Sewing Plans for 2023

It has been a while since I have sat down at my sewing machine and completed a garment. I have 2 that I am working on completing this week. The first one is Simplicity 9544 View C. I started this jumpsuit in October with Carol’s Sewing Corner on Facebook. It is 95% complete, it needs the buttons attached and I ordered beads for the hardware for vthe waist tie.

I was looking forward to this one and actually wearing it before the weather changed. It didn’t happen and we are now in a rainstorm, so once complete I will be doing indoor photos with this one.

Here are a few photos of the progress.

Project #2 New Look 6740

I started this one the week of Christmas and it has been hanging on Brittany, my mannequin, half done. It needs the sleeves finished and the bottom attached. My son, he’s almost 25, in a few weeks, asked if I were going to wear pants under it. Huh? What? No I hadn’t planned on it, guessing he thinks its too short. I am only 4’11”, so more than likely it is going to be real dress on me and not a “mini” dress as the pattern states. I do like the booties with it that the model is wearing, so more than likely I will pair it with leggings and a booties. I’ll keep the son happy and stay warm at the same time.

For now these are my sewing goals. I am also looking for an outfit to make for Valentine’s Day dinner with my husband. I haven’t decided if I want to do a jumpsuit, which you all know is my favorite, a dress, or a pants and jacket combo. I just don’t know. So for now I am going through my patterns to see if anything jumps out at me.

What are your sewing plans? Leave me a comment. Happy sewing!

Fashion is art and you are the canvas. ~Velvet Paper

The Luna Jumpsuit

Jumpsuit season has officially begun for me. I has a list, my make nine list, which I am still using, but this pattern jumped to the head of the line, when it was posted. I know I say I love all jumpsuit patterns, but this one, I absolutely fell in love with.

The pattern is a free pdf pattern from Mood Sewciety, it can be found here. I love the simplicity of the patten and the pieces required to construct this garment. It came along perfect for me. Typically, I will need to take off at least 4″ from the length of the pattern for my height, there were no alterations needed. I am also wearing flat sandals and the top of the pant leg hits perfectly on the top of the foot.

Pattern Description: Women’s Jumpsuit

Pattern Sizing: 00-32. I cut a size 10

Did it look like the photo/drawing on the pattern envelope once you were done sewing with it? Yes, it looked exactly the same as the photo provided.

Were the instructions easy to follow? Yes, instructions are easy to follow and the photos provide makes it easy to follow along.

What did you particularly like or dislike about the pattern? I loved that I did not need to alter the length of the pattern. For all the women who want to make this, please be sure to measure the pattern and yourself for the the waist to ankle (or however long you prefer). measurements.

Fabric Used: I had this really pretty green cotton knit fabric that has been in my stash for a few years.

Pattern alterations or any design changes you made: No alterations needed for this pattern.

Would you sew it again? Would you recommend it to others? Yes, I would make this again maybe in black. Who doesn’t need more jumpsuits?

Conclusion: Love the pattern, love that there were no alterations needed, and I loved how many people commented on my outfit when I wore it to work. I did wear a jacket over it for the office to make if more professional.

You are so much stronger than you think!!! `Unknown

Make Nine 2022 Edition

I have been deciding the whole month of January if I wanted to post a Make Nine list for 2022. Like so many others I make these elaborate lists of garments I want to make at the beginning of the year. This year I looked long and hard at what I needed in my wardrobe, not much with working from home, but I still like fashion and clothing is my Love Language. I have also added pieces that will help me expand my sewing skills and to use other fabrics that I typically shy away from.

My list is created in no special order of completion. The weather in California is unpredictable so I will sew as I see fit, for whatever weather we are having here. The ongoing joke here is that we have 2 seasons, wet when we are not in a drought, hot because of the drought. Okay enough about the weather, let’s take a look at the list.

