Roses are Red, Violets are Blue

I've made more PJ's

How about YOU?!

I know.  I spent an inordinate amount of time working on that little verse, and quite frankly - it was not worth it.  But hey.  Two more pairs of PJ's made!

Roses are Red:

This reminds me of the fabric used to make Laura Ashley dresses in the '80's.  They were out of my price range then, but I always fancied one of those gorgeous, floaty, cotton dresses . . . and here I am, making PJ's out of similar fabric!  Boy, I am one happening chick!!  Although 100% cotton, and 45" wide, this is not quilting cotton.  In fact, the weave is not as tight as quilting cotton - not as many 'threads per inch' - but is is very drapey.  If it was a more expensive fabric it would be a lawn, but it was from the 'last seasons fabrics' section of my local fabric shop, and it is rather lovely.  The background is coffee coloured with pretty red roses and greenery. 
 

 

 

There is nothing at all different with the construction of these PJ's, although they have highlighted the fact that I need to purchase some more funky coloured buttons rather than using plain white!

Violets are Blue:

Another 100% cotton fabric, quite thin and a bit stiffer than the other fabrics I have used so far . . . I am hoping it will soften up with washing and wearing . . . . !

So there we have it.  Some lovely PJ's to keep me looking decent whilst chilling at home!  I think I will make some summery ones - cropped legs, short sleeves and made from linen.  Watch this space!  In the meantime, I think that I am going to to make some more of cardi/jackets to replace the pilled ponte versions.  I have some bright red ribbed cotton fabric, some white and some blue cotton/lycra and some sumptuous stretch cotton velvet in deep purple.  Woohoo!

McCalls 6840 - Big Top PJ's

Roll up, roll up, ladies and gentleman - come on in for the time of your life!  The fabric on these latest PJ's reminds me of the fabric on a circus tent:

Source

It is actually a lovely, good quality, quilting fabric with a very smooth finish and sews up beautifully.  I chose view B for this top, and I am thrilled with it.  I have to say that I was somewhat underwhelmed with view C, and the finish of view B is more the look that I was after.

I made a few (minor) changes to this pattern - I only used the collar stand - these are PJ's after all and whilst I love the concealed button band, I kept it simple with this pattern and omitted it - along with the front pocket.  As I did not want buttoned cuffs on this shirt, I straightened the cuff edge on the sleeves and finished them as below.

 

Construction wise,  I inverted my back pleat - I thought that it would create less bulk in the back that way, but also give me the additional fabric for comfort.  I also use the 'sausage' or 'burrito' technique to attach the yokes as I like to have smooth, machine finished seams on my yokes.

Other than that, I did my usual faux fell seams and this time round I turned up my hems twice and stitched down really close to the fold.  I used a 'stitch in the ditch' foot with the needle offset by two 'thingys' (I am not sure what the measurements are when I offset my needles, I can move it 6 thingys to either the left or the right, and I don't think that it is milimetres) and I am really pleased with the finish. I also used the automatic buttonholer on my machine this time (I finally got it to work/understood how to get it to work) rather than pulling out and setting up my Featherweight. The buttonholes are not as good quality, but they are certainly good enough to grace my PJ's!

My bottoms are my usual TNT pants, sewn with just a 5/8" side seam, giving me lots of room!

This lovely pink teddy is my childhood teddy.  Called Ted.

I have two more pairs to make - I will be cutting them out today using this fabric.

Now I can hear you asking why am I making sew many pairs?  Well, when Mr. SDSC and I get home from work/get up at the weekends, and we are done with our chores/jobs/shopping/dog walking etc, on come the PJ's . . . . . and these are the sad excuse that I have been wearing lately:

 

 

Oh yes, I need new PJ's badly!!  Pattern Review can be found here.

A quick, closing photo - whilst I was taking my photos, two of our hounds were taking a very close interest indeed!

McCalls 6533 - Non Selfish Sewing Part II

The second dress that I made for Ms. Sharon was McCalls 6553 - part of their Fashion Star range. This is quite a fun pattern - another very easy one to sew, and would a fabulous summer dress.

Source

I used a cotton fabric that I bought last year for making a shirt.  It has woven stripes on it and is rather lovely! 

I lined the dress with Bemberg and a touch of lace on the bottom hem.  As you can see, I faux flat felled the seams - including the princess seams on the front.

The back of the dress has a large pleat and there is a simple button a loop closure - I put the button on after these photos, so if you look closely you may see a pin holding the back closed!!

