It's Free!

I inherited another fabric stash. My cousin has a friend who is seriously ill and has decided that her sewing career is over. She gave my cousin 4 trash bags of fabric. My cousin doesn't sew so she gave the fabric to me. This is my 2nd stash inheritance. I always try to do the usable pieces justice.

A lot of the fabric was "spongy" polyester and not usable. There were some good pieces including this heavy white linen with giant black and gray circles.




I used the linen to make the 7th version of OOP McCalls 5367. It is the skirt pattern that keeps on giving.




I thought the skirt needed some kicky pleats at the bottom. I tried some black trim around the top of the pleats, but didn't like it.



Here is a close up of the pleats. When I tried on the skirt, it was uncomfortably short, so I let it down as much as I could. There is a slight line where the old seam was. I think it will come out when I have it dry cleaned. It's probably not noticeable by anyone but me. Of course it's all I see.



I added a set in zipper that I had in the stash - not an invisible zipper this time.


I lined the skirt in left-over white lining I found in the stash. I hand-stitched the lining to the zipper. I used left-over hem lace from Bonnie's 1st Communion dress.


I guess there were some sunk costs for the lining, zipper, thread and hem lace - but it was as close to free as I can get. It is really beautiful linen.


I am wearing a Lane Bryant sweater, eBay pendant and shoes from the DSW Warehouse.

A Brown Trumpet

I finished another trumpet skirt using Simplicity 5914. I previously made it in a black and white rayon. This version is made from brown linen that I got from G Street last summer. I bought almost 7 yards with the thought that I would make pants, a skirt and a jacket. Here is the skirt. Hopefully, I'll get the pants and jacket done in my lifetime.

I see from these pictures that I need to shorten the lining.

The top is Simplicity 2369 previously discussed here.

I used an invisible zipper.

I made a thin waistband that was attatched by stitching in the ditch.

I finished the inside of the waistband by cutting it out on the selvage. I used pink poly lining that I got from a long closed Vietnamese fabric store in Arlington, VA. I hand stitched the lining to the zipper.

Here is a picture of the skirt with McCalls 5522 that I blogged about here.

I'm on a Role: White Linen Skirt

I decided I needed a white skirt to go with the navy knit top I finished.

Note: The white line across the bottom of the skirt is not the hem line. It is a crease formed from being in my stash for a long, long, time. I'll have to take it to the dry cleaners to get it out.


I looked through my stash of patterns for a simple skirt and found McCalls 5637.

The pattern included finished widths for waist and hips that were very accurate so fitting was easy and painless (sometimes these measurements are not accurate - I don't understand this...).

It was a 100% stash project. I think I purchased the linen from GStreet. I've had it in the stash at least 10 years. It is premo linen. A pleasure to sew. I lined the skirt in china silk left over from my wedding dress. The China Silk was purchased from Thai Silks 14 years ago.


I used a basic zipper from the stash.


Changes to pattern:

1. Added lining
2. Didn't use the facings
3. Added narrow waistband.



4. Added 3 inches to each side of kick pleat and sewed down at top. The pattern called for just an opening at the bottom of the seam. Whenever I wear ready-to-wear with this treatment, I tend to rip it up the seam. Guess I have a purposeful walk.

I hand stitched the lining to the back vent and used hemming lace for the hem (a girly little extra).

Sew Beautiful: Red Skirt

I completed a red linen gored skirt.


The pattern is included in a recent Sew Beautiful.


This is the picture of the skirt in the magazine. I love the skirt, but I think I will need to work up the patience to add all the embroidery.

I used the XXL size. It calls for 12 gores but I only used 11. I also took in the waist 4 inches (I am a hippy gal).
I used linen/rayon and poly lining I purchased from JoAnns.

I added lace to the hem also purchased from JoAnns.

I caved into peer pressure and purchased an invisible zipper. Amazingly enough, I did not have a red zipper among the 50 or so zippers in my stash.

I looked at some of the ready to wear waist treatments for ladies of a certain size and find that most have very thin waistbands with no interfacing. I tried that treatment. I think I like it. The wide waistbands tend to bunch up for me (I guess 3 children will do that to your abs...)

Somehow in my entire sewing career, I have only ever inserted an invisible zipper one other time at least 10 years ago. I bought a plastic foot for the occasion. Well I killed the foot putting in the zipper for this skirt. Maybe plastic isn't such a good idea for feet. Thankfully it died at the very end when I was sewing up the seam. I'm going to have to look for a replacement foot (preferably something in metal).

Here it is!

Closeup of shoes:


Parting shot of Bonnie in "Hannah Montana" pose.

Finally Something Finished: Navy Linen Pants

It seems my 20 min a day sewing does not provide enough time for finished projects.

I have finally completed something that fits, is not an abomination. and has helped me fulfill New Year's resolution #5: Make a pair of pants.

My quest for pants started with Simplicity 3686.

After 2 muslins, it became apparent that I was on the track for 6-7 muslins before getting pants that would fit. Apparently, I am grossly deformed with large thighs, an ample booty and a really short crotch rise. I gave up and made a pattern from a pair of pants I purchased from Lane Bryant.



I use tracing paper that I bought from an art supply house about 15 years ago.




I use a pinwheel to create a line of dots along all seams. I then use rulers and and a hip curve to connect the dots and add seam allowance.




The new pants! Ta Da



The pants looked much less wrinkled before they were worn all day. Unfortunately, the battery needed recharging in the morning.

The material is a dark navy linen I purchased from Stillwater Mills in Craigsville, VA when I was in College (making it at least 20 yrs old). This mill is gone now. They used to sell linen, wool and rayon remnants for $1 a pound! I still have other pieces from Stillwater in my stash.

The pants are lined with navy bemberg. The project would have been 100% stash except I ran out of navy hem tape and had to make a trip to G Street.

I ran out of the navy linen and used a white floral linen/cotton for the inside waist. Not a particularly smart move as you can see a white line at the center front waist.

Nothing to do with sewing - but these are the shoes I HAD TO HAVE that I wore with the outfit.

Gus' Egyptian Costume

Gus' 3rd grade play was on Egypt. I was hoping he would be a Pharaoh, but with his immense acting talent and singing and dancing abilities, Gus got the role of hand cymbal player.

I made him an Egyptian costume. He ended up with the fanciest costume of all.. he he he..

I was able to use all stash fabric. I noticed none of the other 3rd graders used actual linen for their costumes...

I copied an old t shirt to make the shirt. It is velcroed up the back.

Gus' goofy face.

I pleated the skirt with 1 inch pleats parallel to the floor. As soon as he tried it on he ripped open the seam joining the front panel. I guess boys aren't used to skirts. I had to add two extra pleated triangle panels perpendicular to the floor.

The belt and front panel are sewn into the skirt. The belt has a velcro opening in the front.

Inspiration

Gus' Easter Outfit

Well since it's almost Christmas and 30 degrees outside - it's time for a blast from the past showcasing Gus' Easter outfit in 2001.



Here is a closeup of Gus' button up pants outfit. I used linen/cotton with narrow rick rack and bear buttons from JoAnns.


I used out-of-print Simplicity 9641. I think this is the first time when one of my creations looks EXACTLY like the pattern picture.




Close up of shirt front.


Closeup of front back.

Little bear buttons.