Announcing: June Capsule Competition 2 (JCC2) - Rules and discussion thread

[Morzel]

Thanks ladies for the nice comments on my shirts! I feel relieved to have a few top suitable for nursing now (4 in all, 2 RTW) - so if baby decides to come early, I am (slightly) prepared. Garment-on-body shots are to be seen on my blog.

I think it's easier to cover an exposed chest with a blanket than deal with having my whole post-partum belly sticking out.

That's just it. And Elizabeth's helpful comment about wanting to see the baby in the beginning.

Ruthie - the top is great!! I really like the fabric, and it just looks wonderful made up. I AM wanting this.

I may be doing a maternity capsule and she says her orphan is a body that doesn't go with anything

   I know how she feels like! High time she gets some clothes that fit her - so nice of you to do that. She will be one happy and lucky girl!!!

Robin - is a bra allowed as the accessory?!    I look on in awe at you to tackle such a fiddly project with such great result.

Karen - I am VERY jealous. I would also like a coverstitch. I even have the money. I just don't have the space... 

Elizabeth - did you work on a galley (at the , not at the rudder) in former life?!  You sure am good at it, I am speeding up. 

Scarletthread - I also plan to use the solid knit leftovers for baby stuff. Got an Ottobre magazine with great basics. Also am curious about your tops! They sound great.



 

[ejvc]

Arr, man yer oars, ye laggards!  Sew! sew! sew!

[RuthieK]

My second item using the knot front top pattern I have used a few times before. This is a lovely soft fabric, and in my new favourite colour of lime!

[Marybi]

Love all the pictures! So far I've managed to trace my first Burda pattern from BWOF. My first reaction was that I was looking at a madman's wiring design . It's a bit of a shock to realize how far my body has drifted from past pattern sizes. The next step was to adjust my gal Sal (AKA as sewing dummy) to my new dimensions. Does anyone have suggestions for how to give Sal a firm or at least smooth exterior? She has as much as 2" between some of her sections and looks like a study in continental drift.

[scottiesews]

Just popping in to say I have lived in my black pants & top from the WIAW!  I hadn't realised how much of a gap needed filling & these 4 pieces go some way to filling it.  Now if I only had time to start the JCC........... lots of plans - no time or fabric!  I think I may have to bow out of this one, but not just yet!

[Robin]

Arr, man yer oars, ye laggards!  Sew! sew! sew!

Thanks for the push, Elizabeth!!

In my case, I will sew just as I did for the Wardrobe in a Week.  I found a few hours yesterday to cut 3 garments from a lovely beefy knit in dark blue.
I had to create a new pattern for a tank top, and I had to update my TNT pants pattern, but after that it went quickly.  I cut pants (inspired by the new Christine Jonson pattern) a gored skirt that flippier than what I sewed for WiaW and a tank top.

I am going to order that new pattern today because I just love that wrap jacket.

Next weekend I will sew up all of those navy pieces.  fingers crossed!!

[Karendee]

Lots seems to be going on with this site; I am really enjoying all these pretty clothes, vicariously. LOL. The plans and the garments all are great.

Karen

[RuthieK]

Robin, that's a very nice pattern - good choice I can see it being useful.

I too am sewing WiaW style, and hey why not it is a great way to produce wearable garments in a limited timeframe. Sure beats going to evening class where I managed one garment after two terms of classes.
When I get done on my core pieces I might sew some more complex items
But at least this way if I never get to that point I have stuff to wear.

Right off to sew!

[RuthieK]

Here is my third June Capsule Contest garment, a pair of wide leg Burda WOF pants in a suiting fabric - black with a textured weave - though that does not show in the photo.

[CarolTrendall]

Morzel, I love your colours.  RuthieK, I want your green crossover top.

I've actually cut out a pair of pants and a skirt and chosen the fabric for one top.  I have another couple of pieces of fabric to audition.  The jacket is proving VERY hard to match with.  No photos yet, but I will get to it at the weekend.

[cindyintampa]

Ruthie, I really like the way your capsule is coming together.

I tried on the jacket that I thought I was going to use as my orphan and it is way too big.  I am going to dig through my size smaller clothes and see what I can come up with.  I have had no success with my muslins, but I hadn't taken my measurements in two months.  I guess I have gotten smaller, even though I haven't lost much weight.  I've learned an important lesson about taking measurements.  Exercise makes a difference.

[Jafael]

Arr, man yer oars, ye laggards!  Sew! sew! sew!

Aye, aye, Capt'n! 

Ruthie and Morzel, your tops looks fabulous!