The dress has pockets in the side seams and a belt made out of self fabric that cinches just the front of the dress giving it a 1920's kind of vibe.

The only problem with this is the front neckline.  For some reason, it drags when it is on Netty - so until Ms. Sharon tries it on, I won't know for sure if that is a problem.

Again, I am happy with the construction of both of these dresses, but I am slightly nervous about whether they would fit or not.  Whilst I am not an expert on fit - I am certainly getting better, and I am just hoping that these look good!

Burda 7204 - Non Selfish Sewing Part I

My very lovely SIL, Miss Sharon, out in a  special request.  She was in need of a white dress to wear when she attends her Eastern Star meetings.  Not being one to turn down a fabric shopping expedition, I readily agreed and off we went.  Do you know how hard it is to purchase white fabric at this time of the year (in the Northern Hemisphere - it is probably all over the shops in the Southern . . . )?  In the end we picked up some white on white cotton fabric with dandelion clocks on - very cute.  She also settled on Burda 7204 - she wanted something pretty modern as she is about half the age of most of her companions at the meetings, but also something loose and flowy.  Due to medical reasons, she did not want to be constricted around her waist, so this fit the bill perfectly.

I made a shorter version of view 'A' with the sleeves of view 'C'.

Ah yes,  What I failed to mention is that Miss Sharon lives over an hours drive from me, so I got some basic measurements from her, and had to use my old (ie: too small for me now and even when it was the right size the lumps and bumps were in the wrong place) dummy called Hetty.  Now Hetty is not as animated as myself - nor Ms. Sharon for that matter, but when I get some live photos - I will post them!

This is a great 'quick and easy' pattern that I complicated by adding a full lining (lovely, soft Bemberg in 100% rayon) . . .there are only three pieces - front, back, sleeves and it came together quickly.  The darts that you can see above are supposed to be sewn on the outside, but I thought that that would add a bit too much bulk in an area that does not require it.  For my sewing buddies with more slimline boobages, this may well be a great pattern for you to enhance the area!!  I also chose to bind the neckline - I like the finish.

The sleeves are very cute - they are kind of oval shaped (ish!) and rather than use two layers of fashion fabric, I used the lining for one layer to make them a little more 'fluttery'.  Although I didn't follow all the steps for construction, I did follow the zigzagged sleeve hems, and it rather adds to the cuteness!!

The back has a vertical dart to add shape and is an interesting design feature.  I serged most of the seams and then stitched the seam allowance down flat - like a faux fell seam.  I think that this gives the finish a more classy look.
 

I made a long sash/self fabric belt in case Sharon wanted a bit of definition . . . .

 
And added some narrow lace to the hem - just because!

And, of course, I added a label.  I have had some new ones made up and I am really happy with my UK supplier.  As Sharon is Scottish, she will be tickled by the thistle on the label!

I am hoping that this dress fits, and is suitable for the occasion.  A slip/petticoat will  probably have to be worn underneath as this dress is not totally opaque.  It was a quick sew - made more complicated by the lining, and fun to make.  It is not a design that I would have sewn up for my self as I do not think it would do my body shape any favours.  It was interesting to make something for someone else - other than shirts for Mr. SDSC, I am quite the selfish sewist and it was weird not being in a position to try it on during construction.  It was a also not the only white dress that I made this weekend - they don't call be 'multiple makes Mary' for no good reason - and I will post about that dress later in the week!

How about you - do you make for anyone else?  If so, do you enjoy it?!

TNT Houndstooth Pants

My TNT pants pattern (based upon McCalls 5239), is probably the hardest working pattern is my arsenal!  I picked up some lovely brown/black houndstooth fabric (rayon/poly) in the sales and made up a lined pair for work. 

The houndstooth is so tiny, the fabric looks more like a tweedy brown.
 

I will probably wear them with this cardigan - smart enough for work!

My heels were sinking into the carpet . . . . !

The trousers are lined with some mid-grey Bemberg.  I like my linings to hang loose, and it makes them feel very luxurious!

What are your most popular TNT's?

McCalls 6840 - Jungle PJ's

As part of my plan to revamp my wardrobe, I thought it was about time that I took a look at my PJ situation.  I have made a few PJ bottoms, but have been wearing the same couple of raggedy t-shirts for an embarrassingly long time.  So, I picked up some lovely cotton flannel in the sales, in a wild animal print - jaguar/cheetah?  I'm not sure, but Mr. SDSC thinks it is very '70's!

