Simplicity 4020 - Kimono-styled black & red knit top

I have been watching so much Olympic coverage from Beijing that I was inspired to make something Asian-looking. Plus there's currently 41 reviews of this top on Pattern Review, 99% highly recommended. So I thought it was a pretty sure thing as patterns go. And people, I really needed something to turn out.

My only issue is that I'm getting a pucker right under the bust from where the top pieces overlap. I've tried everything to get that pucker to go away, even sewed a piece of ribbon over the seam as you can see in the following picture. I finally decided to just live with it. Only a perfectionist like myself can tell and even then they'd have to be standing extremely close to me.

This was super easy to make. I don't have a serger, so knits look a little messy on the inside. This does bug me. Oh well. I've got no place to put a serger, so don't plan on buying one anytime soon. I made view E but with slightly shorter sleeves. (Didn't have enough fabric.) I love it! And it's so comfortable. I had this outfit on all day. Being a stay-at-home-mom, I still like to look cute even if I'm just running to the store.

I finished this up this morning and thought, hmmm... needs something. Maybe a necklace? I had to buy some powder at the mall anyway, so decided to look at their jewelry at the same time. BIG MISTAKE!!! My kids were total monkeys. They grabbed bracelet after bracelet to stack on their arms, ripped price tags off, closed the little jewelry boxes displayed on those round tables, ran out of the store into the mall to sit on some massage chairs, almost toppled a mannequin and crawled around on the floor. Every second I was saying, "Stop that!", "Put that down!!", "NO grabbing!!!", "Get back here!!!!". I do make a choice and go to pay with my $10 off coupon in hand. My motto: send me a coupon and I will visit your store. Then the sales lady tells me my purchase has to be at least $30. Now I've got to find something for $10 to go with the necklace. Yea, we left without purchasing any jewelry. New motto: Always read the fine print.

Here are my monkeys before the mall incident. Big brother Nathan on the right changing the oil in his car just like daddy does it, and little brother Daniel "helping". Notice all the tools? So funny!

Newlook 6717 - Blue dress w/ lower flounce & green piping

This pattern is OOP (out of print) but I love the fit and style. I bought coordinating green fabric and made my own piping for the first time. It's a lot of work but I really like the way it turned out. Here's a close up of the neckline:

Here's the back view:

When using piping I taper it down at the underarm seam and where it meets the zipper. This ensures that it stays upright and reduces bulk:

Here's the inside armhole. Even though I added a full lining, I had to use the facings because of the piping:

I made view B. This is a simple pattern that I'm sure I'll use again.

Here's my shoes. The Rockport brand is so comfortable!

By the way, I must admit that this isn't the most recent addition to my wardrobe. I'm having a terrible few months of sewing. I really tried this summer to make casual clothes, but for some reason I have a way easier time making dressy garments. If it is complicated and has a lining it usually turns out wonderfully. I have wasted so much money and time with nothing to show for it but a pile of wadders. Anyone in my boat???

Butterick 5046 - Red two fabric wrap dress

I made this a few months back for summer. I fell in love with the two coordinating fabric design. Here's my suggestions for picking two fabrics for one garment: pick one light and one dark, one big print and one small print. Easier said then done, though, right? I just happened upon these red and white florals and inspiration was born.

This has such a flattering neckline. No gaps and it's not too low. The single button closure is a nice touch, and I chose to use a covered button so as not to distract from the design/patterns of my fabrics.

My mom thinks these sleeves are weird, but I really liked that they are different looking. Here's a close-up of the point. I tried really hard to make this look spot-on, as it can be seen readily when I wear the dress. It's a tiny bit off, but is like that on both sleeves, so I think it's just the angle.

I chose to put in a full lining. Even when the fabric isn't white, I still tend to line all my dresses. I think they drape better. Here's a close-up of the inside buttonhole with the lining.

And here are my shoes. Believe it or not, I had these at home but wasn't thinking about them when I was picking out fabrics. I just got lucky, I guess, because the match is pretty perfect, especially with the ribbon rose right in the front. Have you noticed I have a thing for shoes? But then, what girl doesn't?

Here's the pattern picture. I made view D, the top left tunic, but I extended it into a dress. I also really love the black one made in eyelet. Maybe I'll make that next summer...

P.S. I have to be careful when I wear this that it's not a windy day and to hold it closed when I sit down. The overlap is maybe 10 inches on both sides. Not a big problem, but I do have to think about it and not do any squatting. (I have little kids so I do a lot of that to get on their level.)