Simplicity 2700

I finally finished the pants that I started about 2 months ago. When I first bought the pattern, I thought the hardest part for me would be the pockets. As soon as I figured out the instructions, I pretty much breezed through them. The thing that really got me stuck was the zipper. Every time I attempted to do the zipper, I got confused and put the pants down. I read tutorials online; I read books; I read the instructions out loud repeatedly. No luck. This is the reason these pants took me 2 months!


Pattern Description:
Misses & Miss Petite Pants: Amazing Fit Collection

Pattern Sizing:
6-14. I made a size 10 curvy

Did it look like the photo/drawing on the pattern envelope once you were done sewing with it?
Yes, pretty much.

Were the instructions easy to follow?
The instructions were very clear, but I never sewed a zipper using this method. I finally forced myself to sit down and figure it out, and it really wasn't too bad. I think the instructions for choosing which "fit" was a little strange. My measurements did not match up on the chart at all and I'm not sure why. I chose the Curvy fit, which I think was correct, but maybe I should have gone a size down.

What did you particularly like or dislike about the pattern?
I love the pockets. I usually avoid pockets because I think they bulk up that area of my body. However, these pockets laid flat, and I feel comfortable actually putting something in them! over again.

Fabric Used:
Black wool for the pants, and a brown lining I had in the house

Pattern alterations or any design changes you made:
I shortened the legs considerably since I'm a little over 5 feet. I wanted them shorter than my regular slacks because I plan to only wear flat shoes with these pants. I followed the directions, but I probably should have made some more alterations in the crotch.

Would you sew it again? Would you recommend it to others?
Yes, I definitely will sew it again. The crotch area was too big, so I want to perfect it. I'm going to use some of my favorite pants as a guide. I also think this is a great pattern for some linen slacks for the summer. I wore these pants to work last week and got a couple of compliments on them, but I could see the flaws. (My camera is broken- I'll upload some pics as soon as I get a new one!) I would also like to try these with a lining. I might also add belt loops.

Conclusion:
A pretty good pattern, although there are a couple of other pant patterns I like a little better.

It's a Been a Long Time

I can't believe it's been almost 3 months since I've posted! I have been sewing, I just need to take some pictures and post my reviews.

I went to Jamaica last month, and I wore a lot of the items I've been sewing. I got tons of compliments on them!

I have a lot of sewing goals in 2011:

• Continue to improve on my pattern alterations
• Master some basic techniques: zippers, pockets, sleeves and linings
• Make the majority of my summer dresses
• Start to make jackets/blazers

Butterick 5249

Pattern Description:
Butterick 5249 is a skirt pattern with various views. The skirts have a high waist with princess seams and back zipper. Two views have carriers with self-belt with one having a flounce at the hem. Two views have side front pleats which are also pockets, with one having a bottom flounce.

I cut view B with the side front pleats.

Pattern Sizing:
I cut a 12

Did it look like the photo/drawing on the pattern envelope once you were done sewing with it?
Yes

Were the instructions easy to follow?
Very Easy

What did you particularly like or dislike about the pattern?
I love pencil skirts, and I love that this had a little detail to it. Because I didn't add pockets, the instructions were a little tricky when adding the lower front side panels, but I figured it out.

Fabric Used:
Lightweight wool blend.

Pattern alterations or any design changes you made:
I kept the front pleats, but I didn't insert a pocket because I was afraid it would be too bulky. I had to shorten it by about 5 inches. I also had to take smaller seam allowances on the side for it to fit, but I'm glad I did that because the 14 might have been too big.

Would you sew it again? Would you recommend it to others?
I would definitely make this again.

Conclusion:
I love this skirt. I work it to work with a blazer and got tons of compliments on it. I'm excited to make this again- I want to try the other views and in different fabrics.

Simplicity 2696

Pattern Description:
Pullover tunics with front and sleeve variations

Pattern Sizing:
14-22. I cut a 14.

Did it look like the photo/drawing on the pattern envelope once you were done sewing with it?
Yes, although I made it sleeveless

Were the instructions easy to follow?
Yes!

What did you particularly like or dislike about the pattern?
The collar was a little tricky. It took me a while to figure it out.

Fabric Used:
I used a rayon/poly woven fabric. It frays easily so I used pinking shears to prevent a mess.

Pattern alterations or any design changes you made:
I made this top sleeveless and used bias tape. I also made this a little bigger than my size because I wore it while I was pregnant. I have been wearing since giving birth, and just tuck it in or wear a belt.

