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

[MaryAnn]

Hi Ladies,
I am officially withdrawing from the JCC. I had one surprise trip across country and have a planned family trip starting in a couple of days. So nothing done for the JCC, and no hope. I was inspired after my great success with the WIAW, but alas life got in the way. I do enjoy watching your progress and absolutely love that stripe gore skirt, Ruthie!
Sew, sew, sew!!!!

[RuthieK]

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. 

Heh heh, my problem too I have two bottoms and two tops, but the print top with the stripe skirt is not a good combination.

[ejvc]

Ruthie, I dunno, add a bright yellow flowered scarf and you'll probably be OK :-)

Elizabeth

[Robin]

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 sewed and sewed and sewed.
My 3 piece knit capsule is finished.
Now I am going to see about whether the chiffon top works with the bottoms at all.  I really don't know!
But I know I can wear the chiffon top over the dark blue tank top - it would look fine with jeans.

And the skirt & pants had to happen because there was blue thread on all the machines.
 

[Robin]

Here I am sucking in my gut as hard as I can 
I will definitely wear a belt to break it up, but I wanted to show you what the pieces look like.
I was a little unsure about this knit for pants; I was afraid it was too lightweight.
Maybe I'd road-test them tomorrow.

[vtmartha]

Fantastic, Robin!  I like that skirt length on you.

[Robin]

thank you Martha!  I tried to go shorter after the last knit skirt.
 

seriously, I have been in a rut for a long time about the length of my skirts.

[Janis]

Very nice little capsule you have going there, Robin.  Each piece is a such a basic, you'll be able to mix and match with lots of things in your wardrobe.  

[CarolTrendall]

My goodness, I don't look for a few days and you're all sewing up a storm.  I've spent more time trying to match fabric to my wretched jacket than I have sewing.  Here's what I've completed so far - this is a really bad picture of a nice pair of pants.  They're Butterick 5250 wide leg pants, not that you can tell from this picture.

Here's an ok picture of a skirt I made out of the leftovers.  My TNT skirt pattern that only needs half a metre!

This is a picture of the skirt, the jacket and a piece of fabric that actually matches both.  Since this shot was taken, the fabric has been cut into a blouse, which you will see soon.

I have auditioned some other fabrics for tops, but haven't made a firm decision yet.  I've also cut out my accessory, which I might actually make tonight.

[sdBev]

My goodness, I don't look for a few days ...

Let me be the first to congratulate you.  Fabulous work.  Can't wait to see the finished blouse and other top.

[Morzel]

Robin - I LOVE your knit capsule!! The skirt is perfect, in fact I was just thinking about sewing something like this. Gotta check out what your pattern is... I can totally see these garments together with a nice little sheer chiffon blouse on top. And just like Martha I really like that skirt length on you. Do tell us your experience with the pants - I have shyed away from knit pants because I fear they will bag out badly at the knee... what did your road-test come up with?

Caroll - the skirt and jacket look great together and I really like the blouse fabric with it - I am very curious to see what it will look like in a finished state. Having a pant, a skirt and a blouse prepared for sewing is quite a sucess up to this point, I think!

I drafted a cardigan pattern last week and sewed it up (in a non-matching interlock) but am not satisfied. I did draft the cardi without a bust dart and don't like the look- I guess interlock is too thick for this look or I am too fussy. Also, I drafted the thing for my soon-to-be measurements and it is difficult to check the fit with my big belly being in the way all the time! I got started on a skirt, will proceed with that. Don't know if I will finish the JCC, as I have another big project going on parallel, a skirt suit for a friend that I would love to finish before the baby arrives. I'll just see what I get done...

[JennyAnne]

I cut out this dress yesterday.  I think it will fit in with my capsule.  The pattern is Vogue 1100 and the fabric is here:  http://www.gorgeousfabrics.com/shop/product_info.php?products_id=6888

[cindyintampa]

Robin, I love that skirt.  I think chiffon would be a great way to dress up the separates.  What texture is the knit?  That may make a difference in the style you use for the chiffon. 

