New Look 6899

Did you just about have a heart attack when you saw this post?! That title on this blog can only mean one thing! I ACTUALLY SEWED SOMETHING!!! Yep.

Ta-da! Based on New Look 6899. I've had the brown part (yeah, that darker fabric that it's mostly made out of is brown knit.) more or less finished for a while now, but then we got involved in a totally awesome sewing room remodel that made sewing more or less impossible for a while.

However, we're headed to Disney World (!!!!!!) in less than a week, and I was determined (since I got the fabric) to have this tunic top for the trip. So when I finally had - or rather, took the time to sew, I knew exactly what to do.

Obviously the brown part was the original patter, only lengthened quite a bit. Also obviously, the neckline was huge. Like, fall-off-my-abnormally-broad-shoulders huge. (Granted, it got slightly better when I added the neckband piece, but it still was too big for comfort or modesty.) So, I knew I was going to have to somehow add to the neckline. After thinking about this off and on for weeks, I decided that probably the quickest and easiest thing to do would be to add a contrasting color, using the same pattern pieces to get a similar shape. And that's what I did. I pulled all the pattern pieces back out, traced the neckline edge of each one, added 2.5 inches (could've gone 3 to 3.5 inches I think, but it's okay as it is now.), and cut them out - after a minor brain lapse, which thankfully ended before I cut every piece out. Of course I also cut out another neckband piece.

My vision was, more or less, to have a shirt that would have the layered look without the bulk or warmth of actually layering. Not completely sure that's how it came out, but I like it anyway.

Finishing this tunic too WAY longer than it should have for several reasons, which, for brevity, I will list rather than explain in great detail:

• Neck was too wide - took a long time to cut out, sew together, and sew on the additional, contrasting pieces.

• Back gaped really bad - quick fix, but annoying nonetheless.

• Had very little shape - again, quick fix. Took in nearly 4" from the sides...

• Armholes were very large. Nerve-wracking, imperfect, good-enough fix that I'm only okay with. Also added the contrasting band there to add length. I'd still call 'em cap sleeves, but they're more modest cap sleeves now.

• Front right side of the neck was gaping weirdly... Had to make (from the scraps - just sorta guessed, didn't have a pattern or directions, so not bad, I think) and sew on that bow. I feel like it's on the wrong side of the shirt - not sure why, but I think I looks fine, and it did help the odd gaping problem!

And last but not least:

A peek at our under-construction sewing room! I am so excited about this project. When we get it all done, it's going to be AMAZING!

Anyway, there you have it. I'll probably never use New Look 6899 again. It's just too huge for me, and doing all those alterations was way more work that I bargained for - at least this time around. Still, I'm pleased with the end result.

Boys' Western Shirt

For this shirt I used Simplicity 5366. I did view B, size medium for the boys. This is a birthday present for my soon-to-be-8 year old brother, so SHHHH!!! ;)

I pretty much just followed the pattern. I can't really think of any changes! Shocking, I know. I did consistently put the buttonholes off-center, but our buttonholer is such a pain to use, I wasn't about to redo them! I've had it cut out for a couple of days now, but I didn't get a chance to sew until today. It was a full day of sewing, but I did finish it in one day!

By the way, the khaki that I used in the yoke was an old skirt my sister was getting rid of. I love it when I can re-purpose things into something entirely new, and completely unrecognizable from the original!

Winnie the Pooh Tiered Skirt

I just love how fast these skirts are! I was able to use some of the scrap fabric from THIS outfit to create this adorable little tiered skirt.

I didn't have a pattern, and, to tell the truth, I didn't even measure anything. I just cut according to what seemed to make sense. Of course, I didn't do the elastic casing to what would make sense, but I was having a brainless moment when I did that. It works though, so all's good.

Butterick 3485, View A

I've never used a pattern to make a bag or tote before, so I was determined to try it with some of my larger pieces of scrap fabric. I used the blue toile that I had left over from THIS dress to make THIS pattern, view A. I really like how it turned out!

The bag is fully lined. I hadn't really intended or thought to make this until I'd already started, so I used whatever we had on hand. I used a piece of small, cotton, craft rope for the button loop, a buckle from one of my brother's broken belts (it's a little heavy for the bag...), and a regular button as opposed to a toggle button. The only somewhat significant change to the pattern I made (aside from not making it out of suede or leather) was to add piping around the flap. I really like the clean touch that adds. :)