Would you sew it again? Would you recommend it to others?
I would sew it again, but I would try a different fabric.

Conclusion:
I love how I can dress this top up or down. I've worn it to work under a suit, and with jeans a belt.

McCalls Dress 5621

Pattern Description:
Dresses A, B are slim-fitting with gathered front and contrast neck bands; dress B has three-quarter length sleeves with gathered self-ruffle; dress C is slim-fitting, has neck band and short bell sleeves with elastic casing; dresses A, B and C lengths are 5" above mid-knee.

Pattern Sizing:
10-12-14-16-18. I cut the size 12

Did it look like the photo/drawing on the pattern envelope once you were done sewing with it?
Yes

Were the instructions easy to follow?
Yes

What did you particularly like or dislike about the pattern?
I liked that it was easy and fast. I did have a little trouble with the neckband "fitting" into the dress, but I figured it out.

Fabric Used:
Pink linen and black/white/pink cotton for neckband

Pattern alterations or any design changes you made:
None- I did make it big, because it was originally supposed to be a maternity dress for me last summer. I finished everything but the hem, and then forgot about it until this summer. I hemmed it and wore it with a belt!

Would you sew it again? Would you recommend it to others?
I definitely am going to sew it again and I would recommend it to others. I want to make the view C dress next.

Conclusion:
I have gotten tons of compliments on this dress. It's perfect for summer!

McCalls 5425

Pattern Description:
Pullover dress has front and back neck casings; dress A has contrasting tie that extends from left front and left back opening edges of casing, center back slit at upper edge; dresses B, C have shoulder straps extending from casing, upper and lower center back slits; dress B has contrasting shoulder strap and belt.

Pattern Sizing:
I bought the 14-16-18-20 last year when I was pregnant. I decided to still use it since my full bust measures a size 14. Also, there really isn't much form to this dress.

Did it look like the photo/drawing on the pattern envelope once you were done sewing with it?
Yes

Were the instructions easy to follow?
Extremely easy

What did you particularly like or dislike about the pattern?
I liked that it was easy and fast. I wanted to make a dress for a 4th of July cookout and it took me no time to make it.

Fabric Used:
Red linen for the dress, navy linen for shoulder straps and belt

Pattern alterations or any design changes you made:
I made the shoulder straps narrower. I could see that it would be difficult pulling a wide piece of fabric through the loops.

I could tell it was going to be short, so even though I am petite, I only shortened the torso. I left the hip area as it was.

Would you sew it again? Would you recommend it to others?
Yes, I would. I might make a swimsuit coverup or a dressier fabric for a dress to go out in.

Butterick 5415 & Butterick 5420

I finished both of these garments a couple of weeks ago, but I haven't really had time to take a picture!


B5415:Pattern Description:
Close-fitting dress with front darts and back zipper. This dress offers 3/4 sleeves variations of necklines and contrasting bands.
Pattern Sizing:
XS-XXL I used a M
Did it look like the photo/drawing on the pattern envelope once you were done sewing with it?
Yes
Were the instructions easy to follow?
Yes. This is a very easy pattern for an advanced beginner like me. The sleeves weren’t bad at all!
What did you particularly like or dislike about the pattern?
What I liked is that it was a simple style that is loose, but still looks like it “fits.”
Fabric Used:
Silk blend
Pattern alterations or any design changes you made:
I made my hem band a little shorter, since even cutting the petite size made it way too long for my taste.
Would you sew it again? Would you recommend it to others?
Yes, definitely. I may try to make one out of a knit fabric.
Conclusion:
This really helped me build my confidence in making something with sleeves.

B5420:


I wanted to make something else with sleeves, but I also wanted to work with a knit. I have a serger that I've never used before. I planned on using my serger, but I never had time to read the directions, so I used a zig zag stitch with a ball point needle on my sewing machine.


Pattern Description:
Misses top
Pattern Sizing:
XS-XXL I used a M
Did it look like the photo/drawing on the pattern envelope once you were done sewing with it?
Yes
Were the instructions easy to follow?
Yes, extremely.
What did you particularly like or dislike about the pattern?
I like the rouching on the side. I still need to lose my pregnancy pouch and this top covers it up.
Fabric Used:
Poly knit
Pattern alterations or any design changes you made:
None
Would you sew it again? Would you recommend it to others?
Yes, definitely. I might try to make it a little shorter, or longer- for a dress. Or, maybe sleeveless.
Conclusion:
I made this top in less than 2 hours. Other than my interfacing being too heavy, this was a hit for me.