Carol, I wish I had your figure, a half a meter wouldn't cover half of me.  The jacket and skirt are perfect together.

[Karendee]

The work that I've seen here is absolutely wonderful!!!Robin, i love your model stance in the first picture--very glam shot!

Karen

[Janis]

Well, here are my two latest tops.  Ruthie, I don't know how to put my pics in a nice little package like you do.  I'm going to have to work on that.  But for now, here they are:



My next project will be The Sewing Workshop Valencia Pant, done up in a chambray linen.  Yes, I know, nothing matches.  Argh!  Actually, the odd man out is the black and white polka dot top.  My orphan was going to be some black bamboo pants that I was going to remake, but I've changed my mind again.  My orphan now is an off white linen jacket that I changed a bit (I took some belt loops off so that it would be a boxy style).  That will go with the linen Trio pants and the lavender knit top.  It will also go with the blue chambray linen pants, which will go with the lavender top.  I'm also making a liberty print blouse that I think will go with the two bottoms.  Sewing on!

[DebbieY]

I am in awe of the amount of sewing everyone around here gets done, I take my hat off to you all.

Janis these two tops are lovely, they both look great on you and I bet you will get lots of wear from them too.

I am off to trace off some more BWOF patterns so I can get the magazines back to the library and collect the next one(s).

[Robin]

wow, I am in awe, too!  The amount of sewing is impressive 
Thank you all so much for your kind comments about my capsule.  I haven't worn a tank top in so many years, I cannot recall.  I like it a lot.  It's one of those things I would never buy because I am so picky about the fit (and modesty).  I'll definitely be using that pattern again!

Janis, your creativity and ideas are fabulous!  Carol, your skirt and pants look really nice.  I look forward to seeing your blouse.

JennyAnne, the fabric and pattern combination is just a knockout!  I love them both.

cindyintampa, I am not exactly sure what to call my blue fabric.  It is rayon with some lycra in it and it has a matte finish.  It is very heavy and drape-y.  It has a lot of 4-way stretch, so my patterns had almost no ease in them, maybe a little negative ease.  It is very snappy, though- good recovery, so I don't think the knees will bag.  I would call it a jersey, but the edges didn't curl up like a thinner jersey does.

Ruthie, even though your pieces aren't completely mix &  match, they do all make sense together.  I love the skirt!! I am on a gored skirt kick, too.

Hen, I saw your skirt on the last page and it sounded really useful when you travelled- it was interesting to hear your experience.

... I know there are more posts I haven't had a chance to comment on... Barbara- you are going great guns!  You are very motivated (I would be too!!)

I have not figured out an accessory yet.
...pondering...

[Morzel]

Jenny Anne, that is some beautiful fabric!! I also saw some nice silk the other day, but shyed away from it - constructionwise (slippery- I have no experience) and fabricwise (not sure how silk goes together with spitting child). Do you wash your silk? What are your experiences?

[Karendee]

Beautiful, beautiful! Top and More TDF. I am just loving all the lovely garments bein made for JCC2.

Great work!

Karen

[Robin]

I think I am going to call my JCC finished.
I realized that I had (subconsciously??  ) met the requirements.
Although I originally wanted to use the blue print silk chiffon tunic I sewed last year, the blue capsule really doesn't match well.  
In the heat of battle (ie trying to get dressed in the morning  ) I realized that my red & white shirt /jacket looks GREAT with this rich dark blue capsule.  Bonus! Up until now I had only worn it with jeans.
And I was inspired (by discussion on the Wardrobe Planning Preferences thread)  to get these green espadrilles.  I had no idea what I would wear them with, but I really wanted to mix them into my wardrobe to make my outfits less matchy-matchy.
I wore this outfit yesterday and it was soooo comfortable (the tunic, the pants and the red shirt/jacket with the green shoes).

In fact, I wore this outfit to go shopping for fabric that WOULD work with my silk chiffon.  
No photo here, I sent it to Elizabeth (oops).

