Sharing, Inspiration and Project Photos XVIII

[stashpanache]

Finally I have made a successful Jalie 2804 T-shirt.   This in spite of my obstreperous machines!  It is for my DD B/D.  I already bought her an expensive software program last month but didn't want her day to pass without something.  DGD and I are making her a BD cake and we are having dinner at her brother's house.

I call this my garage sale shirt.  This is single knit poly from the 70's that I bought at a garage sale.  It is awful stuff to sew on but I beat it into submission.  One piece was plain coral and the other piece was a stripe to match.  The shirt I made DDIL was not as successful as this one.  Here is a link to that effort.  I have Kathryn, Robin, Eva (Morzel), Jodi and Karen (Movinon) to thank for this shirt, my second attempt at this pattern.

http://artisanssquare.com/sg/index.php/topic,7492.0.html

The shirt looks good in person.  Only one of us would see the flaws.  (Like I wish I would have cut the stripes on the bias for the binding)  DD won't notice anything.  She doesn't do needlework.  I just hope it fits.

Don't you love my hardware store pattern weights?

Oops...I see I posted this in the wrong place.  Sorry. Should have been in "Sharing"

[BetsyV]

Very cute, Stash!

I love it when I can use one of my "antique" fabrics.

[vtmartha]

Very pretty, Stash!  I love the contrast binding.

[Elona]

That's a lovely tee, Stash.  What a pretty color!  I am sure she will love it.

[Madrona]

I finished TWO projects today.  First is the bunny costume (the best picture of the costume had the worst background - ugh):



And some shots of my first pair of home-made maternity pants (and my first wearable for ME!) from Burda 8097.  Normally one would try to get a panel that is close to the color of he pants, but my local fabric store did not have anything even close to brown.  This off-white was my best choice.

Front & Back.  They look kind of baggy??  Maybe going thru the wash and wearing shoes would fix them a bit?


Pocket Detail:


Buttonhole elastic in the casing allows for growth during pregnancy and cinching afterward:


I want to perfect these pants and make about 12 pairs of them, cause holy moly are they ever comfortable.

[stashpanache]

Adorable Bunny!!  The babe AND the costume!

Madrona, did you try swim suit fabric?  Or rib knit that comes in tubes?  I was thinking you could put a layer of that over your panel?  AND, there is always dye?  I am just trying to think of options since you plan on making so many pair?  Your pants are looking good.

[AnnRowley]

Ruthie - great shirt!  Next time I'm sure you'll improve the chevrons  , all it takes is practice; lots of opportunities in the new SWAP rules...

Kathryn, what a fabulous Autumn backdrop for your very Summer-y skirt - I hope you get more opportunities to wear it this year.

What a lovely bunny Madrona - so cute!

[ejvc]

madrona - you can use t-shirt fabric for the panel, either new mens large or thrifted.  Works great.  At least so I hear - I bought my maternity pants when I was pregnant.

Extremely cute bunny!

[fzxdoc]

Madrona, what an adorable bunny costume. I like the backdrop because it makes it look like you just happened to catch a photo of that little bunny hopping by.    Good job on the maternity pants. It looks as though you've thought of everything to make them comfortable and wearable for as long as you need them.

Thank you, AnnRowley, Dotty(Queenie), Stashpanache, Anne (appleannie), and Shams for the compliments on my skirt. Ann, I wore the outfit to a brunch on Sunday. After a very cold snap of 2 days a couple of weeks ago, the weather here has been glorious, usually in the low to mid 70s in the daytime and lots of sunshine.  There is a cardigan that matches the tank so of course I wear the cardigan along with the ensemble. It will see me through a few more weeks, I'm thinking. I'm putting off wearing drab colors and wools for as long as possible!

Martha, I forgot to answer your question in my last post--the skirt is 27 inches long, which hits me at mid-calf, just as you supposed. I prefer that length for my "long" skirts. It's especially flattering with the swishy circular skirt pattern that I use.

Kathryn

[shams]

Love da bunny!!  I made a bunny costume for DD2 when she was about two, and I had a hecka hard time getting those ears to stay up.  Good work! 

[Karendee]

What lovely garments on the site today!!!!! Ruthie, beautiful blouse/embroidery. Kathryn, lovely, lovely, lovely outfit--as usual. I bet you looked outstanding in this ensemble. And what a glorious day/scenery from your balcony! I love E. TN/ W. NC topography. Madrona, you have an adorable bunny in your yard;great job on the costume and maternity pants. I would definitely use a matching color panel/fabric next time. LOL, ask me how I know?

Thanks all who shared!

Karen

[Karendee]

Lovely, lovely job Stash! The fabric is such a flattering shade and of course your workmanship is perfect. This top will make your Daughter's special day the best! Enjoy  baking the cake with KK; the dinner party sounds fun with the whole family and baby Sam!!

Karen

[fzxdoc]

Stash, your post just appeared, although it was written yesterday...by magic!   

Actually, I'm glad you got it transferred over to this topic, so I can spot it right away. I absolutely love the color, and you did such a nice job on it, with the contrasting trim and the little modesty panel.   Your DD is going to love it, lucky girl.

Karen, thank you for the compliments on my skirt and on the scenery. We do indeed feel blessed to live in such a beautiful area.

Kathryn

[shams]

Same here!  I didn't see Stash's top before.

Very nice!  I like the trim on the crossover detail. 

[Madrona]

Stash - I missed your shirt last night - adorable!  your DGD will be thrilled, I'm sure!

Shams - The ears were the hardest part for me too.  I made 3 sets before I got a pair that 'sorta' worked.  They went straight forward, so I just tacked them back a couple of times until I got them at the right angle.  *shrug* everyone will know what she is. 

Thanks everyone for the compliments on both projects.  I am wondering if/how/where to start a thread on the maternity pants.  I have so many thoughts and questions running through my mind but am not sure how to frame them.   

[Sergerqueen]

Madrona-
Many moons when I was pregnant with my kids, I used that same button-up elastic and a simple maternity pull-on pant pattern and made many pairs of shorts and pants.  I didn't deal with the maternity panel and they were comfortable in those post-partum days after the baby.

[KathrynT]

Stash, nice top.  I like that the binding is not on the diagonal.  I think it's cute that way.

What a cute bunny!

As regards my handbag lining, no pattern.  I just looked, measured, thought, sewed, unpicked, thought again!  No pictures of the outside Kathryn.  It's purple crocodile style with darker purple patent handles and flaps.  I'm calling it my enviro bag because no cows died in it's creation rather than calling it my cheap vinyl bag.  I have to say it is AMAZING the difference a light coloured lining makes to finding things.

[stashpanache]

Madrona,

I worked on maternity wear for my DDIL this Spring.  I learned that there were not that many patterns that were stylish and up to date.  Morzel, helped me quite a bit.  Here are a couple of links re maternity.  There are several posts from SG members who had experience sewing maternity.  HTH.

http://artisanssquare.com/sg/index.php/topic,6527.0.html

http://artisanssquare.com/sg/index.php/topic,8041.0.html

[fzxdoc]

Thanks, KathrynT, for the additional info on your enviro bag. Imagining that purple croc print exterior makes the bag seem even cuter.  Good point about a light lining making it easier to locate things. Better than toting around a bag with a black hole for the inside, as I often do.

Kathryn

[ejvc]

Under the heading of "inspiration," check out Gertie's version of V8603, she did the ruched skirt in red and sisters, I am all over it.  I have some perfectly drapy navy wool crepe that will be perfect.

http://www.blogforbettersewing.com/2009/10/bonus-bolero-plus-skirt.html

[stashpanache]

I am totally in love with that skirt.

Oh, I wasted my youth!

That skirt would have been perfect for me.

[Marji]

Playing catch up here again!
KathrynT, what a pretty lining, as well as functional. I agree that at least 4 pockets are essential - and preferably the cell phone pocket is on the outside of the bag!

Kathryn, Love the mermaid skirt. I also really like the top you've styled it with. Looks like a lacey airy knit. Did you make it too?

Stash, what a pretty top. Love the color.

Madrona, the bunny is just adorable!

Ruthie, what a great shirt. I bet it's really flattering on too. Love all the stripes!
I feel for Yorkshire Lass, she had such a time with that Marfy jacket, and her work is always so lovely.