I realized with quite a shock that today is (erm, WAS) the 15th, and that means half the month is gone, and I still hadn't sewn anything! Eeek! Wardrobe in a Week might be right! What's worse, I have NO TNT patterns to fall back on, so it's all muslins for me. I have high hopes that I'll end up with at least one TNT pattern by the end of the month, however.

So I've made a new plan for myself. I'm going to stay up late each night, after everyone is in bed, and Sew! sew! sew! Today I made my first muslin. Got all my fitting issues worked out (I think), so tomorrow I might just have the beginnings of a wearable shirt to cut out!

And no matter what happens with my time, I plan to sew until the last minute of the last hour on the 30th. Or until I finish my capsule. Whichever comes first. Because I never really know how long something will take. Patterns often surprise me that way.

[ejvc]

Ruthie, you are fast overtaking kbenco as Most Productive Seamstress Ever.  And such nice things!  I particularly like the first green print top, and can you really go wrong with a pair of well-fitting black trousers?

Jafael, your capsule was so nice last year, I'm sure you can do it again.  Clambaby, Morzel, keep on!  I was just wondering where Marji was, I was so looking forward to the fuschia and orange capsule.  Come back, Marji!

Elizabeth

[Marji]

I'm here. Been working/traveling/working and sewing in between. This month I made this knit dress, another that hasn't been reviewed yet (I need a belt for it), another BWOF for a class that I've been teaching - will hem it today and wear to class tonight, so no pics of that yet, and of course, the 2 pencil skirts from large graphic prints here and here.
As much as I want to make the whole pink set, I need clothes desperately that I can wear on an everyday basis, hence the knit dresses. They're fast and wearable.

I'd planned to cut the pink dress today, hope to wear it to the wedding on Saturday, except now I've been called in to work today, have to teach tonight, work tomorrow and then we leave on Thursday, so it's not looking good for the pink dress. I have two classes to teach Monday , one at 10AM the other at 6 PM with all those hours in between to just sew at the store I'm teaching at, so hopefully I'll be able to get something on the pink set done then.

I'm loving Ruthie's green!

[ejvc]

Hooray - and I'm all over your graphic print skirts !  I have a graphic print but it's blue/green and needs to be delayed until after JCC.  And I was thinking of using it for a top because I really don't make enough tops, I'm all trousers all the time :-)

[Karendee]

All of these garments are lovely!!! Such great progress is being made.

Kafren

[Jafael]

Thanks Elizabeth! I'm definitely going to give it my best shot!

Ruthie, you really are amazingly productive, and I do so love that green!

Keep sewing everyone!

[clambaby]

Two pairs of knit crops/gauchos for my maternity DD June capsule. Pictures here that she would have a fit about if she knew they were posted ("These pants are huge" and they fit). Hard to go from 5'10" size 8 to a body for two. I am also posting a picture of the very wide knit waistband, really just a tube with no elastic at all, that she folds over double and wears low under her belly. That's the way its done now, probably more comfortable. I can't say that the elastic in the maternity pants I made myself was very comfortable worn old man style over the bump and right up under my bra.

This weekend once we have done the giant very long street sale that our whole street runs every year done with, and I will probably buy at least one more ancient sewing machine, it's off to start on her Ottobre T shirts.

I am undoubtedly the worst photographer on this board, but you get the idea.

[kitnrose]

Clambaby, the pants look great - and not at all huge!  Just baby-bump size.  If you're in need of yet another pants pattern (just in case) BurdaStyle has a yoga pants pattern that's fantastically drafted and, while not actually maternity, fits under the bump nicely if that's more comfortable.  I know some have used it as maternity wear and I love my (non-maternity) pair so just passing it on.  But either way, your DD is going to be very nicely dressed during her pregnancy! 

And I love how you mention picking up a new machine so off-handedly.  Yes, machines, like cats, know where a good home is and gather there. 

[JennyAnne]

I finished my first piece - a very simple, A-line skirt in a pretty print cotton.  I'm just going to keep everything pretty simple so I'll be able to complete everything.  My piece from my wardrobe (not the orphan) is a short sleeve top, so I think my next thing to sew will be a 3/4 or long sleeve knit top that also goes with the skirt, and then a pair of TNT capris.  Pics of the skirt coming soon.  Just have to find my camera...

[JennyAnne]

Here's my skirt!  It's a bit wrinkled from wearing all day.  I love it.  The top is the piece from my wardrobe besides the orphan.  After seeing it with the skirt, I'm going to shorten the hem on the top about 3 inches.  I think that will make the outfit more flattering, instead of cutting a line right at the widest part of my hips.