So, in the spirit of this contest, I have another capsule in the works and it uses my orphan.  (to be finished in July  )
Happy Sewing everyone!  Elizabeth, I will email my photo to you.


Sew like the wind!

[clambaby]

I'm done, but no pictures for this maternity mini-wardrobe. The crop pants are done, pictures posted before, and I made three knit tunic tops with the little gathering at the centre of the neckline and a wrap. But before I could stage a photo shoot DD whisked it all away because she had to have something to wear to work that fit her. Imagine that, wanting to dress for four straight shifts at work when I am trying to take pictures. Did email me at her break to say that she had many compliments on her tops from other nurses and patients and parents of patients . Trouble is that when this rotation and she and her clothes are home again, I will be off out of town for a week visiting my mom.

Oh well, I will post my pictures in about 10 days but the point is that this contest has given me the impetus to do some very useful sewing - and I probably wouldn't have got it all done in such a short time without the deadline, and also had the reason to sew a coordinated set which has given DD just the right kind of capsule she needs.

I love these competitions. July I will be working on my own June capsule ideas and on DD's latest project for me - cloth diapers ( think of the land fills and the diaper rashes she tells me ) and (get this) woolen knitted soakers knit by Canada's worst knitter, should all be very interesting.

But August Ruthie I am up for another wardrobe in a week, most definitely and this time I know what I am getting myself in for.

[Carla]

No matter how the first soaker turns out, clambaby, the second and third will be much better!  And I promise you, the baby won't care.

As usual, I am impressed with how well everyone has done with this contest.  It's so fun to watch you think through all your issues between fabrics, style and orphans.  I can't wait to see all the finished garments! 

[ejvc]

Hey everyone, it's June 26!  Remember WIAW! You still have time.  And don't forget we have some really fabulous prizes to distribute.  As soon as you can, send me your photos.  I think you can do it by PM, but you can also send them to ejvc0000@googlemail.com, or you can put them up on flickr and post a link.

I'll be creating a flickr set for this to make judging and voting easy, basically like it was last year.  I'd like a maximum of four photos please, and please show them on yourself.  Feel free to crop or fuzz out your face if you prefer to be sort of anonymous.  You also need to send me some text describing the collection: what fabric and what pattern for each garment, what you think the best part of the collection is, and why you should win.  Oh, and something about what the orphan is and why you thought it worth saving.  I DON'T WANT TO HEAR ANYTHING ABOUT ANY FLAWS OR WHY YOU DON'T DESERVE TO WIN AND I WILL EDIT THOSE PARTS OUT.  Seriously, we don't give ourselves enough credit.

I have created three half garments so far!  One: the body of the Nancy Erickson top, with short sleeves, in cream wool jersey.  I know, I know, but it's chilly in Sweden in the summer sometimes.  Second, a great cotton batiste tunic in blues.  Third, some brown/tan houndstooth trousers.  None of these, I should point out, actually go with my orphan, and the tunic and trousers don't go together.  So ladies, do as I say and not as I do and get your capsules sorted out!!!

Elizabeth

[Morzel]

So ladies, do as I say and not as I do

  Love your humour!!

[Jafael]

WIAW time tables now.     I think I'm doomed. But I swore I'd sew to the end, and sew I shall. Of course, when I said that I didn't think I'd wait until the end to START the sewing!

And Ruthie, I'm totally in for an August WIAW. I even know what I want to do!

Now I'd best get some sleep. I've got some SEWING to do this weekend! I can finish this capsule right? Just because I've only cut out one garment, that doesn't mean it's hopeless, does it? Right now is when I really, really, really wish I had some TNT patterns.

Some sleep, and then some marathon sewing. I hope. I really need these clothes! I've got nothing to wear! 

[RuthieK]

I have had another very heavy work week and not managed any sewing.
I am hoping to progress my lime green shirt this weekend though and then I will be finished on my JCC.
I've had a real buzz from the lime green, its been great to sew a new and punchy colour.