  • Simplicity 9480 – Jumpsuit (View B) – no matter the season a good jumpsuit is always on my list. I choose View B, the shorter length, knowing that I have to remove at least 4″ on jumpsuit/pant patterns to accommodate my height.
Simplicity Sewing Pattern S9480 Misses' Jumpsuit
  • Simplicity 9463 – Dress (View B) – love everything about this dress, especially the peplum style bottom. The peplum is not my usually style, but I am stepping out of my comfort zone. More than likely I will make both versions at some point, but for now it’s View B.
Simplicity Sewing Pattern S9463 Misses' Shirt Dress with Belt
  • Vogue 1832 – Jacket and Pants – this pattern is going to be my challenge outfit. I am challenging myself to make garments with more zippers. Zippers are not my strong point, but I need to get over it. I am going to put all the finishing details on this outfit with the color contrast on the sleeve and it’s going to match a pair of sneakers my husband bought me for Christmas. This one is on the cutting table as I write this post.
Vogue Patterns V1832 | Misses' and Misses' Petite Jacket and Pants
  • Simplicity 8830 – Shirtdress (View A) – this pattern is gorgeous and the style I am looking for, at the moment, next week my style can totally change. I love the versatility of this pattern. I can wear it as a shirt or a dress, dressed up or down. I am actually excited about this one.
Simplicity Sewing Pattern S8830 Mimi G Misses'/Miss Petite Shirtdress
  • Simplicity 9268 – Top and Pants – this pattern was on my list last year to make during summer and it didn’t happen. The weather changed and I put it away. I have all the fabric and notions and if I remember correctly it is already cut out.
Simplicity Sewing Pattern S9268 Misses' Bra Top & Gathered Pants
  • Simplicity 9228 Top and Pants – it’s all about coordinating and this pattern is just that. I can wear the jacket with jeans, or the pants with a jean jacket. I can already see so many options with this one.
Simplicity Sewing Pattern S9228 Misses' Sportswear
  • Mood Buttercup Sweatshirt – all 3 looks – this pattern has 3 looks and all 3 are pieces I can use in my wardrobe. The crop banded with jeans and a cute pair of sneakers, the crop with leggings and sandals, the dress with wedges or sneakers. The options with this one is also endless and the choice of fabric can make or break this piece.
  • Swimsuit – last year I made Simplicity 1116 and of course I can’t find it. I have 4 other sewing patterns in my pattern collection. I haven’t decided which one I want to make yet, but I have time, it’s not hot here yet and I don’t have any tropical vacations planned. The 4 I have are McCall’s 5400, Simplicity 8928, Vogue 9192, and Simplicity 1374.
Amazon.com: McCall's Patterns M5400 Misses' Two- Piece Bathing Suit and  Cover-Up, Size AX5 (4-6-8-10-12) : Arts, Crafts & Sewing
Simplicity Sewing Pattern S8928 Misses' Swimsuit and Caftans by Cynthia  Rowley
V9192 | Misses' Wrap-Top Bikini, One-Piece Swimsuits, and Cover-Ups | Vogue  Patterns
Amazon.com: Simplicity 1374 Women's Vintage Two-Piece Bathing suit and  Beach Cover Up Sewing Patterns by Patty Reed, Sizes16-24 : Arts, Crafts &  Sewing
  • Swimsuit cover up – I have 2 patterns in mind for the cover-up, New Look A6283 and Simplicity 1375. Simplicity 1375 is an actual dress, put is perfect to use as a cover–up over a swimsuit for a dinner on the beach. Yes I plan on going to the beach this summer. I have 2 fabrics I want to use for a cover-up, so more than likely I will make one of each pattern.
New Look Pattern 6283 Misses' Mini Dress or Tunic
Amazon.com: Simplicity 1375 Easy to Sew Women's Pullover Dress Sewing  Patterns, Sizes XXS-XXL : Arts, Crafts & Sewing

Yes, I know this is more than nine patterns, my goals have expanded and sewing makes me happy!!! 2022 is my year to grow in all things that I touch.

Update on Vogue 1754 Misses’ Cape: The Cape is complete, but I haven’t found the perfect hardware (buttons) for the belt. As soon as I find something I will post a blog post on it. I absolutely love how it turned out.

Fashion is art and you are the canvas. ~Velvet Paper

Getting ready for Return to Office

Well not sure when that is going to be as the date keeps changing. That is not a complaint, it allows me more time to get my wardrobe together for when that date does happen.

The Simplicity 8982 pattern is a great starter to get your SewJo flowing again, mine never left, but if you are stuck in a funk and want to sew something quick and cute, this one would work to satisfy both of those elements.

I like easy to style and easy to dress up or down patterns. This pattern has a dress, 2 tops with different sleeve variations, and 2 skirts of different lengths. I am not a fan of the skirt, made it in 2019 and it just does not fit my body type. It was not cute. I have seen other sewist wear the skirt and it looks good on them, but not on me.

I had enough of this pretty fabric left from a jumpsuit I made for my wedding anniversary dinner in 2021. There are a few scraps left which I may turn into earrings or a bag. Stay tuned for those items, still deciding.

This is the 3rd dress that I have made with this pattern and it makes me happy each time. I love the fit and it the simplicity of the pattern. You can view my review of the first and second dresses here. You will see the skirt on the mannequin (Brittany), she wore it well.

Up next on the blog: Vogue 1754 Misses Cape

Fashion has two purposes: Comfort and Love. Beauty Comes when Fashion succeeds. -Coco Chanel-

2021 Sewing Projects

Hello I hope everyone had a great holiday season. I know I am a week off, but I took some time away from the blog and also a little bit from social media, except for my business page. Just thought I would jump on and make a quick post showing all of the pieces I started and finished in 2021. Some of them are still not finished, that’s another blog post. LOL!!!

When writing this post and uploading photos, I was surprised at how much progress I have made with my sewing for 2021. I felt as though I didn’t sew a lot. Let’s see what 2022 has in store. I have a red wool cape that is almost complete and a dress that needs sleeves and hemming. Those will be finished by the end of the weekend. Have a great rest of the week and I’ll see you all next week.

A little progress each day adds up to big results. ~Unknown