusing. I guess I can figure the rest of it out as I go along. I'm getting ready to start charting a pattern out next on graph paper. I'll then start swatching.

Weekend Sewing Update!!

I started a new sewing project last night before going to bed. I wanted a new A-line skirt. The pattern I'm using is NL6433, view E. So far this skirt is a breeze, and there are only 2 pieces to cut. The waistband and the skirt, which is cut on the fold so it's all in one piece. I purchased the fabric at Fabric Warehouse last year. The brown fabric has eyelet cut-outs all over it. This meant that I would have to have a lining with this skirt. I wanted to incorporate the lining into the whole skirt, so I cut the lining the length that the actual skirt was suppose to be, and cut the skirt part shorter. It's a little crooked in this picture but I'll correct. I'm planning on putting 2 rows of chocolate ric rac as trim on the bottom lining of the skirt. I'm hoping it's not too much. I love this dog. He is too cut. He even knows not to walk on my fabric when I'm cutting it out.

Today I purchased this.


From buzzing around online,I see that the book is very good, and from looking through it, I think I can learn a lot from it. I'll keep you posted.

I ate year old wedding cake yesterday, and it was pretty good. I guess that means I wrapped it right.

Year 1

Today, one year ago I married this man. It has been a year of change, adjustment and boy have we had fun, and I'd do it all over again. I'm just glad he doesn't mind the crafting thing. In fact he loves it. And in honor of that I'm making him these.

I hope that everyone has been having a wonderful Memorial Day weekend. I don't know about everyone else, but it has been a weekend of organizing for me. I organized two containers of fabric and put the other three in the basement to go through later. I also organized my patterns in these 2 containers. I'm now working on these sheets so I know what I actually have. For the pictures I couldn't find online at the Butterick site, I took pictures with my camera. I'm also going to be working on an excel spreadsheet so that I know what fabrics, notions and yardages I need. I still need to organize my Burda Magazines. I came across this post from Cidell last night. I like what she did with her patterns, so I'll probably do that.

I also want to thank Omega for giving me this lovely award. Thank you. In turn, I now have to spread the love.

Sheila
Robin
Susan
Adrienne
Marissa
Lisa
Robin
Lori

These are just a few of the ladies that inspire me. I love your blogs.

I'll be back later, the day isn't over and I'm going to try and see if there is anything else I can start and or finish. Now, on to that year old wedding cake I have to go eat. At least we were able to save a bottle of champagne from the wedding. I'm hoping it will go down easy with that.