[kbenco]

I have been madly sewing for my children (school camp, then a trip down south to their grandparents) and having just waved goodbye I realized that both of my daughters have a JCC - and I have no photos! However, I am sure I could not enter one capsule - because the daughter attached to the capsule owned no orphans, having somehow grown 3 sizes in 12 months, and the other daughter's capsule is not eligible because she cut out and half sewed the most tricky piece herself before she left for school camp. I will have to sew a capsule for myself whilst in a childless state, and am forbidding myself to look at the computer for the next 48 hours, might be tricky......

[JennyAnne]

I cut out my knit top last night, and (assuming nap time continues to go well), I'll have my dress lining cut out in the next hour.  That leaves 4 evenings for sewing and a bonus day for photos (and maybe some last minute hemming).  I'm still on track to finish!

[Karendee]

I continue to be so impressed with the finished JCC2Sewists and the almost through. This has been a great contest to follow along for inspiration and knowledge.

Yea to all!!!

Karen

[mdmcgrath]

I am officially out.  Phew!  What a relief to finally say it out loud.  I kept thinking I could still get something done for the JCC and also make a dress to wear to my niece's wedding on July 4th and finish a cross stitch project that I am making for said bride and get the house ready for three extra people attending said wedding...you get the idea!  The sewing that I have seen here so far is fabulous.  I can't wait to see the finished capsules.  Sew on ladies!
Mary

[sdBev]

I am officially out.  Phew!  What a relief to finally say it out loud. ...

It was so hard for me to admit that with the 2009 SWAP, but I felt the same relief.  There comes a time when you just need to admit that a planned project is not for you--regardless of the reason or circumstances.  So I commend you, afterall, you're not waiting for someone to ask or beg you for information, you've been forthcoming about your situation which allows others to proceed AND you've freed yourself from what has become a burden.  Good for you. 

However, anyone still waffling let me encourage you to continue and complete your JCC.  It is most satisfying to complete these contests, sometimes an activity, such as the jcc, just doesn't fit in with the real life.  Admitting that frees yourself and gives others some reliefe I'm thinking of admin type followup activities).  It's not failure, it's admitting to real life demands.

[MaryOK]

Although I have cut out three garments, there is no way I can finish.  After months of negotiating, we finally got our parents to agree to move into a retirement community close to my home.  I have been focused on helping them with this transition.

I will probably get some sewing time over the long holiday weekend.

Congratulations to all who have finished or who have found satisfaction in completing coordinated garments!  The pictures are VERY inspiring!

[cindyintampa]

Looks like I am out as well.  My muslins are taking more time than I expected.  I will have some great TNT patterns when I finally get them right, so the effort is worth the time, but it isn't going to happen before the deadline.

[Morzel]

Well worth the work, Cindy! Having those TNTs will be great!

Mary, all the best for your parents and yourself - this is quite a step for them, I hope all goes well and to their satisfaction!

Jenny Ann, Karen, Ruthie, Jafael and all the others that are still sewing - have fun!!

I don't know if I will officially finish - though I am working along on clothes. I finally worked on a JCC matching UFO, a corduroy jacket in seagreen/burgundy that I started last November and had finished for quite a while except for sewing the buttons on. I am just not into buttons that much...  (I had a shirt for my Beloved one hanging here for over a year just needing buttons). I cannot close that jacket (belly, bust) just now, but some day it will fit me again... (more pictures to follow on my blog)

And right now, I got a skirt lying on my table here that needs shirring added to the top, so it will fit me nonregarding the size of my post-delivery belly. The chiffon matches the jersey I used as contrast fabric for one of the shirts. That was a remnant of a tshirt I made three years ago but discarded - in my early sewing days wadders were a wellknown species around here. Sorry those pictures are so big... I am not sure the jacket and the skirt will go together style wise, but that is okay. I am slowly working my way towards a "new-mom" wardrobe and there will be some sidetracks!

[cmarie12]

Marji asked me to post this because she's on the boat without computer access...

"All who are eligible to win one of the Bishop Books (that means you finished your JCC) and who want to be in the drawing, please send a private message to me and I will do the drawing July 9th when I get home.  I will announce the winner at that time also!"

Good luck!