Tag: #walmartfabrics

Spring/Summer Wardrobe Planning with Seamwork

Spring and Summer are my favorite times to sew. Although I did make quite a few garments during the winter months this year, Spring/Summer hold a special place in my heart. This time I am doing the Design Your Wardrobe course from Seamwork. I tried doing the course for Fall/Winter and it just didn’t happen, life was busy and I was unable to finish. This time I am treating it as if it were a required course. I am doing each lesson daily as “homework” as it comes in. So far I am enjoying it. I am learning more about what I need in a wardrobe for myself. The 3 key words that I found to fit my needs are Functional, Comfortable. and Stylish, basically I need everything to be comfortable and also to function in either season and be stylish, well it has to make me feel good and I need to be able to move it.

McCall’s 7476 – Misses’ Drop-Shoulder Vest and Cardigans

I worked on this cardigan over the weekend and completely changed the color. I found this fabulous lightweight royal blue knit fabric at Walmart, yes Walmart, for $4.00 for 4 yards and I loved the color, not realizing it was the color of the year. I picked it because of the brightness, I tend to be drawn towards bright loud colors. I just love them.

This is a versatile cardigan that can be worn Spring/Summer or Winter/Fall. I work in an office where the air is cooler during the hot months of the year, but it can be really hot outside. I like to layer in the office.

The description for the cardigan is a semi-fitted vest and cardigan.I made the cardigan in View B. I had this mustard color knit fabric that I found at Joann Fabric picked out, but then I changed to the blue. The pattern calls for moderate stretch knits, such as sweater knits double knit, sweatshirt fleece, or cotton knit.

The Flor

It is a versatile wrap cardigan that can worn with a maxi dress, a skirt and tank top, jeans and sandals, you name it and it can be worn with it.

The pattern calls for medium-weight knit fabrics, like French terry, merino wool, and ribbing. Or a lightweight sweater knit or jersey type fabric. I have some rib knit, sweater knit, and lightweight knit in my fabric stash that I can use. Here are 2 samples of possible choices. I haven’t decided yet if I want to use either one of these, they both follow that Spring Floral theme. I can also see this in a solid mustard yellow or a deep vino. Love those 2 colors right now. More than likely, I will be using the mustard yellow from the cardigan up top for this one. Stay tuned.. I am forever changing my mind on fabrics once I cut the pattern.

Audrey

A denim jacket. I have only sewn with denim once and it was for a tote bag, which did not require me to be measured or fitted. In order to up my skills I selected this one to make and you can never have to many denim items in your wardrobe. There is also a video on how to make this jacket on the Seamwork site. You do have to be a member in order to see the items listed on the website.

The main suggested fabric for this jacket is medium to heavyweight denim or canvas. The lining can be 1/2 yard of cotton muslin. I have a lot of cotton in my stash and more than likely will pick a fun print for the lining.

McCall’s 7663 – Misses’ Hooded Jacket, Crossover-Back Tops, and Leggings – Out-of-Print

I workout at least 5 days a week. I have only made one set of workout clothes, which is wild with the amount of time I spent in active-wear clothing. I really like the top on McCall’s 7663 – out-of-print. This top can be worn with jeans and for working out.

For the top the fabric choices are Two-way Stretch Knits (50% Cross Grain), Jerseys, cotton knit, and athletic knits. I have a camo, my favorite print, that I will be using for this top. I love the tie back on this one, I think that’s what drew me to this pattern.

Simplicity 8787 – Misses’ Learn-to-Sew Knit Dress View C

This dress is close in style to what I normally wear. I have made 5 different versions of McCall’s 7531, you can checkout the blog post here for those makes. They are almost identical as they are knit body-con type dresses.

For this one I am making View C, the sleeveless version for Summer. I know I can use the one that is cut out from McCall’s 7531, but I am using the patterns I have even if I have one that is cut that is close to it. I have a goal to use as many as my patterns as possible. The fabric suggestions are stretch knits only, ITY Knit, Jersey, Single Knit, Stretch Velvet, and Velour. I will be using a Nicole Miller stretch knit that I found at Joann Fabric years ago, maybe 3 years.

