Category: Misses’ Tops

Me Made Monday

Now that I have somewhat a “NORMAL” schedule, whatever that means, I am sewing more. July I made a few pieces, shorts, pants, tops, and currently on the sewing table is a kimono. I need to install the facing, but not sure I want the facing on, due to the print on the fabric to me it takes away from the print. I will pin and see how it looks. I may even do a poll on Instagram for some feedback. Here is the kimono in its unfinished state. I am using McCall’s 7790 View C and the sleeve variation from View B. I love a dramatic sleeve. I know some of my sew sisters have their eyes on my lining, but it hasn’t been pressed yet, get your eyeballs out of there, I know it’s showing.

For the next few weeks, I have my work cutout for me, yes pun intended. I have matched fabric and cut out several patterns to make for the few weeks. Hoping to have a small get away with the husband for our anniversary. Fingers crossed that COVID cases don’t shut us down again.

Any-who enough of that talk, you want to see what I have up next? Well here goes…

  1. Simplicity 8177 – The Coat

I am making the coat version for our mini trip, this way I only need one coat to wear with every outfit. I picked a black ponte knit fabric for this one.

2. Simplicity 8790 The Hoodie in View D. The fabric selected is a gray sweatshirt fabric for cooler mornings as I like to walk in the morning to start the day.

3. Simplicity 1167 The Tank Top. Black Knit Fabric for the win. I can wear this with the pants that are number 4 and the coat from number 1.

4. Simplicity 8605 The Pants View E. I choose view to see if I will need to take of the usual 5″ of the bottom due to the pattern being 5″ longer than what I need. Once it’s cut I will measure it to see what, if any, alterations I will need to make. This fabric is a leftover piece from another project I made.

5. Simplicity 9268 Top and Pants

This one is not for our trip, but I love this outfit and I found this pretty pale pink . I think this a gauze. I will have to find the label for it, for details when it is completed. For now I am making a muslin of the top for fitting. Although is not a close to body fit, the size I think I need is really big, so I am making a muslin and will alter from there if needed.

I will need a few other pieces to go along with the ones posted here, but for now, so I am not overwhelmed this is all I have set out. I will add additional items when these are completed. Have a great week!!!!

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Me made may – 2020 UFO’s Completed

I was busy…

I love when my sewing plans fall into place and I am able to make something or in this case, finish up some things I started. May was a busy month and I ABSOLUTELY love it. I always look forward to Me Made May every year, seems that’s when I am most productive.

Besides my me made garments I was also able to make over 500 face covers for local veteran’s, local hospitals, and family and friends that were in need.I was happy to be able to make and provide them, it was tough making them knowing that this may be the new normal for a while. I just hope and pray that will be a vaccine to help with the virus.

One thing that I did that I am so proud of, is that I went through my stack of Unfinished Outfits (UFO’s) and started finishing those off. I found some of the garments I could wear and others were just way too big, I am a good 12-15 pounds lighter than when I started some of these projects. So with that comes the good and the bad.

Simplicity 8638

So let’s start with the bad….it’s not a bad pattern, but was a bad fabric choice, wondering if that’s how it ended up in the UFO stack. The fabric as you can see is completely see through and it is really, cheaply made if that’s a word. It wouldn’t hold up for a everyday summer dress.

McCall’s 7741

This one I absolutely love, the fabric is fun, the dress is cute, but…it’s way too big. So big that I wouldn’t feel comfortable taking a photo of myself and posting it, as the whole left side of my girlie parts (boob) is completely out of the dress. I would love to take it apart and size it down to fit, but not sure if that will happen. I may take the fabric and make something else out of what I can salvage. This dress was the dress I was going to wear to my daughter’s college graduation 2 years ago. I ended up wearing a store bought dress instead.

Vogue 9112

If you know me, you know I love a good jumpsuit and this one was no different. I started making this one 2 years ago, I must have had a lot going on in 2018 to have so many UFO’s. This one fits, I did have to seam rip the bodice and shorten the elastic a bit, but other than that it works perfect. I can’t remember where I purchased this fabric from, but I definitely need some more.

Butterick 6330

This one fits also. I used a border print on this on this one. Fabric was purchased from Michael Levine’s about 3 years ago. I did make a rookie mistake on this one. I should have cut the back on the fold, to not interrupt the pattern on the back. It’s okay, I usually wear a cardigan over my dresses when working in the office, so it wouldn’t be seen and if I wear it at home, no one really cares. LOL!!!

