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I originally made View C and View D the top and skirt, I wasn’t feeling the fit of the skirt on me.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!!!

Fall 2019 Sewing

It’s been a while since I posted a blog. Life itself has been crazy busy for me and my priorities shifted this summer, school, family, life, and taking care of myself. Yes sewing is taking care of myself, but it was taking up time I needed to spend elsewhere.

I had some work done on my house in August which started with new floors for my family room, laundry room, and downstairs bathroom. Once those were done I loved them so much that I had the floors in my sewing space replaced as well. So you can only imagine that my sewing space was a total disaster at the time. Now that the work is all done I have slowly gotten things back to normal.

Before

After

Here is a peak at the table I am using for my cutting table. It is the table out of my kitchen, it is the perfect height and width for me to cut without having to adjust my patterns and fabric when cutting. I actually taped the 2 cutting mats together on the bottom to make one big cutting mat. I am in search of a larger one, but for now this is working just fine.

Here are few of the patterns I plan on making for the Fall now that my sewing room is back in order and it is all done. I just need to take more photos when the lighting is right.

I have started on the first pattern Simplicity 8982 with cutting out the pattern and matched it to a knit I found at Wal-Mart in the 5 yards for $5.00 bolt. It is pretty sturdy and I think it will be perfect for this project. I will be working on it throughout this week and plan to have her finished this weekend. Fingers crossed I stick the plan.

Simplicity 8982

Misses’ Knit Two Piece Sweater Dress, Tops, Skirts

View C and View D. Why view C? Well, the sleeves of course. I am so in love with these sleeves. View D, because every girl needs a pencil skirt for Fall.

Simplicity 8992

Misses’ Sweater Dress and Cardigans with Pattern Hacking Options

There are so many options to choose from with this one, I am thinking to go with version 3. It has the option to have button holes and a belt. I am thinking this one in an olive green sweater knit that I also picked up from Wal-Mart.

Simplicity 8990

Misses’ Wrap Coats

I put a coat on my Fall Sewing list every year and what happens? I never finish it. Well this year my plan is to make this one from start to finish. It seems simple enough to where I won’t feel like giving up half way the the project. Not sure on a color or fabric yet for this one, but I will definitely be going with View B, the short version.

Simplicity 8988

Misses’ Cozy Knit Tops

I love this top and I need more tops again this Fall. I tend to wear cardigans and a t-shirt, but want to change up my look a little this Fall. I love the exposed seams on view A, that’s the view I plan on making.

Simplicity 8987

Misses’ Tops with Sleeve Variations

This a simple top, but I can take Views B and C and make them with a fancy print fabric to get them to pop. There are a lot of other sleeve variations that can also be added to this top. It can be worn with casual wear and with the right fabric it can be dressed up as well. I will be putting elastic in the bottom of View C with the flared sleeve.

Bye for Now, Time to Go Sew Something!!!

McCall’s 7482 Misses’ Asymmetrical Zip-Jacket and Seamed Leggings

I really LOVE this jacket. The Asymmetrical Zip, the option to color block or use a solid and fun print as I have, has me wanting more jackets like this. Brianna, my dress form, is not the right “person” to model garments with hoods. I constructed both of these pieces as part of the Make Nine for 2019, from Instagram and the Pattern Review Activewear 2019 Challenge.

The side seam of the pants was a little difficult and had me second guessing if I wanted to complete the pants at all. I put in one leg following the instructions and it didn’t come out like it was supposed, so to the good ole seam ripper I went. I took it apart, laid it on the cutting table, re-pinned it with a thousand and one pins, really, to get it to stay in place as I sewed it back together. That worked, pants leg number one was done. Woohoo!

Pattern Description: Misses’ Asymmetrical Zip-Jacket and Seamed Leggings

Pattern Sizing: 6-14

Did it look like the photo/drawing on the pattern envelope once you were done sewing with it? Yes exactly like the pattern. I as pleasantly surprised it looked so much like the pattern.

Were the instructions easy to follow? The instructions were easy to follow, with the exception of the side panels. Placing them in the lower seam was a little intension.

What did you particularly like or dislike about the pattern? I loved the Asymmetrical Zip on the Jacket. It was the first time I have installed a zipper in the diagonal and on the first try.

Fabric Used: I used 2 activewear knit fabrics purchased from the San Francisco Fabric Outlet, San Francisco, CA.

Pattern alterations or any design changes you made: I didn’t add pocket on the sleeve. My arms are a little on the bigger side at the bicep level, so I don’t like anything extra on the arm.

Would you sew it again? Would you recommend it to others? Yes, I would definitely sew the jacket again, not so sure about the pants. One pair of the fancy pants are enough for me. They are a great sew for anyone looking for activewear pants.

Conclusion: I am in love with this Jacket.

Thanks to my hubby for taking my photos. He gets credit for these photos, we are both still learning how to use our camera.

2 Year BlogVersary

It was 2 years ago today that I started my Blog The Sewcial Sewist. A blog about a woman from Sacramento, CA that used Sewing to heal from the death of her mother, that passed away in 2014 from stomach cancer. This smile on her face in this photo is exactly who she was, loving, funny, caring, and most of all my best friend. Oh how I miss her. You only miss someone this hard when there are great memories.

Within the last 2 years I have made a lot of garments, some good ones and some bad ones. I quickly learned that you can’t skip steps, you MUST iron your seams, the fabric needs to be pre-washed, and it is okay not finish a garment on the day that you start it. LOL! I would always try to rush to be done to be able to show off what I had made, not a great idea. Lots of wasted time and fabric that I would just trash because I was frustrated.

Not So Good Makes

Here a few of the not so good ones. Under each photo it will explain why I put each garment in the not so good category.

The bad on this Style Sew Me loungewear is the color of fabric I choose. This bright yellow was not the best choice for me. It reminded me of a large banana. The pattern itself I loved. I will be making this again for the Fall/Winter weather in another not so bold and bright color.

This McCalls 6700 maxi dress, needed major alterations after I finished it and took photos. The maxi was too long so I had to cut from the length and the bodice was too low cut, the last thing I needed was an accident of the bodice coming open.

This dress I loved until I washed it, then it became out of shape and not figure flattering on me at all. I think I ended up donating this one.

Another horrible fabric choice for a top. It was too busy and didn’t look as cute as I thought it would. The pattern Simplicity 8646 is a great top and a quick and easy sew. I needed a solid color fabric or a printed fabric that wasn’t too busy.

Bad placement of the pattern on this one. It looks like a large marijuana plant on the right side of the chest when you wear it. Nothing wrong with marijuana it has been used for medical purposes to assist those with medical conditions, but it is not for me to wear on a top.

Good Makes

Here are a few garments that I would consider Good Makes. The last 2 skirts were made when I first started sewing. They weren’t the best makes, but they were definitely some of the items that I was proud of, because they were completed and I thought they were cute.