Happy Sewing!!!!

Goodbye 2019!!!

Is that right? Is it almost 2020? Yes, it is so hard to believe that I have wrapped up another year of sewing. I didn’t sew as much as I wanted to in 2019, after I had foot surgery, but now that I am healing and things are going back to normal there is nothing I won’t try. I am actually excited for the year 2020. I have so many plans to do things and I can’t wait to get started. Lingerie, swimwear, pants, bags, scarves, and athletic/lounge-wear just to name a few.

In 2018 I did the Ready to Wear Fast, no shopping for store bought clothes, and that worked out great for me. Read the post here. There were so many garments that I was able to make because of this fast and I plan on doing it again for 2020, in a Facebook Group. I am so ready to start.

I have my space all organized and TONS of fabric to start with. I do plan on going to the Garment District in Los Angeles, CA in April. I’ll see how that goes it will be my 45th birthday then and what girl doesn’t want new fabric for her birthday? My girlfriend always says how my fabric stash gives her anxiety. She is way too funny! I really do need to use this up and that is my goal plan. I have actually already started on it, buy using a few for some of the end of year garments I have made.

Drum roll please!!!!! These are the garments I was able to complete in 2019 with a few on the sewing table now. I plan on working on them in the next few weeks to complete them by December 30. I have 3 sets of PJ’s I’m working on as well. Good thing I have my Sew JO back.

I hope everyone had a wonderful 2019 and I look forward to seeing all the loveliness that each of you are going to create in 2020.

I leave you with this quote to start off 2020.

“Don’t make resolutions without an action plan. The secret to success is right in your hands.”

Happy New Year!

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!!!!

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!!!

Me Made Monday

Welcome to the first post for what I am calling Me Made Monday. The thought process behind Me Made Monday is to feature a Me Made garment or accessory. I typically do the most of my sewing during the weekends as I work outside the home Monday – Friday. My goal is to post every other Monday with a Me Made Garment. Let’s see how that works.

One Pattern – Two Dresses

The pattern pick for the July Sew Your View pattern over on instagram was Simplicity Pattern 8375 Misses’ Knit Dress or Top with Multiple Pattern Pieces for Design Hacking. I made 2 dresses with this pattern.

Dress 1:

Sleeveless Dress using 2 pattern pieces and rolling the hems for the armholes and the neckband. It has been extremely hot in California, so the sleeveless version was perfect for this project. This fabric was purchased from Michael Levine’s in Los Angeles. Ca, in 2017 I believe.

Dress 2:

Cap sleeve dress used the same 2 pattern pieces this time I lengthened the armhole and rolled the hem under. The fabric I chose for this dress is one of the pre-cut pieces from Wal-Mart, this fabric was $2.00 per yard. Not bad for a comfortable everyday wear dress.

Brianna, my dress form, is wearing this dress with a belt this is how I would wear it with a pair of sandals or wedges to match this belt.

For the office I styled this one with a sleeveless white denim vest, that I can’t remember where I bought it, but it looked cute when I put it together. I also wore my Nike 270 C in all white, as I can wear sandals, but they are not comfortable as my foot is not 100% yet. I am getting there.

Pattern Description: Misses’ Knit Dress or Top with hacking options

Pattern Sizing: XXS-XXL

Did it look like the photo/drawing on the pattern envelope once you were done sewing with it? Yes, except I choose not to add the bottom ruffle and just made it a sleeveless dress for the hot California weather we are experiencing right now.

Were the instructions easy to follow? Yes, very easy to follow. I do have to get used to each step being listed differently as it is not the typical instructions as a non-hacking pattern.

What did you particularly like or dislike about the pattern? I liked the multiple options with one pattern and that the pattern came with the directions to create each option.

Fabric Used: A soft knit fabric. I purchased this fabric from Michael Levine’s in Los Angeles, in 2017.

Pattern alterations or any design changes you made: None that aren’t part of the “hack”.

Would you sew it again? Would you recommend it to others? Yes and I did already actually. It is the last photo in all blue with the white denim vest.

Conclusion: LOVE this pattern.