[Robin]

Jenny, you and your baby make a lovely picture!
And I see why you love that skirt.  Looks great!!

[Karendee]

Jenny Anne,

Really cute skirt, but oh what a BEAUTIFUL baby with that glorious head. I saw pics on your blog, and your baby is one beauty. Enjoy this wonderful time, and I think you're amazing to sew right now.

Karen

[Janis]

Ruthie, this is a newbie question.  How did you finish the hem around the neck of your green top.  I'm trying to get a good look at it, but can't see it very well.  I'm doing the same thing right now with a knit top and am struggling to get a double hem all tucked in and top-stitched.  I've already put a fusible strip of interfacing around the neck for stability, but it's just not working.  I can see you have something going on there, but can't tell what it is.  HELP!

[RuthieK]

Hi Janis, there is a bigger picture on my blog if you can get onto blogger  - http://ruthieksews1.blogspot.com/

The neckline is serged and then I apply quarter inch 'steam-a-seam lite', fold over press, with the iron to set and then stitch the seam in place. Becuase its light interfacing on both sides but has holes in the middle the 'Steam-a-seam Lite' gives a little stabilisation without being too much. You have to be careful when applying this so as not to stretch the neckline out.
I bought my package of this 2 years ago, but it doesn't take much for a neckline so I am still on the same package.

I don't usually use it on the sleeve and body hems, but this fabric is very soft, so maybe it would have helped the waviness problem I have - though I am hoping that will disappear in the wash.

[Janis]

Thanks, Ruthie.  That's sounds WAY better than what I am trying to do.  I do have some steam a seam lite.  I'll take a look at it. 

[RuthieK]

The stripe skirt made from my TNT Loes Hinse pattern (modified) is finished and I am pleased with it. It does not work with the green and white wave print top though so I need to sew either another top or another bottom to complete the JCC.

[scarletthread]

I'm moving along slowly, but should finish in time.  At present I have a slip, dress, and two knit tops that need to be hemmed.  I have two more tops cut out and hope to complete those this coming week.  Hemming should be done tomorrow.  My mom is coming in for a visit and can do some pinning for me on the skirt lengths.  Other than that, I only have to do an accessory.  Still looking at the baby sling, as this should be a really quick sew.  I'll post some pics once I have the hems done.

[sdBev]

... skirt made from my TNT ... is finished and I am pleased ..

Oh Ruthie, this skirt is fabulous.  Even if you can't wear it as originally planned, I think it is a keeper!

[Jafael]

I have my first garment cut out! I'm only a little behind!     But like I said earlier, I will sew to end, and with a lot of luck, I'll finish. And maybe take a day or two off of work, too. 

[fiberfan]

The stripe skirt made from my TNT Loes Hinse pattern (modified) is finished and I am pleased with it.

This is a great skirt.  I wouldn't have combined stripes with a gore skirt but it is a fantastic combination.

Joanne

[ejvc]

I can't believe that my sewing output this month has consisted of a brooch!  I hope everyone else is doing better.  What have you done over the weekend?

[clambaby]

Three maternity tunic tops in knit done for my DD to go with the crops, although I know I only need two for this competition. All I have left to do are the coverstitched hems. One nice batik wrap to wear with it all or to the pool as a cover-up (aka accessory aka 1.5 meters rolled hem). My only challenge will be getting time for her to have her picture taken before she starts her shifts for the week. Hopefully Wednesday and then I am off out of town for a week visiting family.

[Janis]

I can't believe that my sewing output this month has consisted of a brooch!  I hope everyone else is doing better.  What have you done over the weekend?

I finished a woven top and a knit top.  Problem:  Things don't go together, so I'm wondering how I'm going to finish the contest.  Probably won't happen, but I continue to sew.  I'll post pics later today.

[Hen]

This weekend... I decided to join the JCC2 officially because I am almost done. As I told in the fabrics-topic, I will be in Florence in July, but I do not have much clothes suitable for the (for me) hot weather there. In the weekend I cut out two blouses, one of them is almost finished, and I quickly made a bag. They should all go with this orphan-skirt:



It has a back zipper AND elastic, so it looks more shaped than a skirt with all elastic waist, but is more comfortable than a skirt shaped with darts. I made it two years ago for a journey to the UAE. I had no idea what I would need there, and it was this skirt that I wore every day in the end. In the city it was decent with a cute white blouse, and on the field trips handy with a quick-drying, UV-protective, cooling etc. blouse. The white blouse is not white any more, and with the outdoor blouse it is not really beautiful for work. Became an orphan!