Grainline Maritime Shorts

My pant making process continues! As long as I get a little bit better each time I make a pair I'm considering the make a success.

Everywhere I turn people are raving about this pattern so I had to try it. It doesn't disappoint! The size 6 fits with no alterations which is the thing that always makes me the most nervous when I start thinking about sewing any type of pant. 

The Grainline tutorial for sewing the fly is amazing.  It makes it so easy! I'm proud of how my fly turned out on this one. Sorry you'll have to turn your head sideways. 

I chose a Ralph Lauren denim from Mood and it is extremely stiff.  I'm hoping if I wash the shorts a thousand times they will loosen up a bit.  Choosing fabric is hard. 

I don't know why pants are so hard for me to gear up for mentally.  I jump into everything else with both feet but jeans give me pause.  I think they seem intimidating to think about, but this pair was truly easy!  I'm not sure how often I will wear these but practice makes perfect.

Colette Zinnia

 

I'm not so sure why it took me so long to buy this pattern.  I own quite a few Colette patterns but skipped past this one when it was released. I love a high waisted flared skirt with gathers so I'm glad I went back for it!

Version 1 is easy to fit and sew. The skirt is gathered so once the waistband fits you're on track. 

I never choose striped fabric because I'm intimidated by matching up the stripes.  I liked this fabric so much from Mood that I decided to go for it.  I think I did ok but I took note of things to watch for in the future. The fabric is a cotton/rayon blend and when it came out of the wash it felt sort of puffy and springy like crepe.  Highly recommend it!

I shortened the length by 2.5 inches and there are still quite a few buttons to sew on.  I like the look of buttons but greatly prefer sewing in a zip!







SBCC Gibson Blouse

 

This is my third make from Skinny Bitch Curvy Chick patterns and my love affair is growing stronger.  See the others here and here.  I caught on to the company a little late and now I'm going back to the beginning to see what I missed. 



I didn't realize the Gibson blouse has a hi-low hemline until I had finished sewing it together and tried it on. The hi-low look is not a favorite of mine, so I hacked off the low hem in the back to make it straight.  I like it much better that way.

The instructions for this one are sparse without a lot of pictures. The sewing on this one is pretty straight-forward so you won't miss them.  It's an added bonus because I was able to print off the instructions and have them beside me.  Having to refer to instructions on the computer is one drawback of digital patterns for me. 

My measurements are 34-28-38.  For other SBCC patterns I've used a small.  I cut a small for this but ended up taking off an additional inch from the side seams to make it less baggy.  Next time I will go with the XS. 

The fabric is Liberty of London. Happy sewing!





Sewaholic Minoru #2

 

I have needed a second Minoru in my closet since I made my first one a couple of years ago. I wear the polka-dotted one constantly and if people always see me with a jacket on it must seem like I always wear the same thing!

I used a red twill from Mood for the shell and cheap satin-y stuff for the inside.  I like the elastic waist that provides shaping.

The pattern doesn't come with outer pockets so I added them because I think that's a necessity in a jacket.

The pattern does include handy inner pockets though! Back view:

My first Minoru will always be my favorite but it will be nice to have a second version. If you haven't made one yet you definitely should! The pattern is easy and the sewalong is extremely thorough. 

Christine Haynes Sylvie Dress #2

I love this dress! I recently spent several weeks working on a blazer that ended badly and almost completely crushed my spirit.  I needed a sewing cleanse after that and this dress worked like a charm.

This is my first attempt at taking pictures with a tripod and the help of my little kids, which is why they are all crooked.  Working on that....

For my first Sylvie here, I chose a size 8 based on my measurements.  It was very big and I had to shave a lot off the back, so for this version I went with a straight 4 and it fits perfectly. 





I'm in love with this fabric that I purchased on Amazon.  It never occurred to me to look there for fabric until Oonaballoona posted about it.  It's very floaty, so I underlined it in a lightweight muslin. 

You'll have to turn your head to the side for this one because things aren't cooperating today, but that's a close up of the pockets and gathered skirt...



...and another sideways close-up of the three darts at the bust to provide shape. 

I wore this at the park and a 6 year old girl told me my dress was pretty.  You know 6 year old girls don't lie!

SBCC Brooklyn Hoodie Revisited

I went back for seconds of the Skinny Bitch Curvy Chick Brooklyn Hoodie and I'm so glad I did.  I love this pattern! This time I chose the shorter version and added rib knit trim for the hem and wrist bands, and I'm happy with both of those changes.  After sewing the longer version and also trying the Seamwork Oslo, I've decided that I really don't like things that go too far below my hips.

The french terry fabric and coordinating rib knit are from Hell Gate Fabrics and both are amazing. It's the same fabric that is used on the SBCC pattern sewalong and envelope.   

I cut a small but shaved off an additional 1/4 inch when I pushed the side seams through my serger.  The terry is very stretchy and I wanted to start with a slimmer fit. SBCC patterns are made for petites.  I'm just a smidge under 5'4 and I have a long torso, but the short version is perfect on me without lengthening it. 

I will be making this pattern again and again.  I think I've done a good job of keeping my focus on making pieces that fit into my every day life instead of sewing things I won't get as much use out of.  In the sewing world I think that's called making cake instead of frosting.  And I don't wear a party dress out with these two hoodlums.  They took my pictures for this post and I think they did pretty good considering they didn't want to do it at all.  Happy sewing!

 

 



SBCC Moto Chic Jacket

 This is my second make from the Skinny Bitch Curvy Chick pattern company and I've enjoyed both. This jacket turned out just like I wanted it to. I like the moto jacket look but didn't feel like working with leather, so I chose a mustard yellow corduroy from Mood for the shell and a rayon from Cotton+Steel for the lining. 

I don't usually wear anything with a peplum, but I do like this one a lot.  The gathering adds a nice feminine detail. 

The instructions for this are pretty sparse without a lot of diagrams, but there is a sewalong to help you out. The trickiest part in my opinion is sewing the zipper on because you are sewing each half to two different pieces. In the picture below, the top zipper is on the side front panel, while the bottom zipper is on the center front panel. They are two different lengths and shapes, so I pinned the shoulder seams together to help make sure it was all lined up right. 

Then I put the other center front piece over the side front panel to make sure it looked ok before I stitched the zipper.  Don't rush through this part or you might be off a little bit and have to rely on your seam ripper. 

When it came time to bag the lining, one of my center front panels was flapping around at the waist seam.  I don't know if I missed something in the directions, but I eventually stopped reading the instructions and just fiddled with it until I figured out how to attach that part and then sew the lining on. 

My apologies for the poor indoor lighting, but I wanted to show the lining.  I'm not crazy about how it doesn't extend down to the hem.  I didn't plan ahead and used white serger thread (because I'm lazy) which is kind of glaring against the yellow.  If I had it to do over again, I would draft a lining for the peplum and then hand stitch it to the hem. 

This is what it looks like unzipped so you can see how it goes together:

I recommend this pattern, but not for someone who has never made a jacket before .  Try something more straight-forward without the side zipper and overlapping panels, and then come back to this.  Happy sewing!