Still in the stack…

Here are a few that are still in the stack.

Style Sew Me – Bree

I do plan on completing this one, just haven’t gotten to it. This is a great dress and the fabric I have chosen is super soft and great for the heat we are already getting here. Today it is a high of 104 degrees, that’s okay as I am currently working from home.


Simplicity 8334

This one I am going to have to work some magic on. I don’t know what I did to the area on the front of the dress for the front facing goes, but it is definitely cut the wrong way. I am going to get creative with it, I can’t just let some good camo fabric go to waste. Like a good jumpsuit, I love camo.

Simplicity 8601

This one is coming soon. I started it and the pattern didn’t line up and I took it apart, did it again and the same thing. I need to get the walking foot out and get started. I made this one and love it. I need tops in my wardrobe. I feel as though I wear the same ones all the time.

There are also a few coats, which I won’t post on this blog post, as they will not see the light of day, it’s too hot for that. Look for a blog post next week, with all the new garments and a few collaborations that I have done in May. I will also be re-taking pictures of me in the UFO garments, my lighting was horrible on the ones I took and now I have access to more lighting.

Please remember to stay safe! Happy Sewing!

Bye for now, time to go Sew Something!!!!

SMT – Stashed Gems Challenge Update

This challenge was exactly what I needed to spark that SEW-JO I so needed. I love this and I may repeat this each month, a girl can never have to many Me Made Garments in her closet.

So just to recap what the Challenge consisted of, sew using the patterns and fabric from your stash. Don’t BUY any new patterns or fabric, unless you need the fabric, to finish off a garment. I thought this was genius and started using the structure of this challenge in other parts of my day to day adventures as well. Like what, you ask? For example, we buy facial products and the nice lady at the checkout counter provides you with all these samples, some are samples of the very same products you are purchasing. I am using those, as I don’t travel much and when I do, it’s usually in the car and not on an airplane. Where can you use the rules for this challenge in your life? I also blogged about the challenge here in my 2020 Sewing plans. Go check it out if you haven’t already.

So what did I make during the Stashed Gems Challenge?

Week 1 Tops

Yes you have seen this top, probably 1 million times, from me alone. LOL!!! It is a quick and easy top and it helped me with busting my stash of knits.

This baseball tee, New Look 6230, I love the fit and the white fabric is super soft. I selected the gray for the sleeves because it is a little shear and I didn’t want to line this t-shirt.

The 2 bottom tops are Simplicity 8988. I didn’t do the raw edges on the outside, as I simply forgot that was the concept of the top. Ay yi yi, I am a creature of habit. So since I didn’t do the outside seams, I made it off the shoulder without the ties. I plan on using it for lounge wear in the house. I plan on making this one, the right way, blue in a sweatshirt knit I have in my stash. The fabric selected for this one was a sweatshirt knit as well.

Week 2 Skirt and Dresses

Yep, again McCall’s 8982 in the Dress. I don’t fit skirts well, store bought or Me Made, so you won’t see skirts from me, until i truly learn how to measure myself for the perfect fit. It’s another thing I have on my learn to-do sewing list. Pants and skirts. All the fabric here is knit fabrics purchased from Michael Levine’s way back in 2016. The black, pink, red fabric is a border print, so I placed the top and the bottom on the black portion of the border in order to give it that affect of matching the top and bottom. I then placed the sleeve on the floral section, with just a tiny bit of black to have a flowing of the pattern effect. That one is my favorite.

Week 3 Pants and Jumpsuits

This week has been a real struggle, school has started back and I am spending at least 2-3 hours a night doing homework, for just one class, MATH. Not my best subject either, but hey I am going to push through. I have a pair of jeans that I want to make and I think I picked a fairly easy pattern, but something about Jeans that just makes me nervous. I guess I just need to get it done.

The pattern I have selected for my jeans is Simplicity 8701. I have a denim fabric with 5% Spandex that I think will do the job. I will start on the fitting , take my time, and see how it goes. I am thinking to do a muslin first, but this fabric was so low priced, that if they don’t fit I won’t be to upset about it. Hoping to have them completed in about 2 weeks, to allow myself time to focus on making them and not feel rushed.

So on that note stay tuned…..