I used my TNT pants pattern - I like my PJ pants to be pretty loose, so rather than the 1" seams I would use for dress pants, I just used 5/8" seams.  The top is from McCalls 6840 and I chose view 'C'.  I have been coveting the pattern for quite some time now, so I was excited to give it a try.

Here I am in all my jungle goodness!!!

I feel that a teddy is obligitory in these kind of shoots!

There is a LOT of fabric in this top!

But howdy doody - look at that collar and the concealed buttonholes.  I have not sewn concealed buttonholes before.  The construction was interesting - a strip of fabric is cut, the buttonholes are sewn, then the strip is sewn to the front of the top.  I love it!

The only thing is - my lovely acid pink buttons are hidden!

So, a little about the pattern,  I was still on a 'dolman sleeve' kick following on from my top here, and I thought that this would make a great PJ top.  It is certainly nice and comfy - but there is a lot of fabric going on under the arms.  I did try pinning it out, but was not too happy with the look.  I did take off the cuffs though as they were HUGE - the proportions on the pattern are quite different.  I was a little disappointed with this pattern - I was hoping that it was going to be a great 'go to' pattern for PJ's and also for patterns with large prints.  There is a panel on the back where you can cut contrasting fabric, or place it on the cross grain for a neat effect, but I don't think I will make it up again.  Strangely, it fits nicely over my hips.  I really like the concealed buttonholes and the collar fits a treat, so there are some good things to this pattern.  I will probably use view 'B' to make PJ tops using the stripy fabric below - that has more of a traditional shirt design, and I may just construct an ordinary buttonhole band so I can use some funky buttons!

And for Mr. SDSC - here is a photo with a '70's' tint:

I have reviewed this pattern on Pattern Review here.

I'm thinking that these fabrics will elevate my PJ wardrobe!  How about you - do you make your own PJ's?

My PatternReview is here.

Simplicity 1668

I love cardigans.  You may have noticed that already!  So when I saw Simplicity 1668, a summer wardrobe pattern , I thought that I would give the cardigan a try.  Now I know you are thinking 'summer wardrobe'?  IN the middle of a Northern Hemisphere Winter.  Seriously?  But it really does make sense.  I work in an office that has pretty good heating, so a cotton cardigan would go down a treat.  Fortunately I had some fabric left over from this previous cardigan:

The fabric is a great cotton jersey with a rib pattern.  Lovely and soft and washes well.  So this is what I made:

I really must check out my clothes before taking pics.  My Sorbetto looks all skew-whiff.  Doh!  

This top has dolman sleeves, and that adds to the bunching up of fabric under the arms, but as it is part of the design, I'm OK with that.

I really like the collar on this, as I have questionable posture in my upper back, and rounded shoulders, I find that this type of neckline/collar covers that up rather nicely.  I also like how the front bands fold back nice and flat.  I used some Palmer Pletsch interfacing and I think it has given just the right amount of support.

This is a really quick sew which only uses three pattern pieces - front, back and collar. Which means that it sews up very quickly indeed.  I should mention that there is a centre back seam which is great if you need to do any adjustments. I have reviewed the top on Pattern Review here. I will probably make more of these as it is so quick and easy, but I do prefer the sleeves from McCalls 6169, so I may morph the two patterns together.

Of course, as this is a cotton top, it feels lovely against the skin and I have already worn it once to work.  Which brings me onto an issue that I have come across with some of the other cardigans I have made that I mentioned above.  I used some lovely Ponte de Roma, the lighter weight version, from my local Fabricland.  The colors are deep and saturated and I bought quite a few colors - red, blue, green, cream etc.,etc.,  Now this was not cheap fabric, about $18/m that I picked up half price (OK, so that makes it quite cheap!) but after only a couple of wears, the garments are pilling.  Urgh.  I am so disappointed.  It is a real shame as the fabric sews up so nicely, but I guessing that the poy/rayon mix just isn't as good as it could be.  So guess what??????  I have purchased some cotton and cotton/lycra jersey to make a couple of new McCalls 6169!  Woohoo!  The fabric is washed and dried and I will be cutting it out this weekend!

Oh, I took the photos in my great room today, rather than the en-suite.  It seems a little strange staring at the bathroom door when I take the photos in the en-suite!  Only issue with the great room is the light streaming in through the windows washed me out a bit so I had to juggle with the brightness a little.

How is your sewing coming along in this second month of this new year?