[CanAndi]

Hello all,

Yorkshire Lass - I am a jacket girl and love that fitted Marfy.  I have yet to "do" a Marfy but may have to give it a whirl.
Speaking of whirls, what a great skirt Kathryn with your saucy mermaid fabric.  I do appreciate the link to the dance patterns website on your blog too - my youngest is a dancer and that may very well come in handy one of these days.

Gorgeous colour Stash and I think that the ruching on the sides is going to be very flattering indeed.

Madrona - what to say about maternity wear?  I wasn't one of those women who felt beautiful or glowing during my pregnancies and wasn't a big fan of the maternity clothing options.  Of course, it has come a long way since then and your pants will serve you well as the time progresses.  The waistband elastic will make them a little more functional during the transition when the babe is here. 
You can also buy powernet which comes in various thicknesses to use for the front panel.  It comes in many flesh tone shades and you can get it quite dark - that might help. 
Great Hallowe'en costumes!  Sigh...mine are growing up so fast.  I miss those times.

[fzxdoc]

Thanks Marji and CanAndi for your compliments on the whimsical mermaid print skirt. I wore it for a second time yesterday (twice in one week      ) and really enjoy it.

Marji, the tank and matching cardigan are purchased, and not for the skirt. I just happened to have them in my closet and was delighted that they went so well with the print.

CanAndi, that link is a nice one for making simple circle skirts. I've used it time and again. It's nice not to have to re-think how to draft a pattern with their simple plug-ins for measurements, and voila! out comes the dimensions for the pattern. I hope you use it often for your dancing daughter.

Kathryn

[mardel]

Catching up here yet again.

KathrynT, the lining on that bag is just so lovely and probably a joy to use as well.  I am so tired of not seeing in any of my bags.

Ruthie, what a lovely and flattering blouse.

Kathryn, I thought I had mentioned how lovely your skirt but I must have closed the window before posting.  The colors and print are just fabulous and the sweater set as well.  How nice to have it in your closet.

Stash, your top is so pretty and I love the binding.

Madrona, adorable bunny.

[RuthieK]

My work has now slackened off a bit, well at least no working in the evenings :-) so I have managed to sew a little bit.

which is a modified New Look 6429.

[mardel]

Pretty, Pretty dress Ruthie!

[sdBev]

My work has now slackened off a bit, well at least no working in the evenings :-) so I have managed to sew a little bit.

which is a modified New Look 6429.

ruthie

I just now noticed the dragonfly on your shoulder.  How pretty!  Did you make it?

[RuthieK]

The dragonfly is a brooch and was a gift from my BFF, who bought it because she thought it was very me apparently.
I think it could easily be copied by a home sewer/crafter which is maybe why she thought it was my style.

I will try and do a closeup photo as a couple of people have asked about it and it is a cute piece.

[fzxdoc]

Cute dress, Ruthie. I love the color--it will look really good with your hair/complexion. What type of fabric is it? Did you line it?

Kathryn

[RuthieK]

Cute dress, Ruthie. I love the color--it will look really good with your hair/complexion. What type of fabric is it? Did you line it?

Kathryn

Kathryn,

The fabric has a teal background of a plain knit which then has navy (or at least bluer teal) velvet flowers woven into the fabric. I'm not sure how its done but its quite nice.
The background fabric is 100% polyester I should think. The velvet flowers, dunno they feel silkier, but maybe its just a sort of wooly nylon used for that.
It has good stretch and recovery and washes well in the washing machine (I used it before for a top which I think is long gone as it was from my plus days).
Its not lined.

[Janis]

I never post here because I never finish anything I like, but this time I did.  I made all three pieces:

[BetsyV]

OK Janis, not fair, everything looks WONDERFUL but patterns? Fabric? Details, we need details!

I espcially like the jacket ...

[KathrynT]

Janis, I can see why you are happy as everything does look good.  I'd like to know the jacket pattern too!

Ruthie, gorgeous dress!  Could you wear that to work with a jacket?  I definitely think it looks professional enough, but I don't know your work place.

[Janis]

Oh, I was so excited about posting here that I forgot the details.  The jacket is Loes Hinse Bolero that I tailored a bit.  It is a very tiny checked wool.  The pants are from the September issue of Burda Magazine done up in a wool flannel and lined to just above the knees.  The top is a Sandra Betzina in a rayon knit.  And thank you for the compliments KathrynT and Betsy.