First I attempted vest 123 from the October 2008 Burda:
I found this lovely shade of quilted polyester taffeta at JoAnn's and thought I'd struck gold. It was a gorgeous fabric, but too stiff to be made into such a high-necked garment. It feels very choking to me. Also this was my first time putting in this kind of zipper, and for some reason it is wavy all along the edge. Is this my fabric or the nature of plastic zippers? I don't know, but the next go around with this pattern will involve a metal zipper. (Possibly this was user error as well.)
Then I spent 3 days sewing time tracing and cutting out each individual piece for the Claudia Strater jacket, also from October 2008. I have been in love with this design for 2 years and finally got around to making it.
Except the houndstooth I picked is too big to show any of the details that make this jacket special. See this welt pocket? I spent practically all of last night trying to get it perfect, only to realize it's invisible unless I stick my hand in. Not to mention the fabric is too light a weight for a jacket and raveled like crazy. Sigh.
So, to cheer myself up from all these mistakes, I've decided to make a little dress for Rachel. We'll just see how Simplicity's XXS measures up. It's suppose to fit up to 7 pounds, but I'm hoping to get at least small enough for a 0-3 month RTW size.In other news, I just purchased 3 Oliver+S patterns from Fabric.com at the recommendation of Amber, and some fabrics to go with them. The patterns are on sale until Nov. 9, in case anyone else is interested. (Plus I found a 15% off coupon code online.)
Here's a picture of baby Rachel. She's now 10 weeks old and has started smiling. And sleeping for 10 hour stretches at night, which makes for a great night's sleep for me!
The baby is adorable!!
ReplyDeleteSorry about the wadders! I am sure the Oliver + s patterns will be a success. I really love Liesl's patterns. She has a clean classic style which is appealing and her details are spot on. I can't wait to see how an experienced seamstress like yourself gets on with them. Most of us who so them are more "advanced beginners" :)
ReplyDeleteSo sorry that those jackets didn't work for you! Both designs are fun - I can especially see the second style on you.
ReplyDeleteRachel is getting so big! What a cutie!
Ugg! That's tough. I am changing my fabric myself in my dress to double knit for drape reasons. I think it's so tough to pick the right fabric - especially when you have a certain design idea in your head. I think the jacket is going to be amazing!
ReplyDeleteI am sorry about your wadders. I have periods of time where I go through wadderville and it is so frustrating. Rachel is so ADORABLE!!!
ReplyDeleteBaby girl is getting so big so quickly, she is beautiful!
ReplyDeleteDon't feel bad - fabric choices can be tricky. I do think your houndstooth jacket will look beautiful, even if the pockets are invisible (you WILL finish it, won't you?). Lovely pic of your baby girl!
ReplyDeleteWadders? Are you kidding me? Wear a turtle neck with the shiny space age vest and it will not bother your neck. Add trim to the welt pocket to emphasize it, add a linging for weight and move on with the houndstooth. Of course all this advise is from one who really knows what a wadder is and is an expert wadder maker :) Beautiful baby though--another thing I have no experience with. My claim to fame--never changed a baby diaper in my life. On the other hand I scoop after two dobermans--snort!
ReplyDeleteSo sorry about the vest! Youe baby is very pretty good she is sleeping 10 hrs! first month is so hard!
ReplyDeleteI have the same magazine, I wouls like to do the jacket.
She is sleeping! In the grand scheme of things, that is way more important than a wadder. It happens to all of us. I am so glad you are getting rest :)
ReplyDeleteGlad to see you're human too! Although I agree, they do look very salvageable! and such beautiful fabrics too! Rachel is absolutely adorable!!
ReplyDeleteHi Amanda,
ReplyDeleteI think the houndstooth jacket is very cute. Can you just remove the welt pockets and sew up the seam? I do think it would look very nice without them.
Thank you for the gorgeous picture of Miss Rachel. She looks like she has grown so much! I love the smile. Love to all.
What a great head of hair on that beautiful smiling Rachel!
ReplyDeleteWhat an adorable and cheeky smile!
ReplyDeleteWOW, is she growing or what! :)
ReplyDeleteYour beautiful Rachel is so changing so fast! How do you get her to sleep for 10 hours in a row? You must tell us your secret :)
ReplyDeleteI always love to see pics of Rachel. The Oliver + S patterns that I've seen made up are so adorable. I loved the zebra outfit you made her too. So I'll bet whatever you make turns out really cute. Glad you found Vogue 9430. Can't wait to see your version of that pattern. Your wadders don't look bad at all. I really like the vest fabric, but I understand how you feel too. We have to be happy with something before we will wear it! Moving forward then!
ReplyDeleteI think that what you call wadders would be considered a big success by a lot of people's standards! That said, I do have sympathy because I know what it's like to spend time and energy on a garment that you're not entirely happy with. Making some cute clothes for your lovely Rachel will make you feel much better. She looks so happy - she is clearly thinking about the new dress she's going to be getting soon.
ReplyDeleteSorry about your wadders. Something must be afoot as I have had more than usual lately! On another note, you will love the Oliver +S patterns -- they are classic with an edge. Can't wait to see what you make for that gorgeous little girl.
ReplyDeleteTen hours a night! You must be delighted. Your wadders don't look like trash material. I know I am too hard on myself when reality doesn't match my vision and after a few weeks pass I have taken out the garments and see that they are fine, or at least good enough. Or you could at least get a cute girlie vest out of that fun shiny pink fabric. :)
ReplyDeleteI love that vest too! Thanks for telling us about the fabric mismatch. Zippers often get wavy if they are too heavy or stiff for the fabric. Next time put a strip of interfacing where the zipper will go to support it. I also hope you will put these away for awhile and see if you are happier with them later.
ReplyDeleteLove the fabric choice for the vest and even though the details may not show on the houndstooth, it's still a classic. You do such beautiful work!
ReplyDeleteAmanada, sometimes zippers will wobble if they are being attached to a fabric edge that has any stretch or give. It may be that the cut edge of your fabric had enough give in it to stretch a bit as you applied the non-stretch zipper tape. This happens a lot with putting zippers in fabrics like fleece. To prevent that, put a strip of a double sided wash away tape along the wrong side of the zipper tape and press it down along the cut edge of the fabric, being careful not to stetch the fabric adge at all. Then sew as usual. This will help stabilize the fabric edge and make your zipper go in straight and flat. It has the added bonus of being much easy to sew through than pins and will wash out of your garment.
I bought a big bag of zippers for next to nothing and use them to try out the zipper applications on fabrics when I am in doubt as to how they will look. I just use a fabric scrap left over when I cut out my garment and try out the zipper. It only takes a minute and has helped me avoid problems.
Sorry about the wadders... that can be so frustrating! Rachel soo cute!!
ReplyDeleteThat cropped jacket has been one of my favorites too. I want to do it still. I need to find the right fabric.
ReplyDeleteSo what *does* happen when you reach such heights of sewing perfection that your welts are invisible? Quite amazing. Hope the little dress will be a palate cleanser.
ReplyDeleteIt's a bit of a relief to find other people have the occasional wadder.
ReplyDeleteI can see Rachel being best dressed infant for miles.
Oh, I'm so happy you ordered some O+S patterns! I think you will love them and can't wait to see what you make. Rachel just gets cuter with each pic you post. <3
ReplyDeleteWow! Look at all that hair! She is so cute!
ReplyDeleteBaby Rachel looks wonderful! She has a very pretty smile!
ReplyDelete