Simplicity Sewing Pattern S8701 Misses' Pants with Options for Design Hacking

Week 4 Outerwear/Sportswear

I made this cape, Simplicity A1226, using some pink and gray flannel. I think I bought this at Joann Fabrics, but it has been in my stash so long I can’t remember. The pattern is also out of print. I thought I had found one on Etsy, but when I clicked the link it stated that the page was no longer available. Oh boy look at all those scraps, under the table, I have been busy in January with my sewing. I LOVE IT!!! There are a few more days left in the Stashed Gems Challenge it ends on February 2, 2020. My plan is to continue on with busting down my stash and using the patterns I have already all year long. I am planning a trip to Los Angeles, in April, so of course I’ll be stopping by the Fashion District for some Spring/Summer pieces. In between now and April I am planning to make a list of makes, so that way I can select the fabrics needed, instead of just going hog wild, because they are all so pretty, that’s how I usually approach fabric shopping, but now I need shop smarter.

I will also be making my first make for someone else, so I heed good fabric, for that dress. I am excited for that too. Sewing for others has been on my list to do and now I have the opportunity to do it. So I am on it.

Great things come from hard work and perseverance. No excuses. -Kobe Bryant

Rest in Peace 1978-2020.

3 Looks with 1 Pattern

Simplicity 8982, Misses’ Knit Two Piece Sweater Dress, Tops, and Skirts

I made some time this month to actually get some sewing in. I was really successful. The next 2 weeks, not so much is planned and that’s ok. I have finals coming up and I really need to study. I have 3 classes, yikes!!! I will survive, I always do.

So on to the topic at hand, what did I make this month? Well what did make in 13 days, a lot. Well a lot for me, but hey even I only completed one garment, I would be happy, as I am back in my happy place.

Simplicity 8982 was my make for the Sew Your View selected pattern on Instagram. You really should check out all the other makes for this pattern, they are AH-MAZING!!!

I originally made View C and View D the top and skirt, I wasn’t feeling the fit of the skirt on me. It looks fabulous on the other ladies that made it, but it was not my style. I styled the top with a pair of riding boots and my favorite white jeans. I love how this on came out.

With this being such a quick and easy sew, I made View A and View A with the sleeves from View C. I believe this is going to be my new Tried and True (TNT) pattern. I absolutely love it and it is EASY to sew.

I am also getting into the habit of finishing my edges inside. I love the way it looks and it helps it to lay flat when all the excess seam allowance has been cut off.

Learning to work with the colors on my camera and I need some help. In the next few weeks I will be taking an online class to see what I need to do to get the perfect shot. My sewing space also needs some more lights in it, the flash on the camera is not enough, or maybe I have it in the wrong mode.

Bye for now, time to go SEW Something!!!!

Simplicity 8982 Misses’ Top

This pattern is so popular right now and I absolutely love it. I made the top and skirt first, but the skirt is not my style. I am thinking I need to shorten it and peg the bottom a little more to make it more of a pencil skirt look. The skirt was an easy sew, it just not the style I wear.

I have made view A the dress and in the process of making View A with the sleeves from view C. This may be my new TNT pattern, oh the possibilities with this one.

I styled my make, View C, with my favorite white jeans and a pair of riding boots.

I love how this top lays right above the pockets on the back of my pants. It’s not too long and not too short, it’s just right.

Pattern Description: Misses’ Knit Two Piece Sweater Dress, Tops, and Skirts

Pattern Sizing: 6-22

Did it look like the photo/drawing on the pattern envelope once you were done sewing with it? Yes, it did, but the skirt didn’t fit my body type, but that’s not anything with the pattern. I love the skirt just not on me. 

Were the instructions easy to follow? Yes very easy to follow. I have started a dress and didn’t need the instructions to start it. 

What did you particularly like or dislike about the pattern? The whole pattern. The easy of instructions and the possibilities that are there to make other options. The joy of mix and match.

Fabric Used: Cotton knit, found at WalMart for $5.00 per yard.

Pattern alterations or any design changes you made: None, but I am going to alter the skirt, shorten it and peg the bottom.

Would you sew it again? Would you recommend it to others? Yes, I made a dress and am making another one with sleeve variations. 

Conclusion: I love this pattern and more than likely you will see more of this make from me. 

Bye for now, time to go Sew Something!!!