Lesson learned!

Just look at this pile of beautiful purple silk crepe de Chine all cut up into various pieces for Vogue 1223. What a crappy pattern! Unevenly spaced pleats, some left open over the bust but at different levels on the right vs. left, hemline short in the front and long on the sides, etc. I cannot recommend this pattern! And I cried over the loss of this gorgeous and expensive fabric that is now ruined. Why did I not make a muslin?!!! Stupid, stupid, stupid! Learn from me - IF YOUR FABRIC IS DEAR, MAKE A MUSLIN!!!

Vogue 8635 - Wrap knit top in bright turquoise

Hello! It's been a few weeks since I've had something to show you, even though I have been sewing all that time. This has been a tough year for me and wadders. I thought I couldn't go very wrong with a doubleknit top, and am pleased with the outcome. This fabric is a ponte knit from Fabricmartfabrics.com. I first saw it when Trena made this dress from it, and I bought some for a dress as well. But when it arrived it looked really bright - too bright for the dress I had envisioned - but looking at it now a dress would have been fine. Anyway, it matches this skirt perfectly, and I'd long since gotten rid of the original top made to go with it. (It was too tight and was made with a really cheap quality fabric.)

After my machine had such problems stitching my winter white doubleknit dress, I fully expected it to rebel against this fabric too. But, for whatever reason, it sewed it up without incident, even though the fabric is the exact same just a different color.

I really liked the front bands and neckline of this design, and the fact that it is was a wrap top designed for a knit. I did buy it for the cap sleeve version, but had plenty of fabric so opted for the 3/4 sleeves for this one. I'll make the other version some other time.

I cut a straight size 12 and made no changes to the pattern for fit. Here at the back you can see where I changed the neckline to include a band as the fronts do. It was a very simple change, but makes the garment look congruous. The other change I made was to cut 1.5" off the sleeve bottom, because the sleeve was too long and bubbled up awkwardly around my elbow.

I have been forcing myself to sew for a particular season for nearly a year now. First I made winter so I could wear it after my baby was born. Now I'm making myself sew spring styles, but what I really desire is to make some pretty summer dresses. So, that is what I'm going to do! And if I suddenly get an inkling to make something for some other season, I've given myself permission to do that as well.

March Burda picks

Here it is already the 2nd of March and I've yet to do my Burda picks for this month! Time is sure flying around here lately.

I was a bit underwhelmed by this months offerings. Bring back fitted and detailed garments, Burda. Pretty please? The only one I can see myself making is jacket 115 - which I do really love - so this issue isn't a total waste. Isn't it so pretty?!

In other sewing news, I have been busy making a dress since my last post a week and a half ago. It's really a simple design and I've had zero fit issues, but it has miles of handstitching. It will be super cute if ever I finish it, but I sure have sore fingers right now.

As it's been awhile since I posted a gratuitous baby picture, here you go. Rachel is 6 months old now and is just as tiny as ever (not that you can tell that from this picture.) Her hair has been plentiful and crazy ever since birth, and I finally decided to see if I could tame it: